Tourist Visas

[thaibook]

Can anyone fill me in on the rules please?

From reading here and talking to others, I have heard that three 30 day entrances into Thailand in a 6 month period is allowed - nothing more unless you get another type of visa.

Now, that is very straight forward and understandable. My confusion has come with my most recent visit to the Cambodian border. Apparently, I have the ability to exit and enter Thailand two more times (even though this is my third consecutive entrance in Thailand). The immigration officer on the Thai-Cambodian border wrote a one and circled it and the tour operator providing the transportation informed me of this. He also went on to explain that if I travelled to Laos afterwards, I can do even more exiting and entering.

Can someone clear this issue up for me? Does anyone really know the rules - foreigners and immigration officers alike?

[NathairCeann]

You have to clarify under what status you entered (visa exempt or with visa) and over which timeframe.

It sounds like previous entries were with a visa and this time was your first visa exempt entry. Going to Laos sounds like going to Vientiane/Savannaket for a tourist visa.

Mindreading and divination are free.
Contacting the dead is billable.

[thaibook]

I entered Thailand without a visa on an American passport on a tourist 30 day visa (each time).

Also, I have even heard that tourist visas on arrival should receive anywhere from 30 to 60 days at the discretion of the immigration officer. Is someone talking out of their arse saying this?

[Thetyim]

I entered Thailand without a visa on an American passport on a tourist 30 day visa

You have contradicted yourself there
"without a visa......on a tourist visa"
I presume you mean you entered on TVE , Tourist Visa Exempt

[Thetyim]

Also, I have even heard that tourist visas on arrival should receive anywhere from 30 to 60 days at the discretion of the immigration officer. Is someone talking out of their arse saying this?

Yes.
It depends what passport you hold.
Some countries get 15 days some get 30 and some get 90 days
A US passport gets you 30 days TVE

[thaibook]

Sorry about that - gave myself a laugh looking at what I wrote. Thanks for clarifying it for me - but I heard that Brits/US passports can receive the 90 days as well on the TVE.

Also, still very confused on the issue stated in the OP - do airport and land immigration exits in Thailand have differing rules?

[Thetyim]

I heard that Brits/US passports can receive the 90 days as well on the TVE

I would say that is incorrect

1. ARGENTINA
2. BRAZIL
3. CHILE
4. KOREA, Republic of
5. PERU

are the only five which get 90 days