Tourist visa holders denied entry to Thailand and left stranded in Malaysia

[Pattaya46]

There are literally dozens of these vehicles travelling every day, and the vast majority of passengers are Farang -

so it's simple to calculate that there are many hundreds of these "Border / Visa Runners" in Bangkok alone.

Maybe, but it give you no idea on how many of them use visa exemption, use Tourist visa, or use other visa like non-O.

I had a multi non-B once, and was restricted to 90 days stays, so I had to use these "visarun".

[larsjohnsson]

Refusing entry to all people with tourist visas, how can you obtain a visa and then be denied entry to the country unless you fly into it?

Classic Thailand

How about in your country? do you think a Thai can get back to back visas and stay as long as they like. They probably cant" even get a visa in the first place.

Comparing Thailand to developed countries like the US and those in the EU is idiotic. Developed countries have difficult visa requirements because 1) many people wish to enter primarily to work and 2) these people could be a drain on government coffers if they ever needed assistance (welfare and the like). Thailand has immigrant labor problems, but in reality these immigrants are much more likely to be found on a construction site than on Thaivisa. There is a crackdown on immigrant labor, and people may or may not be getting shot at on the way out. Most of us on Thaivisa are bringing money in from abroad, or are working in a capacity that is not threatening native Thai employment (English teaching). We are not costing Thailand or its people anything at all by being here, and in many cases are greatly contributing to the local economy.

Furthermore, just because something is "the law of the land" does not make it automatically just and worthy of respect. Jim Crow was legal in the US, and slavery was once the law of the land in many places. does that mean those laws are worthy of respect? And, why should anyone in Thailand be faulted for having a cynical view of the law when Thai citizens and even the police, military, and government officials have such little respect for it? Rule of law does not really exist here, and to pretend otherwise is foolish. In this country, enforcement of laws and regulations has ALWAYS been lax, so why now? Why are tourist visas being issued but those that hold them are being refused entry?

Why would an English teacher worry about about people with tourist visas being refused entry?

[metisdead]

Completely off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[Beetlejuice]

Lets face it, 60 days is more than adequate time for people to take holidays in any particular country and who knows how long these people have been hanging out in Thailand using the back door methods. The Thai authorities have been more than generous in the past and the times for turning a blind eye has to now cease and desist.

If these people are unable to meet the requirements as imposed by the Immigration Departments then they have no entitlements to be here. Either obtain the appropriate visas, go elsewhere or go home, these are the only options available to them as by law always has been and always will, only now the laws are being enforced, so it beats me how these can feel shocked or feel that are are receiving a mis-justice?

Westerners of little wealth, the illegal business owners, illegal workers, possibly those of the criminal elements and hasslers are not wanted in Thailand for the long term, otherwise the Thais would not have created these laws and now that these laws are at last being actively enforced we can expect to see a lot less undesirable foreigners in Thailand for the future, that in my opinion cannot be a bad thing.

[Pattszero]

Interesting comments on a bunch of people stretching their luck in a foreign country for way too long.

For all of you proclaiming to be:

1. Financially independent < 50 years and just love to hang around in Thailand all the time on back-to-back Visas

2. "Working" in Thailand on back-to-back Visas because they operate successful businesses in Cyber-space

3. etc etc etc

Here is your solution:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726441-thailand-elite-easy-access-500k-thb-card/

(If USD 15,000 is really THAT much whoohooboohoo money it seems that either your cyber business is not so successful or you are not that financially independent after all )

All of the (mostly overpaid & non qualified) <deleted>, yes <deleted> because you are stealing jobs from Thai people, you either have to except that:

1. The party is over for now. Put your old stuff in your backpack, go home for 2 months and try again?

2. -OR- Follow the rules and get a work permit (tough when you are not qualified, I know)

I dont see any issue here?

What an arrogant and condescending post.

