I Have A Huge Problem, Please Help!

[6678hhg]

I will start from the very beginning. I hope someone can somehow help me, this is nuts. I am currently being detained in Thailand against my will. The person whom I came out here to stay with currently has my passport in the safe of his condominium, and I have no way of getting in and even if I did I don't know the combo to his safe. He has apparently fled the city and is not answering to my emails, texts, or calls, as his phone appears to be turned off.

So what I did after weeks of trying to get it back and talk to the police, and U.S. embassy, I finally just went ahead and jumped through the hoops of getting a replacement passport, which took less than 24 hours and was relatively painless and cost 100$. I have been staying in a hotel for 3 weeks and am running low on funds.

Last night I had a flight to leave the country to go to Tokyo, then to SF where I live. After waiting at the airport for 8 hours, (I left the hotel at 9:30 pm because of the curfew) to my horror when I tried to flash my passport and go through immigration they said they "cannot" let me go because my passport has no stamps and I arrived in Thailand on March 7th. I told them about my trip to Laos, which is actually documented on this forum. I got a 60 day re-entry Visa through one of the visa service groups that someone recommended on this forum. However, in their database, they have no record of this, and even though I paid an overstayment fine and got the Visa, they say they simply by law cannot help me or take my word for it without the proper documentation.

Now heres where it gets really fun. After scrambling through the airport to get my luggage back and arguing with numerous (very rude) people, they gave me a phone number and an address to the Bangkok immigration office and said they could probably help. I contacted them this morning and they said the ONLY THING I CAN DO is to GO BACK TO THE SAME PLACE THAT STAMPED MY PASSPORT FOR THE 60 DAY RE-ENTRY VIS, AND HAVE THEM DO IT AGAIN ON MY CURRENT PASSPORT. I explained that I am not certain where this even took place, as I was taken with a group and full service provided. Also I explained my frustration and inquired as to why they simply can't provide this proof to me through a fax or something. So I tried to call the visa service run business and THEIR NUMBER IS DISCONNECTED.

At this point I don't know what to do. I had to come back to this hotel last night and my funds are very limited. The police, "my friend" who has my passport, the embassy, the immigration, they are all either unable or unwilling to help me. Like I said even the visa run peoples phone is currently disconnected.

This is unbelievable and the biggest nightmare of my life, and is developing into a serious situaton. I don't know what to do and in a desperate attempt I am throwing up a hail mary pass here in the hopes that someone here can provide the advice I need to finally get out of Thailand and back to California.

Thanks and God Bless.

Edited May 25, 2010 by thebayareabeast

[thaicbr]

Well start with the name of the visa run people. go to their office to check that they are there. simple stuff to start. The number disconnected may be due to the problems.

If you went to Laos then you would have gone to Vientienne the capital, there is only one consul there.

[6678hhg]

Well start with the name of the visa run people. go to their office to check that they are there. simple stuff to start. The number disconnected may be due to the problems.

If you went to Laos then you would have gone to Vientienne the capital, there is only one consul there.

I know I went to Vientiane... they don't have an "office"

Those are the people I went through, their number is currently off. I don't need to go back to laos, supposedly what I need to do is go to the place in Thailand that we RE-ENTERED and gave me my 60 day re-entry stamp. I am currently not in a position where I can do this, even if I had the means and transportation of getting there. I have been stranded here for weeks already, my plane ticket has been postponed and they are even saying 4000 BAHT extra for postponing it.

[mjnaus]

Sorry to hear this man, must be quite frustrating ....

Did you try to get help from your embassy?

Can you not get someone back home to send you more $$ so you can get this sorted out? Sounds like going back to the border post where you re-enterred Thailand is the only thing you can do, with a few thousand baht this shouldn't be too much of a problem, right?

I wouldn't worry too much about that plain ticket at this point; without your visa/stamps sorted out, obviously you aren't going anywhere, so that should be your main focus at this point.

Best of luck

[toptuan]

Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. Any chance you friend will return if you wait it out long enough? Did they leave temporarily because of the political troubles?

Meanwhile, I've got a connection to a 500baht/night guest house in the central area (near BTS Thong Lor station) with convenient and cheap internet access, if that beats your current rate. PM me if you need the info.

Good luck.

