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

[sqwakvfr]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What did you expect her to do, just wave you through without checking?   What you are reporting is that she checked your passport and then stamped you in.

Ah no. She checked every page of the passport even after I pointed to where the Re Entry permit was.  In my case the relevaant documents wereL 1) The passport 2) The Re Entry Permit 3) OA Visa Health Insurance 4) Boarding Pass. All were presented when I arrived at the check in counter.  In the past this process took about 2 minutes.  This time it took 10 minutes.  Is this enough of an explanation to you? 

[sqwakvfr]

46 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

.

?? Nothing? 

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, ChaiyaTH said:

You are the one who seems to defend them while you clearly not travel much, if you saw how they were treating people you would not state this. They were quite stupid too accusing people of did having applied for a Laos visa, not knowing you get those on arrival same as Cambodia.

 

They also act contradictory to the actual immigration laws by implementing these own made rules at immigration entry points, as well as embassies and consulates. For example a non-o now requires 400k baht already to get the single entry visa, while this is only in reality needed for a yearly extension. It also goes against the UN convention child rights that Thailand committed too. 

 

I know anecdotal information is 'thin'... But, I've only ever had one issue where a young male immigration officer was making a mistake (limiting my entry permission), it was senior female officer who resolved the issue.

 

Its seems that in all but rare circumstances, those having difficulties are doing border bounces, or are missing funds or lack documentation, they get upset and post bias but are less than 100% clear themselves with their complaints on here.

 

... for example: You complained that a Single Entry Non-O now requires 400,000 Baht in the Bank - it always has a requirement, so your information (complaint) is wrong.

[for a Non-Imm O (i.e. based on Marriage) you need proof of 400,000 baht, and then for an extension that needs to be seasoned].

 

You also complain about the UN convention of Children's rights?? 

What convention is this ?

Does the UK not have similar requirements - if our son, schools in the UK, my Wife can only get guardian rights until he's 12.

 

The issue with complaints such as yours if you voice anecdote without knowing the rules - no wonder people complain, their sense of entitlement exceeds their knowledge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BangkokReady]

22 hours ago, falangUK said:

Thailand may still want your money — but it clearly doesn’t want you.

 

Twas ever thus and ever thus shall be.

[Liverpool Lou]

58 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Could you be specific about some of your alleged "many entry denials regardless of everything being in order", please?

Do you read this forum regularly?  IOs have literally waived-away those trying to present their list of the required items - money, etc. 

 

They say, "You come too much" - then they break their own laws, by stamping a LIE reason in the passport for why they denied entry - "not having funds" - after refusing to look at the person trying to present the required funds.

Do "they"?  Yet you can not refer to one single specific case from your "knowledge" of the "many"?

 

"IOs have literally waived-away those trying to present their list of the required items - money, etc."

"Waived-away [sic]"?  You mean waived the requirements?  That doesn't bolster your argument at all.  An example would be a good idea.

[Liverpool Lou]

25 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What did you expect her to do, just wave you through without checking?   What you are reporting is that she checked your passport and then stamped you in.

Ah no. She checked every page of the passport even after I pointed to where the Re Entry permit was.  In my case the relevaant documents wereL 1) The passport 2) The Re Entry Permit 3) OA Visa Health Insurance 4) Boarding Pass. All were presented when I arrived at the check in counter.  In the past this process took about 2 minutes.  This time it took 10 minutes.  Is this enough of an explanation to you? 

All that it explains is that your passport/documents were checked as is normal and required and you were stamped in without an issue.

[BrandonJT]

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

They also act contradictory to the actual immigration laws by implementing these own made rules at immigration entry points, as well as embassies and consulates. For example a non-o now requires 400k baht already to get the single entry visa, while this is only in reality needed for a yearly extension. It also goes against the UN convention child rights that Thailand committed too. 

What? A non-O visa DOES require money to get it. To apply for a non-O based on marriage you must show proof of 400,000 baht. That IS the rule. 

 

And embassies and consulates don't make any rules about entering Thailand, that's immigration that does that.  And wtf does the UN and child rights have anything to do with entering Thailand? 

