What options do I have if my next tourist visa application for Thailand is rejected?

Oct 5, 2024
a month ago
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
After my rejection 7th august trying to fly out for a few days to Phnom phen then back I'm a little twitchy about whether my next tourist visa application through E visa will be accepted . I had been in Chiang Mai about 22 months using tourist visas hence rejection ..

I'm hoping it'll go through smoothly but if not I'm gonna have to find some way , any known agents that can be used in KL if you splash the cash to help if it is rejected .. I need to return to empty my condo . 1 year contract ends in december...

After one more 60 day stay I'll be off back to Europe . I don't fancy taking the gamble and just flying in . Another rejection and being forced to return to KL would make things very tricky .

I'm just trying to figure out any other option should the e visa be rejected in advance ...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is concerned about the potential rejection of their upcoming e-visa application after a previously denied entry for attempting to fly out of Thailand; they have been in the country for about 22 months using tourist visas. While community members offer various opinions, including the acknowledgment that long-term stays on tourist visas can lead to scrutiny by immigration officials, suggestions include applying for a longer-term visa, using agents for assistance in immigration processes, and considering different borders or methods for visa runs. The conversation highlights a mix of humor and serious advice on navigating visa issues as an expat in Thailand.
Cubi ******
Good luck
Terary **********
Can you explain the reason for the rejection?

Also, did you try a land border?

Also, You can get an eVisa online.
Graham ******
@Terary *********
"I had been in Chiang Mai about 22 months using tourist visas hence rejection"
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
Yep, I reckon if I had done what I usually do , gone to Laos made another tourist visa it would have been ok ... Flying in and out like I did was foolish
Terary **********
@David ******
But I thought visa exempt by air was unlimited.
Luit *****************
@Terary *********
no limits for tourist use does not mean you can use it also unlimited to live in Thailand
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
#metoo but obviously not ..
Terary **********
@David ******
I have been in Thailand for 10 years. I have had a few 1 year non-o visa but most were tourist visas. Are you sure you didn't piss-off somebody?
Michael *******
The ETA will put a stop to all these issues, can’t come soon enough, take the burden away from immigration at the airport, and let people know exactly where they stand before travel. Speed up arrival process as well.
Maxim ***********
Adding to that, the ETA, which was supposed to be early next year, was delayed because obv they have no idea what they are doing and probably got a lot of pushback from a few rich Thai family who are well connected within the agent industry (take their cut). They can't even make the 90 days online report work without lag. ETA is hopeless.
Greg ***********
@Maxim **********
agreed. That's exactly what I have been thinking along the line. the ETA is only for those who wish to do a visa-exempt entry. All other visa categories will still have to be applied for at Thai embassies and consulates. The ETA, implied into the E-visa system, will only cause more delays, as the E-visa system is NO automatic system - the application needs to be decided by a human being. So it's actually MORE work and not less, unless the Thais find a way to automate & digitalize the process. The proposal to implement it into the existing E-visa system was a wrong decision, unless they totally re-build the online system
Michael *******
used if for past year without an issue, know lots of folk using it without a problem lots of dinosaurs out there….πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘
Maxim ***********
@Greg **********
It will take years to built.
Michael *******
@Maxim **********
why ? cut and paste Malaysia, Singapore , or Aussie system - bunch of consultants will put it together in months
Maxim ***********
@Michael ******
Why? This is Thailand. You've not been here long enough or what? They can't get the 90 days report to work properly online.
Greg ***********
@Michael ******
the ETA is only for those who wish to do a visa-exempt entry. All other visa categories will still have to be applied for at Thai embassies and consulates. The ETA, implied into the E-visa system, will only cause more delays, as the E-visa system is NO automatic system - the application needs to be decided by a human being. So it's actually MORE work and not less, unless the Thais find a way to automate & digitalize the process. The proposal to implement it into the existing E-visa system was a wrong decision, unless they totally re-build the online system
Declan **********
@Greg **********
I highly suspect theyve bit off more than they can chew and it will end up like other systems such as Malaysias. Just a notification into an automatic system and that's it. No acceptance, no rejection. When you arrive if your passport flags an issue you'll get booted from the gate and sent to an IO manning a passport control station just like in Malaysia and other countries.
Greg ***********
@Declan *********
exactly! Like the newly set-up Malaysian MDAC . . it would mean that Thai need a wholly separate system from their E-visa system
Clare ******************
Can you not apply for the DTV visa?
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I happy to apply for anything that's the resources I have here can cover... Me main pot stuck outta reach in Thailand ...
Pete ********
Hi brother , you can use an agent to have an immigration officer meet you in the airport and escort you through immigration and get stamped with out any questions ……

