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

[Tycoon]

I do not understand why immigration doesn't have one set of rules and regulations, requirements and forms for every immigration officer, consulate and embassy.

Because Thai government organisation is very very very far behind western standards.

They are catching up and trying to raise the standard of this country.

[philw]

Don't be surprised in the future if they limit the land crossings to only members of ASEAN community and all others would have to gain entry via air.

They are serious (currently) about getting out the illegal riff-raff.

We, as an EX-PAT community have brought some of this on ourselves by not policing our own. If you know someone who is violating the VISA requirements - TURN THEM IN!!!!!!!!!!!

It's those folks who abuse the system and ruin it for the rest of the legitimate ex-pats!

Wow, this really is ugly.

Should we also be reporting those who buy beer between 14:00 - 17:00 ???

Sad, sad, sad......................

[lovelaos]

Time to invest in a guest house on the Malaysian side of the border.

As we speak I am building a doss house near the friendship bridge, long term 'residents' get special discounts.... money up front of course

[John1thru10]

I hope that at least, stories like this finally put an end to the often repeated statement here, that 'proper visas are easy to obtain!'

[klikster]

Maybe this crackdown is real. Let's hope so. I think we can all agree that allowing tourist visa holders to live in Thailand is wrong. People doing border runs are simply skirting legal, though more expensive, means of staying in Thailand long term.

This may be the beginning of a golden age where Thais begin to enforce existing law.

We can only hope so.

Tough luck to those rascally poverty packers who haven't a dime to their name.

First off, who are you to be saying, "I think we can all agree that allowing tourist visa holders to live in Thailand is wrong."?

People doing border runs are doing what works for THEM.

"Golden Age" LOL!

Get off your soap box and stop generalizing about character and finances.

[Thanet]

i stop being suprised here years ago.... ..buy a legal visa from a THAI consul (WHO HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE) and then be refused entry at teh border...idiotic to say the least

It's again worth remembering that possession of a visa doesn't guarantee the holder admission to a country, it's the Immigration Officer at the Border that has the final say, this applies to most countries in the World, including the likes of the UK, the Schengen Area and the United States of America.

Ditto Australia - if immigration have grounds to believe that you are trying to enter the country for reasons other than those allowed on your visa, they can and do refuse entry.

[larsjohnsson]

until they change the LAW to state that tourist can only stay so many days a year ..none of these people are breaking the law...so all the smart ass would do well to remember this.......you could be next Jack

it is immigrations job to catch illegal workers INSIDE thailand and arrest , blacklist then deport them ..........not at borders before they have entered there is a declatation on the immigration card that you sign..that is how they get you INSIDE thailand

They are all breaking the law . . . they are not "tourists" if you are using the people denied entry in the article as an example . . . they are using the tourist visa to enable them to stay long term in Thailand . . . that is NOT the purpose of the tourist visa, and THAT is what they are cracking down on.

And no, it's immigration's job to stop undesirable or illegal people at the border before they get into Thailand, not just once within the borders.

Since when is that illegal?

These people have legit visas...there is no evidence that they are working.

The gubbermint should stop issuing back to back TV visas at source i.e the consulates.

Pickin and choosing at the border is ludicrous.

Why have immigration at the border, if it would not be allowed to stop people?

[spermwhale]

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

"You are a tourist for 30 days, not more."

they mean business now, i hope it doesn't spread to the northern and eastern borders

You mean STUPID business. How can they be given a 60 day visa and then the immigration officer at the border at his own discretion, denies entry.

The checking should start at the consulate. If they do not want back to back visa runners, they should not give them the tourist visa to begin with.

Utter idiocy, which is to be expected here.

[mc1984]

I have stayed in Thailand for 1 and a half years on tourist visas in the past (an indefinite tourist) without working here. I am now on an education visa as I am studying Thai. My girlfriend is pregnant at the moment and I am worried about when my education visa runs out. I make enough money back home to support us but not to qualify for a non O visa. What can I do? I realize they won't have any sympathy for splitting up a young family and I am worried I am going to have to leave my wife and young child here. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Option 1) Well, you can MARRY your girlfriend then start doing the paperwork to take her and your child back to your home country.

You may have to move in with family back in your home country - but it can be done. Luckily - as you said, you make enough money back home while sitting here in Thailand. Chances are, there is additional public assistance in your home country to help you get your life together.

