Given the reporting that Thai Immigration were clamping down hard on multiple Visa exempt arrivals and I was planning a 90 day trip including out of Thailand trips it seemed prudent to get a visa. Over on Trip Advisor they seem to be saying the clamp down is just an internet myth and trips out of the country and land border crossings are business as usual.

What is the current situation. I don't want to risk a 90 day trip relying on an extension or a second or third visa exempt entry then get refused re-entry.

The immigration officers was busy bringing quite a few westerns to the investigation rooms yesterday. Might be an indication they question more now than before ?

The clampdown is about abusing visa exempt (no visa) to spend too much time in Thailand. There are a lot of things being thrown around that aren't exactly true. The things like 2 entries per year, 157 days per year, resetting January 1st, etc.

The fact of the matter is they will look at your entire recent history to try and determine trends and patterns. If they see you enter for 1 week every month, and don't stay for 60 days, get a 30 day extension, leave and repeat, they'll likely let you enter as many times as you want. It's a lot more about the total time you spend in Thailand and how much time you are spending with each trip.

46 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The immigration officers was busy bringing quite a few westerns to the investigation rooms yesterday. Might be an indication they question more now than before ?

You arrived into Thailand yesterday and saw immigration officers taking 'quite a few' westerners to investigation rooms ?

I'm entering Thailand numerous times per year (up to 10) for well over 20 years - I've no idea where these investigation rooms are and have never seen any foreigner taken to one...

It's quite concerning that this is 'suddenly noticeable' as it implies a dramatic change.

1 hour ago, Geoff914 said:

Given the reporting that Thai Immigration were clamping down hard on multiple Visa exempt arrivals and I was planning a 90 day trip including out of Thailand trips it seemed prudent to get a visa. Over on Trip Advisor they seem to be saying the clamp down is just an internet myth and trips out of the country and land border crossings are business as usual.

What is the current situation. I don't want to risk a 90 day trip relying on an extension or a second or third visa exempt entry then get refused re-entry.

Logic suggests getting a METV visa - why wouldn't you ?

If I'm not mistaken its valid for 6 months and allows for 60+30 days per entry (i.e. 60 days on entry, then a 30 day extension if required).

41 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

You arrived into Thailand yesterday and saw immigration officers taking 'quite a few' westerners to investigation rooms ?

I'm entering Thailand numerous times per year (up to 10) for well over 20 years - I've no idea where these investigation rooms are and have never seen any foreigner taken to one...

It's quite concerning that this is 'suddenly noticeable' as it implies a dramatic change.

It's not exactly a new thing. 3 years ago when entering I was taken out of line, and while not brought to a "room", I was taken a to a table out of sight of the main lines and questioned by 3 immigration officers. Just because you've never seen or experienced it, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You arrived into Thailand yesterday and saw immigration officers taking 'quite a few' westerners to investigation rooms ?

No but he thought it sounded good.

6 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

.....Thai Immigration were clamping down hard on multiple Visa exempt arrivals and I was planning a 90 day trip including out of Thailand trips it seemed prudent to get a visa

Chill. Given that your trip is 90 day total you can just enter visa exempt and be stamped in each time for 60 days.

To be on safe side make sure you have an onward flight for each entry and cash equivalent currency to 20k baht.

Proof of hotel booking for first couple of nights while not essential still good idea.

You won't have an issue.

This is all about visa exempt 60 + extension 30 + short stay out of Thailand (border bounce) wash and repeat

7 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You arrived into Thailand yesterday and saw immigration officers taking 'quite a few' westerners to investigation rooms ?

I'm entering Thailand numerous times per year (up to 10) for well over 20 years - I've no idea where these investigation rooms are and have never seen any foreigner taken to one...

It's quite concerning that this is 'suddenly noticeable' as it implies a dramatic change.

There is a a couple of investigating «rooms» open office solutions in the back of priority line, and I have also registered temporary installations before with tables in the back of the main immigrations enter area. Yesterday they came around through the priority area because of quite a lot of arrivals, so maybe therefor It was more noticeable?

18 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Logic suggests getting a METV visa - why wouldn't you ?

If I'm not mistaken its valid for 6 months and allows for 60+30 days per entry (i.e. 60 days on entry, then a 30 day extension if required).

Might have to get any out of Thailand trips done in the first 60 days then return within 60 days and get an extension or arrive visa exempt for another 30 days before the flight home. My 90 day limit is due to travel insurance. Actually limited to 91 or 92 days, can't remember which, per trip.

2 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Might have to get any out of Thailand trips done in the first 60 days then return within 60 days and get an extension or arrive visa exempt for another 30 days before the flight home. My 90 day limit is due to travel insurance. Actually limited to 91 or 92 days, can't remember which, per trip.

What does your 'intended' total stay look like ? you may get better entry advice with that information.

METV still appears to be the safest option.

What I am planning is a 90 day trip mainly in Thailand. May be 2 or 3 side trips. Never been to Hong Kong and always meant to go there and Kuala Lumpur. May be tag on Taiwan to the Honk Kong trip. It is the number of visa exempt entries that bothers me as I would like another trip to Thailand later in the year. If the limit on 2 visa exempts per year is carried out then I will blow that on the first trip alone. Whilst it is all very well saying it is pie in the sky threats from Immigration I did a side trip to Cambodia from Thailand 10 months ago and very nearly didn't get back into Thailand. I don't want to risk that again.

13 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

What I am planning is a 90 day trip mainly in Thailand. May be 2 or 3 side trips.

My first post covered your concerns.

You have zero entries you outline.

