OP, out of curiosity, which EU country are you from?

15 minutes ago, Monomial said:

Women and younger officers feel like they have something to prove. Old men are just marking time. You want the guy marking time when it comes to stamping your passport.

For years and years I always selected female IOs as I believed they were more conscientious and efficient. I felt the males needed to show who was boss a little.

Times have changed.

47 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

That's too generalized IMO.

The rest of your post I would widely agree.

 

It is fact, whether you like to admit to it or not that Thai's don't like farangs, as much as farangs don't like muslims in their own countries, pretty much a same same, scenario if you get my drift.

 

You are probably like me, don't mind any race, religion, etc etc, but the hostilities, jealousy, is within the culture, we are in their homeland, and they are not one to open up with wide arms, it's instilled in them from young, make of that what you will.

 

Each to their own as the saying goes, suffice to say I have experienced it on many occasions with my wife blasting the living daylights out of some Thai's who have bad mouthed me in from of my wife, with her saying things like, you disgust me, you have no shame, my husband has welcomed you in his house with open arms, got you out of debt when you were in desperate needs and you can only talk bad of "farangs" shame on you and get out of our house, her father was one included with them all leaving with the tails between their legs.

 

Now call that what you will, even at markets Thai's have spoken ill of me, not knowing my wife was a little up front, only to cope the same tongue from her, fortunately for me I don't know Thai, but I have become accustomed to the land of smiles as being very fake and knowing what your up against is better than not.

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by 4MyEgo

9 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

For years and years I always selected female IOs as I believed they were more conscientious and efficient. I felt the males needed to show who was boss a little.

Times have changed.

More reports of dodgy female IOs so best avoided if possible, sometimes you can't. i went to an older male IO queue, as i got to the front a female matron type took over....i was expecting the worse but she was good as gold

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by scubascuba3

37 minutes ago, steve187 said:

well i don't think that hate us, hates a bit strong, maybe more of a dislike

Maybe more like jealousy.  Similar to how the Europeans are jealous of the American technology companies.

 

Avoiding bulldykes is one of my top rules for avoiding stress.  The maesai IO lady, who checks you before you leave, is smart and pretty, with a classic Thai smile.  

 

I got hit with a thousand questions at the tax office a few weeks ago..ended up with the phone number of a 31 year old accountant..turns out she still lives with her parents...would probably be cheaper to go to Soi 4.

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by moontang

The IO`s behavior at some entry points just reflects the Thai society. Fly in Business/First class and the butt-licking starts, as they assume you have money. That`s exactly how they are raised. Status/money = respect (even though is more or less a fake respect as well)

 

I`ve seen often IO`s shouting at poor guys "no hotel---go away". And surely those guys (assuming they were first-timers to LOS had no clue what was going on) In the Premium Lane they asked a guy once " where do you stay", as he forgot to write it down on the TM 6. Took him 20 sec to write it down at the IO´s desk and that`s it. The IO however never ever would have dared to shout at him according to his assumed status = premium class.

 

And for all guys saying that it was just a questioning and nothing else. Having experienced it myself, I hope those guys will get into the same situation. It`s humiliating and has nothing to do with questioning. Being grilled after a long- haul flight, accused of weird stuff and without clue what to do, is a terrible experience. People tend to defend themselves in such situations, which is exactly what the IO´s don´t want to see/hear. A submissive, multiple khor thod and not talking much is exactly what they want to hear.

 

 

57 minutes ago, SpanishExpat said:

The IO`s behavior at some entry points just reflects the Thai society. Fly in Business/First class and the butt-licking starts, as they assume you have money. That`s exactly how they are raised. Status/money = respect (even though is more or less a fake respect as well)

 

I`ve seen often IO`s shouting at poor guys "no hotel---go away". And surely those guys (assuming they were first-timers to LOS had no clue what was going on) In the Premium Lane they asked a guy once " where do you stay", as he forgot to write it down on the TM 6. Took him 20 sec to write it down at the IO´s desk and that`s it. The IO however never ever would have dared to shout at him according to his assumed status = premium class.

 

And for all guys saying that it was just a questioning and nothing else. Having experienced it myself, I hope those guys will get into the same situation. It`s humiliating and has nothing to do with questioning. Being grilled after a long- haul flight, accused of weird stuff and without clue what to do, is a terrible experience. People tend to defend themselves in such situations, which is exactly what the IO´s don´t want to see/hear. A submissive, multiple khor thod and not talking much is exactly what they want to hear.

