What are my options for re-entering Thailand after being denied entry?

September 11, 2022
2 years ago
Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. I could use some advice here..

I have been in Thailand for 5 months this year, all of the times arriving by plane and either leaving after 30 days or extending for another 30days.

The other day I was denied entry back in Thailand by land border. I have read that I should be allowed in Thailand for 6 times per year (I have done 5 so far) and my first question is - is that true?

The other question is - if I go by plane again to Thailand, will they give me visa on arrival my last 6th time? Or I should apply for actual tourist visa? If I apply for actual tourist visa will they still give it to me in embassy?

I really need to get back to Thailand and sort out some things - what would you suggest for me as the best option with biggest chances to get in.?

Thank you 🙏🏻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
After being in Thailand multiple times on visa exemptions, the user was denied entry at a land border and is inquiring about the possibility of re-entering via air or obtaining a tourist visa. Responses clarify that there is no strict limit on entries by air, but frequent short visits may flag the user as wanting to reside in Thailand without the proper visa. Users advise applying for a tourist visa from an embassy and suggest being prepared with necessary documents and funds, though entry is ultimately at the discretion of the immigration officer.
James ********
Comments Closed.
James ********
Thanks All for your helpful replies to the OP. There is NO easy answer to her situation as she is now in Cambodia.

She could try to enter Thailand via another land border from Cambodia.

And if that fails...

Get a New Thai tourist visa in Phnom Penh AND fly to Thailand...seeking to get the "expedited service" upon arrival into Thailand at the airport. She can ask the sponsor of this forum if they believe that they can assist her with expedited service on arrival into Thailand.

We wish the OP success in entering Thailand. And be planning her NEXT steps carefully if she wishes to continue to live in Thailand.
Keven ****
You tried to get a 4th visa exemption, and even by land, it was very risky of being denied. Still you had a week and a month between your visits to Thailand, which might help a little bit, but still might get denied.

Your (risky) options:

- You could spend more money and try at another border point, such as in Laos, with the possibility of being denied.

- You could spend a bunch of money and try by air, with the high possibility of being denied.

- You could spend a bunch of money and try to get a SETV at an embassy, with the possibility of being denied the visa.

- You could travel to another country or your home country for a month or two, and come back, preferably with a SETV. But still might be denied, since still had many VE stamps in 2022.

In the first four options, make sure you have a plan B, and a ton of cash at your disposal (such as paying for a very expensive last-minute plane ticket to your home country).

OR, if nothing works/don't have a ton of disposable cash:

- Travel to another country, or your home country, until January 2023, apply for a SETV or enter on a visa-exemption. You'll likely be allowed in.

In ALL of these cases, you were SERIOUSLY playing with fire trying to get more than 2, and even a 4th visa-exemption stamp in a calendar year.
Keven ****
But still, the Poipet border point is the worst of all. Maybe you'll have better luck in Laos. But make sure you have a plan B and a ton of cash if things go wrong, since they possibly will.

If you're lucky and are allowed back in, prepare/sell all of your things, expecting of having to leave Thailand after that visa-exemption stamp and not being allowed in again before 2023. Good luck.
John ********
Visa exempt entry generally is for a short term vacation or limited function. Doing so 5 times in succession, with some short hops out, isnt really what the system is for. Not too surprised immigration officials are wary of intention. Try to get an appropriate visa for your reasons to spend so long in thailand.
Edward ********
Tourist visas in neighbouring countries is getting harder to get. Check the specific local requirements extremely carefully. In any case, a tourist visa is not a magic wand for entry. The denied entry is in the system.
Keven ****
First, the number of visa-exemption entries by land per year allowed is maximum 2 per calendar year (no official rule by air, but still).

Second, one huge mistake you did was trying to enter by the Cambodian Poipet border point. This is the worst land entries in all of Thailand. Many reports of people having issues, getting bribed, refused, and so on.
Keven ****
It's difficult to understand how you say you were in Thailand 5 months this year, doing 30 days and 30-day extensions, but you say you've entered Thailand 5 times so far.
Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keven ***
I guess I didn’t explained detailed enough. I arrived first in Thailand in March, after 30 days I left and went to Vietnam. I can back again, after a month I extended my stay (that would make it 3 times already), then I left for a month and came back on July. After 30 days extended again, then left 2 days ago. That makes 5 times, 5 months.
Keven ****
@Paula ****
You applied for a re-entry permit each time (I don't think it's even possible to can get one for a visa-exemption stamp)? Or a brand new visa-exemption stamp when entering?

