Answered3 years ago
What can I expect during re-entry to Thailand after an extended stay?
Just another anecdote about how it's a lottery what the agent attitude is when entering the country. Came in from a week in Malaysia (side note Kota Kinabalu is garbage). It is my second entry this year. Both by air. I was in line 5. Line 4 processed about 3x the people (god I hate picking the wrong line!) I got to the sour face dirty look monster, gave my passport and itinerary, she motioned to put my hand on the thing then turned up the volume on her scowl. Asked how long I would stay. I said 30 days. More frowning. She called over a guy in a uniform.
What she didn't know is my Thai partner had already gone through and was standing behind her. She did not hear what the lady said, but the man she called over said "it's no problem" I asked "did I do wrong?" She said "you stay too long" she turned to the officer next to her more angry hissing then "it's no problem" then she gave me my stamp and almost shouted "don't stay so long next time!"
Did not ask why I stay, did not have any interest in anything, did not ask about forward ticket or lodging. Just was slow for everyone in her line and then nasty. I am sure karma will find her. Or maybe I kicked a puppy and she was karma coming back to me.
What she didn't know is my Thai partner had already gone through and was standing behind her. She did not hear what the lady said, but the man she called over said "it's no problem" I asked "did I do wrong?" She said "you stay too long" she turned to the officer next to her more angry hissing then "it's no problem" then she gave me my stamp and almost shouted "don't stay so long next time!"
Did not ask why I stay, did not have any interest in anything, did not ask about forward ticket or lodging. Just was slow for everyone in her line and then nasty. I am sure karma will find her. Or maybe I kicked a puppy and she was karma coming back to me.
Answer summary
The user shares an anecdote about their frustrating experience with a Thai immigration officer upon re-entering Thailand after a trip to Malaysia. They describe the officer's scowling demeanor and aggressive questioning about their stay duration. The user reflects on the inconsistency in treatment among immigration agents and the randomness of experiences that expats can face. The comments reveal a mix of experiences among other users regarding immigration procedures and additional discussions about travel to Kota Kinabalu.
49 repliesnewest first
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Jae *******
Is there a complaints process for immigration?
Probably not... But curious to know for certain.
Probably not... But curious to know for certain.
Andy *******
@Jae ******
yes, but it is a special fee service, they take you to another room to collect the fee, then they listen and tell you "ahh .. misunderstanding, everything ok now". Then send you on your way 🤪
Robert **********
@Jae ******
no complaints needed. They are perfect.
Christian *********
John *********
We ALL know which agent you are referring to. My mom came to visit for my daughter's 1st bday. We were in 2 different lines beside each other. My guy pleasantly stamped me in with a smile. Mom turned in a panic and said "she has a problem". IO growled "address not right. address no good!" I smile and politely said " really? Same address on my drivers license. Address ok for Land office. Where is the problem?" While handing her my Thai DL. She was livid but stamped Mom in. Don't know how my guy kept a straight face, but he quite enjoyed the show!!
Sam *****
If you ever kicked a puppy you should be banned for life from entering Thailand.
Barry *******
You said she said you stayed to long? Do you have an overstay stamp in your passport?
Jack ****************
OP@Barry ******
absolutely not. She said "don't stay so long next time" loudly and aggressively.Jack ****************
OPRobert King I suppose that is why they have the no photos or videos signs all over. So they can act like pricks when the mood strikes.
William *******
Maybe she was just having a bad day. It happens sometimes in life. You got through so what good does it do to complain. If it makes you felt better good for you.
Thomas *********
@William ******
it just might be good for people to tell the truth and not be the subject of patronisationJack ****************
OP@William ******
makes me feel better and maybe one more person who runs into this can avoid freaking out knowing it just happens sometimes. If you are so zen why the judgy comment? I guess "if it makes you felt better good for you."
John **********
I’ve had the old serpent before, cast me 2 days in the detention centre and an outward flight at astronomical cost,
Colin **********
Kids play - You should try entering the US with a Pakistani stamp a few weeks after 9-11
Jody *******
@Colin *********
Ok, James Bond... wow...
Paul ********
Going to assume this was Bangkok? Ive had a few like that, even had them scowling when I depart even though ive never overstayed and everything is within legal limits.
