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Posted

Hello all, I got denied entry to Thailand. This was my second entry this year in 2025 (Visa exemption, using US passport). My prior entry this year was in Feb, 2025 and I stayed for 89 days total (60 days Visa Exemption + 30 days extension) after which I flew to Vietnam for 2 weeks and flew back to Thailand via BKK airport. The IO at the desk asked me what I will be doing here, and I stupidly mentioned that I will be traveling and might take some Muay Thai classes. The female IO immediately said you need to get DTV visa and that I have already stayed long enough (89 days) and was taken to this area where they made me fill out the form. I was hoping that I would get chance to explain the situation, because my intention wasn't really to take muay thai classes the whole time. I just wanted to take 1 or 2 classes and see how I would like it. I understand now that it was mistake on my part to mention this but I didn't get chance to talk to any other IOs after being escorted to the back area. I had enough funds to show for my travel, proof of legit onward travel and 1 week hotel booked which they didn't even ask.

 

What are my options now to go back to Thailand? I don't want to go DTV route as its an overkill. I don't plan to stay for 5 years as I need to go back to work.

If I attempt to enter again with Visa Exemption, I am worried that they will deny me again because they might have attached notes in their system that I need DTV. Is getting a Tourist visa safer bet? (but I think I need to go back to my home country to apply). Or should I use the "Safe Entry" services that others have mentioned in this forum?

How early can I safely attempt to go back again? 

Here's a brief history of my prior travels all on visa exemptions:

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I didn't get any rejection stamps on my passport and the airline crew assured me that I am not being blacklisted, but he said to wait at least 1 month before trying again. 

 

Edit: Have edited post at OP request. 

 

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Posted
3 minutes ago, thai006 said:

safe entry 4500b  and you can come without hassle  

https://friendlythaivisa.com/

 

unbelievable you get denied  just because  you stay 89 days in February 

I am pretty certain at this point that its because I mentioned "Muay thai". She said to get DTV for that and come back. I would have attempted to explain (not sure if that would have helped) that my primary intention was truly for travel and maybe take few muay thai classes here and there, but they rushed me to the area where there 30+ people crowded in there who were being asked to fill out the forms and then led to this bunker looking room where there was no wifi. I was also a <deleted> scared, ngl at that point. 

Posted
2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   He wanted to take Muy Thai classes and so he needed to get the correct visa for that 

i have thai child here , they can say to me  you need a non O to come  so i denied you , but not i come on a VE 

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Posted
1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   You don't have to stay for five years , you get 6 months stay upon entry.

 

I understand. But I dont even plan to stay for 6 months. Maybe 60 days max and then I need to head back to my country. Hence DTV is an overkill for me. 

Posted
26 minutes ago, ChangIsMyFavBeer said:

Even if i use this service, is there a cooldown period before i can attempt another entry, or will the agent take care of this?

Agent will access your situation and you won't have a problem. 

Chat directly with agent. 

Here is one

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

 

You state flew to Thailand from Vietnam. Saigon? 

What happened when you flew back to Vietnam? 

Are you visa exempt for Vietnam? 

What was the procedure? 

Where are you now? 

Posted
22 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Agent will access your situation and you won't have a problem. 

Chat directly with agent. 

Here is one

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

 

You state flew to Thailand from Vietnam. Saigon? 

What happened when you flew back to Vietnam? 

Are you visa exempt for Vietnam? 

What was the procedure? 

Where are you now? 

I flew in from Da Nang. I had single entry Vietnam visa so I wasn't accepted back in Vietnam either. They asked me to book a ticket to Singapore because i am visa exempt there. But I didn't wanted to go there, so I chose Malaysia instead which is where i am right now.

 

The bunker looking place in BKK didn't had any wifi or cell service. So, my airline agent turned on her wifi Hotspot and made me book the return flight to Vietnam at my own expense. The next available flight was only in the morning, so i had to stay in the detention center overnight which also i had to pay as well and was a hell hole. The whole thing was a traumatic experience.

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Posted
2 minutes ago, ChangIsMyFavBeer said:

I flew in from Da Nang. I had single entry Vietnam visa so I wasn't accepted back in Vietnam either. They asked me to book a ticket to Singapore because i am visa exempt there. But I didn't wanted to go there, so I chose Malaysia instead which is where i am right now.

 

The bunker looking place in BKK didn't had any wifi or cell service. So, my airline agent turned on her wifi Hotspot and made me book the return flight to Vietnam at my own expense. The next available flight was only in the morning, so i had to stay in the detention center overnight which also i had to pay as well and was a hell hole. The whole thing was a traumatic experience.

