Getting Refused Entry To Thailand - Help Needed!

[Carioca]

Would a Thai lawyer be of any help. I used Siam Legal for a business visa and I think most of the fee was because they have "contacts". Might be worth a call. Also, from my experience South American embassies are a bit standoffish, this is one of the reasons a North American or EU passport is so valuable, i.e. the support behind it.

[lopburi3]

Several off-topic posts removed.

[7by7]

I still fail to see why he was locked up here by immigration when he flew in from Korea unless Argentinians require a visa before arrival ? Something just doesn't sound right in all this.

He's in the immigration system. Was leaving Thailand, a day before, but didn't 'go anywhere', cause no stamp in the passport, from any country.

That can be the reason, for showing the immigration that letter from Korea.

Or the airline staff informed the airport, and the got 'picked up' in the plane. What I assume, anyway!

So if I fly to the UK where I do not need nor require any stamp and then fly back to Thailand the next day I would find myself in the same situation ?

I rather doubt it.

What if he had gone home and come back ?

Something more is going on here than is being stated. it has to be for this to be happening.

He will have a Korean stamp in his passport; a stamp saying he was refused entry.

This is standard procedure by all countries' immigration when a traveler is refused entry.

Remember that having a visa or being a national of a country which does not require visa or can obtain a visa on arrival does not guarantee entry to any country. If questioned by immigration on arrival you need to satisfy them that you meet the requirements and your intentions are as stated. If you can't, you will be refused entry and be returned from whence you came.

If that is not your home country then they have no obligation to let you in and can detain you until onward travel to your home country can be arranged, at your expense.

Which is what appears to have happened in this instance.

Edited September 25, 2012 by 7by7

[sas_cars]

What if a person who works in Thailand with a valid work permit gets deported from somewhere? Will Thailand accept him back since he lives and works there legally? Or He has to go back to his own country?

[Mario2008]

What if a person who works in Thailand with a valid work permit gets deported from somewhere? Will Thailand accept him back since he lives and works there legally? Or He has to go back to his own country?

It is up to immigraiton. In case they spot that you have been denied entry, they may question you about that and depending on the results allow you to enter or deny you entry. If they deny you entry, they cannot send you back to the country who just denied you entry so they will send you back to your home country.

[sas_cars]

I highly doubt it. The person is supposed to be on an extension based on work holding a valid work permit. He should be accepted in anyways I guess.

[Mario2008]

I highly doubt it. The person is supposed to be on an extension based on work holding a valid work permit. He should be accepted in anyways I guess.

He can be denied entry just like anyone else. Even when you are inside of Thailand here is no guarentee that you will be allowed to stay.

[visarunner]

I highly doubt it. The person is supposed to be on an extension based on work holding a valid work permit. He should be accepted in anyways I guess.

No, if Thailand suspect that this person is persona non grata in another country they will check n , if necassay, revoke the visa.

[ITGabs]

So could it be that if this guy has Argentinian Passport that Spain could be an altenative?

No

This is an update

All my fiend wants to do is return to Argentina and has a flight booked via Dubai but they are still holding him in the airport trying to make him miss his flight...

...My friend already has contact with the consul of Argentina, thank you so much for your help!

That It's all that I know, looks like the consul solved all the problems. I hope he is on Argentina now

[TheChap2012]

OK so situation resolved but first of all would like to thank everybody who gave good advice, and say shame on you to the people with somewhat negative and sceptical (at the most) responses. (Hope you find yourself in the same situation one day and see how the negative and sceptical responses help you)

A big thank you goes out to ITGabs who manage to help with an emergency embassy number.

My friend flew out (eventually) via Dubai despite being told a thousand blatant lies telling him that Dubai fly via KL and he can not go on that flight, being handed a Hand written piece of paper quoteing an astronomical amount of money to fly on thaiairways (I never thought they would be so blatently corrupt!) And basically been given the run around for 3 days just so they could hold him there.

The embassy was closed due to a public holiday ( in his home country) and even the the consul contact that he eventually got through to on the emergency number admitted that there should be a contact message on the answer phone for emergencys and it should not just ring through (helpful and Proffesional )

It seems he was denied entry on the fact that he did have a one way ticket (his bad although I have since read that it is not a nessesity if you can prove yout financials ) but also most of his documents showing his financial assets bank account etc were in Spanish (and in Argentinian pesos currency obviously) and they just point blank didn't accept them, which seems stupid to me as a bank statement is a bank statement in Spanish or English, its just numbers but as they couldn't understand the language written and wouldnt accept them as sufficient evidence for onward travel.

