Visa problem at airport

[fireundersh]

I have arrived yesterday afternoon at suvarnabhumi airport, with regular 2 months tourist visa, released by thai embassy in italy. The officer at immigration, asked me to show again documents, like fligh return ticket, hotel booking etc. Even I have her the documents requested, she refused to recognise me visa, and she gave to me a simple 30 days "visa on arrival", even my return flight ticket is after 1 month and half. What is wrong with this country? She can do it? It'salready 20 years that I travelled everywhere, and it's the first time in my life that something like this happens.

[Dexlowe]

If everything is above board from your side of things, then all I can say is that you are a victim of Thai little bigmanism. It's a worry. I'm due to arrive in 6 weeks with an METV and a return ticket of about 5 months. I have my own house in Thailand, money in 2 Thai banks (plus cash from home in my pocket), and a history of many years of working and paying taxes in Thailand. All that can mean nothing at the whim of some poorly trained idiot with an inferiority complex. Maybe I need to practise Grovelling 101 before I go.

[ezzra]

I would advise you to go to the nearest immigration center as soon as and clear this out with someone in higher position and see if they can rationally explain to you what is going on...

[BritTim]

Did you write the visa number on the TM6 form? Your whole experience seems more likely if the immigration officials missed your visa and believed you were trying to enter visa exempt, when they are much stricter about allowing entry.

[onera1961]

28 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Did you write the visa number on the TM6 form? Your whole experience seems more likely if the immigration officials missed your visa and believed you were trying to enter visa exempt, when they are much stricter about allowing entry.

If TI did not mistake it, I think it's very disturbing news. More disturbing than denying entry to perpetual tourists. 

[lamyai3]

56 minutes ago, ezzra said:

I would advise you to go to the nearest immigration center as soon as and clear this out with someone in higher position and see if they can rationally explain to you what is going on...

Yes, please don't just let it slide. Go to immigration, but rather than telling them the interpretation of events you give in the OP, take the line mentioned by BritTim above - that they made a stamping error and you've come to get it corrected to match your visa and return flight date. 

[scubascuba3]

she refused to recognise me visa

Not the first time a lady has been mentioned and maybe best to avoid that queue

[SheungWan]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

Did you write the visa number on the TM6 form? Your whole experience seems more likely if the immigration officials missed your visa and believed you were trying to enter visa exempt, when they are much stricter about allowing entry.

Only one time and years ago......the IO deliberately ignored the visa number entered by me on the form and gave me 30 days instead. I checked his stamp before passing through, went back to him and pointed out the visa number. Some fluster from him but he corrected the entry. Since then I always check the entry before fully entering the luggage hall.

[Crossy]

7 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Since then I always check the entry before fully entering the luggage hall.

Yes, this is definitely always a good idea, far less hassle than going to immigration to fix it.

[lamyai3]

3 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Only one time and years ago......the IO deliberately ignored the visa number entered by me on the form and gave me 30 days instead. I checked his stamp before passing through, went back to him and pointed out the visa number. Some fluster from him but he corrected the entry. Since then I always check the entry before fully entering the luggage hall.

Yes, it's good policy to check after being stamped in. Though it's crazy the onus should be on the tourist to make sure this is correct. They're hardly likely to be aware of the implications, aside from being pretty woozy after a long haul flight. 

[fireundersh]

13 hours ago, BritTim said:

Did you write the visa number on the TM6 form? Your whole experience seems more likely if the immigration officials missed your visa and believed you were trying to enter visa exempt, when they are much stricter about allowing entry.

Yes, i wrote visa number on the tm6 form, and i showed the visa to the officer

[JackThompson]

31 minutes ago, fireundersh said:

Yes, i wrote visa number on the tm6 form, and i showed the visa to the officer

I would still follow advise, above - Go to immigration office, say there was an error and they put the wrong stamp (showing TR Visa and being very calm and polite).  Don't indicate the IO did this deliberately.  Bring your flight-out proof, though you should not need it (in theory).  Reports indicate they will fix it.

[DrJack54]

OP, could you outline your previous visits to Thailand. Your treatment by io seems unusual. 

[kevin612]

Good to know, thanks 

[from the home of CC]

5 hours ago, sgoodes said:

I'm not sure if it makes any difference or not but I always spend a little and get the VIP escort through immigration and have never had an issue. The IO has always been polite and very friendly. One time he told me I did not need a METV and wished me a good day.

Used to use a service going into Kuwait and it definitely made a difference there. Never had a problem entering Thailand so I've never considered it here,  though I'm sure it would expedite passage.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, could you outline your previous visits to Thailand. Your treatment by io seems unusual. 

This. What is the OP's Thai immigration history?

[Pilotman]

5 hours ago, sgoodes said:

I'm not sure if it makes any difference or not but I always spend a little and get the VIP escort through immigration and have never had an issue. The IO has always been polite and very friendly. One time he told me I did not need a METV and wished me a good day.