 

 

How can hear what the IO is saying when the person in front is 15 feet away and your behind the red line IOS don't "shout" that is not the THAI way 

 

People tend to stretch the truth for effect 

 

OP repeatedly says " I was dragged away by IOs" 

 

Just total BSr but great for extra effect. He would have been asked to step aside 

 

5 pages of rage about a guy who got stamped in lol

 

Only on TV wonderland 

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by madmen

I have travelled pretty extensively and living here means I have had many visits through Suvarnabhumi. The IO in any country are always hit and miss, but here they have been the worst I have ever experienced. Family and friends have mentioned this too on their visits. 

 

Rude, unfriendly and always an air of arrogance from them like they're doing me a favour by allowing me to re - enter the country. Quite often they don't even have the decency to actually look you in the eye. This is only getting worse and these stories are happening on a daily basis nowadays. 

 

Contrast this with my wife who previously lived in England as a student. When we returned at Christmas the IO (female) was extremely friendly to her, asked her which university she studied at as a student and wished her a good holiday. Come to think of it, perhaps this was their way of questioning my wife ???? .

Funny how these sort of things only ever seems to happen to members on here. I'm on many many Thai forums and you just don't see it on there.

Strange

7 hours ago, rastlin said:

I had thought the rule was you were allowed up to 180 days in a year on either tourist visas or the 30 day permissions to stay granted on arrival in the airport.  I had thought the rule was if you were staying in Thailand less than 6 months in any given year you were a "tourist".  But honestly I am not sure this is really the rule.  And if it is not the rule what exactly is the rule?

 

There is no rule stating how long you can stay in any period of time. The used to be such a rule, that became effective on 1 October 2006. It as repealed on 25 November 2008.

(And that rule only applied to visa-on-arrival countries.)

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by judokrab

I'm wondering why anyone would come in as a tourist and mention a girlfriend and plans to buy a condo to the IO. 

 

Both of those statements trigger red flags to suggest the guy may be planning more than a casual stay.

 

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines would all like you to visit, and your gf would get a 90 day VISA free of charge.

 

And when these countries wisen up, we can think of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan etc!!

0P said the IO told him owning a condo is illegal 

 

How can that be true if an investment visa can be obtained by buying a CONDO over 10 million baht?!

 

 

 

He got caught our right there!! 

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by madmen

4 hours ago, moontang said:

Maybe more like jealousy. 

This is a better descripton than no like according to my experience in about 15 years.

 

My Thai is quite reasonable and I understand more than Thais usally expect.

 

As I learend how Thais look at you (exept some xenophobics and IOs) is much related to your behavior.

And frankly: When you experienced the look and behavior of many farang over long years you cannot be too surprised if there are resentiments by the locals.

I still meet much more polite Thais than farang-haters.

 

In all those years no issue ever at the immigration office. Neither at the airports but that could be a result of busines class and fast lane.

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by JustAnotherHun

6 minutes ago, madmen said:

0P said the IO told him owning a condo is illegal 

 

How can that be true if an investment visa can be obtained by buying a CONDO over 10 million baht?!

 

 

 

He got caught our right there!! 

That's not true as we all know. The IO was a moron knowing nothing about. If you have such an idiot in the cage in front of you, stay relaxed and smile. It# not worth.

22 minutes ago, impulse said:

I'm wondering why anyone would come in as a tourist and mention a girlfriend and plans to buy a condo to the IO. 

 

Both of those statements trigger red flags to suggest the guy may be planning more than a casual stay.

 

Nothing wrong with obtaining a holiday home and millions do it around the world. 

IO are more concerned about younger men working illegally or old guys trying to avoid the 800k and ducking and weaving and scamming the visa system 

1 minute ago, madmen said:

Nothing wrong with obtaining a holiday home and millions do it around the world. 

IO are more concerned about younger men working illegally or old guys trying to avoid the 800k and ducking and weaving and scamming the visa system 

 

There's nothing wrong with it.   But it can trigger extra scrutiny.  They did let the OP in...

 

6 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

I have to admit that in all of my years coming to Thailand since 2005, never had an issue with an immigration officer, smile, Sawadee Krup, Sabai Dee Mi, they lift their heads, smile and some even have a conversation with me in English, because my Thai is limited.

 

The above said, I do the same when entering my home country, when called to approach, Gooday, how's it going, head lifts, smiles and conversation starts.

