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Answered7 years ago

What Are the Reasons for Visa Denial of Entry to Thailand?

Tod *********
asked Jan 26, 2020
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DENIAL OF ENTRY INFORMATION

First off let's get out of the way the myth that a lot of people are denied entry. Actually very few people are denied entry on any given day. You have to realize that close to NINETY THOUSAND people stamp in to thailand every day at all the entry points combined. It's actually way more with local border traffic but that's about the number of "foreigners" who stamp in every day.

Now when someone is denied entry, they are NOT deported (you have to stamp in to thailand to get deported and being denied entry means you can't stamp in). They are also not banned from thailand, they are just not allowed to stamp IN to the country at that entry point. Also when someone is denied entry IF they have a valid visa in their passport that visa is still good (immigration officers cannot cancel a valid visa issued by a thai consulate when denying someone entry).

Now I know this will shock people BUT no matter what the immigration officer says about someone being in thailand too long on visa exempt or tourist visa entries there is NO OFFICIAL rule that limits it at all. <- meaning that is NOT a valid reason to deny someone entry to the country (no matter what you're told to your face)...

There are 11 reasons that a person can be denied entry and ONLY those 11 reasons. Surprisingly none of those is "having spent too much time in thailand". :O There USED to be a rule that limited visa exempt entries to no more than three 30 day entries in a 6 month period. That rule was rescinded AGES ago but it is the basis that immigrations uses to parrot out the "no more than 180 days in a year" fake rule. Be that as it may. . .

Once it is determined by the immigration officers that a person will be denied entry it is 100% up to the air carrier that brought them here to dictate where they go back to. Some carriers allow you to go right back where you came from, some allow you to go anywhere they fly and some make you use a flag carrier (an airline from your country that can't refuse you traveling) and go back to the country your passport comes from . One last time, it is totally up to the air line where you go and to a lesser extent how fast you can leave.

Believe it or not but most people who are denied entry when flying in end up going to a neighboring country and entering by land without any issues.

The image shows the 11 reasons listed in Section 12 of the Immigration Act why someone can be denied entry. Keep in mind even if they tell you you're being denied entry because you spend too much time in thailand in year you will get a denial based on reason 2, 3 or 9 <- those are the most common denial reasons.

Sorry this was oh-so long, hopefully it was of marginal value
Answer summary
This post dispels myths about the frequent denial of entry into Thailand and outlines the specific 11 reasons under Thai Immigration Law that can lead to such a denial. It clarifies that having a valid visa does not get canceled upon denial of entry, and the airlines play a critical role in deciding where to return denied travelers. The author also emphasizes that immigration officers cannot deny entry based on perceived overstay concerns, as there is no official limit on such entries.
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James ********
James ********
Thanks
@Tod ********
and ALL for this helpful information.

Commenting closed.
Michael ********
Michael ********
Due to research (which many people don't do) I was familiar with most of this. But it is always good to read it. I am sure there will be plenty more silly and repeated questions, with people not checking previous posts and pinned topics, but thanks for always keeping everyone updated, and using your own time to do so.
Eze ********
Eze ********
Thanks Tod. Very helpful. Hopefully few people will ever need it.
Brandon *****
Brandon *****
Thanks, great stuff 🙏...
Fouad ********
Fouad ********
@Mo ******
yup saw that
Frank *********
Frank *********
Unbelievable detailed information. Thanks a lot for sharing. Where you got all that info from, man?
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
I can't speak for Tod, but how I get my information is simple:

From Google

Whenever someone says something, I always go and do a search for it through Google. To ignore the agents, I use the following quarry:

"[Information to find]" site:*.go.th

This would only bring up the Thai government websites, which generally are valid and up-to-date.
Paul ********
Paul ********
Having means of support is not enough. You can enter the country but fail the visa test...same end result
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
What's "the visa test"? If you have the "means to support yourself", then either get a Multiple entry tourist visa, OR an elite visa, OR a retirement visa, OR an investment visa.
Carl ***********
Carl ***********
some fantastic information on here thank you to admin for all your hard work :-)
Ron *******
Ron *******
One other piece of information most are not aware of when attempting a flight out of Thailand to Laos. Laos has a very old rule of denying boarding on a flight to Laos if you have any previous Thai overstay stamps in your passport. Certainly, Laos airways still uses it for denying boarding on flights. No idea if other carriers still apply it. It doesn't apply at land borders.

