Refused tourist visa in Penang - Can I just fly into BKK?

[Jason1921]

I tried using a travel agent here in Penang, Malaysia, but they told me that I need to go back to my home country (the US) before I can get any more tourist visas here. Would it be possible to just get a flight to BKK and get a 30-day stamp? 2 months ago I crossed the border in Padang Besar, then got a 30-day extension in Hat Yai. I've had lots of tourist visas, the last one from Laos, and I would have gone there again but because I live in southern Thailand I figured I would go to Penang. I plan on going back to the US in a few weeks, but for now I need another 30 days in Thailand.

[Mario2008]

It wil be no problem, especially when you can show a ticket out of Thailand to your home country.

[ubonjoe]

You can get a 30 day visa exempt entry by air without a problem.

Ho many tourist visas do you have from Penang already?. You might want to try another agent or apply yourself at the consulate.

[Jason1921]

Do I probably absolutely need to show a ticket out of Thailand?

I've had 2 tourist visas from Penang since May 2014. Got another one in Laos 6 months or so ago.

I can just fly into BKK from here, hang out there for a few days, then head back to the South. May go ahead and ask another agent though.

Thanks a lot for the advice.

[Mario2008]

It is not a requirement.

The reason I suggested it was that having many visa exempt entries in a short time can lead to questioning at immigration. But it should not be a problem as most of your entries seem to have been on toruist visas.

[ubonjoe]

You may need a ticket out of Thailand to board you flight. Immigration seldom asks to see one.

I recall correctly Penang normally like other locations only count back to back visas from them. Not a total over a period of time.

[little mary sunshine]

You MUST SHOW TICKET TO US TO GET STAMP

[Jason1921]

Thanks. I just booked a flight back to the US, leaving BKK on July 9.

[ubonjoe]

You MUST SHOW TICKET TO US TO GET STAMP

Who is us?

Penang does not ask for a ticket out of the country to get a visa.

[DGS1244]

You MUST SHOW TICKET TO US TO GET STAMP

Who is us?

Penang does not ask for a ticket out of the country to get a visa.

'us' is short for USA I assume

[recom273]

Go straight to Kota Bahru on the opposite coast .. If you have never visited before they will issue you one and then advise you, they won't just refuse you.

[stoli]

You MUST SHOW TICKET TO US TO GET STAMP

Who is us?

Penang does not ask for a ticket out of the country to get a visa.

'us' is short for USA I assume

Then it would still be an incorrect response. I can not think you would ever have to show a ticket to the USA, only for a ticket out of the country when required.

[little mary sunshine]

Returning to the USA in two weeks...show them the

Ticket, no problems

[nithisa78]

You MUST SHOW TICKET TO US TO GET STAMP

Who is us?

Penang does not ask for a ticket out of the country to get a visa.

'us' is short for USA I assume

There isn't room to assume. U.S. USA, it isn't complicated. Even the lame and lazy can do it.

[gilo]

To the OP can I just ask you to confirm that the refusal did not actually come from the Consulate itself but rather was the opinion of a travel agent in the area - is this correct? If so then surely UJ's advice of simply asking another agent or going direct to the Consulate might be a worthwhile first move? Perhaps the agent thought that your tourist visas were back to back from Penang and didn't notice or take into account that this was broken by your TR visa issued in Laos.Their opinion that you would have to return to your home country before any further tourist visas can be issued also would seem contrary to the experiences of others who have had multiple years worth of tourist visas from outside their home country. It might be worthwhile investigating a bit further as your agent's view is not necessarily an authoritative one. Good luck.

Edited June 25, 2015 by gilo

[ubonjoe]

A off topic post meant to derail the topic has been removed along with a replies to it has been removed.

[Jason1921]

I had a red stamp on my last tourist visa (from Vientiane, not Penang) that says I could be refused another tourist visa.

Anyway, I've already purchased my flight back to the US, and tomorrow evening I'm flying from Penang to BKK. I kind of need to get to BKK anyway, so I didn't even bother trying to apply for a tourist visa with another agent. I didn't go to the Thai consulate here in Penang either.

Thanks everyone for your help and advice.

