Popular Post marqus12 Posted October 16, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 16, 2019 2 hours ago, baboon said: It isn't only tourist visas. Non 'O's are gradually coming under suspicion too. I have yet to be refused entry, but lately at border points in the south, I have this feeling that they are just itching to bring the hammer down but the time is not right. Yet. Funny, I had the same impression recently at Phuket airport. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marqus12 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 On 10/11/2019 at 2:59 AM, BritTim said: On 10/11/2019 at 2:15 AM, nailbrains8 said: On 10/11/2019 at 12:52 AM, TooMuchTime said: Why do they force a flight back to London? Can he choose to take a flight somewhere else? Do they just force your last departure origin or home country? Yes, he wanted to fly to Vietnam but they wouldn't allow it. There is a rule that the airline that brought you to Thailand is responsible for your removal. He arrived on British Airways. I doubt BA has flights from Bangkok to Vietnam, so that would not have been an option what if the airline that brought me here flies directly outside of Thailand only to china and vietnam and in both cases I have to get a visa in advance for these two countries ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovethailandelite Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 4 minutes ago, marqus12 said: what if the airline that brought me here flies directly outside of Thailand only to china and vietnam and in both cases I have to get a visa in advance for these two countries ??? The decision is made by the airline but in the case you have stated above, you are likely going back to your passport country. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hk810 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 6 hours ago, sanemax said: Which debit card do you have ? 5 hours ago, UKresonant said: Will you avoid the per withdrawal 220baht flat fee charged at Thai ATMs with that card? 5 hours ago, sanemax said: He will if he doesnt use an ATM and gets cash over the counter If you are from USA I use TD bank. You do get charged the fee but you get reimbursed the money at the end of the month. Thats why i don't bother carrying much cash anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 10 hours ago, Hk810 said: ugh lol what documents should i bring? i don't plan on bringing cash since my debit card doesn't charge any fees. I guess a bank statement? Thanks If you are arriving on a tourist visa or plan on using tourist exempt, you are required to have the cash on you (20,000 baht or equivalent). They won't want to see a bank statement. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 5 hours ago, marqus12 said: what if the airline that brought me here flies directly outside of Thailand only to china and vietnam and in both cases I have to get a visa in advance for these two countries ??? In that case, it becomes complicated. Your airline needs to negotiate with airlines that can return you to home country, generally indemnifying the airline that agrees to carry you against all costs they incur. In the end, your home country's national airline will be obliged to carry you if it becomes clear that no other option is available. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldera Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 5 hours ago, Hk810 said: Thats why i don't bother carrying much cash anymore. Whatever your reason may be, having a certain amount of cash on you is a formal entry requirement when entering Thailand. If they happen to ask you and you cannot show it, you could be denied entry. Personally, while I think that this rule is silly in this day and age, I also think that having some emergency cash cannot hurt. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post baboon Posted October 17, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 17, 2019 8 hours ago, marqus12 said: Funny, I had the same impression recently at Phuket airport. So it isn't only me, then... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marqus12 Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 14 hours ago, Lovethailandelite said: The decision is made by the airline but in the case you have stated above, you are likely going back to your passport country. 8 hours ago, BritTim said: In that case, it becomes complicated. Your airline needs to negotiate with airlines that can return you to home country, generally indemnifying the airline that agrees to carry you against all costs they incur. In the end, your home country's national airline will be obliged to carry you if it becomes clear that no other option is available. what worries me the most is that I am heavily addicted to nicotine and caffeine. I may have a nervous breakdown locked in some cell without it 555 thanks for the reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hk810 Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 20 hours ago, jacko45k said: If you are arriving on a tourist visa or plan on using tourist exempt, you are required to have the cash on you (20,000 baht or equivalent). They won't want to see a bank statement. 18 hours ago, Caldera said: Whatever your reason may be, having a certain amount of cash on you is a formal entry requirement when entering Thailand. If they happen to ask you and you cannot show it, you could be denied entry. Personally, while I think that this rule is silly in this day and age, I also think that having some emergency cash cannot hurt. guess ill carry some cash then, Thanks guys 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 On 10/17/2019 at 3:26 PM, marqus12 said: what worries me the most is that I am heavily addicted to nicotine and caffeine. I may have a nervous breakdown locked in some cell without it 555 thanks for the reply Talk to a good doctor. A combination of a nicotine patch and anti anxiety drug should allow you a relatively smooth journey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JackThompson Posted October 20, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 4:50 PM, Selatan said: I think the Thai government knows exactly what they are doing. I think they are trying to get rid of Thailand's image as a sex tourist attraction In that case, they would stop all short-term vacation visitors to Thailand, since they make up 99% of that clientelle. On 10/13/2019 