My friend misunderstood the rules and tried to enter Thailand by land border for the third time today. He was refused and a stamp was put in his passport. He was told that he could go to Penang to get a visa, or could fly into the country. He's in Penang now, but a) is concerned that the chances of him getting an appointment and a visa are low, and that b) the stamp put in his passport (a photo was also taken of the photo page of his passport) might prevent him getting a visa or flying in.

 

This is the stamp

 

Could anyone translate for us so that we know what it says, and whether it will affect his chances of entering the country by other means? Also if anyone has any advice for him, that would be great. Thanks.

Im not sure what the stamp says, but it looks like the standard denied entry stamp, and by the sounds of it he breached the max 2 visa exempt entries at land borders per calendar year rule. I think thats a 9 written on the stamp, which references 2.9 of the immigration act, which I think is incorrect or no visa. Should be fine to fly in if they have no long stay history in Thailand.

Denied entry under Section 12 (1) of the Immigration Act. In simple terms, he was not eligible for a visa exempt entry by land, and had no visa. This is confirmed by an unusually legible comment in Thai on the third row of the denial of entry stamp.

 

Penang is not the greatest consulate for tourist visas, but this particular denied entry should not affect his chances. Returning with an actual visa should be no problem.

Thank you very much. That sounds reassuring. As a UK citizen, he would normally be able to fly in under the waiver system. Is that still an option with this stamp in place? He's travelling until the end of the year and doesn't yet have a flight booked back home. Does he need one for a) the waiver or b) a visa?

Penang's not great for tourist visas nowadays. KL is better and only a five hour bus ride from Georgetown. 

6 hours ago, leelag said:

Thank you very much. That sounds reassuring. As a UK citizen, he would normally be able to fly in under the waiver system. Is that still an option with this stamp in place? He's travelling until the end of the year and doesn't yet have a flight booked back home. Does he need one for a) the waiver or b) a visa?

Technically yes - he could just fly back in. Realistically however what is his travel history? Long time in Thailand? Extensions? Back-to-back visa runs? Those are all OK by themselves, but combined can be a problem in airports.

 

A visa would be safer if he can get it. If not then fly in and make sure he has at least 10k baht cash (or equivalent in other currency), and onward ticket (doesn't matter where), and hotel booking. Unless he really abused back-to-back for a long time he should probably be OK.

13 hours ago, atecom said:

Im not sure what the stamp says, but it looks like the standard denied entry stamp, and by the sounds of it he breached the max 2 visa exempt entries at land borders per calendar year rule. I think thats a 9 written on the stamp, which references 2.9 of the immigration act, which I think is incorrect or no visa. Should be fine to fly in if they have no long stay history in Thailand.

It’s a badly written Thai number 1 (๑), or at least should be 1.

 

S2.9 is not for “incorrect or no visa”. It’s for not having money; which is currently 10K if entering without a visa, or 20K with a visa. 

“9. Having no money or bond as prescribed by the Minister under him”

it says in Thai that he came by train but already had 2 entries at the border so was refused entry.

ไม่มีวีซ่า (mai mee visa) means doesn’t have a visa


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Thanks everyone. You've been really helpful He's going to try flying in tomorrow, so fingers crossed.