The Thai Immigration Detention Process.

[Thailand Outcast]

To the moderators, I hope you let this thread stay in the visa section for a while because I think it is relevant, given the new visa rule changes.  I think there will be many detentions in the future, and this thread may give people an idea of what to expect.

 

I will be leaving Thailand, and coming back on a mixture of visa exemption and tourist visas.  I think they will tighten up on these in the future, but that discussion is for a different thread.

 

Due to myself, and possibly many others, basically living here on visa exemption stamps and tourist visas in the future, for as long as we can, my question for this thread is, can members tell me about the detention process at an airport?

 

The scenario would be, I fly into Thailand, and immigration detain me for having too many tourist entries.  I would like to know exactly what happens from that point on, because maybe I can prepare for the worse. 

 

I could be flying in with a visa, or with no visa.  This thread is not about getting a tourist visa, or how many tourist visas or exemption stamps you can accumulate.

 

This thread is about being denied entry at an airport, and the detention and exit process.

 

Chronological order would be good.

 

 

So, you have just been escorted to the office, where you are told entry has been denied.

 

What happens from that point on?

 

Some immediate questions I have are:

 

How do you buy a ticket out? 

 

How do you collect your luggage?

 

How do you get to an ATM?

 

How do you go through immigration to check in for the flight out? 

 

For the above questions, are you escorted around through the airport, or do airport staff come to you?

 

 

What stamp goes in your passport?

 

When can you come back after getting this stamp?

 

Are you charged with some type of crime?

 

Are you held overnight in a prison if the flight is the next day?

 

Is your Embassy advised?

 

Whilst in detention, can you use your phone to make other arrangements, or are you searched and your property confiscated, like a prison?

 

Is there access to food and water? 

 

If any member reading has been through the detention process, please post of your experience. 

Edited March 16, 2019 by Thailand Outcast

[Pravda]

I think you'll find out first hand when you are detained.

[wreckingcountry]

So if you want to put yourself in that position because too many tourist visas or exemptions, don’t go to airport ! You might be lucky and they let you fly out again pretty quickly ! So make sure you have money to buy a ticket to leave or you will be in detention . It’s simple

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[Thailand Outcast]

12 minutes ago, Pravda said:

I think you'll find out first hand when you are detained.

That's why I would like to know the process. 

[ezzra]

Not sure what is your visa situations are, why would anyone want to be in a position to be detained at all is beyond me, if you know in advance that there's a good chance you will be detained and deported, then what's the point man...

[Thailand Outcast]

11 minutes ago, wreckingcountry said:

So if you want to put yourself in that position because too many tourist visas or exemptions, don’t go to airport ! You might be lucky and they let you fly out again pretty quickly ! So make sure you have money to buy a ticket to leave or you will be in detention . It’s simple

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

Of course no one wants to be in this position, but with no official rules on the frequency tourist visas or exemption stamps can be used, and the fact that individual immigration officers make a determination with out any official guidelines, this information would be good to know.  

[Thailand Outcast]

15 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Not sure what is your visa situations are, why would anyone want to be in a position to be detained at all is beyond me, if you know in advance that there's a good chance you will be detained and deported, then what's the point man...

The purpose of this thread was not to focus on me, or my visa status, or how to get a visa, or how many tourist visas yo can have, or how often you can get them, or where is best to get them, or which boarder is the easiest to enter, and all the other ways to get into Thailand.

 

The purpose of this thread was in preparation for the possibility of detention at an airport, and what to expect, should it happen.

 

I would simply like to know, and given the many threads now being started by people being refused tourist visas at consulates, as well as those being denied entry, I think information on detention may be useful, not only for myself, but for many others as well. 

Edited March 16, 2019 by Thailand Outcast

[DrJack54]

OP, I have read you other current thread. At some point, perhaps already, you will have pretty much exhausted entering via air. You wish to live in Thailand and are over 50. However you state in other thread not wishing to have money in Thai bank etc etc. 

