Immigration Blacklist

[Iambabababor]

My son was blacklisted 5 years ago for working without a permit. His passport bears a stamp to this effect

I recently checked with Pattaya immigration and they said nothing was shown on their computer. However my son has told me that others deported with him at the same time have had no trouble obtaining tourist visas from overseas embassies, but at the airport the computer shows them as being personna non grata and they are not allowed entry. He fears the same will happen to him if he attempts re-entry despite what Pattaya immigration have said (They will not put this in writing)

Does anyone know where a reliable check can be made

[Shrubbery]

How about getting a new passport.

[Iambabababor]

How about getting a new passport.

A new passport is of course a must. However the computer at the airport checks name and nationality, which would of course remain the same.

[cali4995]

Well, since no-one else is taking a crack at this, and I apparently don't have enough sense

not to, here goes: Probably the most definitive way to find out would be through your

respective embassy in Bangkok. I know that doesn't seem to make sense but most

embassies have Thai nationals working there as well, and they can get on the telephone

and machine-gun Thai those questions away to the gov't dept that will have the answer. I

would think the embassy was there to assist it's own citizens at times and that doesn't seem

like an unreasonable request given that, as you say, you might only find out at the airport.

[Andiamo]

Alternatively, why not call up the Immigration Dept directly in Bangkok and ask the specifiic question about the personna non-grata list? Ask to be be put through to the person who deals with the Blacklist.

I presume you would have to provide details:- Name, DOB, Passport No and Country of Passport, previous deportation date and reason etc.

The other option would be to engage a "Reputable" Lawyer who specialises in Immigration cases to do this on your behalf. Although this would cost you a little, at least you could find out for sure and probably get it confirmed in writing so that if your son does have any hassles at Immigration, this can be produced. As an aside, it may be worth making sure he arrives on a morning flight when Immigration Officers/Lawyers etc are contactable....

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

[Shrubbery]

How about getting a new passport.

A new passport is of course a must. However the computer at the airport checks name and nationality, which would of course remain the same.

So you are saying that no 2 people from the same country have the same name.

I know for a fact that there is at least 1 other person from my home country with same Full name and date of Birth.

[astral]

John Smith in the UK.......

[percy2]

How about getting a new passport.

A new passport is of course a must. However the computer at the airport checks name and nationality, which would of course remain the same.

So you are saying that no 2 people from the same country have the same name.

I know for a fact that there is at least 1 other person from my home country with same Full name and date of Birth.

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

[astral]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

[cali4995]

A good follow-up question would be, if you are on the blacklist, is there any way

to get your name off of there (for less serious offences). It does seem to be kind

of an avoidance thing. People don't want the same ugly episode twice, so they're

hesitant to make these checks. That counsel / lawyer is maybe a good idea, I just can't imagine trying to have that detailed a conversation over the phone with immigration.

Do let us know what you discover, I'm sure it would benefit others.

[ytivarg]

From what I hear one is usually put on the blacklist for 1 to 5 years if the crime is not that serious. I doubt that your son got a lifetime blacklist for working without a work permit.

[Iambabababor]

From what I hear one is usually put on the blacklist for 1 to 5 years if the crime is not that serious. I doubt that your son got a lifetime blacklist for working without a work permit.

One hears many things, but often they are not correct.

Thanks to all for your comments and advice,. I have already approached the British Embassy and may well contact immigration in Bangkok, but a telephone call is unlikely to be of much help.

With regards to a new passport, I only know what my son has said and that is that checks are made on name and date of birth. There are of course many many John Smiths and others, but no doubt the immigration have a way of finding out which one is the deported one.

If i get a satisfactory solution I will post again with the result.

[Andiamo]

From what I hear one is usually put on the blacklist for 1 to 5 years if the crime is not that serious. I doubt that your son got a lifetime blacklist for working without a work permit.

One hears many things, but often they are not correct.

Thanks to all for your comments and advice,. I have already approached the British Embassy and may well contact immigration in Bangkok, but a telephone call is unlikely to be of much help.

With regards to a new passport, I only know what my son has said and that is that checks are made on name and date of birth. There are of course many many John Smiths and others, but no doubt the immigration have a way of finding out which one is the deported one.

If i get a satisfactory solution I will post again with the result.

My suggestion of a telephone call was to avoid the need to come to BKK and meet face-to-face with Immigration as I got the impression you live in Buriram. Alternatively, you could 'requisition' a Thai friend to call for you and ask . But meaning as you have already contacted the British Embassy, the latter is probably the better option.

So, as it seems it would be far better if the British Embassy can help you out - it is probably worth asking them to get written signed confirmation so your son has an official document in case he does get hassled when he lands....

If for some reason the Embassy cannot help, (or take too long to process), they do provide a list of Lawyers which although the Embassy cannot be seen to be endorsing any particular Lawyers Office, I believe the ones listed have had a lot of experience with dealing with foreigners. Therefore, it would be just a case of you ringing around, expolaining your sitiation and asking if they have done work like this before and if you were to engage their services, the cost, process, length of time etc.

Best of luck and do post back any update.

[cali4995]

Andiamo, we appreciate your rational, intelligent girl responses but I must remind

you that we're guys.Stuff we do usually involves tattoos and beer with

much swaggering about. One of our brethren is only in a predicament here because

a mistake was apparently made. Our solutions to problems don't have

to be logical as long as their done the guy way.Only kidding, we value

your perspective, all your points make good sense especially the written confirmation.

[Prakanong]

From what I hear one is usually put on the blacklist for 1 to 5 years if the crime is not that serious. I doubt that your son got a lifetime blacklist for working without a work permit.

One hears many things, but often they are not correct.

Thanks to all for your comments and advice,. I have already approached the British Embassy and may well contact immigration in Bangkok, but a telephone call is unlikely to be of much help.

