I'm held by immigration in suvarnabhumi airport

[Thaidream]

16 hours ago, elviajero said:

A ME visa can be a big benefit to some visitors, but it doesn’t mean it’s the right visa under the visa system,

 

They are not “both temporary visit mechanisms.” One provides multiple short term visits. The other provides long renewable s

Your point mskese sense.  However, the OP was travelling from Canada to Thailand with family.   There is no indication that he was living in Thailand as he said he gets a Non O ME each year.  

 

Each entry  gets 90 days so he would be leaving around  March 20. If he has a business or work in Canada that allows  a longer stay- he would use his ME to get another entry.

 

Most people do not carry  the amount of money the OP carried and why would they- there are ATMs and people use their debit and credit cards.

 

I cannot see any legal reason why this OP was stopped. He fits no profile to suggest anything but a normal  person with Thai family returnig for a visit with the intention of going back to Canada after his visit.

 

IMO the IO was wrong to target him and he should complain as  the IOs abused their power.  

[emptypockets]

Perhaps the OP should have told the IO he was only staying a couple weeks. He would have got 90 days anyway, most likely.

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

How do you know what she was saying?

If you spoke Thai, you would have told him yourself.

Telling the IO he is wrong and you are right I don't think is the best way to go.

[from the home of CC]

1 hour ago, lkv said:

You seem to be blocking many. Me, elviajero, him ????????

 

You haven't blocked jackdd just yet.

 

God forbid ubonjoe agrees with us, you will block him as well. He does agree actually, because he has read the Immigration act, just not sharing his opinion.

 

Anyone that explains to you the sad reality of multiple entry non immigrant visas with a 90 day permission of stay per entry, gets blocked.

 

Or anyone that explains to you the decision to allow entry into a country is taken by Immigration at the border, regardless of any visa.

 

I hope you might see this post if someone quotes it ????

 

MFA's website:

 

10.  Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General have the authority to issue visas to foreigners for travel to Thailand.  The authority to permit entry and stay in Thailand, however, is with the immigration officers.  In some cases, the immigration officer may not permit foreigner holding a valid visa entry into Thailand should the immigration officer find reason to believe that he or she falls into the category of aliens prohibited from entering Thailand under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

 

[elviajero]

47 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

IMO the IO was wrong to target him and he should complain as  the IOs abused their power.  

I agree. Based on the OP they were bang out of order.

[007 RED]

Valid Visa & Refused Entry

 

Several members have indicated that a Thai Immigration Officer does not have the authority to refuse entry of a person bearing a valid visa.  Sorry, but this is not incorrect.

 

Firstly, the Thai Embassy/Consulate which has issued the visa does not currently have access to the Thai Immigration System, therefore, they (Embassy/Consulate) have no way of knowing if the applicant for example is banned from entering the Kingdom as a result of overstay, or has been imprisoned by judgement of a Thai Court at some time in the past (Immigration Act Sec 12.6), or been deported from Thailand (Immigration Act Sec12.11) etc.

 

If the person presented themselves at a recognised entry point with a valid visa and has a current overstay ban, what do you think that the Immigration Officer would do?  Allow the person to enter because they had a valid visa or deny entry because of the current overstay ban.  Surely it’s a no brainer - Entry Denied.

 

Secondly, If you take a moment to look at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website, http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15405-General-information.html ,bearing mind that MFA through its Embassies/Consulates are responsible for issuing visas, paragraph 10 states:

 

“Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates-General have the authority to issue visas to foreigners for travel to Thailand.  The authority to permit entry and stay in Thailand, however, is with the immigration officers.  In some cases, the immigration officer may not permit foreigner holding a valid visa entry into Thailand should the immigration officer find reason to believe that he or she falls into the category of aliens prohibited from entering Thailand under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)”.

 

I think that the above statement appears on most Thai Embassy/Consulate websites giving visa information to prospective visa applicants, therefore, they should be aware that although they have been issued a visa the decision to allow them to enter the Kingdom lays squarely with the Immigration Officer.

[wwest5829]

On 11/20/2019 at 6:09 PM, BritManToo said:

Never a good idea to let your Thai wife talk for you.

They don't really think before they speak, and have been trained from birth to agree with people in uniforms.

 

"I have the right to enter Thailand with my valid VISA" is all you need to say.

It's up to them to speak in English, and give you a legal reason to deny your entry.

 

Sounds to me like they're looking for a bribe.

“I have a right to enter Thailand”? No, we don’t it is clearly up to the discretion of the IO. I would advise focusing on the stated, and documented, reason for the denial of entry. That would be the grounds for the appeal.

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

“I have a right to enter Thailand”? No, we don’t it is clearly up to the discretion of the IO. I would advise focusing on the stated, and documented, reason for the denial of entry. That would be the grounds for the appeal.

Another on ignore for posting the same foolishness.

 

Edited November 21, 2019 by BritManToo

[wwest5829]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Another on ignore for posting the same foolishness.

