Thailand was once well known for visitors bending the visa rules through what were called “border runs.”
In simple terms, if someone wanted to stay longer than the standard tourist allowance, they could pay a third party to take their passport over a border and re-enter on their behalf. The visitor often didn’t even leave their hotel room — yet suddenly had another 90 days in the country.
It was a widely known loophole.
That loophole is now being closed, and Thai authorities are actively clamping down. Personally, I think this is a positive change — it brings clarity and fairness to the system.
What does this mean now?
Unless you have a very valid reason, stays under tourist rules are effectively limited to 90 days within a 12-month period.
For many people, that’s perfectly fine.
If you own a lifestyle or holiday property in Thailand, for example, six two-week trips a year still works comfortably under the rules.
However, if you’re retiring to Thailand or planning to spend extended time there, the key takeaway is simple:
👉 You now need the right visa.
The good news is that this is actually quite straightforward when done properly, using a reputable visa agent — and we already have those relationships in place.
A Note on the DTV Visa
There is also the DTV (Destination Thailand Visa), which suits:
- Remote workers
- Digital nomads
- Self-employed business owners
- Australians running businesses back home while choosing to live part-time in Thailand
The DTV visa provides up to 5 years of access to Thailand and allows you to live there long-term as a lifestyle choice while continuing to work remotely. For the right people, it’s a very practical and achievable option.
What’s Next?
I’ll be taking you through this process step by step, as I’ll be applying for my own DTV visa shortly.
I’ll be sharing videos and updates along the way so you can see exactly how it works in real life — not theory.
👉 Keep an eye out — those videos are coming soon.
