15 November 2026 - Thailand has recently tightened its visa-exemption regime, particularly at its land border crossings, introducing stricter controls on repeat entries in an effort to crack down on misuse of visa-free travel. These measures are part of a broader push by the Immigration Bureau to prevent activities such as illicit business operations, repeated “visa-run” patterns, and other non-tourist uses of visa-exempt entry.

One of the most significant changes is a cap on the number of visa-exempt entries a traveler can make via land or border checkpoints. According to the Immigration Bureau’s new policy, individuals may be limited to two visa-free “border run” entries per calendar year. Entries beyond this limit may be denied, particularly if there is no valid justification for repeated crossings. Authorities state that this is intended to target those who use border hopping to remain in Thailand long-term without the proper visa.

In addition, there’s a more rigorous screening process at high-risk border areas. For instance, checkpoints in regions like Mae Sot (near the Myanmar border) are being closely monitored because they have been linked to scam operations or repeat entries by problematic travelers. People on immigration watch-lists—or those previously deported—may be blocked from re-entering at those land border points.

Under the new rules, visa extensions for those who entered via a border are becoming more restrictive. In many cases, travelers who used a land crossing to enter on visa-exemption are no longer eligible to apply for tourist-style extensions at local immigration offices. Moreover, the internal guidelines suggest that if someone leaves Thailand and immediately returns (a so-called “same-day bounce”), they may be barred from getting any extension for that entry.

The tightening at the border aligns with a broader crackdown. Immigration officers have been instructed to scrutinize travel history when someone arrives—how often a person crosses, how long they stayed previously, and whether their travel pattern appears consistent with “visa runs.” Repeated entries without a clear or reasonable purpose are red flags, and travelers may face more questions or even refusal right at the checkpoint.

In parallel, digital and procedural changes complicate the entry process at all points, including land borders. Since May 2025, all non-Thai nationals must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours before entering the country—this applies to arrivals by land, air, or sea. The TDAC replaces the older paper TM6 arrival card, making pre-arrival screening more efficient but also more stringent.

These measures reflect a broader trend: while Thailand remains open to tourists from 93 visa-exempt countries, the government is moving to prevent exploitative patterns. According to officials, the visa-exemption system has been abused by individuals who treat short-term tourist stamps as de facto residency tools or who use frequent border hopping to evade stricter visa rules.

For genuine short-term travelers, especially holiday visitors, the risk of being denied entry may be lower—provided they can clearly explain their travel plans, offer proof of funds, and show a history that doesn’t scream “visa-run.” But for those relying on back-to-back entries or “run” strategies via land borders, the new policies could significantly raise the bar for re-entry.

In sum, Thailand’s stricter visa-exemption restrictions at land entries mark a serious effort to clamp down on overstay and tourist-loop abuse. Travelers who previously depended on easy border crossings should re-evaluate their strategy, and may now find that applying for a proper visa is more reliable than relying on repeated visa-free entries.

Summary

For travelers who wish to stay in Thailand for extended periods—whether for retirement, business, marriage, study, or to accompany family—this new policy highlights the importance of having the proper long-stay visa. With the new restrictions, relying on border runs is no longer a safe or reliable solution.

  • Thailand is now much stricter with people entering the country through land borders using visa exemption.
  • You can only enter twice per year through a land border on a visa-exempt stamp.
  • Second stay extension in the calendar year is reduced to 7 days instead of 30 days.
  • People who do many border runs (leave and come back the same day) are now often refused entry or refused extension.
  • If you enter via a land border, it is now harder to get a tourist extension at immigration inside Thailand.
  • Genuine tourists should not worry too much, but people relying on border runs to stay long-term will face much tougher rules.

If you or someone you know is affected by these new rules, our agency in Pattaya is ready to assist. We offer full support for Thai long-stay visas, including Retirement, Business, Education, Marriage, and Follower visas. Our team will guide you through the requirements, help prepare all documents, and ensure your stay in Thailand is stable and worry-free.