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Flying into BKK after long stay

farangbuffalo
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farangbuffalo Explorer Member

farangbuffalo

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I know no one can give me a definite answer on this but wondered if people think there is a chance I'll be denied entry..

 

  • Stayed in Thailand from Dec 2020 until July 2023 minus a few days for visa runs
  • Solely used TR visas, exempts and covid extensions during that time - No dodgy ED/Volunteer visas
  • Planning to re-enter later this month so will have had 5 months outside the country
  • Got a new passport while I was in Thailand which only has an exit stamp. I know people will say a new passport makes no difference as they have all records on the computer but when I went to extend at chaengwattana the immigration official there literally told me I should get a new passport as mine is full of stamps so it makes me think it does make some kind of difference?
  • Hopefully will be entering on a METV

 

If there is a serious risk I'll be denied I could fly to a neighboring country and enter by land but obviously don't want to bother if not necessary.

 

Anyone have any thoughts?

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DrJack54 Star Member

DrJack54

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17 minutes ago, farangbuffalo said:

If there is a serious risk I'll be denied I could fly to a neighboring country and enter by land but obviously don't want to bother if not necessary.

Does not work that way.

If refused entry you will fly back to where you departed from.

 

You need to obtain a visa to enter again.

I would regard entering visa exempt via air very risky. 

 

Your visa options would be SETV or METV 

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farangbuffalo Explorer Member

farangbuffalo

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15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Does not work that way.

If refused entry you will fly back to where you departed from.

 

You need to obtain a visa to enter again.

I would regard entering visa exempt via air very risky. 

 

Your visa options would be SETV or METV 

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear... I mean instead of flying straight to Thailand from my home country in the first instance, I could consider flying direct to Malaysia or somewhere then entering via land if there is a big risk of being denied entry.

 

 

 

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DrJack54 Star Member

DrJack54

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3 minutes ago, farangbuffalo said:

 

Sorry if I wasn't clear... I mean instead of flying straight to Thailand from my home country in the first instance, I could consider flying direct to Malaysia or somewhere then entering via land if there is a big risk of being denied entry.

 

 

 

That is rigmarole entry.

Why not obtain SETV eVisa and fly direct to Bangkok.

 

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edwardandtubs Platinum Member

edwardandtubs

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37 minutes ago, farangbuffalo said:

 

Yes that is what I'd prefer to do. Like I said in the OP hopefully will have a METV.

 

 

 

 

You should have no problem with an METV at Suvarnabumi airport. I was in a similar position to you back in September. I tried to enter visa exempt and was taken to a waiting area and asked to fill in a form and speak to the senior IO. Then I checked my emails and my SETV evisa had arrived. Key point: a senior IO told me, "You're always welcome to Thailand" but from now on you should have a visa, accommodation booking, return ticket and 20,000 baht. I think you'll be allowed straight in with an METV but it's better to prepare those documents just in case.

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farangbuffalo Explorer Member

farangbuffalo

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24 minutes ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

You should have no problem with an METV at Suvarnabumi airport. I was in a similar position to you back in September. I tried to enter visa exempt and was taken to a waiting area and asked to fill in a form and speak to the senior IO. Then I checked my emails and my SETV evisa had arrived. Key point: a senior IO told me, "You're always welcome to Thailand" but from now on you should have a visa, accommodation booking, return ticket and 20,000 baht. I think you'll be allowed straight in with an METV but it's better to prepare those documents just in case.

 

Cool, thanks. Seems like I'll hopefully be ok with a visa then but visa exempt would be too risky 

 

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edwardandtubs Platinum Member

edwardandtubs

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2 hours ago, farangbuffalo said:

 

Cool, thanks. Seems like I'll hopefully be ok with a visa then but visa exempt would be too risky 

 

 

A visa is definitely highly recommended but even with a visa exempt, it's very unlikely they would refuse entry after 5 months out. They never gave me any indication they were considering denying entry, even before I belatedly showed them my SETV. They just wanted me to fill in the form, show them the documents and explain my holiday plans. But you don't want the stress and inconvenience of waiting for an hour in the naughty boys' corner so it's better to have the visa and documents.

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bbi1 Gold Member

bbi1

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11 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

There is a "hassle-free entry" service (not to be confused with an official airport fast track), which costs around 5000 baht. Many Russians who stay in Thailand full time use it.

What is this "hassle-free entry" service you mentioned? I'm interested in knowing about this, as would be some others here.

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timendres Platinum Member

timendres

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1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

What is this "hassle-free entry" service you mentioned? I'm interested in knowing about this, as would be some others here.

 

I believe the poster was referring to the news some time back regarding police getting in trouble for "VIP Escorting" foreigners.

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DaSherminator Rookie Member

DaSherminator

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On 12/17/2023 at 10:28 PM, thecyclist said:

I think 5 months out of the country should be sufficient, especially if you didn't spend the 5 months in a neighboring country. 

What about 4 years? (I left when covid started) I was in Thailand for almost 3  years on TV's and the last time I flew in from for a brief visit to the US in late 2019, I was almost not allowed in.  I'm old enough to get a retirement visa now fwiw

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Kevinphall Explorer Member

Kevinphall

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I had very similar history and also left for 5 months, I’ve  just returned with SETV. The IO was flicking through all my stamps tutting and shaking her head - but she didn’t even ask any questions just stamped me in. I think I would have been dragged aside if I tried to enter just in Visa exempt. 

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farangbuffalo Explorer Member

farangbuffalo

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On 1/1/2024 at 5:08 AM, Kevinphall said:

I had very similar history and also left for 5 months, I’ve  just returned with SETV. The IO was flicking through all my stamps tutting and shaking her head - but she didn’t even ask any questions just stamped me in. I think I would have been dragged aside if I tried to enter just in Visa exempt. 

 

Thanks for the info. Didn't end up coming back in Dec so will be end of this month at the earliest making it over 6 months away. So should hopefully be OK with a SETV/METV

 

 

 

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