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What are the chances of my friend's son being allowed entry into Thailand after a 12-month ban due to previous visa issues?

Mar 17, 2026
a month ago
Paul ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi my friend who isn’t on social media has a son who was previously refused entry because of visa issues ( late with extension dates , boarder trips ) and given a 12 month ban , this was in November 2024 , he wants to return on a tourist visa soon but he’s not so sure if his son will get allowed , what chance do people think he’s got ? Many thanks for those spending time replying , appreciate your time.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user seeks advice on whether their friend's son, who received a 12-month entry ban in November 2024 due to visa issues, will be allowed entry into Thailand again on a tourist visa. Responses suggest applying for a tourist visa before traveling to enhance chances of being allowed entry, as well as adhering strictly to immigration rules to avoid future bans. There are discussions about updated enforcement of immigration rules and varying opinions on the son’s likelihood of being readmitted.
Paul *******
Apply for the visa first
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Eric ******
But if people overstay 10+ years in the United States, commit crimes, and don’t pay taxes, there are idiots out there protesting that they’re being treated unfairly. I just don’t get it.
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Coaches *********
Use a reliable agent

I have and never a problem

I spend apx 75% of my time here

No issue getting in

No bank account

No visa

Years of multiple visa exemptions
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Jason ******
Advise his to legally change his name and get a new passport
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Michael ********
Contact the Thai embassy
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Paul ********
get a vip agent walk through its only about 2000 bht and they walk you through to their immigration guy
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Coaches *********
Paul Lunney done this 4 times now
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Paul ********
Coaches Charlie i do it all the time, i had a mate get stopped at immigration and sent home he called me and she went and fetched him
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Paul ********
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Charles ********
check with Thai embassy in your local city, can get it there before leaving
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Grace ************
If his 12-month ban from November 2024 has fully expired, his chances are generally decent as long as he comes back on a proper tourist visa with clean documents, onward travel, and proof of funds, but immigration has been a bit stricter lately so nothing is guaranteed.

if he’s concerned, he can contact our team and we can review his case and help arrange VIP entry to reduce the risk:
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Malcolm **********
You don't say what country so I'm going to guess it's one that doesn't need to get a visa before travelling and would normally get a visa waver or visa on arrival. If it was me I would have him get a tourist vise before travelling rather than hoping that they will issue a visa waver or visa on arrival at the Thai airport. If they won't issue a tourist visa then you know he won't get in. Also as I've said in previous posts the airlines are responsible for bringing back people that are refused entry so there is a very small possibility he might not even be allowed to board the flight. Don't just hope, be prepared.
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Ray ********
Get a tourist visa from the Thai consulate in your home country before leaving. I normally get a 2 entry tourist visa. Gives me 180 days if I get the 30 day extensions
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Frank **********
He should be banned for 5 years because he cannot follow simple rules.
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Mark *********
@Frank *********
that is a extreme point of view
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Noi *******
@Frank *********
ok mr perfect
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Frank **********
Noi Furze thank you.
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Frank **********
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Bazaar******
He is best to apply for a tourist visa before travel..

AND FOLLOW THE RULES IN FUTURE IF HE IS ALLOWED ENTRY
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Gethin *******
Apply for a Tourist visa for £30. It gives him more chance of getting in. That said even having a visa doesn’t guarantee you entry at Thai immigration but it certainly gives him more chance than just turning up expecting visa exempt.
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Jonathan *********
Sounds exactly like like the sort of person Thailand is trying to stop coming in to their country.doubtful he’ll be ok but as everyone says ,depends on the immigration officer on the day.
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Noi *******
Jonathan Milburn if he applies for a visa he should be ok I wouldn't risk just turning up and hope for a visa on entry though
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Noi *******
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Peter **********
Go to Jail.

Move directly to jail.

Do not pass GO.

Do not collect 8,600 Baht.
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Darren *******
As of this week immigration has stepped up.

Depending on where in Thailand and which immigration office and officer you deal with.

Last week a British gent that has his life in Thailand, was arrested, sent to a detention centre and flown home with a five year ban for overstaying 10 days.

The warning now is, 1 day overstay can be a 5 year ban.