at 4:50 PM, Selatan said: is now common for Malaysians to visit Thailand with the whole family, unlike in the past, where mostly only men would go to Thailand solely for the whores. Again, that's the short-term folks packing walking-st, etc. As to family-visitors - like the Russian families who used to "winter" here, before immigration drove them out - resulting in the closing of businesses which catered to them? Many Thais lost their jobs from this - and many more from the general-crackdown against Westerners, which saw entire streets boarded-up. I get the feeling those doing this don't particularly like poorer Thais getting good jobs and starting businesses. The Chinese tour-group types put all their money in 'connected' Thai businesses - not small businesses which provide "upward mobility' to working-class people. And, I suppose, if I had paid a small fortune to "buy my job" in a corrupt govt agency, I wouldn't like seeing "lower people" getting ahead by being entreprenuers, either - and certainly not longer-term visitors who obtained Visas through another govt-agency, so aren't providing ROI on my "buy a job" investment, by paying me off via the expected corruption-payments via agents, etc. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 10/11/2019 at 2:54 AM, nailbrains8 said: Don't fly in from a country far away. Fly into a neighbouring country first. Then fly to Thailand. Better - fly to a neighboring country, then use a law-abiding land-border. If that entry point changes policy (i.e. paid off) before you get there, at least you can just walk back to the other country. On 10/13/2019 at 4:00 AM, MattDM said: Can you try again without consequence? Other than possible denied-entry, yes. On 10/13/2019 at 4:00 AM, MattDM said: will a new passport help? No, Immigration will have a full-record of all entries/exits going back years. Using a law-abiding entry-point is the only solution. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 10/16/2019 at 7:39 PM, Hk810 said: ugh lol what documents should i bring? i don't plan on bringing cash since my debit card doesn't charge any fees. I guess a bank statement? Thanks 20K Baht worth of CASH, a flight out within 60 days or sooner, and proof of hotel-bookings for a good portion of your stay. Even then, they may ignore all that, and stamp your passport rejected - claiming you are, basically, "indigent." I'd change the flight to somewhere else - Chiang Mai is a better bet, though I personally will never fly into Thailand, due to the blatantly-corrupt airport immigration situation. On 10/17/2019 at 3:26 PM, marqus12 said: what worries me the most is that I am heavily addicted to nicotine and caffeine. I may have a nervous breakdown locked in some cell without it 555 thanks for the reply Bring a small amount of chewing tobacco - works for the plane, too. You could pay off staff/guard to get you coffee in detention, but avoiding the situation ENTIRELY would be my choice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogi100 Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 On 10/13/2019 at 2:38 AM, baboon said: A multiple entry Non O and time spent out of Thailand? Chances are you will sail through or at worst, be asked a couple of questions before sailing through. Where are you flying in from? London Heathrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattDM Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Hi Jack. what in your opinion is the the best and safest land border crossing? There is a possibility that i will fly directly into Chiang Mai from vietnam so that I am hoping may work. I am getting a new passport regardless, but I assume your entry history is only available on a search, which they may not do when you enter the country. Do you have any knowledge of what an immigration officer sees when the passport is scanned? Thanks, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salerno Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 6 hours ago, JackThompson said: As to family-visitors - like the Russian families who used to "winter" here, before immigration drove them out Pray tell, what exactly did immigration do to crash the Ruble? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayaout Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 5 hours ago, MattDM said: Hi Jack. what in your opinion is the the best and safest land border crossing? There is a possibility that i will fly directly into Chiang Mai from vietnam so that I am hoping may work. I am getting a new passport regardless, but I assume your entry history is only available on a search, which they may not do when you enter the country. Do you have any knowledge of what an immigration officer sees when the passport is scanned? Thanks, Matt The consensus is any land border except Poipet and to a lesser extent Padang Besar. The safest land border is probably Nong Khai but from experience Ban Laem is another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecyclist Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 6 hours ago, MattDM said: Hi Jack. what in your opinion is the the best and safest land border crossing? There is a possibility that i will fly directly into Chiang Mai from vietnam so that I am hoping may work. I am getting a new passport regardless, but I assume your entry history is only available on a search, which they may not do when you enter the country. Do you have any knowledge of what an immigration officer sees when the passport is scanned? Thanks, Matt What does an IO see when he scans your passport. That is a very interesting question. My guess is not very much without scrolling down or clicking on to some link, or I, with a long history of (decades) excemptions and TVs, would be getting a lot more scrutiny than I have gotten over the last few years since the crackdown on serial tourists started. They can see a lot, if they choose to, if something makes them suspicious, but they don't see it right after scanning, and in vast majority of cases they can't be bothered to look further :They are half asleep or daydreaming most of the time anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tayaout Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 3 hours ago, thecyclist said: What does an IO see when he scans your passport. That is a very interesting question. My guess is not very much without scrolling down or clicking on to some link, or I, with a long history of (decades) excemptions and TVs, would be getting a lot more scrutiny than I have gotten over the last few years since the crackdown on serial tourists started. They can see a lot, if they choose to, if something makes them suspicious, but they don't see it right after scanning, and in vast majority of cases they can't be bothered to look further :They are half asleep or daydreaming most of the time anyway. They get automated alert after 6 entry. You have been lucky or use the right visa ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 6 hours ago, Tayaout said: They get automated alert after 6 entry. You have been lucky or use the right visa ???? 