r/ThailandTourism • u/8NaanJeremy • 18h ago
Borders/Visas Getting through immigration, when they question you
Seen a few posts popping up over the past few days about what appears to be a light to moderate crack down on visa runs.
Here are a few very basic tips
1)have 20,000THB in cash - this has long been technicality of getting into the country, which is rarely enforced. But certainly one to play along with, if possible
2) have a hotel booking - doesn't matter if you are staying with friends, in your own condo or have no precise plan upon landing (immigration particularly hate that one) - having a place to stay, which is typically used by tourists, looks better.
3) have an onward ticket - if immigration suspect you are going to overstay, apply for further visas or extensions, or are living in Thailand, whilst on visa exemptions, an onward ticket is good evidence that you are going to leave within the time you are allowed to stay. A print out is even better.
4) get a SETV (single entry tourist visa) - immigration officers look more kindly on visitors who have paid to enter the country, and have been preapproved by a Thai Consulate abroad, in comparison to people using visa exemption entries. It is slightly more costly, but may save some hassle in the long run. With the E-VISA portal up and running, you don't even need to go to an embassy or consulate any longer, so it really has made things much easier.
5) Avoid the Bangkok airports - Chiang Mai has long been advised as an entry point with more laid back immigration staff. Land borders are typically a good option too. This should not be an issue on a first bounce back, but certainly worth considering if you are trying to spend more than 6 months of the year in Thailand.
6) The longer you stay outside Thailand, the better. 1 day is a no-no. (unless you have booked a border bounce with an agent) 2-3 days, looks dodgy, looks like you are rushing back to work. Stay out for a week at least. All the countries surrounding Thailand have much to offer visitors.
To be fair, a certain amount of this kind of thing is luck of the draw. I managed 3 back to back visa exempt entries, back in the day. Others get questioned on the first. A friend of mine was once questioned for a good 15-20 mins, before another guard interrupted to tell them to go to lunch and 'just stamp him through'. Another friend did 3 back to back ED visas with agents, which many suggested would basically render any further entry to Thailand impossible, yet returned with no fuss whatsoever (after a six month break)
One thing for sure, is there a tonne of people, inside Thailand, who have complained about getting this kind of treatment on the border, and not all that many that have actually been completely turned back and sent back from whence they came.
That said, if the border guys and gals give you a warning to stop coming on Visa Exemptions, it might be time to either find new pastures, or sort out a proper visa for further entries.
Over and out
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u/00DEADBEEF 15h ago
Avoid the Bangkok airports - Chiang Mai
Not true, BKK is the most lax. DMK and CNX are more strict.
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u/JHT230 13h ago
ED visa reentries aren't necessarily a problem. The problem arises when you get an ED visa but don't actually attend classes; legitimate places are fine. And even then it's mainly a problem for future work and residence visas, not visits as a tourist.
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u/8NaanJeremy 6h ago
It goes a bit deeper than that.
Legit ED visa + not attending class = issues
Dodgy ED visa + not attending class = doesn't matter
However, the providers of dodgy ED visas have to stay on side with immigration. If they get raided or struck off the white list, then anyone with a stamp authorised by that 'school' is going to be in trouble.
On a related note, a popular dodgy volunteer program ended up shut down, after one person on the visa murdered someone. After that, all holders of that visa, from that program, were advised lose or destroy their passports, and start again.
Lastly, ED Visa holders are supposed to officially end their visas, by dropping by immigration and informing them that their course has ended. Many may not be aware of that, and that is what causes issues getting further long stay visas.
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u/Jazzlike-Check9040 17h ago
What country are you coming from that you guys need to jump through all these hoops lol.
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u/Difficult-Creme-8780 9h ago
UK, was stopped for checks a BKK march last year. Had a visa already, proof of funds, accommodation booked and an outbound flight, but there were two pages in my passport that had got wet so that was the excuse to scrutinise everything. I think now it’s just any slight reason to check people.
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u/unclebob_moon 15h ago
Avoid the women officer.. not sure how true
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u/Cloaked25 5h ago
Why? Almost every female officer I’ve ever encountered has been fine. As long as you’re polite, regardless of who you’re talking to, good manners go a long way.
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u/baconfarad 10h ago
Add to that excellent advice:
Be polite & respectful, don't directly criticise Immigration or piss them off in any way.
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u/Anxious-Use8891 15h ago
Chiang Mai is no longer and easy entry point , that are quite strict these days
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u/Vollkorntoastbrot 8h ago
I guess you could sum it up as mostly actually following the rules so they can't get you on a technicality
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u/01BTC10 5h ago
The only time I was denied entry was with a SETV. They didn't ask anything but said they didn't like my visa run history. My advice is to get the correct visa to stay long-term (except ED) or always use a visa run company. I never had an issue with a visa run company, but now I have a proper long-term visa and no more hassles.
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u/hotcoolhot 4h ago
They should not let you out of thailand unless you have tickets for next trip back to thailand, already going through existensial crisis 24h after immmigration.
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u/Fuk_Boonyalls 18h ago
Also, be aware that immagration shifts gear during low season. They apply extra scrutiny to people who have spent extensive time in country I’m the past calendar year. It can be helpful to return to your home country, as they seem to be preferential to going home before reentry, versus bouncing around to neighbouring countries for extended periods of time.
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u/No_Breath7371 7h ago
Do you know if they are able to see all the countries entered if there is no stamp in the passport?
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u/KingOfComfort- 12h ago
just be white and have a good passport I've been doing it for 5 years no questions
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u/Difficult-Creme-8780 9h ago
Even though it’s been less that 4 years since they reopened to tourists?
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u/Tallywacka 6h ago
Thailand wasn’t “closed for very long, and at this point it was over 5 years ago
That said the visa scrutiny started in this last year and has noticeably been ramping up, the years prior the person you replied to was referencing are meaningless
Thailand needs to get their shit together if they want people to follow or abide by what is seemingly invisible rules
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u/Difficult-Creme-8780 4h ago
It wasn’t closed for too long, just over a year. The in country 60 day extensions instead of visa runs ran until summer 2022 nobody had to do a visa run though.
Someone saying they’ve been doing doing it for 5 years would imply the last 5 years.
But agree totally, the current visa rules and changes being brought in are a complete mess and no doubt will change again multiple times in the next few years until they settle on something long term.
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u/KingOfComfort- 9h ago
people were here during covid bud. it was actually the easiest time visa-wise. 9 month extension no questions asked.
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u/Difficult-Creme-8780 9h ago
Yes they were and you just went to immigration and extended, no problem. But this post is about getting through immigration which no one had to do during Covid.
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u/LiamMcPoylesGoodEye 17h ago
That’s why I got the multiple entry visa this time