555 What in my statement did you find foolish?

[DJ54]

It’s unfortunate for the OP and some useful information for others. 

It could’ve been they didn’t know what a “Cashiers Check” is. 

 

I carried Cashier Checks long ago when I first traveled in Asia on business and a lot of places/countries were puzzled. Not the easiest to cash. 

 

I do think the IO has the authority to decline entry if something feels suspicious. US Immigration same free reigns if they perceive 

a potential problem. It’s their job responsibility.

[Banana7]

My guess about the CAD$7,000 requirement is that it is the prorated sum for a 5 month stay in Thailand based on marriage. The OP is staying until April, or about 5 months or a little less depending on exact travel dates.

 

Normally, on a marriage visa 400k is required for a year or about 33.3k baht per month. 5*33.3k = 166.5K baht. CAD is about 22.8B, so CAD7,000 is 159.6K baht. The 2 amounts seem to be close enough.

 

This is just my guess as how how they arrived at the CAD$7,000 requirement. I do realize that this is NOT the way a marriage financial requirement is supposed to work.

 

 

Edited November 21, 2019 by Banana7

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

Perhaps the OP should have told the IO he was only staying a couple weeks. He would have got 90 days anyway, most likely.

If I read the OP correctly he told them he planned to stay through end of April when 90 days would have been through late February. I suppose he planned on doing a 60 day extension.

 

Possibly that was part of the issue and I do think it usually best not to indicate a planned duration of stay beyond what you can bec stamped in for.  But still hardly reason for them to stop him and the 7000 CAD  bit makes no sense that I can see. Bizarre.

[Isaanbiker]

On 11/20/2019 at 6:01 PM, cornishcarlos said:

So you are on a Non Imm O multiple entry, correct ?? If this is true and they are now asking these sort of questions, it doesn't bode well !!! Since when has there been a requirement to show 7k CAD on entry with this type of visa ??

As far as I know. Never. ????

[jackdd]

2 hours ago, lkv said:

You haven't blocked jackdd just yet.

 

God forbid ubonjoe agrees with us, you will block him as well. He does agree actually, because he has read the Immigration act, just not sharing his opinion.

 

Anyone that explains to you the sad reality of multiple entry non immigrant visas with a 90 day permission of stay per entry, gets blocked.

 

Or anyone that explains to you the decision to allow entry into a country is taken by Immigration at the border, regardless of any visa.

Probably because i agree with him that an IO doesn't have the power to deny a person for a random reason. An IO can only deny a person for the reasons given in the law.

[Isaanbiker]

14 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

If I read the OP correctly he told them he planned to stay through end of April when 90 days would have been through late February. I suppose he planned on doing a 60 day extension.

 

Possibly that was part of the issue and I do think it usually best not to indicate a planned duration of stay beyond what you can bec stamped in for.  But still hardly reason for them to stop him and the 7000 CAD  bit makes no sense that I can see. Bizarre.

I do think it usually best not to indicate a planned duration of stay beyond what you can bec stamped in for.

 

  That's a real good tip people should follow. Thumbs up!!!    ????

Edited November 21, 2019 by Isaanbiker

[Ej2562]

BigSteff posted:

 

Is there anything I can do about the way he was treated at the airport by immigration, reference 7K Cad.

Posting the incident on social media and western media will probably be effective. Reporting the incident, even names to Thai immigration will probably not appease you at all, that if you get a reply from Thai IM.  Again losing face comes into play and Thai people accepts this kind of behavior. I had different experience at check-in at the airport for flight out of country. for sake of time, and i will not go into details.  After I returned to Thailand several days later.  I how badly I felt because of the way i was treated, which she noticed. I said I was going to report it to the airline company.  She told me it was going to be a waste of time and I would not get a reply.  She was right...three yeast has passed, no reply or response whatsoever for the company.  Some of you here may have had a more positive experience, but it is a way of life here.  Do you think most people in Thailand are concerned about the situation with the Redbull Airest, Yingluck, of Taksin?  No, they would prefer to go on to another subject, when mentioned.

 

Good luck

 

[alex8912]

22 hours ago, Just Weird said:

If you are asked for funds you have to produce cash!  TCs are not cash.

WRONG!!! You have to show the equivalent of 20,000 baht in any currency for example entering on tourist visa and traveler checks are absolutely acceptable. 

Edited November 21, 2019 by alex8912

[alex8912]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

If I read the OP correctly he told them he planned to stay through end of April when 90 days would have been through late February. I suppose he planned on doing a 60 day extension.

 

Possibly that was part of the issue and I do think it usually best not to indicate a planned duration of stay beyond what you can bec stamped in for.  But still hardly reason for them to stop him and the 7000 CAD  bit makes no sense that I can see. Bizarre.

Yes!  I think you are exactly correct. I think people really need to THINK before answering any questions from an IO. I arrive every year on a METV In Sept/ Oct  and plan to stay until April the next year. I know I need a couple visa trips but I would answer 60 days or if my next outbound ticket was 56 days just say that. I think a lot of people may say “ April “ in my situation as well. I just don’t get some people. If he needs to leave or extend by 90 days why in the world did he say APRIL?!