[LittleBear57]

Flew in from Danang last Thursday to BKk no issues at all minimal queues lady polite and friendly. I'm on a retirement visa and came back from a holiday with my Thai family. Maybe it's down to the type of visa held.

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

I'm on a retirement visa and came back from a holiday with my Thai family.

The OP was relating entering Thailand visa exempt back to back.

Nothing at all to do with folk with a reentry permit.

[ujayujay]

On 4/28/2025 at 8:35 PM, Hellfire said:

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

Stupid as stupid......

[Chalky0w]

Don’t think anyone should be overly concerned by this. 

Rightly or wrongly, there are red flags:

- Previous Ed visa

- Previous covid extensions

- Only 2 days out

- Visa exempt & extension rather than METV

 

Think that is reasonable justification for immigration to ask a few questions and they let him in.

 

[frank83628]

Its all down to the officer on the day, I blagged tourist visas at ranong for at least 7yrs, but was always polite and dressed respectively.  if  got asked for a duty free birthday present in the form of a Johnny Walker whiskey for 500BT... so be it...I am today legal since 15 years and have absolutely no issues with my stamps, and even have preferential treatment from previous the same officers.

[BrandonJT]

2 hours ago, Chalky0w said:

Don’t think anyone should be overly concerned by this. 

Rightly or wrongly, there are red flags:

- Previous Ed visa

- Previous covid extensions

- Only 2 days out

- Visa exempt & extension rather than METV

 

Think that is reasonable justification for immigration to ask a few questions and they let him in.

 

METV doesn't even mean anything anymore.  Multiple reports of people doing a 3rd border bounce at the end of their METV and being pulled out of line and interrogated about what they think they are doing, as they've already spent almost 6 months in Thailand and are clearly not a tourist.  Tourist visas don't mean anything anymore.  Either act like a tourist or expect problems if you don't have a long-term visa.

[khunJam]

On 4/28/2025 at 6:43 PM, 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.

 I just went through immigration a couple days ago in Chiangmai and seen no such thing. My guess is that when the immigration officer started flipping through your passport you gave off a destine look or vibe and she responded accordingly. So many posts here from those that nitpick every nuance of immigration officers and their responses are well deserved to those that do. 

[khunJam]

On 4/28/2025 at 10:33 AM, ukrules said:

 

There never was, the smiles are fake.

 

Fake or not be polite. Being a butthead is counter productive.

[khunJam]

On 4/28/2025 at 4:51 PM, impulse said:

 

Though the OP is a good heads up, I'd suggest that someone without 14 years of experience needn't worry so much.  There's people reading in that are now unnecessarily worried about their 2nd or 3rd ever entry. 

 

And even with 14 years of entering Thailand, the OP was still allowed in on visa exempt after filling in some paperwork and answering some questions.  Which is a good cautionary tale to have your documents and cash lined up. 

 

 

I find that the OP has some credibility issues here 

[khunJam]

15 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Indeed, it is,  You were temporarily checked and then you were stamped in.

The IOs were just doing the job that they are paid to do.  You were here legitimately but you may not have been.

Exactly, the OP making a whole lot of noise over nothing.

15 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

The IO was, literally, making sure that everything was in order, as is his job.

This is an annoyance for those who believe that that have special entitlements.

[khunJam]

15 hours ago, falangUK said:

not keen to come back to Thailand at all, except for the pups and a bit for TGF

Good, forget the pups and TGF because there are plenty in this world.

[sqwakvfr]

16 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

All that it explains is that your passport/documents were checked as is normal and required and you were stamped in without an issue.

I think you missed the point of most discussions about Thai Immigration.  The Why and ast as to how Immigration conducts entry at airports always draws a lot of interest.  This question has never been answered:

How many visa exempts per year?  I have never heard a clear answer.  Also, what are the reasons for extra scrutiny at entry control points?  In my case I have been entering Thailand quickly and without delay for 7+ years until now.  I always present my passport and all required document to the IO at the entry counter.  No delay until now in year 8.  OF course asking the question "why?" in Thaialnd rarely yields a complete and clear answer.  This is the point.  

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I think you missed the point of most discussions about Thai Immigration.  The Why and ast as to how Immigration conducts entry at airports always draws a lot of interest.

