Visa on Arrival refused - what is the best way to re-enter Thailand?

[Cameroni]

I arrived in March 2023 and after the initial visa waiver got an ED visa for one year. I was going to renew it but since Thailand changed the rules on visa waivers I decided to use these as long as possible. I did two visa waiver runs to Laos and flew to Germany once and again got a visa waiver. As the extension expired on the 15th I flew to Malaysia for 2 days. But after arrival in Chiang Mai a young lady from immigration called her boss over. As I'd stayed in Thailand 1 year and 7 months they said I'm not a tourist so he's refusing the visa waiver. Bizarrely he said I should fly back to Malaysia and apply for a tourist visa. I refused to sign the expulsion order but of course it made no difference. 

 

What is my best option here, apply for a tourist visa, go back in and then apply for the DTV? Can an EU national apply for a tourist visa in Malaysia? And if I get it could Chiang Mai immigration then not make the same argument that due to living there 19 months I'm not real tourist and deny entry despite a valid tourist visa? 

Edited 2 hours ago by Cameroni

[Upnotover]

Is you qualify for a DTV why not just apply for it there, or maybe go to Vietnam and do it there.

[Cameroni]

25 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Is you qualify for a DTV why not just apply for it there, or maybe go to Vietnam and do it there.

I was thinking of that, I'm assuming a tourist visa is granted after 5-10 days and let's me get back in faster. 

[Upnotover]

12 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

I was thinking of that, I'm assuming a tourist visa is granted after 5-10 days and let's me get back in faster. 

I don't think there is much difference, certainly the reports on here suggest a DTV is issued within a few days, HCMC states 5 for any e-visa, if your paperwork is adequate no reason for a DTV to take a long time.

[DrJack54]

50 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

What is my best option here, apply for a tourist visa, go back in and then apply for the DTV? Can an EU national apply for a tourist visa in Malaysia?

You can obtain a tourist visa in Malaysia.

If you went back to Germany you could obtain a METV for Thailand.

The DTV is all the rage and seems attractive. 

It does have requirements.

 

Can't recall reading of denied entry at CNX. Your history is extensive.

Clearly you are not 50+ yr. 

 

Was chatting with a young UK guy and he obtained DTV eVisa in UK in few days. 

[StayinThailand2much]

55 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

But after arrival in Chiang Mai a young lady from immigration called her boss over. As I'd stayed in Thailand 1 year and 7 months they said I'm not a tourist so he's refusing the visa waiver.

 

Wasn't Chiang Mai airport supposed to be an "easier" entry point than Bangkok, or Phuket, at least in the past? Are they copying the Bangkok airports now?

[Cameroni]

46 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You can obtain a tourist visa in Malaysia.

If you went back to Germany you could obtain a METV for Thailand.

The DTV is all the rage and seems attractive. 

It does have requirements.

 

Can't recall reading of denied entry at CNX. Your history is extensive.

Clearly you are not 50+ yr. 

 

Was chatting with a young UK guy and he obtained DTV eVisa in UK in few days. 

Thanks Dr Jack. If I get the tourist visa I guess CNX is unlikely to refuse entry on the grounds I'm not. Tourist as I styed there 19 months, I guess? 

 

I'm 53 btw. 

[Cameroni]

47 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Wasn't Chiang Mai airport supposed to be an "easier" entry point than Bangkok, or Phuket, at least in the past? Are they copying the Bangkok airports now?

That's what I thought, but they were like jackal circling me in a pack. All with only one goal in mind, refuse entry. One guy even screamed at me in an agitated way. 

 

Escorted in a cell like a criminal flanked by armed security. Quite surreal. I was held from 9 am to 14.30 and not given food or water. 

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

. If I get the tourist visa I guess CNX is unlikely to refuse entry on the grounds I'm not. Tourist as I styed there 19 months, I guess? 

 

I'm 53 btw. 

You are doing all this run around and being 50+ you have better options.

I moved to Thailand later in life (over 50 first visit) 

In those days I was traveling every month to Saigon.

Eventually immigration at DMK said obtain tourist visa.

I subsequently obtain tourist visas at Saigon Thai consulate (tiny office) 

In those days you could obtain triple entry TV.

Eventually the lady immigration officer in Saigon stated "you live in Thailand get retirement visa" 

 

The fact that you have option is part of the issue.

Get a Non O or DTV

[Badger18]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Wasn't Chiang Mai airport supposed to be an "easier" entry point than Bangkok, or Phuket, at least in the past? Are they copying the Bangkok airports now?

Yeah it's not great news but if he has been in the country more or less continously since March 2023 it's not that worrying either. It just shows there's a limit even at CNX.

 

OP, I think another TV would just be a temporary reprieve, so if you're wanting to stay more than another 90 days you're much better off with a DTV.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Badger18 said:

OP, I think another TV would just be a temporary reprieve, so if you're wanting to stay more than another 90 days you're much better off with a DTV.

Temporary indeed.

If DVD difficult for the OP then a non O with ongoing extensions is an option.

If insufficient funds then use an agent.