Furious - Refused entry at Suvarnabhumi airport

[Bald Eagle]

Absolutely furious and no idea what to do now. I was going to do the usual visa on arrival malarky for the 30 days as I work offshore and I find this works best for me. After a VERY thorough inspection by the immigration officer I thought I was going to get asked to show the 20,000 baht required for onward travel, hotel bookings and proof of flight out. I had the money and the flight ticket leaving in 28 days but no hotel bookings as I own my own condo in Chiang Mai. After he called his supervisor over I started regretting maybe not spending a few pounds making a really cheap room booking for my duration but why should I?

So after more deliberation I was told point blank that I am not allowed into Thailand and that I can use the airport for 24hrs as a transit airport and must fly on somewhere else.

I have not been back to Thailand for a couple of months due to rotating back home. My passport does have quite a few Thailand stamps in it but I have never been a serial border runner or overstayer.

Totally at a loss at to what to do. Will have to contact friends and tell them I am a no show and how the hell am I going to sell my condo and car if I can't even get in the country?

I am usually just a lurker here in ThaiVisa but this has warranted me voicing my opinion for once.

What am I supposed to do? Fly somewhere else? Oh shit just remembered my return flights for work are through bkk. Will they let me use it again as a transit airport or will I get told from god knows where "no you're not allowed bkk".

Up shit creek without a paddle. Oh well lets look on the bright side, someone is going to get a cut price condo and car in Chiang Mai pretty soon.

FML

[AYJAYDEE]

wow, this will affect thousands

[ClutchClark]

Did they just deny you for a visa on Arrival, or are you denied any other type of visa as well?

[RandomSand]

What am I supposed to do? Fly somewhere else?

Obviously, yes, that;s what you'll have to do.

Your inane question makes me wonder if your situation is reality.

Did they just deny you for a visa on Arrival, or are you denied any other type of visa as well

Can you read? He/she said they have 24hrs at the airport for transit.

Edited July 16, 2014 by RandomSand

[paz]

Understand your frustration. But if you are still at the airport, see if you can have another talk with an Immigration boss, show beforehand tickets, money etc.. I would not mention that you own property.

Denied entry decision can be reversed, it has happened.

As a last resort say that you intend to appeal, their reply could be that you will have to day to be in IDC up to 7 days, if you do that.

Good luck!

[paz]

What am I supposed to do? Fly somewhere else?

Obviously, yes, that;s what you'll have to do.

Your inane question makes me wonder if your situation is reality.

Truly inane is your attitude toward the next person.

[Bald Eagle]

No other visa offered. I was told that "I am not tourist". That was the answer repeated over and over.

I was playing with trying to slip a sheeth of thousand baht notes into the passport and handing it back to the immigration officer asking him to look again but with the supervisor present and not looking happy at all I dare not try it.

I think I'm going to book a flight out to PP or Vietnam but am still slightly in shock right now. I need to find out which of my friends are where before I make a decision.

[paz]

Did they just deny you for a visa on Arrival, or are you denied any other type of visa as well?

For Westerners, there no "Visa on arrival", just visa exempt entry.

Not having a visa, nothing else can be done.

[ukrules]

What happened to the 'new rules' being applied from 12th August ?

Bald Eagle - Where are you from - what country issued your passport ?

Edited July 16, 2014 by ukrules

[ttthailand]

Big mistake for Thailand and not good news for many people. This group is the biggest spenders in the country. If they all head out it will really be a loss to many a Thai girl. I think Cambodia will profit millions of dollars in the coming months.

[paz]

No other visa offered. I was told that "I am not tourist". That was the answer repeated over and over.

I was playing with trying to slip a sheeth of thousand baht notes into the passport and handing it back to the immigration officer asking him to look again but with the supervisor present and not looking happy at all I dare not try it.

I think I'm going to book a flight out to PP or Vietnam but am still slightly in shock right now. I need to find out which of my friends are where before I make a decision.

Evidently you've been made the scapegoat of the hour,

Ask to talk again with supervisor. Do not offer bribes. Show evidence that you work offshore.

[Bald Eagle]

Christ I didn't think me having property would show me to be more than a tourist.

I was contemplating going back and pleading with him saying I need to get my condo etc. That would have been a very stupid move.

Would they threaten me with IDC or just throw me in it? A bit scary if they get wound up and just go for it.

Still weighing up my options and here.

This really has buggered me up. I know I'm still alive and all that but this is shocking.

[paz]

What happened to the 'new rules' being applied from 12th August ?

They clearly do as they please, as always.

"They" can be a superior officer or even higher power that ordered: whatever - start now .

[living in Patts]

Good luck Bald Eagle I'm in a similar situation and flying on Saturday. I work abroad and return for a couple of weeks after 6 weeks away and use the visa exempt stamp (but planning on getting a visa soon) I'm also a condo owner. Hope you work things out!

@ Paz why recommend not being a condo owner??

[Bald Eagle]

I'm from the UK but work with loads of american lads hence the moniker.

Trying to muster up what paperwork I have with me to show I work offshore. Yes I agree bribes are bad news but if he asked, well I've got to be honest a long as it's not extortionate I think I'd pay up.

