First Re-entry After The Clamp Down - Report

[NanLaew]

I arrived at Suvarnabhumi just before noon on Tuesday and the immigration lanes were quiet. I am on a retirement extension with a couple of previous marriage extensions, all in the same passport and have been out of the country for 9 weeks. The Immigration guy asked me, "How long you stay?" and I answered "About 5 weeks" to which he responded "Too long." I asked. "Sorry?" as if misunderstanding but with no response, I left him to get on with it. Without saying anything else, he stamped my passport and as usual, I paused before going to the carousel to check the stamps I had just been given. It looked like a mess with 29-7-2014 as the leave by date (!) so I went back with a wai and "Kaw thote krap" and asked what his stamp meant as the re-entry permit was on the facing page with the 29-1-2015 expiry date. He must have said "Sorry" about a dozen times as he changed the 2014 to 2015 and overwrote his straggly 7 to resemble a 1.

 

Just goes to show that checking your entry validity stamps at point of entry is still ALWAYS a good practice. However, in my many years arriving here, this is the first time I have ever been asked how long I was staying for. His response of "Too long" must be from their new 'rules of engagement' to put the unwary or unprepared on the back foot? It was unlikely that he had seen the re-entry permit before asking. He had just scanned the code on the picture page of the passport when he asked so maybe that screen only shows a list of prior entry/exits and once they dig out the page with the relevant visa or whatever, then they get the whole picture.

[Jdietz]

Did you fill in your re-entry permit number on the 'visa number' spot  on the TM-6 entry form?

 

This will hint to the officer to look up your details. If you leave it blank a visa exempt entry is (rightfully) assumed.

[paz]

Did you fill in your re-entry permit number on the 'visa number' spot  on the TM-6 entry form?

 

This will hint to the officer to look up your details. If you leave it blank a visa exempt entry is (rightfully) assumed.

 

He may have been just mind absented or sleepy. 29/7/14 does not make sense under any assumption.

[david555]

By every entry on airport i  great them and politely intriduce my visa by voice , it make them at least more aware to look in to it correct .Special because  i have always multiple entry visas . Good to check at airport before leaving the area .  

[Mojomor]

So, what mistake did the Farang make? ( Well, it's always the Farang who makes the mistake, yes!). Obviously when he asked how long you stay, you should have told him the expiry date of your retirement extension in Jan 2015. Next they will be asking what you had for breakfast, in which case you say ''very nice''.

 

Be nice and give them an answer, without telling them anything. Americans and others of ex empires cannot understand this fairly simple stuff.

[grantbkk]

You gave too much information. Say that you live in Thailand. Why would anyone want to complicate the process with the truth?