Two days ago I tried to do an in/out at Poipet/Aranyaprathet to obtain a 30 day visa exemption for Thailand (foolishly it would now seem from reading). I was refused entry to Thailand and had to re-enter Cambodia. My passport was stamped as refused entry with the reason written in Thai, I believe, as insufficient funds.

 

I have a UK passport with one previous visa exemption where I stayed in Cambodia for 2 and a half weeks last July. Other than that my passport has 4 single entry Non Immigrant 'O' visas. The visa exemption and Non-O visas were all extended at my local immigration each time.

 

I am married to a Thai woman and we have a 2 year old son who are both in Thailand right now.

 

I'm currently staying in Siem Reap. I will be returning to the UK within the next 2 to 3 weeks.

 

What is my best option for re-entering Thailand?

Use any other border crossing. If you want to be safe get a tourist visa (or non-o, but maybe you don't have the documents with you...) before

Edited November 14, 20187 yr by jackdd

You're right, I don't have documents with me for the Non-O so I would have to get my wife to send them to me some how if I take that route.

 

If I try to cross the border at a different location where is best? Would having ฿10,000 cash and proof of an onward flight be enough to allow entry?

 

My main concern is of course being denied entry again and having another refusal stamp added to my passport.

2 minutes ago, Tropica said:

If I try to cross the border at a different location where is best? Would having ฿10,000 cash and proof of an onward flight be enough to allow entry?

The Ban Laem crossing that is a little south of Poi Pet would be good. https://goo.gl/maps/wFKtEXEQM652

The Chong Chom crossing in Surin is close to Siem Reap as well. https://goo.gl/maps/LYGfKp6nW9q

It depends upon where you will be going to after you enter the country.

Having the cash and a ticket out would be needed in case they question you.

Thanks so much for your help both of you.

 

Do you think it would be safer for me to try and get the Non-O and if I did would I be better of going Ho Chi Minh City rather than Phnom Penh? If I've understood correctly PP requires proof of funds of ฿400,000 in the form of a bank statement which I don't have, where as HCMC does not.

 

 

8 minutes ago, Tropica said:

Thanks so much for your help both of you.

 

Do you think it would be safer for me to try and get the Non-O and if I did would I be better of going Ho Chi Minh City rather than Phnom Penh? If I've understood correctly PP requires proof of funds of ฿400,000 in the form of a bank statement which I don't have, where as HCMC does not.

 

 

If you enter at Ban Laem, you ought to be safe as long as you have cash and on onward flight ticket.

 

I think, with your history, you will also be OK flying to Bangkok, but then ensure you have at least 20,000 baht cash equivalent, and helpfully ensure immigration can see it as soon as they start seriously questioning you.

 

For  an O visa, I would definitely suggest Ho Chi Minh City over Phnom Penh, but you will need to satisfy the document requirements. They may be sympathetic, but are not going to be flexible.

Being married to a Thai you can get a 12 month multi-entry visa through the post when back in the UK.

Sorry you had to learn the "hard way" about Poipet.  They even give headaches to those with Non-O ME Visas (married to a Thai).

 

1 hour ago, Tropica said:

Do you think it would be safer for me to try and get the Non-O and if I did would I be better of going Ho Chi Minh City rather than Phnom Penh? If I've understood correctly PP requires proof of funds of ฿400,000 in the form of a bank statement which I don't have, where as HCMC does not.

A trip to HCMC would probably be quicker and easier - PP takes 3 to 4 days to return your passport.  As well, they are generally less-friendly.

 

1 hour ago, Phuketshrew said:

Being married to a Thai you can get a 12 month multi-entry visa through the post when back in the UK.

And definitely get this Visa, so you are not stuck doing these one-off single-entry ones. 

 

You could also get a 1-year Non-O ME based on marriage to a Thai in HCMC - so could get this done at the same time.  But, you'd need the wife to courier the docs to you.

No "financials" are needed for that Visa at that location.

10 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

You could also get a 1-year Non-O ME based on marriage to a Thai in HCMC - so could get this done at the same time.  But, you'd need the wife to courier the docs to you.

No "financials" are needed for that Visa at that location.

Thanks for that. I thought that Savannakhet was the only place this could be done without proof of funds. So it's good to know that HCMC is also an option.

If going to HCMC, have your wife take a clear photos of requested docs, send them to you (email or Line) with a sponsor(?) email from her stating all info required (see requirements).  I just renewed a Non O in HCMC.....it was smooth sailing.

Thanks. My renewal won't be due now until next September but always good to know the options (even if they may change by then!). Anyone know whether there are any such options in Myanmar?

16 minutes ago, CanuckThai said:

If going to HCMC, have your wife take a clear photos of requested docs, send them to you (email or Line) with a sponsor(?) email from her stating all info required (see requirements).  I just renewed a Non O in HCMC.....it was smooth sailing.

Your wife will also need to write a letter asking them to issue you the visa, obviously in Thai. My wife had to write it while we were their. No special form, Just signed on plain A4.

Edited November 14, 20187 yr by overherebc

Quite amazing how each Thai Embassy/Consulate seems to sing from a different hymn sheet. I took a signed letter to Savannakhet but they didn't need one. By far the easiest was London by post whilst in the UK. Posted on Wednesday and passport received back on Friday morning. No proof of funds required. I have previously renewed a couple of times in Liverpool (very friendly ladies at the consulate) but they no longer do this.

Guys,

 

Don't want to hijack the thread but the man now has the info he needs and I don't want to open a thread for a tiny bit of advice.

 

We are taking a trip to Siem Reap in my new car ( I always usually fly) this will be the first road trip in a long while, however, what is vital is car parking security and I hate everything about the border crossing at Poipet with a vengeance.

 

If we are travelling down from Kalasin/Roi Et, is there a suitable crossing other than Poipet with car parking and security??

 

My only interest is adequate security for the vehicle for three nights and that there are taxis to Siem Reap from the crossing.

 

 

28 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

f we are travelling down from Kalasin/Roi Et, is there a suitable crossing other than Poipet with car parking and security??

My only interest is adequate security for the vehicle for three nights and that there are taxis to Siem Reap from the crossing.

The Chong Chom crossing in Surin has secure parking as I recall. And taxis to Siem Reap.

I can recall topics about it on the Isaan forum.

Unless your wife is 1,000+km from you, why don't you just give her a list of what you need (documents, cash, pictures, etc.) and have her come to Poipet and you go to the Thai embassy together. IIRC, Thais don't need a visa for Cambodia or at least, have an easier time with crossings. You could spend a couple of days together, cross back over together and drive home together with a 90 day Non-O. 

3 hours ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Unless your wife is 1,000+km from you, why don't you just give her a list of what you need (documents, cash, pictures, etc.) and have her come to Poipet and you go to the Thai embassy together. IIRC, Thais don't need a visa for Cambodia or at least, have an easier time with crossings. You could spend a couple of days together, cross back over together and drive home together with a 90 day Non-O. 

OP is likely gone now, or close (said 2-3 weeks on the 14th).  But getting a Non-O in PP, while possible, is 3 to 4 days working-time (longer, if over a weekend).  The key is just to avoid returning via Poipet - then, no problem with 2x visa-exempts by land per calendar year.