[NADTATIDA1]

Nong Khai then? at the border crossing.

I think you need to go to the Immigration head office with all available documents first.

You could be sent to the detention centre but at least you already have a ticket home and would be able to get to the airport,i dont think it will come to that though.

Step by step.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Well start with the name of the visa run people. go to their office to check that they are there. simple stuff to start. The number disconnected may be due to the problems.

If you went to Laos then you would have gone to Vientienne the capital, there is only one consul there.

I know I went to Vientiane... they don't have an "office"

Those are the people I went through, their number is currently off. I don't need to go back to laos, supposedly what I need to do is go to the place in Thailand that we RE-ENTERED and gave me my 60 day re-entry stamp. I am currently not in a position where I can do this, even if I had the means and transportation of getting there. I have been stranded here for weeks already, my plane ticket has been postponed and they are even saying 4000 BAHT extra for postponing it.

Rather than talk to Immigration on the phone, how about a visit to them out on Chang Wattana Road.

I lost my passport 2-3 years back and got a replacement from the U.S. Embassy, which also gave me a form letter to Immigration requesting replacement stamps in my passport. Visited Immigration and since I remembered the date I had entered Thailand, they looked it up on their computer and re-stamped me in. They also gave me a replacement Departure Card for use when leaving.

Try that route. Be calm and polite. Immigration runs into this sort of problem all the time with many nationalities of visitors. They don't tell all of them to return to the border point where they last entered, they do it right there at Chang Wattana.

Mac

[Jingthing]

Hopefully, a lawyer type will post here and suggest you wait for that, but if it was me I think I would also go the Bangkok main office with all documents and explanations including your ticket out (and be ready to be deported immediately) and beg for mercy. A problem I see is they will want an overstay fine but they can't calculate it and it sounds like you don't have the funds for it even if they could. I don't think the US embassy can help with a Thai immigration matter.

[6678hhg]

Well start with the name of the visa run people. go to their office to check that they are there. simple stuff to start. The number disconnected may be due to the problems.

If you went to Laos then you would have gone to Vientienne the capital, there is only one consul there.

I know I went to Vientiane... they don't have an "office"

Those are the people I went through, their number is currently off. I don't need to go back to laos, supposedly what I need to do is go to the place in Thailand that we RE-ENTERED and gave me my 60 day re-entry stamp. I am currently not in a position where I can do this, even if I had the means and transportation of getting there. I have been stranded here for weeks already, my plane ticket has been postponed and they are even saying 4000 BAHT extra for postponing it.

Rather than talk to Immigration on the phone, how about a visit to them out on Chang Wattana Road.

I lost my passport 2-3 years back and got a replacement from the U.S. Embassy, which also gave me a form letter to Immigration requesting replacement stamps in my passport. Visited Immigration and since I remembered the date I had entered Thailand, they looked it up on their computer and re-stamped me in. They also gave me a replacement Departure Card for use when leaving.

Try that route. Be calm and polite. Immigration runs into this sort of problem all the time with many nationalities of visitors. They don't tell all of them to return to the border point where they last entered, they do it right there at Chang Wattana.

Mac

Could you provide me with the exact address please? Also I was told by the guy I spoke to over the phone that I MUST RETURN TO THE BORDER. Maybe the procedure has changed over the years?

Edited May 25, 2010 by Mario2008

[tonititan]

So I tried to call the visa service run business and THEIR NUMBER IS DISCONNECTED.

Wow, do you think there's any chance that the visa service screwed you over? Perhaps they took your money but never paid for an actual visa. Could they fake a visa stamp? That might explain why it's not in the Thai immigration's records. I'm not one to call "scam" over every little thing, but it really makes we wonder. The fact that they have no office and their phone is now disconnected really makes me wonder.

[DragonQuest]

I did two runs with them, they seem ok.

[tonititan]

I did two runs with them, they seem ok.

Ah, ok. I guess the phone being disconnected is just unfortunate timing for the OP. It appears to be a cell phone number, so the phone could have been lost or damaged.

[Mrjlh]

I think I would go back to the "Tourist Police" with a copy of the police report and tell them I got a replacement passport but but I want my "original" back so I can leave the country. That means going back to the condo to get it and you need an escort in case the guy is there. If he there then you have backup to get it. If not they could get in using the building manager's pass key so you can reclaim your property. They also become your witness to show you took only what you claim is yours. If he has the simpler cheap hotel safe they are easy top break into. Locksmith will open it easy.

