In detention right now about to be deported

[JackThompson]

5 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:

They don't want tourists with no money.

See the other thread - he had the money.  It's not about the money - that OP had it:

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/992077-entry-denied-bangkok-airport

 

5 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:

Show proof of funds is normal for any country. My wife has just gone to Germany to visit her cousin. She had hoops to jump through. Thailand is developing, if you love her, you should be happy with new restrictions. 

What are the wages in Germany vs Thailand.  Notice the financial-incentive for people to go there for work, vs coming from Germany to Thailand for work.  It would be relatively easy to find the few Farangs teaching English or water-sports red-handed at the jobsite - if that were the real-issue, here.

I support any reasonable efforts to stop "bad guys" from entering Thailand, because I live here.  A "Safe Thailand" is in my interest, and the interest of those I care about.  I support the police, including Immigration, taking whatever steps can help keep dangerous people out.  Home-visits for long-stayers, for example - Fine By Me - because it is effective police-work.  Similar with busting foreigners taking Thai-jobs and employers hiring those illegal-workers - prosecute them to the fullest.

 

But not allowing this German citizen to go to an ATM and withdraw the funds does not fall into that category, or benefit the country in any way.  Where ever he was living, there are Thai-businesses who are not getting the OP's business right now.  This action has taken money out of their hands, unnecessarily.  No one benefits from this.

[jspill]

13 minutes ago, CutiePi said:

Maybe when you get things sorted and attempt your next airport entry, fly business class. I've entered dozens of times on all manner of visasand visa exemptions with never any issue but I always fly business or first class. My guess is the IOs working the Premium Lane figure people flying Business have allot of money and are good for Thailand. At least it's worth a try.

Search 'bkk airport immigration fast track', for $30 you can have a rep meet you as you get off the plane, whatever class you flew in, then they take you through the fast lane.

[yan2016]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

 

The 20k in cash requirement,

does it also apply to holders of extension of stay and a re-entry permit?

 

Technically no since is not a new entry with a visa. I don't recall anybody having a problem when entering with a re-entry permit.

What about guys that are living here on a Non O 90 day entry?.

[al007]

We do not know the facts

 

In ten years  here I have never had any problems with immigration

 

Generally even if one has a valid visa the immigration officer has the right to refuse entry

 

Try some of the tricks some of them pull and you may not even get on the aeroplanes if going to the USA

 

People need to read the small print and comply or they can go elsewhere

 

It is well known Thailand is difficult, and maybe they are correct

 

The current gentleman started with overstay a few days earlier, not a good start

[jspill]

6 minutes ago, al007 said:

We do not know the facts

 

In ten years  here I have never had any problems with immigration

 

Generally even if one has a valid visa the immigration officer has the right to refuse entry

 

Try some of the tricks some of them pull and you may not even get on the aeroplanes if going to the USA

 

People need to read the small print and comply or they can go elsewhere

 

It is well known Thailand is difficult, and maybe they are correct

 

The current gentleman started with overstay a few days earlier, not a good start

You have a Thai wife and are over 50 Sir. 

 

This is a recent uptick in airport immigration issues affecting unmarried under 50s.

Edited July 14, 2017 by jspill

[JackThompson]

11 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I used the word "perhaps" because there is no evidence available to readers here as to what actually happened, other than the account given by the OP. In my experience people who find themselves with such problems will only ever give their side of the encounter. Human nature.

Of course, this hasn't stopped you talking in absolutes! You have completely taken the OP statements here as facts, and added your version of what the IO should have done!

Unless you were there you have no knowledge of the "real" issues.

 

Whether I am sympathetic or not is my prerogative, I don't need the likes of you telling me how I should think or what I should start advocating!

It is true we don't know everything about this case. 

We are discussing what has been presented only - which is the refusal of the IO to allow the OP to get the money from an ATM, and his being denied-entry for not having "cash" - which is happening with greater frequency based on many reports - not only this one.