Disregard nonsense advice re "crackdown"

Does not apply to what you outline

I did point out that I had a big problem last February returning from Cambodia. Quite an intense interrogation. Pulled up records from the previous visa exempt entry, accused me of having a family in Thailand, I don't. I was given quite a rough time. just want to avoid that. And I really don't get the necessity to carry 20,000 baht is cash. Have Thailand never heart of credit cards and bank cards?

8 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

I did point out that I had a big problem last February returning from Cambodia. Quite an intense interrogation. Pulled up records from the previous visa exempt entry, accused me of having a family in Thailand, I don't. I was given quite a rough time. just want to avoid that. And I really don't get the necessity to carry 20,000 baht is cash. Have Thailand never heart of credit cards and bank cards?

The METV is precisely what you need.

The resetting per calendar year isn’t true as I just left Thailand today after using my non o visa and they said I won’t be allowed back unless I get another one non o.

This was Nong khai border.

Lots and lots of people got sent like me to other room for questioning.

18 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

I did point out that I had a big problem last February returning from Cambodia. Quite an intense interrogation. Pulled up records from the previous visa exempt entry, accused me of having a family in Thailand, I don't. I was given quite a rough time. just want to avoid that. And I really don't get the necessity to carry 20,000 baht is cash. Have Thailand never heart of credit cards and bank cards?

Necessity it carry cash (20,000 baht) / and have an onward flight - If arriving visa exempt is simply an Immigration Requirement - It doesn't need to be understood, its simply locked into Immigration Law to show 'sufficient funds' (currency) - credit cards, local bank accounts etc won't work...

This 'loop-hole' has 'sometimes' been used as an excuse by immigration to reject entry IF they [Immigration officer] suspects someone might be here for work etc or for the wrong reasons etc.... Its simpler just to comply and ensure bases are covered just in case...

2 hours ago, Louis100 said:

The resetting per calendar year isn’t true as I just left Thailand today after using my non o visa and they said I won’t be allowed back unless I get another one non o.

This was Nong khai border.

Lots and lots of people got sent like me to other room for questioning.

Did they say a tourist visa would be ok , or did it have to be a non - O ?

On 1/2/2026 at 1:24 PM, richard_smith237 said:

You arrived into Thailand yesterday and saw immigration officers taking 'quite a few' westerners to investigation rooms ?

I'm entering Thailand numerous times per year (up to 10) for well over 20 years - I've no idea where these investigation rooms are and have never seen any foreigner taken to one...

It's quite concerning that this is 'suddenly noticeable' as it implies a dramatic change.

You sure give that finger you wag a lot of exercise.

Immigration has an office situated to the right of the priority and diplomatic kiosks.

12 hours ago, Liquorice said:

The METV is precisely what you need.

Is the multi entry tourist visa 60 days or can you get longer? And do I take it the 60 days starts once you arrive. So say you stay 20 days then leave for 10 days then return then you have 30 days left not 40 days left?

7 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Is the multi entry tourist visa 60 days or can you get longer? And do I take it the 60 days starts once you arrive. So say you stay 20 days then leave for 10 days then return then you have 30 days left not 40 days left?

each time you enter through immigration you get 60 days, until the METV expires of course

1 hour ago, expat_4_life said:

each time you enter through immigration you get 60 days, until the METV expires of course

yea ok got it. Since I only intend to travel for a maximum of 90 days that should cover it. If on a multi entry visa and leaving Thailand with the intention of returning is there a process to follow?

5 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

yea ok got it. Since I only intend to travel for a maximum of 90 days that should cover it. If on a multi entry visa and leaving Thailand with the intention of returning is there a process to follow?

No. It's a multi entry visa. You simply scan out at the immigration e-gates on departure and get stamped back in for another 60-day at arrival immigration on your return.

19 hours ago, persimmon said:

Did they say a tourist visa would be ok , or did it have to be a non - O ?

Non o

Went to the Wang Prachan border this week near Malaysia.

Things went smoothly; I was out and back in the same day and got another 60-day exempt—my eighth one since my Non-O visa expired.

Paid 2,000 baht fee at the Thai immigration window before getting my exit stamp. The nice lady there told me I could do one more this year, but that might change after the elections in February.

1 hour ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

Paid 2,000 baht fee at the Thai immigration window before getting my exit stamp

Never heard of this before- is it a special service at that particular border crossing?

On 1/4/2026 at 10:32 AM, richard_smith237 said:

Necessity it carry cash (20,000 baht) / and have an onward flight - If arriving visa exempt is simply an Immigration Requirement - It doesn't need to be understood, its simply locked into Immigration Law to show 'sufficient funds' (currency) - credit cards, local bank accounts etc won't work...

This 'loop-hole' has 'sometimes' been used as an excuse by immigration to reject entry IF they [Immigration officer] suspects someone might be here for work etc or for the wrong reasons etc.... Its simpler just to comply and ensure bases are covered just in case...

Is it safe to assume that it's still 20,000 baht or equivalent in foreign currency? (UKP, USD, Euro etc)

That doesn't seem to have been mentioned recently.

2 minutes ago, VBF said:

Is it safe to assume that it's still 20,000 baht or equivalent in foreign currency? (UKP, USD, Euro etc)

That doesn't seem to have been mentioned recently.

Yes, it can still be in foreign currency.

10 minutes ago, VBF said:

Is it safe to assume that it's still 20,000 baht or equivalent in foreign currency? (UKP, USD, Euro etc)

That doesn't seem to have been mentioned recently.

20,000 baht per person, or 40,000 baht per family - or currency equivalent.

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Is it safe to assume that it's still 20,000 baht or equivalent in foreign currency? (UKP, USD, Euro etc)

That doesn't seem to have been mentioned recently.

20,000 baht per person, or 40,000 baht per family - or currency equivalent.

Thanks - and to @Caldera 👍