What are the “new visa rules”? A quick refresher

First, let’s lay out what’s actually changed recently in Thailand’s visa policy, so we know what people mean when they talk about “new rules.”

Visa-Exemption Expansion + Longer Stays
- Thailand expanded its visa-exempt list to 93 countries.
- For those eligible, the standard visa-exempt “stamp” is now 60 days, up from 30.
- You can extend that 60-day stay by 30 days at an immigration office — so 60 + 30 days is possible in some cases.
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) – a new long-stay visa
- Aimed at digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, or people doing certain “soft-power” activities (e.g., Muay Thai training, music seminars, medical treatment) plus spouses/dependents.
- Valid for 5 years, multiple entry.
- Allowed stay: up to 180 days per entry, and one extension (also up to 180 days) via Immigration.
- After using the 180 + 180 days, you must leave and re-enter to use the visa again, as long as you’re still within its validity.
Tightened Enforcement on Visa-Runs / Frequent Entries
- According to recent reports, immigration is increasing scrutiny on travelers who “in-out” frequently, especially those whose patterns look like visa runs.
- Internal “memo” to officers reportedly flags: more than 2 entries that look like visa runs, always staying nearly the maximum allowed, or only hopping to neighboring countries and coming back.
- Some legal sources say there is now an effective cap on visa-exempt entries: two per calendar year for many nationalities.

So, are the new rules only about visa extensions?

No — they’re not just about extensions. Yes, the new rules include limits on extensions, but they also bring in fresh limits (or at least stronger enforcement) on how many visa-exempt entries someone can make in a year.

The DTV visa (long-stay) is clearly a new visa category, not just an extension measure.
The visa-exempt policy (60-day entry + 30-day extension) is still there, but now immigration seems more serious about stopping people from abusing the system via frequent re-entries (“visa runs”).
So the “new measures” are multidimensional — they affect both:
1. How long you can stay per entry (extension rules), and
2. How many times you can re-enter under the visa-exempt scheme.

What about entering Thailand multiple times under visa exemption — is that limited?

This is where things get murky, because not all “new rules” are written in stone (or clearly public), and enforcement seems partially internal.

Some sources argue that air entries under visa exemption are not strictly capped by a published number, but immigration officers now have more discretion to refuse re-entry if the pattern looks like long-term residence.
However, legal/immigration-law commentary and recent reporting note that 2 visa-exempt entries per calendar year is now being enforced for many travelers.
For land entries, there’s historically been a limit: many nationalities were limited to 2 per year.
Further, news reports say that in recent internal memos, officers are told to raise red flags when people make more than 2 entries that look like visa-runs.

Altogether, while there may not be a public, crystal-clear uniform “three entry rule” written in one official law, the trend and enforcement seem to be tightening significantly.

Is the “180 days per year” claim real or just rumor?

You mentioned something you read: “if you stay under 180 days in a calendar year, then it’s fine.” That’s partially true, but not officially guaranteed as a safe “free pass.”

Some travelers believe that immigration is now using a 180-day threshold as an informal guideline — i.e., if your total time in Thailand (via visa exemptions) stays under ~180 days in a year, you may be less likely to be denied re-entry. This idea is floating around in expat/travel forums. > For example: “there’s no limit … rather a looser policy on time spent in Thailand”
But: this is not codified clearly in publicly available Thai immigration law (or at least, no publicly circulated official document says “you may stay up to 180 days via visa-exempt entries per year” as a strict legal right).
Instead, what we do know: immigration is looking more carefully at travel patterns, and “more than 2 entries that look like visa runs” is explicitly mentioned in internal memos.
Because of that, relying on a “180-day total stay argument” is risky — it’s not a formal guarantee, and can depend heavily on which immigration officer you meet, how they interpret things, and how consistent the internal guidance is at border posts.

What does your situation look like — and what’s the risk for your December trip?

Based on what you told me:

You entered Thailand twice this year (Feb ~50 days + May ~40 days), both under visa exemption, no visa extensions.
You left in June, and now plan to return in December (~6 months later).

Here’s how the current rules + enforcement risk might apply to you:

Entries Count
- If authorities are enforcing the “2 visa-exempt entries per year” rule (as some sources suggest), your December trip could be problematic — it would be your third visa-exempt entry in that calendar year (unless one of your earlier entries was via a different visa, but you said they were via visa exemption).
- However, because “air entries” are less clearly capped, there’s a chance you might be allowed to enter again — but it’s not guaranteed.
Total Stay / Time Spent
- Your stays (50 + 40 = ~90 days so far) are under the 180-day “looser policy” threshold that some travelers mention. That could work in your favor.
- But just because you’ve stayed less than 180 days doesn’t guarantee anything. Immigration may also look at the pattern: two long-ish visa-exempt stays + now returning might seem like semi-residency or “living in Thailand.”
Scrutiny Risk
- Because of the tighter memo, border officers may question travelers who re-enter to live long-term via tourist / visa-exempt entries.
- They could ask more questions, check financial proof, request proof of onward travel, or even refuse entry if they think the “tourist” pattern is abusive.
- Even if entry is allowed, the risk is non-zero, especially now.

What can you do to minimize risk?

Here are some steps you can take to improve your chances of a smooth re-entry in December (given your travel pattern and current rules):

Prepare Supporting Documentation
- Bring proof of funds: bank statements, cash, etc. Immigration may ask.
- Have an onward ticket (or at least proof of planned exit) ready. Even if not always asked, it’s safer.
- Keep proof of your accommodation in Thailand (hotel bookings, address, etc.).
Be Ready to Explain Your Stay Pattern
- Be honest and concise: if asked “why you come so often,” you might explain it’s tourism / visiting / short stays, not living long-term.
- Avoid suspicious behavior like coming in, staying full 60 days + 30 extension every time. That may raise red flags.
Consider a Different Visa If You Plan Repeated Visits
- If you plan to return regularly or stay for months: maybe apply for a tourist visa (non-immigrant) or another type of visa (or even the DTV if you qualify) — to reduce risk of being denied entry.
- A proper visa (vs visa-exempt entries) could make things more predictable and avoid “visa run” suspicion.
Monitor Updates and Be Flexible
- Since immigration policy is tightening, rules may evolve. Keep an eye on official sources (Thai Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for any updates.
- Have a backup plan: if you’re denied entry, you may need to apply for a visa from abroad before re-entering.

Bottom Line — What’s Likely for You

No, the new rules are not just about visa extensions. They also touch on how many visa-exempt entries are tolerated.
Yes, there’s a growing real risk: immigration seems more willing to refuse re-entry if your pattern resembles someone using visa-exempt stays as semi-residency.
Your December trip may be borderline: two entries so far could count against you, depending on how strictly immigration enforces the “two-entry” rule.
But because your total days stayed so far (~90) is well under the ~180-day “informal guideline” some cite, you might still be okay — especially if you’re well-prepared.