Is it safer for a visa run to enter Thailand through Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang airport?

Apr 14, 2019
6 years ago
Kevin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks in advance for your advice.....

I've got a friend who wants to make a visa run.

EU passport, but plenty full of tourist and VOA stamps.

Looking at exiting at Poipet, going to Siem Reap, and flying to Bangkok the next day.

Just read the report of the guy denied entry from KL at Don Muang. And the responses about avoiding Bangkok all together.

Is Suvarnabhumi immigration "easier" than DM? She has the option of flying ThaiSmile so could go to BKK.

Or is it a toss up?

Default would be the long road to Vientiane.

Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a friend's concern about making a visa run to Thailand, particularly regarding the potential challenges of entry at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports. While some users express that many tourists enter without issues, others highlight increased reports of entry denial, especially at Bangkok airports. The conversation includes advice about presenting documentation and appearance during immigration checks. Ultimately, while some users suggest that Suvarnabhumi might have a less strict reputation compared to Don Muang, the unpredictability of immigration decisions based on various factors, including past visa history and presentation, remains a crucial point.
Robert *******
And as the decision is made by the Immigration Officer to whom you hand over your passport, there is not much more to contribute to this discussion. It is known that using Tourist Visa and Visa Exempt Entry with a longer history to live inside Thailand is a risk at airports and less at land borders. To avoid this risk, get the visa that fits your purpose of stay. Good luck with what ever decision your friend make for the way back to Thailand.
Nick *******
Crossing into Nong Khai is the smoothest border. They'll monitor entries and so on, but less rigid than others. I came armed with paperwork just in case they asked me any questions last week, but they didn't.
Maxim ***********
@Nick ******
She doesn't need to be there... you point randomly behind counter that she is waiting for you.
Nick *******
@Maxim **********
she wasn't with me, but yes, you're right. We are getting married later, but like others said here: I dressed smartish: jeans and short sleeved shirt. First impressions do count!
Maxim ***********
The only thing Nong Khai ask is what you will do in Thailand... than just point to your thai GF and u are good to go.
Alex *******
I think If you dressed not sloppy and scruffy and be presentable, usually not a problem. Have a friend that lived in BKK on VOA exempt, flying in and out of BKK only for the past 10 years without a problem. He carries his house book with him. He is from Singapore.
Maxim ***********
What you wear and your nationality can determine the odds of getting denied. I know that some here are very offended when I say that but it's the truth.
Kevin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Al**
,

She is young, European, and well presented. So can easily do that part. Thxs.
Kevin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
She would exit at Poipet on a package minibus tour to Siem Reap, and then fly back to Bangkok.

I know it's not possible to give certainty, just wondering if Suvarnabhumi immigration has a less reported denial of entry than Don Muang.
Robert *******
As not every one who enter without problems or report on this page when denied, we do not have the statistics.
Robert *******
On the other hand, more than 30 million tourist are entering Thailand without any questions, only a smile and a welcome to Thailand each year. One report on this page about denied entry and already question nr 4 comes up, will my friend be denied entry. If you are a tourist use the Visa Exempt Entry or Tourist Visa, if you like to live inside Thailand get a visa that fits your purpose of stay.
Maxim ***********
Robert Lagas Yes and even if u bring the paper you just shown to the officer, he still can tell you that you stayed 180 days+ but checkbox that ruling #3 about working. They rarely read out one of the 11 rules above because often they have no proof of you working and you have the proof of funds, onward tickets and hotel booking. So in this case they will invented a bogus rule but checkbox something else. This is why there are more and more report of them not even asking about your proof of funds and than check-boxing that even tho u had the money. Ofc knowing about all these ruling help. My friend recently almost got denied, he had everything. He had to put his wife on the phone so she could get angry at the officer.
Ellie *******
@Maxim **********
I saw more reports about being denied entry to Thailand on this or another group on Facebook or other internet as well, but I don't get immediate conclusion to the number (actually %) of people who are denied entry is increasing.

I haven't seen any official statistic/numerical analysis for this, for example, how much xx ratio on yy years ago then now zz%, something like that. Definitely travelers to Thailand is increasing, easy to guess total number of denied people is increasing "accordingly".

I'm not argue with you (actually I agree I assume more people are being denied - without proof), I just said there is not proof or report showing "more" people are denied yet, at least I could find.
Robert *******
As it should be deleted. There is no 180 day rule, even when lots of people like to talk about it. There is a list and the reason is stamped in your passport. If you disagree with the reason, you appeal to the decision of the Immigration Officer.
Maxim ***********
Robert Lagas I never said that it is on the list, maybe read my post fully next time. i said they give you that reason (180 days), but than checkbox something else on the paper. I think Tod deleted a lot of post yesterday which were talking about that.
Robert *******
There is no 180 day, all people who get denied entry, will get a stamp in their passport with the reason confirm Section 12. As nice as it is to keep on telling everybody about phantom rules who are enforced, show the denial stamp with reason in stead of I know many people. This is section 12, so you read for yourself that the 180 day rule is NOT on this list:
Maxim ***********
Robert, if u don't want people to argue with you on that why do u keep bringing that up? A lot of people disagree with you on the numbers of denial in BKK and on the reason people get denial (fake reason vs not having proof of funds). This group only has 28.5k members (most are inactive)... vs 10 million tourists, people are not there whining when they get denied, only a tiny fraction are. I've seen a lot more people here getting denied in BKK recently and all of them had proof of funds. That 180 days rule that you keep saying doesn't exist well they like to enforce that phantom ruling anyways... and check box something else on paper (aka, last thread of the guy denied).
Kevin ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob***
,

Fair enough, lol. Thanks!
Lucas *********
Not do to Poipet that Scambodia border!
Maxim ***********
Lucas Yohanes Yes but I think you are confused... OP went to LEAVE Thailand not enter Thailand with Poipet. When you leave Thailand you leave Aranyaprathet.
Lucas *********
@Maxim **********
when go to Thailand I get 2 times and 2 times problem even with Marriage VISA they make problem bad!
Maxim ***********
He is not exiting by Poipet, he is entering in Poipet which is fine.
Maxim ***********
You cannot do a visa run in Siem Reap, only PP...
Robert *******
The most reports on this page are from people denied entry at BKK and Phuket airports. Less from Krabi and Chang Mai airport. And a few at border checkpoints. Having a lot of tourist visa and Visa Exempt Entries used to live in Thailand is a risk. We can not tell if your friend will pass Immigration or be denied.
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