Ranong visa run after almost being denied at Don Muang Airport.

[AusDieMaus]

So I had some real trouble on my last entry at Don Muang Airport. I have several consecutive METV and the immigration lady almost refused me entry when I came back from Vietnam. She told me that I have stayed in Thailand for too long and that she made an entry into the system that I would need to present a non-immigrant visa when I enter Thailand the next time. Some have suggested that such an entry was not made and that it was just a threat to make me sign up to one of the language courses to acquire an ED visa. I extended the 60 days for another 30 days at Bangkok immigration without problems. I stay on Ko Samui now and the additional 30 days will run out soon. I am planning to make a visa run on my still valid METV to Ranong. Will I run into trouble when entering Thailand? Will there be the entry in the system or will Ranong immigration carefully check passports with too many visas? The system entry should have popped up when I extended the 60 days, right? Thankful for any suggestions.

[tubby johnson]

Looks like you're here permanently. Getting a proper visa and a work permit would be advisable.

[stigar]

They think ur working there...dont be surprised if u denied into the kingdom next time

[jspill]

Land borders are more relaxed, apart from Poipet - Cambodia border. You should be ok if you stick to those.

 

Avoid female IOs, pick a queue with a guy. If you do fly avoid BKK airports, especially Don Meaung, and Phuket airport. Not many reports of problems at other airports, e.g. Chiang Mai etc. Helps to carry 20k baht on you as the required 'proof of funds' too just in case, although there were some denials recently even when people had that.

[dubyadee]

1 hour ago, jspill said:

Land borders are more relaxed, apart from Poipet - Cambodia border. You should be ok if you stick to those.

 

Avoid female IOs, pick a queue with a guy. If you do fly avoid BKK airports, especially Don Meaung, and Phuket airport. Not many reports of problems at other airports, e.g. Chiang Mai etc. Helps to carry 20k baht on you as the required 'proof of funds' too just in case, although there were some denials recently even when people had that.

Is Phuket airport notoriously difficult? I haven't been paying super close attention but it seems like BKK/DMK are in a league of their own as far as strictness. 

[Nomad001]

If you want to be really safe do a visa run to Kanchanaburi / Ban Phu Nam Ron Border Crossing.. So you'd have to fly into BKk -domestic then arrange for a visa service from Bkk to Kanchanaburi..

[JackThompson]

4 hours ago, AusDieMaus said:

So I had some real trouble on my last entry at Don Muang Airport. I have several consecutive METV and the immigration lady almost refused me entry when I came back from Vietnam. She told me that I have stayed in Thailand for too long and that she made an entry into the system that I would need to present a non-immigrant visa when I enter Thailand the next time.

Glad to hear you made it in.  Yes, the IOs at that entry-point and some others (including Swampy, Phuket, Krabi, and Samui) have their own ideas of what the immigration laws "should be," and are willing to trample the actual laws to execute their own agenda.

 

Quote

Some have suggested that such an entry was not made and that it was just a threat to make me sign up to one of the language courses to acquire an ED visa.

Any type of Non-Imm visa has a much greater chance of incurring "extra fees" to immigration personnel.  Schools pay these (often charging students 3K to 5K every 90-days), and other types involve the use of "agents" to work-around made-up unpublished requirements used to deter honest, in-person applicants.  Immigration will also leave you alone if you make a huge 500K+ payout for an 'elite' visa (10x the cost of other visas in the region, and 5+ years up-front).

 

Quote

I extended the 60 days for another 30 days at Bangkok immigration without problems.

This proves beyond any doubt you have not violated any laws/rules regarding Tourist Visa use.  If you were (or even if you were not), they could have denied your extension.

 

Quote

I stay on Ko Samui now and the additional 30 days will run out soon. I am planning to make a visa run on my still valid METV to Ranong. Will I run into trouble when entering Thailand? Will there be the entry in the system or will Ranong immigration carefully check passports with too many visas?

