I was under the impression that if you had dependents that were Thai citizens, you couldn't be refused entry in Thailand.

Does anyone know of anyone that has been refused?

I have one friend who was 8 years overstayed and got back in. He told me about this law, saying that unless you commit a serious or criminal offenseyou can't be refused entry.

I would think that overstay is a criminal offense but never heard of anyone being refused.

I have one friend who was 8 years overstayed and got back in. He told me about this law, saying that unless you commit a serious or criminal offenseyou can't be refused entry.

Don't meet the entry requirements and you will be refused entry. Of course the requirements are eased for people with dependents.

There is no such rule. With a Thai family you can still be refused entry, there is no definite right to stay in Thailand if you have Thai family. Only Thai nationality does.

I have heard this same rule many times over the years from a number of different people, all with families. I have read it several times on the forums as well. I never had children myself until 15 months ago. I am wondering just how "relaxed" they will be about it if I am the father of a Thai national and the sole provider for him for everything. Mario is generally spot on with his advice, so I am inclined to think that such a rule doesn't exist. However, I was under the impression that they would not refuse entry. They might limit the time you have to get your affairs in order, but I don't think they would ban you from the country!

There is no rule like that. Why would people with children even get a visa or an extension of stay then.

I have heard this same rule many times over the years from a number of different people, all with families. I have read it several times on the forums as well. I never had children myself until 15 months ago. I am wondering just how "relaxed" they will be about it if I am the father of a Thai national and the sole provider for him for everything. Mario is generally spot on with his advice, so I am inclined to think that such a rule doesn't exist. However, I was under the impression that they would not refuse entry. They might limit the time you have to get your affairs in order, but I don't think they would ban you from the country!

I have also heard this from various people, hence the OP.

I remember hearing it was because of the 1997 constitution.

Chapter 3 , paragraph 36 does state that a Thai person cannot be refused entry. If I was trying to enter with a Thai child, especially a minor, would it be abusing their rights as a Thai citizen for their father to be refused entry?

I was refused entry during the previous crackdown on people with Thai wives and children using 30 day tourist permission to stays as I was working overseas on a 10 week on 3 week off rotation. As far as they are concerned you cannot exceed the maximum number of days as a tourist in a certain period. Secondly they consider that you are not a genuine tourist as you have a wife and children here so you should get a proper visa and multiple entry each year to cover your visits. Fortunately a close friend was the former head of Thai Immigration so they let me through after I showed them his name card otherwise I would have been sent back. Under the current regime you should not pretend to be a tourist when you are not.

If you are a non-Thai father of Thai children living with them in Thailand all the more reason to pay attention to the rules and not overstay.

I have heard this same rule many times over the years from a number of different people, all with families. I have read it several times on the forums as well. I never had children myself until 15 months ago. I am wondering just how "relaxed" they will be about it if I am the father of a Thai national and the sole provider for him for everything. Mario is generally spot on with his advice, so I am inclined to think that such a rule doesn't exist. However, I was under the impression that they would not refuse entry. They might limit the time you have to get your affairs in order, but I don't think they would ban you from the country!

I have also heard this from various people, hence the OP.

I remember hearing it was because of the 1997 constitution.

Chapter 3 , paragraph 36 does state that a Thai person cannot be refused entry. If I was trying to enter with a Thai child, especially a minor, would it be abusing their rights as a Thai citizen for their father to be refused entry?

No, the child can enter. It would be just you that can't.

I have heard this same rule many times over the years from a number of different people, all with families. I have read it several times on the forums as well. I never had children myself until 15 months ago. I am wondering just how "relaxed" they will be about it if I am the father of a Thai national and the sole provider for him for everything. Mario is generally spot on with his advice, so I am inclined to think that such a rule doesn't exist. However, I was under the impression that they would not refuse entry. They might limit the time you have to get your affairs in order, but I don't think they would ban you from the country!

I have also heard this from various people, hence the OP.

I remember hearing it was because of the 1997 constitution.

