Is it safer to enter Thailand by land or air with a valid METV at Hat Yai?

METV Thai Visa Immigration Entry by Land vs. Air Hat Yai Immigration Visa Validity Immigration Officer Discretion

Feb 16, 2019

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

With the recent post about immigration at HKT denying a valid METV, could anyone say whether land or air would be the a safer bet when entering through Hat Yai? Is land always be considered more reliable than flying in? I would have a valid METV.

852

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the safest method to enter Thailand at Hat Yai using a valid METV, comparing land and air entry. Opinions vary, with one commenter noting that land entry could potentially reduce costs related to being detained for visa issues, as one can easily return to Malaysia without waiting for a flight. Others emphasize that the decision ultimately depends on individual entry history and the discretion of Immigration Officers, suggesting that having supporting documents (funds, travel plans, accommodation) can help. There is no definitive answer on which entry method is safer.

Tod *********

NO one can say which is better, it's totally up to YOUR entry history AND the mood of the officer you get when you stamp into the country.

All you can do is have the 3 proof ofz(proof of funds, proof of onward travel and proof of a hotel booking) and hope for the best.

6 years ago

Richard *******

Regardless of whether you have a valid visa or not, entry to any country is always at the discretion of the Immigration officers at your entry point. This happens all over the world, but as

@Steve ******

points out it is an extremely small proportion.

6 years ago

Robert *******

It is the job of Immigration Officers to check if you have a valid visa for the purpose of your stay. If it is saver to use a land border than a airport we can not tell you. It all depends on your history of living in Thailand and the visa you want to use to enter Thailand.

6 years ago

Steve *******

Just come in, if you've nothing to hide then you shouldnt have a problem

6 years ago

Steve *******

Justin Lee But it aint happening just now, all you're doing is realising it through social media

6 years ago

Justin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

not everyone posts on fb about their life and what happens in it either. My post is asking about what is apparently becoming a situation that is happening now, not an antidotal generalization.

6 years ago

Steve *******

@Justin ****

it is that easy, if you're bona fide, thouands of people enter Thailand everyday without a problem, you only hear/read about people that encounter problems which is probably 0.001%. No one posts when they arrived without any problems

6 years ago

Mark *******

Not the case. My friend was just denied entry and I know for a fact he is doing nothing wrong... not working here but the IO suspects it so, denied entry. (CNX airport)

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Justin ****

The problem is, people are trying to use the METV as a way to live here, and not as a way to visit Thailand easily. I believe the METV visas are generally designed for people who live on the border of Thailand, and want to come here every week. For example, if I live in Savannakhet and worked there, I can get a METV visa, go to Mukdahan to buy groceries at Robinson every Saturday, return the same day, and repeat every week, or maybe even spend a weekend in Bangkok. I can not imagine the Thai government rejecting such an entry.

If you're using a METV as a way to live here long term, they are cracking down on that fast, from what I can tell.

6 years ago

Justin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Steve ******

not so simple, please read Rasmus’ post from a few days ago. It seems even with all things being in order there can be challenges.

6 years ago

Reply to

Justin *********

Miho **********

I am not sure which one is safer bet but if you are on land, you can save detention center daily charge when you are rejected because you don't need to wait for next flight back. You just walk back or drive back to Malaysia. I know because I did.

6 years ago

Miho **********

No point asking me while they can reject your entry anytime based on the suspicion of you working, lol. But I did not take any visa, chose to do visa exempt entry more than permitted. I went to Penang and bought visa right away.

6 years ago

Justin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Miho *********

would you be willing to share why you were rejected?

6 years ago

Reply to

Justin *********

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Join the Group