Trouble with immigration

[Inbetween]

Hi I was a member here a long time ago, but haven't been here in so long that I had to make a new account.

Here is my situation.

I worked here for over 10 years for the same place and left on Dec. 11 at the end of my contract because the course I was hired for got eliminated. I went to the Jomtien Immigration office with a letter from my employer saying that I have left them and how long I worked there. At immigration they gave me a 7-day extension. So today I went to the Cambodian border at Pailin to get a tourist visa or a visa exemption stamp, but when I got there I was refused exit. It seems because I had so many visa extensions on my non-imm B employment visa that I have to leave Thailand and come back into the country through the airport, even though I had a copy of the letter from my employer written in Thai. The van driver said that he was told that if I hadn't got a 7-day extension it would have been fine to do my business at Pailin today, so I don't know what the real problem is. Can anybody help me understand what is going on here?

Also, my 7-day extension is only good until Thursday (Dec 18th) so I want to do the fastest and most economical out and return air trip possible. Any advise abuot this would be really appreciated. This is really the most important reason for this post. Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

You just got a disagreeable immigration officer. There is no rule that says you have to leave by air after having an extension to get a visa exempt entry..

Chances are if you tried another crossing you would not have a problem.

You should check Air Asia for flights to KL (no visa fee) or Cambodia.

[Inbetween]

You just got a disagreeable immigration officer. There is no rule that says you have to leave by air after having an extension to get a visa exempt entry..

Chances are if you tried another crossing you would not have a problem.

You should check Air Asia for flights to KL (no visa fee) or Cambodia.

Thanks

I thought it made no sense, so I just got an ******* I guess.

I didn't think about trying another border, but I would hate to face the same thing. I will look at Air Asia. Could I just go to Phnom Penh and fly in and out on the same day? I think I saw something saying that you must stay at least one day in Siem Reap.

[harryn]

If you go to Cambodia I believe you have to pay an airport tax on both arrival and departure. KL would be a much better bet.

[Inbetween]

If you go to Cambodia I believe you have to pay an airport tax on both arrival and departure. KL would be a much better bet.

Thanks for the advise.

I just checked the Air Asia booking site and I can do a morning flight to KL and a return in the afternoon on the same day for around 6000 baht. Do you know if immigration will have a problem with me not staying in KL for at least a day. I would think that some business people would do this to attend a meeting then go home?

[ubonjoe]

No problem people do out and backs on the same day all the time.

[Inbetween]

No problem people do out and backs on the same day all the time.

Thanks.

Well, I guess that's settled, but any other opinion, warnings, advise, etc. would be welcome.

[OMGImInPattaya]

No problem people do out and backs on the same day all the time.

i just did this on Emirates to Hong Kong this past Saturday on their new A380 in business class. (Talk about a moveable feast...nothing but extraordinary food and wine at two airport lounges and the two flights for about 10 hours.) In HKG (or any other airport) just use the transit lane and bypass immigration and stay airside (unless you have time and want to see stuff outside the airport). Just have your airline issue your boarding passes for both flight legs when you check-in for your departure. No problem with Thai immigration on my return (and I have a pretty "messy" passport).

[Mario2008]

No problem leaving and re-entering the same day.

[Inbetween]

No problem leaving and re-entering the same day.

Thanks for more confirmation that this is no problem.

Your flight to HK sounds like it was great OMGIminPattaya but it was probably a lot more expensive than my Air Asia to KL for 6600 return. I can't believe that Air Asia actually charges extra for a seat. they were 350 to 70 baht depending where you want to sit.

[OMGImInPattaya]

No problem leaving and re-entering the same day.

Thanks for more confirmation that this is no problem.

Your flight to HK sounds like it was great OMGIminPattaya but it was probably a lot more expensive than my Air Asia to KL for 6600 return. I can't believe that Air Asia actually charges extra for a seat. they were 350 to 70 baht depending where you want to sit.

I did this years ago on Singapore Air to Changi...went in morning...spent the day lounging around the airside airport (not business class then but lots of stores and restos) and then back in the early evening. The most surprised were the Emirates crew on the return as it was the same plane/crew as in Bangkok and they were so surprised to see me again.

[VBF]

No problem leaving and re-entering the same day.