Chapter 3 , paragraph 36 does state that a Thai person cannot be refused entry. If I was trying to enter with a Thai child, especially a minor, would it be abusing their rights as a Thai citizen for their father to be refused entry?

The 1997 constitution and the one that replaced it no longer exists. But perhaps the next one will have a similar clause.

The child could still enter but that right would not be passed on to you.

Unless you were banned from entering the country for a crime or an overstay (up coming rules) there is little likelihood of you ever being denied entry.

If you have a Thai child and/or married to a Thai there are several options to stay here legally long term.

There is no rule like that. Why would people with children even get a visa or an extension of stay then.

Why? So they could provide for the child? Food. clothing, education etc

There is no rule like that. Why would people with children even get a visa or an extension of stay then.

Why? So they could provide for the child? Food. clothing, education etcI wrote why would they get a visa? If no one could stop them from enter Thailand there is no point in getting a visa. They could enter as long or how many times they like without a visa. So why get it?

Nothing you wrote make sense

Edited July 24, 201411 yr by larsjohnsson

I was refused entry during the previous crackdown on people with Thai wives and children using 30 day tourist permission to stays as I was working overseas on a 10 week on 3 week off rotation. As far as they are concerned you cannot exceed the maximum number of days as a tourist in a certain period. Secondly they consider that you are not a genuine tourist as you have a wife and children here so you should get a proper visa and multiple entry each year to cover your visits. Fortunately a close friend was the former head of Thai Immigration so they let me through after I showed them his name card otherwise I would have been sent back. Under the current regime you should not pretend to be a tourist when you are not.

Estrada

Just out of curiosity, what year would that have been ?

I had at least 6 straight years of visa exemptions, rotations of 3 & 1, 8 & 4, 10 & 3. Never once was I questioned.

Just curious.

There is no rule like that. Why would people with children even get a visa or an extension of stay then.

Why? So they could provide for the child? Food. clothing, education etc

If there were a rule like that there would be no point in having a visa or extension based on that. That is what Lars wrote.

There is no rule like that. Why would people with children even get a visa or an extension of stay then.

Why? So they could provide for the child? Food. clothing, education etc

I wrote why would they get a visa? If no one could stop them from enter Thailand there is no point in getting a visa. They could enter as long or how many times they like without a visa. So why get it?

Nothing you wrote make sense

Sorry Lars, I read it negatively. I thought you were questioning why people with Thai children should be treated differently (even get a visa or extension of stay then) from anybody else because they have children. In answer to your comment. everybody has to have some kind of visa so the authorities know where people are - or are supposed to be anyway! Sorry for the confusion on my part Lars.

There is no rule like that. Why would people with children even get a visa or an extension of stay then.

Why? So they could provide for the child? Food. clothing, education etc

If there were a rule like that there would be no point in having a visa or extension based on that. That is what Lars wrote.

Hi Steve, I misread it and I have apologised to Lars! Cheers!

I was refused entry during the previous crackdown on people with Thai wives and children using 30 day tourist permission to stays as I was working overseas on a 10 week on 3 week off rotation. As far as they are concerned you cannot exceed the maximum number of days as a tourist in a certain period. Secondly they consider that you are not a genuine tourist as you have a wife and children here so you should get a proper visa and multiple entry each year to cover your visits. Fortunately a close friend was the former head of Thai Immigration so they let me through after I showed them his name card otherwise I would have been sent back. Under the current regime you should not pretend to be a tourist when you are not.

Estrada

Just out of curiosity, what year would that have been ?

I had at least 6 straight years of visa exemptions, rotations of 3 & 1, 8 & 4, 10 & 3. Never once was I questioned.

Just curious.

Sometime after the last coup which was September 2006. I was working in Libya for 6 years from 2004 until 2010. I also had to make side trips to Malaysia for my Libyan Visa so I had a lot of entry/exits

i have read on thai visa "my close friend is head of thai immigration" or something similar, maybe 10,000 times.