And another issue at airport : w re-entry retirement legit visa

[Sambotte]

Just had the weirdest experience with Thai Immigration at Don Muang Airport !

 

I have a retirement visa (extension), had a re-entry. 

Arriving at Don Muang from a short trip outside, having a domestic transfert, i was the only one in the queue there (domestic transfert immigration not busy) : maybe to avoid. 

Female officer - only one officer there -.

 

It started with : ho no, write the extension number, not the visa number (it’s written visa number on the TM thing form), not in a friendly way, no sabadi kap either for a start...

And then she started to reproach me to have been in many different places in Thailand ! That’s a first news ! Telling me i should not with a retirement visa ! I answered i thought i could, and that i never heard about that from any immigration, nor have had any problem with immigration (i insisted on that). 

Then she started to ask if i did my visa by myself (like asking 3 times). And indeed i did, so i firmly answered.

Then she asked to see my bankbook !!! First here too. Had it but not updated, she throw it back to me saying « no good » or something...

She spend like 10mn scrolling on her computer, and then on every page of my passport, including the empty ones ! Speaking to herself or to a supervisor via a microphone in Thaï, no clue what she spoke about... That was weird.

 

I started to feel bad. What a re-entry ! I started to ask firmly if there was any problem, since i never had any in Thailand !... And to try small talk.

Finally she repeated i had been in too many places in Thailand, so i kind of diplomatically answered i would check on that (but could not resist to add i did not think it was so)...

Face saved, she agrees i should check...

I’m a nice guy, so i even said kop kun kap, but frankly speaking it was to make her feel a little bit ashamed for her impolite and weird manners ???? She answered Ka here at last !

 

What a f. stress ! And what the f. is going on ! 

For a totally legit re-entry on a legit expensive retirement visa and extension !!!

 

I posted something about the changes of requirement for retirement visa, i said obviously Thailand does not care anymore about expats. Well i confirm my strong feeling.

Overstays crackdown, visa on arrival or tourist visa : not secure, random request by immigration with guys refused for any reason like not showing 20K in cash or whatever...

ED visa made difficult, delays in Vientiane, etc. you just name it, it goes one way only : not easy, not welcome.

And now problem even for a retired with a retirement visa and re-entry ?!! I think i’ll just pass on the next extension since it does not give you any guarantee now. And good luck to get your money out of bank if your are denied entry...

I would not even trust the VIP visa. I mean i did put 800K in bank 2 times to get retirement visa and 2 extension, and i have random problem at airport ??

What next ? Mariage ? Business ? VIP ? Just wait and see.

 

Point being : Thailand started to get uncool with western expats since they have the mass-chineese tourist income ! It’s just business here as usual, but not in a fair way imo.

 

For me, i have been visiting Thailand since 17 years (not permanently of course) with zero problem for 16 years.

Since 1 year i have questions asked at airport, like 2 time (in Phuket) « are you working », with a retirement visa that’s gross ! And now this one (at Don Muang) is just too much. Not welcome with a legit expensive visa ? ok my money is good in many other countries. Not considering putting another 800k in bank with all this mess, and everything indicating expats are not welcome anymore...

 

Sorry for the style, i’m french, and a little bit pissed-off.

 

To be fair, i previously always had very good experience at Thai Immigration, polite and welcoming, either at airport or offices. But obviously they have instruction to make it randomly not welcome for anything else than short-one time-tourism now... 

It’s just business, considering the mass impact of Chineese and next the Indians, i can understand that, but it does not feel fair and safe. You pay, not small money, you think no problem, well it's lottery now...

 

So here the point being : you have a legit long term visa with re-entry ? Well, you may worry about going out for a travel, return is not garanted.

[simon43]

Finally she repeated i had been in too many places in Thailand

 

[sarcasm]

Haven't you heard?  There is a new rule for those on 'retirement' visas.  You are only allowed to visit Pattaya two times each year.........

 

Elite visa like me get unlimited visits to Pattaya.. ????????????

[/sarcasm]

[glegolo]

To my knowledge you should have written down your re-entry number on the TM6 (departure-card) NOT the VISA number.....

 

glegolo

[Vacuum]

OP, see it from the bright side; you're not married to her.

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, glegolo said:

To my knowledge you should have written down your re-entry number on the TM6 (departure-card) NOT the VISA number.....

 

glegolo

That is correct. Reentry permit number required. 

