Blocked to extend tourist stamp

[ryanhull]

Hi All,

 

Probably going to get a bit of a roasting on here, but I have my son here in Isaan where I live (broke up with the mrs sometime ago on good terms now) but anyway I have been in Thailand about 6 years on and off occasionally visiting the UK and doing back to back visa runs etc, I get 60 days extension as opposed to 30 days due to my son.

 

Back in the day as I am sure you all know it was pretty silly the whole visa thing and quite relaxed, drive up to the border and back in again and it was not so serious then. I am aware that lately its become alot more strict and to be quite honest I was starting to push my luck but never once had an issue, I essentially stay in maha sarakham near my boys school and try to help out with him and Yai etc, he stays with me 50/50 and my and the ex have him in a decent school for around here near my condo so its worked out pretty good for me to see him etc. I have taken him to London once so he has a Thai and UK passport,

 

The reason I am digressing a bit and giving you some background is because I recently went to Kuala Lumphur for a 6 day stay, I went to have a bit of a holiday but reality to then come back in and get a tourist stamp, silly idea I know and I should have gone to get a visa from Laos or a None O along time ago, but I thought with me flying and staying in KL they would not give me too much stick, (I have flown to KL for 7 hours before purely for the stamp and no questions) so essentially I thought I would try my luck

I was very wrong, anyway I wrote on my arrival card the reason for being here was to be with my son, I got pulled into a room with a few other guys and bassicly verbally abused for 30 mins or so heh. An elderly gent was also made to empty his wallet and then verbally abused for having 'no money' when he clearly did and was in distress, another younger lad got sent back and he had only been here two times plus they really did rip him apart, everything from his hair to the fact he looked like he was going to cry, I guess the head in that room was a very angry tom boy but although I can take a roasting myself and knew I was in the wrong I felt bad for some in that room and it was pretty much out of order. Anyway no respect for your privacy was given so essentially everyone in that room knew everything about the next guy, his financial status, what he is doing, how many times he had flew etc and like I say it was just a mockery to be honest. Anyway the officer said I would be denied entry at first and said 'Falang Think Thailand easy home, you go home watch me' sort of phrases was being thrown at me, I kept my cool and was always polite as I was clinging onto any hope of being allowed some leeway to get back to my son that night. So she kept changing my rules, I think the more she spoke to me as I was polite she became a little less aggresive, she told me to book a flight within 5 minutes as she was going home and id have to sleep on the floor if i didnt hurry up, I asked if i could book a flight to cambodia thinking I would sort the mess out there, anyway she said europe only at first, then switched to me being allowed to go to cambodia 2 minutes later, I was panicking a bit but just trying to book a flight... as I was booking she changed the rules to me being allowed to book within 30 days, so not the next flight as she originally made out. Anyway that was a sigh of relief as she let me book a flight to cambodia in 30 days..... problem is, she said a. I am blocked now from getting a tourist visa and will be denied if I do, b. I am not now allowed to extend my stamp for 30 or 60 days as I normally would and c. I can only come back with a none O visa.....

 

My question is, has she really blocked my extension? would you try anyway? I wanted to stay here until my brothers wedding in 3 months then take my lad to the UK so it would have panned out fine if she didn't block that. I also wondered, has anyone else had this treatment where by your not allowed to extend, your banned from even getting a visa? I dont think I deserve special treatment and I did break the rules of coming in and out, I do however think they should be a bit more proffesional with it all. I also dont think she is bluffing but then again, she changed the rules every minute so my brain is telling me to go extend and she probably hasnt or cant block my extension, from what I can read it would have to go through the courts? but then maybe she can bipass that, to be fair to her, she sent most home and was really nasty to them, she did give me some saving grace by even letting me back in, I think that was purely down to my son and me being polite whilst she insulted me. 

 

Sorry to babble on and I will let the roasting commence heh, any advice would be really appreciated though

[ukrules]

Someone should get this kind of treatment on video and publish it far and wide on the internet.

