2 back to back TR Visa, is it ok if I dont get a 3rd?

[acenase]

I have a US Passport, for my first trips to Thailand, I never applied for a Visa, I just got Visa exemption stamp because I was leaving in a few days.  I realized that I wanted to come back so I came back multiple times staying for only a few days, then decided I wanted to rent a condo and stay long term so I came back again then when that was up, I traveled to Hong Kong and then back without applying for a Visa, then I got another extension and before my 60 days were up I booked a flight to Malaysia and then back to Bangkok on the same day....this was my 5th visa exemption stamp and the officer at immigration questioned me because he said I left on the same day today and back on the same day and he asked me what are you here for?" and so I just told him that I am with my girlfriend here and he let me in but said I need to apply for a TR Visa next time

 

So after that I got 2 back to back TR Visas in Laos. First time I flew and 2nd time i used fhe Bus to go to cross the border... Now this Visa will expire in October, but I have plans to go to Hong Kong in October... and I already have my ticket to go back to USA in December.  Do you think it will be ok, that after I got 2 back to back TR Visas from Laos, I go on my trip to Hong Kong in October and come back to Thailand without applying for a Visa and just get the 30 day Visa exemption stamp that I can extend for 30 days? If they question me about where my new Visa is, can i explain to them that I didn't get a Visa this time because I do not plan to stay for 3 months and already have a ticket to leave after 2 months? What are the chances of them denying my entry and has anyone ever got their entry denied after 5 Visa exempt stamps by air and 2 back to back Visas one by air and one by bus?

[BritTim]

Get a tourist visa in Hong Kong. It is one of the best places in the region to apply for a tourist visa.

 

You might get away with coming back visa exempt. However, immigration can still see all your previous visa exempt entries, and their instructions are increased scrutiny for those entering with more than six visa exempt entries since 2015.

[JackThompson]

I would dread entering at an airport with that amount of time spent here recently on Tourist-type entries (Visas and Exempts) - even with a Tourist Visa.  If you do this, have 20K Baht worth of cash or travelers checks to show, and if trying it exempt, proof of your next flight-out within 30-days (not 60).  Coming in with a Tourist Visa would be the better choice, because there are specific additional rules regarding the granting of exempt-entries.

 

If you really want to do an exempt vs getting a visa, I suggest using a friendly land-border crossing.  You can do 2 land-border visa-exempt crossings per calendar year.  Ban Laem, Ban Packard, or a crossing to Laos would be best.  Avoid Poipet/Aranyaprathet, which is as bad or worse than airport immigration. 

 

If you don't like longer bus-rides, domestic-air flights (which do not involve immigration) can get you close to land-border crossings, and airlines even have "fly+ride" services that will take you right to the border-town.

[acenase]

I've been thinking about it and I think I'm going to have to just submit another application and do a Visa run to HK and apply for a 3rd TR Visa in Hong Kong when I am there, because I've already been to Laos twice, for a Visa run (one by air and one by bus), and I already had to pay $35 to enter Laos, and their Visa unfortunately takes up an entire page in my Passport.

I've only got 2 blank pages left in my Passport and I want to make that work until I go back to US in December. Also isn't land crossing visa exempt only 15 days as opposed to 30 days from air? Since I will be staying in Thailand from October-December (60 days), I think the TR Visa in Hong Kong would be a better choice now that I think about it. I won't get any stamps in HK, and I won't have to spend a day at Changwattana immigration to extend a 30 day Visa exemption to 60 day for 1,900 Baht. 

[ubonjoe]

28 minutes ago, acenase said:

Also isn't land crossing visa exempt only 15 days as opposed to 30 days from air?

The 15 day entry rule was rescinded on January 1st of this year when the 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year went into effect.

For those from the US it had been 30 days since November of 2013.

[acenase]

So if I were to just cross the border and then cross the border back on the same day it wouldn't be a problem since I haven't done it more than twice this year and just get a 30 days stamp. That just seems so much easier and hassle free.  I guess what is the worst that can happen? Try and if they ask where my Visa is, if they really denied my entry without a Visa then I'll just have to apply for a TR Visa anyways so I guess trying that won't hurt. 

[ubonjoe]

10 hours ago, acenase said:

So if I were to just cross the border and then cross the border back on the same day it wouldn't be a problem since I haven't done it more than twice this year and just get a 30 days stamp.

Yes you could.

Immigration have gotten more relaxed about visa exempt entries since the 2 entry rule went into effect. The put a 1 and then a 2 beside the entry stamp and say no for number 3.

[JackThompson]

19 hours ago, acenase said:

I've only got 2 blank pages left in my Passport and I want to make that work until I go back to US in December. 

FYI - another option: It only takes 2 weeks or less to get a new US-Passport from the Embassy in Bangkok.  They will even mail it to you, so you only have to make one trip. 

 

If you choose to do this, best to start at the beginning of an entry, so there is no way you are w/o a passport when its time for an extension or departure.

[at15]

that would still be his 6th exempt entry overall so wouldnt it still be flagged in the computer and therefore questioned by the officer?

 

 

[acenase]

After doing some research and reading other posts it seems like there has been many people who get more than 6 Visa exempt stamps but Immigration just questions them to just be certain that they are not illegally working or seem suspicious. It seems like "Results may vary" depending on who is at Immigration.