Ranong has some history of problems, including demanding bribes, but I haven't seen any problem-reports recently (could be due to low-volume there).  Also, I think there are 2 crossings - one leading to the Andaman Club, which may be better?  Hopefully someone with direct, recent experience can advise on this.

 

Another option in that area would be any other crossing to Malaysia - but be sure to have 20K Baht worth of Cash or Travelers Checks on your person (not plastic) to show if asked, regardless of which border-crossing you use.  The most trouble-free crossings are to Myanmar and Laos - but may be quite a distance for you to travel.

 

Quote

The system entry should have popped up when I extended the 60 days, right? 

Yes.  It is possible the remark-entry doesn't exist, or that the IO who gave you the extension knows the IOs at the airport are just making things up and ignored it.  But, unfortunately, the DM-IOs can get away with "enforcing" their made-up rules, by rejecting-entry, then hiding their actions by stamping an inapplicable "real-rule" in your passport.

 

Quote

Thankful for any suggestions.

Glad you won't be trying to fly-in again - that would be the greatest risk (other than the Poipet/Aranya entry point).

Edited April 2, 2019 by JackThompson

[simon43]

A problem with Ranong/Burma is that unless you already have a valid tourist or business visa in Burma, if you are denied entry back into Thailand at Ranong, then you will be 'stuck' in no-mans land, unable to re-enter Thailand and unable to proceed in Burma/Myanmar further than the Kawtaung region limits (about 20 Km).

 

For this reason, Ranong immigration will not allow you to exit Thailand unless they are prepared to allow you to re-enter after your visa run.

[captnhoy]

12 hours ago, simon43 said:

A problem with Ranong/Burma is that unless you already have a valid tourist or business visa in Burma, if you are denied entry back into Thailand at Ranong, then you will be 'stuck' in no-mans land, unable to re-enter Thailand and unable to proceed in Burma/Myanmar further than the Kawtaung region limits (about 20 Km).

 

For this reason, Ranong immigration will not allow you to exit Thailand unless they are prepared to allow you to re-enter after your visa run.

I made this run in December via the Andaman Club. My only visa was a METV for Thailand. This was my first exit after extending the original entry by 30 days. It was trouble free and no mention of a visa for Burma was made.

[AusDieMaus]

Thnx for all the advice. I will try the Ranong crossing, but will go 2 days early, so if they deny me the exit I will still have time to try the crossing at Psar Phrum/Pailin in Cambodia which I used in the past and was all smiles by the IOs every time. 

There should be no entry in the system. When I went for the extension I observed the IO closely for some raising eyebrows or confused looks, but it was all smooth sailing, so I am sure no such entry exists. The only possible reason that the entry exists could be that the immigration office in Bangkok does not show such entries as they only are applied when crossing the border, and that such an entry would only pop up in immigration offices at border crossings. But I don't think so, any thoughts?

[Yeahbutwhytho]

17 hours ago, Nomad001 said:

If you want to be really safe do a visa run to Kanchanaburi / Ban Phu Nam Ron Border Crossing.. So you'd have to fly into BKk -domestic then arrange for a visa service from Bkk to Kanchanaburi..

I wouldn't say 'really safe'

The IO was really cranky when I went

[Khaeng Mak]

25 minutes ago, AusDieMaus said:

Thnx for all the advice. I will try the Ranong crossing, but will go 2 days early, so if they deny me the exit I will still have time to try the crossing at Psar Phrum/Pailin in Cambodia which I used in the past and was all smiles by the IOs every time. 

There should be no entry in the system. When I went for the extension I observed the IO closely for some raising eyebrows or confused looks, but it was all smooth sailing, so I am sure no such entry exists. The only possible reason that the entry exists could be that the immigration office in Bangkok does not show such entries as they only are applied when crossing the border, and that such an entry would only pop up in immigration offices at border crossings. But I don't think so, any thoughts?

There are two available crossing at Ranong.  The regular one which is an absolute zoo.  And the one at the ferry port for the Andaman Casino which is on a small island just off the coast.  Make sure you use the Andaman ferry.  It is much easier process, way less crowded, and you can literally come back on the same ferry if you don't want to spend a few hours at the casino.

