Russian denied entry at Phuket International Airport over 'visa' crackdown

Phuket Gazette

Mariia Sgibneva, 26, hoped the sharing her story might raise awareness and prevent others from unexpectedly being denied entry into Thailand. Photo: Mariia Sgibneva / Facbook

PHUKET: -- A Russian national was denied entry into Thailand by Phuket International Airport Immigration officers on April 21 and detained until she could be deported the next morning.

Officers denied entry to Mariia Sgibneva, 26, more than a week before the May 3 crackdown on the three-visa-and-out rule aimed at stymieing international crime.

They stopped me at immigration, and ask me why I did so many visa runs. All my documents were okay. I returned from Russia in October, Ms Sgibneva explained to the Phuket Gazette on Wednesday.

Ms Sgibneva planned to return to her rented room in Bang Tao after a friends wedding in Kuala Lumpur. Instead, she was told that she had to book a ticket out of Thailand.

We checked Mariias information, it showed that she had frequently gone to Ranong for visa runs. This is often a sign of someone illegally working in Phuket, Prapansak Prasansuk, chief of Immigration at the airport.

After arriving in Phuket in October, Ms Sgibneva left to get a three-month tourist visa in November. She then completed a visa run in February. Subsequently, she left the country on March 21 for a visa run, then again to visit friends in Kuala Lumpur on March 30 and April 18.

Ms Sgibneva explained to the Gazette that she planned to move from Phuket soon after she returned from the wedding, and decided against getting a three-month visa.

Thats why I didnt go to the Thai embassy, she said.

The first question they asked was if I had a departing ticket from Thailand I didnt. But not a big deal, I could buy one. I already knew when I was going to leave. I told them I could show them in 10 minutes, after I charged my phone to buy it.

Ms Sgibneva was instead asked to prove financial stability for her stay in Thailand.

They asked me to show them 20,000 baht in cash. I thought that by law I didnt have to have the cash, its a lot of money. I thought I could show my bank account. They told me, No its not possible. They wanted to see the cash, she said.

After Ms Sgibneva asked to be shown the law, the officers became rude, she said.

I have more than 20,000 baht in my bank account, but they told me they didnt believe that it was my bank account. Because it was in Russian [whoen shown on her phone], they couldnt understand, she explained.

Ms Sgibneva offered to change her banks webpage to English. She also offered to have a friend come to the airport with 20,000 baht cash for her.

They said, No. They dont believe me, and wanted to send me to Russia, Ms Sgibneva said.

The officers allegedly offered to buy her ticket for her, but Ms Sgibneva still didnt have enough cash to cover a ticket. She refused to return to Russia, instead opting to take the next flight to Malaysia.

Ms Sgibneva explained that she was able to have a friend buy the ticket for her.

After I showed them the ticket, they sent me to a room for people waiting to be deported from the country, Ms Sgibneva said.

However, Col Prapansak told the Gazette on Tuesday that his officers coordinated with the airline to take her back to Malaysia.

We did not hold her, as she was waiting in an area prepared by the airline, Col Prapansak said.

Ms Sgibneva reiterated to the Gazette that at about this time communication between herself and officers broke down, and that she was consistently dealt with rudely.

They didnt want to speak with me. I asked if it was possible to get my documents and medicine [not critical] from my room, because I really needed them. I had more than six hours to bring my stuff from my house, but they didnt even want to talk to me and explain to me what had happened, Ms Sgibneva said.

Everybody is a human, maybe they hate me because Im Russian, but its not a big question to answer: Can I bring my documents and medicine?

By the time an AirAsia staffer arrived and informed Ms Sgibneva that she would be able to bring luggage aboard, assuming a friend brought it to the airport, it was too late.

I think for some people who want to do a visa run, the biggest problem is that they can deport you without any reason. I can understand that there are many Russian tourists who cause problems with Thai police but if you really want to find the people who work, find them at their workplace, she said.

Col Prapansak told the Gazette that he was sure his officers had clearly explained to Ms Sgibneva why she had been denied entry.

Nonetheless, Ms Sgibneva said it was unclear to her until she reached Kuala Lumpur. Once in Malaysia she was told the official reason was not clear reason to visit Phuket.

Ms Sgibnevas clothing was donated by friends to a local temple, as she continues to search for a reasonably priced way to get several small belongings and her documents to Malaysia.

I was lucky that I have friends. Some people dont have these kinds of possibilities. I dont want to see someone else in this kind of story Russian or non-Russian, she said.

Additional reporting by Woranut Pechdee

Isaac Stone Simonelli

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Russian-denied-entry-Phuket-International-Airport-visa/29391

-- Phuket Gazette 2014-05-12

tip of the iceburg, Thais have no compassion or reasoning, the corruption alone in thailand is a joke ...but whatever you do dont get more than 3-4 tourist entrys or your a criminal ...laughable

this part of the clampdown (by air) is supposed to start 12 Aug?