There are current threads that answer your questions in detail. One even has pictures of "detention bunk room". Another where chap, who had his phone, gave live feed. Anyway you wish to play the tourist visa and visa exempt gig then fine. Especially when you can obtain visa that suits your requirements. Enjoy the nervous flights into bkk airports and potential future thread...." Got refused at airport and flown back to ..,.please advise.

[Thailand Outcast]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, I have read you other current thread. At some point, perhaps already, you will have pretty much exhausted entering via air. You wish to live in Thailand and are over 50. However you state in other thread not wishing to have money in Thai bank etc etc. 

There are current threads that answer your questions in detail. One even has pictures of "detention bunk room". Another where chap, who had his phone, gave live feed. Anyway you wish to play the tourist visa and visa exempt gig then fine. Especially when you can obtain visa that suits your requirements. Enjoy the nervous flights into bkk airports and potential future thread...." Got refused at airport and flown back to ..,.please advise.

As you would know, the visa forum is moving faster and faster by the day, as more and more people are having negative experiences. 

 

I try to read the relevant threads to my circumstances, but missed the threads you mention.

 

Can you post the links?

 

Once again, this thread is not about me and my visa status.

 

I would simply like to know about the detention process.

 

 

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, Thailand Outcast said:

As you would know, the visa forum is moving faster and faster by the day, as more and more people are having negative experiences. 

 

I try to read the relevant threads to my circumstances, but missed the threads you mention.

 

Can you post the links?

 

Once again, this thread is not about me and my visa status.

 

I would simply like to know about the detention process.

 

 

You could start with thread "Expelled no questions asked at DM"....about page 4.

" Denied at DM because too many visa....." page 2.

There are zillion others.

Cover all your questions. Anyway at some point maybe you can start similar one

[Thailand Outcast]

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You could start with thread "Expelled no questions asked at DM"....about page 4.

" Denied at DM because too many visa....." page 2.

There are zillion others.

Cover all your questions. Anyway at some point maybe you can start similar one

I read that thread.

 

Perhaps this thread could consolidate the pieces of information given in several other threads, and under a more appropriate topic heading for a Google search.

 

I think I will be ok, but it can't hurt to have information about being detained.  It would be different if there was an official mathematical formula that one could plan their tourist visas and exemption stamps around, and immigration officers stuck to it, but that isn't the case.

[dcnx]

48 minutes ago, Thailand Outcast said:

That's why I would like to know the process. 

Is the totty really that good here? Because I can’t think of any other reason you’d subject yourself to such risk.

[Thailand Outcast]

1 minute ago, dcnx said:

Is the totty really that good here? Because I can’t think of any other reason you’d subject yourself to such risk.

I was hoping this thread stayed on topic, but anywayyyyyyyy.

 

Ok, so let's look at the risk.

 

Once again, and again, there is no official rules for the frequency in which an individual can enter on tourist visas or exemption stamps, so one may not know when enough is enough, until they have landed, and by then, it's too late, you are in detention.  If there were official rules on this, there would be no need forthis thread, and many others like it that are currently running.

 

This is why I would like to know the process, and yes, it has been touched on in several other threads, but perhaps this thread can consolidate the information, and be placed under an appropriate topic heading. 

 

 

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, Thailand Outcast said:

I read that thread.

 

Perhaps this thread could consolidate the pieces of information given in several other threads, and under a more appropriate topic heading for a Google search.

 

I think I will be ok, but it can't hurt to have information about being detained.  It would be different if there was an official mathematical formula that one could plan their tourist visas and exemption stamps around, and immigration officers stuck to it, but that isn't the case.

That has been suggested many times and I agree have simple set rules in place for those using tourist visas, visa exempt etc. One often mentioned is certain number of days per calendar year etc. At least folk would know exactly where they stand rather than play Russian roulette

[NCC1701A]

14 minutes ago, Thailand Outcast said:

This is why I would like to know the process,

lots of variables. like who you are in detention with. lady boys. body odor. no sleep.    

