Ed visa apparently cancelled upon entry to Thailand.

[simplethings]

I recently applied for a ED visa that is not a typical Thai language course, more leaning in the way of self defense. 

 

After providing the Thai embassy with all required paperwork including police checks, bank statements and an onward flight out of Thailand, I was given my visa .

 

Upon return to Thailand, I was fully grilled at immigration, after a lengthy chat, test of Thai language skills and various profiling.

 

I was accepted in the country but with a departure date stamp and a firm warning that I need to return to my home country by that date. 

 

I almost got diverted out of the country, until I showed ownership of property, which is obviously on the market by now. 

 

On return to the school, they said they would have a word with immigration, as they thought this was "not fair" as I showed sufficient evidence and what not. 

 

After a few days wait, I was told by said school that it was fine to stay for the year, and they would come along with me to immigration in three months to extend the visa.

 

Has anyone had a similar experience? 

 

Do local immigration have any jurisdiction over airport immigration?

 

Do I do as airport immigration say, even though my ED visa looks fine?

 

Any help would be really appreciated. I really don't like the look of IDC!

 

Kind regards,

 

St

Edited November 26, 2019 by simplethings
worded incorrectly.

[Thailand]

Krav Maga by any any chance?

[simplethings]

Don't want to rope the school in as they have been more than helpful, but i'm sure you can guess. ???? 

[donnacha]

2 hours ago, simplethings said:

I recently applied for a ED visa that is not a typical Thai language course, more leaning in the way of self defense. 

So ... you mean a Self-Defense ED Visa, which is not only "not a typical Thai language course" but is, in fact, not a Thai language course at all.
 

 

2 hours ago, simplethings said:

Upon return to Thailand, I was fully grilled at immigration, after a lengthy chat, test of Thai language skills and various profiling.

Might have been an idea to skip the Thai language skills test by explaining that your visa has nothing to do with that.

I only mention this because, when dealing with IOs, clarity is vital.

 

[simplethings]

55 minutes ago, donnacha said:

So ... you mean a Self-Defense ED Visa, which is not only "not a typical Thai language course" but is, in fact, not a Thai language course at all.
 

 

Might have been an idea to skip the Thai language skills test by explaining that your visa has nothing to do with that.

I only mention this because, when dealing with IOs, clarity is vital.

 

Yes, completely correct.

 

I was totally honest with the IO's.

 

There were 5 officers firing questions at me in both Thai and English which I answered in which language they addressed me. 

 

I just don't understand why the official has asked me to leave, yet my ED visa has been processed in the same manner as previous visa's, and the ED visa has been checked at immigration by the school, and everything is said to be fine.

 

They actually tried to sell me an elite visa during the interview, which I kindly refused. 

 

Thanks for your reply. 

[donnacha]

1 minute ago, simplethings said:

They actually tried to sell me an elite visa during the interview, which I kindly refused. 

Wow, they are simply shameless.

For what it is worth, you are not the only one getting such a shakedown, the noose appears to be tightening for everyone. Between that and the expanding smog season, I don't expect to remain living in Thailand much longer.

 

[torturedsole]

I hate to be candid but it's not a fully-fledged visa until it's sanctioned by an IO at arrival.  

[simplethings]

22 minutes ago, donnacha said:

Wow, they are simply shameless.

For what it is worth, you are not the only one getting such a shakedown, the noose appears to be tightening for everyone. Between that and the expanding smog season, I don't expect to remain living in Thailand much longer.

 

The IO offered me the Elite Visa right after scanning through my bank statements!

 

The smog season was brutal last year. 

 

To greener pastures.

 

 

[simplethings]

 

 

 

 

Quote

I hate to be candid but it's not a fully-fledged visa until it's sanctioned by an IO at arrival. 

That's the bit I hate. It's apparently sanctioned and activated, only by word of mouth from the IO that I should not extend it, and "go home".

 

Nothing on the passport, yet I don't know the system the IO's use, and what information has been logged.

 

Checked at local immigration, and fine for one year. 

 

Total confusion. 

Edited November 26, 2019 by simplethings
Added quote

[Sumarianson]

That puts me off getting an Ed visa which I was intending to get to learn Thai as I have a child and partner here. I am planning to leave now instead. Don't want a grilling from a country I contribute to substantially. Who wants to learn the language of a country that behaves in such a manner. 

Edited November 27, 2019 by Sumarianson

[Caldera]

Which airport did that happen at?

