Just spent the day conversing with a friend of mine who was in the BKK detention centre all day and night.

 

He flew in on only his second METV from London and had spent the last 2-3 months in England.

 

He was denied entry and forced to book a flight back to London the next day.

 

On his previous METV he traveled around SE Asia and has intended to do the same again but they told him he was not a tourist...

 

It boggles the mind why they would even issue this visa in the first place.

That is really strange. I suspect he may of had a previous history he failed to mention.

Was he asked to show at least the equivalent of 20k baht in cash and did he have it?

What was the reason for the denial of entry? It will shown on the document given him and stamp as a number that indicates the reason under section 12 of the immigration act.

Yes, it does boggle the mind, considering all the requirements for an METV. 

It is getting more and more absurd and unpredictable. 

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is really strange. I suspect he may of had a previous history he failed to mention.

Was he asked to show at least the equivalent of 20k baht in cash and did he have it?

What was the reason for the denial of entry? It will shown on the document given him and stamp as a number that indicates the reason under section 12 of the immigration act.

Was not asked to show 20k although he had it. I've known him since he first came to Thailand and his only other history was a single entry tourist visa.

 

- Single Entry (back to England)

- METV (back to England)

- METV (DENIED)

 

That's his entire history.

 

I'll ask him to jump on this thread when he can.

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by nailbrains8

What does he dress and look like? IMHO it does matter when crossing a border.

He should dress like a tourist and not like a business person. This is to all people who think it is "cool" to wear a suit when passing Immigration but it is more suspicious.

 

Most likely he was denied because it is his second METV, you come to Thailand too much ????

Way beyond a joke at this point...

 

5 hours ago, nailbrains8 said:

I've known him since he first came to Thailand and his only other history was a single entry tourist visa.

 

- Single Entry (back to England)

- METV (back to England)

- METV (DENIED)

 

That's his entire history.

Do you know how long he's spent in Thailand within the last 12 months?

 

I'm starting to wonder if an SETV is actually safer because it doesn't signal 'if you let me in now I'll be back again pretty soon'.

4 hours ago, cerox said:

He should dress like a tourist and not like a business person. This is to all people who think it is "cool" to wear a suit when passing Immigration but it is more suspicious.

 

Most likely he was denied because it is his second METV, you come to Thailand too much ????

He does dress like a tourist. 

16 minutes ago, Percy Penguin said:

Way beyond a joke at this point...

 

Do you know how long he's spent in Thailand within the last 12 months?

 

I'm starting to wonder if an SETV is actually safer because it doesn't signal 'if you let me in now I'll be back again pretty soon'.

Spent 8-9 months in total but was in and out visiting other countries during that time.

Just curious..did he arrive in Economy or Business/First through the Premium Lane? Moreover..he had no contact person/gf to call?

3 minutes ago, SpanishExpat said:

Just curious..did he arrive in Economy or Business/First through the Premium Lane? Moreover..he had no contact person/gf to call?

Economy. He doesn't have a girlfriend, no.

4 hours ago, cerox said:

He should dress like a tourist and not like a business person. This is to all people who think it is "cool" to wear a suit when passing Immigration but it is more suspicious.

 

Most likely he was denied because it is his second METV, you come to Thailand too much ????

"This is to all people who think it is "cool" to wear a suit when passing Immigration but it is more suspicious." 

 

Why do all the so called "digital nomads suits" …?

I was not denied last year wearing suit and tie ???? but admit not a entry with a METV

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by david555

4 hours ago, cerox said:

He should dress like a tourist and not like a business person. This is to all people who think it is "cool" to wear a suit when passing Immigration but it is more suspicious.

 

Most likely he was denied because it is his second METV, you come to Thailand too much ????

When I travel, most of the time I have a variety of clothing items with me. If trying to travel light, it is actually convenient to wear the more bulky items that include long trousers and a jacket as you do not then need to fit them in your bag. I have never had the impression that wearing a jacket and long trousers marks you out as an undesirable, but I suppose some officials might feel that way. Of course, if you never go anywhere that requires you to dress up, this is not an issue.

Regardless, even if not going somewhere that merits taking more formal attire, I would still be passing immigration in smart casual clothing (in particular, a shirt or shorts shirt with a collar, and some sort of footwear other than cheap flip-flops).

7 hours ago, thecyclist said:

absurd and unpredictable.

Just two words that describe Thailand perfectly. And they wonder why less tourists are coming.

 

5 hours ago, cerox said:

you come to Thailand too much

So why give people a visa if you are going to turn them away?

Last time I came in on a Tourist Visa. They asked to see my return ticket.... “No hab” I said. Told em I would convert to Retirement Visa and showed I had one before. No problem.

11 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

So why give people a visa if you are going to turn them away?

Exactly, a total lack of clarity. Friend flew halfway around to world so that he could sit in detention cell and then fly back again. If he knew this would happen he would have got a different visa.

 

He even asked at the embassy in the UK to make sure he was getting the correct visa. They told him there wouldn't be any problems.

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by nailbrains8

2 minutes ago, nailbrains8 said:

Exactly, a total lack of clarity. Friend flew halfway around to world so that he could sit in detention cell and then fly back again. If he knew this would happen he would have got a different visa.

Why give someone a 12 month retirement visa if he has to report every 90 days? Nuts.