Other choice would be to go back to the Embassy a tell them you just need stamps so you can go home. I would think they should help you.

[MrSaliva]

So I tried to call the visa service run business and THEIR NUMBER IS DISCONNECTED.

Wow, do you think there's any chance that the visa service screwed you over? Perhaps they took your money but never paid for an actual visa. Could they fake a visa stamp? That might explain why it's not in the Thai immigration's records. I'm not one to call "scam" over every little thing, but it really makes we wonder. The fact that they have no office and their phone is now disconnected really makes me wonder.

I've used Claudio's service at least 5 times in the past 3 years and he seems one of the more reputable visa run operators. The phone number I have is 081 815 4803. I'd be very surprised if he was running any sort of scam.

FWIW

[IMA_FARANG]

There are details I don't underestand about your story...but I will be charitable and believe what you say.

First of all, I think you were scammed by the "visa agency" you appear to have used. that's why you can't get your pasport back from them. I hope I'm wrong about that, but it doesn't look good for you.

Your only choice is to go to the U.S. embassy, now that it open again, and tell them if my your story. Explain that you gave your U.S. passport to someone, and that they will not give it back to you. That at least will get a rise out of them.

You say you came in on March 7th...I believe you had a 60 day tourist visa at that time. That would take you up to about May 6th if my math is correct. You apparently went to Vientianne then for another visa? That's a part of your story that I don't underestand. You say you got a 60 day extension. There is no such thing as a 60 day extension, but I will assume you mean another 60 day visa. That would have to be given to you in the consulate at Vietianne, but you say you recieved a 60 day extension at the border in Laos? I've never heard of that. Again I'll assume you mean the visa agency did it for you, they got you a 60 day visa in Vientianne and returned the passport to you with the visa in it at the border, so you could enter Thailand. At that point, if that was the case, why did you ever give the passport back to the visa agency? You should have entered Thailand yourself, with passport in hand...even if the agency did obtain the visa for you. All you should have had left was thw bus trip back to Bangkok, or wherever, in Thailand. The agent would have no further use for your passport, so why did you ever give it back o them?

I've used visa agents before, in Penang many years ago now. But they collected my passport from me at the Thai consulate there. The next day the agent took me to the Thai consulate, he went into the consulate, and returned with my passport and a new visa. He then offered to take me back to my hotel, or to the ferry terminal. I was leaving on the train back to Thailand, so he took me to the ferry terminal, where I caught the ferry to the train staion in Georgetown. The only time I was not in possesion of my passport was when the agent took it inside the Thai consulate to get a new visa.

The other point that confuses me is how you got a replacemnt U.S. passport in the embassy in Bangkok in 24 hours. It doesn't happen like that. Not since 9/11. The passport must be issued through the states...it takes about 2 weeks at best.

Now you can get an emergency travel passport if for some reason your pasport is lost or destroyed...but that requires a police statement of the conditions of loss.

Anyhow, do you have anyone in the U.S. who can wire you funds? The embassy will help you arrange that. But they may charge you for the cost of the wire from BKK to the states.

Your only course is to go to the embassy...give them as many details about what happened as you can. But be warned, the embassy people have heard every scam and sob story ever used. They will not be sympathetic....but if you're telling the truth, they will eventually believe you.

Good luck.

P.S. The Thai immigration should have a record of your original entry on March 7th...but it might be difficult for them to retrieve it. Bring up that point with the U.S. embassy...perhaps they can help you with the Thai immigration records. You should give them the flight number and time if you remember it. If you are on the airline manifast for that date, you are in luck.

Edited May 25, 2010 by IMA_FARANG

[tonititan]

Atthat point, if that was the case, why did you ever give the passport back to the visa agency? You should have entered Thailand yourself, with passport in hand...even if the agency did obtain the visa for you. All you should have had left was thw bus trip back to Bangkok, or wherever, in Thailand. The agent would have no further use for your passport, so why did you ever give it back o them?

Read again. He never said that the visa company has his passport. It's with the person he was visiting.

[6678hhg]

Is "Ima Farang" Kidding me????

