border officer counting numbers of visas and taking notes

[vento]

Hello

I just re-entered thailand on a double entry tourist visa

The officer at the land crossing, counting all my tourist visas, and made number on them. he wrote number on each visa in my passport and wrote the number as well on the arrival card.

i have 2 in total (not including the new one i just got) and some NON/o Business, which he excluded from his count. When he counted, he didnt take into consideration if they where back to back, which they are not. The 2 visa i have, is from 2013 and 2015 and was counted and noted as 1 and 2

I admit i didnt ask him anything, queue was quite long and he didnt seem to be in a mood to talk about anything

Q: Does anyone know how many you can actually have before refused entry, is there a magic number here?

Should i be worried about my next time? (which will be third back to back visa)

Cheers

[ubonjoe]

There is no limit on the number of tourist visa entries you can do.

[Kitsune]

land border?

where?

[vento]

There is no limit on the number of tourist visa entries you can do.

ok thank you, just strange he took the time to do it, he looked one time thru all my passport pages, then again where he wrote numbers

but ok... thank you

[vento]

land border?

where?

Sorry for that missing information.,

it was nong khai

Cheers

[elviajero]

"Q: Does anyone know how many you can actually have before refused entry, is there a magic number here?"

You cannot be denied entry for having any amount of TR's. There's no limit.

"Should i be worried about my next time? (which will be third back to back visa)"

No but it was a strange thing for IO to do. Usually it's only Embassies and Consulates that are interested in how many TR's you've had.

[elviajero]

land border?

where?

Sorry for that missing information.,

it was nong khai

Cheers

Note that Vientiane Embassy may want proof of your income from abroad if you apply for a 3rd or 4th from them.

[Kitsune]

Oh the only border in the world where you need a cancellation letter from your school to exit the country, that says it all.

Vientiane has been a huge visa run destination for too long, officers are getting moody.

I personally avoid that place now.

[vento]

Oh the only border in the world where you need a cancellation letter from your school to exit the country, that says it all.

Vientiane has been a huge visa run destination for too long, officers are getting moody.

I personally avoid that place now.

that makes sense, but where else, they will issue double entry tourist visas?

or one could, get the visa at the embassy, and then fly to swampy or something like that?

Cheers

[Kitsune]

Oh the only border in the world where you need a cancellation letter from your school to exit the country, that says it all.

Vientiane has been a huge visa run destination for too long, officers are getting moody.

I personally avoid that place now.

that makes sense, but where else, they will issue double entry tourist visas?

or one could, get the visa at the embassy, and then fly to swampy or something like that?

Cheers

I just went to Bali for a triple

Savannakhet has not got anything but positive reports, they do double also.

[elviajero]

that makes sense, but where else, they will issue double entry tourist visas?

or one could, get the visa at the embassy, and then fly to swampy or something like that?

Savannakhet is the nearest alternative and possibly your best option for the next double entry TR.

Land or air entry is usually hassle free as long as you have a valid visa.

[Kitsune]

There was a report about 2 people not traveling together with a visa run company being refused entry in Nongkhai with a tourist visa. they were pulled out from the van....

[oncearugge]

There was a report about 2 people not traveling together with a visa run company being refused entry in Nongkhai with a tourist visa. they were pulled out from the van....

Can you please provide a link to this report ?

[elviajero]

There was a report about 2 people not traveling together with a visa run company being refused entry in Nongkhai with a tourist visa. they were pulled out from the van....

As we know having a visa doesn't give the right to enter. Do you know why they were refused?

[Kitsune]

There was a report about 2 people not traveling together with a visa run company being refused entry in Nongkhai with a tourist visa. they were pulled out from the van....

Can you please provide a link to this report ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/832416-third-tourist-visa-got-a-remark-in-my-passport/

I just come back from Vientiane. Nothing is sure anymore. I got my third 2x Tourist Visa from there in a row. No blue or red stamp. Two guys on our group got also the visa, but was refused to enter Thailand at the border. I don't know what was exactly the problem. The boss of the visa tour company told me, a guy got denied for a tourist visa, even he provided documents which proof that he got his income from abroad and that he own a condo.

[DanceAllNight]

Don't sweat it too much. I just did a border run, and the guy in front of me had like 6 tourist visas from Thailand... the IO just looked for the current one and did not care... this was in Mae Sai.

And if they do refuse you, just move on, if you're not tied down here.

Vietnam, Cambodia will welcome you if you have the money.

[elviajero]

There was a report about 2 people not traveling together with a visa run company being refused entry in Nongkhai with a tourist visa. they were pulled out from the van....