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, AusDieMaus said:

When I went for the extension I observed the IO closely for some raising eyebrows or confused looks, but it was all smooth sailing, so I am sure no such entry exists. The only possible reason that the entry exists could be that the immigration office in Bangkok does not show such entries as they only are applied when crossing the border, and that such an entry would only pop up in immigration offices at border crossings. But I don't think so, any thoughts?

I don't know enough about their system to say, but I do not see why the IO in Bangkok would not have access.  It is possible any IO has to "drill down" in their view to see such remarks (if they exist). 

Keep in mind, immigration have no legal-authority to "require" you get a Non-Imm type visa for your next entry, so it is only IOs at entry-points that abuse their authority who are likely cause a problem - even if they see such a "remark".  A good IO might be confused if encountering such a "remark," but an honest supervisor would recognize it as "those hard liners at it again," and not pay it any mind.

 

In any case, if there is an issue, immigration should not let you leave to take the ferry unless you either have a Visa for Myanmar (allowing onward travel there) OR they will allow you back in; the latter is standard practice for those entering Myanmar with a border-pass.  If they don't "let you out," then you could use your "Plan B." 

[PoorSucker]

Go on a border run with Herbert. 

Office outside immigration in Maenam. 

He will let you know if he wants you on the bus. 

 

https://hdvisa-thailand.com

[jspill]

22 hours ago, dubyadee said:

Is Phuket airport notoriously difficult? I haven't been paying super close attention but it seems like BKK/DMK are in a league of their own as far as strictness. 

Hard to tell, we hear more about BKK/DMK but that might be as more people fly into those

 

There was a report last week where they denied entry and didn't even ask for proof of funds, that stuck in my mind as it's what they've been doing at DMK lately

 

 

[natway09]

If you are going to live here get the correct visa.

If they think you are illegally working here they could refuse you entry (& why not ?)

[simon43]

It was trouble free and no mention of a visa for Burma was made.

 

You only need a visa for Burma if you intend to travel within the country.  If you stay at Andaman Club or in Kawtaung for a few days, then no visa is required - Myanmar Immigration will keep your passport and give you a 'pass' for your stay.

[JackThompson]

4 hours ago, natway09 said:

If you are going to live here get the correct visa.

If they think you are illegally working here they could refuse you entry (& why not ?)

That depends on whether the lowest-paid jobs in his passport-country pay better than illegal-jobs in Thailand.  If a national of a country with lower wages than Thailand, that could be a genuine concern.

[Lesbian Joanne]

All this is very confusing to a newbie here. I am just trying to find my way around being out here, and you guys might be able to help / reassure me a little please ? 

I arrived into BBK on tourist visa in early November. Flew to Seam Reap from Pattaya airport on my 30th day. Travelled Cambodia and re entered Thailand by bus from Sihanoukville (after around 25 days absence) being granted a 30 day tourist visa again.

I extended my 30 tourist visa at Jomtien immigration (Pattaya) the day  before 30 days were up without any problems and flew to England from BBK around 20 days later As far as I was concerned I hadn’t done anything wrong or shadey .

After 3 weeks away, I flew back into BBK from the UK and was pulled to one side for a talking to by immigration. He was nice enough about everything, and said I hadn’t done anything wrong and the computer never lies etc etc BUT , said I should not be coming back and forth on a tourist visa but should apply for a retirement visa when back in the UK. I don’t know if I want to ‘retire here’ ( I don’t find being here as a single gay woman easy! ) Anyway, he granted me my 30 days ‘ tourist’  & I’ve been here 7 now, and plan to fly to see what Vietnam is like to live in next week. I am worried now when I fly to Vietnam and travel around for 3weeks or so they won’t let me back in next time, and My return flight to the UK is from BBK the 14th May . 

Do you think I will be okay to get back from Vietnam? Stay a fortnight and fly ‘home’ 

My thanks in advance. 