I also suspect and agree with one of the posters about having a quota to meet, and also yes he is a hippy looking traveler but since when should this come in to any judgement unless we are being racist? (Which I'm pretty sure they were) and maybe he just got the imigration officer who had a face like a smacked arse and it just wasnt his day.

Thanks again to all who helped with advice. Really appreciated.

Edited September 28, 2012 by TheChap2012

[noob7]

most of his documents showing his financial assets bank account etc were in Spanish (and in Argentinian pesos currency obviously) and they just point blank didn't accept them, which seems stupid to me as a bank statement is a bank statement in Spanish or English, its just numbers but as they couldn't understand the language written and wouldnt accept them as sufficient evidence for onward travel.

Maybe the immigration guy thought, nothing changed in the past 10 years in Argentina, 'cause he's still waiting for the Argentina government bonds pay back.

Maybe not 'racist', but 'pissed'?

Good, that your friend is released, now.

[NancyL]

Thank you for the update Chap.

Unfortunately, looks do matter -- or rather grooming, style of dressing and attitude matter. Someone can't change their age, sex, nationality, race, etc, but their grooming, dressing and manners are entirely in their control and people make judgements about others based on the decisions people make about how to present themselves. This isn't racist, but rather just the process of trying to determine the nature of someone's character.

How one presents himself to others is still important in many parts of Asia and especially with Asians working in a professional capacity, i.e. border control officers. Is it really too much effort to be well-groomed, neatly dressed and polite when asking someone for permission to enter their country?

[ITGabs]

that is a good advice, all the people must have translated to english the documents, I had similar problems when I bought a car and when I need to open a credit account, stupid things, my international licence have the expiration date in spanish (only that all the rest is multilanguage) and some people are so stupid that can't look between the only two dates in my document. ..but the same day I went to another branch and no problems at all, difficult thing in an airport :/

the translate is nothing special the same with the hotel reservation that usually is a print from a webpage or a shitty fax papper things that are easy to do , I never had problems but all the time I have my documents ok. Still these things are like a bad lotery.

[PoorSucker]

Thank you for the update Chap.

Unfortunately, looks do matter -- or rather grooming, style of dressing and attitude matter. Someone can't change their age, sex, nationality, race, etc, but their grooming, dressing and manners are entirely in their control and people make judgements about others based on the decisions people make about how to present themselves. This isn't racist, but rather just the process of trying to determine the nature of someone's character.

How one presents himself to others is still important in many parts of Asia and especially with Asians working in a professional capacity, i.e. border control officers. Is it really too much effort to be well-groomed, neatly dressed and polite when asking someone for permission to enter their country?

Edited September 29, 2012 by PoorSucker

[Old Croc]

A bank statment, no matter what language it is printed in, is not very good evidence of available funds. It is easily forged, doesn't prove that money is readily available and may be out of date. (funds removed afterwards to pay for one way ticket?)

Virtually no immigration officer doing his job properly would accept it as the only proof of funds.

These days, unkempt appearance may initially draw attention and extra scrutiny, but would not be a reason alone for refusal in most countries. (that sign, pictured in a post above, is quite amusing, but is not dated and unlikely to be policy.)

To the poster who stated Brits could be deported via Australia, as if an extension of Europe, that is patently wrong. Apart from the easily available "E' visa available for all commonwealth citizens there is no special treatment for Brits entering Australia.

Edited September 29, 2012 by Old Croc

[lopburi3]

Actually it is well out dated - check the 25 baht to US dollar exchange rate used in conversions.

[noob7]

A bank statment, no matter what language it is printed in, is not very good evidence of available funds. It is easily forged, doesn't prove that money is readily available and may be out of date. (funds removed afterwards to pay for one way ticket?)

Virtually no immigration officer doing his job properly would accept it as the only proof of funds.

(that sign, pictured in a post above, is quite amusing, but is not dated and unlikely to be policy.)

Any ATM should be able, so solve the 'cash' problem! as long, i travel with legal money, there is no reason for me, to carry a 'month' load of money around, in cash.

And to the 'amusing' sign, I took a picture, in the beginning of this year. In Ranong. At the immigration office at the pier. That means, it is not a 'forgotten one', from 79! But even crusing around, in the help 'department (flash uploader, activate from profil....) is not telling me, how to post it here. Maybe imageshack works now? Eh, No:

You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community.

means: click here

http://imageshack.us.../707/2012wl.jpg

Edited September 29, 2012 by noob7

[Old Croc]

A bank statment, no matter what language it is printed in, is not very good evidence of available funds. It is easily forged, doesn't prove that money is readily available and may be out of date. (funds removed afterwards to pay for one way ticket?)

