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

[novacova]

2 hours ago, falangUK said:

She flipped through my passport like she was looking for trouble.

That’s the job of the IO, what do you expect?

2 hours ago, falangUK said:

The moment she saw I had only been out for two nights after staying three months, she flagged me immediately — no smile, no explanation.

Smile and explanation isn’t required.

2 hours ago, falangUK said:

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.

Such drama. They’re making sure that you are compliant.

[gk10012001]

Very informative post as I plan on doing the exact same thing before this year is out as I semi retire from my contract job in the USA.  I plan to go to Thailand on the 60 day visa exempt + 30 day extension.  Then I guess I would leave Thailand for a few nights and then come back in and do the 60 + 30 one more time.  And I of course will plan my travels so that I am NOT in Thailand for  180 days or more to avoid any involvement with those recent Tax rules.

[falangUK]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

SR services seem to have gone off radar.

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

Very recent report. 

thanks so much, read that thread, also saw Tod Daniels mentioned sr so thought it was worth asking.

 

[Hellfire]

31 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

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

 

That was a joke

[thai006]

Use safe entry  next time from Bangkok. 4500b and easy entry 

[DrJack54]

22 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

I plan to go to Thailand on the 60 day visa exempt + 30 day extension.  Then I guess I would leave Thailand for a few nights and then come back in and do the 60 + 30 one more time

Do the second visa exempt entry via a land border bounce using an agent minivan company.

Zero issue

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

That was a joke

Post fact. Joke in pub forum. 

[Hellfire]

To the OP.

 

Apply for the VISA at the embassies of the neighboring countries.  Laos is a good choice. Now they ask to present your bank statements. Get 10k usd or more to your bank account statements which you will present to the embassy people. Will never have any problem when they see you have some money. For the Thais- money is the sacred thing, on the par with Buddha himself.

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, falangUK said:

thanks so much, read that thread, also saw Tod Daniels mentioned sr so thought it was worth asking.

 

Contact this mob 

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

[Furioso]

If you're not paying significant baht for visa/visa service then expect trouble at point of entry. 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

To the OP.

 

Apply for the VISA at the embassies of the neighboring countries.  Laos is a good choice. Now they ask to present your bank statements. Get 10k usd or more to your bank account statements which you will present to the embassy people. Will never have any problem when they see you have some money. For the Thais- money is the sacred thing, on the par with Buddha himself.

Don't understand any aspect of this advice.

Visa application outside of Thailand is now done via e-Visa platform. 

Laos would actually be last choice as the process time time there is very unclear.

Even e-Visa for Thailand from eg Vietnam would most likely take up to 5 business days.

Finally ...what visa do you suggest the OP applies for? 

Currently visa exempt and SETV provide 60 days. 

[norsurin]

When i read this story between the lines i think that the OP was expecting problems when entry Thailand again.

Why he did all this things about bookings..20.000 baht cash etc Its more about this story what the poster want to tell.I guess he didn't tell the whole truth about border runs back and forward to Thailand.

 

 

[Hellfire]

25 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't understand any aspect of this advice.

Visa application outside of Thailand is now done via e-Visa platform. 

Laos would actually be last choice as the process time time there is very unclear.

Even e-Visa for Thailand from eg Vietnam would most likely take up to 5 business days.

Finally ...what visa do you suggest the OP applies for? 

Currently visa exempt and SETV provide 60 days. 

My advice is based on my 2 years old experience. The things could change since. 

[Jack1988]

1 hour ago, falangUK said:

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.

Then just use the safe entry or try to stay out of Thailand for some months and then come back again 

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Hellfire said:

My advice is based on my 2 years old experience. The things could change since. 

Certainly have. Obtaining any visa from places such as Savannakhet and Vientiane consulates ended end of 2024. 

Now visas for Thailand are obtained via e-Visa platform. 

[Hellfire]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Certainly have. Obtaining any visa from places such as Savannakhet and Vientiane consulates ended end of 2024. 

Now visas for Thailand are obtained via e-Visa platform. 

Good to know

[pub2022]

So many visa options available nowadays, why don't you use one?

Then do not be surprised if they give you a hard time.

You can even apply for a visa online!

