Has anyone faced rejection at Bangkok's priority immigration with multiple visa exemptions?

May 7, 2019
6 years ago
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anybody ever been rejected at BKK when using the priority immigration? (Business Class)

I have 7 visa excempt entries in total (2 in 2017, 5 in 2018, spent 155 days in Thailand in 2018, always entered via business priority)

Currently on my METV (2 entries in 2019, spent 60 days so far in Thailand). My last time I entered in DMK (in economy), saw farangs being taken aside left and right but the IO let me through and didn't say anything.

Now I'm wondering whether I should really spend $13k on an Elite Visa or continue coming in without a problem via business class priority immigration.. ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses experiences with Bangkok's priority immigration line, specifically regarding travelers with multiple visa exemptions (VE). The author has previously entered Thailand multiple times without issues and is considering whether to invest in an Elite Visa or continue using priority immigration. The comments provide additional insights into interactions with immigration officers (IOs), with travelers sharing their own experiences, strategies for smoother entries, and comparisons between different visa types, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness over time.
Steven ***************
Chris *****
make sure you don’t shower for a week, and wear odd flip flops for good measure.
Kyle ********
@Chris ****
and ma dreads
Chris *****
meanwhile
@Kyle *******
rocks up in his Chang vest 😜
Steven ***************
@Chris ****
. Me too. Clean shaven, collared shirt and a big smile works a treat.
Chris *****
true dat. I always try to dress business casual in hope of an upgrade, hasn’t happened yet fs
Steven ***************
@Chris ****
. . If someone wearing a wife beater and a face like a dropped pie tries it, chances are slim to none.😉
Chris *****
pretty much ha. smiles can get you places 🤗
Chris *****
My last entry I got in line with a male IO. Was so busy and right as I was 3 people back he was replaced by a female. She didn’t flick through my passport at all, just a quick stamp and smile, lovely girl.
Steven ***************
Give the female IOs a big smile and it makes a difference. 😉
Rob ******
In the premium lanes I've never received more then a glance. More than once in the regular lanes I've been asked questions in Thai (usually basic stuff, not about my stay or visa just "welcome back, do you know when your extension expires?" or they make a small comment about Thailand being too hot right now.)
Mint ****
Totally agree about the female IOs, I've only ever been questioned by a female, this was before on VE in the premium lane, they would always ask "what are you doing here? Are you working?" I would reply, no, holiday, I personally think the female IOs are jealous
Mint ****
In my younger days I spent a lot of time in Thailand probably around generally around 120 days every year, all were on VE and I was always flying in business and using the premium lanes in BKK never had an issue, however over the last few years the IOs have been cracking down on people with a lot of VE in passports, I live here now and the PE visa works out much cheaper then doing back to back METV, the PE is about 18k aud for 5 years, (that's what I paid 3 years ago when the FX was better) and flights back to Sydney return is about aud 4000 per year, then thier is accommodation etc so it does work out cheaper in the long term, based in thb, it's comes down to 8300 thb per month for the PE
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