Answereda month ago
Can the E gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport flag my visa exemption entries and cause issues on my return to Thailand?
Hi, does anyone have any experience of visiting the new E gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport after already coming in to Thailand on numerous (5 all by air) visa exemptions this year? Can the E gate flag this up and tell you to visit a booth or will you proceed with no issues? Thanks.
Answer summary
A user inquires about the E-gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport and their experiences with multiple visa exemptions in a year. They wonder if the E-gates can flag frequent entries and require them to visit an immigration booth. Comments indicate that if a traveler's entry history raises concerns, the E-gate may not permit entry, directing them to an officer instead. Some users recommend obtaining a proper visa, such as the Non-O visa for retirees, to avoid complications.
27 repliesnewest first
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Keenan *****
The auto gate wouldn’t let me through so had to join the queue it also happened to many people and put the immigration under more pressure as these auto gates have taken up the areas where there would be immigration officers teething problems I hope
Tod *********
The e-Arrival gates aren't a free pass to get in and if your previous entry/stay history is extensive, it'll just not let you in and say go to a stamp in counter manned by a real person
Darren *******
Yeah I entered through them on Thursday with no issues. Can't remember how many times I've entered visa exempt this year but it's probably around 7 or 8, with a maximum stay of 8 nights I believe with the majority being just 2 or 3 nights. Travel pattern is clear and consistent and whenever I've been asked to show a flight out of Thailand I've always been able to.
Will ************
Seen them refuse departures before and send people to the immigration booth , so expect inbound to be the same.
James ********
May I ask... WHY are you entering Thailand so MANY times this year and possibly in years past? As you are age 50+, it might be a good idea now to get a correct Thai Visa for your planned stays in Thailand. The Non O Visa as a retiree, even though you are not required to be retired to get it, can be the Thai Visa for you. The Non O gets you 90 day stamp on arrival and you can get a one year extension of stay at your local Thai immigration office by meeting the extension requirements. Are you Married to Thai? Are you Father of Thai child? Are you a digital nomad? The crackdown underway by Thai Immigration officers is REAL. DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOR...get the correct Thai Visa BEFORE you try to return to Thailand. Good luck
Darren *******
Yeah I entered through them on Thursday with no issues. Can't remember how many times I've entered visa exempt this year but it's probably around 7 or 8, with a maximum stay of 8 nights I believe with the majority being just 2 or 3 nights. Travel pattern is clear and consistent and whenever I've been asked to show a flight out of Thailand I've always been able to.
TruthfulHum************
OPDarren Grist Thank you for the info.
James ********
May I ask... WHY are you entering Thailand so MANY times this year and possibly in years past?
As you are age 50+, it might be a good idea now to get a correct Thai Visa for your planned stays in Thailand.
The Non O Visa as a retiree, even though you are not required to be retired to get it, can be the Thai Visa for you. The Non O gets you 90 day stamp on arrival and you can get a one year extension of stay at your local Thai immigration office by meeting the extension requirements.
Are you Married to Thai?
Are you Father of Thai child?
Are you a digital nomad?
The crackdown underway by Thai Immigration officers is REAL.
DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOR...get the correct Thai Visa BEFORE you try to return to Thailand.
Good luck 🍀
As you are age 50+, it might be a good idea now to get a correct Thai Visa for your planned stays in Thailand.
The Non O Visa as a retiree, even though you are not required to be retired to get it, can be the Thai Visa for you. The Non O gets you 90 day stamp on arrival and you can get a one year extension of stay at your local Thai immigration office by meeting the extension requirements.
Are you Married to Thai?
Are you Father of Thai child?
Are you a digital nomad?
The crackdown underway by Thai Immigration officers is REAL.
DO YOURSELF A BIG FAVOR...get the correct Thai Visa BEFORE you try to return to Thailand.