Can you please provide a link to this report ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/832416-third-tourist-visa-got-a-remark-in-my-passport/

I just come back from Vientiane. Nothing is sure anymore. I got my third 2x Tourist Visa from there in a row. No blue or red stamp. Two guys on our group got also the visa, but was refused to enter Thailand at the border. I don't know what was exactly the problem. The boss of the visa tour company told me, a guy got denied for a tourist visa, even he provided documents which proof that he got his income from abroad and that he own a condo.

Any foreigner holding any visa can legally be denied entry. Unless we know why these two were denied the report is worthless.

[Kitsune]

Can you please provide a link to this report ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/832416-third-tourist-visa-got-a-remark-in-my-passport/

I just come back from Vientiane. Nothing is sure anymore. I got my third 2x Tourist Visa from there in a row. No blue or red stamp. Two guys on our group got also the visa, but was refused to enter Thailand at the border. I don't know what was exactly the problem. The boss of the visa tour company told me, a guy got denied for a tourist visa, even he provided documents which proof that he got his income from abroad and that he own a condo.

Any foreigner holding any visa can legally be denied entry. Unless we know why these two were denied the report is worthless.

No it's not.

It's a first hand report of someone who saw 2 guys traveling on a TR and being refused in NK.

You know as well as I do that the WHY in Thailand is pointless, it could be anything as random as the officer having a bad day. We have countless reports proving that there is absolutely no coherence in applying laws here, every border/immigration office/ even each officer has its own interpretation of the rules.

But you cannot say it's hassle free, not in Vientiane, there have been too many reports of problems there, Savannakhet yes it's hassle free, but not Vientiane.

[nithisa78]

There is no limit on the number of tourist visa entries you can do.

ok thank you, just strange he took the time to do it, he looked one time thru all my passport pages, then again where he wrote numbers

but ok... thank you

The officer has to sit there for God knows how many hours. It is a good tactic to shake the bushes. He got you thinking.

[elviajero]

Can you please provide a link to this report ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/832416-third-tourist-visa-got-a-remark-in-my-passport/

I just come back from Vientiane. Nothing is sure anymore. I got my third 2x Tourist Visa from there in a row. No blue or red stamp. Two guys on our group got also the visa, but was refused to enter Thailand at the border. I don't know what was exactly the problem. The boss of the visa tour company told me, a guy got denied for a tourist visa, even he provided documents which proof that he got his income from abroad and that he own a condo.

Any foreigner holding any visa can legally be denied entry. Unless we know why these two were denied the report is worthless.

No it's not.

It's a first hand report of someone who saw 2 guys traveling on a TR and being refused in NK.

You know as well as I do that the WHY in Thailand is pointless, it could be anything as random as the officer having a bad day. We have countless reports proving that there is absolutely no coherence in applying laws here, every border/immigration office/ even each officer has its own interpretation of the rules.

But you cannot say it's hassle free, not in Vientiane, there have been too many reports of problems there, Savannakhet yes it's hassle free, but not Vientiane.

I said "usually" hassle free.

No argument from me about the overstepping of authority and inconsistencies. But IMO reports like this are worthless because anyone can legally be denied entry with just cause or grilled by an IO about their stay, and as we don't know why these two were denied we don't know if it was with just cause. If it wasn't just then a conversation and concern is warranted. If it was just then so what. Without first hand fact it's worthless.

Passing on reports like this just causes undue worry for people that shouldn't have anything to worry about. Even though IO's do sometimes act without authority the amount of people being denied or experiencing hassle is minuscule and generally nothing to worry about. Nong Khai is busier than Mukdahan so the number of people experiencing hassle will be greater, but there is no guarantee that Mukdahan will be hassle free either.

I've been through Nong Khai border many times in the past and with loads of TR's in my passport. I've never once had a problem and was always processed without any hassle, questions or undue scrutiny.

[lilyblue]

I passed through Laos border nong khai earlier this week and same thing the guy wrote on each visa I'd previously had. Weird. Especially as my tourist visas are not back to back. I've been feeling weird about it as I'm worried now using my double entry visa in two months to go to Vietnam for a wedding. Nong khai border crossing no longer so great. I heard on the train two guys who were detained for an hour and asked a lot of questions. They are just backpacking through and crisscrossing Thailand to do so. Not working not long term...

The consulate is lovely to deal with the immigration post not so much. Who know what these numbers and marks are especially when I next go out and reenter Thailand?

[steven100]

I expect 3 TR visas would raise concern at any immigration border control point and at the discretion of the immigration official you can be refused entry.

I have seen it happen a few times recently.

You must carry the correct visa for which your intended stay reflects and quantifies.