I tried to tell you this and admin removed my comment trying to help you ….. they said I was soliciting services….. I Wasent soliciting any services just trying to help the OP

Again not soliciting any services just trying to help the original poster get back to Thailand with out any issues

Can always DM me for advice ( not any services ) ….
Karl ********
I know an agent in KL if you need.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Karl *******
DM a link and I'll take a look ... Cheers
Frank **********
This us what happens sometimes when you play the system. You got denied entry. Next time when you return get a proper visa.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
Thanks for the advice Fwank πŸ‘
SJ *******
Medical visa is the way to go, while there also get some basic mai Thai lesson particularly how to duck….those Billy Boys can get nasty DV can be a real issue.
Sophie *********
I would just fly in - choose your airport wisely - take your chances with the immigration officer and hope for the best. I would dress up, and also have a printed copy of your return flights. It is a risk, but in the absence of the correct visa, it always would have been - but you knew that I'm sure. Good luck.
Sophie *********
Maybe Samui..
Sophie *********
Or Phuket. People mention Chiang Mai but I had a terrible experience there once and hadn't even broken any rules!
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sophie ********
I'm tempted ... But another rejection would bomb out my finances . With all my money trapped in Thailand I only got couple thousand bucks available , so need to be sure I'll get in
Angelo ***********
@David ******
No online banking?

Consider to find one to empty your condo. I do not have much to do. Sent me a PM.
Joe ******
Well you used up your 2 month tourist visas, try applying for a long term tourist like the Privilege Visa​or a DTV.
Aaron *******
Maybe the Thailand Elite Visa will help. Maybe. It's expensive.
Declan **********
Even if you get a visa from an embassy you can still be rejected on entry. Nest to find a company that can get you through the airport without hassle
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Declan *********
do you have any suggestions who I could use . Is an Ed visa of some description guarenteeed to be ok. Any elite visa is beyond my means with all my resources stuck In Thailand πŸ€”
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think making my way to Laos vientiane via a trip through Vietnam is my best next course of action. .....
Barc ***********
If you have 500k baths on an account + 80-100k to spend, apply for a DTV Visa with medical treatment you need (in Jakarta embassy)
Barc ***********
Why do you laugh?

You ask for solution, i give you one. Be grateful instead of being an assisted ars3hol3 maybe.