Thanks for more confirmation that this is no problem.

Your flight to HK sounds like it was great OMGIminPattaya but it was probably a lot more expensive than my Air Asia to KL for 6600 return. I can't believe that Air Asia actually charges extra for a seat. they were 350 to 70 baht depending where you want to sit.

I had to read that twice!!! Visions of people standing all the way - D'Oh

I think it's fairer to say that they charge extra for an allocated seat. If you let them seat you where they decide, I think it's free, and if you're travelling alone, I presume it doesn't matter where you sit.

Actually, EasyJet in Europe do the same thing.

[Inbetween]

No problem leaving and re-entering the same day.

Thanks for more confirmation that this is no problem.

Your flight to HK sounds like it was great OMGIminPattaya but it was probably a lot more expensive than my Air Asia to KL for 6600 return. I can't believe that Air Asia actually charges extra for a seat. they were 350 to 70 baht depending where you want to sit.

I had to read that twice!!! Visions of people standing all the way - D'Oh

I think it's fairer to say that they charge extra for an allocated seat. If you let them seat you where they decide, I think it's free, and if you're travelling alone, I presume it doesn't matter where you sit.

Actually, EasyJet in Europe do the same thing.

Well the site didn't seem to give any option for unallocated seating. I haven't booked the flight yet but when I do tomorrow I'll look again.

Maybe somebody else here can tell us if that option exists with Air Asia

[VBF]

No problem leaving and re-entering the same day.

Thanks for more confirmation that this is no problem.

Your flight to HK sounds like it was great OMGIminPattaya but it was probably a lot more expensive than my Air Asia to KL for 6600 return. I can't believe that Air Asia actually charges extra for a seat. they were 350 to 70 baht depending where you want to sit.

I had to read that twice!!! Visions of people standing all the way - D'Oh

I think it's fairer to say that they charge extra for an allocated seat. If you let them seat you where they decide, I think it's free, and if you're travelling alone, I presume it doesn't matter where you sit.

Actually, EasyJet in Europe do the same thing.

Well the site didn't seem to give any option for unallocated seating. I haven't booked the flight yet but when I do tomorrow I'll look again.

Maybe somebody else here can tell us if that option exists with Air Asia

Looks as if all you have to do is NOT choose a seat, and AA will do it for you http://www.airasia.com/my/en/inflight-comforts/seat-options.page and http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do?id=208

That was certainly what I did in 2012 when I flew BKK to Phnom Penh on AA.

Hint: Google is your friend!

[ubonjoe]

You have a choice of paying extra for an assigned premium or normal seat. If you don't pay for a seat it is take an empty seat when you get on. I have paid extra to get a normal aisle seat.

[Inbetween]

You have a choice of paying extra for an assigned premium or normal seat. If you don't pay for a seat it is take an empty seat when you get on. I have paid extra to get a normal aisle seat.

That makes sense. I just didn't look carefully enough. I don't think it matters where I sit for a 2 hour flight Thanks.

[joepattaya1961]

The reason for being refused exit may be an income-tax issue.

In the past (and maybe present) you must be able to show sufficient evidence of paid income-taxes.

If you book AirAsia there is also the "insurance-option". You have to un-check and confirm twice to save another THB 250.

One poster went to Hong Kong, didn't pass HKG immigration and returned to Bangkok. Although he did have 2 boarding passes as prove of travel he could have had a problem upon entering Thailand: the passport didn't show entering/exiting another country.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

One poster went to Hong Kong, didn't pass HKG immigration and returned to Bangkok. Although he did have 2 boarding passes as prove of travel he could have had a problem upon entering Thailand: the passport didn't show entering/exiting another country.

If I fly back to the US, I won't get a enter/exit stamp either.

If I swap passports in mid-air, no enter/exit stamp anywhere.

[Inbetween]

The reason for being refused exit may be an income-tax issue.

In the past (and maybe present) you must be able to show sufficient evidence of paid income-taxes.

If you book AirAsia there is also the "insurance-option". You have to un-check and confirm twice to save another THB 250.

One poster went to Hong Kong, didn't pass HKG immigration and returned to Bangkok. Although he did have 2 boarding passes as prove of travel he could have had a problem upon entering Thailand: the passport didn't show entering/exiting another country.