 

[SamuiGeezer]

On 4/2/2019 at 6:21 PM, JackThompson said:

Also, I think there are 2 crossings - one leading to the Andaman Club, which may be better?  Hopefully someone with direct, recent experience can advise on this.

See below.

 

On 4/2/2019 at 8:04 PM, simon43 said:

For this reason, Ranong immigration will not allow you to exit Thailand unless they are prepared to allow you to re-enter after your visa run.

Agreed. I have been to the Andaman Club a couple of times. The last time I was on a multiple Non O whereas previously I'd had an extension. The IO who appeared to be 'the boss' and a jobsworth spent 20 minutes going through all the stamps in my passport (all 100% compliant and legit, not a single day overstay). In the end he asked why I changed back to a multiple Non O. The exchange rate. He let it pass, I don't know what he could have done but there is no point in aggravating them. 

 

6 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

Go on a border run with Herbert. 

Office outside immigration in Maenam. 

He will let you know if he wants you on the bus. 

 

https://hdvisa-thailand.com

Would be the safest option.

[moontang]

A long way to Maesai, but the super nice lady IO there will advise you on potential problems before you leave, so at lest you wont be stuck in Noman's land.

[rickudon]

2 hours ago, Lesbian Joanne said:

All this is very confusing to a newbie here. I am just trying to find my way around being out here, and you guys might be able to help / reassure me a little please ? 

I arrived into BBK on tourist visa in early November. Flew to Seam Reap from Pattaya airport on my 30th day. Travelled Cambodia and re entered Thailand by bus from Sihanoukville (after around 25 days absence) being granted a 30 day tourist visa again.

I extended my 30 tourist visa at Jomtien immigration (Pattaya) the day  before 30 days were up without any problems and flew to England from BBK around 20 days later As far as I was concerned I hadn’t done anything wrong or shadey .

After 3 weeks away, I flew back into BBK from the UK and was pulled to one side for a talking to by immigration. He was nice enough about everything, and said I hadn’t done anything wrong and the computer never lies etc etc BUT , said I should not be coming back and forth on a tourist visa but should apply for a retirement visa when back in the UK. I don’t know if I want to ‘retire here’ ( I don’t find being here as a single gay woman easy! ) Anyway, he granted me my 30 days ‘ tourist’  & I’ve been here 7 now, and plan to fly to see what Vietnam is like to live in next week. I am worried now when I fly to Vietnam and travel around for 3weeks or so they won’t let me back in next time, and My return flight to the UK is from BBK the 14th May . 

Do you think I will be okay to get back from Vietnam? Stay a fortnight and fly ‘home’ 

My thanks in advance. 

 

First, you need to be careful with your visa terminology or wrong assumptions may be made in replies, As you talk about 30 day 'tourist visas' i assume you mean 'visa exempt' which is granted at entry without any need to apply for it (I assume you are British). A single entry tourist visa is obtained from a Thai embassy or consulate before entry and is valid for 60 days.

 

You do not say if  you had any visa exempt or tourist visas entries prior to November last year, this might make a difference ....

 

Anyway, what you have done so far is perfectly legal and you SHOULD have no problems when returning from Vietnam. But Thai immigration can be a bit inconsistent. You are only allowed 2 visa exempt land border entries a calendar year. Theoretically you can do more per year if flying in, but Don Muang has a bad reputation for making up there own rules. Be sure to have 20,000 baht equivalent in cash or travellers cheques on you (ATM card not accepted) as proof of means of support, and have your ticket back to UK ready to show them if any issue. I assume you would be flying out of Thailand again within a few days of coming back from Vietnam.

 

If coming back to Thailand later in the year (but best not within a few weeks) i would have a proper 60 day tourist visas or a multi-entry tourist visa (valid for entry up to 180 days) if leaving and re-entering again. 

 

Although not a LEGAL rule, some IO's will decide that if you have spent more than 6 months in Thailand in the previous 12 months, that you are not a tourist and need a non-immigrant 'O' visa.

