Advice needed: Denied in KBV last year.

[Alex SD]

Hello,

 

Backstory: I were denied in Krabi last November, too many visas on-arrival: Ms. head of Krabi immigration, stamped me with clauses 12.2 + 12.3 and no questions, so I spent the night in detenction room and next morning bounced back to Singapore. Finally came back to Spain, my home country.

 

Situation: Right now, I'm processing my SETV in Spain and have a clean passport. Yes, I know the refusal is still in their system. I'm flying to Suvarnabhumi on March with outgoing flight, hotel bookings and required cash, planning to get back my camera and visit some friends in CM. Not really interested into stay there, so a week is enough.

 

Questions: Posting here as I'm becoming a little paranoid, can somebody give some advice, please?.

 

A. Should/Could I book an international flight from Suvarnabhumi to Kuala Lumpur, checking-in online to avoid airport immigration, and entering by land?.

B. As the point is to not bounce back to Europe (€€€++), is there any possibility to choose where to go and have some holidays?. Last time, they just allowed me to buy an AirAsia ticket to Singapore.

C. Any other suggestion not exposed here?. As I become really nervous under pressure, tips to avoid IO questionning are welcome, too.

 

On a side note, never overstayed, there's no ban and no rectangular red stamps. Aswell, no forgotten details in the story and no evidence for 12.2 and 12.3.

 

Any help is really apreciated. Thanks in advance.

[UKresonant]

Other option could have been to fly to Hong Kong and then fly HKG to CNX directly into CM.

Edited February 12, 2019 by johnwf1963

[DrJack54]

You have given good history but not complete. How many previous setv. How many VE and how many extensions. Sorry but so many post like this with scant history. Time out of Los is also looked at. 

[jackdd]

Nobody here can tell you for sure what will happen, depends on your luck

Most likely you will be fine with your tourist visa at BKK

Have cash with you and prepare a TM11 form in case they deny you, then you might be able to appeal https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486548054958.pdf A while ago here was a report by somebody where they refused to accept his TM11. This is of course illegal, so if i were in this situation i would record a video when i hand them my TM11.

If you sense that they are going to make problems i would try slipping them 1000 THB before they start the whole process, so that the IO maybe changes his mind, but no personal experience with this.

 

A) Only possible if you travel with just hand luggage, to pick up any other bag you would have to pass immigration. Even without a bag i'm not sure if it's possible to get to your connecting flight without passing immigration.

B) Depends on the IO if they send you back where you came from or let you go somewhere else

C) People here like to say go to a queue with a man and not a woman, i don't know if it's true

 

In your situation i would not have booked a flight to BKK but to some neighbouring country, and then entered at a land border, or maybe with a flight from Vietnam.

At a land border (except Poipet) you would not have been turned away, and if they turn you away when you come from Vietnam that's not a too big deal.

Edited February 12, 2019 by jackdd

[Alex SD]

Thanks all for your time,

 

Seems to be there's an alternative: AirAsia allows E-Boarding Pass on international flights from BKK to KLI as long as you complete online check-in, according to this link and confirmed by an agent: https://support.airasia.com/s/article/E-Boarding-Pass-en?language=en_GB

 

I will remain in Bangkok transit area before take another flight to Kuala Lumpur same day, then try Padang Besar land border.

 

Hope this helps somebody in similar situation. Anyways, I would like to read more opinions.

 

Thanks again.

[BritTim]

48 minutes ago, Alex SD said:

Seems to be there's an alternative: AirAsia allows E-Boarding Pass on international flights from BKK to KLI as long as you complete online check-in, according to this link and confirmed by an agent: https://support.airasia.com/s/article/E-Boarding-Pass-en?language=en_GB

The problem there is that you will be arriving at Suvarnabhumi and AirAsia flies out of Don Muang. You cannot avoid passing immigration to transfer between the two airports.

