Almost denied on entry

[shdmn]

This is a first for me.  I did everything by the book as far as I can tell.  I'll follow the rules but it would help to know what the rules are.  I've been in Thailand almost 5 months on a multi-entry visa.  Extended by 30 days once and did a border run to renew for another 60 days.  Then I went to Vietnam for several days.  During that time my multi-entry visa expired so I knew I could not use that again on re-entry.  However, I am going back to my home country within 30 days, so I knew that a waiver on arrival would suffice. 

 

Upon arrival they pulled me off to the side and kept asking me what I am doing here.  What do I do for work.  Do I have a girlfriend here.  How long am I staying.  They asked me how long I am staying several times.  I think what ultimately saved me is when I showed them my return ticket back to my home country within 30 days.  However, they didn't ask for it.  They didn't seem to want to give me a 30 day waiver no matter what.  I had to sell it to them that I was definitely going back home within 30 days this time, no more border runs or extensions.  I will not be here longer than 6 months total and this is the first 30-day waiver on arrival I have gotten in that time.  I was out of the country more than just a couple days so that can't be it either.  What was the problem exactly?  They never really said and I didn't want to ask.  Once I got my stamp I was out of there.  This new BS trying to get back in and all the other bureaucratic hassles for renewals piling up, like the TM30 requirement they are getting strict about, and now the tax thing, doesn't make me feel very welcome here anymore. 

 

Vietnam is talking about give out 90 day visa waivers on arrival for people from North America.  They don't seem to care how many times you do border runs to renew that, land or air, so if that happens then Vietnam will start to look a lot more appealing to me.  Philippines doesn't have any visa hassles either.  Also, no tax issues to worry about.

Edited February 29 by shdmn

[Lemsta69]

3 minutes ago, shdmn said:

This new BS

 

It's not new.

[shdmn]

2 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

 

It's not new.

What you are talking about is people who do stuff that is not by the book.  Multiple border runs and just doing visa waivers several times over and over again.  I didn't do that.  Everything I did was completely by the book.

Edited February 29 by shdmn

[wasabi]

I agree that this is not new. My wife and I had the same experience on a METV about 5 years ago and after being treated like criminals when we tried to reenter on our legally issued Thai visas we questioned if we wanted to continue visiting Thailand. We decided we wouldn't let that experience stop us from all the other things we love about Thailand, so we got Thailand Elite visas and are now whisked through immigration hassle-free. Not cheap but membership has its privileges.

Edited February 29 by wasabi

[shdmn]

9 minutes ago, wasabi said:

I agree that this is not new. My wife and I had the same experience on a METV about 5 years ago and after being treated like criminals when we tried to reenter on our legally issued Thai visas we questioned if we wanted to continue visiting Thailand. We decided we wouldn't let that experience stop us from all the other things we love about Thailand, so we got Thailand Elite visas and are now whisked through immigration hassle-free. Not cheap but membership has its privileges.

I could do that, or just get a retirement visa since I am over 50.  That's not the point.  The point is that I followed the rules and was still made to feel unwelcome.  No guarantees that getting either of those other visas will solve that.  It makes me want to reconsider retiring here when there are other countries who seem to have much more welcoming visa rules for people like me.  There are limits to what I will put up with no matter how much I like it here.  The new tax rules are another thing that concern me.  It's not just this.

Edited February 29 by shdmn

[AlexRich]

I think these tighter restrictions have been around for a long time now, several years. The days when you could Visa hop are gone. So you have to plan your trips carefully. Perhaps the best way now is to spend a few months in several countries, restricting Thailand to 90 days. That way you won’t have to worry about the tax complication. Not a good option for those who have long term girlfriends, but they are better on a retirement visa whilst being careful on money transfers. It’s a lot more complicated now.