I was going to suggest the same thing.  The VIP arrival process seems to really smooth the way and usually, you are going through the crew and diplomats channel, so hardly anyone is there but you, the VIP escorting person and the IO. Any issues, the escort will help to sort it out then and there.  Well worth the 1500 or so Baht for the service. 

[DrJack54]

23 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

2 pages old and do you have positive contribution?  Nup pretty much your MO

[UKresonant]

23 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

I was going to suggest the same thing.  The VIP arrival process seems to really smooth the way and usually, you are going through the crew and diplomats channel, so hardly anyone is there but you, the VIP escorting person and the IO. Any issues, the escort will help to sort it out then and there.  Well worth the 1500 or so Baht for the service. 

They have stopped we peasants on economy tickets paying for the fast track unfortunately. 

 

Provide that that the OP has not been in Thailand very much in the last 12 months....and they have used the VISA within 3 months of it's issue date...

If the original OP is in Bangkok and goes to immigration there at CW, should they not be HAPPY to fix the error, I would calmly walk out and be straight along the road to the MFA to highlight the problem to them. They should be able to let the Embassy in Italy know the RTP are treating their VISA as a dud!

[Pilotman]

Just now, johnwf1963 said:

They have stopped we peasants on economy tickets paying for the fast track unfortunately. 

 

Provide that that the OP has not been in Thailand very much in the last 12 months....and they have used the VISA within 3 months of it's issue date...

If the original OP is in Bangkok and goes to immigration there at CW, should they not be HAPPY to fix the error, I would calmly walk out and be straight along the road to the MFA to highlight the problem to them. They should be able to let the Embassy in Italy know the RTP are treating their VISA as a dud!

since when have they stopped it for economy?  I used it 3 months ago on return from the UK, economy. 

[UKresonant]

just go to the BFS premium service website, you still have to recognise fast track is not available for economy tickets, before they let you book any service, I was just in the other day booking a lounge for a departure in 2 weeks. Dads ok, when he goes through, because he can get through as an over 70. They say it is AOT policy.

[geisha]

Ah no, I’ve used it twice in the last 6/weeks.

[geisha]

Maybe not at Don Muang.

[Ebumbu]

3 hours ago, Pilotman said:

I was going to suggest the same thing.  The VIP arrival process seems to really smooth the way and usually, you are going through the crew and diplomats channel, so hardly anyone is there but you, the VIP escorting person and the IO. Any issues, the escort will help to sort it out then and there.  Well worth the 1500 or so Baht for the service. 

 

I've never heard of it. Where does one purchase this service? I have a friend arriving on a tourist visa, first trip. Thanks. 

 

[JimmyJ]

4 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

 

I've never heard of it. Where does one purchase this service? I have a friend arriving on a tourist visa, first trip. Thanks. 

 

Same question, and same reason - for recommending it to others.

I'd never heard of it either.

[elviajero]

4 hours ago, Ebumbu said:

 

I've never heard of it. Where does one purchase this service? I have a friend arriving on a tourist visa, first trip. Thanks. 

 

 

2 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

Same question, and same reason - for recommending it to others.

I'd never heard of it either.

 

Here is one. https://www.bangkokflightservices.com/home/bfs-services/premium-airport-services/

 

If you google Bangkok Airport Services or similar you'll find others. You can get met off the plane and taken trough passport control etc.

[NanLaew]

9 hours ago, Pilotman said:

since when have they stopped it for economy?  I used it 3 months ago on return from the UK, economy. 

Less than 3 months ago? The lower-priced BFS one says as much on their website. There is one 'premium service' still doing it but they charge almost the same for a single, escorted arrival as a visa agent charges for the annual free-pass.

[RBOP]

I've had 2 visa stamp errors that required me to go back and get corrected. One at CW she stamped the wrong year which I went back to the girl about 30 minutes later and she corrected it with liquid paper and initial. Another at the airport where the IO stamped the wrong date for my visa expiry. I quickly turned around and asked her to correct it. She double crossed it out and re-stamped next to it with her initial.

 

My advise to the OP is to visit the immigration center (same province your hotel address) and find the visa correction counter.  Bring all documents including proof of your hotel rental. 

[lovesthespicy]

10 hours ago, Pilotman said:

I was going to suggest the same thing.  The VIP arrival process seems to really smooth the way and usually, you are going through the crew and diplomats channel, so hardly anyone is there but you, the VIP escorting person and the IO. Any issues, the escort will help to sort it out then and there.  Well worth the 1500 or so Baht for the service. 

I've read of two occasions of people being stopped using the fast track service being pulled and questioned. They were let in on both stories but its for sure not some full proof way to make it in.

[onera1961]

59 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Less than 3 months ago? The lower-priced BFS one says as much on their website. There is one 'premium service' still doing it but they charge almost the same for a single, escorted arrival as a visa agent charges for the annual free-pass.

Here is what it says on their website

 

We are sorry to inform you that the airport authorities have changed the policy on Premium Fast track coupons usage and has advised us of the following with immediate effect. Only Passengers holding First and Business class tickets will be allowed to use the Premium Fast track coupons and channels. Passengers travelling in economy class will not be allowed to use Premium Fast track channel.