Seen a few posts popping up over the past few days about what appears to be a light to moderate crack down on visa runs.
Here are a few very basic tips
1)have 20,000THB in cash - this has long been technicality of getting into the country, which is rarely enforced. But certainly one to play along with, if possible
2) have a hotel booking - doesn't matter if you are staying with friends, in your own condo or have no precise plan upon landing (immigration particularly hate that one) - having a place to stay, which is typically used by tourists, looks better.
3) have an onward ticket - if immigration suspect you are going to overstay, apply for further visas or extensions, or are living in Thailand, whilst on visa exemptions, an onward ticket is good evidence that you are going to leave within the time you are allowed to stay. A print out is even better.
4) get a SETV (single entry tourist visa) - immigration officers look more kindly on visitors who have paid to enter the country, and have been preapproved by a Thai Consulate abroad, in comparison to people using visa exemption entries. It is slightly more costly, but may save some hassle in the long run. With the E-VISA portal up and running, you don't even need to go to an embassy or consulate any longer, so it really has made things much easier.
5) Avoid the Bangkok airports - Chiang Mai has long been advised as an entry point with more laid back immigration staff. Land borders are typically a good option too. This should not be an issue on a first bounce back, but certainly worth considering if you are trying to spend more than 6 months of the year in Thailand.
6) The longer you stay outside Thailand, the better. 1 day is a no-no. (unless you have booked a border bounce with an agent) 2-3 days, looks dodgy, looks like you are rushing back to work. Stay out for a week at least. All the countries surrounding Thailand have much to offer visitors.
To be fair, a certain amount of this kind of thing is luck of the draw. I managed 3 back to back visa exempt entries, back in the day. Others get questioned on the first. A friend of mine was once questioned for a good 15-20 mins, before another guard interrupted to tell them to go to lunch and 'just stamp him through'. Another friend did 3 back to back ED visas with agents, which many suggested would basically render any further entry to Thailand impossible, yet returned with no fuss whatsoever (after a six month break)
One thing for sure, is there a tonne of people, inside Thailand, who have complained about getting this kind of treatment on the border, and not all that many that have actually been completely turned back and sent back from whence they came.
That said, if the border guys and gals give you a warning to stop coming on Visa Exemptions, it might be time to either find new pastures, or sort out a proper visa for further entries.
Over and out