Maybe if she just gave showed them the 20K in cash.

One more innocent !

One more innocent !

Everybody is a human, maybe they hate me because I’m Russian

Yep

decided against getting a three-month visa.

.

Hows that decision working out for you Mariia.

The airports aren't meant to be doing anything like this until August.

Next..all the immigration officers will be started earning comm from air lines

Everybody is a human, maybe they hate me because I’m Russian

Yep

Straight to the point.

It will be sooooo much better with all these " criminals " gone

The airports aren't meant to be doing anything like this until August.

She attempted to enter the country without an exit airline ticket or proof of forward travel nor could she prove sufficient funds.

I have been aware of both of these requirements before I ever made my first trip to LOS and believe they have been requirements for several years.

Has she actually denied working in the country? She looks like a nice lady and this is a very unfortunate incident; however, at the very least, she appears to have been very casual about the rules.

“I think for some people who want to do a visa run, the biggest problem is that they can deport you without any reason"

Once in Malaysia she was told the official reason was “not clear reason to visit Phuket”.

“The first question they asked was if I had a departing ticket from Thailand"

A visa doesn't guarantee entry into a country, and yes immigration can refuse entry to someone if they believe a person is not in accordance with the terms of their visa or reason for visa waiver...this is same in any country in the world, and once in country if an immigration department deems your are no complying with the T&C's of your entry they can kick you out

These are not new rules, all that's happening is that Thai immigration is now enforcing the rules and its been a long time coming

Seems to me immigration acted correctly in terms of the posted laws/rules for entry and even offered to try and help the lady with a ticket purchase (how many other immigration departments in other countries would offer help)

they were going her a big favour by not letting her mix with all those criminals in phuket. she should have tipped them for their caring behaviour .

It will be sooooo much better with all these " criminals " gone

Not really, they are just getting the stupid ones. The big fish will always be here....don't do a victory dance just yet.

I believe the shit may well hit the fan over this incident and the inevitable others which will follow.

I hope she's already notified the Russian Embassy about this as I believe she was singled out for being a Russian. If she wasn't a russian it wouldn't have happened.

Note to Mariia when you read this - please contact your Embassy to make an official complaint about this incident.

These are not new rules, all that's happening is that Thai immigration is now enforcing the rules and its been a long time coming

Isn't that the truth~

As usual, enforcement has always been the weak link.

So you let the dog crap in the house for 20 years, and then you all of a sudden, wake up, and kick it...

not a sharp tool technique

I believe the shit may well hit the fan over this incident and the inevitable others which will follow.

I hope she's already notified the Russian Embassy about this as I believe she was singled out for being a Russian. If she wasn't a russian it wouldn't have happened.

Note to Mariia when you read this - please contact your Embassy to make an official complaint about this incident.

So you are saying that they refused her entry because she was Russian and not because she was in violation of numerous laws?

Note to Maria when you read this - please follow the rules.

Immigration seem to make the rules up as they go along.

I believe the shit may well hit the fan over this incident and the inevitable others which will follow.

I hope she's already notified the Russian Embassy about this as I believe she was singled out for being a Russian. If she wasn't a russian it wouldn't have happened.

Note to Mariia when you read this - please contact your Embassy to make an official complaint about this incident.

So you are saying that they refused her entry because she was Russian and not because she was in violation of numerous laws?

Note to Maria when you read this - please follow the rules.

I wonder how many non Russians have been deported at the airports since this crackdown started...

Edit : I will be watching with interest to see if any Thai's are deported on arrival from Russian airports for minor issues this coming week.

I believe the shit may well hit the fan over this incident and the inevitable others which will follow.

I hope she's already notified the Russian Embassy about this as I believe she was singled out for being a Russian. If she wasn't a russian it wouldn't have happened.

Note to Mariia when you read this - please contact your Embassy to make an official complaint about this incident.

So you are saying that they refused her entry because she was Russian and not because she was in violation of numerous laws?

Note to Maria when you read this - please follow the rules.

I wonder how many non Russians have been deported at the airports since this crackdown started...

Your timeline is off. This incident is not directly related to the current land crossing issue. This is a simple case of an individual failing to follow numerous requirements of entry:

--Not having a "return/onward ticket"

--Not having "Proof of sufficient funds"

Both of these are required by most every country in the world.

I believe the shit may well hit the fan over this incident and the inevitable others which will follow.

I hope she's already notified the Russian Embassy about this as I believe she was singled out for being a Russian. If she wasn't a russian it wouldn't have happened.

Note to Mariia when you read this - please contact your Embassy to make an official complaint about this incident.

So you are saying that they refused her entry because she was Russian and not because she was in violation of numerous laws?

Note to Maria when you read this - please follow the rules.

I wonder how many non Russians have been deported at the airports since this crackdown started...