[shaurene]

Do I probably absolutely need to show a ticket out of Thailand?

I've had 2 tourist visas from Penang since May 2014. Got another one in Laos 6 months or so ago.

I can just fly into BKK from here, hang out there for a few days, then head back to the South. May go ahead and ask another agent though.

Thanks a lot for the advice.

I think you will have a problem when you check in at Panang, am sure you would need a visa or 100% show an onward ticket out of Thailand. You saying do you really have to show a onward ticket looks to me like you do not have one. Other than that get a return train ticket to Thailand to show a return to Malaysia it will not cost you much to waste the return trip.

[Jason1921]

As I said, I have a ticket back to the US. I bought it yesterday. I leave from BKK on July 9.

[shaurene]

Hi Guys

I think for sure if checking in at Panang is like most other country departure places the want to see a visa or outward bound ticket to let you board the plane.

Most all country's at checkin will not give you a boarding ticket without a visa or outward bound ticket.

[Jimbolai]

The outbound ticket requirement is a real pain. Indonesia now does not require a visa. Does it mean one can just get a ticket from Bangkok or Saigon to fly to Bali? Does one have to purchase a ticket from Bali to somewhere else? Or can one go to Bali and before the entry stamp, 30 days, expires while in Bali buy a ticket for the next destination. All those rules get complicated and make me just stay at home.

[lilyblue]

Re: Indonesia not needing visa. You mean tourist visa issued on arrival no need to apply and have in your passport prior to arriving.

ALL tourist visas for Thailand Indonesia Cambodia Laos etc require proof of outbound travel ticket. Even if its a visa waiver program you're eligible for its still remains a condition.

Dressing appropriately (flip flops, old singlets and ratty t-shirts do not assist your case dress respectfully and amazingly it helps a lot. Also to be clean shaven, use some shampoo and be polite. I see many backpackers dressing cool in rstty singlet unwashed hair and three day beard with dirty feet and flip flops wondering why they got knocked back in Penang or Vientiane before.

Use common sense and maybe read up the visa section of this forum to learn more.

Many consulates and immigration checkpoints don't ask this but they legally.have a right to see proof.

For tourist visa it is a valid request as they assume you buy ticket 15-30 days ahead.

So if entering Indonesia they can ask same question but are unlikely in most instances.

Thailand is getting stricter on repeat tourist visas so its always a good idea to read the requirements and have your replies.

Proof of adequate money this is always helpful.

Proof on onward travel 15/30/60/90 days from entry depending on how you are arriving if you applied for a 60 day visa and intend on applying for 30 day extension inside Thailand etc.

Travel booking documents/tickets etc.

The more often you get a visa the more careful and thorough you need to be or should be in any case.

And be prepared to get knocked back if you can't show all the above or if you can and have a red stamp you need to maybe consider leaving Thailand for a month or two or more go elsewhere and then come back- remembering the requirements will still apply but you will have had other visas from other counties in your passport which helps.

[paz]

Re: Indonesia not needing visa. You mean tourist visa issued on arrival no need to apply and have in your passport prior to arriving.

ALL tourist visas for Thailand Indonesia Cambodia Laos etc require proof of outbound travel ticket. Even if its a visa waiver program you're eligible for its still remains a condition.

You're generalizing, and are incorrect. For Thailand, many nearby consulates do not require an outbound ticket. For visa exemption, the ticket may be a requirement, but is never asked. The only ones asking for it, and not even always, are airlines.

For Cambodia, Laos and let me add, Vietnam there is no requirement whatsoever. I don't know about Indonesia.

Edited June 26, 2015 by paz

[HooHaa]

Hi Guys

I think for sure if checking in at Panang is like most other country departure places the want to see a visa or outward bound ticket to let you board the plane.

Most all country's at checkin will not give you a boarding ticket without a visa or outward bound ticket.

nonsense when countries issue visas or exemptions on arrival.

[flyingdoc]

You seemed to have solved the problem yourself now anyway?

[Jason1921]

Yes, arrived in Bangkok without a problem. Some questions at Don Muang immigration though. I offered to show my ticket back to the US, but they didn't ask for it..