Elite visa not known by Nong Khai border officials

[Ulic]

No surprise. When I flew into BKK a year ago and presented my passport with a multi entry tourist visa the immigration officer questioned it, saying he had never seen one before, He called over someone else, he had never seen one either. He then called over a supervisor. He gave the all good and I was stamped in. The multi entry had replaced the triple entry a couple of years earlier but I guess they were still not seen that often. 

[MartinBKK]

9 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

When I had the elite visa affixed to my passport at Swampy, I found the trip in the Golden Cart embarrassing to the point of mental trauma (one of the worst character flaws as an Australian is to be “up yourself”). Besides, I enjoy a long walk after endless hours in a cramped seat.

 

So, on my next trip, I just queued with the commoners. The IO knew what an elite visa was, or PE visa as he described it, but wasn’t sure how to process it, and I was guilty of holding up the line as he consulted with a colleague. 

 

Does anyone know if it’s possible to just make your own way to the priority area, without having to make an advance booking with Thai Elite? They took me to a VIP area used by air crew, but I forget how to get there. I’ve also read that there’s a fast track priority area between the two main immigration areas. Can you use this service with an elite visa? Apologies if I’ve missed something obvious on Thai Elite’s website.

I have always used the EPA service when arriving however i believe you can just turn left to the fast track lane yes. Departing, the same applies you can just join the vip queue you don't need to be escorted. I was told though that if you wish to use the lounge when departing you do need to be escorted (at BKK) but have never tested myself. 

Edited July 1, 2019 by MartinBKK

[simon43]

5 hours ago, plfomylo said:

Sorry, but why moving to another country if you have an Elite visa ? you could stay in Thailand for 5 years ?!

And how much for the laos visa ? thank you.

I have lived in Thailand for 18 years.  My Elite visa expires soon and I'm tired of being treated by the authorities like a prisoner out on bail.  I value my privacy very highly and I am not prepared to do the 'song and dance' of 90 day reports, chasing my landlord for the TM30 documents etc.

 

It's their country and they can make up any rules that they want.  I'm at liberty to decline to 'play ball'.

[dbrenn]

Nong Khai has its share of idiot immigration officers. I'm a naturalised Thai and was sneered at and asked to sing the national anthem by one of them - a fat bald bloke. I refused to go along with it and was grudgingly allowed in.

[Briggsy]

1 hour ago, dbrenn said:

Nong Khai has its share of idiot immigration officers. I'm a naturalised Thai and was sneered at and asked to sing the national anthem by one of them - a fat bald bloke. I refused to go along with it and was grudgingly allowed in.

I remember that post. That was years ago. ????

 

Anyway, just to even up the scales, I was recently stamped in at Nong Khai with no hassles or comments in contrast to and despite being denied entry by the IO's at Suwannaphum in their illegal campaign to force people on to Thai Elite. So, Nong Khai Immigration gets a thumbs up from me.

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, dbrenn said:

Nong Khai has its share of idiot immigration officers. I'm a naturalised Thai and was sneered at and asked to sing the national anthem by one of them - a fat bald bloke. I refused to go along with it and was grudgingly allowed in.

I bet you are quite pleased that they use automatic gates for Thais nowadays. Nobody needs that kind of obnoxious behavior by an idiot official.

[dbrenn]

36 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I remember that post. That was years ago. ????

 

Anyway, just to even up the scales, I was recently stamped in at Nong Khai with no hassles or comments in contrast to and despite being denied entry by the IO's at Suwannaphum in their illegal campaign to force people on to Thai Elite. So, Nong Khai Immigration gets a thumbs up from me.

It was a while back, and happened twice with the same officer, but so what? Turnover at that level of Thai government is slow and he or others as ignorant are obviously still there.

 

Most experiences with immigration are good for me too, with a couple of exceptions at both the land borders and airports. Not sure what point you are trying to make, other than to get congratulations on never having had a bad experience at Nong Khai. 

Edited July 2, 2019 by dbrenn

[dbrenn]

20 minutes ago, Caldera said:

I bet you are quite pleased that they use automatic gates for Thais nowadays. Nobody needs that kind of obnoxious behavior by an idiot official.

Yep, love the gates. No need to face these idiots after a long flight. Permanent residents can also use them.

[Briggsy]

41 minutes ago, dbrenn said:

Not sure what point you are trying to make

I am really not trying to make any point. That is why you can't work out what point I am trying to make.

 

In the bigger picture, we had two posters posting their negative experiences of the IO's at the Nong Khai crossing and I posted my positive experience.

[dbrenn]

1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

I am really not trying to make any point. That is why you can't work out what point I am trying to make.

 

In the bigger picture, we had two posters posting their negative experiences of the IO's at the Nong Khai crossing and I posted my positive experience.

Negative experiences are very few and far between. I've been in and out of Thailand hundreds of times and only a few bad experiences come to mind over many years of travelling.

 

That said, negative experiences tend to stick in my memory, as they are very unpleasant and unexpected when they do happen.

[CygnusX1]

22 hours ago, MartinBKK said:

I have always used the EPA service when arriving however i believe you can just turn left to the fast track lane yes. Departing, the same applies you can just join the vip queue you don't need to be escorted. I was told though that if you wish to use the lounge when departing you do need to be escorted (at BKK) but have never tested myself. 

Thanks Martin, will try that next time. Not interested in using the departure lounge, always look forward to an extra large blizzard at Dairy Queen.