 

I wonder if I can buy a tiny wireless video camera that can be hidden inside a pair of glasses, etc and record onto a phone - something like this would be perfect to expose all sorts of crazy stuff that goes on.  I'm going to buy one of these if I can find it.

Edited August 23, 2019 by ukrules

[mngmn]

When you read a research report that estimates 25% of pregnant Thai wives are physically abused by their husbands or you watch a YouTube video of a well dressed Thai man hitting his wife with a baby in her arms in front of his other children is it really suprisingly?

 

It is a violent, abusive culture.

[BritTim]

No roasting from me!

 

Trying to enter visa exempt is the worst thing you could have done. As you surmised, staying cool under the abuse was essential, and I am glad it got you through.

 

You will be able to get your extension.

 

If at all possible, you should apply for a non immigrant O visa. It should not be too hard getting one to visit your son. With a Non O, it is usually not a problem entering Thailand.

 

Getting tourist visas at many consulates in the region is likely to be a problem. Do not think Vientiane or Savannakhet are good options now, and Phnom Penh has been problematic for some time.

 

With a tourist visa, you might be OK entering by air, with a tourist visa but entering at a land crossing in that case would be better.

[Skallywag]

If I was a IO and some "Father" to a thai son was traveling here and there and everywhere on a "tourist visa" I wouldn't like it either.

 

Jeez man, you impregnated a Thai national and divorced her - obviously you are farang scum in their eyes.

 

If you were not planning on living and raising a son in Thailand why did you get your mrs. pregnant? 

 

Rant over.  good luck, please save some of your baht for a vasectomy . ????

 

[mngmn]

3 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

Jeez man, you impregnated a Thai national and divorced her

Give him some credit for an in depth understanding of Thai culture please.

[ryanhull]

8 minutes ago, BritTim said:

No roasting from me!

 

Trying to enter visa exempt is the worst thing you could have done. As you surmised, staying cool under the abuse was essential, and I am glad it got you through.

 

You will be able to get your extension.

 

If at all possible, you should apply for a non immigrant O visa. It should not be too hard getting one to visit your son. With a Non O, it is usually not a problem entering Thailand.

 

Getting tourist visas at many consulates in the region is likely to be a problem. Do not think Vientiane or Savannakhet are good options now, and Phnom Penh has been problematic for some time.

 

With a tourist visa, you might be OK entering by air, with a tourist visa but entering at a land crossing in that case would be better.

Thanks for the reply, you mention I will be able to get the extension as I normally do, she specificly said I was not allowed too, shes wrote something wierd below the entry stamp in Thai, are you saying like a few of my friends in Thailand have also said I will be able to get an extension its just talk? or do you think she did block me from being able to get it? I guess only one way to find out right heh

 

I am actually going to get the none O in the UK as I know the lady in the Thai Embassy so called her, she said she would have one almost waiting for me as my mum is able to do the majority of the paper work for me and has a copy of my sons birth cert etc, also she mentioned its easier in Hull as I do not need the Thai bank account like I would in Cambodia, infact I have tried to get a Thai bank account twice now and they always reject me, one for not having a proper visa I think the other time was another reason... its silly you need a thai bank account to get a none o, yet you cant get a Thai bank account without a visa right? anyway I planned to go back to the UK with my son for my brothers wedding so it just makes sense to get it done in the UK I am sure its far easier. Sorry to babble on but I guess my main question is just wondering if I can extend or if she has blocked that possibility? I mean why would she lie? maybe just to annoy me or make my life difficult but like I say if she is bluffing me then I would go early to extend say this Monday just so i am not doing it last minute and then being rejected if that makes sense, thanks alot 

[ryanhull]

8 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

If I was a IO and some "Father" to a thai son was traveling here and there and everywhere on a "tourist visa" I wouldn't like it either.