Virtually no immigration officer doing his job properly would accept it as the only proof of funds.

(that sign, pictured in a post above, is quite amusing, but is not dated and unlikely to be policy.)

Any ATM should be able, so solve the 'cash' problem! as long, i travel with legal money, there is no reason for me, to carry a 'month' load of money around, in cash.

And to the 'amusing' sign, I took a picture, in the beginning of this year. In Ranong. At the immigration office at the pier. That means, it is not a 'forgotten one', from 79! But even crusing around, in the help 'department (flash uploader, activate from profil....) is not telling me, how to post it here. Maybe imageshack works now? Eh, No:

You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community.

means: click here

http://imageshack.us.../707/2012wl.jpg

I managed to open that picture. It talks about guidelines and what is considered impolite. In other words an officer may consider attire as part of a process of refusing entry. It would not be the sole reason for doing so.

Immigration Officers may not always be inclined to walk with the pax to the nearest ATM to verify their statment that they have money available for their stay. Passengers do lie about such things. It can create a quandary for both parties.

[noob7]

A bank statment, no matter what language it is printed in, is not very good evidence of available funds. It is easily forged, doesn't prove that money is readily available and may be out of date. (funds removed afterwards to pay for one way ticket?)

Virtually no immigration officer doing his job properly would accept it as the only proof of funds.

(that sign, pictured in a post above, is quite amusing, but is not dated and unlikely to be policy.)

Any ATM should be able, so solve the 'cash' problem! as long, i travel with legal money, there is no reason for me, to carry a 'month' load of money around, in cash.

And to the 'amusing' sign, I took a picture, in the beginning of this year. In Ranong. At the immigration office at the pier. That means, it is not a 'forgotten one', from 79! But even crusing around, in the help 'department (flash uploader, activate from profil....) is not telling me, how to post it here. Maybe imageshack works now? Eh, No:

You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community.

means: click here

http://imageshack.us.../707/2012wl.jpg

I managed to open that picture. It talks about guidelines and what is considered impolite. In other words an officer may consider attire as part of a process of refusing entry. It would not be the sole reason for doing so.

Immigration Officers may not always be inclined to walk with the pax to the nearest ATM to verify their statment that they have money available for their stay. Passengers do lie about such things. It can create a quandary for both parties.

You are right, people lie a lot about money.

But don't you think, the 'ATM-Check' is for everyone involved, immigration and airline, not only the passenger, the quickest solution? With the least trouble? Am I to logical?

I can't believe, Airport officials would refuse to let me wait a while, a side, to get someone, to escort myself to an ATM, so that I can get the needed cash.

This would totally ruin my 'no cash, but cards' travel program!

But maybe I'm lucky, anyway, to have a 'good' passport! Till now, it never happened to me.

Edited September 29, 2012 by noob7

[Old Croc]

You are right, people lie a lot about money.

But don't you think, the 'ATM-Check' is for everyone involved, immigration and airline, not only the passenger, the quickest solution? With the least trouble? Am I to logical?

I can't believe, Airport officials would refuse to let me wait a while, a side, to get someone, to escort myself to an ATM, so that I can get the needed cash.

This would totally ruin my 'no cash, but cards' travel program!

But maybe I'm lucky, anyway, to have a 'good' passport! Till now, it never happened to me.

As I said, a quandary for both parties. This is a card carrying society these days. Travellors cheques are all but dead and most people don't like carrying large sums of money.

Immigration Officers generally don't have the time to go to a public area ATM to check peoples stories. I have done it in my former career, but not often. Most that I found neccessary to check were lying. But I was always sure of the facts before entry refusal.

[frankold]

Actually it is well out dated - check the 25 baht to US dollar exchange rate used in conversions.

That's a common scam as it must be paid in THB rather than US$ and most people arrive there with only US$. Vice versa in Cambodia, I think US$20 Visa runs at somethin like THB1200.

[lopburi3]

It has nothing to do with any scam - you are not paying anything.

[Ajaan]

When traveling to Asia it is important to have a decent appearance and good hygiene. Many of the hairy, unwashed peoples of the world--and yes, farang hippies are HIGH on this list--do not seem to understand this. I have long hair but it (and my person) is always washed, and I dress respectfully, and have never had a problem in any Asian country. I know good hygiene is a foreign concept to the residents of many countries, given the ghastly sights and smells I'm regularly subject to on the BKK Skytrain...but when in Rome, kiddies, when in Rome...

[Aurelllian]

I wonder why the Koreans didn't allow him into Korea originally also.

But that's not really relevant to the story.

But it brings up the possibility of it happening to someone else and illustrates the following:

If you travel to another country ALWAYS have a return ticket to your home country with you.