 

Ubon Joe is pretty much the forum visa expert, so see if he replies, he might have some specific suggestions.

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, Lesbian Joanne said:

All this is very confusing to a newbie here. I am just trying to find my way around being out here, and you guys might be able to help / reassure me a little please ? 

I arrived into BBK on tourist visa in early November. Flew to Seam Reap from Pattaya airport on my 30th day. Travelled Cambodia and re entered Thailand by bus from Sihanoukville (after around 25 days absence) being granted a 30 day tourist visa again.

I extended my 30 tourist visa at Jomtien immigration (Pattaya) the day  before 30 days were up without any problems and flew to England from BBK around 20 days later As far as I was concerned I hadn’t done anything wrong or shadey .

After 3 weeks away, I flew back into BBK from the UK and was pulled to one side for a talking to by immigration. He was nice enough about everything, and said I hadn’t done anything wrong and the computer never lies etc etc BUT , said I should not be coming back and forth on a tourist visa but should apply for a retirement visa when back in the UK. I don’t know if I want to ‘retire here’ ( I don’t find being here as a single gay woman easy! ) Anyway, he granted me my 30 days ‘ tourist’  & I’ve been here 7 now, and plan to fly to see what Vietnam is like to live in next week. I am worried now when I fly to Vietnam and travel around for 3weeks or so they won’t let me back in next time, and My return flight to the UK is from BBK the 14th May . 

Do you think I will be okay to get back from Vietnam? Stay a fortnight and fly ‘home’ 

My thanks in advance. 

The first thing to understand is what a visa is. A visa is a full page sticker issued at a Thai consulate outside Thailand. What you receive when you enter Thailand without a visa is a "visa exempt entry".

 

Thai immigration has a lot of discretion (officially) on whether to grant visa exempt entry. Further, the use of visa exempt entries is restricted (most notably, you are only allowed two visa exempt entries by land in a single calendar year).

 

If you are planning to spend further time here, apply for actual visas. Use visa exempt entries only in an emergency. If you are going to Vietnam, get a tourist visa at the Thai consulate in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

 

If you are confident you will not be spending time in Thailand in the future, you could fly to Vientiane Laos, and enter Thailand by land at the Friendship Bridge there. This is safe, but will burn your last visa exempt entry by land allowed in 2019. That is usually not what you want to do.

[BritTim]

On 4/2/2019 at 3:52 PM, dubyadee said:

Is Phuket airport notoriously difficult? I haven't been paying super close attention but it seems like BKK/DMK are in a league of their own as far as strictness. 

Historically, Phuket (and even more so Krabi) have been worse than Bangkok, relative to the passenger numbers they handle. While Don Muang may have become as bad or worse, I would avoid Phuket if I were you.

[Lesbian Joanne]

Thank you BRItTim, & rickudon for your replies. 

After your explanation of the difference in exemption and visa,  Yes what I have had have been 3 visa exemptions, from 2 x fly ins, and 1 land crossing. 

No up until November , I hadn’t been here at all in 2018. 

I have only spent a maximum of under 4 months here, and won’t have gone over that 4 months here in Thailand even when I finish this ‘tour of SE Asia’ mid May. 

I would feel very anxious carrying 20,000 BAHT in cash with me while travelling, is it really necessary? 

On returning from Vietnam probably by plane from Hanoi, I will only be hanging around a week or so in Bangkok prior to getting my return flight to the UK.  I won’t be coming back until the Winter at the earliest. Around November again most likely and Yes BRItTim, I will definitely apply for a multi visit visa in the UK before I return on another ‘look and see’ tour of Asia. 

What do you think of that now guys ? 

[rickudon]

If you do not want to carry cash, get travellers cheques. But do not cash them unless it is an emergency as Thai banks charge substantial fees to exchange them. You can get fee free Sterling Travellers cheques in the UK, and when you return can just pay them back into the bank ....