Paul *******
@Paul *******
No one cares or says anything when you're leaving providing you haven't overstayed of course.Jack ****************
OP@Paul ******
I think she just needed the parting shot because she wanted so badly to fuck with me, but didn't have any actual grounds. But again, this was really just shared to comfort people who don't fully understand/believe that your treatment has this random element.Jack ****************
OP@Paul *******
don muengPaul ********
@Jack ***************
Yeah there are a few grumpy ones there and suvarnabhumi but aslong as you are not overstaying or breaking any visa conditions I would just keep calm, let them throw their little hissy fit and eventually they will stamp you in or out. I got stopped recently departing from bkk and pulled to a seperate table for 20 minutes I kept a smile on my face the whole time knowing the fuss was about nothing, and eventually she stamped me handed back the passport and then started having a go at another tourist. It is what it is but as i said if you are not breaking any rules just take it in your stride.
Todd *********
What was up with KK? Going soon 🙂
Jack ****************
OP@Todd ********
and @Alex ******
Oppressive atmosphere. Shitty food. Horrific customer service- not just poor skill like you see here, but like shop owner is irritated you came in... Obviously this is not 100% but like, literally we did not get an edible meal for the first 4 days. Eventually gave up and just ordered tourist food. I know the rain has to be the same as here, but in Thailand it feels like "oh cute it's raining again" and there it feels like "Seattle go kill yourself" rain. Everything is dirty with a pervasive sewage smell. And the prices are deceiving. I didn't dig deep for activity planning before I went. But while the hotel, food, and airfare were all just a notch more than Thailand something like hiking up the mountain is more expensive than the same activity would be in the USA. Guides and permits required for EVERYTHING.Glad I went because if I hadn't I would always feel like "maybe that place is amazing" I just wish I'd spent 3 days learning it sucked instead of 7.
Alex *******
@Jack ***************
OMG in Malaysia I’ve only been to Kuala Lumpur, but the food was one of the few things I liked about it. I’d always wondered if the rest of the country had more positives, but now it sounds like the opposite. But someone I work with is travelling there in August …Jack ****************
OPFasya Sya gorgeous but lots of trash in the water and washed onto the shores. Maybe night diving you can't see it.
Alex *******
@Fasya ****
Thanks for the tips!
Fasya *****
@Alex ******
lol I'm from KK even though I've never really lived there. Do your research first before coming. The islands just off the city are gorgeous or go inland to Kundasang. I don't think there's much to do in the city itself. My husband did night diving and he loved it. I have to say in Malaysia generally you need to research the restaurants you're going to, in Thailand almost every stall and restaurant is good but not in Malaysia.
Mika ********
@Jack ***************
perhaps it’s youJack ****************
OP@Todd ********
3-4 star. The hotel was fine, but there was a ground floor restaurant at the end of the building/ block that spread a weird molasses urine smell about a block in every direction.Todd *********
@Jack ***************
i take it you weren’t exactly staying at one of the two Shangri-La properties there?Jack ****************
OP@Mika *******
totally possible that my subjective reaction to the objective urine smell makes me an abberation.
Roy *********
I like Kota Kinabalu
Alex *******
Why is Kota Kinabalu BS?
Gabriel ********
How do you know what someone almost shouted?
Jack ****************
OP@Gabriel *******
the volume was almost a shout. It was not almost the action. Good catch though.Gabriel ********
@Jack ***************
odd way of describing itJody *******
@Thomas ********
LIKE THIS?Thomas *********
@Gabriel *******
yeah, English has an odd way of describing people almost shoutingJack ****************
OP@Gabriel *******
English can be a tricky bitch!
John ******
@Gabriel *******
wife was quite near as is written
Mitchell *******
Curious, what visa (if any) did you come in on? And how long was the first stay?
Jack ****************
OP@Mitchell ******
on arrival. Previous stay was same.
Douglas *************
Why you stay too long .. that was the question. 555
Nigel *********
Pfaff! You should try getting into America. Right bunch of Caravan Utilising Nomadic TravelerS.
Jody *******
Nigel *********
@Jody ******
not my thing. No atmosphereJody *******
@Nigel ********
Well played ;)
Michael ********
@Nigel ********
Yes you are right last time i was only transiting but still got loads of questions about why i had spent six weeks in Turkey 10 months previously. They kept asking if i had been fighting in Syria.40 minutes questioning and i was only transiting. Country to avoid at all costs.
Jack ****************
OPI don't know what either of those has to do with Thai immigration, but sure...yeah to heck with those guys!
Dan ********
@Nigel ********
TSA are obnoxious verminActivity
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