Option 2) Get MARRIED, then go back to your home country, save up enough for the non-O requirement (400k baht) then return. Might take up to a year and a couple months (depending on what you claim you already earn) - but staying with family will help minimize your spending while trying to save.

Additionally - taking a year away from your wife and kid might seem like forever - but military folks do this ALL THE TIME. It can be done.

No he does not.

He can get a non-O visa just because he has a Thai kid. Getting married is not required.

He just needs the 400k OR can prove he has 40k per month income.

He can also get a an education visa.

If he is rich, he can get an Elite card.

MANY options.

I am planning on getting married next year but my visa expires in April.

Is it possible to get back to back education visas from the same institute and I can continue my studies?

If I could prove i make 40,000 baht a month in an overseas account would this suffice?

I have heard it's 400k if you are married or 800k if you are not.

Not rich or so an elite card is out of the question....

Thanks fellas.

[grantbkk]

Lets be honest about this guys - no more boolshit

There are genuine tourists who will not be affected by any of this, those that come here for an extended holiday once or twice a year possibly over the winter months from say November to January and are issued with a tourist visa, these people should not have a problem

Then there are those that are old enough and want to retire here or those that have wives and or children here and are still working back home (under 50) - there are choices for them to do so without any issues

Then you have the targeted group that don't fall into either of the above, the visa running clan who seem to fall into 3 categories - working illegally - on the run from their own country for various reasons - criminal activity in Thailand - or a mixture of all 3

If you think it's normal in any country going to a border and leaving for an hour or a day every 30 or 60 days then you are delusional - that is not normal anywhere

There are some genuine folks that are under 50 and have the funds to stay here but are going to end up the innocent fallout, their only option is the rather expensive Elite Card

You only have to look at the news stories involving falangs over the last 3 years or so and almost all of them have been on overstay visa expired - the authorities have noticed this too it seems

I honestly believe the next phase of this clampdown (very soon) will be active checking of falangs in locations such as Pattaya and Phuket for their visa status, I really believe this will happen, if you are currently on overstay and don't want to be in a situation were you can't even go outside without the risk of arrest and jail then you need to make a hasty exit ASAP

JMO

This is sage advise and will save overstays money, time and a stint in Thai jail. Overstays have an easy out right now but that window will close soon.

Edited July 14, 2014 by Scott
Post inside the quote tag

[ColdSingha]

I was stranded in no mans land in 1997 for about 3 days as neither Malaysia nor Thailand would take me in.

Yes, I was riff raff and drunk.

Can't everyone see what Immigration are trying to do really?

I have 5 friends i Khon Kaen who buy their yearly visa from the Immigration.

I know of many other who buy their visa from other immigrations. They want to keep the money!

Myself, I was told I needn't do the 90 day reporting if I gave them a small fee.

Corruption but the good news is that, or maybe bad, is that the undesirables can stay but just giver their money to another place.

maybe much more of this, i've heard many reports of these from expats in my area too.

under the counter visas (from immigration) are the new backhanders

[spermwhale]

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

Time to invest in a guest house on the Malaysian side of the border.

Pretty soon there will be trafficking gangs takin farangs back to thailand

...but wait!....you can walk across Dannok and nobody will challenge you. width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

what's Dannok?

[ColdSingha]

I hope that at least, stories like this finally put an end to the often repeated statement here, that 'proper visas are easy to obtain!'

well.. easy to obtain, difficult to use

[John1thru10]

OMG Thailand enforces its regulations!

Your statement doesn't make any sense, however.

[Buckeye21]

i stop being suprised here years ago.... ..buy a legal visa from a THAI consul (WHO HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE) and then be refused entry at teh border...idiotic to say the least

It's again worth remembering that possession of a visa doesn't guarantee the holder admission to a country, it's the Immigration Officer at the Border that has the final say, this applies to most countries in the World, including the likes of the UK, the Schengen Area and the United States of America.

Happened with my gf arriving from Indonesia. She had a visa in her passport from the Canadian embasy in Jakarta and was almost denied entry when she arrived at the airport. I spoke with the immigration officer for a few minutes and he agreed to alow her in. He told me the visa in her passport doesn't guarantee entry.

[John1thru10]

i stop being suprised here years ago.... ..buy a legal visa from a THAI consul (WHO HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE) and then be refused entry at teh border...idiotic to say the least

It's again worth remembering that possession of a visa doesn't guarantee the holder admission to a country, it's the Immigration Officer at the Border that has the final say, this applies to most countries in the World, including the likes of the UK, the Schengen Area and the United States of America.

