What are the chances of a South African being denied entry to Thailand after obtaining a tourist visa from Laos?

Tourist Visa Entry Denial South African Travelers Visa Regulations Phuket Airport Immigration Concerns ED Visa History

Mar 27, 2019

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

A second question:  A friend, South African, is currently in Laos applying for a tourist visa after 2 consecutive ED visas. He has all the docs, the 20K in cash, a plane ticket to Malaysia, up to date bank statements, you name it, but he is still worried that even if the visa is granted, he will be denied entry at Phuket Airport. Does anyone have any idea how likely this is considering the fact that he is from SA and has two ED visas in his passport? Thanks again.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A South African friend in Laos is anxious about potential denial of entry into Thailand at Phuket Airport, despite applying for a tourist visa after holding two consecutive ED visas. Even with all necessary documentation, there's uncertainty since immigration decisions are at the discretion of the immigration officer, who may scrutinize South Africans due to prior visa patterns. Community members highlight the unpredictability of the situation and share insights on the current climate for South African travelers.

Amornrat **********

I open the topic again, while we covered that this is not really visa related but travel related I wonder how your friend from Laos, BTW you did not specify Vientiane or Savannakhet, will travel internationally to Phuket to enter Thailand via Phuket International Airport. Once I have the answer I will close comment again, thank you for understanding. I know you could fly Vientiane to BKK and onward to Phuket by Air Asia, but that would be a strange travel pattern.

6 years ago

Robert *******

And with this advice, I close the commenting. Good luck to your friend.

6 years ago

Tsyun **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Righto, yes, as I thought. It's choppy waters for South Africans now. Thanks Lisa.

6 years ago

Lisa ***************

Noone can predict it.. But yes it depends on the Officer on duty at the time. They are watching South Africans very closely for back to back stays and different visas but not the correct ones to be in Thailand long term. The visa issued at the consulate doesn't guarantee his entry back into Thailand. Its a leap of faith.

6 years ago

James ********

Good Luck

6 years ago

Robert *******

He is still worried. Nice but we can not take that away. Do we have ideas, yes but no guarantees. The decision is made by the Immigration Officer, nobody other them him/her can tell.

6 years ago

Tsyun **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yea it's down to the luck of the line

6 years ago

Reply to

Tsyun **********

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