Hi everyone,

I'd really appreciate some advice re thai visa exemption rules and the best thing to do in my situation.

We are a couple cycling around Asia and last year spent roughly 6 months in Thailand ( 4 working as teachers on a non-immigrant B visa and 2 on visa exemption + extension). We also re entered briefly for a visa run from Laos and used another visa exemption last month to cycle from the Sadao border to Ranong, where we crossed into Myanmar.

We are in Southern Myanmar right now and planned to cross back into Thailand at Mae Sot, spend a week cycling down to Bangkok before getting a bus to Cambodia. After a month in Cambodia, we planned to re enter Thailand on a 60 day single entry tourist visa and cycle north to Chiang mai.

However, before we crossed into Myanmar, Thai officials told us that we had spent too long in Thailand on visa exemption, and that they won't let us in Mae Sot without a tourist visa obtained in Yangon. Can someone please explain this rule? I can't find any info anywhere...how many days are permitted in what time period? Does crossing in for 10 minutes from Laos last year count as full 30 days?

My other question is whether there is any alternative to buying a full 30 day tourist visa just to spend a week crossing from Mae Sot to Cambodia...before buying another one in Cambodia a month later to actually travel Thailand. A double entry would be perfect (aside from only using the first entry for a week!) But apparently these don't exist anymore. Is there any kind of transit visa or a way to get just one more visa exemption so we can get to Cambodia and apply for our tourist visa when we actually want it?

These plans are inflexible as we have family visits and house sits locked in.

Thanks so much in advance!

There is no written limit on visa exempt entries.

When you enter the country the officer gets an alert when you have 6 or more of them. Your history would not justify you to even be questioned about an entry.

I see no reason for them to deny you entry at Mae Sot. Your travels are acceptable and is something tourists would do.

UJ is, of course, factually correct as always. I would only caution that land borders can be a law unto themselves. There would be no justification for denying you entry at Mae Sot, and it will probably not happen. However, I would not bet my life on it.

These are the threads that trouble me. As britTim rightly points out there is always a danger. Also ubon, who we all respect states effectively should be no problem. Sadly these guys are genuine tourists going in and out of los on the trip of a life time. Are they 100% certain to clear boarder with stamp. I cannot place money on that bet. The rules need to more clear and consistent.

For heavens sake....is it that hard to have guidelines that are clear in relation to stamps.

For example. Only 6 in any given year with minimum 21 days between each stamp. Finance must be demonstrated.

OK that's one off top of head. Point is it makes guys like the OP know exactly where they stand.

These are the threads that trouble me. As britTim rightly points out there is always a danger. Also ubon, who we all respect states effectively should be no problem. Sadly these guys are genuine tourists going in and out of los on the trip of a life time. Are they 100% certain to clear boarder with stamp. I cannot place money on that bet. The rules need to more clear and consistent.

For heavens sake....is it that hard to have guidelines that are clear in relation to stamps.

For example. Only 6 in any given year with minimum 21 days between each stamp. Finance must be demonstrated.

OK that's one off top of head. Point is it makes guys like the OP know exactly where they stand.

I gave the best info I could based upon the knowledge I have acquired. I even took into consideration the crossing they will be using for entry. It is not a via runner crossing since they do not allow border hops for a new visa exempt entry.

Most of your post is not really helpful. Complaining about no clear set of rules does not help in this topic.

An officer told us 90 days limit for a year but no count extension days

For Ex

Jan 30 days

Feb 28 days (paid 1900B)

Mar 30 days

Apr 30 days (paid 1900B)

May 30 days

Jun 30 days (paid 1900B) .......No problem

Jul will get warning at check point

it is not my experience info from internet blog

An officer told us 90 days limit for a year but no count extension days

For Ex

Jan 30 days

Feb 28 days (paid 1900B)

Mar 30 days

Apr 30 days (paid 1900B)

May 30 days

Jun 30 days (paid 1900B) .......No problem

Jul will get warning at check point

it is not my experience info from internet blog

That is not written anywhere as a rule. Some crossings to Cambodia were invoking that for doing out/in border runs.