 

[keysersoze276]

Where are all the usual jackass TV posters that regularly shake their finger in one's face saying, "Get a proper visa!  Follow the rules or we don't want your kind here!"  And to the OP- sorry for your misfortune.  I hope you know you are very,  very welcome In far better countries than Thailand.  Like dozens upon dozens of them.  Thailand is a joke now.  Don't waste your life in Thailand,

[playyer]

Was this at don muang? They seem to be out to get people more often there. Anyway I used to take that course, and had that visa. It should be OK as long as the stamp is the usual one, and the ppl from the school accompany you as usual to immigration for renewal. Try to enter via land borders if possible next time, seems to work better. You may get better replies if you post this at the visa forum.

[bwpage3]

Well if they scanned your bank statements and thought you could get an Elite Visa, if you want to stay in Thailand long term, I am pretty sure you would have one.

 

Yet you don't?

 

Nefarious people that try to stay in Thailand on all these wild VISA's are only subjecting themselves to this oversight.

 

Who in their right mind, if they could afford it, would skirt the rules and risk getting tossed?

 

It seems to be the majority of these perpetrators cannot find a LEGAL way to stay long term in Thailand?

 

If you claim to have the money and want to stay long term, buy the VISA. Seems pretty simple.

 

I suspect there is more to this story as demonstrated by your choice of current visa.

 

A self-defense VISA?

 

Sounds like an avenue for people who cannot qualify or afford a real visa.

[bwpage3]

On 11/27/2019 at 4:58 AM, Sumarianson said:

That puts me off getting an Ed visa which I was intending to get to learn Thai as I have a child and partner here. I am planning to leave now instead. Don't want a grilling from a country I contribute to substantially. Who wants to learn the language of a country that behaves in such a manner. 

You don't contribute substantially sorry.

 

The entire expat community contributing to the country of Thailand is less than 0.3% GDP

 

That is why Thai authorities could care less

 

[impulse]

The OP leaves out quite a few salient details, like his history in Thailand, how many entries (and under what kind of previous visas), how long he's stayed, etc.  Also doesn't mention where his funds come from for staying in Thailand- whether there's a reasonable cause to suspect he's working in country.

 

ED visas are often abused to live and work in Thailand, and the IO's know it.  Depending on the travel history, they may suspect a de-facto resident posing as a student.  Sucks, but it's pretty understandable.  It would be nice if the consulates and the IO's at the airport would get into sync, but that happens all over the world.

 

[impulse]

On 11/27/2019 at 3:58 AM, Sumarianson said:

That puts me off getting an Ed visa which I was intending to get to learn Thai as I have a child and partner here. I am planning to leave now instead. Don't want a grilling from a country I contribute to substantially. Who wants to learn the language of a country that behaves in such a manner. 

 

If that's your reason for not stepping up and spending time with and supporting your child, you won't get a whole lot of sympathy.  There are other visa options for foreigners supporting a Thai child.  Of course, that requires jumping through some other hoops, which most guys gladly do to spend time with their kid.

 

[Mr Smithy]

If this was a single entry ED visa then once used to gain entry it is finished and of no further use. The permission to stay stamp is what is important and what can be extended (Visas are never extended) I doubt you will be allowed to extend by more than 90 days at a time and that assumes correct documentation is supplied by the school. 

[Sumarianson]

3 hours ago, impulse said:

 

If that's your reason for not stepping up and spending time with and supporting your child, you won't get a whole lot of sympathy.  There are other visa options for foreigners supporting a Thai child.  Of course, that requires jumping through some other hoops, which most guys gladly do to spend time with their kid.

 

Nice judgement. You don't know anything about my situation so do not presume. 

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, Sumarianson said:

Nice judgement. You don't know anything about my situation so do not presume. 

 

You posted enough in your whine...

 

[rickudon]

21 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

You don't contribute substantially sorry.

 

The entire expat community contributing to the country of Thailand is less than 0.3% GDP

 

That is why Thai authorities could care less

 

Do you have a link for this? Because i think you are wrong. I know i did an analysis for Udon Thani province a few years ago which suggested Expats contributed at least 3% of GDP for the province.  ( Based on 0.5% of the resident population and 50,000 baht a month average income). But i would agree the Thai authorities don't care about that.

[dcnx]

On 11/28/2019 at 11:43 PM, bwpage3 said:

seems to be the majority of these perpetrators cannot find a LEGAL way to stay long term in Thailand?

His visa was legal. The combat school he’s talking about is owned and operated by Thai military police. 
 

This is probably difficult for you to understand, but not everyone wants to stay long term and not everyone is desperate enough that they have to. A few years is enough and then the smart ones come to their senses and move on while the desperate ones cling to straws and lash out at those with options.