 

Jeez man, you impregnated a Thai national and divorced her - obviously you are farang scum in their eyes.

 

If you were not planning on living and raising a son in Thailand why did you get your mrs. pregnant? 

 

Rant over.  good luck, please save some of your baht for a vasectomy . ????

 

Just like in the west, people break up.... I would not change having my son in any case he is the best thing in my life and I 100% look after him. I appreciate your entitled to your own opinion I just think your wrong. I might also add my ex wife and I have a good friendship still and she does not use our son as a pawn, which alot of women in the west would. If you read my post, you would see I do raise my son here, he is a very clever young lad and very happy with life, and I also take full responsibility for him including paying his school fees and the rest. I think that is kind of going off topic of my post however and to be quite frank is none of your business. Thanks all the same though.

[StayinThailand2much]

47 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Someone should get this kind of treatment on video and publish it far and wide on the internet.

 

I wonder if I can buy a tiny wireless video camera that can be hidden inside a pair of glasses, etc and record onto a phone - something like this would be perfect to expose all sorts of crazy stuff that goes on.  I'm going to buy one of these if I can find it.

Sounds like a good idea, but probably illegal. I took two photos with my phone at the waiting room of Hong Kong Immigration one time, being miffed that they gave my girlfriend a grilling for entering HK. I was immediately confronted by a senior officer, who demanded that I delete the pics on the spot.

Edited August 23, 2019 by StayinThailand2much

[jackdd]

51 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Someone should get this kind of treatment on video and publish it far and wide on the internet.

 

I wonder if I can buy a tiny wireless video camera that can be hidden inside a pair of glasses, etc and record onto a phone - something like this would be perfect to expose all sorts of crazy stuff that goes on.  I'm going to buy one of these if I can find it.

You could just record the audio, of course not as nice as a video, but easy to record. Just run an audio recorder app, this keeps recording even if you turn off the screen of the phone (at least on Android). Just hold the phone in your hand or lay it down on the table.

 

@Op:

I would go to an immigration office and have them check what they have in their computer about you. Probably nothing, and it won't be a problem to get the extension.

[BuckBee]

was this don muang airport ? have a seriously bad higher ranking tom IO at that airport .
Can be very unpleasant as they hard to deal with due to poor mental attitude and no sensible reasoning or deduction .

[sunnyboy2018]

8 minutes ago, BuckBee said:

was this don muang airport ? have a seriously bad higher ranking tom IO at that airport .
Can be very unpleasant as they hard to deal with due to poor mental attitude and no sensible reasoning or deduction .

I also had a bad experience with a Tom in the Samsung service centre in Pattaya

[BuckBee]

12 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

I also had a bad experience with a Tom in the Samsung service centre in Pattaya

Maybe a relative 555 , but on serious note the higher ranking tom at don muang is quite a nasty character.

I work for company doing IT equipment and spent a few days in that airport and it quite a drastic change to what was even 18 months ago .
I think a jew would of had better treatment with fake documents trying exit germany in 1942 .

[mngmn]

16 minutes ago, BuckBee said:

Maybe a relative 555 , but on serious note the higher ranking tom at don muang is quite a nasty character.

I work for company doing IT equipment and spent a few days in that airport and it quite a drastic change to what was even 18 months ago .
I think a jew would of had better treatment with fake documents trying exit germany in 1942 .

Need to get it going off on video placed on social media to embarrass Thailand. Problem solved, inactive post filled.

[ryanhull]

36 minutes ago, BuckBee said:

was this don muang airport ? have a seriously bad higher ranking tom IO at that airport .
Can be very unpleasant as they hard to deal with due to poor mental attitude and no sensible reasoning or deduction .