[shdmn]

6 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

I think these tighter restrictions have been around for a long time now, several years. The days when you could Visa hop are gone. So you have to plan your trips carefully. Perhaps the best way now is to spend a few months in several countries, restricting Thailand to 90 days. That way you won’t have to worry about the tax complication. Not a good option for those who have long term girlfriends, but they are better on a retirement visa whilst being careful on money transfers. It’s a lot more complicated now.

But the rules say I can come and go as much as I want on a multi-entry within 6 months.  They also say you can come and go from airports as much as you want on waiver on arrival, within reason.  If those are not the rules then change them.  The uncertainly of what random immigration agents decide to do, depending how they feel that day, even if you do everything by the book, is the problem.

Edited February 29 by shdmn

[DrJack54]

45 minutes ago, shdmn said:

I could do that, or just get a retirement visa since I am over 50.  That's not the point

To some extent it is the point.

You are having a rant.

There are no clear cut rules.

Example you mention no limit on visa exempt entries via air. 

Then you add "within reason" 

What is "within reason". 

You state that you are over 50. As a result you have option of non O retirement with extensions. 

 

Your current trip would have been less of an issue if you changed the order for the border bounce and trip to Vietnam. 

You were entering visa exempt after metv expired. Problematic 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, shdmn said:

What was the problem exactly?  They never really said and I didn't want to ask.

And now you ask here and expect an answer?

 

It's like: The police stopped me 3 weeks ago. Tell me why.

[shdmn]

47 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And now you ask here and expect an answer?

 

It's like: The police stopped me 3 weeks ago. Tell me why.

Do you have some sort of mental condition where you only see words in bold?

Edited February 29 by shdmn

[OneMoreFarang]

12 minutes ago, shdmn said:

Do you have some sort of mental condition where you only see words in bold?

No

I actually read your whole comment.

You are the one who could have asked the only person who knew the answer to your question.

But you decided not to ask that person but here everybody else.

Don't you think such behavior is a little strange?

[Dolf]

So you weren't denied entry. Just whining you were asked and lost 10 minutes.

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, shdmn said:

They asked me how long I am staying several times.  I think what ultimately saved me is when I showed them my return ticket back to my home country within 30 days.  However, they didn't ask for it. 

 

Wait.  What did you tell them the first or second and maybe third time they asked how long you were staying? 

 

You didn't mention then that you had a ticket out in less'n 30 days?  Seems like that would've pretty much resolved the situation.

 

 

[Hummin]

North American huh, you do not know the bs an average European have to answer entering your country do you?

[Enoon]

2 hours ago, shdmn said:

This is a first for me.  I did everything by the book as far as I can tell.  I'll follow the rules but it would help to know what the rules are.  I've been in Thailand almost 5 months on a multi-entry visa.  Extended by 30 days once and did a border run to renew for another 60 days.  Then I went to Vietnam for several days.  During that time my multi-entry visa expired so I knew I could not use that again on re-entry.  However, I am going back to my home country within 30 days, so I knew that a waiver on arrival would suffice. 

 

Upon arrival they pulled me off to the side and kept asking me what I am doing here.  What do I do for work.  Do I have a girlfriend here.  How long am I staying.  They asked me how long I am staying several times.  I think what ultimately saved me is when I showed them my return ticket back to my home country within 30 days.  However, they didn't ask for it.  They didn't seem to want to give me a 30 day waiver no matter what.  I had to sell it to them that I was definitely going back home within 30 days this time, no more border runs or extensions.  I will not be here longer than 6 months total and this is the first 30-day waiver on arrival I have gotten in that time.  I was out of the country more than just a couple days so that can't be it either.  What was the problem exactly?  They never really said and I didn't want to ask.  Once I got my stamp I was out of there.  This new BS trying to get back in and all the other bureaucratic hassles for renewals piling up, like the TM30 requirement they are getting strict about, and now the tax thing, doesn't make me feel very welcome here anymore. 

 

Vietnam is talking about give out 90 day visa waivers on arrival for people from North America.  They don't seem to care how many times you do border runs to renew that, land or air, so if that happens then Vietnam will start to look a lot more appealing to me.  Philippines doesn't have any visa hassles either.  Also, no tax issues to worry about.

