Denied Tourist Visa at Singapore Thai Embassy

[Rix]

So I have been traveling to and fro from Singapore to Thailand since late 2012. I have my own business in Singapore and staff running it, which allows me to practically move around Singapore/Thailand.

Just a couple of days ago on Friday, I went to the Singapore Thai Embassy to apply for a 2 months Tourist Visa and was denied by the Thai staff working there. She ask me "what you do in Thailand?" So I told her my gf is Thai and I go over to visit her.

She proceeds to flip through my passport and says, "you want to see your gf, marry her and get a marriage visa!" your application form says you owner of your own business, but you coming to my country so many times. My country not allow people like you come in and run your business from there."

When I politely told her that I have staff running my business for me and if she would want to look at my business documents, she brushes me off saying that "how can you run your business when you not in Singapore?" and proceed to tell me that I have to stay out of Thailand for 3 months before I can apply for a tourist visa.

I didn't want to get into an argument with her but it's 2015, not 1990. I don't need to physically be around in Singapore to run my daily operations. Yes I do have back to back 30 days visa exempt stamps but every time I leave Thailand, I am away for 10 to 14 days back in Singapore to settle the admin and stuff. So am I doing anything wrong here? It's not as if I am out of Thailand for 1 day and back. I rented an apartment in Thailand and spend money in Thailand but the way the staff phrase it is as though I am committing a crime?

Any thoughts?

[oncearugge]

Are you a Singaporean ?

Whatever, the Singapore Thai Embassy is known to be "difficult"

Whilst you may not have done anything "wrong" frequent trips may have given cause for suspicion hence the refusal.

Perhaps it would be wise to invite your girl friend to visit you in Singapore.

[Rix]

Are you a Singaporean ?

Whatever, the Singapore Thai Embassy is known to be "difficult"

Whilst you may not have done anything "wrong" frequent trips may have given cause for suspicion hence the refusal.

Perhaps it would be wise to invite your girl friend to visit you in Singapore.

Yes I am Singaporean.

I brought her to singapore 2 years back but since then see too much reports of girls getting reject entry into singapore.. Also she works retail hours 6 days a week so not possible for her to come for long trips either.

I have to agree that the Singapore Thai Embassy is "difficult".. Probably will start going to other places to apply for the visa.

[BuckBee]

Just wait until mid/late november when multi entry tourist visa released, could work well for you .

[oncearugge]

Just a thought .

The new multi-entry tourist visa will be available from November 13. which is valid for six month with entries valid for up to 60 days.

I think only available to Singapore citizens.

Why not get a new passport and then apply for one of the new visas ?

[Rix]

Just wait until mid/late november when multi entry tourist visa released, could work well for you .

BuckBee, judging by what the thai staff at the embassy told me I assume that I am going to be denied even the METV should I choose to apply at the Singapore Thai embassy unless I stay out of Thailand for 3 months. Hoping that other Thai embassy will have the METV option.

[Rix]

Just a thought .

The new multi-entry tourist visa will be available from November 13. which is valid for six month with entries valid for up to 60 days.

I think only available to Singapore citizens.

Why not get a new passport and then apply for one of the new visas ?

That was what I was planning but that staff already told me that I have to stay out of Thailand for 3 months. So even if I get a new passport and go back she will probably recognize me and refuse to issue me again. I don't think I will want to apply for the METV at the Singapore Thai embassy if I can.. I probably will apply for it in maybe Laos?

[Lampang2]

You can spend 365 days a year in Thailand but you cannot be regarded a typical tourist in need of a typical tourist visa.

[Rix]

You can spend 365 days a year in Thailand but you cannot be regarded a typical tourist in need of a typical tourist visa.

Don't get what you meant? I don't spend 365 days in Thailand.

[Lampang2]

You can spend 365 days a year in Thailand but you cannot be regarded a typical tourist in need of a typical tourist visa.

Don't get what you meant? I don't spend 365 days in Thailand.

I said you can, not that you do.

[thaibeachlovers]

Thai officialdom is confused. On the one hand they want lots of tourists to come and spend money, but on the other hand they don't want a load of aliens cluttering up the place long time. Three weeks and spend all your money is good, 365 days is bad, even if you spend a lot of money.