I have friends here who are < 50, do not work and are financially independent due to rent and investment income from their home countries. They enjoy living here, they have girlfriends and they contribute to businesses and the local community in terms of paying rent, eating at local restaurants and drinking at local bars.

However, to pay Thb 500,000 for this privilege is just not worth the money if you don't need escorted services through immigration or limo transfers or golf / spa discounts.

I'm here on a retirement visa, the Thb 800,000 that I have in my bank account is still MINE, which I spend during the course of the year. The Thb 500,000 is a sunk cost. Can you see the difference?

Jealousy is at the root of the post you replied to.

Some guys just can't believe that there are self-made wealthy people under the age of 50.

I bought a house when I was twenty-two for £29,000 and sold it twenty three years later mortgage free for £215,000.

It was easy.

I have several more.

That was easy too.

I had the bottle to have a go.

The bitter people are those that didn't have the bottle.

Now I have a cyber income larger than any state pension I've ever heard of.

I have an income from my company that would compete or beat any oil trade worker.

And I have my rental income from properties. I am not alone.

10% of the British population are now millionaires.

It's at the point now that if you worked all your life in the UK and can't front the money for your retirement visa you should be ashamed of yourself.

[Ned]

We're on the nose fellas. Oo oo that smell. Can't you smell that smell.

[John1thru10]

Refusing entry to all people with tourist visas, how can you obtain a visa and then be denied entry to the country unless you fly into it?

Classic Thailand

How about in your country? do you think a Thai can get back to back visas and stay as long as they like. They probably cant" even get a visa in the first place.

Comparing Thailand to developed countries like the US and those in the EU is idiotic. Developed countries have difficult visa requirements because 1) many people wish to enter primarily to work and 2) these people could be a drain on government coffers if they ever needed assistance (welfare and the like). Thailand has immigrant labor problems, but in reality these immigrants are much more likely to be found on a construction site than on Thaivisa. There is a crackdown on immigrant labor, and people may or may not be getting shot at on the way out. Most of us on Thaivisa are bringing money in from abroad, or are working in a capacity that is not threatening native Thai employment (English teaching). We are not costing Thailand or its people anything at all by being here, and in many cases are greatly contributing to the local economy.

Furthermore, just because something is "the law of the land" does not make it automatically just and worthy of respect. Jim Crow was legal in the US, and slavery was once the law of the land in many places. does that mean those laws are worthy of respect? And, why should anyone in Thailand be faulted for having a cynical view of the law when Thai citizens and even the police, military, and government officials have such little respect for it? Rule of law does not really exist here, and to pretend otherwise is foolish. In this country, enforcement of laws and regulations has ALWAYS been lax, so why now? Why are tourist visas being issued but those that hold them are being refused entry?

Why would an English teacher worry about about people with tourist visas being refused entry?

Because some people actually just worry for the safety and happiness of others. Hard for you to understand, I know.

[firestar]

Yeah right. You know what is arrogant and condescending, all these unqualified & self proclaiming english teachers messing up the system. Less worse but still very bad for the thai people, all those dive masters, yoga whatevers, bar tenders, tour guides, restaurant owners all working on tourist visa's. IT AIN'T RIGHT, case closed.

Furthermore, you dont seem to know the meaning of actually BEING financially independent (there is a HUGE difference with regards to all of you CONSIDERING yourself to be financially independent). Like I said, if USD 15k is really that great of a loss you are NOT financially independent nor are you capable residing in a foreign country for a long period of time. You can call this whatever you like fact of the matter is that a GENUINE tourist is not someone who spends THB 1000 per day. A tourist travels through the country, spends nights in hotels and resorts, eats out spending a little bit more than "those being financially independent but eating with the locals everyday", take excursions etc etc. If you are a long stayer and financially independent take care of your stuff and you will have no problems. Is it really that hard?

Problem with your posts is that they are a little too stereotypical.

