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 November 18, 20241 yr by Cameroni

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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?

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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. 

48 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

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. 

Thanks a lot! 

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

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. 

 

Sorry to hear. I was almost refused entry thrice in early 2020, incl. once at each Bangkok airport. Perhaps a good idea to bring some beverage and food when travelling to Thailand, cause one never knows...

Edited November 18, 20241 yr by StayinThailand2much

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

I'm 53 btw. 

So easy option is to get a non-imm O (Retirement) e-visa unless you don't have equivalent of 800k baht in a bank somewhere. 

 

I don't see the difference between a 60 day visa exempt and a 60 day tourist visa if the reason you were denied is you live there rather than being a genuine tourist? Surely they could say the same next time as you still live there?

 

Edited November 18, 20241 yr by Pattaya57

They seem to be much more harsh towards people who qualify for the retirement visa but still try to stay long term as a tourist. I have seen this type of thread a few times already. Not saying OP did anything wrong, but this area seems to be very sensitive for the IOs.

20 minutes ago, raz0r21 said:

Not saying OP did anything wrong, but this area seems to be very sensitive for the IOs

I feel immigration has a valid point.

There is good option for ongoing living in Thailand, especially for those 50+ yr.

The OP can/should apply for non O retirement and subsequent annual extensions. 

 

On Friday the OP posted "so I ditched her as I had to go  to work and was late. " . If he is working in Malaysia, I want his job, seeing as he spends 99% of his time in Thailand.

You really are a TOURIST ..😁

Sorry if I say that but It's not really respectful to be treated that way by this Thai immigration. If it had happened to me I would never come back in their country again. They should thank those who go to Thailand and give money to their people, rent, food, Thai wife's/womens and much more. As I always say, is nice to go there only for a few months

The Op got a taste of what it's like to deal with these people and is looking for an answer to that problem. Unfortunately, they probably won't find one even with "another correct visa". What he has will never be good enough unless he keeps depositing money.

Edited November 19, 20241 yr by JimTripper

1 hour ago, chuang said:

You really are a TOURIST ..😁

Yes I am sure even the most tolerant immigration officer has a limit and people attempting to 'bend' the rules to breaking point are asking for trouble! Which in this case he got!

we are all, nothing more than tourists... no conversion to at least resident even working, married, kids, ...

A troll post and those quoting it were removed.

OP - maybe they read you success stories among various Thai ladies and are jealous?

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1341717-best-ideas-for-dates-in-bangkok/page/9/#comment-19385685

 

9 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Yes I am sure even the most tolerant immigration officer has a limit and people attempting to 'bend' the rules to breaking point are asking for trouble! Which in this case he got!

Where "tolerant" means happy to be paid-off via agents to "skip" the actual documented rules for many different extensions - edu, retirement, etc. 

In the case of serial visa-exempt entries, there is no "bending" of the law to come repeatedly.  But, laws don't matter given no system for accountability, so they use false-reason rejection-stamps to force repeat-customers to pay them through services like this:
https://aseannow.com/topic/1336926-setv-metv-still-around-now-that-visa-exempts-are-now-60-days/?do=findComment&comment=19217493

This thread has just about reached its use by date.

OP, is 53 yr and has easy option to live in Thailand with annual extensions from a Non O retirement.

Insufficient funds then use agent option. 

From history provided is living in Thailand on concoction of ED, visa exempt entry, etc

One would think denied entry would be wake up call. Seems not as asking about a tourist visa.

 

 

 

Several off topic, Thai bashing posts and reply removed. 

Off topic post removed 

2 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Where "tolerant" means happy to be paid-off via agents to "skip" the actual documented rules for many different extensions - edu, retirement, etc. 

In the case of serial visa-exempt entries, there is no "bending" of the law to come repeatedly.  But, laws don't matter given no system for accountability, so they use false-reason rejection-stamps to force repeat-customers to pay them through services like this:
https://aseannow.com/topic/1336926-setv-metv-still-around-now-that-visa-exempts-are-now-60-days/?do=findComment&comment=19217493

Every thread you post the same "immigration is corrupt" rubbish that has nothing to do with the thread topic. 

 

OP admits that he's been living in Thailand continuously for a long time so not surprising he got told he's not a tourist eligible for visa exempt. He's 53, get a non-imm O like most other 50+ people that live in Thailand

2 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Where "tolerant" means happy to be paid-off via agents to "skip" the actual documented rules for many different extensions - edu, retirement, etc. 

As per usual taking a post out of context and revert to Mel Gibson conspiracy theory.

The OP has good alternative that being non O retirement+ extensions.