Your timeline is off. This incident is not directly related to the current land crossing issue. This is a simple case of an individual failing to follow numerous requirements of entry:

--Not having a "return/onward ticket"

--Not having "Proof of sufficient funds"

Both of these are required by most every country in the world.

Never enforced until now unless passenger = obvious pennyless hippy which is not the case there by the looks of it.

Proof of funds = trip to ATM

Onward ticket - hardly anyone does that and it can be booked in minutes on a phone if required.

I'm trying to understand her timeline of visa-runs:

After arriving in Phuket in October, Ms Sgibneva left to get a three-month tourist visa in November. She then completed a visa run in February. Subsequently, she left the country on March 21 for a visa run, then again to visit friends in Kuala Lumpur on March 30 and April 18.

- Arrives sometime in October, (presumably by air ==> 30 day visa exempt)

- Leaves within that 30 days to get a 3-month tourist visa

- 3 month tourist visa expires sometime in February and she does (I assume) a 15-day visa-run to Ranong

- Another Ranong visa-run on March 21st (so she must have been on overstay) - gets 15 days

- Leaves (assume by air) to visit friends in KL, not on overstay

- Returns from KL on unknown date, will get 30 days visa-exempt

- Goes again (assume by air) to KL to visit friends, not on overstay

Now unless immigration know something about her that we do not know (criminal etc), it looks like she did 2 visa-runs to Ranong, (one on overstay), and left Thailand well within the validity of her subsequent visa exempts.

So why was she denied entry at the airport???

Immigration seem to make the rules up as they go along.

On the contrary, for once they seem to be following the rules...

Everybody is a human, maybe they hate me because Im Russian

Yep

Straight to the point.

Yes, meanwhile people are being hated (& beaten) in Russia simply because of their sexual orientation.

Time to suck it up little Russian lady and next time, get a visa from an embassy/consulate OR at least comply with the rules for visa exempt arrival.

This is an example of Thai Immigration doing their job AND a job WELL DONE it was.

After arriving in Phuket in October, Ms Sgibneva left to get a three-month tourist visa in November. She then completed a visa run in February. Subsequently, she left the country on March 21 for a visa run, then again to visit friends in Kuala Lumpur on March 30 and April 18.

Despite the article using the term "visa run," what it looks like she did was make/attempt four or five pretty much back-to-back visa-exempt entries in a 6-7 month period of time - separated by only one actual tourist visa.

That does seem to be the kind of behavior that the new crackdown on consecutive visa exempt entries is aimed at.

The article says she didn't want to go back to her home country, Russia. So what exactly has she been doing in Thailand for all these months???

^{I'm trying to understand her timeline of visa-runs:}

^{After arriving in Phuket in October, Ms Sgibneva left to get a three-month tourist visa in November. She then completed a visa run in February. Subsequently, she left the country on March 21 for a visa run, then again to visit friends in Kuala Lumpur on March 30 and April 18.}

^{- Arrives sometime in October, (presumably by air ==> 30 day visa exempt)}

^{- Leaves within that 30 days to get a 3-month tourist visa}

^{- 3 month tourist visa expires sometime in February and she does (I assume) a 15-day visa-run to Ranong}

^{- Another Ranong visa-run on March 21st (so she must have been on overstay) - gets 15 days}

^{- Leaves (assume by air) to visit friends in KL, not on overstay}

^{- Returns from KL on unknown date, will get 30 days visa-exempt}

^{- Goes again (assume by air) to KL to visit friends, not on overstay}

^{Now unless immigration know something about her that we do not know (criminal etc), it looks like she did 2 visa-runs to Ranong, (one on overstay), and left Thailand well within the validity of her subsequent visa exempts.}

^{So why was she denied entry at the airport???}

Indeed, something doesn't make much sense. Maybe there is more to the story than we are being told at this stage.

Nobody was to be denied at the airport until August according to the official documents from Immigration.

Still think its a strange treatment. Ok i know about these money rules etc but they have never been enforced unless there s suspiscion. And anyway she FLEW in from another country. That alone should make her elligble according to the new rule. I thought walk in was not to be allowed?

Great idea. So you got jet skis and tuk tuk scams. Political violence. Earthquake. Start of the rainy season. Let s harras some tourists!

I believe the shit may well hit the fan over this incident and the inevitable others which will follow.

I hope she's already notified the Russian Embassy about this as I believe she was singled out for being a Russian. If she wasn't a russian it wouldn't have happened.

Note to Mariia when you read this - please contact your Embassy to make an official complaint about this incident.

Yep. This will be the begining of all Russian and western tourists deserting Thailand causing economic collapse which will bring Thailand to it's knees.

"Mariia Sgibneva, 26, hoped the sharing her story might raise awareness and prevent others from unexpectedly being denied entry into Thailand"

Hopefully it works and the rest of Russians never come back