 

"What was the problem exactly?" 

 

That you did not explain to them very well that you had ****** up your chance to make a last METV entry, and because of that you had to make visa exempt entry?........and then you started telling them what the rules were?

 

I would need to have seen and heard it all on video before I could be sure what actually took place.

 

 

[DrJack54]

37 minutes ago, Enoon said:

....chance to make a last METV entry, and because of that you had to make visa exempt entry?....

Pretty much sums it up.

Poor planning. 

[ukrules]

3 hours ago, wasabi said:

so we got Thailand Elite visas and are now whisked through immigration hassle-free. Not cheap but membership has its privileges

 

Yes, it is very convenient to have the Elite visa but don't kid yourself for one minute - they still hate you, it's just that now they're currently not allowed to kick you out or deny entry.

[ChaiyaTH]

I understand and agree you (OP) entirely on this, I come across dozens of backpackers daily in Vietnam, on 90 days repeating endless, they travel even to Siem Reap, Laos etc but skip Thailand entirely. 

What a surprise again too, that there are mainly comments here from the ''so called experts'' that actually point in the direction that it is you to blame LOL. And the OP is right, it is the uncertainty and hassle that matters (aside from the new taxes but also prices nowadays VS countries like Vietnam).

 

They just are fkwits, they even hassle me some times for questions, while the history clearly states non-o child, after I did one 30 day to have enough time to get my new passport, which was only the second in 3-4 years time.

Edited February 29 by ChaiyaTH

[ChaiyaTH]

8 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Yes, it is very convenient to have the Elite visa but don't kid yourself for one minute - they still hate you, it's just that now they're currently not allowed to kick you out or deny entry.

Yeah well that counts for whatever visa here

[Phillip9]

You were in Thailand 5 months, and then tried to enter visa exempt by air without significant time out of the country.  That's the problem.  If you have spent more than 3 of the last 6 months in Thailand, and you want more time, always enter by land. 

 

You are very lucky they let you in.  Stop whining and be thankful.

 

Edited February 29 by Phillip9

[Phillip9]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

North American huh, you do not know the bs an average European have to answer entering your country do you?

 

That BS questioning is not unique to Europeans.  I'm American and I get it too when I enter my own country.

[NanLaew]

The OP hasn't mentioned his previous history of Thailand travel. Paints a picture of being a first-timer who they screwed around with but is aware of "all the other bureaucratic hassles for renewals piling up, like the TM30 requirement they are getting strict about, and now the tax thing," Looking at the OP, I don't see where any immigration officer stated that he was going to be denied entry either. Drama queen.

 

Since the OP ALREADY qualifies for a visa on grounds of retirement, either get a visa or maybe move to Vietnam or Philippines where they may be more accommodating of his laziness.

[NanLaew]

46 minutes ago, ukrules said:

 

Yes, it is very convenient to have the Elite visa but don't kid yourself for one minute - they still hate you, it's just that now they're currently not allowed to kick you out or deny entry.

 

Just because you have forsaken your homeland and, through your own lack of due diligence, are probably "trapped and skint" here in Thailand, doesn't mean that the Thai people hate all foreigners.

 

They may actually hate you though.

[FritsSikkink]

4 hours ago, shdmn said:

This is a first for me.  I did everything by the book as far as I can tell.  I'll follow the rules but it would help to know what the rules are.  I've been in Thailand almost 5 months on a multi-entry visa.  Extended by 30 days once and did a border run to renew for another 60 days.  Then I went to Vietnam for several days.  During that time my multi-entry visa expired so I knew I could not use that again on re-entry.  However, I am going back to my home country within 30 days, so I knew that a waiver on arrival would suffice. 