I bet if he said February we would not be on page 12 or 13 on this thread. 

Edited November 21, 2019 by alex8912

[Bigstef]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If I read the OP correctly he told them he planned to stay through end of April when 90 days would have been through late February. I suppose he planned on doing a 60 day extension.

 

Possibly that was part of the issue and I do think it usually best not to indicate a planned duration of stay beyond what you can bec stamped in for.  But still hardly reason for them to stop him and the 7000 CAD  bit makes no sense that I can see. Bizarre.

I read most of the posts and i think you have the best explanation,that was my mistake in fact i have a plane ticket out for january,after  2 long flight all i want is go shower and a bed so when the lady ask me i didn't think of my january trip....

 

And for put my story with IO public,i'm not sure it's good for my future venue in LOS..Just to ask for help here i was in shock when it happens and when i try to fin answer Thaivisa was my only option,hoping this could help someone in future...Good night..

 

Edited November 21, 2019 by Bigstef

[Wake Up]

On 11/20/2019 at 8:28 AM, Ventenio said:

they made it clear they don't care about you and will play whatever games they want.   they have all the power, but one.... you can leave.  

Don’t take everything personal. If we do then no one will travel anywhere. Thailand immigration is not a lot different than other countries immigration in 2019. No one is out to get you or discriminate against you personally. 
 

  OP is in Thailand so I agree with his wife we should forget about it and have a pleasant day. 

[Scott]

Off-topic posts reported and removed.  

 

[Scott]

Racist post and replies removed.  

 

[yourauntbob]

On 11/20/2019 at 6:42 AM, BritManToo said:

Carry a copy of the form with you already completed except for the date ........ should work.

Bet they'd poop themselves if you handed it to them when/if they tried an illegal refusal of entry. 

Great idea, i just printed one out in case something similar happens when i arrive in January 

[Lacrimas]

Question: If I come on a single entry Non O spouse visa do I need also to show a return flight? Even If I plan to extend the visa in the last month?

[KhaoYai]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If I read the OP correctly he told them he planned to stay through end of April when 90 days would have been through late February. I suppose he planned on doing a 60 day extension.

 

Possibly that was part of the issue and I do think it usually best not to indicate a planned duration of stay beyond what you can bec stamped in for.  But still hardly reason for them to stop him and the 7000 CAD  bit makes no sense that I can see. Bizarre.

Agreed, I've been asked that question a few times and I always state a date lower than my entitlement. No way would I have said "April" when the maximum on a Non O is 90 days.

[angloirishaussie]

mate having a valid visa does not guarantee entry into any country

certainly not here in aus 

[RotBenz8888]

11 hours ago, alex8912 said:

Yes!  I think you are exactly correct. I think people really need to THINK before answering any questions from an IO. I arrive every year on a METV In Sept/ Oct  and plan to stay until April the next year. I know I need a couple visa trips but I would answer 60 days or if my next outbound ticket was 56 days just say that. I think a lot of people may say “ April “ in my situation as well. I just don’t get some people. If he needs to leave or extend by 90 days why in the world did he say APRIL?!

I bet if he said February we would not be on page 12 or 13 on this thread.

Last time I arrived, id written 90D on my arrival card. The IO read it as 900 and asked me, in a very serious manner, if I was planning to stay 900 days....

[ubonjoe]

3 hours ago, Lacrimas said:

Question: If I come on a single entry Non O spouse visa do I need also to show a return flight? Even If I plan to extend the visa in the last month?

No

If you have a valid visa for entry a return or onward ticket is not required.

[SammyJ]

On 11/20/2019 at 6:09 PM, BritManToo said:

Never a good idea to let your Thai wife talk for you.

They don't really think before they speak, and have been trained from birth to agree with people in uniforms.

 

"I have the right to enter Thailand with my valid VISA" is all you need to say.

It's up to them to speak in English, and give you a legal reason to deny your entry.

 

Sounds to me like they're looking for a bribe.

it may sound bad, but i couldn't agree with you more--it's not just the Thai wife, but even good friends--i have a housekeeper couple and their children i have taken care of for a great many years and the husband speaks pretty good English, better than my Thai, and so acts often as interpreter in various situations, and often i have to remind him that he is acting as an "advocate" for me, not helping the Thai person/company justify why they have failed to provide whatever service they had promised and then not done.  He means nothing malicious or negligent, but just can't get out of the mindset not to argue, not to dispute, not to advocate, but accept at face value the obvious lies we are being told.

[Moo 2]

I don't think this country has awakened yet about the power of Social Media World Wide,

if tourists and visitors are reluctant to visit Thailand is, part of that because of Immigration,

Custom, Police and the Military are trying very hard to make visitors too worry and uncomfortable

to enjoy the night life and scenery of this beautiful country.