Hi BuckBee it was, quite a nasty piece of work makes me wonder if it is the same women, I think she was quite high ranked, fairly old looking, very prison warden type look to her and she didnt really smile, at one point she even threw my passport at my head lol... that was when she discovered I had recently got a new passport in bkk, wasn't happy about that at all for some reason heh....  at-least the other staff in the room said it was her boss and most of the staff laughing you could tell it was a kind of 'I must laugh at her jokes in fear of not being sacked', very likely its the same officer, shame as one lady below her, although only when she was not in the room was quite nice to me to be fair. Honestly it would take me quite alot to crack and I know here that gets you no where quite quickly, I have mates who love to wind people up rotten so just kept my cool, I did genuinely feel bad for some in that room though certainly the elderly chap, always saw Thais respect the elders so it was even more shocking to see falang or thai.

It shocked me a bit to see how oldskool things are, they have this beaten up sign on the wall with sticky note and numbers on, above saying flights in =, target =.... kind of reminded me of going back to the 90`s in the UK with regards to all the paper work, oldskool brown desks and almost childish stuff on the wall in-case you forgot how to do your job.

 

Anyway, thanks alot for the replies all, I will go on monday and ask to update for the 60 days, the older chap local to me is quite a nice guy, he finds it more amusing to call me Steven Gerard and speak about the fact he actually knows who Hull City are then anything else, I do think he will hold some stripes though so hopefully he will sort me out. 

 

Will update this thread just incase anyone else faces this.

 

Thanks again 

[ryanhull]

3 minutes ago, mngmn said:

Need to get it going off on video placed on social media to embarrass Thailand. Problem solved, inactive post filled.

I would almost agree, I dont know if it would be the wisest thing to do, it did cross my mind to start recording but stupidly I only had 9% power and I didn't want to <deleted> her off if she clocked it... when I was booking my flight out she was watching over me like a naughty little school boy lol. Thing is, I dont know if you went to the media and had evidence it would end well for you, you know how it is here, but then again half of me thinks if she is doing that to 20-50 people a day, everyday she must be doing some damage and causing alot of distress to peoples lifes not to mention the damage on tourism, like I say one guy had only been here twice, and he looked like a genuine guy... whats to say he wasn't coming here to see someone in bad health? whats to say he isnt coming here to do something good for the Thai country? did he deserve to be mocked about his hair? no..... my experience with the officers over the last 6 years has always been good, never had a bollocking or sort of rudeness, always said thanks etc... certainly will never fly into DM again, unless its to go show that lady my none O visa and stick it up her a** heh

[EricTh]

If I were you, I would take your son back to the UK if the law allows. 

 

It's getting tougher getting into Thailand on tourist or even non-tourist visas.

 

If you can't take back your son, you can apply for a visa that allows you to take care of your son in Thailand. I am not sure what that visa is called but I vaguely remembered it. But it's certainly not a 'tourist' visa.

Edited August 23, 2019 by EricTh

[EricTh]

Yes, we have heard that Thai people are nice because they want your money....

 

But few people don't realise that the immigration have some of the nastiest people around. They should have explained to you why you are not allowed to enter.

 

I didn't understand the broken English. "Falang Think Thailand easy home, you go home watch me"

 

What does it mean?

Edited August 23, 2019 by EricTh

[simon43]

1 hour ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

I also had a bad experience with a Tom in the Samsung service centre in Pattaya

Maybe it was the same Tom IO moonlighting....

[Tayaout]

I know which Tom Boy your are talking about. I was denied by the same bitch without any questions asked.

 

You did nothing wrong in theory. Their rules and enforcement is a mess. They should make them more clear like Europe 90 days max in 180 days period.

 

I'm pretty confident she is bluffing you. She cant block you from getting a visa since it's not immigration juridiction. You can probably still get an extension and worst case they will give you 7 days.

 

You should get a non-o based on having a Thai child. I got one based on marriage and will do everything possible not to have to use any airport again. 

