Almost Refused Entry at Chiang Mai Airport -Be Warned! - 2nd Visa Exemption

[falangUK]

Just posting my recent experience coming back into Thailand in case it helps others.

I flew into Chiang Mai Airport after a two-night trip out of the country.  
Before that, I had stayed in Thailand for three months, under a 60-day Visa Exemption + extension.

 

I had everything ready  
- A booked onward flight leaving in 3 weeks time  
- 20,000 baht cash  
- Full hotel bookings

 

— but it didn’t matter. As soon as I handed over my passport and boarding pass, the problems started.

 

The immigration officer was extremely rude. She flipped through my passport like she was looking for trouble.  
The moment she saw I had only been out for two nights after staying three months, she flagged me immediately — no smile, no explanation.  
She passed me off to a younger officer who was a lot more polite. I got sent to secondary inspection.

 

At secondary:  
- They made me fill out a form with my flight details and hotel booking info.  
- They asked to show cash — and the officer literally counted each note one by one, like they were trying to find something wrong.

 

Luckily I had everything organised.  
The younger officer checked with the older ones sitting around, and after some discussion they stamped me in.

While I was waiting, I saw loads of people being pulled aside, filling out forms, and getting interviewed.  
It was clear some were going to be sent back. You could see the panic on their faces.

 

 

Meanwhile, the flight itself was half-empty.  
Hardly any foreigners are coming into the country anymore, and hotels are struggling like mad — but immigration officers still act like they’re managing an invasion.

There’s zero friendliness at the border anymore.  
It’s pure suspicion.  

 

Feels almost identical to just before COVID, when they were trying to push as many foreigners out as possible.  
Even back then they were rude when you were leaving.  
COVID destroyed the tourism industry — it’s like they haven’t learned a thing.

 

 

Warning if you're planning to come back in
- Book an onward flight  
- Carry 20,000 baht cash minimum   
- Keep hotel bookings offline too.  
- Mentally prepare for being treated like a criminal, even if your paperwork is perfect.

Final Thought
Thailand may still want your money — but it clearly doesn’t want you.  
If you still plan to come back, you better come back with your eyes wide open.

Why I'm Posting:
I’m sharing this because this forum (ASEANNOW / old Thaivisa) has been a huge help to me over the years.  
Guys like the late Ubonjoe helped me and so many others with their advice.  
So I just wanted to give back a bit — this isn’t drama or fear-mongering.  
It’s exactly what happened.

[Jack1988]

Always these female officers make trouble, nothing new. 

 

Just use safe entry and problem solved. Easy 

 

Better avoid to come back to Thailand after just a few days out of the country, but no issues with the safe entry service 

[Nick Carter icp]

 

You just ned to get a proper visa .

You can no longer stay in Thailand long term on visa exempts .

Get the correct visa for your stay 

[falangUK]

Yeah, usually when I exit, it's for a couple of months or even longer — sometimes a year or more.

 

This was the first time I tried coming back in after just two nights, and clearly, they didn’t like it. Lesson learned the hard way.

I’ve never used a safe entry service before — didn’t even think about it, honestly.

If anyone has tips or recommendations on a reliable one (especially for Chiang Mai or Bangkok), would appreciate it.
Would rather avoid going through that kind of stress again if it can be helped.

[Nick Carter icp]

8 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

but no issues with the safe entry service 

 

   Do they offer that service in CM ?

[DrJack54]

OP, couple of posts above stole my thunder.

So you did a two night bounce to reenter for basically back to back visa exempt entry.

Not surprising in the least.

Out of interest .,.have you always had visa exempt history?

Never a Non O etc

BTW: The scaremongering regarding guess work on changes to Non O extensions is based on "I heard" ..

 

You stated....."I heard (unconfirmed) that the retirement visa bank balance is going to be doubled soon, and that marriage visa rules might tighten too" 

 

Given your experience in Thailand am surprised that you are surprised with entry issue. 

 

Edit: changed thread title.

You would not be deported. You would possibly be refused entry. 

[falangUK]

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

You just ned to get a proper visa .

You can no longer stay in Thailand long term on visa exempts .

Get the correct visa for your stay 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah, honestly I’ve been out of Thailand for a long time —
this 3-month visa exemption + extension was the first time I stayed properly in years.

Before that, I wasn’t staying long-term at all.

Just wondering —
do they still issue SETVs (Single Entry Tourist Visas) in Vientiane or Penang?
Or any better options you’d recommend these days?
Even ED visas or whatever else — I’m open to suggestions if anyone’s had recent experience.

[falangUK]

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, couple of posts above stole my thunder.

So you did a two night bounce to reenter for basically back to back visa exempt entry.

Not surprising in the least.

Out of interest .,.have you always had visa exempt history?

