Almost denied entry METV DMK

[Chivas]

On 10/6/2019 at 3:02 AM, Matzzon said:

They can do exactly what they want.

Yep its as simple as that. Its completely hit and miss. I'm always amazed I havent been tugged more than the once despite strictly keeping within general guidelines.

[CH1961]

20 hours ago, treetops said:

they just want them to have the right visa.  In this case, the OP doesn't appear to be a tourist but is using a tourist visa.

Right ????

Try this in Australia and you will jailed. 

[Dan123]

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

If I was under 50 I would eat up an elite

expensive, apx. 2000 b a week thai 'rent'

[Nomad001]

1 hour ago, zhangxifu said:

Thanks to OP for sharing the experience! Good that you explained the family aspect and the problem got solved easily. That confirms their recent behaviour. Immigration targets longtime stays on tourist visas. After you go official with your relationship to your future wife and register the marriage there won't be any more problems for you to enter Thailand with the Non-O visas and you can stay as long as you like, with your family of course. Congrats!

Thank you for the kind words

[tjo o tjim]

3 hours ago, FredGallaher said:

Who would be taking a newborn baby on vacation to a foreign land? Healthcare is good in Thailand but you need to know the ropes. What do the Swedish pediatricians say about this?  Most newborns (<6 months) are home bound most of the time at least they aren't out trekking in the countryside or playing in a sandy beach.

The way maternity leave works in Sweden you don’t have to take it all after the birth, so they usually wait six+ months. I forget how long you have to use it, but it is a significant time. 

[gk10002000]

On 10/5/2019 at 9:17 PM, GeorgeCross said:

so much easier to just target people who have been here too many times than actually arrest them breaking the law whilst working lol!

 

never mind all those who weren't.. collateral damage

 

thai logic never ceases to amaze me

 

 

so now, one METV per year for a couple of years is too many?? why bother even granting them?!

 

 

Yeah, the logic of saying "You come to Thailand too many times" to somebody who gets METVs is inane.  Tourists often spend more on shorter term housing and things than long time stayers do due to less long term discounts, and such.  Why Thailand would not want or at the moment seems to not want repeat tourists is just crazy.  Sure some people abuse the Visas and are working or teaching school or whatever.  But many just want to and are able to travel long time and often. You don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

[Tony125]

22 hours ago, treetops said:

I think they're OK with people spending lots of time (and money) in Thailand, they just want them to have the right visa.  In this case, the OP doesn't appear to be a tourist but is using a tourist visa.

Ok Mr. Treetops you say they just want him to have the right visa to stay in Thailand long time and spend his money what visa is that?  He is 45 so can't get a retirement visa , has not married his Thai GF yet so can't get a visa or extension to stay by reason of marriege. A METV is supposed to give you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with extensions but now even after a  consulate or embassy has granted one IO's can say "no you stay too long."  Elite visa ? Kind of a waste of money ( $15,000 to $28,000 USD )especially if you don't wish to spend all your time in Thailand and elite is a tourist visa just as the METV is except they give you longer time and have to pay more.

[digbeth]

On the reverse, had it been a Thai person going to a western country, showing a picture of native girlfriend/boyfriend would have been an immediate refusal due to having too much tie and a means of living/working while in the country on a tourist visa

[thaibeachlovers]

On 10/6/2019 at 6:51 PM, SteveK said:

"if we give you 60 days you go to Cambodia, not come back to Thailand?"

 

Why are they so scared of people spending lots of time (and money) in Thailand?

What they desire is that people arrive for a week or two, deposit a shed load of cash into the local economy and depart. They don't want under 50 year olds "living" in the country.

Happy days of back to back visa exempt entries for an indefinite period are long gone, along with the smile.

[TaaSaparot]

2 hours ago, Just Weird said:

They're not "scared of tourists spending time here", they're concerned about some flouting the visa system in order to stay here permanently by claiming to be eternal tourists.   

Flouting?

 

They should just make rules that they are all happy with, so everyone knows where they stand.

[Nomad001]

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

What they desire is that people arrive for a week or two, deposit a shed load of cash into the local economy and depart. They don't want under 50 year olds "living" in the country.

Happy days of back to back visa exempt entries for an indefinite period are long gone, along with the smile.