Just to add, the op was harshly treated it would seem. I fly every couple weeks out of Thailand. In the main to Vietnam. Never had an issue. Problems seem so random. As for many complaints in threads about Thai passport control, try getting a half friendly look from io in countries like Vietnam. Good luck with that

Edited March 5, 2019 by DrJack54
Error

[Briggsy]

4 minutes ago, glegolo said:

To my knowledge you should have written down your re-entry number on the TM6 (departure-card) NOT the VISA number.....

 

glegolo

I think that is what he did write.

 

It looks like she was randomly fishing to try and discover if the OP had got a retirement extension without having the 800K in the bank. Even if he had (which he hadn't), one wonders what she would have done next. Overruled the extension approval? I think not! She would have been outranked and out of jurisdiction.

 

Somebody sees to have agitated and riled up some of the officers at Don Meuang about fraudulent practices.

[Sambotte]

Arrival card (no mention of visa or re-entry on the departure) :

https://www.google.com/search?q=thai+arrival+card&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=JqIj4fewfpeNZM%3A%2CQXxF5nw_8PyJWM%2C_&usg=AI4_-kS4Z2DUA6aQjkzVzhwrdHPTsMqYPw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwio-sH3jurgAhWR63MBHaDjAWYQ9QEwAXoECAQQBg#imgrc=JqIj4fewfpeNZM:

 

It's written the visa number.

But that's not exactly the point ????

[yuiop]

I agree with you, it seems farang are not welcome anymore by thai immigration/government.

[balo]

I have a problem to believe this story . If you really have a normal 1 year visa based on retirement and a valid re-entry , immigration should not ask you any questions. I would call Big Joke directly if this had happened to me.

 

 

[Sambotte]

2 minutes ago, balo said:

I have a problem to believe this story . If you really have a normal 1 year visa based on retirement and a valid re-entry , immigration should not ask you any questions. I would call Big Joke directly if this had happened to me.

 

 

Well i do not lie (and why would i ?).

And in may or june last year i was asked twice at Phuket, same coming back from a short trip and same retirement visa, if i was working in Thailand !

Does not make any sense, i agree with you here, and that's the whole point !!!!!!

Retirement visa, re-entry, all involving money paid legitimally = lottery ????

[Briggsy]

Just now, balo said:

I have a problem to believe this story . If you really have a normal 1 year visa based on retirement and a valid re-entry , immigration should not ask you any questions. I would call Big Joke directly if this had happened to me.

 

 

I fully believe this story and I have a faint suspicion I may have met the same female Immigration Officer but at Suvannaphum a year ago.

 

I was leaving Thailand legally on an SETV and she wouldn't stamp me out, because she wanted to give me a telling off for :-

1. "Why you go Laos?" (there were Laos stamps in my passport.)

2. "Why you go Mukdahan?" (there was an entry at Mukdahan after I had got the SETV from Savannakhet.)

3. "Why you no have visa?" (I had a valid SETV and was leaving within the allowed period.)

4. "Next time you get visa?" (?????????)

 

She eventually stamped me out. I was glad to leave.

[fruitman]

10 minutes ago, balo said:

I have a problem to believe this story . If you really have a normal 1 year visa based on retirement and a valid re-entry , immigration should not ask you any questions. I would call Big Joke directly if this had happened to me.

 

 

I also got many questions and i have a non-o based on marriage...have shown the bank book already to get that.

[Pilotman]

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That is correct. Reentry permit number required. 

Just to add, the op was harshly treated it would seem. I fly every couple weeks out of Thailand. In the main to Vietnam. Never had an issue. Problems seem so random. As for many complaints in threads about Thai passport control, try getting a half friendly look from io in countries like Vietnam. Good luck with that

actually, the  most impolite and miserable Immigration officials I have ever had the misfortune to interact with have been in US Airports. Thai's don't come close.  

[humbug]

i think many of us on whatever visa we hold will have doubts in the back of our minds when going through immigration or airports nowadays. Over the last 5 years, especially  the last 12 months of constant negative hype around us has seeped through so many sections of society, its no wonder this is happening after they hired an extra 1-2000 last year from shopping centres and stuck a uniform on them, some will just be obnoxious and hateful some will be fair. Don muang has probably seen the largest increase in staff numbers and thats maybe the reason why its having now the worst reputation

[SammyT]

An immigration officer's job is to profile people. I.e. ask questions as to their previous and past travel plans and various other related and relevant matters to make a decision as to whether the person is legit in who and what they say they are. Happens to me often when I travel back to NZ - immigration officer questioning why I travel to Asia so much etc. 

