Hi,

Apologies if this topic has been covered recently.

I am arriving in Bangkok from London on 1st February and will be in the country until 24th February, when I have to return to the UK for one week for work commitments.

I am then returning to Bangkok on 3rd March and won't return to the UK until 4th May. These flights are already booked via EVA Air business class.

During the 3 month period, I will be renting an apartment in Bangkok to use as my base (rental agreement already made) but I plan to take 1-3 side trips outside of Thailand during the March-May time, each with a return to BKK in between.

I did something similar during the same period last year and had no issue with visa exempt arrivals at BKK or DMK. However, I've recently seen quotes stating that only 2 visa exempt arrivals are going to be allowed via air or land in any one year period going forward (I assume Jan-Dec of each year), I'm therefore concerned I'm going to get pulled up here and given I'll have a rented apartment with all my luggage in it, I cannot afford to be refused entry.

Should I apply for a METV from the London embassy or is there an easier solution e.g. paid for assured entry via an agent? I've never had to go down this route in the past, just used SETVs from that embassy previously when the visa exempt was set at 30 days or been fine with visa exempt entry. I'm age 54 at present.

If I do need to go for METV, how long roughly does that take to obtain and is it done all online or is attendance at London embassy needed?

Thanks in advance!

25 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

I am then returning to Bangkok on 3rd March and won't return to the UK until 4th May.

That's a two month stay in Thailand.

What's important is total time spent in Thailand especially with short breaks out of Thailand.

27 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

I've recently seen quotes stating that only 2 visa exempt arrivals are going to be allowed via air or land in any one year period going forward

That is not a rule.

Dr Jack - I am entering Bangkok on 31st January and again on 3rd March. So in total 3 months, split by a one week return to the UK. That's already 2 visa on arrivals without accounting for the 1-3 side trips.

I know there is no official rule and that immigration is never consistent but I'm canvassing opinion on whether there's a chance I can expect to be pulled up here given I can't afford to be refused entry to Thailand during this period with 3 suitcases of possessions in a Bangkok apartment.

I would appreciate more comprehensive feedback from others regards questions in my OP because applying for an METV is probably not straightforward even though finances are not an issue here.

28 minutes ago, MarkyM3 said:

I am entering Bangkok on 31st January and again on 3rd March. So in total 3 months, split by a one week return to the UK. That's already 2 visa on arrivals without accounting for the 1-3 side trips.

Yes I realize there was also a one month visit in Feb.

Bottom line is that total stay in total is approx 3 months.

That is a tourist vacation.

The "crackdown" seems was triggered by visa exempt entries + 30 day extension + border bounce "wash and repeat"

That is NOT the pattern you outlined.

For each visa exempt entry the airline and/or immigration may require proof of onward flight.

Having 20k equilivent in cash and itinerary would be good idea.

IMO your 3 month stay ( in tatal) a METV is an option but overkill.

BTW: It's not visa on arrival it's visa exempt entry.

Update - given the lack of other inputs and current uncertainty, I've gone ahead and applied for a METV from the Thai Embassy in London, cost £150. I'm pretty sure I don't fit the profile of a visa exempt abuser and have a clean long-term immigration history but I can't afford any risk of being refused entry with all my stuff sitting in an expensive apartment rental in BKK.

The visa application process is a bit time consuming but not onerous and the online system works pretty well. Can save a partially completed application.

I will update here on whether I'm successful with that and what the turnaround time was.

The application to obtain an METV has some rationale in that it may increase the OP's chances of entry.

However, it is important to understand that all tourist options (VE, SETV & METV) are denied entry when Immigration decide the foreigner has "stayed too long" and is de facto living in Thailand. You can add ED-visa holders to that list too.

An METV does not virtually guarantee entry in the way a valid permission of stay extension linked to a work permit or retirement would. This is because it is a tourist option as its name clearly states.

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

You can add ED-visa holders to that list too.

Nah, ED visa holders are denied entry because they are supposed to be in Thailand, not traveling. It's as simple as that. They wanted to study SO BADLY in Thailand that they NEEDED a visa to stay there and do it. But then show how not serious they are by leaving Thailand and trying to come back instead of studying.

My friend whos married to a thai went to a holiday in Vietnam and Laos with his wife.

When they arrived in Bangkok he get alot of questions from the IMO and they even had to give the marrigesertificate to the officer among other papers.He said this is the first time ever they asked for these things.They will move to my country 11th of February and they been married more then a year.He arrived Bangkok 30th november last year and get 60 days on arrival.He have never do visaruns and this trip was just a holiday trip with his wife.It seems to me that u never know who u meet in the IMM in Bangkok and anything could happen depends on the IMO.

1 hour ago, norsurin said:

When they arrived in Bangkok he get alot of questions from the IMO and they even had to give the marrigesertificate to the officer among other papers.

Almost too far fetched.

He was doing a visa exempt entry.

Marriage to a Thai has nothing to do with that. Also who travels around with their marriage certificate in pocket..

I would disregard this immigration officer experience.

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Almost too far fetched.

He was doing a visa exempt entry.

Marriage to a Thai has nothing to do with that. Also who travels around with their marriage certificate in pocket..

I would disregard this immigration officer experience.

Agree..but it seems that an IMO can do whatever he wants.

OP here. I've received approval of the METV e-visa this afternoon from the Royal Thai Embassy in London. Was sent an auto-email with visa enclosed as a PDF.

So, just under a week between submitting the application and approval. Wasn't asked to submit further documents once I'd filed the application.

Thanks for update and congrats.

Obviously do a hard copy print out of the eVisa to show airline and immigration when arrive Thailand.

14 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

OP here. I've received approval of the METV e-visa this afternoon from the Royal Thai Embassy in London. Was sent an auto-email with visa enclosed as a PDF.

So, just under a week between submitting the application and approval. Wasn't asked to submit further documents once I'd filed the application.

Excellent and as expected. METV's from London are going to be issued if documentation satisfies the requirements.

You stated you intend to spend around 3 months in Thailand using this visa. That should be absolutely fine. However, the METV has the potential to allow 9 months' stay by timing entries and then obtaining a final 30-day extension. I think if you try to do that, and I know you said you do not intend to, you may well be questioned. My point being here is that an METV is still a "tourist option" and Immigration don't like anything that looks like, in their opinion, de facto living in Thailand using a "tourist option".

Enjoy your stay.

14 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Excellent and as expected. METV's from London are going to be issued if documentation satisfies the requirements.

You stated you intend to spend around 3 months in Thailand using this visa. That should be absolutely fine. However, the METV has the potential to allow 9 months' stay by timing entries and then obtaining a final 30-day extension. I think if you try to do that, and I know you said you do not intend to, you may well be questioned. My point being here is that an METV is still a "tourist option" and Immigration don't like anything that looks like, in their opinion, de facto living in Thailand using a "tourist option".

Enjoy your stay.

Thank you!

Yes, was aware of the ability to stretch the METV to 9 months but I still work in the UK for the time being so won't be doing that this time. If I'm spending that much time in Thailand in future (which may be possible as I intend to early retire in the next year or two) then I'll go down the retirement visa route for sure.

6 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

If I'm spending that much time in Thailand in future (which may be possible as I intend to early retire in the next year or two) then I'll go down the retirement visa route for sure.

Thinking best option after you retire is as, you point out.. Go the Non O retirement with annual extensions + reentry permit.

Trouble free entries as much as, you want even if spending less than 6 months in Thailand.