Never a Non O etc

BTW: The scaremongering regarding guess work on changes to Non O extensions is based on "I heard" ..

 

You stated....."I heard (unconfirmed) that the retirement visa bank balance is going to be doubled soon, and that marriage visa rules might tighten too" 

 

Given your experience in Thailand am surprised that you are surprised with entry issue. 

Thanks 

Just to clarify:

 

No history of doing back-to-back visa exemptions before.

Was actually stuck in Thailand during COVID, 
 

Been out of the country most of last year and the year before.
 

Before COVID, I actually had an ED visa for a long time, so not purely visa exempt history.
 

This recent stay (3 months via visa exemption + extension) was the first stay in a long while.
 

Also — really sorry if the comments about retirement/marriage visa changes came across as scaremongering —
I’ve actually removed that part from my original post.

It was more a case of "this is the general mood I’m picking up" rather than anything official. Should have been clearer.

Honestly just surprised it happened at CNX (Chiang Mai Airport).
I usually don't fly in through BKK/DMK, so was wondering if anyone's seen this happening at smaller places like Satun, Sadao, etc these days?

Thanks for setting it straight — appreciated.

[Nick Carter icp]

8 minutes ago, falangUK said:

Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah, honestly I’ve been out of Thailand for a long time —
this 3-month visa exemption + extension was the first time I stayed properly in years.

Before that, I wasn’t staying long-term at all.

Just wondering —
do they still issue SETVs (Single Entry Tourist Visas) in Vientiane or Penang?
Or any better options you’d recommend these days?
Even ED visas or whatever else — I’m open to suggestions if anyone’s had recent experience.

 

   What is the reason you are staying in Thailand ?

[DrJack54]

OP, you asked about "safe entry services" ....here is link.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1V4UMpb27x/ 

 

100% guarantee. It's an option approx 4500b 

[DrJack54]

Off topic post removed along with reply. 

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, falangUK said:

Honestly just surprised it happened at CNX (Chiang Mai Airport).

I also find this very interesting.

When some airports went crazy in 2019 esp regarding refused entry.

The main culprit was DMK and to lesser extend BKK.

CNX was not refusing entry at that time

 

[Nick Carter icp]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, you asked about "safe entry services" ....here is link.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1V4UMpb27x/ 

 

100% guarantee. It's an option approx 4500b 

 

   I enquired with them a few days ago and they no longer offer a safe entry service at CM .

   I asked about safe entry at CM and they replied 

 

"Hi Nick , we have the safe entry airport services from BKK, DMK and HKT these days."

[DrJack54]

https://aseannow.com/topic/1345519-safe-entry-services-bkk-airport/

 

This thread link discusses safe entry experience.

Ignore OP link as that company no longer available. 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

I enquired with them a few days ago and they no longer offer a safe entry service at CM .

Thanks. The OP mentioned he may enter via Bangkok.

[DrJack54]

Off topic post removed 

[falangUK]

33 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   What is the reason you are staying in Thailand ?

Main reason I'm staying is because of the puppies I'm looking after.
But of course, the girlfriend thinks it's because of her..

[BrandonJT]

46 minutes ago, falangUK said:

Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah, honestly I’ve been out of Thailand for a long time —
this 3-month visa exemption + extension was the first time I stayed properly in years.

Before that, I wasn’t staying long-term at all.

Just wondering —
do they still issue SETVs (Single Entry Tourist Visas) in Vientiane or Penang?
Or any better options you’d recommend these days?
Even ED visas or whatever else — I’m open to suggestions if anyone’s had recent experience.

 

If you are going to stay in Chiang Mai then you' want to use a border bounce agency to drive you to Chiang Khong and get you out and back in, not a safe entry airport service.

 

As far as SETV goes, yes they are still available, but you have to apply online after entering those countries, and wait for the processing.  And a tourist visa won't really help you if you're at risk of being denied entry.  A tourist visa only signifies how long of a stamp you will receive IF they let you in.  Immigration views visa exempt and tourist visa both as tourist entries. You can't stay long-term in Thailand as a tourist, so there isn't really any difference.  You need an actual long-term visa, not a tourist visa.

[Jack1988]

Just use the safe entry at Bangkok airport and problem solved. You can come back as many times as you want with the safe entry 

 

It's just about pay more, make them happy and no issues 

[falangUK]

31 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I also find this very interesting.

When some airports went crazy in 2019 esp regarding refused entry.

The main culprit was DMK and to lesser extend BKK.

CNX was not refusing entry at that time

 

 

Yeah, exactly — same here.

In 14 years, never had any issues at CNX.
Always thought it was one of the easier airports —

just hand over the passport, smile, quick stamp, done.

This was the first time ever I saw secondary inspections happening at Chiang Mai.
And not just me — there were lots of people getting pulled aside.

