Tourist Visa - Border Runs

[hamish_mctavish]

I have searched through the previous topics to try and find a definitive answer for my question.

I plan to obtain a 60 day tourist visa from the UK to stay in Chiang Mai.

My question is, how many border runs can I do before I have to leave Thailand for the UK?

What I have learned so far is that I can do 2 crossings giving me 180 days.

Can I hypothetically keep doing border runs indefinttely?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

Why can't you stay in Chiang Mai legally? Have you even checked the legal options? Your information on tourist visa seems to be limited so that is why I am asking. With investment visa now only 3 million baht a lot of people can obtain one year extensions of stay and avoid visa runs.

There is no present set limit but that by no means is any guarantee it could not change tomorrow.

You would need a two entry tourist visa plus two extensions of stay plus a border run to stay 180 days. To obtain a new visa would mean to trip to a country willing to issue same.

[hamish_mctavish]

Why can't you stay in Chiang Mai legally? Have you even checked the legal options? Your information on tourist visa seems to be limited so that is why I am asking. With investment visa now only 3 million baht a lot of people can obtain one year extensions of stay and avoid visa runs.

There is no present set limit but that by no means is any guarantee it could not change tomorrow.

You would need a two entry tourist visa plus two extensions of stay plus a border run to stay 180 days. To obtain a new visa would mean to trip to a country willing to issue same.

Thanks for your quick reply.

With regard to the legal options, I am 20 years away from retirement, I dont have 3 million baht, I dont have a company to sponsor me and Im not planning getting married to my girlfriend quite yet, therefore I dont know of many options open to me.

Also, with regard to the tourist visa is the maximum 180 days? Or can I keep doing visa runs?

Thanks

[lopburi3]

There is always the chance you could set up a business.

There is no fixed limit on tourist visas but different Consulates will have there own rules. You would most likely end up making 30 day border runs until the crossing decides they have seen your face too often and suggests you try another next time. Not really happens that much but it does on occasion.