Visa/re-entry advice needed.

[starship]

Hi,

 

I may need to return briefly to the U.K at the end of the month due to family reasons. It has come at a bit of an awkward time as I have booked to go to Vientiane to renew my tourist visa quite soon. I'm concerned that due to my extended periods of time in Thailand that there may be a possibility of refusal on re-entry based on recent trends, so wanted to consider the options available to me and the likely outcome should I decide to go.

 

I have to renew my visa soon in the first instance. I can still go to Vientiane or I could cancel that and just get a visa exempt to last me till I may go. Problem with that though, is that I'll only be gone a week, would have family responsibilities, and wouldn't really have time to get a new Thai visa from London (I've always done postal application in the past, and that's if they approved it anyway).

 

I have been considering  the idea of using a re-entry permit if I got the new tourist visa from Vientiane, so that I would have most of the visa still left when I return. Would entering on a re-entry permit carry any more weight regarding admission than if you were entering on a new tourist visa. What I mean is, am I less likely to encounter difficulties. Obviously, I'm looking for a successful outcome so I'm looking for the highest probability method to use. Entering on a tourist visa would seem more probable to me than if I came back and wanted to enter visa exempt. Can you actually re-enter on a visa exempt though? This all applies to entering at Suvarnabhumi. The other thought I had was to fly back to a neighbouring country and enter overland from there. Where do you suggest would be the most successful points for entry if I took this option?

 

My P.P history goes back to summer 2015. In total I have 1 double tourist visa (Vientiane), 5 singles (2 Vientiane, 2 London, 1 Savannakhet), 1 transfered from old P.P and 4 visa exempts up to the present. All entries have been extended. However, I returned to the UK for 13 months in 2016/17 and for 2 months in spring 2017, so it's not a constant stay. I'm approaching 50 which I think perhaps makes some difference in their assumptions.

 

Appreciate any advice you guys can provide, 

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

Edited March 4, 2019 by starship

[BritTim]

The worst possible idea would be to try to enter by air visa exempt.

 

Assuming you want to return by air directly into Thailand, I personally believe the re-entry permit on an existing permission to stay would be a bit safer than a new tourist visa. That is more a hunch than something based on solid data.

[JackThompson]

I recall a rejection reported fairly recently on a re-entry permit from a TR Visa by air.  Once you are in that area of control (Bangkok Airport immigration), you are subject to their whims.  It is a game of "odds" - in your favor, but not assured.  I agree with the above - anything is better than attempting a new visa-exempt entry by air, with a longer-stay history.

 

OTOH, Visa-Exempt entry by land 2x per calendar year is no problem at any land-border other than Poipet.  You might consider your return-flight to Penang or KL, then take the train in through Pedang Besar, then fly onward domestic from Hat Yai.  It's a PITA, but is a way to avoid the lying/lawless procedures common at Bangkok Airports. 

 

Another option would be a flight direct to Chiang Mai airport with your TR-Visa w/ re-entry permit, as they are not reported to invent unlawful / fake reasons to deny entry there.

[starship]

Hey, thanks for replies.

 

I agree, and was thinking anyway to re-enter on a tourist visa rather than exempt. I'm just concerned about entering at Suvarnabhumi for the reasons you mention, although it would obviously be the least hassle as I'm in Bangkok. 

 

I was considering of KL also, although haven't there been reports about problems/refusals at the southern border in recent times? The Chiang Mai entry could be a good alternative as you mention, although I haven't looked into wether there are direct flights to there from the U.K - I'll check it out.

 

 

 

[JackThompson]

3 hours ago, starship said:

I was considering of KL also, although haven't there been reports about problems/refusals at the southern border in recent times?

Only one I saw of a person with a Visa - and they have multiple past overstays. 

 

The only commonly reported issues there, vs other locations, are showing 20K Baht in Cash or travelers checks (entering w/ a Visa), and having to stay out at least one night on an out/in for a Visa-Exempt entry.