Forced to book a hotel on the spot

[ChaiyaTH]

2 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Officially it's this:

 

If you are entering visa on arrival, you must be able to show 10,000 baht if individual or 20,000 baht for a family.

If you are entering visa exempt, you must be able to show 20,000 baht if individual, or 20,000 baht for a family.

 

It makes sense under the sold 15/30 day scheme. Double the money for double the amount of time.

 

It appears many immigration officers, especially at land borders, either don't know the rules or just default to the 10,000 baht so they can give the same number to everyone.

Should it not be 40,000 baht today then? As it is 60 days on arrival lol.

[Yagoda]

15 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

In most places it is even a rule to be shaved etc. I mean you could get away with being dressed as a real tourist if your stamps match it but otherwise...  I think people confuse what this means in general anyway, you can just wear sneakers with shorts and a t-shirt, as long it is looking fresh and clean.

 

If you arrive like you just partied until 5AM and stay at the cheapest places, not seem the freshest, have <deleted>ty clothes on + let's say overweight on top of that or a white ghost face, and then you claim you are financially good and live here, well, I would want to know more lol. 

They always say you need a visa but that is just because Thais are non confrontational, they actually likely mean they think you are talking BS. I can testify to this myself with 14-15 years visa run history, each time I had issues, I actually had issues in my life myself.

 

From those years and experiences it is even a miracle I got away with it most times.

Dude, there is a thing in life called a Hinky Meter.

 

Cops, armed citizens with training, soldiers, trained guards, IOs all get issued one. Its easy, you just ask yourself: Is this dude Hinky or not.

 

Here are examples.

 

Its 4:30 am in a high crime, high traffic area. A dude in a hoodie that keeps touching his waist while standing in front of a Convenience store. There is another dude there with a suit and tie carrying a briefcase. A bus stop is nearby.

 

Which one do you check out?

 

Its 12:00 noon in front of an abortion clinic and a guy in a hoody is standing there looking at his phone. Another guy wearing a suit and tie is standing on the side of the clinic with a briefcase and fidgeting. The clinic has had bomb threats in the past.

 

Which one is hinky?

 

Dont be sweating out last nights meth binge while talking to the IO

[ChaiyaTH]

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Dude, there is a thing in life called a Hinky Meter.

 

Cops, armed citizens with training, soldiers, trained guards, IOs all get issued one. Its easy, you just ask yourself: Is this dude Hinky or not.

 

Here are examples.

 

Its 4:30 am in a high crime, high traffic area. A dude in a hoodie that keeps touching his waist while standing in front of a Convenience store. There is another dude there with a suit and tie carrying a briefcase. A bus stop is nearby.

 

Which one do you check out?

 

Its 12:00 noon in front of an abortion clinic and a guy in a hoody is standing there looking at his phone. Another guy wearing a suit and tie is standing on the side of the clinic with a briefcase and fidgeting. The clinic has had bomb threats in the past.

 

Which one is hinky?

I guess you missed the point entirely, this is based on what you emit in protons / energy yourself, it is like frequencies. This is what people often refer to as magic or ghosts because we not have enough explanations for it yet even we are very close. It is the same that you simply know someone stares at you, in your back.

 

A lot of these things we are just born with but we lose them in the modern life. But many things we also simply not use or develop as skills anymore since maybe centuries, maybe we simply never did, maybe in another time of life thousands years ago. Who knows but it is all science.

[Yagoda]

3 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

I guess you missed the point entirely, this is based on what you emit in protons / energy yourself, it is like frequencies. This is what people often refer to as magic or ghosts because we not have enough explanations for it yet even we are very close. It is the same that you simply know someone stares at you, in your back.

 

A lot of these things we are just born with but we lose them in the modern life. But many things we also simply not use or develop as skills anymore since maybe centuries, maybe we simply never did, maybe in another time of life thousands years ago. Who knows but it is all science.

Whats the name of the strain you are smoking? I have Alien Oreoz and its great but yours looks real good by way of effects.

[ChaiyaTH]

7 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Whats the name of the strain you are smoking? I have Alien Oreoz and its great but yours looks real good by way of effects.

You should ask what I am reading and how to get educated. Else you just get more and more shocking things that control you instead of you using it to enrich your own life. It's no different with the fact that one can earn money remotely on demand today while this used to cost 40 years career in sacrifice upfront before even considering. In a decade most people with many types of cancer get cured who still die from it daily today as well.

Many things in that way are like 'magic' including simple things like AI and it's capabilities so far already. Okay okay, you win, sativa indica hybrid. Weed works for me tho, since i signed up here all my predictions were correct. From economy to visa policy to covid to bitcoin to exchange rates, russia, trump and more. 