And, frankly, if you can't afford that return ticket....don't go.

No country in the world has an obligation to help it's citizens that are in trouble in another country.

Now some countries do more than others to help their nationals in another country.

Where Argentina stands in rhat regard I don't know.

But anyone, from any country, who has the expectation of being helped by his or her embessy if they get in trouble in a foriegn country is sadly mistaken about that expectation.

That's exactly why you need at least the funds available to purchase the ticket....but an actual ticket is better.

When I worked in Saudi Arabia the project I worked on was a special project for the Royal Saudi Air Force and directly connected through them to the king of Saudi Arabia.

For that reason we had to sign an agreement that if we violated any of the laws of Saudi Arabia we were subject to immediate termination....we would be fired.

One of our employees was arrested for public drunkedness...and that's a serious crime in Saudi Arabia.

I had to take his work shift with short notice....because he was deported from Saudi for that episode of public drunkedness.

To get him deported the Saudi government asked for him, by name, to be removed from Saudi in a request to the U.S. embessy in riyadh.

The U.S. gave him 24 hours to exit Saudi Arabia. The actual letter was from the personal secretary of the Crown Prince....and was at the specific request of the king.

He tried to complain to the U.S. embessy....they didn't have the right to do that (he thought ).

They just laughed at him.

Two Saudi policemen accompanied him to the airplane and watched him leave.

He was an idiot anyhow.

I had/still have no sympathy for that guy....I had to work an unexpected 12 hour shift because of him. That made me work two 12 hour shits back-to-back to cover for him.

Excellent post, I am always perplexed when I hear Americans in distress ranting about getting a US Diplomatic Mission involved. They are grossly mistaken about the purpose of a US Diplomatic Mission. It is there to advance the interests of the US Government, not to advocate for tourists who more than likely are solely responsible for their own predicament.

Embassies don't really care that you broke or got tossed in the slammer for peeing in the streets.

At most they will give you a list of lawyers to ring, bring you a sac lunch, and at last resort (after you sit in jail for a while) will repatriate you.

Most Foreign Service Officers look at the time of expat here with disdain to be honest.

[ALFREDO]

I still fail to see why he was locked up here by immigration when he flew in from Korea unless Argentinians require a visa before arrival ? Something just doesn't sound right in all this.

Argentinians do not need a Visa, get even a 90 days Visa Exemption period! Lucky them. Normally.

I also do not understand why he gave the letter from Korean Immigration to the Thai Immigration. (If he did so-the OP wrote it.)

I would have looked to get rid of that paper!

[ALFREDO]

I still fail to see why he was locked up here by immigration when he flew in from Korea unless Argentinians require a visa before arrival ? Something just doesn't sound right in all this.

Because, as you would learn by reading this thread in full:

There is an Asian agreement that if someone is refused entry into an Asian country all other Asian countries will refuse entry as well.

He did not fly voluntarily to BKK, He was being sent back from Korea with a big stamp in his passport. Then "if ain't good enough for Korea, ain't good enough for Thailand"

No need to second guess even the simplest things.

All ASIAN countries made such an agreement? LINK please, I cannot believe that.

South Korea is not part of ASEAN http://www.aseansec.org/74.htm

Edited September 30, 2012 by ALFREDO

[ALFREDO]

There is an Asian agreement that if someone is refused entry into an Asian country all other Asian countries will refuse entry as well.

His only way out of this is to return to Argentina.

He will not be further banned from entering Thailand or other Asian countries but would suggest giving Korea a miss.

You have a LINK to that? All ASIAN countries? Sure?

Or all ASEAN http://www.aseansec.org/74.htm countries? More plausible, but South Korea is no part of the ASEAN group.

[dude007]

No emergency number on embassy..just rings with no reply

This is insane! I would write a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs complaining about that. What's an Embassy otherwise is for? I have never heard something like that! Embassies MUST have an emergency telephone number with 7/7 and 24/24 service!

[chingching]

Perhaps he is being asked to fly out via only Thai Airways, is because he flew to Korea on Thai Airways. If he was refused entry for not having an onward bound ticket out of Korea, the airline that brought him to Korea is also fined a significant amount, and perhaps it that is Thai Airways, they are hoping to recoup some of their loss.

[ALFREDO]

My friend flew out (eventually) via Dubai despite being told a thousand blatant lies telling him that Dubai fly via KL and he can not go on that flight, being handed a Hand written piece of paper quoteing an astronomical amount of money to fly on thaiairways (I never thought they would be so blatently corrupt!)

Good everything seems to have worked out.

For next problem

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