[Kitsune]

I passed through Laos border nong khai earlier this week and same thing the guy wrote on each visa I'd previously had. Weird. Especially as my tourist visas are not back to back. I've been feeling weird about it as I'm worried now using my double entry visa in two months to go to Vietnam for a wedding. Nong khai border crossing no longer so great. I heard on the train two guys who were detained for an hour and asked a lot of questions. They are just backpacking through and crisscrossing Thailand to do so. Not working not long term...

The consulate is lovely to deal with the immigration post not so much. Who know what these numbers and marks are especially when I next go out and reenter Thailand?

Another worthless report I suppose? (sorry Lilyblue, I was talking to Elviajero)

Thanks for your input. It's greatly appreciated even though most people won't say so.

People are so discouraged to say anything negative about their experience that everything gets distorted.

Lilyblue: I suggest you put a picture of your passport here (hiding your name) to ask what these marks say,I am sure people will be able to help you.

[Kitsune]

I expect 3 TR visas would raise concern at any immigration border control point and at the discretion of the immigration official you can be refused entry.

I have seen it happen a few times recently.

You must carry the correct visa for which your intended stay reflects and quantifies.

Where did you see people being refused entry?

[elviajero]

I passed through Laos border nong khai earlier this week and same thing the guy wrote on each visa I'd previously had. Weird. Especially as my tourist visas are not back to back. I've been feeling weird about it as I'm worried now using my double entry visa in two months to go to Vietnam for a wedding. Nong khai border crossing no longer so great. I heard on the train two guys who were detained for an hour and asked a lot of questions. They are just backpacking through and crisscrossing Thailand to do so. Not working not long term...

The consulate is lovely to deal with the immigration post not so much. Who know what these numbers and marks are especially when I next go out and reenter Thailand?

Another worthless report I suppose? (sorry Lilyblue, I was talking to Elviajero)

Thanks for your input. It's greatly appreciated even though most people won't say so.

People are so discouraged to say anything negative about their experience that everything gets distorted.

Lilyblue: I suggest you put a picture of your passport here (hiding your name) to ask what these marks say,I am sure people will be able to help you.

Nope. Not worthless at all. The first hand experience from both the OP and @lilyblue is very useful for all to know.

[willyumiii]

Do you think it could possibly be a result of several Immigration officers recently being scrutinized and, I believe, punished for not being diligent enough after the bombing in Bangkok?

Maybe it is not a bad thing they are paying more attention now?

Unless you have something to hide??

[Kitsune]

I passed through Laos border nong khai earlier this week and same thing the guy wrote on each visa I'd previously had. Weird. Especially as my tourist visas are not back to back. I've been feeling weird about it as I'm worried now using my double entry visa in two months to go to Vietnam for a wedding. Nong khai border crossing no longer so great. I heard on the train two guys who were detained for an hour and asked a lot of questions. They are just backpacking through and crisscrossing Thailand to do so. Not working not long term...

The consulate is lovely to deal with the immigration post not so much. Who know what these numbers and marks are especially when I next go out and reenter Thailand?

Another worthless report I suppose? (sorry Lilyblue, I was talking to Elviajero)

Thanks for your input. It's greatly appreciated even though most people won't say so.

People are so discouraged to say anything negative about their experience that everything gets distorted.

Lilyblue: I suggest you put a picture of your passport here (hiding your name) to ask what these marks say,I am sure people will be able to help you.

Nope. Not worthless at all. The first hand experience from both the OP and @lilyblue is very useful for all to know.

Well I also believe people are being questioned. Although it's not first hand you can't expect people to come forward and speak freely these days, so it's as good as gets.

And for the record a tourist visa is NOT "hassle free" in NK anymore.

[elviajero]

And for the record a tourist visa is NOT "hassle free" in NK anymore.

That statement is not true unless everyone is hassled and no one was hassled before. Stories of people being denied entry or questioned at NK are not new. We are probably hearing more at the moment due to the bombing and immigration getting grief from above.

And for the record I said "usually hassle free".

[Kitsune]

And for the record a tourist visa is NOT "hassle free" in NK anymore.

That statement is not true unless everyone is hassled and no one was hassled before. Stories of people being denied entry or questioned at NK are not new. We are probably hearing more at the moment due to the bombing and immigration getting grief from above.

And for the record I said "usually hassle free".

A/ People WERE hassled before, you just chose to dismissed them

B/ It's in the forum rules, we are not allowed to be negative, so negatives comments are erased and people discouraged to report negative experiences.

C/ So obviously the whole picture is distorted, to have a fairer picture and counterbalance it, you have to give more importance to each "negative" experience.

[jacksam]

Please anyone post if they have been refused a TV at Vientiane. This would exclude people maybe 3 back to back. All contributions welcome.