 

I have a crystal ball.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

If you are entering visa on arrival, you must be able to show 10,000 baht if individual or 20,000 baht for a family.

Yes. I made error.

My first post this thread in Jan Feb indicated 20k.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1347792-coming-in-visa-exempt-whats-need-right-now-jan-2-2024/

[Yagoda]

18 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

 

 

I have a crystal ball.

You need better translation software.

[kingstonkid]

2 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

What from? This IO was doing her job, and she let you in as a tourist even though didn't of the bookings genuine tourists have. Having you to book a hotel only was nicely lenient of her.

 

If you are coming to Bangkok to get your passport renewed, then obviously, you are going to need accommodations.  

 

It seems reasonable tht they would want to now where you are living or going to live.  most of us who travel book hotel accommodations in advance. So that should not have been an issue. 

 

But then again, most of us understand the game and play it better.

[Jaggg88]

12 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

All entries to Thailand (and any country for that matter) are at the discretion of the immigration officers at border control.  They can deny you entry if they want for whatever reason, it's at their discretion.

 

There are 3 requirements to enter as a tourist, but not often asked for:
1) Proof of funds (20,000 baht in cash or equivalent in another major currency)

2) Proof of onward travel (a ticket out of Thailand within the number of days you'll be stamped in for, not counting any potential extensions)

3) Proof of lodging (most often a hotel booking for the first few nights)

1) Correct

2) Correct

3) Contact address for the first 24 hours because after this time there will be a TM30

[Caldera]

6 hours ago, nomad22 said:

20,000 baht is required when entering visa exempt.  

 

No. That's for non-immigrant visa and tourist visa entries. It's 10,000 baht for visa exempt entries.

 

I posted the relevant police order here before and I'm not aware of any changes. 

 

Unless you post proof of an updated police order, you just posted a baseless claim. Note that certain border crossings on the Lao border that recently took action against "border runs" posted announcements mentioning a 10,000 baht cash requirement as well. 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

14 hours ago, Saigon said:

I have a few question now. Does the IO have the right to force me to book a room on the spot before they let me in? And does the IO have the right to deny me entry into Thailand if I refuse to book a room on the spot? I got really surprised when that IO asked me if I had booked my flight back home yet, though.

 

Why didn't you ask her?

[Stocky]

10 hours ago, Jack1988 said:

Always this female immigration. Nothing new. I always use immigration male and never had these kinds of problems

I always pick the queue with a female immigration officer, they're more often than not quicker than their male counterparts. 

[hotandsticky]

12 minutes ago, Stocky said:

I always pick the queue with a female immigration officer, they're more often than not quicker than their male counterparts. 

 

 

+1 .......and preferably a booth that has 2 people in attendance.

[Caldera]

18 minutes ago, nomad22 said:

 

I already posted a link to the Thai embassy in Washington DC that states it is 20,000 baht is required for visa exempt entries. 

https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visaexempt-voajul2024

 

I can sight more embassies and consulates that say the same thing if you like. 

https://www.thaiembassy.at/en/questions-answers-on-thai-visa.html

 

 

It is you that is posting a baseless claim with no reference, not me.

 

Embassies post wrong information about matters that are immigration's business on a regular basis.

 

As I mentioned, I had posted the relevant police order here before. You can also easily find the recent thread about the CURRENT requirements announced by Thai immigration checkpoints on the Lao border - straight from the horse's mouth so to speak. I'll leave it there, do your research.

[Upnotover]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Positive reports at end of attached thread.

Please update with your experience.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1347203-chong-mek-border-bounce-any-one-done-this-bounce-lately/

Seemingly she wasn't there today and my entry was without any drama, but with a re-entry permit I would not have expected any.

[hotandsticky]

1 minute ago, nomad22 said:

 

So no link or anything official?  Just baseless information again.

 

 

Doesn't mean that he is lying!

[Saigon]

7 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

What from? This IO was doing her job, and she let you in as a tourist even though didn't of the bookings genuine tourists have. Having you to book a hotel only was nicely lenient of her.

Did you read part of my last message? 555

 

>> Yes, she did sound rude and arrogant to me at first but had a big smile on her face when she gave my passport back to me in the end! I could see how stressful it must of been to her, even though it was her job. 

[BrandonJT]

8 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

No. That's for non-immigrant visa and tourist visa entries. It's 10,000 baht for visa exempt entries.

 

I posted the relevant police order here before and I'm not aware of any changes. 

 

Unless you post proof of an updated police order, you just posted a baseless claim. Note that certain border crossings on the Lao border that recently took action against "border runs" posted announcements mentioning a 10,000 baht cash requirement as well. 

