Answered10 months ago
What is the immigration experience like when entering Thailand from Laos?
My girlfriend and I flew in from Laos today to Don Mueang and she was flagged for multiple entries into Thailand. But they let her through. They made me show them that I had a booked flight back to America in January. We both made it through. But they are definitely screening people hard. I noticed other people being stopped and questioned. Just my first hand experience.
Answer summary
A traveler recounts their experience flying into Don Mueang, Thailand, from Laos with their girlfriend, who was flagged for multiple entries but allowed through after questioning. The traveler needed to show proof of a return flight, indicating heightened screening of travelers. Comments reflect on the need for proper long-term visas and experiences of others facing similar scrutiny or differing treatment at immigration.
50 repliesnewest first
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Spicy******
It happens to me every time I come in the past 3 years now
James ***********
Well at least we know that things have certainly changed when it comes to multiple entries and length of duration in Thailand so be prepared for the worse
Umer **************
When you say "flagged for multiple entries" can you share how many entries and how long each entry was for please?
Jan **********
thank you for your feedback
Fred *********
They didn't ask you nothing because your dtv ?
ScenicPe*********
OPNo, I haven't done my DTV yet. I had already in Thailand for 55 days and went to Laos for 6 days and came back. They asked me to prove that I was on vacation/Holiday and show them I had a flight booked out of Thailand within 60 days of today. I do have a flight booked. They stamped me in for 60 days. But I'm leaving in 21 days.
Jonny *********
@Mark **********
was he asking for any help? 😂
Neil *******
If Thailand wants to know where the Chinese tourists are they might like to come to Laos,arrived today from Phuket, no interrogation, smiling Immigration and around
*****
Chinese
Mark ***********
Thanks for the feedback. I apologize for some of the unhelpful comments you receive 😅
Martin ********
@Mark **********
not like this comment then 😅😂🤣ScenicPe*********
OPThere will always be keyboard warriors no matter what! Thanks for being cool.
Braulio *********
ScenicPelican3910 why are you hiding?
Tania **********
@Mark **********
My thoughts !Area *************
@Tania *********
your point of view is rare and precious 👍🏻Martin ********
In the UK you can arrive on a boat, throw your mobile phone and passport into the English channel. You will then be looked after fed 3 meals a day, free health checks dentist even National Trust free entry, etc etc basically into the country unchecked criminal past, roam free and think toucing (and worse) teenage girls is fine . Quite a contrast with the supposedly "undeveloped" Thailand.
Area *************
@Martin *******
do you know about Sangatte in France 😁Martin ********
@Area ************
keep it 😆😁ScenicPe*********
OPSounds like America under democrat rule. 😆 🤣 😂
Thomas ************
Nothing is wrong with that
Collywobble **********
questioning then allowed is ok tho is somewhat stressfull
Roger **********
Don’t break the rules and you’ll be ok.. at least you don’t have to show your social media.
Area *************
@Roger *********
its not really about breaking the rules, the rules can bé broken, that's just what everybody is saying, all that is at the discrétion of the IO and their feeling about you. What is cannot bé broken is the law. TH is doing that very well, showing that they can understand every case every situation, but they will défend strongly the law and i have the feeling that all those who have been denied have some kind of other affair than repeating visa exemptions and extensions. Border runs (which is quite différent than a visa run by airs) is one kind of the symptoms, which concerns all those who work illegally in TH.
Jason *********
@Roger *********
What are the rules?Spicy******
@Jason ********
the rules say you must pay 5k baht a person for not getting harassment in the airport
Jody *******
@Roger *********
The rules change too often... 😂ScenicPe*********
OPNeither of us broke any rules. We genuinely went to Laos for a vacation and returning to Thailand to finish the vacation.
Tania **********
ScenicPelican3910 Thanks for sharing your experience ; wishing you both all the best, and a nice holidays !
ScenicPe*********
OPThank you and you as well!
Martin *****
Get a proper longtime visa? Not tourist visa
Rob *********
@Martin ****
not always the case. I used BKK as a hub for travels around the world, while living in Taiwan, because the best connections often went through there. SO though I usually only stayed a week or two, that still adds up to quite a few trips through Thailand.Tania **********
@Martin ****
Keep laughing 😂 it fits your comments 😂🥳Tania **********
@Martin ****
You are becoming ridiculous…you, and all others like a broken disc saying ‘get a visa get a visa’… 🙄Not for everyone intentions ; some rich ones, prefer move freely ; we all have different agendas, and obvious, one decides its own
life, not you ‘get a visa ‘ each 5 min !
Area *************
@Tania *********
you are right 🙏🏻 IO are matching illégal profilés not tourist, short or long term, with or without visas, whatever. The aim is the illégal workers, or bandits 😁Steve *******
@Tania *********
TBF you probably should get the correct visa for your stay rather than try to abuse visa exempt entries
Marty *********
Stupid self entitled comment. Grow up!
Doug *******
@Tania *********
I agree! But many commenters here view life through a straw so it is futile to describe for them what resides outside of their peripheral.Martin *****
@Tania *********
any other countries u need a visa.. try to get into schengen/Europe without a visa as a thai person, and u will get thankful to be born as a westerner
Dennis *********
@Martin ****
that’s the point — Schengen area set up it’s rules and easy to understand, follow and IO to enforce 90 out of 180 days! Thailand has Visa free entry for 93 countries but no other written clear rules regarding what that means. They need to fix this so people like you don’t keep harping,”get a real visa” when clearly Thailand has granted 93 countries visa free entry without clear, black and white limitations!!
Area *************
@Martin ****
are u serious ? How long didn't you come to see shenghen, it's full of no papers ... It's a joke.Steve *******
@Tania *********
I'm guessing you don't travel much and probably feel you're entitled to enter any Country whenever you want. Good luck with that!Steve *******
@Tania *********
Name me an EU Country that allows Thai citizens to enter visa exemptTania **********
@Martin ****
Not true ; i am from EU as well, as from other Country far from EU ; many have bi lateral agreement with Thailand, many go in holidays or whatever ; nobody like to read all the time here ‘get a visa ‘…You don’t know the people’s agenda , period.
Dennis *********
@Martin ****
perhaps immigration should set clear rules which can be followed and not left to each IO to decideSteve *******
@Dennis ********
There are clear rules/guidelines. In pretty much every Country in the world entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer you face on entry. If you're pushing the boundaries then you may well be denied.Dennis *********
@Steve ******
no there really isn’t. Here in Thailand it’s a crap shoot if you’ve been here multiple times. The U.S. isn’t any different — tourist visa means you can come in for up to six months and then you have to leave — how long, no one knows. Some have left for a weekend and returned starting another six months but then others are grilled and possibly denied entry. Panama used to be like here with constant border runs to reset entry and start the clock over. They finally set a rule one entry and after six months you need to leave for 30 days. Schengen area 90 days out of 180 — clear easy to follow entry rules.
Tony ******
@Dennis ********
they clearly have no clue 🤣ScenicPe*********
OPShe's coming back on an education visa next time. I originally, wasn't planning on staying more than 3 weeks and extended my stay to 90 days. I'm working on a DTV visa now.
Fred *********
ScenicPelican3910 you been all good with your dtv at don mueang ? They didn't question you ? Only her right ?!
ScenicPe*********
OPYes, they took her away and questioned her. They only questioned me about when I was leaving and had me prove to them that I had an outgoing flight booked.
John **********
Check out the DTV soft power Medical option. I believe continuing care via private hospital qualifies and their international desk can provide letter to that effect
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