Earlier you posted that you had a reentry permit and immigration took some time in stamping you into Thailand.

 

That is atypical. With a reentry permit you should have been stamped in quickly. 

 

The thread is about entering Thailand by air without a visa or reentry permit.

Flying visa exempt. 

[sqwakvfr]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Earlier you posted that you had a reentry permit and immigration took some time in stamping you into Thailand.

 

That is atypical. With a reentry permit you should have been stamped in quickly. 

 

The thread is about entering Thailand by air without a visa or reentry permit.

Flying visa exempt. 

It is related because it involved entering the country at an aiport and dealing with IO's.  Consistency seems to be  lacking when on enters at an airport in LOS.  

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Consistency seems to be  lacking when on enters at an airport in LOS.  

Up until Covid I was traveling out/into Thailand every month or other month for several years.

Always with a reentry permit (extensions retirement) 

Never once had an issue. 

Pretty consistent.

As stated have no idea why your passport was examined as it was. 

[SLOWHAND225]

18 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Really?  How could you know that without interviewing them all, where you standing alongside "every single person" getting stamped in?

Are you drunk ?

Because they packed everyone in a 10X15 space and all conversations happened right there in front of everyone. Pretty simple

[sqwakvfr]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Up until Covid I was traveling out/into Thailand every month or other month for several years.

Always with a reentry permit (extensions retirement) 

Never once had an issue. 

Pretty consistent.

As stated have no idea why your passport was examined as it was. 

Answers are hard to come by in LOS. I learned this lesson a long time ago. I no longer ask any Thai person "Why?". I just accept what they say/do or not.  When I used to ask Why it usually resulted in a negative outcome for me.

[Letseng]

On 4/28/2025 at 6:43 PM, 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.

 

On 4/28/2025 at 6:43 PM, 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.

Have you ever met friendly immigration officers anywhere in the world? Ask yourself why immigration treats people like offenders? Because too many abuse the system.  It is no different in other countries. Btw, tourist nos. are low due to low season.

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

19 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

All that it explains is that your passport/documents were checked as is normal and required and you were stamped in without an issue.

I think you missed the point of most discussions about Thai Immigration.

No, I did not, the point of most whinging about IOs is just that, Thai-bashing and whinging, when all that is going on is IOs doing their job of making sure those trying to enter Thailand are legitimate.

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Answers are hard to come by in LOS. I learned this lesson a long time ago. I no longer ask any Thai person "Why?". I just accept what they say/do or not.  When I used to ask Why it usually resulted in a negative outcome for me.

Possibly related to your perceived negative input to that person.

[pacovl46]

23 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Somehow, some folks seem to think immigration 'really care" about "the rules," as they run a payoff agent-workaround on the side.  This system makes a mockery of "accordance with the law." 

 

Legally, there is no limit in the law for "how long" a person can be a "tourist" in Thailand - nor any published set of "rules" regarding how long you need to stay out between tourist-type entries.  They clearly do not want people to be able to simply follow stated rules, as that would not facilitate their agent-system.

 

It's time to take off the blinders - things work "differently" here.  Ask any Thai how it goes dealing with their rural land-office; this is not a problem limited to Immigration.

Of course there’s a limit to how long you can be a tourist. At least there used to be. It’s 6 months per year, a.k.a. a triple entry tourist visa. I think there’s also a 3x3 month family visa thing. Not a 100% on that one, though. Also, just because there’s corruption in Thailand doesn’t mean that all of them are corrupt and the law is the law and a lot of people have been abusing it. So every now and then you have to deal with stuff like the OP. 

[sqwakvfr]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, I did not, the point of most whinging about IOs is just that, Thai-bashing and whinging, when all that is going on is IOs doing their job of making sure those trying to enter Thailand are legitimate.

Ok.  I get that the iO's are doing their jobs but just my experience on entering the country several times a year for the lat 7 years is that based upon the location and in some case based upon the specifi IO the range of "doing their jobs" seems to be very wide.  If this is bashing or whining then so be it.  I would not disagree with you esteemed opinon. 

[sqwakvfr]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Possibly related to your perceived negative input to that person.

Wow. "Percieved negative input".  Never heard of this phrase.  Can you elaborate on this?