Warned by IO at Swampy that i will not be allowed re-entry

[shawn11]

I am an offshore worker (26 days on/ 14 days off) currently working in the Philippines, Australian, single, under 50

I have been spending my time off in Thailand for the last 7-8 years (30 day visa exempt). Upon arrival at Swampy on 16th Feb I was told by a grumpy IO that I would not be allowed back in to Thailand without a visa next time. The only comment I could get was" you come Thailand too many times, you must have visa" The IO then proceeded to type furiously on her computer, leading me to think I will now have dramas upon my next return.

Obviously the first option would be to get a tourist visa, but I assume that after a couple of back to back tourist visa I would have similar problems. Other than spending 500k on an elite card, does anyone have any advice?

[lust]

Get a tourist visa until they say no?

[ubonjoe]

I just did this reply to a post you did in another topic.

They cannot deny you entry solely on the number of your previous entries because there is no such rule. Your trips in an out of the country are well within the guidelines for visa exempt entries.

They can only deny you entry under section 12 for the immigration act. The most common clauses they use is for not having financial proof and/or suspicion of working here. Having the equivalent of 20k baht in cash and proof of income from outside the country will prevent that from happening.

[shawn11]

Joe,

I showed her my work permit and other documents from the Phils- she just shrugged her shoulders and said "you have problem next time, you can not come into Thailand without visa" .Spending 4 days of my break at the thai embassy in Manila applying for and waiting to receive a tourist visa is not very appealing. I might have to just run the gauntlet and hope I get a more reasonable IO next time.

[ubonjoe]

I have seen several reports like yours. But none that said they were actually denied entry.

Just have the cash I mentioned and proof you are not working here with you when you enter next time just in case they pull you to the side for questioning.

[Maestro]

Warned by IO at Swampy that i will not be allowed re-entry

If it is not too inconvenient for you, you could avoid Swampy in future and instead fly to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

[Lite Beer]

Warned by IO at Swampy that i will not be allowed re-entry

If it is not too inconvenient for you, you could avoid Swampy in future and instead fly to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

That is what he is doing M.

[shawn11]

To any other TV members,there is one possible reason I can think of that may have put me on the radar. At Xmas for the first time in years I had a reasonable holiday. I left work on the 17th Dec and returned 16th January(I didn't count the days) this made me a 1 day overstay..............when I passed through immigration and went to the counter to pay the fine the IO there said not to worry about it as I had only overstayed 6 hours and didn't fine me.There is no evidence of this in my passport.

Perhaps Joe may know-would this cause me trouble in respect to the immigration act you referred to(12 I think)

[ubonjoe]

Your 6 hour overstay means nothing. There is no fine for an overstay of less than 24 hours.

Apparently immigration has an alert set up when you reach 6 entries or 90 days total on exempt entries. That is there for them to take a look at your previous entries to see if they fit the guidelines for in/out visa runs. Your entries are not in/out visa runs.

[NanLaew]

You just got a bitch IO. Take another chance and see what happens... but have the 20 k baht as well as your PI work permit.

I believe the Thai Emb in Manilla is one of the regional pain in the arse ones (for Filipino's anyway) so maybe plan on popping over to Savanakhet in Laos while you are in-country and get you TR visa there? There's a good pinned thread with updates on where's best for what type of visa.

Good luck.

[shawn11]

Thanks Joe,

since I got back to work a few days ago,2 guys I work with that have been entering Thailand exactly the same as me for years got through with no problems. That was why I thought my overstay may have triggered the alarm. Perhaps the IO had PMS. I am due to fly back 30th of March will let you know how I get on...........and thanks for the advice, was beginning to get worried.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post and the reply to it.

[Maestro]

There is really nothing for you to worry, Shawn. Perhaps it will put you some more at ease if your read through a translation of the guidelines that have been issued to immigration officers:

Immigration Bureau guideline 0029.1712076 - visa-exempt out-in checklist

Even if you were to get the same grumpy immigration officer next time and if she wanted to deny you entry, be it due to an intellectual handicap or spitefulness or whatever, her superior officer would not let it pass. The officer would probably get some re-education and, if unlucky, get reassigned to a far-flung border post.

[visarunner]

You should have no problem with cash in hand, a return ticket and may be a hotel booking.

[salty14]

Thanks Joe,

since I got back to work a few days ago,2 guys I work with that have been entering Thailand exactly the same as me for years got through with no problems. That was why I thought my overstay may have triggered the alarm. Perhaps the IO had PMS. I am due to fly back 30th of March will let you know how I get on...........and thanks for the advice, was beginning to get worried.

I'm in the same situation as you except my roster not as friendly 5 weeks on 5 off.. However I've had a few extensions on that in the last year(unpaid leave). As yet I haven't had a problem but I've got 2 passports so just alternate to keep the heat off. That said a friend of mine doing the same thing in Phuket for the last few years was 5 weeks ago told he would need a visa to come back next time.. Just fyi.

I've been bringing a hotel booking and a couple of payslips as well as a pocket full of cash last few times but haven't beeen asked for any of it.. Anyway good luck and let us all know how you get on.

Cheers

[salty14]

There is really nothing for you to worry, Shawn. Perhaps it will put you some more at ease if your read through a translation of the guidelines that have been issued to immigration officers:

Immigration Bureau guideline 0029.1712076 - visa-exempt out-in checklist

Even if you were to get the same grumpy immigration officer next time and if she wanted to deny you entry, be it due to an intellectual handicap or spitefulness or whatever, her superior officer would not let it pass. The officer would probably get some re-education and, if unlucky, get reassigned to a far-flung border post.

Thanks Maestro I think this is pretty black and white that the OP should NOT have an issue.. Or likewise myself also

[salty14]

Ps. I can't believe I just said that.. Clearly here there is no black and white.. Only many shades of grey!!!!