Edited February 12, 2019 by BritTim

[cornishcarlos]

I've been pulled aside and questioned twice now at Krabi. Seems like the lady boss there is on a mission. I hadn't been back in Thailand since August last year and got grilled yesterday !! I'll be applying for a multi Non O next month and hopefully she won't bother me again ????????

[Alex SD]

20 minutes ago, BritTim said:

The problem there is that you will be arriving at Suvarnabhumi and AirAsia flies out of Don Muang. You cannot avoid passing immigration to transfer between the two airports.

Thanks for your reply,

 

It's true, my fault. Now I see Thai Smile and Malaysia Airlines departing from Suvarnabhumi and providing online check-in: https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/plan-your-trip/check-in.html

 

Just in case, does somebody know if there is any counter or kiosk from another Airline before immigration?

Edited February 12, 2019 by Alex SD

[Alex SD]

9 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

I've been pulled aside and questioned twice now at Krabi. Seems like the lady boss there is on a mission. I hadn't been back in Thailand since August last year and got grilled yesterday !! I'll be applying for a multi Non O next month and hopefully she won't bother me again ????????

So sorry to hear that... Can you give some more info? I mean, they denied you on Krabi last year, or just yesterday? What's their argument?

[lamyai3]

58 minutes ago, Alex SD said:

I will remain in Bangkok transit area before take another flight to Kuala Lumpur same day, then try Padang Besar land border.

More than likely you'd be allowed in at the airport. If you're intending to book a flight to KL anyway, can you use it as a backup option in the event of a rejection? I'm not sure what immigration would do if they rejected someone and they were then presented with an ongoing flight to another country within the next few hours - would the person be allowed to use it? 

[JackThompson]

11 hours ago, jackdd said:

A while ago here was a report by somebody where they refused to accept his TM11. This is of course illegal, so if i were in this situation i would record a video when i hand them my TM11.

The case I remember, he did not have a TM11 form, and they simply ignored his pleas to appeal the denial, and marched him to an outgoing flight.  Having a TM11 prepared to hand them when/if denied might help. 

 

@Alex SD Most important, be sure to have 20K Baht worth of cash or travelers checks to show (I see you list this).  The outgoing flight may also be critical.

 

11 hours ago, jackdd said:

Even without a bag i'm not sure if it's possible to get to your connecting flight without passing immigration.

 

4 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

More than likely you'd be allowed in at the airport. If you're intending to book a flight to KL anyway, can you use it as a backup option in the event of a rejection? I'm not sure what immigration would do if they rejected someone and they were then presented with an ongoing flight to another country within the next few hours - would the person be allowed to use it? 

If he has an ongoing flight the same day (leaving from the same airport), and presents this when first approaching immigration, I expect they would, at worst, escort him to the outgoing area.  If the ticket were presented as a "last resort" after being threatened with denial-of-entry - maybe not, but maybe.

Edited February 13, 2019 by JackThompson

[abrahamzvi]

14 hours ago, jackdd said:

Nobody here can tell you for sure what will happen, depends on your luck

Most likely you will be fine with your tourist visa at BKK

Have cash with you and prepare a TM11 form in case they deny you, then you might be able to appeal https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486548054958.pdf A while ago here was a report by somebody where they refused to accept his TM11. This is of course illegal, so if i were in this situation i would record a video when i hand them my TM11.

If you sense that they are going to make problems i would try slipping them 1000 THB before they start the whole process, so that the IO maybe changes his mind, but no personal experience with this.

 

A) Only possible if you travel with just hand luggage, to pick up any other bag you would have to pass immigration. Even without a bag i'm not sure if it's possible to get to your connecting flight without passing immigration.

B) Depends on the IO if they send you back where you came from or let you go somewhere else

C) People here like to say go to a queue with a man and not a woman, i don't know if it's true

 

In your situation i would not have booked a flight to BKK but to some neighbouring country, and then entered at a land border, or maybe with a flight from Vietnam.