 

Upon arrival they pulled me off to the side and kept asking me what I am doing here.  What do I do for work.  Do I have a girlfriend here.  How long am I staying.  They asked me how long I am staying several times.  I think what ultimately saved me is when I showed them my return ticket back to my home country within 30 days.  However, they didn't ask for it.  They didn't seem to want to give me a 30 day waiver no matter what.  I had to sell it to them that I was definitely going back home within 30 days this time, no more border runs or extensions.  I will not be here longer than 6 months total and this is the first 30-day waiver on arrival I have gotten in that time.  I was out of the country more than just a couple days so that can't be it either.  What was the problem exactly?  They never really said and I didn't want to ask.  Once I got my stamp I was out of there.  This new BS trying to get back in and all the other bureaucratic hassles for renewals piling up, like the TM30 requirement they are getting strict about, and now the tax thing, doesn't make me feel very welcome here anymore. 

 

Vietnam is talking about give out 90 day visa waivers on arrival for people from North America.  They don't seem to care how many times you do border runs to renew that, land or air, so if that happens then Vietnam will start to look a lot more appealing to me.  Philippines doesn't have any visa hassles either.  Also, no tax issues to worry about.

They don't think you are a tourist spending your savings but likely think you earn money while living in Thailand.

[South]

33+ years here, never, not once ever had a problem.

[AlexRich]

6 hours ago, shdmn said:

But the rules say I can come and go as much as I want on a multi-entry within 6 months.  They also say you can come and go from airports as much as you want on waiver on arrival, within reason.  If those are not the rules then change them.  The uncertainly of what random immigration agents decide to do, depending how they feel that day, even if you do everything by the book, is the problem.

 

You stated that your multi-entry had expired? If that is true it no longer applies, and all Immigration are left with is a guy who is entering Thailand frequently, so you become a "red flag" when you re-enter. They are dealing with you within their own rules. As you say, "within reason". They want to know what your reason is for re-entering the country. You were not singled out for special treatment, your experience is common amongst people who attempt to visit Thailand frequently. It never used to be like that ... but it has been this way for a long time.

 

 

[tmax]

It's all about money like everything in Thailand. They simply want you to buy an Elite visa. The TAT is giving big brown envelopes to the Immigration officers at DMK and BKK. Easy way to generate millions of baht

 

Edited February 29 by tmax

[bmanly]

I sympathise with the OP. I would have thought a 30 day waiver wouldn't have raised questions as he was legitimately using the METV as it was suppose to be used. Yes maybe he could have done another run before the visa expired.

 

The reason I made a reply here is that I am currently in the queue for a METV my home country now. My plan is to make 3 different entries into Thailand over that 6 Month period with the last entry to be extended at a local immigration office. During that METV I will return to my home country and also visit Vietnam on another trip. Am I likely to encounter any problems?

[SAFETY FIRST]

8 hours ago, shdmn said:

What was the problem exactly?

How did you present yourself?

 

Are you a typical looking guy, full of tattoos, missing teeth, hair in disarray, smell like a gunja plant, barefoot and dressed in torn clothing?

If you stand out, you're going to get attention. 

 

We need more information.

 

On arrival, were you normal looking, tidy hair style, dressed in collared shirt, trousers, how about wearing an expensive cologne etc. It's a little extreme but if you are exposed try something different. 

 

Look at the Arabs and Indians arriving, they know that will be targeted but they fool some with their false representation. 

 

Edited February 29 by SAFETY FIRST

[shdmn]

3 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

How did you present yourself?

 

Are you a typical looking guy, full of tattoos, missing teeth, hair in disarray, smell like a gunja plant, barefoot and dressed in torn clothing?

If you stand out, you're going to get attention. 

 

We need more information.

 

On arrival, were you normal looking, tidy hair style, dressed in collared shirt, trousers, how about wearing an expensive cologne etc. It's a little extreme but if you are exposed try something different. 

 

Look at the Arabs and Indians arriving, they know that will be targeted but they fool some with their false representation. 

 

My appearance or smell was absolutely positively not it, but thanks for the laugh. As you can see from my picture below, I am a distinguished older gentleman of impeccable taste and charm.

 

Edited March 1 by shdmn