 

   How much will this all cost you ?

3 flights, IDC, hotels and Thailand entry fee ?

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Posted
1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   No, I was asking you how much it all cost ?

You can take a guess its pretty simple. 

For what reason I fail to see the point. 

 

Posted
27 minutes ago, ChangIsMyFavBeer said:

I flew in from Da Nang. I had single entry Vietnam visa so I wasn't accepted back in Vietnam either. They asked me to book a ticket to Singapore because i am visa exempt there. But I didn't wanted to go there, so I chose Malaysia instead which is where i am right now.

 

So you flew back to Da Nang first, where they didn't let you in and asked you to fly elsewhere? Who did you talk to there, Vietnamese immigration or just an airline rep?

 

I'm surprised that they didn't try to sell you a new overpriced "super urgent" visa for Vietnam, but then again, there doesn't seem to be any consistency in how they handle this.

 

As for Thailand, you won't have any trouble getting in using a safe entry service. Anytime. 

Posted

Your experience seems to confirm that Immigration is pretty serious about (what they see as) over-use and/or abuse of the Visa Exemption. They also talked about abandoning the 60 day Visa Exemption and returning it to 30 days. And a room (bunker) full of people also being kicked out. Not very encouraging news. 

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Posted
45 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

They also talked about abandoning the 60 day Visa Exemption and returning it to 30 days.

 

That's decided by MoFA, not Immigration.

Posted
58 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

So you flew back to Da Nang first, where they didn't let you in and asked you to fly elsewhere? Who did you talk to there, Vietnamese immigration or just an airline rep?

 

I'm surprised that they didn't try to sell you a new overpriced "super urgent" visa for Vietnam, but then again, there doesn't seem to be any consistency in how they handle this.

 

As for Thailand, you won't have any trouble getting in using a safe entry service. Anytime. 

Thats correct. I was basically forced to buy ticket back to Da Nang (where I came from, same VietJet airline. I dont think i had choice to choose destination/airline at that point). I was escorted by the airline all the way to the back of the plane to my seat, before other passengers. Same thing, in reverse order once I landed in Da Nang, then escorted to IOs in Vietnam. There they were in no rush to process me, i had to wait another 4-5 hours. Then they asked me to fly to Singapore which I declined and chose to fly to Malaysia instead with a different airline at earlier time than VietJet. I even asked Vietnam IOs if I could pay the extra fee to get the expedited emergency visa to enter Vietnam but they were adamant about not letting me in. Then right before boarding the flight to Malaysia, I was given my passport back. 

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Posted

Hold on, let me guess a second! Did you say Thai female officer? OPS! Nothing new 🥱

 

However, when folks come without a visa or with a tourist visa, they should just answer: I come to Thailand just to travel and enjoy the country. Nothing else 

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Posted
56 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Your experience seems to confirm that Immigration is pretty serious about (what they see as) over-use and/or abuse of the Visa Exemption. They also talked about abandoning the 60 day Visa Exemption and returning it to 30 days. And a room (bunker) full of people also being kicked out. Not very encouraging news. 

Yes, btw I wasn't the only one there that day being flown back. There were other folks too, not really sure what their situation was. Some were arguing with the airline crews about choosing different flight/destination or not wanting to stay in the detention center, but I dont think it worked for them. 

  • Like 1
Posted
1 hour ago, Caldera said:

As for Thailand, you won't have any trouble getting in using a safe entry service. Anytime. 

Just curious: it's possible to come back to Thailand on exemption using the safe entry more than one time?

Posted
11 minutes ago, ChangIsMyFavBeer said:

Yes, btw I wasn't the only one there that day being flown back. There were other folks too, not really sure what their situation was. Some were arguing with the airline crews about choosing different flight/destination or not wanting to stay in the detention center, but I dont think it worked for them. 

 

It is a very traumatic experience. But if you use the safe entry agent you will be fine and get a visa waiver.

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Posted
3 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Just curious: it's possible to come back to Thailand on exemption using the safe entry more than one time?

 

I am sure it is. It is purely transactional. The IO is in on the transaction.

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Posted
20 minutes ago, ChangIsMyFavBeer said:

whats a visa waiver? same as visa exemption?

You have correct answer above. 

Just to add to your thread... 

For others.. You can always opt to enter via land border. 

Of course that's depends on location. 

Posted
57 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Just curious: it's possible to come back to Thailand on exemption using the safe entry more than one time?

 

Yes, I know people who use it several times per year. They basically live in Thailand visa exempt but need to go to their home countries or elsewhere sometimes. 

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