Or try to be not broke next time, lΓΈs3r πŸ€·πŸΌβ€β™‚οΈ
Frank-Steven ***********
There used to be a service offered by the agency behind this group greasing the wheel for (guaranteed) entry even with a difficult travel history. Wasn't cheap. Don't recall the details ... but others here might. I believe it was this service:
************************************
Glenn *****
@Frank-Steven **********
I think I just read an article saying they had stopped most fast tracks at BKK
Janin ******
@Glenn ****
, it’s open again
Jamie *********
All il say is immigration have stepped up scrutiny of passports for first time in July they nearly refused me because my ticket made me leave Thailand after 3 months but I managed to convince the boss I was going loas for a month in the middle they are also checking you have a return ticket
Greg ***********
22 months on back to back tourist entries? I am trying hard to find that not hilarious but you have been VERY lucky for being accepted for such a long a time. You now have finally reached the end of the flagpole. Stop dreaming and get the right visa for your intended stay in Thailand. If you can't, then accept the harsh realitiy
Julian ********
@Greg **********
I am doing this over 6 years already, had only 4 tourist visas...
Maxim ***********
But yes, Poi Pet is hard, I would not bounce from there. 9k baht fast track service with Thai Visa Centre, or trying your luck in Chiang Mai airport or Langkawi by boat are all good options.
Maxim ***********
@Julian *******
@Greg **********
@David ******
Julian is correct. It's still quite easy to border bounce. Did my third bounce of the year in Nong Khai about 3 weeks ago. I have 3 passport loaded with stamps. Before, it was 2 bounce per year by land, but some people were still able to do more if they enter from South Thailand, for example with a boat in Langkawi, or with help (tea money) at the border. Entering by air in Bangkok have been hard since 10 years ago! It's been a while. I've been here for much longer than Julian so i can confirm that he's correct.
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
as a tourist visa is only valid for 60+30 days, so you were on how many consecutive multiple entry 6-months tourist visa during these 4 years? You have been extremely lucky, given that in the recent three years after Covid, Thai Immigration has tightened the rules on permanent "tourists" who are not real tourists
Julian ********
@Greg **********
4 tourist visas, no multiple entry = 1 year. Rest was border runs πŸ˜…
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
our hero, our hero
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julian *******
And the rest of the time you been on Ed visa or what . ?
Greg ***********
@David ******
exactly, and paying dough to agents who bribe Immigration. He must be so friggin proud πŸ˜πŸ˜‚πŸ˜† taking advantage of corruption
Julian ********
@Greg **********
Needed to bribe only 1 time, at BKK airport...at that day i flew Chiang Mai - Kuala Lumpur - BKK
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
our hero our hero. I would advise you to switch, there are Facebook Groups for people who like to tell Fairy Tales. .These might be better suited for you πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Julian ********
@Greg **********
you're just spreading panic and drama, but you have no idea πŸ˜… VERY, finally, harsh ... good night newbie πŸ₯°
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
he has already found out, What is it you haven't understood?
Julian ********
Today border run Poi Pet/Cambodia...no questions πŸ˜…
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
I would not recommend the Poipet border. There is a scam ongoing. IF you want to do the border bounce in Poipet, use a "Visa Run Agency"
Brandon ************
@Greg **********
Even border bounce agencies won't use the Poipet border. They take their customers to a different border.
Julian ********
@Greg **********
I did it today alone...with success
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
You are trolling
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
I call that, with an extensive stamp history: BULLSHIT. You are an internet TROLL. You are telling lies and fairy tales
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
Possible , let's get back on topic... Will I have a far higher chance of regaining entry if I obtain a 3 or 6 month ED visa πŸ€”. Or maybe if I linger outta country a bit longer before attempting to return , say burn another month going from Malaysia to Vietnam then onto Laos before applying .. πŸ€”
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julian *******
I remember doing a third hop in a year way back , Ranong I believe . Initial rejection smoothed over with the 1000 bht note In my top pocket. .πŸ˜‚.

It Was fun...
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
Fair play to him. In my current situation I'll gladly pay an agent ... I just need in to tidy things up, get the resources stuck there then I'm off . Next stint in country will be my last for a year or two
Julian ********
@David ******
No...in and out visa exemption...border runs
Greg ***********
@Julian *******
you are our HERO πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Joseph *********
Just get a proper visa. Why is this so difficult to understand?
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joseph ********
what's a proper visa.. my next entry will be my last for a very long time. A three month language visa ...?
Nigel ********
@David ******
You've obviously Knowingly taken the p*** out of the immigration system. What do you expect? Good luck though If you turn up you might get a 5 day permit to clear your stuff out and sort any finances out my friends did πŸ™πŸ™
Philip *******
@David ******
get your retirement visa now.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip ******
I'm only 46 ...πŸ˜–
Philip *******
@David ******
then perhaps get the medical visa.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip ******
think that's beyond my current resources with everything stuck in Thai bank and no access to it
Ron ********
@David ******
You dont even have a bank card? What?
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *******
Nope. I don't know what I was thinking , I was so confident nothing would go wrong I took almost nothing with my... Just $300 cash... All cards were left in Chiang Mai. Live n learn eh 🀑
Ron ********
GOOD LUCK is all I can say. As a last resort, go see if an embassy can possibly help you make some kind of progress with your predicament?
Ron ********
@David ******
Do you have a landlord that you trust and has a passkey? Or no GF who has a key? If so, have them send your cards to you via courier. If not, try calling the bank and tell them you are visiting where you are and ya lost your card and ask them to send you a replacement.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *******
When I lost my phone I lost access to all my banking apps .. Seems impossible to get them open on new phone , but I did get revolut operational , no card for it though.