You can't leave the country, and then extend the visa you had before you left.
Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keven ***
no. Every time I came in country I came with visa on arrival, or when it was still Thai pass, then with Thai pass. First extension I made after being in Thailand for 30 days in may, I went to immigration office, paid my 1,900baht and got another 30 days.
Keven ****
@Paula ****
I just re-read your post above. The times counted is the # of visa-exemptions you are given. When you extend it (an extension), it's not a new visa-exemption stamp. You just pay to make it longer.
Keven ****
@Paula ****
Okay, so you probably received 4 or so visa exemption stamps this year. The limit is 2 per calendar year by land.
John **********
@Keven ***
it's only 2 per year by land. His previous history doesn't indicate any earlier land entries
Keven ****
@John *********
That's what I said, by land, re-read my comment. No official number by air, yes, but will still be denied eventually. OP tried to get a 4th.
Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keven ***
well I was never traveling by land. ALWAYS flights. The first time I tried to do that by land, two days ago.. I was denied. And I have 3 stamps I got on arrivals, and 2 stamps for extensions.
Keven ****
@Paula ****
How many days were you in Vietnam and Cambodia/other country, each time you left Thailand? Please give a detailed answer of number of days.
Keven ****
@Paula ****
There is an official rule of 2 by land, and there is no official rule for air, but it is still close to the 2 by land. You had a total of 3 this year. You weren't given a 4th one.
Ben *****
If I were in your situation I would try to get a tourist visa and have all the necessary documents and cash ready to show when arriving in Thailand. However, that still doesn't guarantee Thailand will let you in, it really depends on the individual you're dealing with. Hope everything works out for you.
Ben *****
@Paula ****
This is all hearsay but I have heard that flying into Phuket is easier than the Bangkok airports.
James ********
Paula Hel AGAIN I STATE...there is NO SUCH RULE OF 6 TIMES ENTRY INTO THAILAND BY AIR. PERIOD !

As Andy Jennings likely has me blocked I am unable to reply to his replies to you. I have removed his reply.
Darren *******
@Paula ****
not necessarily no. If you've beenl coming in and out of Thailand regularly this year then they might consider you to be living and/or working here under an incorrect visa. On the basis you requested been in Thailand for 5 months already this year I'm guessing this is your issue and a 2-3 week stint in Cambodia won't necessarily convince them you're a genuine tourist.
Andy **********
@Paula ****
remember too that getting a tourist visa from an embassy still does not guarantee immigration would grant entry. The two are not connected.
Keven ****
@Paula ****
The 20,000 baht cash is to show at the border. You'll probably be asked for bank statements.
Darren *******
@Paula ****
who knows, no one can predict whether an embassy will give you a visa or not based on your history. For the cash, if requested by an embassy then a statement, if requested at border/airport then cash.
Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Darren ******
well.. I haven’t been in Thailand 5months in a row. In between those five months I have been to Vietnam twice, once for a week, other time for a month.

Would embassy give me a tourist visa based on my previous stays.?

And if I go to embassy to apply, I need to show them 20 000baht in cash as well? Or bank statement?
James ********
First... there's NO rule of 6 times entry per year by air. That's a misnomer touted MANY times BUT is not đźš« true.

Flying into Thailand likewise is a risk of denied entry.

Getting a Thai tourist visa may or may not be allow you to enter Thailand on arrival.

It's the discretion of the Thai Immigration Officer who decides to admit or deny you entry.

Which land border crossing did you get denied entry?

Had you read this post of
@ ************
s you may have chose to enter Thailand a different way...

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David ***********
@James *******
that's pretty much what I was thinking. Thai immigration are probably thinking "this person is NOT visiting as a tourist"
James ********
@Paula ****
it's the multiple entries and extensions this year which has raised the curiosity of the Thai Immigration Officers.

All without visas... using visa exempt entry.
James ********
@Paula ****
here's another one..read
@Tod ********
replies

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Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
no. They did not stamp anything. I do have a stamp of entering Cambodia, leaving next day and then when I was denied I went back to Cambodia, so they stamped my check out stamp with another stamp saying “cancelled”.

And I just read the post you just shared and I don’t know if that changes anything for me.. but I never extended my stays based on Covid. I just did regular extension.
James ********
@Paula ****
did they STAMP anything in your passport when denied entry ?
Paula ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
I was denied in Poipet, Cambodian boarder.
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