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Is Thailand experiencing a trend of increased immigration scrutiny on foreigners similar to Vietnam?
Mar 14, 2026
2 months ago
Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTERIs Thailand trending the way of Vietnam with the rejection of dtvs at the airport and asking foreigners for bribes. Seems to be increasing pressure on foreigners to get fast track/pay a bribe even when in possession of valid visa very similar to the Vietnam model? Anyone in the know have knowledge of this
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion examines concerns regarding the treatment of foreigners at Thai immigration, specifically about reports of visa rejections and alleged bribery, drawing comparisons to Vietnam. Many commenters dispute the claims, stating that such practices are outdated and that the incidents of visa denials are rare, often involving individuals flagged for other reasons rather than the validity of their visas. They highlight that the DTV (Digital Tourist Visa) has been largely accepted and that there are no significant issues with bribes or corruption in the current immigration process. However, a few voices maintain there have been problems, particularly in the context of different nationalities and specific circumstances.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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เบน ******
Post likes this should be removed. Enter on dtv immigration officer barley looked and stamped. If they deny must be for a serious reason. They didn't even ask for my DTAC last time.
Brett *****
Total rubbish like all your posts
Cliff *********
Very unlikely and don’t spread foolish rumors
Dan *******
I offer cigarettes. Never been blown off. 💨
Tapan ********
Thailand immigration on varied occasions have been kind to me, have questioned me, have guided me but have never ever asked for a single penny!
Please don't presume and make such statements.
Please don't presume and make such statements.
David *******
What bribes?..30 years ago maybe..utter nonsense
Trustworthy***********
More rubbish
Cui ******
Fortunately, you are not Chinese and do not have a Chinese passport.Otherwise, you would know about the corruption within the Thai Immigration Bureau and some police departments.😆😆😆
Tohksic ******
@Cui *****
That would be because the Chyners are the biggest demographic that tries to game the system.Greg ********
@Cui *****
Yes many Chinese have paid money under the table for dodgy visa etc. Thousands of them canceled last year in Chiang Mai. Education visas and with non attendanceCui ******
@Greg *******
Chinese people are locusts, I am Chinese, I know that.The Thai Immigration Bureau could not find it either.Greg ********
@Cui *****
It takes both sides to make the deal though. Plenty of other nationalities doing similar in certain areas.Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Tod *********
Dial the paranoia back just a notch or three there
There are tens of thousands of people on DTV's since it rolled out on July 15th 2024.
The reports of people being denied entry on the DTV are few and far between and many times there are other factors involved too
@Sana ***
. There are tens of thousands of people on DTV's since it rolled out on July 15th 2024.
The reports of people being denied entry on the DTV are few and far between and many times there are other factors involved too
Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
do a quick search of this group even and many people having issues. I don’t know why valid issues are dismissed as conspiracy to discredit Dtv everyone wants their visa just to be honoredTod *********
@Sana ***
I think your idea of "many" and my idea of many as compared to just how many people have the DTV is different 🙂 I'd wager you could count on both hands with fingers left over the actual number of people denied entry holding a valid DTV
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
I'm_an*******
This person is always posting non sense after non sense 🤣
Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm_an_expert how so it’s not my fault this is happening
Tod *********
@Sana ***
you're certainly a legend in your own mind, 😛Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
you can search the group for other people this has happened to. The whole idea of “it hasn’t happened to me therefore it isn’t happening” is quite wierdTod *********
@Sana ***
I said in my comment further down that there have been cases of people being denied entry BUT as a rule those cases have extenuating circumstances and/or involve people gaming the DTV system.NO immigration officers at passport control are telling people to use Safe Entry.
That's something that the AGENTS are hawking to their clients when they give bogus documentation to show enrollment in a soft power category to get the DTV's issued in another country.
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
Who is getting their DTV rejected at the airport?
Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 389 many people
Graham ******
@Sana ***
but no visa guarantees entry, all a visa does is determines the maximum number of days you are permitted to stay if you are allowed to enterGreg ********
@Sana ***
You have no evidence of this. If you have cite itReply to
Greg ********
Reply
Greg ********
What trend? What evidence do you have of this?
Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
posts amongs travel groups and visa groups and I had one friend asked for a bribe alongDennis **********
@Sana ***
100% not true dudeGreg ********
@Sana ***
Where was you fr8end asked for a bribe ? Entry an immigration office?Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
at bkkGreg ********
@Sana ***
So at the airport itself? What was the situation or context? Had they been pulled for further questioning? Last time I came through the section for that was overflowing. I had never seen it like that before next to the Priority LaneReply to
Greg ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
What “trend”? A fb post? I fly between Vn and th 2x per week and have never had this happen at Danang, hcmc, or Hanoi, nor Phuket, Bkk or cnx
Sana ****
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 393 say you never spent time in Vietnam without saying it lol
Dennis **********
@Sana ***
we think youre the issue and the visa situation is all you and your bad attitude.Anonymous ******************
@Sana ***
I’ve lived there (Tam Ky) since 2016… prior to that, in HCMC from 2001-2009. Vietnamese wife. We fly back and forth every week because of our businesses there.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Kool *******
I follow this pretty close, and have never heard of immigration wanting bribes anymore. That ended over a decade ago. The services that offer fast tracking are just a business for those willing to pay more so they don't have to stand in a real long queue. Those having problems, and questioned, are those individuals that set off red flags to immigration, and it doesn't matter what visa they have. Immigration stereotypes, and profiles, and if something triggers them for some other reason, then they get very concerned that the rules are followed to the letter, looking for any reason to refuse entry, and simply having the dtv is not one of those triggers by itself. There was some other reason immigration targeted them.
Brian ********
Kool *******
@Brian *******
Lololol, you have no clue.Brian ********
@Kool ******
i may not know everything about thailand, but i do know how this part currently operates…. So my friend, your denial that it exists is little more than clueless. Like i say - you dont know what you dont know.
Reply to
Brian ********
Reply
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