Told to get a visa, not use visa exempt, next time at Swampy

[stoneyboy]

Hi everyone

I too have had an escalating problem at swampy. Been coming to LOS since March last year on visa exempt enties every month. I work a 2 week on 3 week off rota offshore in the UK.

2 months ago I was questioned at the desk by the officer " why you come Thailand, you work here?" kind of stuff. I said no, i come for holiday. Went away to speak to supervisor and then let me through.

Last month I was taken away by a supervisor and asked a few extra questions and asked for proof of where I worked. I had a UK bank statment showing my wages going in and she let me through. No mention of 6 visa limit or anything else. She did also ask me about who I knew in Thailand which I was a bit wary of as I wasnt sure where it was going.

I stay in a rented condo in Bangkok with my Thai girlfriend. I wasnt sure how much of this to tell immigration in case they say "oh you need a visa xyz for that, come back when you have one".

So, I am returning tomorrow with a little trepidation as I have booked my next 3 flight to LOS already and all my clothes ect are in my condo. Hopefully things will go ok but if not:

1) If they ask where I am staying is it ok to say I have rented a condo?

2) Is it ok to say I have a Thai girlfriend?

3) If I am refused entry can I go to Cambodia/Vietnam or will I be sent back directly to the UK?

4) Would getting a new passport make things easier?

I am going to get married to my girlfriend next year but she has said if their is a problem we could get married sooner but have the big bash at the village next year as planned.

Thanks for your help

David

I wouldn't worry one bit,in fairness your rota will soon be 21/21 I suspect,eliminating some suspicion from immigration

[RC8]

Thank you all for the advice. I feel a bit more confident about it all now.

Stoneyboy: 21/21 looks very likely unfortunatley

[mmj]

Hi all,

I am facing the same situation as well. I visit Bangkok twice monthly. Previously everything was fine. However, the last trip to Bangkok, I was question by the immigration office over at the counter. He asked me why I come to Thailand and what do I do in Thailand. I believed this was because I have more than 6 entries as I visit Thailand twice every month because my girlfriend is a Thai. I just replied to him that I came to visit my girlfriend over the weekend, I don't work in Thailand. I work and stay in Singapore because I am a Singapore citizen. He told me to apply for a visa next time. He said something like marriage visa but I told him that we are only planning to get marry mid of next year. Thus I cannot apply for the marriage visa yet because we are not husband and wife. Is there any other kind of visa that I can apply and under which category? Thank you for any informations provided to me.

[nzexpat]

Visiting twice a month using visa exempt entries was bound to attract attention.!

If you ensure that you have evidence of adequate finance and proof of employment outside Thailand you will not be denied entry .

As far as I am aware there is no visa which could reasonably be applied for which would cover regular weekend (< 2 day ? ) visits.

Edited June 2, 2015 by nzexpat

[TechnoCrasy]

Got questioned at Don Meung airport two days ago about many visa exempt entries on my passport. The immigration officer called his supervisor, she asked me over to her desk and with another senior officer questioned me. She and I went back to the immigration desks and she wrote something on my passport to say "next time get a visa" and asked me to sign below it.

Here are the rough dates of my entries to THailand:

Mid-November 2014 - Came to Thailand for the first time arrived at Swampi. Visa Exempt No probs.

Mid-December 2014 - Visa Exemption Extended at Chang Wattana - No Probs.

Start of January 2015 - Left Thailand by air from Swampi to Indian Sub-continent.

Start of Feb 2015 - Arrived back in Thailand at Swampi - Visa Exemption granted - No problems.

Start of Mar 2015 - Visa Exemption extended for 30 days at Chang Wattana - No problems.

Start of Apr 2015 - Border run in Van to Ban Laem, Cambodia - using professional border run service. No problems.

Start of May 2015 - Visa Exemption extended for 30 days at Chang wattana - No problems. very quick.

Start of Jun 2015 - My experience at Don Mueng airport two days ago. I went to Kaula Lampur, Malaysia.

