follow up to my evisa question

[dlvinthai]

I had an approved METV from the Thai Consulate in LA, but when I arrived at Suvannaphum and showed the paper to the immigration officer, she asked where the paper visa was and had to call over her supervisor (she was going to give me only 30 days on arrival as well). When I explained that I did not have to send my passport to the consulate, their heads exploded. He had me go to a waiting area while he took my printed out evisa and asked his superiors. At one time, a thai immigration police general (at least that's what I thought he was from the fruit salad on his shoulders) came over and asked me about it.  Long story short, after 10 or 15 minutes they finally figured out that they had the approval all along. I don't know what I would have done if it weren't for my Thai friend who has worked as a private security supervisor for several airlines and who knew all of the immigration officers. An example of TIT, where a policy changes but the relevant agencies aren't notified. Now I wonder what border immigration will do.

[Dan O]

Hmmmm, This does not sound correct. They have been using e-visas for about a year or more,  so for no one there (one of the heaviest trafficked airports) to know about them sounds pretty off.

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, dlvinthai said:

Long story short, after 10 or 15 minutes they finally figured out that they had the approval all along.

Find your post unusual.

BTW you were cleared to enter after 10 minutes.

 

Perhaps the initial io was inexperienced and subsequent checks is more about saving face for first io.

 

Throw away line you made as follows...

 

"At one time, a thai immigration police general (at least that's what I thought he was from the fruit salad on his shoulders)".

 

Speaks volumes. 

 

Edited October 13, 2022 by DrJack54

[xtrnuno41]

Incredible they dont know?! I will see what they do when im coming in november

on the same sort of visa. As you said, what to expect in border runs.