 

Didn't realise there were so many precious snowflakes on this board who get so bent out of shape and consider leaving because an underpaid and overworked immigration officer didn't beam a smile at them and asked them too many questions (read: actually did their job). It's not a personal attack on you, it's not because they wanted to make your day more difficult, it's not because there is some directive to make farang feel unwelcome, I can assure you.

 

My advice? Don't dwell on it. There are unpleasant people in officialdom everywhere.  

[Sambotte]

9 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

actually, the  most impolite and miserable Immigration officials I have ever had the misfortune to interact with have been in US Airports. Thai's don't come close.  

Agree with that. Especially Homeland bad cops guys... Actually... Had only one issue in Vegas, where a bad cop tried everything to piss me off and to deny me entry for no reason, and openly expressed his frustration when his supervisor said i was a ok guy.

 

I'm almost old, have been travelling a lot in my life, always polite, well dressed, and legit, for info. French passport. Rarely had a problem going so long for no reason.

And here again the point is it's with a retirement visa for witch i putted 800k in bank + fees.

Edited March 5, 2019 by Sambotte

[geisha]

I was told off and got real nasty looks from one male immigration officer on leaving Thailand. Told me I came to Thailand too much.

i come for 3/4 months once a year with visas.Im a retired lady . I think it’s just racist officers who like to show their position ! 

[Otis Cribelcoblis]

5 minutes ago, SammyT said:

an underpaid and overworked immigration officer didn't beam a smile at them and asked them too many questions

How do you know this?

5 minutes ago, SammyT said:

It's not a personal attack on you,

Again, how would you know this?

[Pilotman]

8 minutes ago, SammyT said:

An immigration officer's job is to profile people. I.e. ask questions as to their previous and past travel plans and various other related and relevant matters to make a decision as to whether the person is legit in who and what they say they are. Happens to me often when I travel back to NZ - immigration officer questioning why I travel to Asia so much etc. 

 

Didn't realise there were so many precious snowflakes on this board who get so bent out of shape and consider leaving because an underpaid and overworked immigration officer didn't beam a smile at them and asked them too many questions (read: actually did their job). It's not a personal attack on you, it's not because they wanted to make your day more difficult, it's not because there is some directive to make farang feel unwelcome, I can assure you.

 

My advice? Don't dwell on it. There are unpleasant people in officialdom everywhere.  

I guess what is doing the bending is the inconsistency of the IO's interpretation of what is correct and what is not.  I don't think any reasonable person would argue that an IO job is profiling for the bad people, but they should know under what rules they are operating  and be consistent in applying them. That's what winds people up, me included. Being stupid and uninformed is not acceptable just because you wear a uniform. Unfortunately, this is a problem in a lot of countries, not just Thailand. 

[SammyT]

5 minutes ago, Otis Cribelcoblis said:

How do you know this?

Again, how would you know this?

1) I know how much IO's earn, and it isn't much for the volume of work they are required to do. Ever seen the lines at BKK airport?

 

2) What rational reason does an IO have to decide "I'm gonna pick out this farang and just be an <deleted> to him because I don't like the look of him". We have no idea what information the IO had on our original poster. We are relying on one side of the story. But let's believe the farang because all Thais are inherently geared to make our lives more difficult, right?

 

My question is - do you expect the immigration officers in your home country to do their jobs and ask questions of people to make sure everything stacks up? I'm gonna presume yes. So why should you expect Thailand's immigration officers to be any different? Because you're a westerner you couldn't possibly be a criminal, right?

[glegolo]

31 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I think that is what he did write.

 

It looks like she was randomly fishing to try and discover if the OP had got a retirement extension without having the 800K in the bank. Even if he had (which he hadn't), one wonders what she would have done next. Overruled the extension approval? I think not! She would have been outranked and out of jurisdiction.

 

Somebody sees to have agitated and riled up some of the officers at Don Meuang about fraudulent practices.

I didn´t see that, you mean THIS that I quote below is saying that he mean Re entry number??

"It started with : ho no, write the extension number, not the visa number (it’s written visa number on the TM thing form), not in a friendly way, no sabadi kap either for a start..."

[Otis Cribelcoblis]

1 minute ago, SammyT said:

1) I know how much IO's earn, and it isn't much for the volume of work they are required to do. Ever seen the lines at BKK airport?