 

 

This doesn't even mention visa exempt yet you are claiming it is the gold standard that says exactly that. Visa exempt is 20,000 for an individual or 40,000 baht for a family.  Which is exactly what they ask to see at the airport if you are entering visa exempt and they ask for proof of funds.

[Woke to Sounds]

On 2/14/2025 at 8:46 PM, ChaiyaTH said:

Is never a issue to work online since years. Let alone since the DTV now, it is like even desired. We younger online workers are like what all the oldies now want here more + tourists in general. It's the old guys / sex scene that is targeted as well as gangster types or simply brokies.

So you are saying if I showed up at Thai immigration and was asked why I'm in Thailand and if I said "Well, I'm working remotely" the IO would just stamp me in without suspicion?

 

I find that hard to believe.

 

We are nothing but tax slaves for the human cattle ranchers and every gov't wants its cut - including Thailand.

[Upnotover]

10 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

This doesn't even mention visa exempt yet you are claiming it is the gold standard that says exactly that. Visa exempt is 20,000 for an individual or 40,000 baht for a family.  Which is exactly what they ask to see at the airport if you are entering visa exempt and they ask for proof of funds.

 

[Caldera]

13 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

This doesn't even mention visa exempt yet you are claiming it is the gold standard that says exactly that. Visa exempt is 20,000 for an individual or 40,000 baht for a family.  Which is exactly what they ask to see at the airport if you are entering visa exempt and they ask for proof of funds.

 

1.) It does say visa exempt.

2.) You're welcome to dig out the original announcement signed by then-Minister of the Interior Banyat Banthatthan on May 8th, 2000 and published in the Royal Gazette on the following day. My quote is from an unofficial English translation, which I had posted here before. You're welcome to dig out a ministerial regulation issued later that supercedes this one.

 

Considering that Thai immigration at the Chiang Khong checkpoint posted the following just recently (when they stopped allowing same-day border runs), I have no reason to believe that your claim has any merit. As that announcement was posted after the 60-day visa exempt rules had gone into effect, it clearly applies to visa exempt entries under the current rules.

 

 

 

[josephbloggs]

This whole female vs male IO thing is nonsense in my opinion. Been living here for 30 years, never noticed any difference - they are just doing their jobs.

Had non B extensions based on employment for 29 years, quit my job last year and am now on non-O extension based on marriage. Came in yesterday after a trip to the UK. Male IO, spoke very good English.

- (Noticing my passport is full of various Thai stamps, re-entry permits etc) "You have a visa?"

- Yes. (He flicks through and finds it)
- "Ah, you have a Thai wife".

- Yes.
- "What do you do here?"
- Nothing, I just stay with  my wife and kids, relaxing.
- "Are you working?"

- No.
- "Do you speak Thai?"
- (In Thai), yes, I can, I have been living here a long time.
- "Where is your wife?"
- She's not with me, she's at home.

- "Ah, ok."
- "Where do you live?"
- (Gave my address in Thai)

- "Ok, thank you, don't forget your visa expires July 21st". Stamp.

All of the above was done with no hostility, with a smile, and took maybe 30-45 seconds. These guys are just doing their jobs and some basic questions are to be expected, they happen in every country.

I do get tired of these whiny threads about IO people just doing their jobs.

[hotandsticky]

8 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

This whole female vs male IO thing is nonsense in my opinion. Been living here for 30 years, never noticed any difference - they are just doing their jobs.

Had non B extensions based on employment for 29 years, quit my job last year and am now on non-O extension based on marriage. Came in yesterday after a trip to the UK. Male IO, spoke very good English.

- (Noticing my passport is full of various Thai stamps, re-entry permits etc) "You have a visa?"

- Yes. (He flicks through and finds it)
- "Ah, you have a Thai wife".

- Yes.
- "What do you do here?"
- Nothing, I just stay with  my wife and kids, relaxing.
- "Are you working?"

- No.
- "Do you speak Thai?"
- (In Thai), yes, I can, I have been living here a long time.
- "Where is your wife?"
- She's not with me, she's at home.

- "Ah, ok."
- "Where do you live?"
- (Gave my address in Thai)

- "Ok, thank you, don't forget your visa expires July 21st". Stamp.

All of the above was done with no hostility, with a smile, and took maybe 30-45 seconds. These guys are just doing their jobs and some basic questions are to be expected, they happen in every country.

I do get tired of these whiny threads about IO people just doing their jobs.

 

 

I am not whining but I can say that over 19 years the female IO's have been quicker and usually more pleasant.

 

 

That is fact    -    for me.

[brianburi]

13 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

I do get tired of these whiny threads about IO people just doing their jobs.

 Agree, right up there with the ''I have been here {insert years.......} and it's never happened to me threads.........

[Purdey]

Is immigration easier for Thais in the US, UK or EU?

Just want to compare.