Despite all the talk of the dreaded diving instructor, english teacher, etc. All the people I know with multiple tourist visas in their passport are people who have the means to travel to Singapore, Kl, etc. while almost all the bar and restaurants owners, teachers, are on non-o visas (retired or married) who aren't legally allowed to work. like our friend Jeffrey here, who has been pontificating until it was found out he is on a non-o doing freelance work.

[Pattszero]

There are far too many people taking joy from this clampdown.

How sad your lives must be.

[transam]

Interesting comments on a bunch of people stretching their luck in a foreign country for way too long.

For all of you proclaiming to be:

1. Financially independent < 50 years and just love to hang around in Thailand all the time on back-to-back Visas

2. "Working" in Thailand on back-to-back Visas because they operate successful businesses in Cyber-space

3. etc etc etc

Here is your solution:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726441-thailand-elite-easy-access-500k-thb-card/

(If USD 15,000 is really THAT much whoohooboohoo money it seems that either your cyber business is not so successful or you are not that financially independent after all )

All of the (mostly overpaid & non qualified) <deleted>, yes <deleted> because you are stealing jobs from Thai people, you either have to except that:

1. The party is over for now. Put your old stuff in your backpack, go home for 2 months and try again?

2. -OR- Follow the rules and get a work permit (tough when you are not qualified, I know)

I dont see any issue here?

What an arrogant and condescending post.

I have friends here who are < 50, do not work and are financially independent due to rent and investment income from their home countries. They enjoy living here, they have girlfriends and they contribute to businesses and the local community in terms of paying rent, eating at local restaurants and drinking at local bars.

However, to pay Thb 500,000 for this privilege is just not worth the money if you don't need escorted services through immigration or limo transfers or golf / spa discounts.

I'm here on a retirement visa, the Thb 800,000 that I have in my bank account is still MINE, which I spend during the course of the year. The Thb 500,000 is a sunk cost. Can you see the difference?

Jealousy is at the root of the post you replied to.

Some guys just can't believe that there are self-made wealthy people under the age of 50.

I bought a house when I was twenty-two for £29,000 and sold it twenty three years later mortgage free for £215,000.

It was easy.

I have several more.

That was easy too.

I had the bottle to have a go.

The bitter people are those that didn't have the bottle.

Now I have a cyber income larger than any state pension I've ever heard of.

I have an income from my company that would compete or beat any oil trade worker.

And I have my rental income from properties. I am not alone.

10% of the British population are now millionaires.

It's at the point now that if you worked all your life in the UK and can't front the money for your retirement visa you should be ashamed of yourself.

What a boring post, suppose we must all ....................

[chrisinth]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Throughout this entire thread, I keep seeing reference to vast numbers of people, in Thailand, working on tourist visas/visa exempt stamps.

Could someone please provide a link to clarify these figures and what areas of work they are taking place?

I have only been living in Thailand for the last 17 years, legally working for the majority of that time, have met with probably thousands of expats here and have never met one (to my knowledge) that has not had the correct visa and work permit.

The only abuse of visa exemption/tourist visas (defined at today's immigration view on the subject) have been taken by people who are having an extended party, or want to stay here for reasons most definitely other than work.

Maybe I have led a very sheltered life here? But I don't think so..........................

I do know folk who teach private for years using tourist visas. They are out there.

Agreed, I know a few as well. But the ones I know are teaching at schools, with work permit and they are breaking labour laws, not immigration laws.

IMHO

[DennisKL]

Interesting comments on a bunch of people stretching their luck in a foreign country for way too long.

For all of you proclaiming to be:

1. Financially independent < 50 years and just love to hang around in Thailand all the time on back-to-back Visas

2. "Working" in Thailand on back-to-back Visas because they operate successful businesses in Cyber-space

3. etc etc etc

Here is your solution:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/726441-thailand-elite-easy-access-500k-thb-card/

(If USD 15,000 is really THAT much whoohooboohoo money it seems that either your cyber business is not so successful or you are not that financially independent after all )

All of the (mostly overpaid & non qualified) <deleted>, yes <deleted> because you are stealing jobs from Thai people, you either have to except that:

1. The party is over for now. Put your old stuff in your backpack, go home for 2 months and try again?

2. -OR- Follow the rules and get a work permit (tough when you are not qualified, I know)

I dont see any issue here?