Immigration is not going invoke such a rule. They tried it before and it created nothing but problems for them trying to count the days plus it restricted some tourists from making their regular trips to here.

An officer told us 90 days limit for a year but no count extension days

For Ex

Jan 30 days

Feb 28 days (paid 1900B)

Mar 30 days

Apr 30 days (paid 1900B)

May 30 days

Jun 30 days (paid 1900B) .......No problem

Jul will get warning at check point

it is not my experience info from internet blog

That is not written anywhere as a rule. Some crossings to Cambodia were invoking that for doing out/in border runs.

Immigration is not going invoke such a rule. They tried it before and it created nothing but problems for them trying to count the days plus it restricted some tourists from making their regular trips to here.

Yes i know, It is not rule but alert coming up to PC monitor . I think It is computer system for warning

An officer told us 90 days limit for a year but no count extension days

For Ex

Jan 30 days

Feb 28 days (paid 1900B)

Mar 30 days

Apr 30 days (paid 1900B)

May 30 days

Jun 30 days (paid 1900B) .......No problem

Jul will get warning at check point

it is not my experience info from internet blog

I fail to understand why anyone would wish to plan such a itinerary.

A single entry tourist visa will provide a stay of 90 days (with an extension). Additional tourist visas are easily obtained from one of the nearby Thai Embassy's/Consulates.

An officer told us 90 days limit for a year but no count extension days

For Ex

Jan 30 days

Feb 28 days (paid 1900B)

Mar 30 days

Apr 30 days (paid 1900B)

May 30 days

Jun 30 days (paid 1900B) .......No problem

Jul will get warning at check point

it is not my experience info from internet blog

That is not written anywhere as a rule. Some crossings to Cambodia were invoking that for doing out/in border runs.

Immigration is not going invoke such a rule. They tried it before and it created nothing but problems for them trying to count the days plus it restricted some tourists from making their regular trips to here.

Yes i know, It is not rule but alert coming up to PC monitor . I think It is computer system for warning

Right! I know this is only an alert that the entry should be scrutinized more carefully than usual. However, there is evidence that IOs are claiming to travelers that it is an instruction to deny entry. The fact that the IO is lying/mistaken does not change that unfortunate fact.

Thanks guys, I'm still not sure whether to risk being turned away at Mae Sot and therefore risk overstaying our Myanmar visas whilst we get over to Yangon to apply for thai ones.

I mean, are they likely to deny entry without a concrete rule? Not counting extensions, we have only had 3 30 day exemptions in the last year, one of which was just to re enter Laos. Do they take that kind of thing into account or could we just be faced with an unwavering 'cannot!'?

Considering there's no real rule the officers at Ranong seemed very sure about it, telling us they were marking our passport numbers on the system...

Grr, frustrating!!

Thanks guys, I'm still not sure whether to risk being turned away at Mae Sot and therefore risk overstaying our Myanmar visas whilst we get over to Yangon to apply for thai ones.

I mean, are they likely to deny entry without a concrete rule? Not counting extensions, we have only had 3 30 day exemptions in the last year, one of which was just to re enter Laos. Do they take that kind of thing into account or could we just be faced with an unwavering 'cannot!'?

Considering there's no real rule the officers at Ranong seemed very sure about it, telling us they were marking our passport numbers on the system...

Grr, frustrating!!

Passport numbers of all that enter the country are "marked" on the system !

You were not afforded "special" treatment !

most of my friends believe that

Thai Embassy's/Consulates in Penag gives us SETV 3 times max

Thai Embassy's/Consulates in Vientiane gives us SETV 4 times max

most of my friends try to follow the visa run company's advise

such as

JAN FEB: visa exemptions will provide a stay of 60 days (with an extension)

Mar Apr May : A single entry tourist visa will provide a stay of 90 days (with an extension)

Jun JUL: visa exemptions will provide a stay of 60 days (with an extension)

Aug Sep Oct: A single entry tourist visa will provide a stay of 90 days (with an extension)

Nov Dec: visa exemptions will provide a stay of 60 days (with an extension)

Thanks guys, I'm still not sure whether to risk being turned away at Mae Sot and therefore risk overstaying our Myanmar visas whilst we get over to Yangon to apply for thai ones.