6 entries over what time period? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Tuvoc said: 6 entries over what time period? I believe this only applies to visa exempt entries, and is six visa exempt entries since around the middle of 2015. The notification is not that you should be denied entry, but that you should be scrutinised more closely as a genuine tourist, and you are not using visa exempts as a way of living long term in Thailand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper9187 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 44 minutes ago, BritTim said: I believe this only applies to visa exempt entries, and is six visa exempt entries since around the middle of 2015. The notification is not that you should be denied entry, but that you should be scrutinised more closely as a genuine tourist, and you are not using visa exempts as a way of living long term in Thailand. Uh ? I thought there was a limit of 2 visa exempt / calendar year, but what now !? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 1 minute ago, Pepper9187 said: Uh ? I thought there was a limit of 2 visa exempt / calendar year, but what now !? Only at a land border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuvoc Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 2 hours ago, BritTim said: I believe this only applies to visa exempt entries, and is six visa exempt entries since around the middle of 2015. The notification is not that you should be denied entry, but that you should be scrutinised more closely as a genuine tourist, and you are not using visa exempts as a way of living long term in Thailand. Crikey, since 2015 I've probably had double that number. Doesn't seem right to me. Visa exempts only allow 30 days so that should be the least of their worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetops Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 3 hours ago, FredGallaher said: I'm having a hard time believing you. This is about visa entries not trips to the can. 12 visa exempt entries in 4 years, which is how I read Tuvoc's post, is not particularly high. I have a similar amount and until earlier this year I was just a regular holidaymaker making the most of my leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchis Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 (edited) On 10/17/2019 at 12:57 AM, marqus12 said: what if the airline that brought me here flies directly outside of Thailand only to china and vietnam and in both cases I have to get a visa in advance for these two countries ??? to china there are visa exempt entries for those with onward flights within 24 hours, i just did that last week. Edited October 21, 2019 by orchis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldriglikvid Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 I was scrutinized the last time coming through BKK with a SETV (my second in a row). I was asked if I was working and then asked if I had a GF there. I replied no the two questions. The Girlfriend question, should i've replied yes or no? I did have a 4 month rental contract in BKK in my bag, but I never brought it up. I figured it would work to my disadvantage having a rental contract since it doesn't really imply travelling. Any thoughts on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldera Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 10 hours ago, aldriglikvid said: The Girlfriend question, should i've replied yes or no? Do you have a girlfriend? You replied no, so let's assume you don't have a Thai girlfriend. If you had replied yes, there's a chance they would have wanted to talk to her on the phone. Best to answer truthfully, I'd say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeraldB22 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, aldriglikvid said: I was scrutinized the last time coming through BKK with a SETV (my second in a row). I was asked if I was working and then asked if I had a GF there. I replied no the two questions. The Girlfriend question, should i've replied yes or no? I did have a 4 month rental contract in BKK in my bag, but I never brought it up. I figured it would work to my disadvantage having a rental contract since it doesn't really imply travelling. Any thoughts on this? I would agree with answering "No". Having myself been in the "interrogation" area twice now when entering through BKK, it does seem that the questions are all around trying to demonstrate that you are not just a visiting tourist, and getting you to say something which indicates that, such as a girlfriend, ability to speak thai, or any form of long term connection. They do not listen to anything you say unless it helps them prove this, so I would suggest saying as little as possible, as they seem to have made up their mind before you sit. Just keep it simple and keep explaining your on holiday and show youre flight ticket home. On the second time I think I only got through because I kept on repeating "No", that I was on holiday only, and also that they were much more interested in the gentlemen seated next to me who was also being questioned who was telling them he speaks Thai and that as he has 20,000 baht they must let him in. Even then it did seem 50/50. Just before I was let through , I heard one officer say to his colleague that he would let me in, to which his colleague looked at the printout of my entries and said to him "You can't!", to which he shrugged as if he couldn't really be bothered to reject me or something. So I think you can help yourself by "being a tourist", but a lot must also come down to the luck of which IO you get Edited October 22, 2019 by GeraldB22 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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