Missing Thailand entry stamp

[Krmull]

Hello,

My husband and I travelled to Thailand for a 3 week vacation. We are American citizens who entered Chiang Mai International Airport via a flight from Guangzhou, China.  

It has come to my attention that we somehow did not get an entry stamp or go through the proper Immigration process at CNX. We have our Arrival Card and the attached Departure Card. 

Upon noticing this, we went to the Immigration Office in Koh Samui. They said it is “okay” and to “take care of yourselves,” but could not provide further assistance. 

We exit the country tomorrow via Chiang Mai.  

Any advice? Back to immigration, but the Chiang Mai office this time? 

[jackdd]

Did you pass an immigration counter and an IO checked your passport?

Not much you can do now anyway, just be at the airport early enough (and pass immigration, or have an IO at the airport check your passports) in case of any complications.

[blackcab]

You should arrive at the airport with considerable time to spare. It will help if you have printed copies of your tickets and also your boarding passes.

[Krmull]

10 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Did you pass an immigration counter and an IO checked your passport?

Not much you can do now anyway, just be at the airport early enough (and pass immigration, or have an IO at the airport check your passports) in case of any complications.

Thanks for your response. It’s hard to recall, but we may have accidentally gone through customs and not immigration. We showed our passports and arrival card to an official at a podium there and they waved us through. 

[elviajero]

21 minutes ago, Krmull said:

Any advice? Back to immigration, but the Chiang Mai office this time?

Allow a few extra hours to get this problem sorted out at the airport.

 

IF the IO forgot to stamp your passport and there is a record of your entry on the computer system you will be fine. That is easily resolved.

 

IF you somehow completely bypassed passport control, they will not let you leave until they have resolved how you got in the country and why you bypassed immigration control.

 

I would go to CM office or the airport today and not wait until departure day.

[NCC1701A]

20 minutes ago, Krmull said:

It’s hard to recall, but we may have accidentally gone through customs and not immigration.

do you recall something like this? without the words fast track? they would have taken your photo and then the stamp.

 

[NCC1701A]

40 minutes ago, Krmull said:

Any advice? Back to immigration, but the Chiang Mai office this time?  

i would make sure some friends or family know you are going into immigration and are waiting to get a text saying you are alright.

I would take 10,000 baht in cash and make sure you eat first and have some snack bars with you and a bottle of water.   

[Krmull]

17 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

do you recall something like this? without the words fast track? they would have taken your photo and then the stamp.

 

Definitely not - that is very helpful, thank you. 

[Krmull]

11 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i would make sure some friends or family know you are going into immigration and are waiting to get a text saying you are alright.

I would take 10,000 baht in cash and make sure you eat first and have some snack bars with you and a bottle of water.   

Foreboding, but helpful. Thank you. Will take that advice. 

[Krmull]

Thanks for all of your input! Went to the airport today and were helped by kind officers who gave us the proper documentation in a short amount of time. 

[Myran]

53 minutes ago, Krmull said:

Thanks for all of your input! Went to the airport today and were helped by kind officers who gave us the proper documentation in a short amount of time. 

Glad everything worked out for you, and thanks for reporting back.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post.

[Dnyy]

It should not be possible to just enter a country without going through Immigration at an international airport. What kind of security is that??? And even the immigration office is not taking any action after telling them you miss an entry stamp in your passport??? Seriously, <deleted>!

[scorecard]

9 hours ago, Dnyy said:

It should not be possible to just enter a country without going through Immigration at an international airport. What kind of security is that??? And even the immigration office is not taking any action after telling them you miss an entry stamp in your passport??? Seriously, <deleted>!

 

Can you imagine this happening at Changi airport where every angle has been taken care of to ensure no silly hicups and at the same time keep everything balanced and friendly and totally secure.

 

I recall taking my Thai mid teen son to Singapore to start high school, he had a student visa letter (obtaind by a professional agency recommended by his new high school), he could read, comprehend, speak advanced English and he had been to Singapore many times before for short visits.

 

When we lined up at the pasport desks he went first and wanted me to go with him. A senior oofficer was cruising around the area and quickly asked if we needed help. He could see my son was worried about getting into Singapore other than as a short term visitor.

 

The snr. imm. officer asked if i was his father, then said you can't go to the pp desk together but I will come with you. He stood close to my son but actually did'nt say one word. 

 

The actual imm. man at the desk read the visa document then asked in a friendly tone 'are you going to finish high school in Singapore?' Son replied 'yes I am, I hope i can pass all my exams and finish HS here'.

 

PP man responde with a stamp in sons passport and said 'welcome, please study hard'.

[cleopatra2]

9 hours ago, Dnyy said:

It should not be possible to just enter a country without going through Immigration at an international airport. What kind of security is that??? And even the immigration office is not taking any action after telling them you miss an entry stamp in your passport??? Seriously, <deleted>!

Additionally how did they book into any hotels

[UncleMhee]

Seriously....surely anyone who's ever entered via CNX would be asking HOW? Was it deliberate?

 

Anyhow, all's well 'n' all that....

[phuketrichard]

you bypassed immigration as you should NOT have ur arrival card>
u entered illegally. Go to airport early ( 2-3 hours early) talk with immigration, showur boarding pass an ticket in and out and be very apologetic.

Keep saying "we were confused"

 

PS: customs is AFTER immigration

[NCC1701A]

16 hours ago, Krmull said:

Foreboding, but helpful. Thank you. Will take that advice. 

i hope my comment was not too scary. it is really hit or miss with different immigration officers. glad you were not delayed.  

[cnx355]

17 hours ago, Krmull said:

Thanks for your response. It’s hard to recall, but we may have accidentally gone through customs and not immigration. We showed our passports and arrival card to an official at a podium there and they waved us through. 

If you still have your arrival card and departure card together , it means you did not pass at Immigration and do not have a stamp in your passport. Normally the officer keep the arrival card and you have only the departure card in your passport. Often, but not all the time,  the arrival stamp is on  your departure card portion.

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, UncleMhee said:

Seriously....surely anyone who's ever entered via CNX would be asking HOW? Was it deliberate?

 

Anyhow, all's well 'n' all that....

Yes, CM a fairly insecure airport and many of the staff involved have no real understanding of the need for security nor what it should look like. Swampy in fact much the same.

 

[Date Masamune]

Seriously....surely anyone who's ever entered via CNX would be asking HOW? Was it deliberate?
 
Anyhow, all's well 'n' all that....

Possible If they exited the jet bridge and walked to the left side somehow without staff noticing they could have gone to the domestic exit.

Then the bags would not be there. Carry on luggage only?

[Jaxxper]

Glad the OP got this sorted out. Worry free trip home now. ????

[sead]

21 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

i would make sure some friends or family know you are going into immigration and are waiting to get a text saying you are alright.

I would take 10,000 baht in cash and make sure you eat first and have some snack bars with you and a bottle of water.   

Rofl. That is actually a damn good advice. And if they didn't understand then the 10.000 is not for buying food and smokes.