[BritTim]

14 hours ago, Lesbian Joanne said:

Thank you BRItTim, & rickudon for your replies. 

After your explanation of the difference in exemption and visa,  Yes what I have had have been 3 visa exemptions, from 2 x fly ins, and 1 land crossing. 

No up until November , I hadn’t been here at all in 2018. 

I have only spent a maximum of under 4 months here, and won’t have gone over that 4 months here in Thailand even when I finish this ‘tour of SE Asia’ mid May. 

I would feel very anxious carrying 20,000 BAHT in cash with me while travelling, is it really necessary? 

On returning from Vietnam probably by plane from Hanoi, I will only be hanging around a week or so in Bangkok prior to getting my return flight to the UK.  I won’t be coming back until the Winter at the earliest. Around November again most likely and Yes BRItTim, I will definitely apply for a multi visit visa in the UK before I return on another ‘look and see’ tour of Asia. 

What do you think of that now guys ? 

What I think is that it is absurd that you should need to worry about flying in, but (especially if you are looking for another visa exempt entry) you do need to be a little concerned. It will depend on the immigration official you encounter. The odds will be in your favour, but no one can guarantee that you will not be targeted. I appreciate why carrying cash in 2019 might seem strange, but cash in a major currency (or travellers checks) is an official documented requirement. Just do it.

[Tomtomtom69]

On 4/3/2019 at 12:12 PM, JackThompson said:

I don't know enough about their system to say, but I do not see why the IO in Bangkok would not have access.  It is possible any IO has to "drill down" in their view to see such remarks (if they exist).  

Keep in mind, immigration have no legal-authority to "require" you get a Non-Imm type visa for your next entry, so it is only IOs at entry-points that abuse their authority who are likely cause a problem - even if they see such a "remark".  A good IO might be confused if encountering such a "remark," but an honest supervisor would recognize it as "those hard liners at it again," and not pay it any mind. 

  

In any case, if there is an issue, immigration should not let you leave to take the ferry unless you either have a Visa for Myanmar (allowing onward travel there) OR they will allow you back in; the latter is standard practice for those entering Myanmar with a border-pass.  If they don't "let you out," then you could use your "Plan B."  

I could be wrong but I have heard of far fewer reports of problems crossing to Myanmar without a visa from either Ranong or Mae Sai on a day trip to get a new visa exempt entry as long as you don't exceed the 2 land entries per year rule, since this rule was implemented. Before this, if you go back to the 2014-2017 period, Mae Sai was basically preventing all same day returns if you sought to receive a visa exempt entry on your return. This now no longer seems to be the case and Ranong was similar. In other words, as long as you haven't done 2 land based visa free entries this year, Ranong will be OK with a re-entry and will let you pass.

[AusDieMaus]

I am back from Ranong. Everything went smooth and all smiles and cracked jokes by the IOs. There was no problem whatsoever. And for sure no entry in the system regarding me needing a non-immi visa. I used the Andaman Club crossing. I payed 950 Baht for everything. It's a little more expensive but the service and efficiency really are worth it. 

[4evermaat]

On 4/3/2019 at 1:56 PM, PoorSucker said:

Go on a border run with Herbert. 

Office outside immigration in Maenam. 

He will let you know if he wants you on the bus. 

 

https://hdvisa-thailand.com

I was thinking exactly the same thing.  He's right there in Koh Samui....Herbert would be the guy to talk to....

 

1 hour ago, AusDieMaus said:

I am back from Ranong. Everything went smooth and all smiles and cracked jokes by the IOs. There was no problem whatsoever. And for sure no entry in the system regarding me needing a non-immi visa. I used the Andaman Club crossing. I payed 950 Baht for everything. It's a little more expensive but the service and efficiency really are worth it. 

 

As you can see, no problems.   If you exceed the twice per calendar year Visa Exempt by land rule, you may need to show an onward ticket on the 3rd one (Ranong border).

 

I just did one with ME non-o and no problems at all.  (and it was a female IO that first took my passport ????; she asked where my son was ????  So cruel ????