With regards to a new passport, I only know what my son has said and that is that checks are made on name and date of birth. There are of course many many John Smiths and others, but no doubt the immigration have a way of finding out which one is the deported one.

If i get a satisfactory solution I will post again with the result.

Now I am not advocating this but how desperate is he to get in - what about changing name by deed poll?

I know of one prominent Farang business owner who has done this - he will remain nameless of course but most have seen his adverts about on various forums (not this one). I only found out by accident when chatting with someone who used to work with him - I did not even know he had been deported but its apparently funny to shout his old name if you see him in a bar - never seen him since 2000 so have not tried.

[Andiamo]

Andiamo, we appreciate your rational, intelligent girl responses but I must remind

you that we're guys.Stuff we do usually involves tattoos and beer with

much swaggering about. One of our brethren is only in a predicament here because

a mistake was apparently made. Our solutions to problems don't have

to be logical as long as their done the guy way.Only kidding, we value

your perspective, all your points make good sense especially the written confirmation.

Thanks Cali4995...

"Hic, Another Beer, Bar man", she yelled, as she swaggered past and pushed & shoved all the guys in line at the Bar in her rush to go get yet ANOTHER Tattoo that Saturday nite!

[percy2]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Cheers

[ThaidleHands]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Probably meant the two lines of machine-readable code at the bottom of the photo page.

[Iambabababor]

Have heard this morning from British Embassy. They state that Immigration will not tell them who is blacklisted and have suggested a direct approach to Bangkok Immigration.

This I am arranging to do.

More feedback as it occurs

[percy2]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Probably meant the two lines of machine-readable code at the bottom of the photo page.

My passport(s) have no machine-readable/Bar code at the bottom of the photo page or anywhere else.

Same as millions of other people.

Cheers

[Manchester]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Probably meant the two lines of machine-readable code at the bottom of the photo page.

My passport(s) have no machine-readable/Bar code at the bottom of the photo page or anywhere else.

Same as millions of other people.

Cheers

Are you a UK citizen Percy?

[Prakanong]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Probably meant the two lines of machine-readable code at the bottom of the photo page.

My passport(s) have no machine-readable/Bar code at the bottom of the photo page or anywhere else.

Same as millions of other people.

Cheers

Are you a UK citizen Percy?

Some of the Embassy issued ones have no machine readable code - even Singapore was issuing these not too long ago till they git the chipped ones through

My recent one from Singapore though has both chip and MRC

[begsaresponse]

My passport was issued in the UK 2005 and has no bar codes etc! However there is this "<GBNAME<<NAME<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<numberGBnumber<<<<<<<<<<<<<number"

Strange!

[ThaidleHands]

My passport was issued in the UK 2005 and has no bar codes etc! However there is this "<GBNAME<<NAME<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<numberGBnumber<<<<<<<<<<<<<number"

Strange!

The previously mentioned machine-readable code.

[cali4995]

Have heard this morning from British Embassy. They state that Immigration will not tell them who is blacklisted and have suggested a direct approach to Bangkok Immigration.

This I am arranging to do.

More feedback as it occurs

I've a hard time believing that the embassy can't get that information concerning one of

it's own citizens. Sometimes, at the sign of any resistance, they just throw in the towel

when they really need to show a little spine to be respected. What if the blacklisting is

unjust? More than a few scorned Thai women have gone and filed false police charges,

more than a few vehicle rental operators have fraudulently claimed compensation for

damages or theft and it's never resolved with threats of police charges being made.

Fortunately for your son, it maybe is possible for you to walk into Suan Phlu directly

and search for the dept that may be able to give you the answer. But I would think

most people in this situation were overseas. Which means they have to call on the

telephone. How can you verify a person's identity over the telephone? Even most

embassies have privacy restrictions on an individual's information which can only be

released with authorization. Well, I guess you're left with mediating through an

immigration attorney. Iambabababor, thanks for checking back with us, so often

people ask these hard question, but then never let us know the final outcome. To your

credit, you seem to be doing whatever it takes to get the answers. He who dares wins.

[Andiamo]

Have heard this morning from British Embassy. They state that Immigration will not tell them who is blacklisted and have suggested a direct approach to Bangkok Immigration.

This I am arranging to do.

More feedback as it occurs

Hi Iambabababor

How did you get on afterwards ? Any luck?

[cali4995]

We're all curious and either way, you've earned respect at least trying

to find the answers which everyone else seems afraid to do.

You already tried the direct approach at the one office and weren't able

to get a conclusive answer. Were there just more brick walls?

[Andiamo]

We're all curious and either way, you've earned respect at least trying

to find the answers which everyone else seems afraid to do.

You already tried the direct approach at the one office and weren't able

to get a conclusive answer. Were there just more brick walls?

BUMP!

[percy2]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Probably meant the two lines of machine-readable code at the bottom of the photo page.

My passport(s) have no machine-readable/Bar code at the bottom of the photo page or anywhere else.

Same as millions of other people.

Cheers

Are you a UK citizen Percy?

Yes.

Cheers

[jstumbo]

Don't they generally cross reference Name , DOB and Place of Birth?

Cheers

The first check is using the bar code on the passport and that does NOT include place of birth.

Mine and many others passports have no bar code

Probably meant the two lines of machine-readable code at the bottom of the photo page.

My passport(s) have no machine-readable/Bar code at the bottom of the photo page or anywhere else.

Same as millions of other people.

Cheers

Are you a UK citizen Percy?

Yes.

Cheers

And it does not have the number and letters at the bottom of your picture page? Has your name spelt out, your passport number, and some other information? Must be an old passport. Don't try to go to the US using the visa waiver program. They have required people to have a machine readable passport since 2003. If you want to go to the US, you will need to get a visa.