They are currently making it more difficult for expats to extend non O visas as well

So on the one hand we have the TAT wanting people to come, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, buy souvenier junk, and on the other hand, immigration is making it hard to stay long time, especially for tourists that want to stay more than a few weeks in one year.

BTW, don't expect any sympathy because you have a Thai GF. They are making it so hard, wives and children will be left bereft as their husbands/ fathers are forced to leave LOS, or should I say "the land that once was LOS"- I don't see many smiles in Thailand now, other than in the tourist brochures.

Other than getting a visa in another country, I think you are going to have a problem till you turn 50.

[thaibeachlovers]

PS. If you just fly in and get 30 days visa exempt, you can extend that for 30 days now at immigration in Thailand. Theoretically, you don't need a visa to get 2 months.

Just check that that applies to Singaporeans though.

[Rix]

PS. If you just fly in and get 30 days visa exempt, you can extend that for 30 days now at immigration in Thailand. Theoretically, you don't need a visa to get 2 months.

Just check that that applies to Singaporeans though.

Noted with thanks will check on that as well.

[Rix]

Thai officialdom is confused. On the one hand they want lots of tourists to come and spend money, but on the other hand they don't want a load of aliens cluttering up the place long time. Three weeks and spend all your money is good, 365 days is bad, even if you spend a lot of money.

They are currently making it more difficult for expats to extend non O visas as well

So on the one hand we have the TAT wanting people to come, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, buy souvenier junk, and on the other hand, immigration is making it hard to stay long time, especially for tourists that want to stay more than a few weeks in one year.

BTW, don't expect any sympathy because you have a Thai GF. They are making it so hard, wives and children will be left bereft as their husbands/ fathers are forced to leave LOS, or should I say "the land that once was LOS"- I don't see many smiles in Thailand now, other than in the tourist brochures.

Other than getting a visa in another country, I think you are going to have a problem till you turn 50.

It's not the gf issue that I am buzzed about.. More of a I have a legit business in Singapore, this is 2015 not 1990, I don't have to be around 24/7 to run my business effectively but the thai staff at the embassy think otherwise.

If and when I turn 50 which is another 15 years, they might have change the laws again then. That's if I can live to 50 though.

[thaibeachlovers]

Thai officialdom is confused. On the one hand they want lots of tourists to come and spend money, but on the other hand they don't want a load of aliens cluttering up the place long time. Three weeks and spend all your money is good, 365 days is bad, even if you spend a lot of money.

They are currently making it more difficult for expats to extend non O visas as well

So on the one hand we have the TAT wanting people to come, stay in hotels, eat at restaurants, buy souvenier junk, and on the other hand, immigration is making it hard to stay long time, especially for tourists that want to stay more than a few weeks in one year.

BTW, don't expect any sympathy because you have a Thai GF. They are making it so hard, wives and children will be left bereft as their husbands/ fathers are forced to leave LOS, or should I say "the land that once was LOS"- I don't see many smiles in Thailand now, other than in the tourist brochures.

Other than getting a visa in another country, I think you are going to have a problem till you turn 50.

It's not the gf issue that I am buzzed about.. More of a I have a legit business in Singapore, this is 2015 not 1990, I don't have to be around 24/7 to run my business effectively but the thai staff at the embassy think otherwise.

If and when I turn 50 which is another 15 years, they might have change the laws again then. That's if I can live to 50 though.

this is 2015 not 1990

Actually things were great in 1990, I got 90 days at the border, as many times as I wanted. Also, back to back 30 days were fine for any "tourists" that wanted to live in LOS ( and it really was LOS then ).

It's over the years since then that things have got harder.

[ubonjoe]

If you are from Singapore and have a business there you could possibley get a multiple entry non-b visa. You would probably need a company or business here to provide some documents stating you are doing business with them. Info here on embassy website: http://www.thaiembassy.sg/visa-matters-/-consular/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa-b

Another option is to get a APEC travel card. Info here: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=148

[konying]

Next time do not put " own your own business " but instead put General MAnager, or just manager

[phuketrichard]

Are you a Singaporean ?

Whatever, the Singapore Thai Embassy is known to be "difficult"

Whilst you may not have done anything "wrong" frequent trips may have given cause for suspicion hence the refusal.