I mean, are they likely to deny entry without a concrete rule? Not counting extensions, we have only had 3 30 day exemptions in the last year, one of which was just to re enter Laos. Do they take that kind of thing into account or could we just be faced with an unwavering 'cannot!'?

Considering there's no real rule the officers at Ranong seemed very sure about it, telling us they were marking our passport numbers on the system...

Grr, frustrating!!

Passport numbers of all that enter the country are "marked" on the system !

You were not afforded "special" treatment !

They implied that they had made a note on the system so that when we present our passports to enter Thailand some kind of message will come up informing the IO that we were previously informed we could not enter Thailand again on an exemption.

Thanks guys, I'm still not sure whether to risk being turned away at Mae Sot and therefore risk overstaying our Myanmar visas whilst we get over to Yangon to apply for thai ones.

I mean, are they likely to deny entry without a concrete rule? Not counting extensions, we have only had 3 30 day exemptions in the last year, one of which was just to re enter Laos. Do they take that kind of thing into account or could we just be faced with an unwavering 'cannot!'?

Considering there's no real rule the officers at Ranong seemed very sure about it, telling us they were marking our passport numbers on the system...

Grr, frustrating!!

I am confident you will not be turned away at Mae Sot. Yout history does not appear to even reach the 6 visa exempt entry alert that will cause them to question you.

The officer in Rayong may of been talking about their rules for doing out/in border crossings.

Thanks guys, I'm still not sure whether to risk being turned away at Mae Sot and therefore risk overstaying our Myanmar visas whilst we get over to Yangon to apply for thai ones.

I mean, are they likely to deny entry without a concrete rule? Not counting extensions, we have only had 3 30 day exemptions in the last year, one of which was just to re enter Laos. Do they take that kind of thing into account or could we just be faced with an unwavering 'cannot!'?

Considering there's no real rule the officers at Ranong seemed very sure about it, telling us they were marking our passport numbers on the system...

Grr, frustrating!!

I am confident you will not be turned away at Mae Sot. Yout history does not appear to even reach the 6 visa exempt entry alert that will cause them to question you.

The officer in Rayong may of been talking about their rules for doing out/in border crossings.

Okay thanks a lot. I've just looked into it and Myanmar overstay penalties are not harsh so it makes sense to just go for it next week.

Fingers crossed!

Thanks guys, I'm still not sure whether to risk being turned away at Mae Sot and therefore risk overstaying our Myanmar visas whilst we get over to Yangon to apply for thai ones.

I mean, are they likely to deny entry without a concrete rule? Not counting extensions, we have only had 3 30 day exemptions in the last year, one of which was just to re enter Laos. Do they take that kind of thing into account or could we just be faced with an unwavering 'cannot!'?

Considering there's no real rule the officers at Ranong seemed very sure about it, telling us they were marking our passport numbers on the system...

Grr, frustrating!!

I am confident you will not be turned away at Mae Sot. Yout history does not appear to even reach the 6 visa exempt entry alert that will cause them to question you.

The officer in Rayong may of been talking about their rules for doing out/in border crossings.

Okay thanks a lot. I've just looked into it and Myanmar overstay penalties are not harsh so it makes sense to just go for it next week.

Fingers crossed!

Good luck. If possible give a report back to thread re how you got on. Ride safe

These type of situations are what will eventually destroy tourism in Thailand. These people are genuine tourists who were treated as border runners. There are too many IO's who do not know what they are doing and don't understand the Immigration laws.

i agree there is no reason they will turn you away

BUT i also think;

why risk it to save $40 and ruin your trip

Off topic but

how do u like Southern Myanmar? I was thru there last dec, Loved Myeik and Dawei

Edited March 22, 201610 yr by phuketrichard

Mae Sot is Mae Sot, the worst immigration checkpoint I have ever had to deal with...
They will not let you leave Thailand at Mae Sot if you don't have a proper visa to return to Thailand or a proper Myanmar visa but you should be able to enter on a visa exemption as you don't do a in-out border jump.