Hi Guys

Im a regular reader of this forum, but its my first post.

I am a UK passport holder. Currently i have 3 tourist visas used in my passport, one double entry from UK, a Single entry and another double entry both from different neighboring countries - Laos and Malaysia. I have been staying mainly in Thailand for the past 2 years, just doing tourist activities, no working. During the 2 years I did a few B2B border runs maybe 3 or 4 which I got before i got the tourist visas from outside, which became advice last year.

Now im in India, where I have been for the last 4 months, as I thought it best to take a break outside of Thailand for a good period of time, which I was also under the impression would be a good thing.

So, I have recently applied for a double entry tourist visa at the Royal Thai Consulate in Mumbai, through the recognised Agent CKGS, from Goa which is where i am staying right now.

I have provided all necessary paperwork, ticked all the boxes - entry and exit flights for both entries, showed funds, accomodation and wrote a letter of request to the Consulate detailing my complete itinerary.

Today (after having the passport for 1 week) when I called the agents, they told me that the visa has been denied, on the grounds of not having a flight ticket to my home country - which i am confident is not a requirement, you only need an exit ticket to anywhere outside Thailand right? Anyway, the agents called me back 20 mins later, after speaking to the Consulate.....

'You have to hand write (not type or email) a letter to the consulate, explaining the reason for your extended stay outside of your home country. Why have you not been home in the last two years? What are your reasons for this?' 'If they believe you have true and genuine reasons then you will be granted the visa, if they do not believe you they will deny it'

The passport is still with the Embassy.

I have never heard of this before, however i do know India is well known for bureaucracy so perhaps its just following some rule very strictly. But the thing is this - what do i write in the letter? That i really love Thailand and visiting temples and beaches etc, but how do I prove that its true? Im at a loss.

Secondly, if the visa is refused could i still take my flight and enter Thailand on the Visa on arrival at Bangkok, or even fly to Malaysia to apply again there before flying to Thailand?

Has anyone else experienced this?

Any advice very much appreciated.

They have stricter rules at the embassy and consulates.in India. They probably are not accustomed to people applying with your travel history.

Not sure what you should write on the letter. Perhaps mention why you able to travel and visit countries with a short note about your finances that allow you do it,

You could enter on a visa exempt entry but you could be asked to show a ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival. You could then extend the 30 day entry for 30 days at immigration or go out for a 2 entry tourist visa in Laos.

Thanks for your response ubonjoe. So you don't think I will have a problem boarding the plane without a visa, given the strict nature in India? And provided I have a suitable exit flight I should be fine?

I went to give a letter this morning detailing some money I have at home and where it came from, which is nothing unusual, and the girl was saying 'is this a true story?' So I doubt they will accept it. I get the strong impression that they themselves have no idea what they would accept anyway.

Really feel like telling them just give me my passport back!

No problem to board your flight since you are from the UK as long as you have a ticket out within 30 days of arrival. A cheap one way ticket to a nearby country would be enough.

CKGS is apparently the new agent for getting a Thai visa in India. Before it was VFS global. Perhaps the people you are dealing with are also new at it.

I thought i would let you know the outcome of this.....

In the end I received the tourist visa as requested, once I had writted a letter explaining my motivation and also where my money comes from.

I then flew to BKK airport, where the immigration officer did not even ask one question, he simply looked at the passport / visa and stamped me in, i did not have to show any documents or cash whatsoever.

Ubonjoe, thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my questions it was a big help.