First Visa Extension Run - Re-Entry Experience - Suvarnabhumi Airport
It was time to do an somewhat early extension run due to scheduling conflicts as my initial 180 das were ticking away. As with most DTV'rs, I see no reason but to leave the country for a few days and make a weekend out of it.
Going through an extension with immigration seems to be a pain and most officers doesn't seem to want to go through the hassle themselves and each immigration asks for various things.
A change of environment is also always good IMHO and doesn't cost much. Went to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. Never been there. Will probably not be back there either. I think there are more interesting places in Vietnam to visit. But that is besides the point.
Coming back, had already done the TDAC and was extremely lucky with no immigration lines at all and many immigration officers at location.
I really tried to seek out a male officer but the very vast majority was female (I am male) and I got directed to a certain line while trying to find a male officer.
My 20+ years experience in Thailand is, along the lines of what's been posted here before, that I have never had any problems with male officers. The female ones are the ones that can give you grief. And have done so in the past for me. A few times. for absolutely no reason.
When it was my turn, just one person in front of me, I haded over my passport and my A6 sized laminated visa.
The question "what you do in Thailand" was answered with "business development and software development within AI" was met with a frowning face and a surprising negative look with a shacking face as there would be a problem with that.
Most likely, what I just explained to her was way over her head. I realized that I could have entered the whole "cannot lose face" zone with her with my response.
She held my passport and the stamp and tinting her head in a body language "I am in doubt" and "should I really stamp this passport with what was just being explained to me" kind of posture.
Took a few (long) seconds where I was getting nervous of a secondary inspection and getting grilled. Not that I have anything to hide nor haven't got all my ducks in a row but, if you get the wrong officer on the wrong day, those who knows, they know.
It is an experience anyone can be without.
After those seemingly very long seconds she stamped my passport and waived to me in a way of "get out of my face".
She wasn't a member of the "Land of Smiles" club. I can tell you that much.
I am from a Western EU country. Very presentable. Shaved. Fresh hair cut. Buttoned shirt. Dress proper. Articulate well. Shower daily for those who wonder. Wear expensive watch and some bling bling. Samsonite hand luggage. Well, you get the idea.
No tourist visa history that stands out by any means. Far apart. Not frequently used.
Yet, this unnecessary attitude. And it is always from female officers. Did I feel welcome as a quality tourist who brings in quite a lot of foreign capital and spends way over the average tourist during longer periods of time? No, not really. Quite the contrary.
Anyway, stamped in, no biggie. No major questions asked. Just feeling unwelcome by an immigration officer who I am sure rather would greet some quality Indian tourists.
Sorry for the rambling. Just can't understand why Thais so quickly forgot what happened to them when Covid-19 hit. They quickly forget how important we are for their economy.
