Don't make multiple visa runs

[Gaybutton]

It used to be that making visa runs was a standard way to stay in Thailand as long as you wish. That ended long ago. Now they are making it even tougher to get away with multiple visa runs. Make one too many and you will be denied reentry into Thailand. You might be able to get by if you have a good enough convincing reason. But just remember - immigration officials do this all day, every day, and immigration doesn't play games. Be assured, whatever excuse you might come up with, they've heard it all - probably many times.
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Immigration police target visitors making multiple visa runs

November 25, 2025

Immigration police are focusing on blocking foreigners, especially scammers, who do visa runs to extend their stay in Thailand by abusing the government's visa-free entry scheme.

Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, deputy chief of the Immigration Bureau, said on Tuesday that immigration police would carefully question foreigners making a third consecutive visit with repeated back-to-back visa-free requests to stay in the country for up to 90 days each time.

Officers would look into those who had stayed at least 45 days during their previous stays.

“These foreigners do not visit Thailand for tourism. Many of them work or operate business with Thai nominees as their front. They use the visa-free scheme to avoid official visa requests before travelling, and their data is not included in Thailand’s systems controlling occupations and taxation,” the deputy commissioner said.

Some of these visitors had made as many as seven visa runs in a row and their accumulated stay exceeded 200 days, he said.

Immigration police would deny such visitors repeated entry. This would enable them to prevent scammers who fled suppression in neighbouring countries relocating their illicit businesses to Thailand, he said.

Pol Maj Gen Choengron said suppression efforts had affected parties that cash-in on visa run services. They had started to disseminate false information, claiming that immigration had targeted visitors from countries including China.

The deputy immigration chief said such measures were applied fairly to visitors of all nationalities, and did not affect real tourists.

Genuine tourists stayed in Thailand for an average 15 days per visit, and presented clear information about their accommodation, trips around Thailand and departure dates, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.

Immigration police welcomed real tourists, he added.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -visa-runs

[Jun]

Making multiple border runs is exactly what some of the bar boys have been doing for years. Apparently some make a contribution to the tea fund to smooth things over.

[Gaybutton]

Making multiple border runs is exactly what some of the bar boys have been doing for years.

That is true, and I doubt that will stop. Maybe it's only farang they're worried about. I think you're probably right. One way or another tea money is going to figure into it.

In any case, for most farang reading this board who want to stay for longer periods of time the safest thing to do, assuming you're eligible, is to obtain legitimate visas rather than relying on border runs. And don't forget - if you're in Thailand on a visa, if you wish to leave Thailand and then quickly return, you need to first get a reentry permit or your visa becomes null and void.

[Jun]

And don't forget - if you're in Thailand on a visa, if you wish to leave Thailand and then quickly return, you need to first get a reentry permit or your visa becomes null and void.

Apparenty, the ludicrous re- entry permit is not needed by holders of the Destination Thailand Visa.
I have no idea why they require it from holders of retirement visas.

The Destination Thailand Visa seems like quite an interesting option for farang who intend to travel to other countries.

[Gaybutton]

I have no idea why they require it from holders of retirement visas.

I do. It is because making any sense seems to essentially be verboten around here . . .

[Jun]

I heard the DTV application fee is around $400 for a 5 year visa.

Now let's compare with the cost of retirement visa. You need to keep 800,000 in a low performance bank acccount. I suppose you get 3% if you're lucky? (estimate). I'd expect to get at least 7% in the stock market over the long term, probably more, but let's make conservative assumptions. So this bank account has an opportunity cost of 4% x800,000= 32,000 baht per year in lost returns.
That 5 year $400 DTV fee looks like good value.

The unknown is the extent to which immigration might ask for evidence of participation in your DTV activity.

[Gaybutton]

The point is to eliminate or substantially reduce multiple visa runs to avoid problems with immigration.

Does each individual immigration officer decide how many multiple visa runs are too many, and thus deny entry? Is there no standard for what "multiple" means? Just how many visa runs constitute too many? Without a specific number, apparently it is up to the whim of the immigration officer you find yourself dealing with. And if your entry is denied, just how long do you have to wait before Thailand will let you in?

[Jun]

Well, if they wanted to, they could define clear criteria and allow the immigration software do the calculations.
For example, a maximum of 180 days per year, without an appropriate residential visa.

However, this is Thailand. I suspect they want to leave it to the discretion of the immigration officer to bend the rules according to the size of the donation.

That's why the guidelines for enforcement seem to vary every time there's a statement.

[christianpfc]

"Genuine tourists stayed in Thailand for an average 15 days per visit" I know several people who come here for hibernation, that would be a few months over the winter (northern hemisphere). They are just below the threshold of 2 visa exempt entries (elsewhere I read, after 2 VE (per calendar year?) you will be questioned about your activities in Thailand).

Some more information here: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-im ... -98324.php
THAILAND (Immigration - Foreigners & Expats) - PHUKET IMMIGRATION SPELLS OUT 'VISA-FREE' CRACKDOWN
Sunday 23 November 2025 at 09:00 - By The Phuket News (Writer: Natnaree Likidwatanasakun)

While all have some gaps or uncertainties, the general picture is pretty clear.

There is still "safe entry" - various agencies who offer to pick you up at the arrival gate and lead you through a no-questions-asked immigration channel, for fees between 4000 THB (no previous overstays or entry denied) to 10,000 THB (previous overstays or entry denied). However, they can't offer their service for all entry points, e.g. not for Phuket and DMK.

[Gaybutton]

the general picture is pretty clear.

lead you through a no-questions-asked immigration channel, for fees

If it's true, that part is certainly clear to me . . .