 

You are welcome to your prerogative, just as I am welcome to not share it.  As you posted it in a public-forum, I am also free to not share it, or find it not relevant and/or germane to this case.  It's not personal, and I'd hope we could also disagree while having a beer.

[JackThompson]

5 minutes ago, yan2016 said:

What about guys that are living here on a Non O 90 day entry?.

The 20K can be requested, in this case, as you are entering on a Visa.  It is not frequent, but has been reported.

[overherebc]

3 minutes ago, al007 said:

We do not know the facts

 

In ten years  here I have never had any problems with immigration

 

Generally even if one has a valid visa the immigration officer has the right to refuse entry

 

Try some of the tricks some of them pull and you may not even get on the aeroplanes if going to the USA

 

People need to read the small print and comply or they can go elsewhere

 

It is well known Thailand is difficult, and maybe they are correct

 

The current gentleman started with overstay a few days earlier, not a good start

He was also on a third tourist visa as at Nov' 2016 from HongKong or Cambodia.

[brewsterbudgen]

 
Vientiane, Laos (VTE) to Bangkok (all airports)

7:00 am	→	8:35 am	Lao Airlines 441	S	M	T	W	T	F	S	VTE-BKK
11:40 am	→	12:55 pm	Bangkok Airways 944	S	M	T	W	T	F	S	VTE-BKK
1:20 pm	→	2:25 pm	Thai Smile 571	S	M	T	W	T	F	S	VTE-BKK
6:05 pm	→	7:40 pm	Lao Airlines 445	S	M	T	W	T	F	S	VTE-BKK
9:30 pm	→	10:35 pm	Thai 575	S	M	T	W	T	F	S	VTE-BKK

 
Just a few.
 

They also fly direct BKK to Savvanakhet and Pakse.

[silent]

1 hour ago, tonray said:

We shouldn't have a cow here folks that you show about $600 bucks US for a 30 day (or more) stay. How could this be so onerous ?..I think people need to sit back and realize that this is not a big deal. If you come to a foreign country and do not have $600 bucks to support yourself then you should not be allowed in. Travelers need to start being adults and follow the rules.

What about pre VISA ATM travellers cheques or something more antiquated?

[thaitero]

Laos airlines maby is not an option. They do not take you if you have even one day overstay.

[tonray]

Just now, silent said:

What about pre VISA ATM travellers cheques or something more antiquated?

Travelers checks are likely ok but why fool around...bring cash instead of taking risks

[Foozool]

It is not garranteed that you can get in even with B20,000. 

It depends on the officer. 

Edited July 14, 2017 by Foozool

[JackThompson]

4 minutes ago, silent said:

What about pre VISA ATM travellers cheques or something more antiquated?

When I was visiting on Tourist-Visas, I used Travelers Checks for most of the required 20K Baht.  Bangkok Bank sells them. 

 

Note that when this "show 20K Baht" stuff started, I could not find them for sale in Cambodia (though you can cash them there), and had to enter one time with a wad of easy-to-steal cash on me - not a feeling I liked.  Maybe get a money-belt, if you want to go cash - but those are hot in this weather.

[al007]

6 minutes ago, jspill said:

You have a Thai wife and are over 50 Sir. 

 

This is a recent uptick in airport immigration issues affecting unmarried under 50s.

Yes I have a thai wife and am over 72

 

I also have a lot of experience of living, I have visited most countries, some very difficult, I have been traveling for some 32 yrs

 

I come from the UK

 

The USA wants stronger immigration policies, and I understand that

 

Why should Thailand not be allowed to decide who they let in 

 

When we go to immigration, for a start we dress smartly, we do our best to give them the volumes of paper they request

 

Basically if Thailand says NO, that is their prerogative

 

I do not let any person into my home easily without the right paper work

[Thaidream]

As a long time traveller to Thailand and now on a long stay extension- I have had every Visa known and some that they don't even have anymore- it appears that the IOs are targeting those who are under age 50 in their belief that people are entering to work or do not have adequate funds for  stay, Remember, Thailand is very conservative in its thinking and they cannot imagine people in middle age or below having income without actually working.  To me, one of the odd things is the an ME Tourist Visa requires a person to be working yet it has a 6 month validity. I never heard of a job in which one can be away for 6 months, Another odd thing is the Elite Visa- where one can stay 5 years on a 'Tourist Visa' as long as one has the initial money to put up front.  Immigration appears to want it both ways.