The thing worrying me is his supervisor got involved and seemed to be praising the immigration officer. My thai is really bad so that might not be the case but I was half waiting for some good ol' boy back slapping and laughter as I walked away.

Devastated is not the word right now.

[BKKSnowBird]

If you own a condo AND a car in a country, YOU ARE NOT A TOURIST. You are a part time resident.

[johnsjourney]

I suppose all one can do is ask when allowed to return next, for a given visa type, and do the best in the meantime. I will consult immigration myself tomorrow.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Yahooka]

What a terrible situation for the OP.Im an offshore worker to and my next trip is late August.Im just glad my condo lease is soon finisged if things go tits up.

[RandomSand]

If you own a condo AND a car in a country, YOU ARE NOT A TOURIST. You are a part time resident.

Garbage. He doesn't work in Thailand. If you have a Tourist visa, and are not working illegally, then you are a tourist.

As for "living in Thailand"... What the heck does that mean? Of course you are living... you'd be dead otherwise.

Edited July 16, 2014 by RandomSand

[kaobang]

i suggest to who started this thread and everyone in his/her condition to contact the embassy

this is clearly an abuse

[Bald Eagle]

If you own a condo AND a car in a country, YOU ARE NOT A TOURIST. You are a part time resident.

Yes very true. But as an under 50 year old, not married, without the means to buy the elite card or invest 10 million baht what do you suggest?

I have looked into this problem many times and the fact I exit the country so frequently a lot of the normal visa's become defunct for me.

I don't know if I have the balls to go back and appeal my case. I'm going to collect myself and go through my documents once more.

[RandomSand]

Falang,.. just leave Thailand. Thai for Thai. We're not welcome. This is not our country... Is is not obvious?

[baboon]

Dreadful. I feel for you and wish you a swift resolution to your troubles. Good luck, mate.

[stevie123]

This is bad new for very offshore worker I'm back on the 14th of August after six weeks and have two triple entry tourist visas so it looks like in screwed

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[BKKSnowBird]

If you own a condo AND a car in a country, YOU ARE NOT A TOURIST. You are a part time resident.

Yes very true. But as an under 50 year old, not married, without the means to buy the elite card or invest 10 million baht what do you suggest?

I have looked into this problem many times and the fact I exit the country so frequently a lot of the normal visa's become defunct for me.

I don't know if I have the balls to go back and appeal my case. I'm going to collect myself and go through my documents once more.

I was not trying to be mean. Just stating the obvious and yes Thailand does not want you. Get a new passport maybe? Return and sell all. Start going to another country that is more welcoming.

[paz]

Christ I didn't think me having property would show me to be more than a tourist.

I was contemplating going back and pleading with him saying I need to get my condo etc. That would have been a very stupid move.

Would they threaten me with IDC or just throw me in it? A bit scary if they get wound up and just go for it.

Still weighing up my options and here.

This really has buggered me up. I know I'm still alive and all that but this is shocking.

If you really appeal to the Ministry, the only place they can hold you is IDC. Personally would not subject myself to the misery, just to take chances on something that can be tackled a different way.

Next choice is that you fly to a more friendly nearby country e.g. Malaysia and organize yourself to protect your assets. If no nasty stamps on your passport you could even just get a tourist visa and re-enter via land.

Edited July 16, 2014 by paz

[Bald Eagle]

Just been up and tried again.

Sitting here shaking a bit with the adrenaline, and probably shock.

I think I piqued their interest.

Supervisor was called over, I stated my case as politely and clearly as possible. To be fair he wasn't as forceful as the first encounter but as soon as I heard the words "no not tourist" I knew it was all over.

Sorry to swear but holy shit I've never encountered this anywhere before and feel like some sort of criminal.

I'm awaiting replies from friends in neighbouring countries and then booking flights. I dread to think what would happen if I didn't have the funds or the means to book onward flights within 24hrs.

So long Chiang Maim you've been good to me but it is time to part ways. This really has screwed up my plans for the next few years.

I don't take nothing away from Thailand but memories. Yet when here I spend upwards of 50,000 baht a month into the local economy. I know a drop in the ocean, but soon it will turn into a tsunami.

[englishoak]

Bald eagle Bro I really feel for you.

The only consolation is that your experience will be one that sets off a landslide response.

I would urge everyone to contact embassies and media and let people know that if they have a regular visit history to thailand they are taking a huge risk atm expecting to be allowed in.

[proovms]

It may be possible for you to go to Vientiane, Laos, get a tourist visa and come into Thailand, then you can fly or take a bus to Chiang Mai and sort out your car and property. This would take 2 or 3 days to do.

Edited July 16, 2014 by proovms

[BKKSnowBird]

It may be possible for you to go to Vientiane, Laos, get a tourist visa and come into Thailand, then you can fly or take a bus to Chiang Mai and sort out your car and property. This would take 2 or 3 days to complete.

That is the best advice IMO. You apparently can still enter by air on a tourist visa until the 12th.

I hope you can sell all in a few weeks.