At a land border (except Poipet) you would not have been turned away, and if they turn you away when you come from Vietnam that's not a too big deal.

I would be very careful with the 1,000 BHT. You may get into trouble for trying it!!

[JackThompson]

8 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

I've been pulled aside and questioned twice now at Krabi. Seems like the lady boss there is on a mission. I hadn't been back in Thailand since August last year and got grilled yesterday !! I'll be applying for a multi Non O next month and hopefully she won't bother me again ????????

About 6 months out.  So much for the excuse they only target people who are "attempting to live here full time on tourist entries."  It seems anyone who stays more than very short periods - less than the length of a tourist-visa at a time - is in their cross-hairs.

[overherebc]

2 hours ago, abrahamzvi said:

I would be very careful with the 1,000 BHT. You may get into trouble for trying it!!

Agree. The 1000 baht is a very bad idea.

[Date Masamune]

10 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

More than likely you'd be allowed in at the airport. If you're intending to book a flight to KL anyway, can you use it as a backup option in the event of a rejection? I'm not sure what immigration would do if they rejected someone and they were then presented with an ongoing flight to another country within the next few hours - would the person be allowed to use it? 

That is basically what I did when I was told I had to buy a ticket back to my home country, I which I flat refused to do. They call airline staff to get you boarding pass and send you packing.

[cornishcarlos]

10 hours ago, Alex SD said:

So sorry to hear that... Can you give some more info? I mean, they denied you on Krabi last year, or just yesterday? What's their argument?

 

They didn't deny entry either time, just pulled me aside for further questioning. Luckily, last year I was only staying 6 days before flying on to U.K and this time only 12 days.. Not sure what the IO saw on the computer each time to question my intentions ? I am married and have had lots of visa exempts and multi entry Non Os in the past 12 yes but only 2 exempts last year...

[BritTim]

22 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

 

They didn't deny entry either time, just pulled me aside for further questioning. Luckily, last year I was only staying 6 days before flying on to U.K and this time only 12 days.. Not sure what the IO saw on the computer each time to question my intentions ? I am married and have had lots of visa exempts and multi entry Non Os in the past 12 yes but only 2 exempts last year...

It was almost certainly six total visa exempt entries since the middle of 2015 (which notifies the official that increased scrutiny as a genuine tourist could be appropriate) combined with an over zealous official.

[Thomas J]

I am from the USA and basically told the same thing at immigration.  The IMO warned me that too many arrivals on a tourist visa would get me blacklisted.  You may wish to check with the Thai Embassy in Spain to see if you are blacklisted or if you can obtain a visa on arrival without problems.  They should have access to the computer records. 

[jackdd]

49 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

The IMO warned me that too many arrivals on a tourist visa would get me blacklisted.

This is wrong information, they just try to scare you

 

49 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

You may wish to check with the Thai Embassy in Spain to see if you are blacklisted or if you can obtain a visa on arrival without problems.  They should have access to the computer records. 

The embassies and the immigration in Thailand are not connected, these are two independent ministries (which is probably one of the reasons why people have problems)

[Briggsy]

Choose a male Immigration Officer.

 

My opinion is with a clean passport you'll be okay. I know many others disagree.

 

If you want to be totally sure, fly to Vientiane (not via Thailand) and cross at Nong Khai. Then fly domestically from Udon Thani.

[torrow]

I regularly use Krabi airport. It's notorious and there are always lots of guys pulled aside for further checks. I know your history is on the immigration data base but the IO will flick through your passport - lots of TV's and your passport will be passed to someone futher up.

 

Pro tip: If you have lots of TV's in your passport, don't arrive at Krabi and don't use Krabi immigration for TV extensions.

[BritTim]

13 hours ago, Thomas J said:

I am from the USA and basically told the same thing at immigration.  The IMO warned me that too many arrivals on a tourist visa would get me blacklisted.  You may wish to check with the Thai Embassy in Spain to see if you are blacklisted or if you can obtain a visa on arrival without problems.  They should have access to the computer records. 

