I flew back home to Europe over Christmas (maybe that now complicates things). I want to come back to Thailand (Chiang Mai) now. On my most recent entry into Thailand, I got shaken down at the border (DMK airport) for money, as they say I had a warning in the system (for having stayed in Thailand too many times over the last year(s). I have been in Thailand on tourist visa / visa exemptions making use of both COVID and regular extensions as well - both in the winters of 2020/21 and 2021/22 for a couple of months, each. After a couple of months of summer break in Europe, I came back to Thailand in September 22. And then, after having taken a 2-week vacation in Bali (this October), the shakedown at the DMK border happened.
So, I am considering the best way to get back into Thailand soon. I am considering several options based on some findings and would like to have the crows-wisdoms feedback.
Here is ways I am considering:
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1) Flying from Europe to Chiang Mai (via BKK airport) on the same ticket, hoping that the separate immigration at the transfer desk (connecting international terminal to the domestic terminal for checked through passengers on the same alliance flights) won’t give me as hard of a time as IO at DMK did. I could get a tourist visa instead of entering on visa exemption (but some said it does not make a difference whatsoever, as consulates don’t have access to immigration data, and thus immigration can reject one just the same, irrespectively of having a TR visa or not).
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2) Flying from Europe to Chiang Mai (via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur) and then on a separate ticket to / and with entering Thailand first in Chiang Mai – hoping that the rumors are true and the immigration at Chiang Mai would be making less problems than the folks at Bangkok airports.
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3) Flying to Laos and then making my way back into Thailand using a land border. I have heard that the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai land border is particularly easy to do. But that raises the question of how to practically get there from Vientiane. Is the Nong Khai border crossing / friendship bridge comparatively easy (it would be much more accessible from Vientiane).
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4) Flying into Kuala Lumpur and then crossing the land border into Thailand in the south, and then taking a domestic flight from Hat Yai to Chiang Mai. Maybe the most cumbersome way. How does the Malaysian/Thai land border compare to the Laos/Thai borders in terms of trouble factor?
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Any advise on / preference between those options are much appreciated.
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And as s bonus question: If I were to choose to fly into Thailand by options 1 or 2 … if being denied entry, could they really send me home all the way to Europe (on kind of an expensive “deportation” flight? Or would I be free to make my own arrangements and then just head off from the international arrivals are to one of the SEA neighboring countries instead on a ticket I would then book on the spot?
Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on the best way to re-enter Thailand after facing immigration issues at the DMK airport due to previous overstay and having been shaken down for money. They are considering various travel options including direct flights to Chiang Mai, connections via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and land border crossings from Laos or Malaysia. The community offers mixed advice, suggesting direct entry to Chiang Mai to avoid problems at Bangkok airports, emphasizing the importance of having the appropriate visa, and sharing personal experiences regarding immigration procedures and potential risks.
