What are the experiences and challenges of border bouncing in Thailand after COVID-19?

Oct 5, 2022
2 years ago
Tember ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Short Update about my Border Bounce @ Padang Besar today. I stay 2 Nights before i went back. My Passport has one VOA and 6 Covid Extensions. And yes it was not easy. I had to explain everything. A lot of discussions with the IM officer about what i do where i stay bla bla bla. After 30min got my 45 Day Stamp. She ask me if i extend this VOA i said yes but no problem. The IM Officer wasn‘t relaxed at all. its looks like a little game. But be prepared. Good Luck ☀️😁🙏

“Relax”

I see a lot of trouble here. Sure, i have a reason why i choosed this way. And yes i know i have to move to the correct Visa Type and i will do. I guess a lot of people need to go this way because somthing in your live forces you to aceppt a challenge.

Anyway, this way was the fundamental start to get to where i am now. 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The author shares their experience of a border bounce at Padang Besar, highlighting the difficulties faced with immigration officers during the process. They mention having previously used a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and six COVID-19 extensions, and express the ongoing challenges of navigating visa rules in Thailand. The comments reflect a dialogue among expats discussing visa types, the implications of visa exemption, and personal anecdotes regarding their own experiences with immigration. Overall, the conversation illustrates the complexities of visa status, border control, and the experiences of expats who are adjusting to changing immigration policies in the post-COVID landscape.
Amira *******
I have a silly question - If my tourist visa says I have until the 7th November, I have to be out before the 7th or can I leave on the 7th?
Stuart *********
@Amira ******
Just clarifying. Your tourist visa expires on the 7th or the stamp in your passport “allowed to stay until” expires on the 7th?
Amira *******
thank you
@Tember *****
😀
Tember ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Amira ******
leave 7th 23:59 latest 😁
Jo **********
i think it’s quite normal they need to check on your situation and ask questions- that’s there job. Happy you made it through - I am also one those people that had 6 covid extensions.
Tember ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
thats true. The questions are normal. When i listen to the officers, we had an little talk when we go to Malay, u will have no Problem to come back TH when u stay 7 to 10 days in Malay.
Steven ***************
Yeah well.. maybe you should obtain the visa that actually applies to your reason to be in Thailand, or any other country you choose to "visit"
Casey ******
@Steven **************
seems like he picked the perfect visa. Maximum time allowed here, minimal effort.

You might be confusing “tourist” as a short term thing. Nothing wrong with being a tourist for a long time, especially when it’s allowed by the inviting nation.

Are you jealous you had less pleasant experiences as someone who decided to live here long term, or just grumpy? Don’t get mad at me. There is not enough information in his post to validate the things you are assuming.
Steven ***************
@Casey *****
. Read the first 3 sentences of his post. You might learn something. He never had a visa.. Why would I be jealous of someone who needs to rely on visa exemption,border bounces and covid extensions to stay in a country ? I just got a visa and extended it as needed. A lot easier than the headaches he's already been through and got at the border control. Name any other country that would allow it , without it being a cash grab by imm like it was here. All about the$$

Ps. I've lived here nearly 6 years now , never had imm issues. Why you ask? Correct visa.
Casey ******
@Steven **************
now you’re just arguing semantics.

Ok, I change my reference from his visa to his exempt status and extensions.

Regardless, you’re obviously angry at someone who is following the rules to be here the same way you are.

So why post about it? You mentioned the people you know and all the issues they had. Did you bitch like a little girl about their issues as well? He had a problem executing his best option to be in Thailand. Are you pissed about his choice, his ability to do so, or that it’s easier for him?

More importantly, why are you pissed about anything?
Steven ***************
@Casey *****
. Not pissed about anything.Just gave an option on how to avoid grief at border control. The days of border bounces and covid extensions are over.

Semantics don't apply to immigration officers.

Visa=visa Visa exempt= no visa needed.

Extension is not a visa.

