Immigration at Suvarnaphumi refused to give visa on arrival

[tenjinando 4]

I am a Japanese citizen. Yesterday I arrived from Japan at the Bangkok Airport, but going through immigration, when I asked about when and where to get the visa extension, the officer called his superior who questioned the fact that I had many visa on arrival stamps but on 4 visas. He called me aside and conned me out of $651.47 (20,000 Thai bahts) because he said I had come to Thailand using the 30 day visa on arrival too many times, so they wouldn't allow me to enter Thailand; I'd have to leave and get a visa in another country in order to enter Thailand! He took me out and talked with me and let it be known that if he gave me a 30 day visa, he'd be in trouble: that meant he wanted a pay-off. I had no choice but say, "Is there anyway that I can help you for your trouble?" and he answered, "How much?" He brought me into another room and I gave him the 20,000 baht, and he took me to the immigration counter and stamped a 30 day visa in my passport, and said that next time I should be sure to get a visa, and if I had any trouble leaving the country I should ask for him! So my first day started with losing $651.47. Since he was the senior officer, there was nothing I could do about it. (But now, I have to worry about getting the 30 day extension!) So, it looks like the corruption in Thailand has not be helped by the army coup. So I am in Thailand and don't know if some other immigration office will give me the 30 day extension, or if I'll have to leave Thailand at the end of the 30 days. I am staying with my son in Chonburi and my other son in Roi Et.

[bkkcanuck8 2,481]

20,000 baht is quite high for a stamp 20,000 is the overstay fine maximum.

He is going to have a great party tonight....

BTW, I think you mean 30 day visa waiver. Visa waiver means you do not need a visa to enter, while visa on arrival is for countries that cannot enter the country without a visa.

Edited October 2, 2014 by bkkcanuck8

[Suradit69 14,617]

20,000 baht is quite high for a stamp 20,000 is the overstay fine maximum.

He is going to have a great party tonight....

BTW, I think you mean 30 day visa waiver. Visa waiver means you do not need a visa to enter, while visa on arrival is for countries that cannot enter the country without a visa.

"BTW, I think you mean 30 day visa waiver."

Actually it's called a visa exempt entry.

[timmyp 490]

That really sucks. Thank you for posting your experience here. I hope you don't get stung with that again.

[Chiangmai1 20]

Lesson: Never ask superfluous questions @immigration

[pomchop 1,509]

If the senior office told you to ask for him then I would assume you have his name? Why not file a report....though I suppose he could just deny it all.

[bkkcanuck8 2,481]

Filing a report could get you barred from entering again..... IMHO.....

[falkan 432]

stand your ground next time an show some strength not weakness..

[ksamuiguy 642]

NO, stop the corruption by getting rid of these people, after firing them file charges in court.

Transferring the corrupt officers, officials to an inactive post has and will never work. Unpaid leave while the charges are investigated. Loosing their job and retirement, plus jail time may help deter this kind of corruption.

But sadly most don't report this corruption, either from fear of reprisal, or "not my business". never mind!

get details, numbers names of those involved, the person involved should be traceable through the visa stamp in the passport.

As long as no action is taken this type of corruption will continue and it does reflect on the image of "The Kingdom of Thailand".

It become another nail in the coffin of the credibility of Thailand.

[Sena Dave 316]

This is what the grey areas are for , no one knows the rules , if they can be called rules , leaving loop holes for piss taking little shits like this to rip people off

Report the little Turd

Edited October 2, 2014 by Sena Dave

[bkkcanuck8 2,481]

NO, stop the corruption by getting rid of these people, after firing them file charges in court.

Transferring the corrupt officers, officials to an inactive post has and will never work. Unpaid leave while the charges are investigated. Loosing their job and retirement, plus jail time may help deter this kind of corruption.

But sadly most don't report this corruption, either from fear of reprisal, or "not my business". never mind!

get details, numbers names of those involved, the person involved should be traceable through the visa stamp in the passport.

As long as no action is taken this type of corruption will continue and it does reflect on the image of "The Kingdom of Thailand".

It become another nail in the coffin of the credibility of Thailand.

Works great when corruption is under control, but not when it is endemic. You could take a stand -- but understand that you are an outsider and can easily be retaliated against by any number of immigration staff that may be friends with that individual and also corrupt. Immigration officers are given lots of discretion, and power. I have not heard of a formal appeals process like there is for countries like the US. The time to stand up to it was on entry when the likely only retaliation was entry refusal and you had to exit and re-enter later. It will come down to he said / he said and I doubt anything will come of it except maybe someone blacklisting him to get rid of the problem.

[ezzra 35,031]

If I were you, I'd go to Chang Wattana and ask for clarifications as to why I was charged

that much money and make sure you take the names of the people you talk to,,,

and how can I avoid such situation from happening again....

[bkkcanuck8 2,481]

If I were you, I'd go to Chang Wattana and ask for clarifications as to why I was charged

that much money and make sure you take the names of the people you talk to,,,

and how can I avoid such situation from happening again....

The act of bribing an officer is also illegal....

[kowpot 533]

You could of gone back to the airlines you flew in on and told them that you were refused entry. They would be responsible for flying you back home. But, before they do that, they would find out why you were refused entry and I am sure that guy would be questioned. The airlines have a lot of say at the airport and in the country. They are in the business of bringing tourist to Thailand. The country doesn't need any bad press as far as tourism goes. They are losing money and the fact this guy is possibly taking "tea money" to let people in wouldn't go over so well.

[Sena Dave 316]

 

If I were you, I'd go to Chang Wattana and ask for clarifications as to why I was charged

that much money and make sure you take the names of the people you talk to,,,

and how can I avoid such situation from happening again....

The act of bribing an officer is also illegal....

 

He doesn't have to say it was a bribe , just ask is it normal procedure under the new guidelines to pay 20,000 Baht for a 30 day landing visa , act like an idiot basically