 

2) What rational reason does an IO have to decide "I'm gonna pick out this farang and just be an <deleted> to him because I don't like the look of him". We have no idea what information the IO had on our original poster. We are relying on one side of the story. But let's believe the farang because all Thais are inherently geared to make our lives more difficult, right?

 

My question is - do you expect the immigration officers in your home country to do their jobs and ask questions of people to make sure everything stacks up? I'm gonna presume yes. So why should you expect Thailand's immigration officers to be any different? Because you're a westerner you couldn't possibly be a criminal, right?

There is so much wrong with the logical flow of your argument that I don't know where to begin. 

 

You're obviously high-maintenance so go on your way.  You're not worth my time.

[SammyT]

1 minute ago, Pilotman said:

I guess what is doing the bending is the inconsistency of the IO's interpretation of what is correct and what is not.  I don't think any reasonable person would argue that an IO job is profiling for the bad people, but they should know under what rules they are operating  and be consistent in applying them. That's what winds people up, me included. Being stupid and uninformed is not acceptable just because you wear a uniform. Unfortunately, this is a problem in a lot of countries, not just Thailand. 

Hard to disagree with you here. Although, with any sort of profiling work, where it involves human nature and judgements, things will always been non-uniform in how they're applied. 

 

For example, in any law enforcement around the world, there will always be officials who bring their own personal biases to the job. There will also always be people who care about their job and exercising their duties way more than others in the same role. So for every IO who just stamps a passport without as much as a second glance because they hate there job, there will be the one who wants to ask questions. My point is, it's best not to take these things personally. Occam's razor would suggest that the reason for an IO being hard on someone isn't because they have some personal vendetta against that person. 

[Longcut]

I don't travel with my bankbook. Why should I? There are no Thai banks where I go.

[Nong Khai Man]

43 minutes ago, balo said:

I have a problem to believe this story . If you really have a normal 1 year visa based on retirement and a valid re-entry , immigration should not ask you any questions. I would call Big Joke directly if this had happened to me.

 

 

Do YOU Have his Mobile Number ???

[Sambotte]

I don't mind questions. Happens sometimes, not a problem.

 

But here she was like accusing me of changing places in Thailand first.

Question : is there a law saying a retirement visa implies not changing address/town ?

 

And beyond that, she was acting like she did not want to let me in, searching for a excuse. Worrying with a legit long-term visa no ?

 

There was no agressivity from me, actually i came to her happy to be back in Thailand.

She was not polite though. I standed polite.

[Nong Khai Man]

33 minutes ago, SammyT said:

An immigration officer's job is to profile people. I.e. ask questions as to their previous and past travel plans and various other related and relevant matters to make a decision as to whether the person is legit in who and what they say they are. Happens to me often when I travel back to NZ - immigration officer questioning why I travel to Asia so much etc. 

 

Didn't realise there were so many precious snowflakes on this board who get so bent out of shape and consider leaving because an underpaid and overworked immigration officer didn't beam a smile at them and asked them too many questions (read: actually did their job). It's not a personal attack on you, it's not because they wanted to make your day more difficult, it's not because there is some directive to make farang feel unwelcome, I can assure you.

 

My advice? Don't dwell on it. There are unpleasant people in officialdom everywhere.  

 Happens to me often when I travel back to NZ - immigration officer questioning why I travel to Asia so much etc. ....

 I Hope you told him " It's For the CHEAP Pussy "

[Nong Khai Man]

4 minutes ago, Sambotte said:

I don't mind questions. Happens sometimes, not a problem.

 

But here she was like accusing me of changing places in Thailand first.

Question : is there a law saying a retirement visa implies not changing address/town ?

 

And beyond that, she was acting like she did not want to let me in, searching for a excuse. Worrying with a legit long-term visa no ?

 

There was no agressivity from me, actually i came to her happy to be back in Thailand.

She was not polite though. I standed polite.

No Aggression ...........There I Fixed it for You !!

[ParadiseLost]

It seems more and more people are incapable of polite discourse, all answers need to be aggressive challenges to - other strangers. What happened to civility, common decency and good old manners?

 

I think it is quite possible  in the officers opinion this man looks too young and dapper to have a retirement visa - profiling indeed.

 

He should be proud.

 

[Sheryl]

It is the case that you are supposed to enter the the entry permit number where the form says "visa no."

 

All the rest of it is way out of line IMO.

 

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