[Thailand Outcast]

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That has been suggested many times and I agree have simple set rules in place for those using tourist visas, visa exempt etc. One often mentioned is certain number of days per calendar year etc. At least folk would know exactly where they stand rather than play Russian roulette

It's about time they did that, but they do like to have rules purposely in grey areas, so they can be interpreted to fit a situation.  They can't have people having any rights, can they?  ????

 

I don't plan to live in Thailand on exemption stamps and tourist visas, but I would like to visit as much as I am legally allowed allowed to by this method. 

 

Given the lack of official rules for this, and if I got an immigration officer on a bad day, I could end up in detention, and if so, I would like to know the process, from start to finish. 

 

You're right, I have read bits and pieces in other threads, now I can't find them, and some of these threads have a lot of pages. 

[freedomnow]

It's only going to get worse from June with the AI crap, and from what I see people are getting bounced at surrounding countries for visas applications much sooner based on what they have in their pport. April 1st with online applications in some countries they won't even get to the visa sticker stage for tourista visas with their back history catching up.

 

I think June 2019 is a watershed moment for long-stay not working with a Thai employer/not biz owner/not retired/not Elite visa etc.....there are a couple of shaky other options to stay longer but they will get nailed to the wall as well soon enough.

[Thailand Outcast]

6 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

It's only going to get worse from June with the AI crap, and from what I see people are getting bounced at surrounding countries for visas applications much sooner based on what they have in their pport. April 1st with online applications in some countries they won't even get to the visa sticker stage for tourista visas with their back history catching up.

 

I think June 2019 is a watershed moment for long-stay not working with a Thai employer/not biz owner/not retired/not Elite visa etc.....there are a couple of shaky other options to stay longer but they will get nailed to the wall as well soon enough.

Correct, and how many will be caught (literally) in that window period, possibly even myself.  This is why I started this thread. 

[onera1961]

1 hour ago, Thailand Outcast said:

Once again, and again, there is no official rules for the frequency in which an individual can enter on tourist visas or exemption stamps, so one may not know when enough is enough, until they have landed, and by then, it's too late, you are in detention. 

The larger question is why one wants to be a perpetual tourist in Thailand?

Edited March 16, 2019 by onera1961

[ba ba]

i to would like to know,

and how many times you can enter on 30 days at airports in a year, i know it is 2 at land borders

[ba ba]

15 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

The larger question is why one wants to be a perpetual tourist in Thailand?

that has got nothing too do with you what anyone dose

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, ba ba said:

i to would like to know,

and how many times you can enter on 30 days at airports in a year, i know it is 2 at land borders

There is no limit. However you will be refused entry at some point

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

That has been suggested many times and I agree have simple set rules in place for those using tourist visas, visa exempt etc. One often mentioned is certain number of days per calendar year etc. At least folk would know exactly where they stand rather than play Russian roulette

 

OK, but let's keep in mind that the passport office (immigration officer) you see on arrival can and will deny entry even though you have received some type of entry approval in advance, and this scenario exists in many countries.

 

My guess is that many folks see this scenario as:

 

• Should not be allowed, the passport officer should not have the authority to deny entry.
• There is a lack of coordination across the various arms of immigration, which should be fixed.
• and more.

What seems to be missing / not understood is the possibility that the visa or whatever was approved in the home country etc., but by the time the person arrives at an entry airport other information / details are now available which on consideration means the person cannot enter.

 

This 'flexibility' will very likely never change for a simple reason; the immigration departments / officers of every country have a strong responsibility to keep folks who fall within certain parameters out of the country, therefore all countries will keep that flexibility open until the person has been stamped in.

 

I know that my home country is very very serious on this matter and they often refuse to accept visas etc., which have been issued prior to actual arrival. 

 

Will Thai Immigration ever have a rule that visas issued in advance must be accepted without question on actual arrival? The answer is clearly NO.  

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by scorecard

[ThaiBunny]

2 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

OK, but let's keep in mind that the passport office (immigration officer) you see on arrival can and will deny entry even though you have received some type of entry approval in advance, and this scenario exists in many countries.

