Thailand Entry Requirements

Children must have their own passport (included on parent's passport not accepted). Minors under 18 traveling without both parents should carry: notarized parental consent letter from absent parent(s) including contact information, birth certificate copy, and custody documents if applicable. Single parents should carry birth certificate showing sole custody or death certificate of other parent if widowed. Immigration may question children traveling with adults who aren't parents/legal guardians - carry authorization letters and contact information for parents. Unaccompanied minors require special arrangements with airlines and may need additional documentation from Thai immigration. For international adoptions or custody situations, carry complete legal documentation.

Importing pets to Thailand requires advance planning (start 2-3 months before travel). Requirements: Import Permit from Department of Livestock Development (DLD), valid health certificate from licensed veterinarian (within 10 days of travel), rabies vaccination certificate (at least 21 days but not more than 12 months before arrival), microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant), and parasite treatments. Some breeds are prohibited or restricted. Pets must enter through designated airports (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket). Quarantine may be required (up to 30 days depending on origin country and documentation). Service animals have separate requirements. Airlines have specific pet travel policies - book well in advance. Costs include import permit fees, veterinary inspections upon arrival, and potential quarantine fees. Contact Thai DLD well in advance: +66 2 653 4444.

Tourist visa exemptions and tourist visas can be extended once for 30 days at any Thai Immigration Office for 1,900 THB. Apply before your current stamp expires (recommended 7-10 days before expiration). Required documents: passport, TM.7 extension form, one passport photo, copies of passport data page and entry stamp, proof of accommodation, and fee. Long-term stays require appropriate visa types: Non-Immigrant O (retirement, family, volunteering), Non-Immigrant B (business, work), Non-Immigrant ED (education), or Elite Visa. Retirement visa (over 50) requires 800,000 THB in Thai bank or monthly income of 65,000 THB. Work requires work permit in addition to visa. Education visa requires enrollment in approved institution. Overstaying penalties: 500 THB per day up to 20,000 THB maximum, potential ban from Thailand (1-10 years depending on overstay length), and possible detention. Never overstay - extend or exit before your stamp expires.

Business travelers conducting meetings, attending conferences, or exploring business opportunities (without receiving payment in Thailand) can generally enter on visa exemption or tourist visa. However, performing actual work requires Non-Immigrant B visa and work permit. Business visa requirements: invitation letter from Thai company, business registration documents, letter from employer, and detailed itinerary. Work permits required before starting any employment, even for short-term assignments. Penalties for working without permit are severe: fines, deportation, and blacklisting. Digital nomads working remotely for foreign companies exist in legal grey area - technically may require work permit. New Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program offers options for highly-skilled professionals, remote workers, and wealthy individuals with streamlined process and benefits.

Cruise passengers on shore excursions typically receive special entry stamps allowing stay for the duration of ship's port call (usually 24-48 hours). Must carry cruise ship ID and passport. Immigration processed on ship or at port terminal. Some ports allow visa-free entry even for nationalities normally requiring visas if staying only during port call. If leaving the cruise in Thailand, normal entry requirements apply. If joining cruise in Thailand, ensure you have proper visa for any time before embarkation. Keep ship departure time in mind - missing ship departure is passenger's responsibility.

Previous overstays are recorded in Thai immigration systems. Short overstays (few days) with paid fines usually don't prevent re-entry, but multiple overstays or long overstays can result in entry denial or bans (1 year for 90+ days overstay, up to 10 years for serious violations). Previous visa denials, deportations, or immigration violations may result in automatic entry denial. If you have previous issues, consider applying for proper visa through embassy rather than attempting visa-exempt entry. Be honest if questioned - lying to immigration officers makes situations worse. Those with serious previous violations should consult with Thai immigration attorney before attempting entry. Bans can sometimes be appealed through Thai immigration or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but success is not guaranteed.

Thailand has cracked down on 'border runs' - repeatedly exiting and re-entering to extend stay on visa exemptions. Immigration officers may deny entry to those with history of frequent visa-exempt entries, particularly via land borders. Land border visa-exempt entries may be limited to 2 per calendar year for many nationalities. Flying in generally allows more entries, but excessive back-to-back tourist entries (even by air) may raise red flags. Officers may ask for proof of genuine tourism, onward travel, accommodation, and funds. If spending significant time in Thailand, obtain appropriate long-term visa rather than relying on repeated tourist entries. Educational institutions, retirement, marriage to Thai national, or work all have proper visa categories. Attempting to live in Thailand on tourist entries can result in denial of entry and potential ban.