Can anyone once and for all help explain to me where I stand with my Visa? I have heard half a dozen different opinions and am still at a loss...

I originally came to Thailand 1 year ago with a Non Imm B Visa granted in the UK before I left, valid for 3 months. Since then I have done the 1 day run to malaysian border to get a 30 day stamp 2 times in a row. Then I went to Penang to get a single entry tourist visa valid for 2 months, which I extended for a further 30 days at my local immigration office.

After my 3 months were up, I did the same - Penang, another 60 day tourist visa and another 30 day extension at local office.

After these 3 months, I went to KL, got another 60 day tourist visa and returned to Thailand.

After only 34 days however, I had to go to Malaysia for a job interview. I returned after 5 days into Thailand and just got my 30 day stamp upon arrival (as my tourist visa was only valid for a single entry)

Now, I have heard from friends that It is ok to do go to the border to get a 30 day stamp 3 times in a row, then I have to leave the country to get a tourist (or other) visa. When this visa expires after 60 days, I can extend it for 30 days. Then I can do the border run for my 30 day stamp again 3 times in succession and repeat this cycle.

Can anyone help clarify this? I'm getting nervous now that if I go do my border run for the 30 day stamp in a couple of weeks, that I might get refused entry back into Thailand!

i also heard something about a new ruling that will mean returning to your own country after a certain period of time to apply for a new visa there!?

Any light that can be shone on my situation would be most gratefully received!

Can anyone once and for all help explain to me where I stand with my Visa? I have heard half a dozen different opinions and am still at a loss...

I originally came to Thailand 1 year ago with a Non Imm B Visa granted in the UK before I left, valid for 3 months. Since then I have done the 1 day run to malaysian border to get a 30 day stamp 2 times in a row. Then I went to Penang to get a single entry tourist visa valid for 2 months, which I extended for a further 30 days at my local immigration office.

After my 3 months were up, I did the same - Penang, another 60 day tourist visa and another 30 day extension at local office.

After these 3 months, I went to KL, got another 60 day tourist visa and returned to Thailand.

After only 34 days however, I had to go to Malaysia for a job interview. I returned after 5 days into Thailand and just got my 30 day stamp upon arrival (as my tourist visa was only valid for a single entry)

Now, I have heard from friends that It is ok to do go to the border to get a 30 day stamp 3 times in a row, then I have to leave the country to get a tourist (or other) visa. When this visa expires after 60 days, I can extend it for 30 days. Then I can do the border run for my 30 day stamp again 3 times in succession and repeat this cycle.

Can anyone help clarify this? I'm getting nervous now that if I go do my border run for the 30 day stamp in a couple of weeks, that I might get refused entry back into Thailand!

i also heard something about a new ruling that will mean returning to your own country after a certain period of time to apply for a new visa there!?

Any light that can be shone on my situation would be most gratefully received!

! listen to your friends cos thier right, and just make sure you you go a few days early on ya last border run to avoid any problems ya might incur!

dont worry and good luck

You may want to read the "hammer down" thread on the crackdown on the 60 day tourist visas. It seems that after 3 60 day tourist visas the Penang consulate (maybe others?) are issuing a warning stamp in your passport that a same tourist visa may not be granted in the future

Edited October 15, 200718 yr by Fred Sanford

The rule is not more than 90 days on visa exempt entry during a six month period. Not 180 days - so the tourist visa/3 visa exempt entries will not get you into a new six month period. The best method currently is tourist visa/extension and then 2 visa exempt and repeat. But as said that may go the way of the dinosaurs if Consulates start to limit visa issue.