Good luck 🍀
TruthfulHum************
OPHi James, thanks for the info. Yeah i am married as of earlier this year. My plan is to come in Non O then get the 1 year through Marriage. This time however i don't have time to return to my home country to apply for a visa as i am returning in two weeks straight from working abroad.
James ********
TruthfulHummingbird8603 you can get the Non O Visa as Married to Thai in neighbor SE Asia countries. Vientiane Laos is popular and usually quick if you have your required documents submitted using the Evisa online application system.
Use the search 🔍 tool top of the forum page...
ENTER... Vientiane Non O Visa as Married to Thai
CLICK on it and all posts about getting it will Pop up to read the posts and experiences of others.
Best wishes for your success...
Congratulations 🎉 on your marriage 🥰🥰
Use the search 🔍 tool top of the forum page...
ENTER... Vientiane Non O Visa as Married to Thai
CLICK on it and all posts about getting it will Pop up to read the posts and experiences of others.
Best wishes for your success...
Congratulations 🎉 on your marriage 🥰🥰
James ********
TruthfulHummingbird8603 you're welcome 🤗... please let us know what you decide to do and the outcome of your planned application for the Non O Visa as Married to Thai. Good luck 🍀
TruthfulHum************
OPThank you, appreciate the help.
Keenan *****
The auto gate wouldn’t let me through so had to join the queue it also happened to many people and put the immigration under more pressure as these auto gates have taken up the areas where there would be immigration officers teething problems I hope
TruthfulHum************
OPKeenan Col Yeah they seem to be temperamental wherever i have seen them installed. I take it your issue was nothing to do with multiple entries though?
Keenan *****
TruthfulHummingbird8603 no I was on a single entry same thing happened to me at Melbourne last year and the immigration officer I had at Bkk was fast tracking everyone I saw so I’m assuming because of the issue with the gates not fast tracking some people so more people joining what was a large queue for low season with hindsight I think the e gates should have been in a different location not far away so leaving more room for immigration officers if that makes sense
Will ************
Seen them refuse departures before and send people to the immigration booth , so expect inbound to be the same.
LivelyOc*********
@Will ***********
Why do they refuse departures (assuming you don't have overstay)? They can't stop people from leaving, right? I thought coming in is where they will deny you.
Tod *********
The e-Arrival gates aren't a free pass to get in and if your previous entry/stay history is extensive, it'll just not let you in and say go to a stamp in counter manned by a real person
TruthfulHum************
OP@Tod ********
Thanks. Extensive, yes, but technically just exploiting a grey area has always been my understanding. Especially when all entries are only *****
days with no extensions etc.
Trevor *********
TruthfulHummingbird8603 it's the number of days in the last 12mths .150 be fine . 180 risky
James ********
TruthfulHummingbird8603 you are one of the reasons that Thai immigration (exploiting Thai Immigration visa exempt entry) has changed its rules recently. I suggest you read my other reply and get a real Thai Visa. And frankly speaking, getting a SETV Single entry tourist visa or METV multiple entry tourist visa likely would still be questioned by Thai Immigration officers on arrival.
Chris **********
@James *******
yes. I did write get an METV or SETV. 😁James ********
@Chris *********
we wish those who want to continue to roll the visa exempt entry dice...Good Luck 🍀James ********
TruthfulHummingbird8603 Good Luck 🍀
TruthfulHum************
OP@James *******
I did reply to your other message. As for the rules changing due to people like me, let see if they enforce them or if it's left to the discretion of the IO like it obviously has been before.Chris **********
@James *******
I'd question this. If you turn up with a proper visa(metv or setv), are well dressed and look like you are going to contribute to the Thai economy they will welcome you. Thai people are impressed by neat personal appearance and same with IO's. I used to arrive on visa free entry often but I would have a haircut, wear a suit, and then go and stay in hostels.Tod *********
TruthfulHummingbird8603 well, you'll either get in by the auto in gates or it won't accept you and you'll have to go hard stamp in, in front of an officer.
It'll only go one of two ways
It'll only go one of two ways
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