WOW. Im at a loss of how people could be so ridiculously... (Im not going to say it because I need this thread to remain here so I can hopefully get help)

To everyone else who actually bothered to read my OP and is trying to help... thanks.

[richardt1808]

Hi,

Here is a good article on how to get to Immigration at Cheang Wattana. This is the main office and as mentioned above, they should be able to update your entry stamps correctly and give you any other help you need.

http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/11/16/i...gration-office/

You should be able to print out the map and the Thai directions for a taxi from your hotel.

Best of luck. (If we dont hear anything more, we'll assume that you are safely away)

Cheers

[6678hhg]

Hi,

Here is a good article on how to get to Immigration at Cheang Wattana. This is the main office and as mentioned above, they should be able to update your entry stamps correctly and give you any other help you need.

http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/11/16/i...gration-office/

You should be able to print out the map and the Thai directions for a taxi from your hotel.

Best of luck. (If we dont hear anything more, we'll assume that you are safely away)

Cheers

Txs for the info, something I am at a loss to understand is if you know this info, how is it that the guy at the immigration office I contacted by phone this morning was unaware of this, and he stated very clearly that MY ONLY HOPE WAS TO RETURN TO THE BORDER.

These people are unbelievable man. Its no wonder this country is in shambles. Something tells me that when I go to this office it won't be as easy as you think. I have no documentation of my trip to Laos, I do have a police report, replacement passport, proper id, evidence of my flight home last night, and immigration letter from the embassy. One would think that would be enough to get home, however something tells me it won't be.

[T_Dog]

Is "Ima Farang" Kidding me????

WOW. Im at a loss of how people could be so ridiculously... (Im not going to say it because I need this thread to remain here so I can hopefully get help)

To everyone else who actually bothered to read my OP and is trying to help... thanks.

Bayareabeast.... Do you have any photocopies of your old passport? Any evidence like that will help as you try to get through this. Best of luck and keep plugging away. You are getting good advice on this forum.

[Pakboong]

I am also having a hard time getting my head around this one. If you entered the country on March 7 with a return flight on May 24, you wouldn't need a visa run if you had a tourist visa. Just a 30 day extension would have done it which would not require a trip to Laos. If you entered on a 30 day entry stamp, you would have needed a visa run to get you trough to 24 May but you mentioned you paid an over stay. To whom and where did you pay the over stay?

Why would you enter the country on a 30 day stamp if you planned to stay almost 3 months? I will be hard to get you help without all the pieces. Why the need to pay an over stay already? You must have overstayed your initial 30 day stamp but you do not clarify that.

[malditz]

So I tried to call the visa service run business and THEIR NUMBER IS DISCONNECTED.

Wow, do you think there's any chance that the visa service screwed you over? Perhaps they took your money but never paid for an actual visa. Could they fake a visa stamp? That might explain why it's not in the Thai immigration's records. I'm not one to call "scam" over every little thing, but it really makes we wonder. The fact that they have no office and their phone is now disconnected really makes me wonder.

I've used Claudio's service at least 5 times in the past 3 years and he seems one of the more reputable visa run operators. The phone number I have is 081 815 4803. I'd be very surprised if he was running any sort of scam.

FWIW

i been with claudio's trip a few times as well, even i live in phuket i always call him if i had some problem with visa, sometimes the phone is busy or not answered. but if u try again after awhile he will answer and help or give u advise on what to do. i think he's a very decent guy and helpful. so am wondering why the no. is not working, maybe the OP had the wrong no. and i dont think they're scam.

[A_Traveller]

Sorry to hear of your plight.

As noted photocopies and or details of your 'lost' passport would be valuable. In principal, the immigration officer once he had your old passport data could have called that up to confirm your legal entry into the Kingdom. With a paper trail via the Embassy for replacement then you should have been able to leave.

One thing to avoid if at all possible is any time in the Immigration Detention Centre, so before going to the head office, review the documents you have and what, if anything your embassy could add to provide a suitable 'audit trail'.

I'm a little puzzled about timings here too, but my advice is to create a paper trail, get a ticket, and dress smart for the immigration officers.

