What are the reasons for being denied exit and re-entry at the Mae Sai border or an extension at Chiang Mai immigration?

Dec 19, 2018
6 years ago
Leanne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone been denied (exit & re-entry) at Mae Sai border? Or denied an extension at Chiang Mai immigration? If so, what have been the reason/s.

TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses experiences of individuals who have faced denial of exit/re-entry at the Mae Sai border and difficulties obtaining extensions at Chiang Mai immigration. It highlights that rejections at the Mae Sai border are rare for individuals with valid visas, but there can be complications if they have not completed the required number of border runs or lack proper documentation. Extensions, particularly for those on 30-day visa exempt entries, can also be denied without explicit reasons or documentation issues. The thread emphasizes that having valid paperwork is crucial to avoid denial.
Robert *******
As this topic totally went into the interesting way to how set I up a business in Thailand I close the commenting. To set up a business you need the help of a Thai lawyer of Thai accountant, they will help you and answer all your questions how to do this.
Duncan *******
Rejections at Mae Sai - and as Todd notes they simply won't let you exit vs stranding you in Myanmar, are rare. Presuming you haven't done your two land border bounces in the year you should be fine.

There are more reports recently, however, of people having a hard time getting 30 day extensions at CM Immigration if they have a long term history in Thailand on visa or visa exempt entries with extensions.
Tod *********
I am going to caution EVERY member on here.

STOP making value judgements on the visa questions people ask.

That means STOP IT NOW...

It is NOT your business what type of visa they want to be here on. It's theirs.

Either provide answers to their questions or give the post a pass and keep scrolling.
Benjamin ******
@Joe **********
I thought about it, and I'm going to side with
@Tod ********
on this one. It's up to the person asking the question to decide what type of information to give. Maybe the people are working, and using numerous tourist visas, or whatever, but they want another one.

I think our response should be simple: "Well, if you have your paperwork in order, blah blah blah, they'll let you have a visa".

If, on the other hand, they say

"Hey, we're in Thailand on tourist visas, we want to stay long term, what can we do?"

Then we should provide them with more information.

It's their life, their responsibility, to make sure everything is good, not ours.

What do you think? Does this make sense?
Joe ***********
@Tod ********
- you are wrong Tod . .. delete all my comments - these folks are still working and do not need to be accommodated
Tod *********
As far as denied an extension.

On a 30 day visa exempt stamp YES, I have seen people from countries who are allowed to get one get denied at the immigration office and sold a 7 day extension denied stamp that gives them a week to get out of the country. <- IF you're denied a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp you automatically get the extension denied 7 day stamp to get out of the country in a week for 1900baht. There is NO appeal process for this, you either get the 30 day extension OR you get the 7 day stamp to get outta dodge.

On a valid 60 day tourist visa NO, I have not heard of anyone from a country who can get a 30 day extension on a 60 day tourist visa being denied. I am not saying it doesn't happen, I'm saying I haven't heard of a verifiable case <- meaning it sure doesn't happen all that much.
Leanne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you Tod for again the advice you give to your members and making no assumptions. I wish others could be so helpful.
Tod *********
okay they won't even let you stamp OUT of thailand at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border with Myanmar IF you can't stamp back in. That's because you can't go anywhere IN Myanmar without having a valid visa NOT just a day pass so you'd be stuck at the border town.
Tony ********
You don't allow others to document their experiences if requested?
Tony ********
Robert *******
Did I close it?
Robert *******
This page is called Thai Visa advice, but you do not want advice. I assume you are on the wrong page.
Leanne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am not asking for your opinions or advice. I am asking from people who have experienced this. Stop making assumptions. This is meant to be a helpful group yet so far a couple of you are being very judgemental.
Leanne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
again you are wrong and again making assumptions
Benjamin ******
@Leanne *********
There is no reason to be asking that question. The Thai government DOES NOT refuse people to enter the country, ever, if they are legal. None. Zero.

If your paperwork is in order, if your visa is valid, and you have a legitimate reason to be here, there is absolutely, positively, no reason to be scared of getting rejected at the border. None. The Thai government will let you back in, and I promise you that 100%.

What more of a guarantee do you want?
Leanne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am not scared, I am simply asking the question. Thank you for letting me know what you know. Appreciated.
Benjamin ******
There's too many reasons why a person would be rejected at the border. The Thai government DOES NOT reject people at the border who have a reason to be here. If you are here in a valid visa/ visa exempt, or are getting a valid visa and have all of your paperwork in order, they will NOT reject you.

I never, ever, heard of a case where someone with the proper documents, with the proper reasons going to Thailand, getting rejected at the border. There is NO reason to be scared going to the border, at all.
Robert *******
working on line in Thailand and living in Chang Mai, so get yourself the work permit and the Non Immigrant B visa. Than there is no reason to be scared to do the so much needed visa runs.
Jason *******
@Benjamin *****
yeah lawyer is def looking like the way to go in regards to getting the actual, real info. Gonna have to break down and talk to one! 🙂
Benjamin ******
@Jason ******
Honestly, I don't know. I never used this Treaty before, and I think it's best to get a lawyer involved.
Jason *******
@Benjamin *****
Does “capital required” = fees you have to pay? I was under the impression you just needed to show that you had the capital. But I could totally be wrong.
Benjamin ******
@Jason ******
I think the problem with the treaty is the cost of 2 Million THB
Jason *******
Kelcie Lazarev I’ve checked into that treaty as well, been curious about it. I don’t see many people mentioning it. What’s stopping you from moving forward with it? Just looked it up and seems fairly straight forward. I should do this as well!

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%20Amity.php
Kelcie ********
@Jason ******
Yeah I have looked into Iglu. They filter your clients' payments through their system and tax it. Its kind of scammy with the percentage they require to give you a work permit. I don't think its a very good option for anyone who makes less 7500$ a month. =/ I am interested in starting a business and trying to use the America/Thailand treaty for 100% ownership.
Jason *******
@Robert ******
Iglu requires you to pay a minimum of $750 per month, FYI. But I don’t know any other similar options...
Isabelle **********
@Kelcie ********
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Robert *******
@Kelcie ********
I have no idea about the cost, but you need a lawyer or accountant to do, so search a good one and get the information from them.
Kelcie ********
@Rob***
setting up a branch in Thailand is interesting but I assume there are heavy start up costs? Do you have any articles you could point me to for me to read further on the subject?
Kelcie ********
I'm familiar with Iglu but they want to tax 30% of your own paycheck filtered through their business. Are there similar alternatives to Iglu? Or are none established yet?
Benjamin ******
@Kelcie ********
Working for a company like Iglu.
****************
. You need to work in the IT industry, and make at least $2,500 USD a month.
Robert *******
Your employer or you set up a branch in Thailand, or you set up your own company or you join a company like IGLU.net
Kelcie ********
@Rob***
curious, how does one obtain a work permit and non Imm b for online work?
Tony ********
The reasons
Benjamin ******
Let me flip your question around. Do you believe you will be denied entry at the Mae Sai border?
Robert *******
There will be for sure people who are denid at that border and there will be people denied Extensions of Stay. But what is your Thai Visa question?
Robert *******
Did not meet the requirements for Extension of Stay. Refused at border: Did not have a genuine passport or ID card, Passport is not legible for Visa Exempt Entry, did already 2 border runs for Visa Exempt Entry in this calendar year. I can keep on going, I ask again: WHAT is your VISA question?
Leanne **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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