Perhaps it would be wise to invite your girl friend to visit you in Singapore.

Yes I am Singaporean.

I brought her to singapore 2 years back but since then see too much reports of girls getting reject entry into singapore.. Also she works retail hours 6 days a week so not possible for her to come for long trips either.

I have to agree that the Singapore Thai Embassy is "difficult".. Probably will start going to other places to apply for the visa.

if ur Singaporean wait till nov 13th an apply for the 6 month multi entry tourist visa, if u qualify

http://www.thaiembassy.sg/visa-matters-/-consular/visa-requirements/tourist-visa

[Paul888]

If your business can't afford to buy a Thailand Elite card to solve this problem for you, you should probably spend a little bit more time actually working in it so that it can !

[Too]

Hello,

When are you planning on visiting Thailand again? Maybe you should go to

Vientiane or Savannakhet in Laos to apply for a tourist visa before Nov.13.

The financial proof might be required to apply for a new 6-month tourist visa.

You never know.

should I say "the land that once was LOS"- I don't see many smiles in Thailand now, other than in the tourist brochures.

I must agree with you on this, sad to say.

Yes, it was LOS when I visited Thailand for the 1st time about

20 years ago.

[Rix]

If you are from Singapore and have a business there you could possibley get a multiple entry non-b visa. You would probably need a company or business here to provide some documents stating you are doing business with them. Info here on embassy website: http://www.thaiembassy.sg/visa-matters-/-consular/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa-b

Another option is to get a APEC travel card. Info here: http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=148

Thanks ubonjoe, now to find a company/business in Thailand willing to provide me with the relevant documents.

[PattayaPhom]

If your business can't afford to buy a Thailand Elite card to solve this problem for you, you should probably spend a little bit more time actually working in it so that it can !

500K isn't pennies even for a successful business. The OP especially being from Asia should be able to travel here rather easily without such an expenditure that could be put to better use.

[Rix]

If your business can't afford to buy a Thailand Elite card to solve this problem for you, you should probably spend a little bit more time actually working in it so that it can !

500K isn't pennies even for a successful business. The OP especially being from Asia should be able to travel here rather easily without such an expenditure that could be put to better use.

Thanks PattayaPhom for putting into words what I felt. Whether my business is doing good or not has no bearing on the situation. My business's financial status and my personal financial status are kept separately.

[samran]

Get an APEC travel card...

[Time Traveller]

It's not the gf issue that I am buzzed about.. More of a I have a legit business in Singapore, this is 2015 not 1990, I don't have to be around 24/7 to run my business effectively but the thai staff at the embassy think otherwise.

If and when I turn 50 which is another 15 years, they might have change the laws again then. That's if I can live to 50 though.

this is 2015 not 1990

Actually things were great in 1990, I got 90 days at the border, as many times as I wanted. Also, back to back 30 days were fine for any "tourists" that wanted to live in LOS ( and it really was LOS then ).

It's over the years since then that things have got harder.

I think Rix means that Thai immigration officials are stuck in outdated stereotypes because they have no concept or understanding of being a business owner and they are totally clueless to realities of the people they are supposed to regulate.

Its insane that the OP is clearly a tourist, but refused simply becuase some immigration officer has some 19th colonial image in her pea sized brain that business people are sitting in an office everyday of the week ordering around junior staff. Just because thai immigration work on that model.

[Lampang2]

It's not the gf issue that I am buzzed about.. More of a I have a legit business in Singapore, this is 2015 not 1990, I don't have to be around 24/7 to run my business effectively but the thai staff at the embassy think otherwise.

If and when I turn 50 which is another 15 years, they might have change the laws again then. That's if I can live to 50 though.

this is 2015 not 1990

Actually things were great in 1990, I got 90 days at the border, as many times as I wanted. Also, back to back 30 days were fine for any "tourists" that wanted to live in LOS ( and it really was LOS then ).

It's over the years since then that things have got harder.

I think Rix means that Thai immigration officials are stuck in outdated stereotypes because they have no concept or understanding of being a business owner and they are totally clueless to realities of the people they are supposed to regulate.

