StayinThailand2much

How about the other water festivals in SE Asia? I wonder, why the one in Thailand is special compared to the ones in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan, and NE India. Maybe its about the water guns. Perhaps UNESCO will next certify "rice as humanity's food staple grown in Thailand"... LOL

I saved the life of an almost drowned Thai guy last year who had floated for, at least, 20 minutes in the sea 'head under' without anyone on the beach or in the water nearby caring. - Did I do this for merit, or for being advantaged in a future life? No, it was just the 'normal' thing to do.

Then there should be a possibility to appeal against incompetent or unfair decisions, and I mean within hours rather than weeks(?) to the minister. Why is there no 'Immigration Ombudsman' or something similar at important border entry points? (And no, supervisors who are in cahoots with rogue IOs, and/or change their decisions when bribed are no alternative to this.)

Would be interesting to know, if Russians enter, say, 3x like that, they will face scrutiny too. After all, together with the Chinese they seem to be the preferred tourists these days. Also, first it was tourists repeatedly arriving on VFEs, but now they are already targeting tourists with single and multiple tourist visas. What's next; expats with Non-Immigrant visas being quizzed at the border, and possibly denied?

Well, to be fair to the OP, I think, most border denials do not make it as reports into this forum. Also, it is not really clear what the agenda, or orders are that IOs at certain borders (e.g. both Bangkok airports, Phuket Airport, etc.) follow, particularly in recent times, denying travellers, because 'they have too many visa extensions, Covid extensions', etc., etc. The TAT and tourism industry, as well as inland immigration offices seem to have no problem with tourists staying for extended times (or why would they extend any VFE or tourist visa), or travelling often to Thailand. Most countries have clear rules on how often and how long someone can travel there in a calendar year. Not so Thailand, where everything in regards to immigration matters seems to be 'in a grey area' on purpose. One could almost think that there is not one, but two Immigration divisions, or that things are done as if there were two different bureaucracies in one country...

Makes sense from the driver's viewpoint. Not being a regular taxi, he'd have to be so lucky as to get a ride via the app for a similar 3-4 hour return-trip... Would be better if, for long journeys, they knew what they're signing up for.

That confirms my suspicion that they are getting stricter by the hour. - Personally, I had never a problem entering Thailand until late 2019, when, suddenly, they 'made a face' when I entered with my METV. Then, after it had expired, I entered with a VFE, and was quizzed at Don Muang. I didn't think much of it at the time, but got the same treatment months later at Suvarnabhumi... Seems, they are now targeting visitors with valid visas too. So far for: "We want tourists to stay longer, and come back", and: "You'll be fine as long as you have a visa"...

So, I guess: "If your over 50 years of age you can't get a ED visa to study Thai, Thai immigration changed the rules in Nov/2022. Before that there was no age limit. I applied for an ED visa in October/2022 was approved by the Ministry of Ed, when I went to immigration with the school to start the visa process I was not approved." (Google result from YouTube comment) is false information.

Yes, it doesn't make sense. IOs at the two Bangkok airports were even out to deny people at the beginning of the pandemic when tourist numbers started to decline. Perhaps, every tourist who was declined should write a protest letter to the TAT. After a hundred, or so, perhaps the IOs will, at least, have to give a valid reason for this.

Fair enough. I never heard of a METV questioned either, so maybe just rogue IOs at Don Muang. Suvarnabhumi may let it go, but who knows...

The official requirement is 10,000 baht for VOA, and 20,000 baht when entering with a SETV. Doesn't need to be more. However, having the cash is not a guarantee not to be refused.

Good to know. Thanks.

Lemsta69 got the idea that you're over 50... Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but at that age no ED Visa possible anymore.

How about paying bills (convenience stores, restaurants) with it? Nothing wrong with paying 100 baht or so in coins.

Better to google the latest requirements...

Seems the TAT got all the tourists they wanted... No, seriously, seems they are getting stricter and stricter with tourists that 'like Thailand too much'.

I guess, you'd have to roll it... Better to spend it, e.g. for BTS and MRT.

If a remark is in the passport, or computer, Suvarnabhumi IOs will act (out) the same. (Talking from experience.)

60 weeks in 3+ years is not that much. Someone recently mentioned in a post that the IO at an airport actually asked for the partner's phone number in order to talk to her...

Is that a joke? So, the hazardous air pollution in both, Bangkok and Chiang Mai is caused by Cambodia?? - Nice if one can always blame someone else... Perhaps he could start limiting the sources of air pollution in Thailand.

I used to 'wai' every monk when I was new in Thailand, to the amusement of my company. Nowadays, however, I have no respect for Thai monks, and I wouldn't trust them with donations. One just needs to read about the millions some monks have accumulated in their bank accounts. Nuff said...

Personally, I prefer giving food, or I do good deeds for people who don't need it. Cash only if I have nothing else, or, sometimes, as a tip for people, I think could need it. (I never show off, like is often the case in Thailand.)

Or the foreign maids...

So, that's how the Saudis want to fight the Houthis...

It's not just the forum, but it's most social media, the negativity in mass media, and widespread cynicism in society as a whole in the 21st century. People and their posts on FB, Twitter, etc., are not any better. The demise of the family, loss of humour, and loss of compassion are symptoms of this development, which is ever getting worse. - I blame 9/11, the ruin of the middle class, rising inequalities, the Covid pandemic, and geopolitical developments in the past two decades.