Spot on! That's why TAT is pushing so hard for Chinese tourists.They're a quick in and out.Though most of them have spent their money prior to arriving on booked package tours in China.

[Just Weird]

8 minutes ago, TaaSaparot said:

Flouting?

 

They should just make rules that they are all happy with, so everyone knows where they stand.

Yes, flouting, I'm not saying that applies to you necessarily but that's what foreigners trying to live here are doing when they do it on tourist visas. 

 

"...so everyone knows where they stand".

Here's where you stand; if you're a tourist on a tourist visa or VE don't try to live here on it, nor make so many lengthy trips that it appears that you might be!

Edited October 7, 2019 by Just Weird

[Nomad001]

24 minutes ago, Tony125 said:

Ok Mr. Treetops you say they just want him to have the right visa to stay in Thailand long time and spend his money what visa is that?  He is 45 so can't get a retirement visa , has not married his Thai GF yet so can't get a visa or extension to stay by reason of marriege. A METV is supposed to give you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with extensions but now even after a  consulate or embassy has granted one IO's can say "no you stay too long."  Elite visa ? Kind of a waste of money ( $15,000 to $28,000 USD )especially if you don't wish to spend all your time in Thailand and elite is a tourist visa just as the METV is except they give you longer time and have to pay more.

Thank you very pointing out the obvious. For me there's no other visa option.Might too add thai consulate Melbourne.Suggested the METV. FYI not that this makes a difference, but I spend a lot money here.I don't intend to live cheaply,I like to eat out nice restaurants with my gf and her kids do all things  fun with them...If IOs mainly DMK don't want ppl like here, well so be it.I'll be happy to spend my money at home..

[StayinThailand2much]

13 minutes ago, Nomad001 said:

Spot on! That's why TAT is pushing so hard for Chinese tourists.They're a quick in and out.Though most of them have spent their money prior to arriving on booked package tours in China.

Chinese travel agencies make the bulk of the money, i.e. most of the cash stays in China, corrupt Thai officials get their cut, Chinese-owned or -managed hotels and restaurants, as well as King Power, in Thailand get the remainder; everyone wins, except the traders and lower classes of Thailand...

Edited October 7, 2019 by StayinThailand2much

[Nomad001]

2 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Chinese travel agencies make the bulk of the money, corrupt Thai officials get their cut, Chinese-owned or -managed hotels and restaurants get the remainder; everyone wins, except the traders and lower classes of Thailand...

So true, a friend of mine bought into hotel on phuket. Problems he had with dodgy chinese tour companies and ccorrupt officials there.Long story he sold out asap! He said never again.

[bbi1]

On 10/6/2019 at 12:51 PM, SteveK said:

"if we give you 60 days you go to Cambodia, not come back to Thailand?"

 

Why are they so scared of people spending lots of time (and money) in Thailand?

They are worried Thai people are making too much money from foreigners and they want Thailand to be poor again.

[bbi1]

16 hours ago, EricTh said:

Tourist visas are meant for tourists and not long term stays. If you want to see how a real tourist behave, go and look at what the Chinese tourists do.

 

Thailand is more concerned about the drop in Chinese tourists than anything else because they are big spenders and Thailand's biggest tourist market when compared to the cheap Charlies of certain countries.

There are loads of young Chinese "tourists" living here doing "long-term stays". Both of the young male & female varieties. Living in Pattaya for example. So how are these young Chinese manage to live in Thailand?

Edited October 7, 2019 by bbi1

[bbi1]

16 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Stevie settle. Fact is the farang that come here couple of times a year have zero problems. Yes agree they spend big. Then run home. That's what Thai want. They don't want folk spending 40 baht on soup.

 

Its not about concern about working illegally. Its about financial contribution. Get with program. Farang, esp younger folk trying live here ongoing ain't worth it in Thai thinking. Mino

Then they should get rid of the old farts on retirement visas who have no money. The ones who as you say spend 40 baht on soup and dress like they have no money or dress really bad. See lots of these folks walking around. Especially around Pattaya.

[whitemouse]

2 hours ago, digbeth said:

On the reverse, had it been a Thai person going to a western country, showing a picture of native girlfriend/boyfriend would have been an immediate refusal due to having too much tie and a means of living/working while in the country on a tourist visa

Entering with valid tourist visa, no way would person be denied entry in Western nation. Visa exists for a reason, it is to show that visa holder has been vetted prior to issuing visa. What is going on at Bangkok airports is bizarre, and it is recent, it is always "you come too much", it is very strange reason for denying entry, and sending visa holder back, effectively deporting a traveller for no reason, often making up a reason that has nothing to do with reality.