I'm not even pissed about you and your covid extension reliant buddy resorting to personal digs at me. Says more about the both of you than me.

Nothing easy about border bouncing to stay here long term compared to visas. I'd do it too if it was easier. We all would.

I understand if that isn't another option for him. Unfortunately those days are nearly over, due to the clamping down on dodgy imm officers and agents, bribes, etc.

Having said all that, if he gets a tourist visa before the next time he re enters, he stands a much better chance of not getting grilled by imm. Because he actually has a visa.
Jo **********
@Steven **************
Border bounces have been here forever and they are and will be always in use. You must realize that in 2019 there were approximately 39 million tourists. This year Thailand will be very lucky to reach 12 million ( although the current number is being exaggerated). Why did they increase the visa exempt to 45 days? why are they creating more opportunities to keep people here? Even covid extensions were only in the very beginning about not be able to get home and became just a means to keep tourists here. Are you staying in Thailand? Are you here on some type of visa?
Steven ***************
@Jo *********
. If you bothered to read before replying.. I've been living here 6 years on appropriate visa and extension of it. That's why immigration is never an issue for me when re entering. You've got a lot to say, seeing how many questions you've posted and had answered in this group.over the last 2 years.

I don't give a fuck what means someone uses to stay here long term, just don't moan when it turns to shit because imm officers eventually deny you entry for not using correct visa.
Casey ******
Sean *********
@Steven **************
what is wrong with people like you? You miserable old codger. Let them enjoy life.
Steven ***************
@Sean ********
. People on legitimate long term visas or extensions were NEVER granted covid extensions. Op stayed here for over 200 days as a "tourist " I and many others have to jump through hoops to stay that long for real reasons. Not his fault that imm allowed the covid system to be rorted I admit. All immigration officers worldwide have total discretion onentry regardless of visa status. Having correct visa virtually eliminates getting denied entry because they have no reason to. If you don't like other people's opinions, social media isn't for you.

Ps..

I'm.younger than you..
Jo **********
@Steven **************
by law he is allowed to enter Thailand for 45 days without a visa. Then he could extend that for 30 days to get to 75 days. Then if he has a wife or child in Thailand he could get a Family Extension for 60 days bringing that to 135 days without a visa.
Braulio *********
Jo **********
Steven ***************
@Jo *********
. Wasn't questioning the law... was commenting on his reason to be in Thailand so long. If he had a " family" here covid extensions and visa exempt wouldn't be needed.
Harris **********
@Steven **************
Its none of our business why he is visiting Thailand its up to immagration to decide, some people i think have nothing better to do I'm sure of it.
Steven ***************
@Harris *********
. If it's none of our business, then why is he posting it on social media looking for responses??? Moron.. Are you another system milker?
Philip **********
@Steven **************
Someone’s jealous. Someone must of paid for a visa extension while another stayed for free. 🤣🤣🤣
Jo **********
Bonnie *******
Did you do immigration at the train station or the land border?
Tember ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ******
land border
Bonnie *******
@Tember *****
we didn't have cash once going thru the train station. They said to go get cash and go to the land border. We went straight to the land border and they let us thru so we caught the train on the Thailand side
Bonnie *******
Bonnie *******
Riaan **********
Had a border-bounce last week, one night in KL, had the same officer stamp me in and out, and we had a quick chuckle about it 20seconds at most, BUT I do not have any Covid extensions in my passport
Stuart *********
Thanks for the update. As an aside you didn’t enter VOA you entered visa exempt. They are two separate entry systems and each have their own requirements and allowed number of days.

You can only do two visa exempt LAND border crossings in a calendar year.

With that many covid extensions I’d say you were very lucky. Many reports from others that have been denied - albeit usually via an airport not a land border.
Tember ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thanks for the update. 🙏
Phil ******
@Tember *****
is this the malay border? I read somewhere they are getting tough on malay borders
Tember ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
jep was malay border. 🙄
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