Can I apply for a Thai tourist visa while visiting Taiwan on a US passport?

@Ann ********

Once I was denied entry at DMK for "too many visas" and they were clear I was required to book a flight back to the country I had just come from (not home country.) Fortunately it happened to be Malaysia, so it was inexpensive to just go right back then came back in through a different airport without problems.

@Ann ********

I'm trying to find the best place to go get another tourist visa soon like yourself, and heard there are issues recently in Penang. Please let us know if you manage to get one in Taiwan or elsewhere.

@Ann ********

This was before covid back in 2019. It was a crabby immigration lady at DMK I later heard stories about that she has a reputation for making reasons to hassle people. Unfortunately I didn't have all my documentation ready which could have smoothed out the situation. While she said I was denied due to "too many visas" she seemed to presume I was working illegally and told me not to come back for a year, and only with a work visa. I read the stamp she put in the passport which actually said I was denied for not having baht cash on my person. However, since then I prepare extensively by bringing cash and tons of documentation. DMK/BKK are known for this entry risk if you have a lot of visas.

There is a "Fast Track" service offered by Thai Visa Centre you can pay for in advance to ensure you will have no problems on arrival. They check and approve your situation before you travel. I have used it and recommend it if you want to come through BKK/DMK. That's probably the best option if you're coming from Taiwan. (Note that other companies offer a cheaper fast track service but they don't do the preapproval, just the accelerated processing line.)

I have heard that entry through Phuket, Surat Thani, and other regional airports are also easier than Bangkok. Tourist island airports like Samui or Krabi also have a reputation for easy entry but the flight prices are higher.

@Ann ********

I think it's uncommon to be turned away. I believe the two outcomes; A) you are forced to go back to your home country, B) You are required to go to any other country. I think which outcome depends on the IO so you want to be pleasant regardless if they turn you away. If you are able to catch a flight to anywhere, you can find a cheap flight to a neighboring country and try your luck another day.

For example if they turn you away and you go to Vietnam, you can use that embassy to get a proper visa (last I knew they provided tourist visa to non residents, I have gotten one myself). At that point you can fly back, or you fly/bus to the border and try your luck at a land border.

Phuket airport is known to be more tourist friendly the BKK.

I doubt you'll get turned away, just be sure to have your 3 proofs. Before covid I had extensive visa history, never a problem.

@Terary *********

you don't get any choice in the matter. It's up to your carrier. So you either go back to the country you came from, or, on rare occasions, home country

@Nigel ********

I have heard different experiences.

@Brandon ***********

France is more mostly Evisa application only except for Algerian, Monoco and some European passport holders with french residency.

@Ann ********

You are assuming correctly. While a tourist visa may not guarantee entry, the discretion of the officer is much less when you come with a visa than in visa exempt.

@Ann ********

good question. I'd be inclined to think they'd be just as likely to deny a tourist visa for this reason as well.

Might be worth another post. ask if anyone has been denied visa-exempt entry because of multiple prior covid extensions