I hold a UK passport, as you can tell (uk is one of the countries that receive 30 days) from the 30 day visa exemption for land border crossing to cambodia. I had only had three visa exemptions before the problems a couple of days ago.

Edited June 3, 2015 by TechnoCrasy

[ubonjoe]

It appears your history for the past 4 months is the problem. You appear of been attempting to live here by getting visa exempt entries and extensions of them and now are on a another 30 day exempt entry. That will total up to 6 months if you get an extension of your current entry.

Getting a tourist visa would be better than what you have been doing.

[JDGRUEN]

Not that anyone of importance in the Thai Government would read this - nor would I expect the Thai Government to implement it even if someone of importance did actual read this. But the entire problem could be solved by some 'out of the box' thinking (not noted to be common in most countries).

These problems could be solved by creating a International Zone at the any International Airports - at least at Suvarnabbumi / BKK. I propose a large money making zone similar too or part of the Duty Free Zone commonly found around the world - even with a large hotel. At this Center in my proposal would be an Immigration Center - actually could also be treated as a Consulate - for anyone who wants or needs a Visa. People could go there or be directed there. Those with serious complications could be told to stay over night to have time to resolve their problem. The hotel would have a business center, with ATMs - even a small bank or two, WiFi, computer stations, printers, copiers, fax, a shop with computer and other business supplies, plus restaurants. - all available at a reasonable fee but not necessarily cheap. Even have an International - fee pay- call center for those who haven't caught up with the 21st Century.

The fully staffed Immigration/Consulate Center could issue all Visas except the 'O-A' and forego odds and ends visas such as F, etc. In my idea - by Appointment Only - even the ED, B, and Single Entry 'O' Visa could be issued here. And as far as Tourist Visas -- a quick path for those who were directed there by 'get a visa' orders. It would be too much I suppose if such a place would also issue 2 Entry Tourist Visas.

This would resolve much of Thai Immigration's apparent dilemma - and make money and friends. I know this is 'pie in the sky' but just how long does Thai Immigration want to deal with enforcing 'rules' for which there is no easy way to resolve the issues. People who are frequent business travelers, 21/21, 28/28, or for other reason could actually do what Thai Immigration wants them to do under the plan I propose.

The Hotel could suffice for an overnight or long layover stay for other travelers. And would take the load off of the main immigration Center in Bangkok. And for some people who are pending being denied entry they could be escorted to this center to see if there was any way to gain entry or to wait to get funds to buy a ticket out of Thailand.

Visitors and Relatives of travelers who would have need for an overnight stay - or face a long processing day could be allowed into the Hotel / Lobby area for a meeting using normal Photo / National ID card / Passport/Visa inspection.

Dreaming - sure I am... But out of the box thinking has to start somewhere. I am positive the country of Thailand would make money and friends by having such an accommodating place.

[nzexpat]

JDGRUEN

Brilliant thinking!

Let us know when the innovators in Australia, USA, UK and New Zeland set up such a scheme for the benefit of Asian travelers

[Roger Lee]

Good idea.

Cambodia has Thailand one up'd imho with their visa on arrival, visa by email and oh yes, the yearly visa which is easy to obtain. The nearest Thai consulate for me to obtain a visa is in Dubai during my travels and they only serve the locals there. I guess I need to visit their neighbors first before visiting Thailand.

I'm considering spending more time in other countries vs the Thai visa exempt stamp so I can satisfy their apparent need for a "proper" visa. What I don't understand is why would getting a tourist visa insure that one is not working in Thailand? That is why they're clamping down on exempt stamps right? For the record, I don't nor do I want to work in Thailand, I have ample employment elsewhere. It's a shame they don't want my tourist dollars.

[TechnoCrasy]

My passport says I appear to have "lived" in the indian subcontinent for nearly a month. The immigration officer and the replies here on this forum have missed that. I think he suspected that I worked in Thailand, afterall I wasn't wearing a string vest, shorts, and flip-flops (that's thongs to you aussies out there).