Everything is in order with tax but they did say anything about that.

I noticed the insurance option and removed it but missed the assigned seating.

I assumed that I'd have to enter Malaysia to legally exit Thailand. It seems that even if I have the choice, I'd be better off with a Malaysia entry stamp in my passport, wouldn't I?

[AyG]

You have a choice of paying extra for an assigned premium or normal seat. If you don't pay for a seat it is take an empty seat when you get on.

Not quite. You're allocated a seat at check-in. No need to find an empty seat yourself.

[tolsti]

I did this in November from Phuket. I was between jobs and timing meant a 7 day extension and a border bounce to get a 30 day visa exempt to enable a new Non B to be done in BKK.

At the time I was told, by several visa bus companies, that I could not do it by road. It had to be by air. So off I popped to Singapore. On arrival I went through Immigration and explained that I was only there for a couple of hours. The Immigration Office wanted to know more so I explained and he said.. So you'll need a stamp then! and stamped me into Singapore.

[ExPratt]

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You have a choice of paying extra for an assigned premium or normal seat. If you don't pay for a seat it is take an empty seat when you get on. I have paid extra to get a normal aisle seat.

That makes sense. I just didn't look carefully enough. I don't think it matters where I sit for a 2 hour flight Thanks.

Its the last page on AA, Name , flight , baggage , insurance , seat selection the payment page

[Inbetween]

I did this in November from Phuket. I was between jobs and timing meant a 7 day extension and a border bounce to get a 30 day visa exempt to enable a new Non B to be done in BKK.

At the time I was told, by several visa bus companies, that I could not do it by road. It had to be by air. So off I popped to Singapore. On arrival I went through Immigration and explained that I was only there for a couple of hours. The Immigration Office wanted to know more so I explained and he said.. So you'll need a stamp then! and stamped me into Singapore.

Thanks

I'll enter Malaysia and exit again right away.

BTW, do you know how early should I really get to Don Muang airport before my flight leaves? I think I saw 3 hours somewhere but don't know if I can do that. I'll have no checked in baggage and only carry on.

[ExPratt]

If you are not taking any checked in bags , an hour and a half should be loads, I always use the auto check in outside , then its straight through to immigration, If you have bags to check in , which i wouldn't thought you would have , give yourself a couple of hours

[Mario2008]

With airasia you can check-in online and print your own boarding pass, so no need to check in (You can check-in 3 hours before till 1 hour before at the counter).. Since you do not have any luggage you simply must make the boarding time.

[canarysun]

I must admit i haven't done " Visa Runs " for a long time but i must say that i think by using a " Visa Run Company " you are doing yourself " no favours " ! They are mostly a waste of money and very dangerous driving too! It is quite simple to do your own trips to the borders ( we are all old enough not to need someone to hold our hand ) I personally believe that if you do your own visa trips then you have more chance of things " running smoothly " ( Also there is a train twice a day to the Cambodian border for about 40 baht which operates out of Bangkok's Hua lampong station )

F.J

[ggt]

You have been "punked" Thai immigration style...do not try to understand it...just try to figure out how to work around the problems or have some Thai place a few thousand bath in the right person's hand...Oh My...I forgot there is no more corruption in Thailand...dear me...

[ChiangMaiPigFarmer]

The last time I went to KL for the visa they took two days to process the visa. I don't think attempting to fly back the same day will work.

[ubonjoe]

The last time I went to KL for the visa they took two days to process the visa. I don't think attempting to fly back the same day will work.

He is just doing an out and back for a visa exempt entry not applying for a tourist visa.

[chickenrunCM]

The reason for being refused exit may be an income-tax issue.

In the past (and maybe present) you must be able to show sufficient evidence of paid income-taxes.

If you book AirAsia there is also the "insurance-option". You have to un-check and confirm twice to save another THB 250.

One poster went to Hong Kong, didn't pass HKG immigration and returned to Bangkok. Although he did have 2 boarding passes as prove of travel he could have had a problem upon entering Thailand: the passport didn't show entering/exiting another country.

think before writing, most of the countrys where you travel you dont get any stamp in passport,

thats the reason when you arrive or departure this are different areas in the airport, cant be mixed,

so you wull never have a problem when you enter and you dont need any bording passes