Edited August 23, 2019 by Tayaout

[megapix]

Interesting thing happened to me in Suvarnabhumi 2 days ago as well. After coming to Thailand on tourist visas and visa exempt stamps for 3 years I got non-imm "O" visa for the first time so I was pretty confident that this time they wont say anything to me because I do it the "correct" way.

 

After arriving to immigration counter, the IO opened my passport and looked at my previous stamps (maybe like 5 of them) almost 2 minutes and asked me what Im doing in Thailand. I said Im going to stay with my wife here (she even was on the same flight). He said that I have to go with him right now to the interrogation room. I asked why but he didn't replied and just said that I have to walk with him. We walked like 5 metres and I asked why again. He said that I don't have a visa and cannot stay in Thailand anymore. I said I have the visa and he stopped. I showed him the Non-imm "O". He said wait here and he went to call some of his colleague. That guy circles something in my passport and give back to the IO. After that he asked me to go back to the counter. And then he asked me many questions like:

 

Are you working in Thailand ?

I said no. I cannot, because I dont have working permit.

 

Do I have a child?

I said no again

 

How can I stay in Thailand that long without working?

I said I work in my country for few months and then come here. Which is true.

 

Where is my wife ?

What is her work ?

Why I have so many stamps in my passport ? 

Why I wanna stay in Thailand ? and other questions.

 

I didn't feel comfortable at all because his voice tone was very angry.

 

After that he stamped my passport and said that I can go. When I opened my passport I saw that the "O" and multiple entries were circled.

 

My guess is that he didn't even saw my visa and just started "doing" instead of "thinking" first. Completely unnecessary situation that he could avoided by just doing his job correctly. 

 

 

 

[jackdd]

4 minutes ago, megapix said:

My guess is that he didn't even saw my visa and just started "doing" instead of "thinking" first. Completely unnecessary situation that he could avoided by just doing his job correctly. 

People with tourist visas have problems because IOs think they might be working illegally. You think just because somebody has a non-o visa it means the person might not be working illegally? Currently immigration is just more lenient towards people on a non-o visa.

As we can see, even after he knew that you have a non-o he still interrogated you, this would have been unthinkable last year, but has happened with you now.

[SpanishExpat]

As it‘s all about Kharma in Thailand. Sooner or later she we meet a farang who has influential contacts in Thailand. Contacts who will make her loose her face and that will end in a desaster for her. Hope she will get that encounter sooner than later. 

 

In the end they are all bluffing! They can blacklist you for a crime/long overstay, but that rest is utter BS! Had  an interesting chat with a high-ranked police officer a few days ago, who was very open to talk about that, as he knows my gf for 15yrs. 

The strategy is often intimidation as most foreigners don‘t know the exact laws. They can write what they want in the passport, but that won’t lead to an automatic rejection. In your case they should have suggestiv you to change your visa in the future. That’s it. 

Edited August 23, 2019 by SpanishExpat

[Sheryl]

It may help if you post a pix of what was written beneath your entry stamp. Then wait for Ubon Joe to reply which will be morning Thai time.

 

If I understand correctly you not only tried for a visa exempt entry but did so without a return flight, that is always a risky manuever at best. And through Don Muang airport at that, doubly risky.

 

I'm surprised the airline let you board with no visa and no return flight.

 

As you know, what you need to do is get a non-O visa by reason of a Thai child. I am not sure Phnom Penh Embassy will issue one (since you now have a ticket to Cambodia) but see what UJ says, and meanwhile do your homework and start putting together the needed documentation for a non-O. And mayne look into what would be involved in changing your flight details to a different country if it turns out Phnom Penh unlikely to issue the visa (it is a difficult and unfirendly Embassy there).

 

Once you get your non O visa extent it annually and get a re-entry permit each time you leave the country.  You will then have no future problems.

 

 

 

[elviajero]

10 hours ago, ryanhull said:

My question is, has she really blocked my extension? would you try anyway?

I very much doubt it. Try to apply as before; at worst they will deny you application and, if required, give you 7 days to leave.

