Hi,

I am from the UK and recently started seeing a Thai girl. I have currently made 2 trips out there to see her, May and July for 10 days each. Both times were with a visa exemption stamp - my visit is all tourism, no work etc. We have travelled around the country a little and I myself always stay in a hotel.

Looking to the future, am I likely to run into any problems down the line if I continue this pattern in September and November. Both would be trips of 10 days or less - or is there a better way to be going about this? I would hate to be rejected at the airport!

I have done some reading into this and from what I can see using multiple visa exemption stamps can cause issues (or is that just if you go back to back?)

Many thanks

If you have many visa exempt stamps immigration will question you and might advise you that next time you will need a tourist visa to enter.

The way to avoid problems if traveling frequently is to get a tourist visa.

You tend get pulled aside after 6 exempt entries as computer system flags it. you would best say do 4 or 5 exempts then do a few tourists, can still get questioned though but it not a big deal if you be polite be honest & have some proof of income/funds in home country. I got pulled up at swampy on tourist & all they interested in was what funds I had, soon as see you got some $ they happy to have you. makes sense at some level as most of the western illegal workers live close to penniless from my observations.

Thank you, can I ask is visiting a girlfriend a valid reason to give for entry? - ie. It would not be a reason for a visa to be denied.

I have dealt with Visas for other countries in the past and I know each and every one can have their own intricacies. As annoying as they may be it is something wroth knowing if questioned. I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing.

Thank you, can I ask is visiting a girlfriend a valid reason to give for entry? - ie. It would not be a reason for a visa to be denied.

I have dealt with Visas for other countries in the past and I know each and every one can have their own intricacies. As annoying as they may be it is something wroth knowing if questioned. I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing.

You don't need a reason. As explained before it is legal that you travel as often you want on visa exempt, just be prepared to be asked some questions at some point. They can also tell you "last time", but again that has no legal grounds. What matter is that you come to spend money in Thailand, just remind them if asked.

Shouldn't be a problem. Just have your return ticket itinerary receipt handy, and equivalent of 10,000 baht cash upon arrival. If you were staying 30 days every other month, then you likely would get questioned. You should have no problem my friend. Enjoy your vacation and the company of your Thai Lady.

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your help and swift replies.

You tend get pulled aside after 6 exempt entries as computer system flags it. you would best say do 4 or 5 exempts then do a few tourists, can still get questioned though but it not a big deal if you be polite be honest & have some proof of income/funds in home country. I got pulled up at swampy on tourist & all they interested in was what funds I had, soon as see you got some $ they happy to have you. makes sense at some level as most of the western illegal workers live close to penniless from my observations.

Does anybody know if a tourist visa will "reset" the 6 exempt entries alert?

I have seen no info on the how the alert works. I don't think it would be reset.

But if the immigration officer sees that you had a tourist visa entry before he would not question you about your entry. The alert is meant to inform the officer to look closer at your previous entries.

I've just had 8 back to back 30 day exemptions as I've been working 21/21 in the UK.

I did get pulled in April by immigration but when she looked in my passport and could see that I had previous 60 day extensions for visiting my daughter she was fine with the situation but did make a point of saying it would be best to get a visa.

I didn't bother trying to explain the fact that I didn't IMO need a visa due to the time spent here on leave totalling only 20 days.

They don't see it like that they see only additional revenue from obtaining a visa,again I didn't try to explain that all the money I earn contributes to the Thai economy as its a waste of breath.

I will be soon travelling to Laos to obtain a non o visa purely for peace of mind and ease of access.

Edited July 17, 201510 yr by stoneyboy

Visited about 9 times since Nov 2013. Some times 2 months apart. Some times 3. Except for when my fiancee visited me last summer for 11 weeks. So similar situation. Never got pulled. Never questioned. The passport stamps get looked at a little though. Especially when I also nip to Laos for a couple days during my visit which a new Thai visa exempt stamp. So I've got probably 12 in total from past 20 months. Plus another 3 full page Laos visa stamps. I also stay for anywhere from 10 to 17 days during my days off work rota. Wouldn't worry about it. If they look closely at your visa exempt stamps they can see you also stayed in Thailand a short time. Not 30 days with visa runs back to back.