 

And just how do they expect to encourage people to invest here when company executives have to report their every move by TM30? Stupid!

 

Every country has daft regulations but the Thai regs display a total lack of basic common sense.

Sorry, something more is there in this story that the OP doesnt know or isnt telling us.

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by Nyezhov

5 hours ago, cerox said:

This is to all people who think it is "cool" to wear a suit when passing Immigration but it is more suspicious

Who wears suiits in tropical country like Thailand unless the person is  in a temperatiure controlled environment for 24 hours.?

24 minutes ago, nailbrains8 said:

He even asked at the embassy in the UK to make sure he was getting the correct visa. They told him there wouldn't be any problems.

How does the embassy know if he would have problems or not? It is a stupid thing to ask embassy and make his decision based on that. Thai IOs have become adept at spotting people who come to Thailand for living. Not having money is a ruse they use as there is no other option for them to select. 

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by onera1961

Why do they force a flight back to London?  Can he choose to take a flight somewhere else?  Do they just force your last departure origin or home country?

6 hours ago, cerox said:

Most likely he was denied because it is his second METV, you come to Thailand too much ????

Yes, you come to Thailand too much. There is a limited supply of brothel girls. Thailand has aging population like developed countries. Less young girls to oggle in brothels. Go back go back to your country and visit brothels in your own country. Or marry one of the brothel girls and move to Issan and get an O visa from Savannakhet.

Few years ago I was on my second Tourist visa, I wore a suit , the immigration official questioned me like crazy. It is never a good idea to wear a suit.

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

When I travel, most of the time I have a variety of clothing items with me. If trying to travel light, it is actually convenient to wear the more bulky items that include long trousers and a jacket as you do not then need to fit them in your bag. I have never had the impression that wearing a jacket and long trousers marks you out as an undesirable, but I suppose some officials might feel that way. Of course, if you never go anywhere that requires you to dress up, this is not an issue.

Regardless, even if not going somewhere that merits taking more formal attire, I would still be passing immigration in smart casual clothing (in particular, a shirt or shorts shirt with a collar, and some sort of footwear other than cheap flip-flops).

If you're wearing a suit you have come to do business you are not a tourist especially traveling economy class.

1 hour ago, Nyezhov said:

Sorry, something more is there in this story that the OP doesnt know or isnt telling us.

There is NOTHING more to the story. Hence the post. Other people should be aware. 

1 hour ago, TooMuchTime said:

Why do they force a flight back to London?  Can he choose to take a flight somewhere else?  Do they just force your last departure origin or home country?

Yes, he wanted to fly to Vietnam but they wouldn't allow it.

20 minutes ago, nailbrains8 said:

There is NOTHING more to the story. Hence the post. Other people should be aware. 

I think the key point which you have mentioned is that he spent 8-9 months of the last year in Thailand, on tourist visas. People have been refused entry after having spent less time in the country. Obviously, you would suspect that if the Thai embassy in London specifically told him he would be fine, then this shouldn't have happened. It just shows that the staff in London don't have a clue what is really going on in the Thai immigration department which is pretty much a disgrace. They take your money, put a piece of paper in your passport, give incorrect advice and then you're on your own. Not good enough.

 

1 hour ago, onera1961 said:

How does the embassy know if he would have problems or not? It is a stupid thing to ask embassy and make his decision based on that. 

So what was he supposed to do? Ring Suvarnabhumi and ask them? How ridiculous.

 

One thing is for sure, this immigration debacle seems to be getting worse almost by the day. Someone should compile some of these reports and get in touch with some newspapers, sure someone would run the story. It should read "Thailand not letting tourists in - tourism industry flagging - government confused". Surely every time they refuse someone and destroy their travel plans, that person is going to relay the story to at least half a dozen people or even more. Eventually people will get the message that Thai immigration is now unfriendly and hostile towards repeat visitors and the hordes will start avoiding the country altogether. A great way to revive the flagging tourism industry!

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by SteveK

16 minutes ago, nailbrains8 said:

Yes, he wanted to fly to Vietnam but they wouldn't allow it.

 

I'm surprised they made him pay for it. I was under the impresson the airline would have to pay for it. 

 

Personally if this ever happens to me im going to fly somewhere else when i hit my layover in whatever country. I guess the thing u have to worry about is losing your luggage if u do that so hopefully you travel light. 

 

Pretty messed up they make u have a huge amount of paperwork letter from employer etc when u get this visa and then u get to Thailand and they go "nope u go home buy ticket". 

 

Was this Suv or DMK? 

12 minutes ago, lovesthespicy said:

I'm surprised they made him pay for it. I was under the impression the airline would have to pay for it. 

Not if he made the newbie mistake of signing the "confession"!

 

12 minutes ago, lovesthespicy said:

Was this Suv or DMK? 

He came from London, so Suvarnabhumi.

Edited October 10, 20196 yr by SteveK

4 minutes ago, SteveK said:

Not if he made the newbie mistake of signing the "confession"!

He did indeed.

 

4 minutes ago, SteveK said:

He came from London, so Suvarnabhumi.

Correct.

 

17 minutes ago, lovesthespicy said:

Personally if this ever happens to me im going to fly somewhere else when i hit my layover in whatever country. I guess the thing u have to worry about is losing your luggage if u do that so hopefully you travel light. 

Don't fly in from a country far away. Fly into a neighbouring country first. Then fly to Thailand.