 

Honestly, I also think you're right —
probably fallout from all the Pai problems and visa abuse stories.
Looks like they're trying to clamp down hard now — the kind of "clean-up" Big Joke always pushed for.
Problem is, the net is too wide — bad guys might still slip through, 

I've never worked in Thailand, and never will.

I'm not working, not overstaying, nothing shady — just here quietly spending.

I had the incident back in 2019, right after they introduced those scanners.
They nearly blocked me physically from exiting the country .
I literally had to ask the young lady officer to move aside so I could pass through.
 

BKK is still terrible too.
Last year, one of my friends — a one-percenter, very successful business owner — came to Thailand for just a 16-day holiday.
They held and questioned her at the airport about a six-night stay seven months earlier.
Absolutely baffling behaviour.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, falangUK said:

They held and questioned her at the airport about a six-night stay seven months earlier.
Absolutely baffling behaviour.

Given that you enjoy visiting Thailand and have not mentioned Non O , then you could consider a DTV as an option.

[Hellfire]

 Next time put 300 baht into your passport before handing it to the offcer. 

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

 Next time put 300 baht into your passport before handing it to the offcer. 

Unless you can back that up with first hand experience then don't post all. Not helpful. 

 

[safarimike11]

1 hour ago, falangUK said:

Just posting my recent experience coming back into Thailand in case it helps others.

I flew into Chiang Mai Airport after a two-night trip out of the country.  
Before that, I had stayed in Thailand for three months, under a 60-day Visa Exemption + extension.

 

I had everything ready  
- A booked onward flight leaving in 3 weeks time  
- 20,000 baht cash  
- Full hotel bookings

 

— but it didn’t matter. As soon as I handed over my passport and boarding pass, the problems started.

 

The immigration officer was extremely rude. She flipped through my passport like she was looking for trouble.  
The moment she saw I had only been out for two nights after staying three months, she flagged me immediately — no smile, no explanation.  
She passed me off to a younger officer who was a lot more polite. I got sent to secondary inspection.

 

At secondary:  
- They made me fill out a form with my flight details and hotel booking info.  
- They asked to show cash — and the officer literally counted each note one by one, like they were trying to find something wrong.

 

Luckily I had everything organised.  
The younger officer checked with the older ones sitting around, and after some discussion they stamped me in.

While I was waiting, I saw loads of people being pulled aside, filling out forms, and getting interviewed.  
It was clear some were going to be sent back. You could see the panic on their faces.

 

 

Meanwhile, the flight itself was half-empty.  
Hardly any foreigners are coming into the country anymore, and hotels are struggling like mad — but immigration officers still act like they’re managing an invasion.

There’s zero friendliness at the border anymore.  
It’s pure suspicion.  

 

Feels almost identical to just before COVID, when they were trying to push as many foreigners out as possible.  
Even back then they were rude when you were leaving.  
COVID destroyed the tourism industry — it’s like they haven’t learned a thing.

 

 

Warning if you're planning to come back in
- Book an onward flight  
- Carry 20,000 baht cash minimum   
- Keep hotel bookings offline too.  
- Mentally prepare for being treated like a criminal, even if your paperwork is perfect.

Final Thought
Thailand may still want your money — but it clearly doesn’t want you.  
If you still plan to come back, you better come back with your eyes wide open.

Why I'm Posting:
I’m sharing this because this forum (ASEANNOW / old Thaivisa) has been a huge help to me over the years.  
Guys like the late Ubonjoe helped me and so many others with their advice.  
So I just wanted to give back a bit — this isn’t drama or fear-mongering.  
It’s exactly what happened.

and give Chiang Mai a body-swerve.

[falangUK]

8 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

 Next time put 300 baht into your passport before handing it to the offcer. 

I don't mind making it 3000 but isn't bribing illegal here? 🤣

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, safarimike11 said:

and give Chiang Mai a body-swerve.

What does that even mean.

CNX is one airport that has not had history of refused entries.

In fact I have never read such a report. 

[falangUK]

Asking for a "friend" does anyone have contact details for SR Services?

[safarimike11]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

What does that even mean.

CNX is one airport that has not had history of refused entries.

In fact I have never read such a report. 

Fair comment.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, falangUK said:

Asking for a "friend" does anyone have contact details for SR Services?

SR services seem to have gone off radar.

The link I posted earlier along with thread has you covered.

Very recent report. 

[falangUK]

32 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Given that you enjoy visiting Thailand and have not mentioned Non O , then you could consider a DTV as an option.

worried about all the paperwork involved, don’t really know much about DTV,

i prefer staying short term and taking breaks in other countries, like 2-12 months then coming back.

used an ed visa before but ended up stuck here, which i hate, especially with TGF. only and main reason for being here is to be with my pups in thailand.