Edited October 7, 2019 by whitemouse

[Salerno]

28 minutes ago, whitemouse said:

Entering with valid tourist visa, no way would person be denied entry in Western nation.

I take it you've never seen any of the numerous "Border Patrol" type "reality" programs from around the world.

[EricTh]

15 hours ago, BritTim said:

Indeed, if you can make up your mind to marry a Thai woman within the short period of time the officials you encounter deem appropriate to visit Thailand for sightseeing, then there are options available. If course, if you happened to fall in love with someone of the same sex, you would be out of luck.

I am not sure whether you are aware that Thailand accepts homosexuality.

 

 

Edited October 7, 2019 by ubonjoe
removed off topic video

[whitemouse]

20 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

So now you understand that you aren't entitled to live long term in Thailand. It is unfortunate that some consulates are issuing inappropriate visas, but the visa applicant now knows and plan accordingly. After all first time visitors seem to have no problems, it's only those doing repeat visits that are being questioned or turned around. It could be that those processing the paperwork at most consulates aren't always Thai and/or are clerical staff, whereas at the airport the IO is actually a police officer with much greater authority. It like consulate shopping to get the best deal.

It's really good that now everyone knows what to expect.

I don't live in Thailand, I am a tourist. I am in Thailand on a tourist visa. I don't work here, don't draw any income from Thailand, I stay in  hotel in Thailand, and I'm staying for a period of time my Thai visa allows me. That is text book tourist.

 

You claim that  OP and I are not tourists.  What are we, then? A resident? I don't have a single right of a permanent resident in Thailand or any definition of residency here. And since we are here on This tourist visa, that makes us tourists, no matter how upset it makes you, and few others here ????

[bbi1]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

What they desire is that people arrive for a week or two, deposit a shed load of cash into the local economy and depart. They don't want under 50 year olds "living" in the country.

Happy days of back to back visa exempt entries for an indefinite period are long gone, along with the smile.

Why do they want over 50's "living' here then? They are more likely to be saving every satang as has been seen on the forum and all over the streets of Pattaya, not to mention lots of them are not having health insurance (again as mentioned many times on this forum). Lot's of them aren't spending money here unlike the "week or two, deposit a shed load of cash into the local economy and depart". Not to mention many reported to have been jumping off balconies all over Pattaya and even in BKK too which doesn't promote a nice image of Thailand.

Edited October 7, 2019 by bbi1

[bbi1]

12 minutes ago, whitemouse said:

I don't live in Thailand, I am a tourist. I am in Thailand on a tourist visa. I don't work here, don't draw any income from Thailand, I stay in  hotel in Thailand, and I'm staying for a period of time my Thai visa allows me. That is text book tourist.

 

You claim that  OP and I are not tourists.  What are we, then? A resident? I don't have a single right of a permanent resident in Thailand or any definition of residency here. And since we are here on This tourist visa, that makes us tourists, no matter how upset it makes you, and few others here ????

You can always bet your bottom dollar it's a grey nomad on a retirement visa who's upset when younger people are in this country and say "get a correct visa to stay here".

[whitemouse]

5 hours ago, Chivas said:

Yep its as simple as that. Its completely hit and miss. I'm always amazed I havent been tugged more than the once despite strictly keeping within general guidelines.

I suspect it is very few IOs who harrass arriving tourists.

Reports of tourists being denied entry are not frequent, at this board usually 1 every week. That is not many. If, let's say, half of IOs at DMK were practicing this nasty game, there would be huge number of people being denied, and there would be immediate out cry. If 100 Australian tourists were denied entry at DMK and BKK in a single day, it would make news in Australia, and here, too. That tells us number of IOs doing this is very low, very possibly just one. One IO who happens to hold some kind of grudge, and one supervisor to go along. 

 

We know that reason for entry refusal is always lack of money, even though people present the 20.000 baht required.

It seems to be someone's personal project, and it would quickly come to end, if proof of false denial would surface to higher ups, and loud enough to trigger an article in Nation. Let's say, audio recording of what really is discussed by IOs, prior to denial stamp in passport.