 

I do know that if I was in the targeted age group- I would not be buying a car; house; or condo unless married to a Thai and I mean officially married with the registration completed at the Amphur. And frankly speaking, if single, I would not be staying in a place where I am constantly being hassled by the IOs or potentially hassled. There are plenty of other places  one can live comfortably without the aggravation.

[perthperson]

5 hours ago, Tsm12345 said:

I want to live and stay here.

The OPs words. 

 

Unfortunately, by attempting to live in Thailand on a series of inappropriate visas. time has run out. 

 

[ICECOOL]

I wondering if this recent tough stance is a childish response to the new edict of no tea money for immigration.

[dddave]

1 hour ago, manarak said:

I believe there are ATMs before immigration.

I come through Suvarnabhumi a lot and I can not picture an ATM anywhere along the path from the arrivals gates to Immigration, either A,B,C,D side or D, E, F, G.

Perhaps in the transit area?

The first ATM's I see are in Baggage claim.

[JackThompson]

9 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:

What are the costs of hard drugs in both countries? This why many come to Kho Pah Ngan. This was the case when I was there in 1990.

I think anyone who possesses/uses illegal substances in Thailand is being extremely foolish - even grass.  Years ago, an old acquaintance who liked such things once emailed me asking if he would like it in Thailand - I told him Cambodia would be a better choice, but his current abode in South America was the best locale for his tastes. 

If the OP had been in possession of drugs, he would not be in airport-detention (or not long, anyway).

 

15 minutes ago, MrPatrickThai said:

They allow in respectable looking tourists. 

There is a different statute within the law which could be bent to accommodate unsightly appearance (if 'dress' is equated with 'behavior'), but it was not used in the OP's case - Section 12(7):

"Having behavior which would indicated possible danger to the public or likelihood of being a nuisance or constituting any violence to the peace or safety of the public or to the security of the public or to the security of the nation, or being under warrant of arrest by competent officials of foreign governments."

[CutiePi]

34 minutes ago, jspill said:

Search 'bkk airport immigration fast track', for $30 you can have a rep meet you as you get off the plane, whatever class you flew in, then they take you through the fast lane.

I think the only drawback to this is the IO may determine you flew in on an economy ticket nonetheless and still give the person the once-over.

[Suradit69]

4 hours ago, Momofarang said:

But clearly, the climate is "Anti-Farang" so they will more and more give visa to Farang money only, with some exception..

You mean farang who attempt to stay here more or less permanently on tourist visas and ed visas.

 

Blame those who have abused the use of those methods for staying here long-term. Being a farang does not entitle you to exemption from complying with immigration policy. 

[Thaidream]

There are no ATMS prior to the Immigration checkpoint- there are a few Exchange booths where one could potentially get a counter withdrawal from a debit or credit card.  the issue is that many people travel with a smaller amount of money and when past Immigration draw their money from an ATM or wait until in the city.

 In the past, many people used Traveler's checks as a hedge  because one got a better exchange rate. The Fee for cashing was 33 Baht per check but then the banking industry decided to raise the cashing fee per check to 150 Baht per check which in effect eliminated the exchange rate gain and people stopped buying the checks and instead went to debit cards.  Thailand has not kept up with changing social mores where most people do not carry a lot of cash .

 

[LannaGuy]

42 minutes ago, jspill said:

Search 'bkk airport immigration fast track', for $30 you can have a rep meet you as you get off the plane, whatever class you flew in, then they take you through the fast lane.

You can buy the fast track vouchers on-line and will be given one free if you ever come Business. Anyway i bought a few and use them every time.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, Adeeos said:

Right,,, so have them walk him to an ATM in Swampy, and withdraw the $20K... "should" be problem solved... 