 

Using a Non-immigrant visa in the future should stop any hassle at the border.

[RJRS1301]

8 hours ago, mngmn said:

Need to get it going off on video placed on social media to embarrass Thailand. Problem solved, inactive post filled.

You would need to be outside the country when you posted the video or be prepared to face an ugly backlash,as I’m sure they would attempt trace down the IP address for investigation 

Edited August 23, 2019 by RJRS1301

[RJRS1301]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

It may help if you post a pix of what was written beneath your entry stamp. Then wait for Ubon Joe to reply which will be morning Thai time.

 

If I understand correctly you not only tried for a visa exempt entry but did so without a return flight, that is always a risky manuever at best. And through Don Muang airport at that, doubly risky.

 

I'm surprised the airline let you board with no visa and no return flight.

 

As you know, what you need to do is get a non-O visa by reason of a Thai child. I am not sure Phnom Penh Embassy will issue one (since you now have a ticket to Cambodia) but see what UJ says, and meanwhile do your homework and start putting together the needed documentation for a non-O. And mayne look into what would be involved in changing your flight details to a different country if it turns out Phnom Penh unlikely to issue the visa (it is a difficult and unfirendly Embassy there).

 

Once you get your non O visa extent it annually and get a re-entry permit each time you leave the country.  You will then have no future problems.

 

 

 

I find it curious that some embassies will not issue certain visas, or somehow make them difficult to obtain even with correct documentation.

 

[Skallywag]

14 hours ago, ryanhull said:

appreciate your entitled to your own opinion I just think your wrong

I was trying to convey how the IO may think about you.

Rant was not about my opinion, other than the vasectomy comment, which not knowing your age or parenting skills was uncalled for also - excuse me.

 

Sorry no help on your VISA problem, just pointing out how IO may be looking at you and why the problems. 

 

 

[Mikisteel]

After such a horrid experience why on earth is your last question relating to "trying your luck again" if you are here to care for your son, great, but don't you think a non o would have been the best option and after living here so long why would "trying your luck" be a chance worth taking, ever.

[mngmn]

15 hours ago, megapix said:

Interesting thing happened to me in Suvarnabhumi 2 days ago as well. After coming to Thailand on tourist visas and visa exempt stamps for 3 years I got non-imm "O" visa for the first time so I was pretty confident that this time they wont say anything to me because I do it the "correct" way.

 

After arriving to immigration counter, the IO opened my passport and looked at my previous stamps (maybe like 5 of them) almost 2 minutes and asked me what Im doing in Thailand. I said Im going to stay with my wife here (she even was on the same flight). He said that I have to go with him right now to the interrogation room. I asked why but he didn't replied and just said that I have to walk with him. We walked like 5 metres and I asked why again. He said that I don't have a visa and cannot stay in Thailand anymore. I said I have the visa and he stopped. I showed him the Non-imm "O". He said wait here and he went to call some of his colleague. That guy circles something in my passport and give back to the IO. After that he asked me to go back to the counter. And then he asked me many questions like:

 

Are you working in Thailand ?

I said no. I cannot, because I dont have working permit.

 

Do I have a child?

I said no again

 

How can I stay in Thailand that long without working?

I said I work in my country for few months and then come here. Which is true.

 

Where is my wife ?

What is her work ?

Why I have so many stamps in my passport ? 

Why I wanna stay in Thailand ? and other questions.

 

I didn't feel comfortable at all because his voice tone was very angry.

 

After that he stamped my passport and said that I can go. When I opened my passport I saw that the "O" and multiple entries were circled.

 

My guess is that he didn't even saw my visa and just started "doing" instead of "thinking" first. Completely unnecessary situation that he could avoided by just doing his job correctly. 

 

 

 

Been stamped in for 30 days many times on a Non O. Always check and go back to the IO to get the correct stamp. Some IOs are apologetic some seem to think it's my fault they didn't see the visa.