 

Android and iPhone both have very discrete audio recording apps, phone will seem to be shut off, black screen, but it keeps  recording. If only one false 'lack of means' stamp would surface, couple of people would certainly lose their jobs, and they would be made example of how Thailand fights corruption. That would be end of this harassment.

[treetops]

14 hours ago, tjo o tjim said:

What constitutes a tourist though?  If you own a condo can you be a tourist for a few months a year when you visit the country?  If you come and go (for months), you pretty clearly are not a resident.  Does having friends in LOS make you not a tourist?

 

I mean it as an honest question.  The METV would make it seem like it is ok to spend 6 months coming in and out of the country, which might not be the traditional realm of a tourist, but it was common for backpackers decades ago to do that.

 

3 hours ago, Tony125 said:

Ok Mr. Treetops you say they just want him to have the right visa to stay in Thailand long time and spend his money what visa is that?  He is 45 so can't get a retirement visa , has not married his Thai GF yet so can't get a visa or extension to stay by reason of marriege. A METV is supposed to give you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with extensions but now even after a  consulate or embassy has granted one IO's can say "no you stay too long."  Elite visa ? Kind of a waste of money ( $15,000 to $28,000 USD )especially if you don't wish to spend all your time in Thailand and elite is a tourist visa just as the METV is except they give you longer time and have to pay more.

I honestly don't know the answer, but a tourist as I see it does not stay 6 or 9 months at a time.  Elite Visa is not a tourist visa so probably more appropriate.

 

I currently have a METV, used so far for one trip where I entered and exited Thailand multiple times.  I intend to do the same before the visa expiry in January.  I think that is closer to the intended purpose of the METV than staying the 6 or 9 months mentioned.

 

 

[whitemouse]

5 hours ago, FredGallaher said:

Your correct. About US $70/week but who said staying here should be cheap. Compared to the cost of dodgeball with immigrations and costs to go in and out, plus stress it's not too bad. 

If your looking for cheap, I think you need to try elsewhere.

The question should be, "If paying Taxes somewhere else, could this amount be deducted as business expense".

Who says it should be cheap here? Everyone! The only reason for high tourism numbers of third world countries is climate, and cost of living. If Thailand cost of living was to jump to that of Italy, Thailand would be abandoned overnight. All Chinese and Indian tour groups are first time travellers, visiting the most affordable places, they simply can not afford to visit, say, Sweden. Individual Chinese middle class travellers are still very low numbers. Mass tourism always favours low cost countries, Americans go to South America and Mexico, Chinese to Thailand and Cambodia other low end SE countries, Europeans go to Turkey, Egypt. 

If Thailand wasn't cheap, if Thailand's cost of living would equal any Western nation, do you think anyone would retire here, but very few well of retirees. 

 

You say Elite visa cost is reasonable, and Thailand should not be cheap. I'd say,  it's cost is ridiculous, given how few right it gives you. Elite visa holders are just tourists, just like I with my single entry TR.

 

If Thailand would do away with non O retirement extension, and only allow Elite visa holders to stay, how many retirees will be still here? 

Edited October 7, 2019 by whitemouse

[whitemouse]

3 hours ago, TaaSaparot said:

Flouting?

 

They should just make rules that they are all happy with, so everyone knows where they stand.

What you are asking is this country following rule of law. It has never been that, and it very likely won't be, at least during our lifetime. 

That is Thailand, we know it, and love it nevertheless, what's strange, we have Westerners here defending this lawlessness and corruption. Why do they do it? Is it just taking out their misery on others, feeling some relief from their sadness, when they see others not having it too easy?

[amykat]

9 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

Actually the cost of the Elite Visa vs Non O retirement isn't that great. If I were living in the Bangkok area, an Elite Visa might make sense with the perks, but I live 600 KM north. Italy would be OK but I don't speak Italian.

What perks are those Fred that you would pay $280 a month for??

 

[whitemouse]

20 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

Good, it makes me feel  much better that you'll be moving on soon. You can continue your complaints about injustice on ThaiVisa from you home. 

BTW I don't get upset and it doesn't affect me. I just want to correct misconceptions some might have.

 Why does seeing a fellow foreigner having hard time make you happy? It is off topic, but I sincerely like to know!