What an arrogant and condescending post.

I have friends here who are < 50, do not work and are financially independent due to rent and investment income from their home countries. They enjoy living here, they have girlfriends and they contribute to businesses and the local community in terms of paying rent, eating at local restaurants and drinking at local bars.

However, to pay Thb 500,000 for this privilege is just not worth the money if you don't need escorted services through immigration or limo transfers or golf / spa discounts.

I'm here on a retirement visa, the Thb 800,000 that I have in my bank account is still MINE, which I spend during the course of the year. The Thb 500,000 is a sunk cost. Can you see the difference?

Jealousy is at the root of the post you replied to.

Some guys just can't believe that there are self-made wealthy people under the age of 50.

I bought a house when I was twenty-two for £29,000 and sold it twenty three years later mortgage free for £215,000.

It was easy.

I have several more.

That was easy too.

I had the bottle to have a go.

The bitter people are those that didn't have the bottle.

Now I have a cyber income larger than any state pension I've ever heard of.

I have an income from my company that would compete or beat any oil trade worker.

And I have my rental income from properties. I am not alone.

10% of the British population are now millionaires.

It's at the point now that if you worked all your life in the UK and can't front the money for your retirement visa you should be ashamed of yourself.

Indeed, truth is that a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves for many more reasons besides calling / considering themselves financially independent while in reality (even in a developing, low cost living nation like Thailand) they are not.

If you are that "rich & successful" (not sure what being self made has to do with this, money in the bank is money in the bank) you HAVE your stuff sorted out so you dont get refused entry in to Thailand like a cheeky monkey thinking he can keep successfully entertaining the crowds with his foolish acts, time and time again. It happened to me a few days ago since I have been acting like this cheeky (lazy actually) monkey way too long. But 1 time and never again. Time to take care of business instead of acting like a cry baby spitting out irrelevant excuses!

[dukebowling]

This is pretty simple: In a nutshell, Officials are ignoring the rules with a personal or political agenda.

The existing corruption and influence spreads to border officials in two ways: The first with the idea that Farangs are bad for the country. The second is that they don't have to do their job properly without some payoff, handout or suckup.

Just going to get worse...

[brewsterbudgen]

This is pretty simple: In a nutshell, Officials are ignoring the rules with a personal or political agenda.

The existing corruption and influence spreads to border officials in two ways: The first with the idea that Farangs are bad for the country. The second is that they don't have to do their job properly without some payoff, handout or suckup.

Just going to get worse...

How is this about farangs? Koreans, Vietnamese, Laos are all being equally affected.

[harleyclarkey]

Time for tourists to move on and bypass this stupid erratic abusive country?

I have.....thank God.

[OnMyWay2]

There are far too many people taking joy from this clampdown.

How sad your lives must be.

It's probably those who've been here for a while and remember how things "used to be" before being overrun by illegals.

Edited July 14, 2014 by OnMyWay2

[brewsterbudgen]

Time for tourists to move on and bypass this stupid erratic abusive country?

I have.....thank God.

And yet you still feel the need to post here?

[max72]

I have been legitimately visiting Thailand on 30 day entries and/or tourist visas for years. I retired young and have plenty of money and for years I have been coming to Thailand three times a year and staying for one or two months each time, with periods of 2-4 months in between back in my home country. I come here because I like the place and have plenty of friends here to hang out with. I do not work while in Thailand.

I don't seem to fall into the category of people they are trying to keep out, but they are casting such a wide net that I'm afraid on my next trip I might have trouble.