Anyway, I wasnt aware (had not planned) to come back to Thailand in February 2015, just so happens that I did. See pic below:

Happen to chose to come here, because there wasn't any problem before. Now that there has been just as likely to go somewhere else.

As for "living" in here in Thailand. I am certainly not a local, definitely not working here, and most certainly paying tourist prices.

Edited June 4, 2015 by ubonjoe
removed a off topic inflamatory image

[ubonjoe]

My passport says I appear to have "lived" in the indian subcontinent for nearly a month. The immigration officer and the replies here on this forum have missed that. I think he suspected that I worked in Thailand, afterall I wasn't wearing a string vest, shorts, and flip-flops (that's thongs to you aussies out there).

Anyway, I wasnt aware (had not planned) to come back to Thailand in February 2015, just so happens that I did. See pic below:

Happen to chose to come here, because there wasn't any problem before. Now that there has been just as likely to go somewhere else.

As for "living" in here in Thailand. I am certainly not a local, definitely not working here, and most certainly paying tourist prices.

From your previous post.

Start of Feb 2015 - Arrived back in Thailand at Swampi - Visa Exemption granted - No problems.

Start of Mar 2015 - Visa Exemption extended for 30 days at Chang Wattana - No problems.

Start of Apr 2015 - Border run in Van to Ban Laem, Cambodia - using professional border run service. No problems.

Start of May 2015 - Visa Exemption extended for 30 days at Chang wattana - No problems. very quick.

Start of Jun 2015 - My experience at Don Mueng airport two days ago. I went to Kaula Lampur, Malaysia.

These are the ones that I mentioned and also I am certain the ones that immigration were looking at.

They appear to be back to back entries and extensions.

[RC8]

Update: Arrived at swampy today. Immigration officer looked at my passport. Read something on his computer. Flicked through all the previous stamps. Stamped it, passed it back, did not say a word to me!

I was pretty surprised as I was expecting more of the same as my last visit. Perhaps the senior officer put something on my computer file like "satisfied not working here".

Edited June 4, 2015 by RC8

[zxzoomy]

Just an update on my experience. I came back from the uk into Swampy (bkk) at the end of June and got a visa exempt with not a word said by the immigration officer. I had a flight ticket home to the uk and the 10,000 baht equivalent, but neither were asked for. I have just been to Vietnam for a 4 night trip, taking advantage of the new regulations there, that uk and some other European passport holders can visit Vietnam without a visa since July 1st. I came back into Don Muang airport today and again no problem getting a visa exempt and not a word said by the I/O. Thank you, Ubonjoe for your advice.

[arunsakda]

Recently I went through about 4 pages on the oil and gas sub forum. Many fly in/out offshore workers there. Sounds like many have been cautioned to get a visa but none actually knocked back.

[IMA_FARANG]

I was also told yesterday that next time I enter I will need a visa. I work a 2 weeks on 1 week off roster and spend my 1 week off in thailand with my thai wife and daughter. What visa should I apply for that will give me multiple entries.?

--------------------------------

I know you won't like my answer but as you admit you have a Thai wife and daughter get a one year marriage extension based on Thai wife and daughter to live with them.

The financial requirement will be 400,000 Baht in a Thai Bank account in your name or 40,000 Baht monthly income.

When and if you can qualify based on either one of those financial requirements you can get a one year extension to live in Thailand which needs to be renewed annually by showing the same financial requirements each year.

At the same time that you do that you can then also spend 3800 Baht each year which will give you a multiple exit re-entry permit which will allow you unlimited exits and re-entry into Thailand during that one year period of your marriage extension.

That's what many people mistakenly call a "marriage visa" n Thailand.....but it is actually an extension to live in Thailand with your Thai wife and family based on marriage to a Thai.

Apply at your local immigration office in the area where you live.