Answered7 years ago
Can Thai immigration really prevent me from using tourism visas in the future after multiple past entries?
Hi all, this year I have travelled Thailand on 3 x 30 day VOAs and 1 x SETV. When I entered the country for the final time this year on the SETV the IM officer (Non-english speaking) was extremely unhappy with me, I was very nearly turned away! After some discussion with a English speaking member of staff they allowed me in, however they told me that I would 'never be allowed to use VOA or tourism visas again' and there would be a 'mark on my file' to tell other IM officers around the country if I were to come back in on a tourism visa at a different airport. I know I've shot myself in the foot here by using the visas back to back as opposed to spreading them out, its my own fault, I got greedy, I could have done it differently and avoided all this drama. However, my question is, can they really do the above? Or were they just trying to scare me off? I would like to return to explore more of Thailand next year, ideally I'd like to got for a METV this time but I'm afraid I may get turned away on arrival if they above is true...? Any advice and/or previous experience would be grateful. Many thanks.
Answer summary
The user discusses their experience with immigration in Thailand after using multiple visas back-to-back, including 3 x 30-day VOAs and 1 x SETV, which led to a warning from the immigration officer. They express concern about possible future restrictions on their ability to use tourism visas again, as well as contemplating alternative visa types like a METV or an ED visa for long-term stays. Commenters provide mixed advice about the implications of frequent entries on tourist visas and suggest exploring alternative visa options.
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Maria *************
You have shot yourself in the foot by trying to live in Thailand on visa exempt and tourist visas.
If you want to live here get the correct visa.
If you wanted to learn Thai you could have gotten an ED-Visa earlier and not now when you suddenly run into trouble.
Try a landborder next time but also start planning for plan B.
If you want to live here get the correct visa.
If you wanted to learn Thai you could have gotten an ED-Visa earlier and not now when you suddenly run into trouble.
Try a landborder next time but also start planning for plan B.
David *******
Ho the hell is someone supposed to take a year out travelling supposed to explore Thailand if they say limit is 3 exemptions in 6 months. yes system has been abused by many but they now make it literally impossible to explore Thailand for long periods, they are just not interested in long term tourists. To mae things easier they may as well make it official, only one exemption per year. Then at least people would know.
John ************
OPHindsight is a wonderful thing hey. I never expected to stay so long or want to spend more time in the country, I just went with the flow - lessons learnt.
Robert *******
Could it be possible to make a computer system that keep track of people entering and leaving a country, like a bunch of columns in an excel sheet with name, passport nr, country of origin, dob, entry date, exit date, visa used and as last column NOTE: And an officer with a computer and connection to this list can add in the note, do not let this person in again. I think it can be done, I even think lots of younger computer wizards make a database like this in a few hours. Welcome in the stone age, Thailand without computers, digital cameras, finger print scanners and an Immigration using smoke signals to communicate.
Ivan ************
It can be done, whether they actually do it and if they do whether other immigration officers actually follow the note in the system are other questions entirely. Plenty of reports of people who were told they had a note that they couldn't come back or couldn't extend but went ahead and did just that.
There is a formal legal process for banning someone and it's not just a note in the computer.
Maybe he'll have issues, maybe not. That he mentions the warning suggests the prudent thing to do is not enter by Bangkok airport but instead by land.
There is a formal legal process for banning someone and it's not just a note in the computer.
Maybe he'll have issues, maybe not. That he mentions the warning suggests the prudent thing to do is not enter by Bangkok airport but instead by land.
Joe ***********
It is not a VOA but similar Visa Exempt. And bottom line your frequent and recent stays in Thailand will likely block your entry soon. Thai Immigration simply does not want people to visit frequently - back to back on tourist Visas or Exempt Entries or a mixture. They will likely consider you to be living in Thailand without using a long term visa (regardless if you are eligible for Long stay or not). Thai Immigration wants many tourists who come for two-three weeks - spend a lot of money and go home.
Joe ***********
@John ***********
A mixed bag of Tourist Visas, Exempt Entries and ED Visas from all reports seem harder and harder to pull of successfully.Joe ***********
@John ***********
- unless you can find a Visa type (Extension of Stay) that can work for a long term stay in Thailand you may not have a choice of staying in Thailand. Almost two years ago Thailand Officials announced that they would rid Thailand of people working Illegally. And they consider anyone practically staying - living in Thailand on an series of Exempt Entries, Tourist Visas and ED Visas mixed in as indirect proof of working illegally. This view point will be difficult to overcomeJoe ***********
@John ***********
- Options? If you like S.E.A. then learn about neighboring countries - explore the options there. A good friend who was stymied by Thai Immigration has made several visits to Vietnam to size up alternatives.
Peter ****************
And, non of my business though, if you can affort so much trips and free time in a year, maybe considder an elite visa (500,000฿ for 5 years).
If you are 50+ maybe a non imm o visa is better.
If you are 50+ maybe a non imm o visa is better.
John ************
OPHi Joe, thanks, this is pretty much how I imagined the Thai Immigration view point/position. I mean, I'm even keen to learn the language so I had considered the ED Visa, maybe this might the best option for now... your thoughts?
James **************
Id fly into a neighbouring country and use a land border. If its on the system it would show up at a land border aswell.
Ivan ************
Get a visa AND use a land border. There are two reasons to use a land border: firstly, they are less likely at most to turn you away, vs an airport particularly a Bangkok airport. Secondly if they do you are not detained and returned to your country of origin at your cost, you are just left in whatever country is on the other side of the land border and you can go back to your hotel and try again elsewhere, or enjoy your holiday in Malaysia or wherever instead.
John ************
OPSo, don't event consider getting a visa ahead of time, attempt a land border via a VOA?
James **************
How can they ban you from using it, unless you have been blacklisted.
Ivan ************
You're not banned or blacklisted, that's a different process. There may or may not be a note. I wouldn't enter again through a Bangkok airport.
John ************
OPThis 'blacklisting' is my concern, this is how it sounded when they told me I would not be allowed entry to the country again using tourism related visas...
Tom ************
If you are a genuine tourist you shouldn't have any problems.
Just make sure you have all the proof ofs they require
Just make sure you have all the proof ofs they require
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