Sigh!

1. The Thai Embassy has no direct access to immigration's computer records.
2. You cannot be blacklisted for too many arrivals with a tourist visa. Some officials will, however, look for an excuse to deny entry (this is not blacklisting, and does not prevent you trying again the next day).
3. The OP cannot get a visa on arrival, though a visa exempt entry is possible. Frequent use of visa exempt entries will tend to get the attention of immigration officials, and is not recommended. An exception is that emergency use of a visa exempt entry by land may be the best solution if, for some reason, you cannot get a visa when you need one.

[JackThompson]

13 hours ago, Briggsy said:

If you want to be totally sure, fly to Vientiane (not via Thailand) and cross at Nong Khai. Then fly domestically from Udon Thani.

Or fly to Penang, take the train through Pedang Besar to Hat Yai, then fly onward domestic-air from there.  As the Thai trains from Pedang Besar to Hat Yai are less frequent, one may take a bus (every hour or so, directly in front of the entry-point) from Pedang Besar to Hat Yai, then a taxi or songthiew to the airport (cheap way).  Or, a taxi (private songthiew - but sit up-front with A/C) direct to the Hat Yai airport from Pedang Besar (faster, but more expensive). 

 

I usually did a combo - taking the bus to Hat Yai, but getting off at the first place with songthiew-taxis visible, after seeing the signs for the turn-off to the airport.  Then catch one of those songthiews (private) to the airport.  Otherwise, there is a lot of doubling-back time wasted, from where the bus eventually stops.

Edited February 14, 2019 by JackThompson

[Essecola]

This is getting absolutely ridiculous, people in fear to the point where when flying to Thailand, they are buying onward flight tickets out of Thailand to nearby for the purpose of coming into Thailand by land, to avoid having to be in a cell overnight if something goes wrong. Insane.

[Trek800]

Where to get this TM11 form? It seems like Thai Immigration website is down. Does anyone have this pdf saved into their laptop ?

[ubonjoe]

8 hours ago, Trek800 said:

Where to get this TM11 form? It seems like Thai Immigration website is down. Does anyone have this pdf saved into their laptop ?

Now working. https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486548054958.pdf

Edit: I have now uploaded it the Immigration Templates pinned topic.

Edited February 14, 2019 by ubonjoe

[Alex SD]

Thanks all,

 

Finally, I decided to fly directly from Europe to BKK and it worked, I'm in.

 

I showed the IO a new passport, SETV and a flight to Malaysia for the next month. That's all.

 

He looked at something, and then looked at me so -so- so serious. Minimum 4 times in less than 10 seconds.

 

We didn't talked a single word, not even Hello. Awkward situation.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, Alex SD said:

Thanks all,

 

Finally, I decided to fly directly from Europe to BKK and it worked, I'm in.

 

I showed the IO a new passport, SETV and a flight to Malaysia for the next month. That's all.

 

He looked at something, and then looked at me so -so- so serious. Minimum 4 times in less than 10 seconds.

 

We didn't talked a single word, not even Hello. Awkward situation.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

It is possible that flight was key, if you were reading his attitude correctly.  Some with Visas have reported being forced to buy a flight out in 30 days, so this seems to have some bearing (though they must know people often won't actually use those flights).  Thanks for the update.

[onera1961]

1 hour ago, Alex SD said:

I showed the IO a new passport, SETV and a flight to Malaysia for the next month.

Did he ask to see this flight booking? I have never showed any flight ticket when approaching the officer in the airport. Always handover passport and arrival card.

[Alex SD]

2 hours ago, onera1961 said:

Did he ask to see this flight booking? I have never showed any flight ticket when approaching the officer in the airport. Always handover passport and arrival card.

Nope, not even a single word. I gave him all the documents (including booking) from the very first moment.