HTH

Regards

[6678hhg]

I am also having a hard time getting my head around this one. If you entered the country on March 7 with a return flight on May 24, you wouldn't need a visa run if you had a tourist visa. Just a 30 day extension would have done it which would not require a trip to Laos. If you entered on a 30 day entry stamp, you would have needed a visa run to get you trough to 24 May but you mentioned you paid an over stay. To whom and where did you pay the over stay?

Why would you enter the country on a 30 day stamp if you planned to stay almost 3 months? I will be hard to get you help without all the pieces. Why the need to pay an over stay already? You must have overstayed your initial 30 day stamp but you do not clarify that.

I overstayed my initial 30 days and when I did so, I proceeded to take the trip to Laos and pay the overstayment fee at the border, when I came back they gave me a 60 day visa stamp. This took place about 6 weeks ago or so I believe. When I initially got here I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay.

Not sure how much clearer I could be and why there is so confusion about this. When you get here, YOU GET 30 DAYS. Your post doesn't make the slightest bit of sense to be honest.

[6678hhg]

I just called 1111 and they said to take my passport, police report, and immigration letter to "Sun rachagan" on chang wattana rd and that they can help.

So tomorrow morning thats where Im going and we will see what happens. Something tells me they won't be able to stamp me but we shall see.

[Pakboong]

I am also having a hard time getting my head around this one. If you entered the country on March 7 with a return flight on May 24, you wouldn't need a visa run if you had a tourist visa. Just a 30 day extension would have done it which would not require a trip to Laos. If you entered on a 30 day entry stamp, you would have needed a visa run to get you trough to 24 May but you mentioned you paid an over stay. To whom and where did you pay the over stay?

Why would you enter the country on a 30 day stamp if you planned to stay almost 3 months? I will be hard to get you help without all the pieces. Why the need to pay an over stay already? You must have overstayed your initial 30 day stamp but you do not clarify that.

I overstayed my initial 30 days and when I did so, I proceeded to take the trip to Laos and pay the overstayment fee at the border, when I came back they gave me a 60 day visa stamp. This took place about 6 weeks ago or so I believe. When I initially got here I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay.

Not sure how much clearer I could be and why there is so confusion about this. When you get here, YOU GET 30 DAYS. Your post doesn't make the slightest bit of sense to be honest.

You claimed to have a May 24 return flight so you must have known exactly how long you intended to stay. Most people, especially the ones who read this forum, arrive here with a tourist visa from their home country which is extendable in country for a total of 90 days.

[lopburi3]

This took place about 6 weeks ago or so I believe

Do you perhaps know the day of the week? That might be helpful for those trying to help you at Immigration.

[Jdietz]

From OPs posts it looks to be more of an attitude problem instead of an immigration problem.

When trying again at Chaeng Wattana immigration, please bear this in mind, as it is not -their- problem they are -helping- you with.

[malditz]

Well start with the name of the visa run people. go to their office to check that they are there. simple stuff to start. The number disconnected may be due to the problems.

If you went to Laos then you would have gone to Vientienne the capital, there is only one consul there.

I know I went to Vientiane... they don't have an "office"

Those are the people I went through, their number is currently off. I don't need to go back to laos, supposedly what I need to do is go to the place in Thailand that we RE-ENTERED and gave me my 60 day re-entry stamp. I am currently not in a position where I can do this, even if I had the means and transportation of getting there. I have been stranded here for weeks already, my plane ticket has been postponed and they are even saying 4000 BAHT extra for postponing it.

maybe u should try to call thaivisaservice again, they have trip tomorrow night to ventianne, then maybe they can drop u off at the border and help u explain to immig. officer there about ur problem, then u can take a public transport back to bkk, and i wonder why u have to give ur passport to ur friend to keep, its urs and i think ur old enough to take care of that, and if he keeps it for u, u should have a foto copy of it to bring along everytime u go out, in case u encounter some check point somewhere. anyway goodluck, hope u can get out of here soon and safe.

[lectito]

I do have a police report, replacement passport, proper id, evidence of my flight home last night, and immigration letter from the embassy.

When you got your replacement passport from the embassy, you were meant to take this letter to take to the Immigration Office (with your police report) to get all your stamps and departure card replaced before you went to the airport. I'm guessing you haven't done that yet?

It is not unusual for people to lose passports- when you get out to the Thai Immigration Office, they have a whole lost/stolen passport section, dealing with people in your situation.