Perhaps, but how hard is it for consulate staff to perform the same check on a person's passport as an immigration officer to determine whether the applicant has worn out their welcome? No, they sell you the stamp, then let you be refused entry at the border... You can put lipstick on it if you want, but it's not copacetic...

When was the last time anyone at a Consulate asked you if you would be re-entering Thailand via a land border or an airport ? I've never been asked anything even remotely similar. When they start bouncing people in large numbers at the airports I'll revisit my stance - from the OP, those denied entry were specifically told to get on a plane. None of this changes the fact that people who are living in Thailand for the majority of the year really need to explore options beyond exemptions and tourist visas - as extensively discussed here for over a week.

Oh....you'll 'revisit your stance'. Be sure to notify the international media before doing so!

Edited July 14, 2014 by John1thru10

[mickba]

i stop being suprised here years ago.... ..buy a legal visa from a THAI consul (WHO HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE) and then be refused entry at teh border...idiotic to say the least

It's again worth remembering that possession of a visa doesn't guarantee the holder admission to a country, it's the Immigration Officer at the Border that has the final say, this applies to most countries in the World, including the likes of the UK, the Schengen Area and the United States of America.

Still, a lot of people don't consider that while the Consulate can do no real checks, Immigration has access to information which may well be cause for refusing entry.

Just one lady who didn't realise that..............

[Rorri]

i stop being suprised here years ago.... ..buy a legal visa from a THAI consul (WHO HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE) and then be refused entry at teh border...idiotic to say the least

It's again worth remembering that possession of a visa doesn't guarantee the holder admission to a country, it's the Immigration Officer at the Border that has the final say, this applies to most countries in the World, including the likes of the UK, the Schengen Area and the United States of America.

A cold fact that apparently needs to be repeated ad infinitum since some people seem incapable of understanding it.

Doesn't need repeating at all. The fact is we are dealing with Thailand, not UK or any other country. Another fact, they issue 60 day visa but deny re-entry. However, they then say if you fly in, from KL, you will be given entry, strange attitude. I'm not against countries enforcing their immigration laws, but for "f"'s sake be consistent at all borders and entry points.

[hawker9000]

i stop being suprised here years ago.... ..buy a legal visa from a THAI consul (WHO HAVE THE POWER TO REFUSE) and then be refused entry at teh border...idiotic to say the least

When you apply for a visa at the embassy and pay money. You have to pay even if you don't get the visa. So for the money/pay part it will be the same.

Nope. The word gets out. People will continue to pay their money for visas for the time-being; but every time one of these refused-entry stories gets reported, it'll get told & retold, and probably distorted & exaggerated with each telling, Thailand will find itself getting blackballed as travelers start to look upon it as the "lemon" of travel destinations. In the longer-term, the money/pay part will NOT be the same. Not for anybody involved.

[larsjohnsson]

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

WHY ????

Could easily hit innocent genuine tourists, and they may start crying in the summer news dry newspapers of their home countries,,

How can it hit innocent genuine tourists that fly to Thailand once a year on there holiday?

[Lupatria]

OMG Thailand enforces its regulations!

…and by doing so, it results (as usually) in an advanced version of Chinese Whisper. In this "amazing" local version they add a little bit of subservient behavior to make it more challenging.

[larsjohnsson]

So what if im under 50 but have the 800,000 or more in my bank account but I will be discriminated against because of my age.

Tourist visas are my only option right?

Your question have already been answered about 100 times. Also in this thread

[kingalfred]

Shows the total **** up of Thai government .Issuing visas at consulates and then denying access at the border,TIT

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ironbark]

I hope Laos doesn't catch the Thai anti corruption disease. Unlimited back to back thirty day tourist visas. At $30 a pop.

On further thought, nah!!! No chance of them stopping that nice little earner.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited July 14, 2014 by ironbark

[Tomtomtom69]

Don't be surprised in the future if they limit the land crossings to only members of ASEAN community and all others would have to gain entry via air.

They are serious (currently) about getting out the illegal riff-raff.

We, as an EX-PAT community have brought some of this on ourselves by not policing our own. If you know someone who is violating the VISA requirements - TURN THEM IN!!!!!!!!!!!

It's those folks who abuse the system and ruin it for the rest of the legitimate ex-pats!

you related to Bertie Smalls?