Manage your visa’s

It’s a privilege to stay in Thailand, not a right.
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Robin *******
I very much doubt a 1 day or a 10 day overstay will ban yiu for 5 years ,, I’ve lived in Thailand 20+ years and know that an agent can sort this problem straight out for you ,, the 10 day over stay amounts to 5000 baht fine at the airport, maybe different if the MIB catch you in the street
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Darren *******
Robin Banks immigration are now using Ai . The example I gave captured his overstay using Ai. The police attended next day and arrested him. After a short stay in detention he was deported with a five year ban. If required, I can pass you onto the lawyer that tried to help him.
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Noi *******
Darren Jones up to 10 days you get a fine but to be honest this will only work in you favour if you are at the airport with a ticket home

If you get caught before hand you get the fine and maybe 1 to 5 year ban.paying the fine at a border crossing a good chance they won't let you back in for a year.i best thing now is not to overstay the days of border runs and paying the overstay are long gone

Best to stick to the rules if you don't want a problem
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Noi *******
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Noi *******
Darren Jones yes the days of border runs and overstating your visa and just paying the fine and shucking your shoulders is long gone.i did once overstay 6 months long story.got money together ticket home and paid
*****
baht fine.this was 17 years ago fortunately never had problem coming back in Thailand at the moment for
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months but I wouldn't even overstay for one day now they are very strict
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Alan **********
Darren Jones You wrote "As of this week immigration has stepped up."

The OP is looking for advice on whether his son can come in AFTER "serving his sentence".

So why the rather harsh insinuation that overstaying issues are something new ?

Got a link to some announcement and/or incident, as per your implication ? TIA
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Darren *******
Alan Rothwell today I spoke with immigration and a Thai lawyer. They gave me the information and I past it on. Take it or leave it mate. The original post can do the same,,, maybe after serving his ban he will get in,, or maybe after spending a shit load of money, arriving in Bangkok, he will be deported on the next flight out.

Either way, I don’t really give a fuck, I was just passing on info.

People like you make me wonder why I friggin bother.
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Richard ***********
Are they really going to “step up” with thousands stranded in Thailand and tens of thousands not able to get here what a load of nonsense
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Alan **********
Darren Jones Thanks for giving your sources.

Forgetting that your little story had nothing to do with the OP, and you could have posted yourself as an FYI, or "Today I learned", why are you so bent out of shape because somebody asked you a question or 2 ?
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Alan **********
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Richard ***********
There’ll be thousands overstaying next few months load of tosh
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Mark *********
Richard Broderick how do you with that out as people waiting for return flights are wavered
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Charmae *******
Richard Broderick what rubbish
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Richard ***********
There will and they won’t get fined a penny
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Richard ***********
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Graham ******
Darren Jones Not just now, it has always been that way but now there is more enforcement
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Noi *******
Graham Seal yes this has been law for along time it's just now they are getting much more stricter with it
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Noi *******
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Paul ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Darren Jones totally agree it’s a privilege sadly my friend is a wonderful man but his son isn’t the same , thank you
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Paul ***********
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Somchai ********
According to your information it will be over 1 year since he was last in Thailand. He should be allowed the visa exempt entry. However, he can always apply online for the tourist visa through Thai immigration for a small fee. Then you know for sure.
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Graham ******
Somchai Camilo A visa does not guarantee entry, every entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer
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Andy ****
Graham Seal exactly, my friend obtained a visa, flew over and was denied entry
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Andy ****
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Paul ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Somchai Camilo thank you I’ll let my friend know.
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Paul ***********
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John **********
Do you mean tourist visa or visa exempt? His son should definitely get a visa, but that's no guarantee of entry.
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Paul ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
tourist visa , to be honest John his son is an idiot who missed his renew visa dates then got sent away when he flew in from Vietnam after a few border runs and received a year ban , thanks for your time.
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Peter **********
Paul Whitehead Like many, he takes notice of FB. There is a history of posts saying ….”no problem, just go to Immigration and they will renew it”….

Sounds like his parenting isn’t A1.
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Paul ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Peter H Bates sometimes Peter some children don’t turn out the way you want sadly thou they are still your child, thanks .
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Joe ********
Paul Whitehead you sound like someone my dad would be friends with 😂 talking about me being an idiot
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Joe ********
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John **********
@Paul **********
so he's been blacklisted and also denied entry? I'm not sure a tourist visa will save him.
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Peter *********
@John *********
but will they grant a tourist visa to somebody who’s blacklisted?
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Paul ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
yes and that’s what I thought John I’ll pass on that, think he needs to apply on line first , really appreciate your help .
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Alan **********
Paul Whitehead Here's the (a?) problem. He's dealing with 2 different departments.

As *I* understand it,,,,,,,,,,,,,

1) He might just go to Thailand, try to get in "visa-fee" and be allowed in, or denied - it's up to the immigration officer.

2) He might try to get a visa from his embassy and be denied, but still be allowed in via #1 above.

3) He might GET his visa from his embassy, and still be denied entry by the IO. See #1 above.

Bottom line is, it's the IO at the entry point that has the final say, despite what the embassy says/does.
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Alan **********
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