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, gk10012001 said:

Very informative post as I plan on doing the exact same thing before this year is out as I semi retire from my contract job in the USA.  I plan to go to Thailand on the 60 day visa exempt + 30 day extension.  Then I guess I would leave Thailand for a few nights and then come back in and do the 60 + 30 one more time.  And I of course will plan my travels so that I am NOT in Thailand for  180 days or more to avoid any involvement with those recent Tax rules.

 

   Its been said that it will be going down to 30 days instead of 60 days upon entry soon

[NorthernRyland]

what was happening before that 3 months though? were you on tons of visa exempts over years? Were you dressed strangely and wearing elephant pants and dreadlocks or anything like that which could annoy them? Something must have set that woman off in your case.

 

Just bad luck maybe, you could have had a totally different experience with another officer probably.

[Nick Carter icp]

4 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

what was happening before that 3 months though? were you on tons of visa exempts over years? Were you dressed strangely and wearing elephant pants and dreadlocks or anything like that which could annoy them? Something must have set that woman off in your case.

 

Just bad luck maybe, you could have had a totally different experience with another officer probably.

 

   Many people have been questioned if they have spent a few months in Thailand  and then come back a few days later on Visa exempt .

  The message is to get a proper visa and not to use visa exempts to stay in Thailand long term

[NorthernRyland]

9 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   Many people have been questioned if they have spent a few months in Thailand  and then come back a few days later on Visa exempt .

 

 

Are they still doing the 2 visa exempts entries per year rule? I thought as long as you follow those guidelines you were legal and good to go, hence why I question if there were other factors involved.

[falangUK]

1 hour ago, thai006 said:

Use safe entry  next time from Bangkok. 4500b and easy entry 

Friendly Thai Visa Services, right? Was it at BKK or DMK? Can I assume those services are legitimate and won't cause problems later? It’s not really worth it for just a couple of months in Thailand.

Next time, use Safe Entry from Bangkok — 4500 baht and smooth process.

[falangUK]

28 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Many people have been questioned if they have spent a few months in Thailand  and then come back a few days later on Visa exempt .

  The message is to get a proper visa and not to use visa exempts to stay in Thailand long term

unless paying for a safe entry i guess?

[JoseThailand]

"Get a proper visa!"

[falangUK]

18 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Are they still doing the 2 visa exempts entries per year rule? I thought as long as you follow those guidelines you were legal and good to go, hence why I question if there were other factors involved.

probably the 2-entry limit is for land border crossings, I don’t think there’s a limit for airport entries, which might restrict the busksheeh flow?

[falangUK]

2 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

Get a proper visa!

yeah just going to apply for an English teaching job 🤣🤣🤣

[freedomnow]

Maybe they could see OPs entire "14 years through CM Airport no problem before " history.

 

I think the back-to-back visa-exempt route will be limited soon. It is in their interest to nail it further.

[NorthernRyland]

2 minutes ago, falangUK said:

probably the 2-entry limit is for land border crossings, I don’t think there’s a limit for airport entries, which might restrict the busksheeh flow?

I forget but you may be right, however they have been known to clamp down on air travel if there is a long history. Were you doing the visa exempts more than twice a year for multiple years? That may have been the reason. I don't think you can get away with that anymore and Chiang Mai isn't what it used to be, they're getting inundated by people too and it's change a lot over the recent years in particular.

[gk10012001]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Its been said that it will be going down to 30 days instead of 60 days upon entry soon

yes I have read that.  I am hoping it stays at least for the next few months so I can at least take advantage of it this year, probably August is my travel time.  I would love to get 90 days in or at least the 60 days with little effort.  Have done an extension now and then over a decade ago and it was not a big deal really.  But 60 + 30 would be the bee's knees, 

[it is what it is]

 

too many people feel entitled to stay in thailand, they use tourist visa exempt entry to stay here long term i.e. they are not tourists. obtain the appropriate visa for your status in the country and you'll have no problems, try to misuse the visa system don't be surprised and/or complain if you do have problems. is this difficult to understand?

 

regarding female IOs, i've never had any problem, of issue, with any IO, male or female, but then i have the appropriate visa for my entry to, and time in, the country.