But you haven't received entry approval.  All a visa does is give you permission to travel to a port of entry and apply for entry.  If and only if approval is given then the conditions on the visa kick in. That's true of every country that issues visas

Edited March 16, 2019 by ThaiBunny

[Golden Triangle]

2 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

lots of variables. like who you are in detention with. lady boys. body odor. no sleep.    

Not forgetting a strange guy with a camera on his dangley thing 

[PoorSucker]

3 hours ago, Thailand Outcast said:

How do you buy a ticket out? 

 

How do you collect your luggage?

 

How do you get to an ATM?

 

How do you go through immigration to check in for the flight out? 

 

For the above questions, are you escorted around through the airport, or do airport staff come to you?

 

 

What stamp goes in your passport?

 

When can you come back after getting this stamp?

 

Are you charged with some type of crime?

 

Are you held overnight in a prison if the flight is the next day?

 

Is your Embassy advised?

 

Whilst in detention, can you use your phone to make other arrangements, or are you searched and your property confiscated, like a prison?

 

Is there access to food and water? 

1-2, Airline that brought you are responsible. 

3. No ATM before immigration. 

4-5. You don't pass immigration. 

6. Entry denied. 

7. Right away, but even harder now with the denied stamp. 

8. No. 

9. Detention until you can leave,could be longer than one day. 

10. No. 

11. Your possessions are not confiscated. 

12. Yes. 

[wreckingcountry]

If is about OPvisa status raised it in the first place.


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[tabarin]

As far I know in case of being denied at the airport only, you are simply returned to the Airport you came from (unlike deportations / blacklisting).
So basically, to make it easier for yourself, always fly in from Kuala Lumpur (and you can then also fly to other airports than BKK directly instead). 

Even you still don't know exactly, there are frequent and cheap flights back to Kuala Lumpur and you are not dealing with an overstay fine.
So you would always be fine with the 20K baht you need to carry with you anyway. Can't be long for you to be on your way again.

Make it even better by never arriving in the (late) evening, as you then have a higher chance to be forced waiting over night.

Nothing more than applying farmer logic in this case. 

Edited March 16, 2019 by tabarin

[DeeMak9]

Process is like this:

 

- IO officer at desk calls other officer

- Other officer escorts you to an area where you need to wait

- Your passport gets examined again, you will be questioned in or outside an office. What do you do in Thailand? Do you work in Thailand? How much money do you have with you? And all sorts of questions regarding your visa history.

- If they go ahead and refuse you entry, you will be escorted to another office where you get the chance to buy a ticket. If you cant pay, you need to wait until there is a free spot back home with your national airline (this can take a while, PAY IT!). You can buy a ticket on your phone or ask a mate to buy one and provide them with the reservation number.

- You will be escorted to the detention cell which you share with a group of other people waiting for their next flight home.

- You have access to electric so you can charge your phone and notebook.

- Once your flight is due you get picked up by 2-3 officers and you will be escorted to the departure gate right before the flight. It is then when you get your passport back.

 

 

Be aware that usually they want to you to back to your HOME country with your national airline and not the country you came from (if it differs). Few people succeed to convince them to let you fly back to the country you came from or anything other than your home country.

 

Edited March 16, 2019 by DeeMak9

[JackThompson]

6 hours ago, Thailand Outcast said:

Once again, and again, there is no official rules for the frequency in which an individual can enter on tourist visas or exemption stamps, so one may not know when enough is enough, until they have landed, and by then, it's too late, you are in detention. 

Actually, there are "official rules" set out in a law called the "Immigration Act" for which there is no provision to deny-entry to anyone for "frequency" of tourist-entries or some cumulative length of time.

 

But, your point is correct in terms of "What really happens" - which is that an IO and his buddies at a lawless point of entry may refuse your entry without legal-cause.  They have overwhelming force, and are not restricted to use that force in accordance with the law, so you are powerless to do anything about this.

 

My solution - Use Law-Abiding Entry Points and avoid the entire question of being detained.  Fly domestic after you cross the border.  Problem solved.