I wonder when the TAT is going to chime in on this issue? Only after "legitimate" tourists start cancelling their trips en masse and start going elsewhere?

I am in your same situation. Very far from 50, but I stopped working at 32 because I prefer to enjoy the life rather to waste it making more and more money.

My maximum overstay was 1 day (no fine), never had any problems, go to Thailand and spend money, speak the language, socializing etc.

I don't understand why people like me and you should fear , what problems do we cause to Thailand apart to spend our money ?

I guess there are hundreds of thousands of people in our situation.

But I have a question , did those guys who were refused the entry, have an exit ticket from Thailand ?

This is important to know, i guess if they refuse you entry with a visa AND an exit ticket would be an abomination.

Thailand is the only country in the planet where you are told "thank you for your visit. Don't come back again, ever. We don't like you"

Edited July 14, 2014 by max72

[Thighlander]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/fameandfortune/10091332/Which-countries-have-the-most-millionaires.html?frame=2578015

590,000 millionaire households in the UK...........10%? perhaps the alcohol content of your ale.

[Samuian]

We've been there before! And they are right a tourist visa is a tourist visa and those with a Non-O or Non-B have no Problems - so what? They just going by the book, if the foreigners doing it the reqired way - everything else is illegal - no problem - so where is the problem?

[Cithung]

"Immigration officials then told the individuals that they would need to take a bus to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and fly in to Thailand instead." Maybe the Immigration Officials at the airport are more lenient or they do not know the new rules

I would think this would apply only if any one them can get in via visa exemption ?

this seems to be the only loophole if you got stuck outside due to back-2-back visas. .. then if u are holder of a pass that allows visa exemption, you could fly in 1 more time to at least pick up your stuff so u can then pie luy ?

[krislarter]

I think they should just limit visa entries in a 12 month period.

1 x 30 day exempt on arrival in a 6 or 12 month period not renewable in that time frame.

3 x single entry non extendable in a 12 month period.

1 x triple entry non extendable in a 12 month period.

Simple, understandable and effective.

[BuffaloRescue]

To be honest there are a LOT of people working in Thailand who are not "working in Thailand". In other words they are working for their own, non-thailand related businesses based overseas etc. These are generally professional people, who spend a lot of money in Thailand, and not criminals or trouble makers. These people cant get a legitimate visa. Technically they should be paying income tax in Thailand even if their business is based overseas and technically they should have a work permit for it. Unfortunately you cant get a work permit for it, therefor you cant register for tax either I believe.

It would be good if Thailand took a different approach to cleaning up foreingers allowed to live in Thailand. Let people live here who have businesses from overseas but make them submit their documents annually and make them tax-residents of Thailand. This start-up crowd could be very good for Thailand, which desperately needs innovation! It would also give Thai people the opportunity to get employment etc. They should criminal record check people who want to stay her for long periods and deny them entry. This will sort out the "criminal expat" problem.

Edited July 14, 2014 by BuffaloRescue

[dukebowling]

This is pretty simple: In a nutshell, Officials are ignoring the rules with a personal or political agenda.

The existing corruption and influence spreads to border officials in two ways: The first with the idea that Farangs are bad for the country. The second is that they don't have to do their job properly without some payoff, handout or suckup.

Just going to get worse...

How is this about farangs? Koreans, Vietnamese, Laos are all being equally affected.

Agreed. Should have said Foreigners...

[Cithung]

To be honest there are a LOT of people working in Thailand who are not "working in Thailand". In other words they are working for their own, non-thailand related businesses based overseas etc. These are generally professional people, who spend a lot of money in Thailand, and not criminals or trouble makers. These people cant get a legitimate visa. Technically they should be paying income tax in Thailand even if their business is based overseas and technically they should have a work permit for it. Unfortunately you cant get a work permit for it, therefor you cant register for tax either I believe.