Its insane that the OP is clearly a tourist, but refused simply becuase some immigration officer has some 19th colonial image in her pea sized brain that business people are sitting in an office everyday of the week ordering around junior staff. Just because thai immigration work on that model.

It's irrelevant your IT business or whatever.

If you are below 50 years and want to spend substantial time in Thailand you do not enter on a tourist visa.

Show them some money, that's how you enter. They want to see money, it's as simple as that.

Stop whining.

You are not entitled to enter countries at free will, it will be at the terms of the country.

Above 50, you "only" need to show 800K, below 50 expect to show more.

Elite etc.

[Rix]

It's not the gf issue that I am buzzed about.. More of a I have a legit business in Singapore, this is 2015 not 1990, I don't have to be around 24/7 to run my business effectively but the thai staff at the embassy think otherwise.

If and when I turn 50 which is another 15 years, they might have change the laws again then. That's if I can live to 50 though.

this is 2015 not 1990

Actually things were great in 1990, I got 90 days at the border, as many times as I wanted. Also, back to back 30 days were fine for any "tourists" that wanted to live in LOS ( and it really was LOS then ).

It's over the years since then that things have got harder.

I think Rix means that Thai immigration officials are stuck in outdated stereotypes because they have no concept or understanding of being a business owner and they are totally clueless to realities of the people they are supposed to regulate.

Its insane that the OP is clearly a tourist, but refused simply becuase some immigration officer has some 19th colonial image in her pea sized brain that business people are sitting in an office everyday of the week ordering around junior staff. Just because thai immigration work on that model.

That and also the way she replied. I was standing there, literally shocked that she could actually say something this ridiculous.

[Rix]

It's not the gf issue that I am buzzed about.. More of a I have a legit business in Singapore, this is 2015 not 1990, I don't have to be around 24/7 to run my business effectively but the thai staff at the embassy think otherwise.

If and when I turn 50 which is another 15 years, they might have change the laws again then. That's if I can live to 50 though.

this is 2015 not 1990

Actually things were great in 1990, I got 90 days at the border, as many times as I wanted. Also, back to back 30 days were fine for any "tourists" that wanted to live in LOS ( and it really was LOS then ).

It's over the years since then that things have got harder.

I think Rix means that Thai immigration officials are stuck in outdated stereotypes because they have no concept or understanding of being a business owner and they are totally clueless to realities of the people they are supposed to regulate.

Its insane that the OP is clearly a tourist, but refused simply becuase some immigration officer has some 19th colonial image in her pea sized brain that business people are sitting in an office everyday of the week ordering around junior staff. Just because thai immigration work on that model.

It's irrelevant your IT business or whatever.

If you are below 50 years and want to spend substantial time in Thailand you do not enter on a tourist visa.

Show them some money, that's how you enter. They want to see money, it's as simple as that.

Stop whining.

You are not entitled to enter countries at free will, it will be at the terms of the country.

Above 50, you "only" need to show 800K, below 50 expect to show more.

Elite etc.

Not whining. Just sharing. I believe that is what a forum is for?

[farang000999]

It is absolutely hilarious how these old miserable gits are in every topic telling people to spend 500b on a Thai Elite visa.

Why the heck would anyone want to pay 500,000 baht just to visit a country and not for any kind of work opportunity?

so last week a visa was a 1000 baht and this week I am going to spend 500,000 baht for the right to come to a country as a tourist and spend money there?

and then they drop lines like

"Oh what, you can't afford it?"...

Like, I am trying to think how much money I would need in the bank before pissing away 500,000 baht on an Elite card would make sense to me... it would be a very large number.

[Rix]

It is absolutely hilarious how these old miserable gits are in every topic telling people to spend 500b on a Thai Elite visa.

Why the heck would anyone want to pay 500,000 baht just to visit a country and not for any kind of work opportunity?

so last week a visa was a 1000 baht and this week I am going to spend 500,000 baht for the right to come to a country as a tourist and spend money there?

and then they drop lines like

"Oh what, you can't afford it?"...

Like, I am trying to think how much money I would need in the bank before pissing away 500,000 baht on an Elite card would make sense to me... it would be a very large number.

I need to screenshot this, make it into a meme and post it to every reply I get asking me to apply for elite card. Lol!

Edit: I thought if is 2 million baht for the elite?