 

Oh! But This is Thailand.

[JackThompson]

10 minutes ago, perthperson said:

Tsm12345 said:

I want to live and stay here.

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

The OPs words. 

Unfortunately, by attempting to live in Thailand on a series of inappropriate visas. time has run out. 

Most people who come here to live/stay start on Tourist Visas, then move on to B-Visas, Non-Os, etc.  There is nothing "inappropriate" about this.  The OP did the "right thing" by moving to an ED visa, for which he paid tuition, and received appropriate documentation to apply and receive an ED Visa.  He did not create the rules for this process.

 

Are we are to believe that Thai authorities are incapable of publishing police-orders which reflect what is or is not "appropriate"?  They can, have, and could further limit different forms of entries and extensions at any time.  It is their choice.  Our obligation is to obey the rules they publish. 

 

3 minutes ago, Suradit69 said:

Being a farang does not entitle you to exemption from complying with immigration policy. 

Please refer to the law and current police-orders.  The OP did not do anything wrong or "inappropriate" - except not knowing he would not have access to 1990s technology for access to money - something those who read this forum do know, as a result of reading about the sad misfortune of others.

[anto]

6 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

There are no ATMS prior to the Immigration checkpoint- there are a few Exchange booths where one could potentially get a counter withdrawal from a debit or credit card.  the issue is that many people travel with a smaller amount of money and when past Immigration draw their money from an ATM or wait until in the city.

 In the past, many people used Traveler's checks as a hedge  because one got a better exchange rate. The Fee for cashing was 33 Baht per check but then the banking industry decided to raise the cashing fee per check to 150 Baht per check which in effect eliminated the exchange rate gain and people stopped buying the checks and instead went to debit cards.  Thailand has not kept up with changing social mores where most people do not carry a lot of cash .

 

Have read several reports that there are ATMs before Immigration ,and many saying the opposite .Would like to know definitively . 

[boike]

You mean farang who attempt to stay here more or less permanently on tourist visas and ed visas.
 
Blame those who have abused the use of those methods for staying here long-term. Being a farang does not entitle you to exemption from complying with immigration policy. 

Oh boy. Again it's up to the IO to let you in. Even a valid visa does not guarantee you entry. It can also happen to you. A good friend who has his business and a work permit for over 10 years was given a hard time by an IO. He told the IO that he would be back in a minute. Went to the other side and he was let in without a problem.

Sent from my XT1572 using Tapatalk

[al007]

20 minutes ago, perthperson said:

  5 hours ago, Tsm12345 said:

I want to live and stay here.

 

21 minutes ago, perthperson said:

The OPs words. 

 

Unfortunately, by attempting to live in Thailand on a series of inappropriate visas. time has run out. 

 

I live here on marriage visa

 

I have no right for long term stay

 

I too WANT TO Stay

 

So I very carefully make sure I comply with all the requests and demands of immigration, and do my best to stay up to date as requirements change

 

Do I like or agree, IRRELEVANT if I want to stay COMPLY really very simple

 

If I do not like it, as I was told a long time ago by an immigration official, I am free to leave, and he is very correct

[Old Croc]

40 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

It is true we don't know everything about this case. 

We are discussing what has been presented only - which is the refusal of the IO to allow the OP to get the money from an ATM, and his being denied-entry for not having "cash" - which is happening with greater frequency based on many reports - not only this one.

 

You are welcome to your prerogative, just as I am welcome to not share it.  As you posted it in a public-forum, I am also free to not share it, or find it not relevant and/or germane to this case.  It's not personal, and I'd hope we could also disagree while having a beer.

I thank you for allowing me my prerogative even though you don't share it. As you pointed out it is a public forum ergo I am entitled to give my opinion. It does have some relevancy as the OP is about visa conditions and funding requirements.

If you don't like my thoughts you are free to ignore them and stick to commenting on the parts you think are germane.