What are the reasons for being denied entry to Thailand according to the immigration act?

Oct 22, 2018
6 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is Section 12 of the immigration act and lists the reasons you can be denied entry to thailand.

These are the ONLY reasons you can be denied entry.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post outlines the specific and limited reasons for being denied entry to Thailand, as stated in Section 12 of the immigration act. The discussion includes comments on the practical experiences of expats regarding entry denial, particularly highlighting issues like excessive use of tourist visas, proof of funds, and factors influencing immigration officers' decisions. Participants share insights on how different borders may have diverse enforcement practices and express concern over the subjective nature of some entry refusals.
Paul ********
Really zzzzz That's Why I get my Visa in London 100% Proper
Paul ********
@Tod ********
Thanks for your input
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
remember just because you have a VISA doesn't mean you're guaranteed entry to the country :O All a visa does is guarantee IF you're allowed into the country you get stamped in for a specific number of days.
Kai *****
Women of children?
Peter ***************
@Kyle **********
obviously

They shall not be traded 😁

Ever
Ron *******
@Kyle **********
its for everybody. If your entering as a family and asked, you'll need to pull 40,000 baht from your wallet.
Kai *****
I believe it was a typo for women OR children
Ron *******
Ron *******
I'm with
@Tod ********
in this. Many people have been denied entry, even with the money. Some are not even asked to produce it. Once they consider you've been here enough time on Tourist visas or exempt entry's, they simply deny you for not having enough funds.

I'm guessing you could complain, appeal, cry a little but i doubt it will change there mind once they have decided your time is up. Watch the TV programme 'Border control' and how the Brits and Yanks go about it. They don't even need a particular reason. A simple suspicion of any of a whole heap of things on there list, and your not coming in.

Immigration anywhere in the world that has a suspicion of your not being a genuine tourist can lead to a denial of entry. I guess Thailand is just starting to operate the same criteria.
Ron *******
Jim James i had grief with Vancouver immigration twice in the past. I used too travel there frequently maybe every 2 months. I had a GF there plus i would fish from Uclulet, Vancouver Island.

I forgot to print out my return ticket. Although i had my PC and they could see my return booking, failing to physically have it at hand was a huge problem.

They refused me to use there printer and gave me Hell and bag searches for 2 hours, threatening to send me back to the UK, until the Air Canada desk opened and they printed me a ticket.

The second issue was about 6 months later. I was only entering for 1 week as I needed to be back home for work.

That was a problem because ' I broke my normal travel pattern' of staying for 2 weeks. Was a big issue of why i would fly 9 hours to only stay a week.
Jim *******
So very true . Happened to me at JFK, showed the cash,Nope,said I'm not a Bona fide tourist and I had a visa too.

They were like Gangsters in their special back room for 5 hours..!
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well spotted
@J**
, (y) there is indeed no mention of too many tourist visas or visa exempt entries AND no mention of 180 days in country during a year either

That's because those are totally made up rules that immigration officers use to tell you they are denying you entry :O

BUT

In every one of those cases the people who were denied for too many days in thailand in a year, OR too many visa exempt or tourist visa entries were denied under clause 2 (or 9) on their denial of entry stamp :( .

That's because they can't really deny you entry based on visa exempt or tourist visa entry history as it's NOT an official reason under the immigration act to deny you. :/
Robert *******
@Michel ****
No, it does not help you at all. Immigration is using a database and will link your new passport to the old one and still all your entries, departure,s visa or visa exempt used, pictures taken will show up on the screen.
Michel *****
@Tod ********
do you think it helps to get a new passport so they dont see the passport is full with tourist visas already?
Ron *******
Main thing is, whatever they suspect you of.
Jason ******
No mentions of someone having too many tourist visas in a passport or proof of onward travel, main thing is as long as they can show proof of adequate funds and not being involved in any criminal activities.
Willy ********
has reason #2 ever been used at airport outside of don muang & suvarnbuhmi?
Kevin ********
@T**
,

Ok, that explains the different dynamics at non airport entries. Thank you for the explanation.
Robert ********
I've read of people being asked and refused entry, in this group. Suggest you use the Search function and see what comes up.
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wi***
and
@Ke***
at land crossings they don't deny you entry by the stamp in your passport, they just send you back to the country you just stamped out of. Then you can use an ATM in that country and come right back into thailand WITH the proof of funds.

They were doing that quite a bit at the southern land border crossings a while back.
Kevin ********
@Rob***
,

So the answer is yes? People have been refused at land borders for lack of funds?
Willy ********
@Robert ***********
has it tho? I seemingly only ever see this come up at dmk and bkk
Robert ********
Reason #2 can be used at any point of entry, including by air, overland or by cruise ship.
Ron *******
Being involved in prostitution and being mentally unstable, covers 99% of people for rejection.
Robert ********
Common sense really....
Samm *****
Not been vaccinated against small pox??
Scott **************
@Samm ****
I don't disagree, but also don't want to butt heads, and the Hospitals are already geared up for these "Standard" exams.

my entire process took less than an hour, including the X-rays blood work Urine analysis (drug testing).

Walk in the park, to live here in the LOS
Samm *****
Hmm I think it needs to be updated
Scott **************
@Samm ****
just making the comparison.... for AO (based on retirement) VISA a medical exam is required with testing for TB, VD, and elephantids (can be done at Local Hospitals for under 800 Baht.
Samm *****
thats Yellow Fever. I thought small pox was eradicated years ago and vaccines no longer required
Scott **************
required in several countries. If you try to enter Tanzania, from Kenya, You are required to have a yellow Fever Vaccination.
Christopher ***********
Well thought of Tod! What people need to know their rights.
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