Left to Singapore via Swampy in the morning and came back the same day via Swampy to BKK in the evening. 

Had a fast track ticket for the I/O counter. No questions asked, not asked for proof of money or anything else. 

Was wearing jeans + tshirt + sneakers and I am in my early 30's. 

Been in Thailand for 10+ years from tourist visas, to ED to marriage visa and now back on 30 day on arrival stamp. 

There is plenty of fear mongering going on in the forums these days, so take it all with a grain of salt. 

 

PS: I have a previous overstay stamp in my passport for 3 or 4 days. Left Thailand never longer than 7 days total in 10 years. Hope that gives some people some piece of mind. 

Edited July 29, 20178 yr by JerryinTH

You got a 30 day visa exempt entry not a visa on arrival. A visa on arrival is only for 15 days after applying for it and paying a fee.

Correct, sorry for mixing up the terms. Just wanted to clear up the fear mongering out there. I flew in/out the same day and got the 30 day visa exempt stamp. 

Do wonder, tho, if your "fast track ticket" for Immigration helped things out a bit.

 

Mac

2 hours ago, Thanyaburi Mac said:

Do wonder, tho, if your "fast track ticket" for Immigration helped things out a bit.

 

Mac

 

Business class flight always comes with FT. 

They are targeting people who are short on money and force to work, peg, do minor crimes etc..

Flying business class means that most likely traveller do not belong to this targetgroup so IMO this experience prooves nothing at all if Average Joe should be worried or no..

Just because you had no issues that doesn't mean other people won't or have not had them already

 

I wouldn't count your chickens if I were you, if you are staying here on 30 day VE you ARE going to have a issue at some point, that is pretty much guaranteed

I would say its a random checking matter and subject to keen observation of the Immigration officer. It has nothing to do with fast Track BS.

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You got a 30 day visa exempt entry not a visa on arrival. A visa on arrival is only for 15 days after applying for it and paying a fee.

UBJ: you made that correction for me a while back and I do appreciate it

and I bet you're going to be doing it a lot more

I was told by Chiang Rai immigration 2 Visa exempts per year is allowed. so, in out Mae Sai 2 times is okay then finished. I believe them as others have confirmed this.

6 hours ago, JerryinTH said:

 

Business class flight always comes with FT. 

Or you can pay extra and get it even with an economy tcket

21 minutes ago, duanebigsby said:

I was told by Chiang Rai immigration 2 Visa exempts per year is allowed. so, in out Mae Sai 2 times is okay then finished. I believe them as others have confirmed this.

That's by land-crossings - 2 per calendar-year is the limit.  Visa Exempt by air - which the OP did - it is a mystery-number depending on undefined factors.

22 minutes ago, duanebigsby said:

I was told by Chiang Rai immigration 2 Visa exempts per year is allowed. so, in out Mae Sai 2 times is okay then finished. I believe them as others have confirmed this.

The two visa exempt entries per year is only for land entries. The limitation does not exist for entries by air, though using many by air is likely to induce increased scrutiny.

3 hours ago, darrendsd said:

Just because you had no issues that doesn't mean other people won't or have not had them already

 

I wouldn't count your chickens if I were you, if you are staying here on 30 day VE you ARE going to have a issue at some point, that is pretty much guaranteed

I love it...people are slow to believe a member with a post count in the hundreds, and a high "community reputation" (ratio of likes to posts) to boot, yet so quick to propagate scare-mongering and rumors based on a couple UNSUBSTANTIATED and highly suspect reports of denials of entry by a few members with 5 or less posts to their name.  Okay, got it.  

 

OP, thanks for trying to raise the sanity level around here.

6 hours ago, Chou Anou said:

I love it...people are slow to believe a member with a post count in the hundreds, and a high "community reputation" (ratio of likes to posts) to boot, yet so quick to propagate scare-mongering and rumors based on a couple UNSUBSTANTIATED and highly suspect reports of denials of entry by a few members with 5 or less posts to their name.  Okay, got it.  

 

OP, thanks for trying to raise the sanity level around here.

Wow!!  A post count in the HUNDREDS!!  Really??  No taking an "anecdotal" swipe at HIM then for sure!!   My goodness!!    Yeah, he's a regular Moses alright.  ROFL

 

Look, believe what you want to believe.  If you believe Thailand immigration doesn't care about foreigners trying to reside in the country on tourist visas and tourist-exempt entries, then by all means go for it!  And certainly some still do.  Their choice/your choice.   I'm sure they have no plans to close the detention area anytime soon.

 

You just can't help some people.

 

 

Edited July 29, 20178 yr by hawker9000

Glad to hear you had a positive experience, as it should be. That said...Fastrack certainly helps and it always depends on the mood of the I/O and how many visa exempt stamps in the past 12 months and possibly other extenuating circumstances. From experience, they get a warning on their screen upon the 6th visa exempt entry in a 12 month period. 

18 hours ago, darrendsd said:

Just because you had no issues that doesn't mean other people won't or have not had them already

 

I wouldn't count your chickens if I were you, if you are staying here on 30 day VE you ARE going to have a issue at some point, that is pretty much guaranteed

 

I don't think anyone is dumb enough to live on 30 days in/out in Thailand these days. Going to immigration Monday for a 12 months extension based on... (none of your business).

Edited July 30, 20178 yr by JerryinTH

26 minutes ago, JerryinTH said:

 

I don't think anyone is dumb enough to live on 30 days in/out in Thailand these days. Going to immigration Monday for a 12 months extension based on... (none of your business).

None of my business but you post on a public forum, when you post on a PF you are inviting comments, if you don't like the comments then don't post, it's pretty simple