Just something to bare in mind.
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
One last bit that "appeals process time line is something that I couldn't find written down BUT is something I have seen play out several times. Basically they are trying to get you to capitulate and just get denied entry. On the two appeals I did see make it thru the system (one guy was locked up for 9 days total) they were overturned and let into the country.
Giles *********
Giles *********
Exellent article theirs far to much online scaremongering on forums to drive business to "visa agents"
Billy ********
Billy ********
Very informative, thanks (hope I never need it)
Keef ********
Keef ********
So it would be wish for people to keep track of what the airlines do in that scenario, or has this been discussed before? For instance if vietjet only returned me to Vietnam tgat would be a preference over, say USA which is way more expensive.... Should we talk to the carrier?
Liam *****
Liam *****
It's up to the airline if you are unable/unwilling to pay up front for a new flight. You you can arrange a new flight yourself at your own expense you can go where you want (within reason - i.e. where you have the right to enter)
Ron *******
Ron *******
@Keef *******
I doubt you would be returned to Vietnam due to the way the time limit on visa exempt and Tourist visa system operates there. That could well be a case of being returned to your country of passport.
Barry ******
Barry ******
It’s always up to the airline. If they refuse to return you then you have to fly back on a flag carrier
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
yep, IF you're denied entry it's totally up to your carrier.
KC *******
KC *******
Do you have a link to this reference?
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
I do.
****************************************************************************************


Basically, it repeats what Tod said above, but in boring, legalese.
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
nope, just made it up from everything I know sorry
James **********
James **********
Do you think been armed with this list might help get a denial over-turned? Has anyone reported using knowledge of it before?
Dominik ********
Dominik ********
I Googled and Phuket has it to. Lots of offers actually. This is good to know.
Dominik ********
Dominik ********
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*****
5.activity-details

Found this though. I've never had issues in BKK though. It's always been reasonable. But if you are flying during holidays I would happily pay for $40 or so for that vs spending 2 hours wasting my time lol
Dominik ********
Dominik ********
@Phil *****
haha yep! First impressions count. And paying for business class means they know you have $$$ to support yourself so I’m sure that defiantly helps. With their choice.
Dominik ********
Dominik ********
@Benjamin *****
makes sense as at the land border you’ll just turn around and stay in the country that you were trying to leave I guess. As until you actually get stamped in and walk through you’re still in that original country.

I’ve got no visa issues. More curious than anything.
Dominik ********
Dominik ********
@Tod ********
what actually happens if you don’t let get in? You go into the IDC thing. For how long until they make you visit the airline count and book and flight escorted by immigration police?

Or what’s the process?
James **********
James **********
Yeah that don't look like a fun place to hang out.
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
and this
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
and this
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
IDC at the airport looks like this
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
You can always file an appeal. However, while the appeal is being processed, you'll be in the Immigration Detention Center. I've seen pictures of it, it does NOT look like a fun place to be.

If you want to appeal, you better have a very strong case to win.
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
IF you feel you were denied entry unfairly you DO have the right to file a written appeal to the denial. It is not written down but as a rule appeals take 72 hours to get sent thru, AND then can take up to 48 hours to get the decision back (so you're looking at a minimum of FIVE working days in the IDC lock up at the airport if you appeal. AND you're charged 802 baht per day to stay in lock up too :O

Now IF you sign that denial of entry paperwork you cannot appeal anymore, you're done, denied entry and you will be processed and set packing..
Henrik ****
Henrik ****
The case is that the officer just bends some of those legal reasons of denial if they just do not like your face. When you ask who made the new rule, they proudly say "I did"...
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
Honestly MOST people that are denied entry have EXTENSIVE histories of previous entries to thailand on many many 30 day visa exempt or tourist visa entries

Hardly ANY people are denied just showing up as tourists for the first time
Liam *****
Liam *****
Great advice. One of the most misunderstood issues is this: "Once it is determined by the immigration officers that a person will be denied entry it is 100% up to the air carrier that brought them here to dictate where they go back to"

To be clear, Thai Immigration has ABSOLUTELY NO SAY WHATSOEVER where you go. Actually, if you have the funds handy, you buy a ticket to go wherever you want (or, at least, wherever you will reasonably be allowed in).

I realise that people who get detained might not feel confident to argue this with immigration officers, but you should know your rights in that situation.
Christophe ********
Christophe ********
@Liam ****
What if I arrived with a checked in luggage? Can I pick it up and then fly out?
Gigi *********
Gigi *********
@T**
= Legend
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
i am a legend in my own mind that's for sure :P
Cheryl **********
Cheryl **********
really, helpful, thanks Tod!
Daniel *******
Daniel *******
Out of curiosity- If the airline allows you to fly back home, are you then purchasing a full-price, one-way ticket?
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
On denial of entry you pay your own way out ALWAYS.
Catherine ******
Catherine ******
Great post Tod, thank you
Dean **********
Dean **********
Thanks for the info
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
Wonderful information as always! Can you tag is as "Admin explain" so it's easy to reference in the future?
James ********
James ********
Done 😉
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
I am a goof when it comes to f/b stuff :(
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
how do you do that :O

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