bigqueso26 Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Hello all. I have a large number of entries into Thailand over the past two years (since June 2022) using visas and exemptions each time, hence many passport stamps. Never had any issues with immigration however i am coming to the end of a 6 month Multiple entry visa, I have entered twice with it and plan to re-enter Thailand maybe 5 days before it runs out. My question is: Which airport is the best for entering with a questionable travel history in regards to immigration? I know the worst are probably Bkk and Don Mueng (did face a couple questions there on my last entry) but have heard that Chiang Mai and Phuket tend to be a bit kinder to travellers, facing less questioning and less chance of being denied entry (this is my biggest worry with my past history). At the moment I'm leaning towards Chiang Mai and will be flying there from Kuala Lumpur or Da Nang after spending 3 or so weeks out of Thailand on a visa run. Any other suggestions for airports are welcome, many thanks .... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post reefsurfah Posted January 16 Popular Post Share Posted January 16 Chiang Mai, don’t try Phuket. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 31 minutes ago, bigqueso26 said: Thailand maybe 5 days before it runs out. My question is: Which airport is the best for entering with a questionable travel history in regards to immigration? You have a valid visa (METV) ... You should be able to enter at any airport.... CM is a more relaxed airport however not necessary. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Daley Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Don Muang every time. Suwanipoo is a <deleted> show. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caldera Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 With a METV and after 3 weeks out, you shouldn't be suspected of using that visa "improperly". So you'd probably be alright at the Bangkok airports, but Chiang Mai is the best option. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluemoon58 Posted January 17 Popular Post Share Posted January 17 If you're legal, shouldn't make a difference! 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mikeymike100 Posted January 17 Popular Post Share Posted January 17 17 minutes ago, bluemoon58 said: If you're legal, shouldn't make a difference! Theoretically you are correct, but In Thailand, strange things can and do happen? 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Chiang Mai. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mfd101 Posted January 17 Popular Post Share Posted January 17 Quite apart from choice of airport, choice of desk (male vs female) can be important. My experience, including for annual renewal of stay, is that women officers are often difficult & prickly & looking for a problem. This is not necessarily because they're after a bribe. More to impress the male boss with their professional competence & toughness. 5 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 I'm not sure which is better... But given forum history - Avoiding Don Muang and Phuket would be sensible if you suspect you have frequency of visa exempt / and tourist visa visits which may be considered excessive by a fussy Immigration officer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattaya57 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 (edited) 18 hours ago, bigqueso26 said: I have a large number of entries into Thailand over the past two years (since June 2022) using visas and exemptions each time, hence many passport stamps. Never had any issues with immigration however i am coming to the end of a 6 month Multiple entry visa, I have entered twice with it and plan to re-enter Thailand maybe 5 days before it runs out. If you've never had any issues with immigration yet and you have a valid 6 month multi-entry visa that you are entering 5 days before end of validity, why worry? Myself, I did 275 days in 2022 on visa exempt and 225 days in 2023 with visa exempt and one single entry tourist visa. Not had an issue yet but know I must be getting close to more scrutiny. I figure they'll warn me first Edited January 17 by Pattaya57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigqueso26 Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said: If you've never had any issues with immigration yet and you have a valid 6 month multi-entry visa that you are entering 5 days before end of validity, why worry? Myself, I did 275 days in 2022 on visa exempt and 225 days in 2023 with visa exempt and one single entry tourist visa. Not had an issue yet but know I must be getting close to more scrutiny. I figure they'll warn me first I guess paranoia reading the countless posts on here and reddit of accounts of people being denied entry, granted mostly without visas, but some with valid visas. I was also questioned a bit last time I came in about why I like to visit so much but there were no problems, he just looked it over and stamped anyway. A valid visa still isn't a guarantee you'll get in as many point out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigqueso26 Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 3 hours ago, mfd101 said: Quite apart from choice of airport, choice of desk (male vs female) can be important. My experience, including for annual renewal of stay, is that women officers are often difficult & prickly & looking for a problem. This is not necessarily because they're after a bribe. More to impress the male boss with their professional competence & toughness. You are 100% correct. I've seen this mentioned many times by others and in my own experience have only had issues with female officers at embassies and visa extension offices. They can be super difficult. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattaya57 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 (edited) 19 minutes ago, bigqueso26 said: I guess paranoia reading the countless posts on here and reddit of accounts of people being denied entry, granted mostly without visas, but some with valid visas. I was also questioned a bit last time I came in about why I like to visit so much but there were no problems, he just looked it over and stamped anyway. A valid visa still isn't a guarantee you'll get in as many point out. We'll that was my point, I've been coming and going without a visa. Only one single entry tourist visa in last 2 years for 495 days stay. I also read all the paranoia on here which is the only reason I got my first tourist visa last time, but not sure I needed it as I did a same day visa exempt border run straight after without any issue Edited January 17 by Pattaya57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scouse123 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 On 1/16/2024 at 9:15 PM, DrJack54 said: You have a valid visa (METV) ... You should be able to enter at any airport.... CM is a more relaxed airport however not necessary. That's exactly what I was thinking. He has obtained the relevant visa and that is the whole point of METV visas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipalongcassidy Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 If you enter Chiang Mai avoid the female IO's... I live here and every time that I catch a female IO on re-entry there's a hassle... I just stand there patiently and wait for her hormones to calm down and eventually get stamped back in... there are allot of sad frustrated women in Chiang Mai... my Thai wife and I laugh about it all the time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cormanr7 Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 20 hours ago, mfd101 said: Quite apart from choice of airport, choice of desk (male vs female) can be important. My experience, including for annual renewal of stay, is that women officers are often difficult & prickly & looking for a problem. This is not necessarily because they're after a bribe. More to impress the male boss with their professional competence & toughness. As far as I am aware, at CW there are only female IOs handling extension of stay so not really much choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfd101 Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 6 minutes ago, cormanr7 said: As far as I am aware, at CW there are only female IOs handling extension of stay so not really much choice! Mmmm, same here in Surin now. I suspect there for a purpose. The sole male does my 90 days & all done in 5 minutes ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mokwit Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 If you want the IO to do her job pick a female, if you don't pick a male. It is not coincidence that the 1 year extension IO's at CW are all female. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now