It would be good if Thailand took a different approach to cleaning up foreingers allowed to live in Thailand. Let people live here who have businesses from overseas but make them submit their documents annually and make them tax-residents of Thailand. This start-up crowd could be very good for Thailand, which desperately needs innovation!

yes Im kinda in that situation..

[OnMyWay2]

Time for tourists to move on and bypass this stupid erratic abusive country?

I have.....thank God.

I figured this out on my first trip to Pattaya immigration. Now I'm strictly a tourist. don't deal with immigration or Visa runs.

Much more pleasant that way.

[ukrules]

As the news of this spreads, more and more people will likely put of trips here as the confusion reigns.

^I seriously doubt this.

What it will do however is stop these people that have exploited a system that was not strictly enforced as it should have been. I support it 100%. I am glad those multi visa runners were displaced. I doubt they will be let back in from the airport

Either you are a tourist occasionally or you live here with a retirement, Marriage or Work visa.

I expect more borders to follow suit soon.

How about u are rich and young and not married?

What kind of visa please?

Cool thing, It doesn't matter, stand in line like the rest of us. There are no special Platinum Visa's. Besides if you are rich and young why would you be here?

There is a 'special platinum' visa, it's called 'Thailand Elite'. The cheapest option (Easy Access) gives you a 5 year unlimited entry visa and costs 500,000 Baht. You get 1 year stamps every time you arrive and can stay for the full term of your membership without leaving if you so desire.

[slipperylobster]

I wonder if there is some political maneuvering going on....?

This kind of crackdown might be just a way of holding some aces up the sleeve, in return for better treatment of Thais who want to also travel, unimpeded.

Other than that, it is like they are flushing the toilet, trying to get rid of the riff raff. Problem is, the bad publicity this is giving to tourism...even realizing that "genuine" tourists will not be affected. It still creates a hostile atmosphere.

[chrisinth]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Throughout this entire thread, I keep seeing reference to vast numbers of people, in Thailand, working on tourist visas/visa exempt stamps.

Could someone please provide a link to clarify these figures and what areas of work they are taking place?

I have only been living in Thailand for the last 17 years, legally working for the majority of that time, have met with probably thousands of expats here and have never met one (to my knowledge) that has not had the correct visa and work permit.

The only abuse of visa exemption/tourist visas (defined at today's immigration view on the subject) have been taken by people who are having an extended party, or want to stay here for reasons most definitely other than work.

Maybe I have led a very sheltered life here? But I don't think so..........................

You live in a cave? There are so many people LIVING here on tourists visa's receiving income from Thailand. You never been to a restaurant/bar opened by a farang for his GF or wife? Nothing illegal about that, but they are on TOURIST visa and not really tourists are they? You never met a farang selling or renting property on the side? You never know an English Teacher? You want a link? PLEASE.

No Bill, I don't live in a cave at all.

I know many, many farang that have restaurants/bars ran by their wives/GF's, but don't know one of them on a tourist visa. All are on at a minimum of non-O visa. There is stupid, but to try to do this long term on a tourist visa? FYI, my wife ran a restaurant for almost 13 years while I have been here, so my nose was pretty close to the ground at that time.

"You never met a farang selling or renting property on the side?" Correct, I have never met a farang doing this, even during my years living in Pattaya.

English teachers? I know many but all with work permits. In defence, I don't know how the conversation schools work and the ones I know doing private lessons are breaking labour laws not immigration (as they already have WP's).

"You want a link?" Yes, that is what I asked for in the original post.

[Gweiloman]

I cannot help wondering how many of those affected by / bleating about the clampdown were on here cheering on the yellows / putting down the reds not so long ago.

I guess they got what they wanted, huh?

I don't think that the current crackdown is politically motivated but I do think that even though the so called crackdown was initiated before the military took over, the IO's are being a lot more zealous than they would have been under the previous government. Could be the threat of being transferred to an inactive post in the middle of Nakhon Nowhere