 

I worked in the public for all of my years, it's all about approach in my opinion and being at the front line can be challenging at times, a little recognition and common courtesy goes a long way, and the day I get a cranky immigration officer will be the day I will find that to be my biggest challenge, albeit I would probably leave him be, step back, let him have his moment, because when someone throws a hot ball at me, I usually catch it and drop it as if to say, I am not playing your game, and smile.

why would you bother talking to imm in your own country. They cant refuse u. Give passport, take it and go.

7 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

That's not true as we all know. The IO was a moron knowing nothing about. If you have such an idiot in the cage in front of you, stay relaxed and smile. It# not worth.

Nonsense tens of thousands are admitted on investment visas. How could the IO not now about when the visa is in the PASSPORT.? 

 

OP got tripped up in his story 

7 hours ago, rastlin said:

 

That is what upset me too when I was questioned.  It was not the fact the lady was asking me questions, it was she was so obviously angry.  It really did bother me even though I was stamped in.  

 

I have been questioned by immigration when travelling into the U.S.  And while such situations are never fun, the fellow that questioned me was polite, not angry and very professional.  

Ask any Asian single female who has been similarly questioned while entering UK, USA, Australia etc on a tourist visa, most would have felt ashamed or dejected. Most single males entering Thailand would not have a problem if they are short stay tourists. Only those having girlfriends, condos and staying long time but still claiming to be tourists are harrased.

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by saakura

7 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

That's not true as we all know. The IO was a moron knowing nothing about. If you have such an idiot in the cage in front of you, stay relaxed and smile. It# not worth.

Nonsense tens of thousands are admitted on investment visas. How could the IO not now about when the visa is in the PASSPORT.? 

 

OP got tripped up in his story 

19 minutes ago, saakura said:

And when these countries wisen up, we can think of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan etc!!

Nah, if I wanted to have sex with Indian girls I would never have left Bolton.

3 hours ago, madmen said:

How can hear what the IO is saying when the person in front is 15 feet away and your behind the red line IOS don't "shout" that is not the THAI way 

 

People tend to stretch the truth for effect 

 

OP repeatedly says " I was dragged away by IOs" 

 

Just total BSr but great for extra effect. He would have been asked to step aside 

 

5 pages of rage about a guy who got stamped in lol

 

Only on TV wonderland 

rubbish. I have heard them ask in both my line and the line next to me. Thats when i got my hotel booking printout ready.

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Nah, if I wanted to have sex with Indian girls I would never have left Bolton.

I said nothing about having sex with any nationality! So you came here only to have sex? 

If possible, consider flying in and out via Chiang Mai.  I've never heard of anyone having trouble at CNX.

35 minutes ago, Sujo said:

why would you bother talking to imm in your own country. They cant refuse u. Give passport, take it and go.

 

They can't refuse you.  But if you don't answer their questions, they can snap on the latex...

 

37 minutes ago, Sujo said:

rubbish. I have heard them ask in both my line and the line next to me. Thats when i got my hotel booking printout ready.

The hotel thing might have more to do with them having to request it again..over and over..when it is one of about only 8 simple questions on the form.  Blanks do not work well with their mentality.  Only problem I ever witnessed in maesai was backpacker refusing to fill in that blank, even when the officer made it clear that he didn't give a Shiite, and it wouldn't be verified, but something had to be filled in.  And it is probably the same backpacker types (that they don't like for appearance issues) who don't know where they are staying.  Show me some Jewish or black backpacker with dreadlocks or tattoos and piercings, who doesn't answer the question, and you will likely see an IO, who is a bit angry.  Always a few, who think they are lawyers, too, and that's a fairly poor strategy for any foreigner.

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by moontang

36 minutes ago, Sujo said:

rubbish. I have heard them ask in both my line and the line next to me. Thats when i got my hotel booking printout ready.

Bionic hearing. Lol

I can barley hear the IO in front of me and my hearing is perfect 

 

 

You have too little money
30000 baht for 63 days
Is not enough to satisfy your visa

30000 baht equals 1 week visa ..

9 hours ago, Caldera said:

Those IOs who process these extensions, on the other hand, quite literally dole them out like candy (at 1900 baht a pop), hardly ever seems anyone to be questioned or denied by them. They don't seem to have the same rule book.

I believe they're not allowed to simply say no to an extension of stay request that is in order.