JeffreyWitty, stop the scaremongering and in particular, I would suggest you re-read the article. An immigration official at Sungai Kolok clearly stated that "Vietnamese and Laotians are not welcome". Last time I checked they were in Asean too. That means that these two nationals are currently required to fly or perhaps present a tourist itinerary in order to come through to Thailand from Malaysia. However, if you meet the requirements for entry, entering at a land border is no problem at all. In fact more and more overland international checkpoints are opening all the time. The next one will be Pho Doo in Uttaradit province next to Pak Lai in Saiyabuli province, Laos. That crossing should open to international travelers within the next month or two.

[pinkpanther99]

I believe the authorities are cleaning up the abuse of the visa system on two fronts here.

I reckon the immigration staff are under strict orders to not let people with loads of previous tourist visa and entry stamps into Thailand.

AND

They are also getting tough with the foreigners trying to enter by denying them entry into the country.

This will be a good thing in the long run.

However, it seems from reading the comments here that the people who will be unfairly victimised by this are the offshore workers.

These guys probably have more than enough money to support themselves during their stay in Thailand, they don't work in Thailand, may not be married to a Thai and are probably under 50, they get tourist visas because there is no other visa class for them!!

[BKKSnowBird]

I have stayed in Thailand for 1 and a half years on tourist visas in the past (an indefinite tourist) without working here. I am now on an education visa as I am studying Thai. My girlfriend is pregnant at the moment and I am worried about when my education visa runs out. I make enough money back home to support us but not to qualify for a non O visa. What can I do? I realize they won't have any sympathy for splitting up a young family and I am worried I am going to have to leave my wife and young child here. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Option 1) Well, you can MARRY your girlfriend then start doing the paperwork to take her and your child back to your home country.

You may have to move in with family back in your home country - but it can be done. Luckily - as you said, you make enough money back home while sitting here in Thailand. Chances are, there is additional public assistance in your home country to help you get your life together.

Option 2) Get MARRIED, then go back to your home country, save up enough for the non-O requirement (400k baht) then return. Might take up to a year and a couple months (depending on what you claim you already earn) - but staying with family will help minimize your spending while trying to save.

Additionally - taking a year away from your wife and kid might seem like forever - but military folks do this ALL THE TIME. It can be done.

No he does not.

He can get a non-O visa just because he has a Thai kid. Getting married is not required.

He just needs the 400k OR can prove he has 40k per month income.

He can also get a an education visa.

If he is rich, he can get an Elite card.

MANY options.

I am planning on getting married next year but my visa expires in April.

Is it possible to get back to back education visas from the same institute and I can continue my studies?

If I could prove i make 40,000 baht a month in an overseas account would this suffice?

I have heard it's 400k if you are married or 800k if you are not.

Not rich or so an elite card is out of the question....

Thanks fellas.

Yes, you should be able to renew a ED visa for a second year although I think those not really going to class will have problems in the near future.

You can get the O visa just by having the kid. Married also, even better. For either, you just need 400K or 40K per month. I believe you need your embassy to give you a letter if you go for the 40K route.

800k is for the over 50 retirement visa. Nothing to do with being married.

[expat888]

Looks like there will be a lot of job openings in Thailand if this keeps up

Assuming you are including teaching positions, they have lowered those to unacceptable levels anyway so the exit doors are looking better and better.

[ColdSingha]

However, it seems from reading the comments here that the people who will be unfairly victimised by this are the offshore workers.

These guys probably have more than enough money to support themselves during their stay in Thailand, they don't work in Thailand, may not be married to a Thai and are probably under 50, they get tourist visas because there is no other visa class for them!!

if this really bites they'll have to dig into that bankroll and poney up for an elite card

[hawker9000]

I believe the authorities are cleaning up the abuse of the visa system on two fronts here.

I reckon the immigration staff are under strict orders to not let people with loads of previous tourist visa and entry stamps into Thailand.

AND

They are also getting tough with the foreigners trying to enter by denying them entry into the country.

This will be a good thing in the long run.

However, it seems from reading the comments here that the people who will be unfairly victimised by this are the offshore workers.

These guys probably have more than enough money to support themselves during their stay in Thailand, they don't work in Thailand, may not be married to a Thai and are probably under 50, they get tourist visas because there is no other visa class for them!!

I remember learning about bushels & pecks & tons & metric tons & dozens & a gross in school, but how many is "loads"...? Is it "loads" within a certain period of time, or just "loads", or just whatever an IO on that particular day thinks is "loads"?

Edited July 14, 2014 by hawker9000