I can send extract cash through sending from the app to others banks, but it's risky, lot of desperate goons here. As you would expect in a flea pit hostal ...πŸ˜‚
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *******
Most of my cards expired now... I keep everything in Bangkok bank and that card never seemed to work . Landlord extremely busy with work and wouldn't want him going in with the state I left the place.
Lynnette *******
@David ******
think he means you should have had a proper visa if you wanted to live in Thailand for a year, as you were not really a tourist.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
long term tourist ... Was actually my intention to return Europe in spring , but I lost 4 front teeth , so I remained to get dental implants done ... Took ages , rip the teeth out , wait 3-4 months to heal , screw in the implants , wait 3-4 months to heal then finally the teeth πŸ˜‚

That's another reason I must get back... I still have to go final dental check that all ok and pay 77,000 bht to them .
Jonathan **********
@David ******
I think DTV is cheapest and best approach. Then you can come back any time for up to 6 months at a time
ElΓ­as ********
@David ******
if there are medical reasons, then try the DTV visa, as there's one for medical treatment.
Helen ********
@David ******
@ElΓ­as *******
has given you great advice, look into the DTV soft power. Get a letter from the dentist for a treatment plan and meet the rest of the qualifications. It's 5 years, multi entry, 180 days per entry. Will you get it? With your history, hard to say so your best best is to apply at an embassy that still does in person so they won't take your $$ right away.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
Savanaket in Laos still walk in... What others are there .?
Helen ********
@David ******
Yangon, but like Laos you need an appointment. Taipei and Jakarta are also in person, no appointment required.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
I would go to Vientiane first , but last time I made appointment online for Vientiane i didn't make it due to an unexpected visit. I forgot to cancel the appointment so I think I'm blocked now from making appointments
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
#metoo ... It was a long time ago now. Last time I tried I could no longer book was blocked. Ain't looked in many months though .. I'll check see if can book now .. Savanaket still walk in a think ..
Helen ********
@David ******
dude seriously πŸ€¦β€β™€οΈ... you are your own worst enemy. Talk to the agent that owns this group, they can let you know the best options and what, if any help, they can give you. Not going to be cheap but really you don't have much choice since it doesn't seem like you'll be able to sort it on your own.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Helen *******
I've been in discussions with them .. I just fear a scenario of flying in and nobody being there .. Getting made to ship back to KL would be unbearable .
Lynnette *******
@David ******
It's not a "visa exempt" situation if you intended being in Thailand a year: which is long term.
Willem ****
A tourist visa or any other visa is still no guarantee that you will be allowed into the country. Ultimately, it is the immigration officer who determines that.
Luit *****************
@Willem ***
No guarantee, but as long as you comply with the rules of the visa, normally there will be no problem.

But when I look around quite a lot of people do not use Thai visa the way they are meant.
Ellen *************
@Willem ***
as is true for any country, but somehow people don’t seem to understand this.
Brandon ************
I don't think it really matters. After spending that much time in Thailand without a long term visa, it's very obvious you're not a tourist. Even if you get a tourist visa, you're likely to be denied entry again.
Steve ******
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So would say a 6 month ed visa be more likely to be accepted ... πŸ€”
Brandon ************
@David ******
Contact the owners of this group Thai Visa Centre. They have an option for VIP entry at an airport where you will pay to make sure you get through immigration.
Nick *******
@Brandon ***********
That is not guaranteed
SJ *******
@Brandon ***********
or you can have $50 USD note in your passport.
Brandon ************
@SJ ******
good luck
SJ *******
@Brandon ***********
works every time.
Brandon ************
@SJ ******
cause the people it didn't work for can't report from prison
SJ *******
@Brandon ***********
lol yeah right a Thai offical knocking back a 50 lol.
Brandon ************
@David ******
There's no such thing as a 6 month ED visa. All ED visas are for 3 months. And ED visas are the most scrutinized visa in Thailand due to how much they were abused. Almost everyone who tries to enter Thailand with an ED visa gets pulled out of line and questioned.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Damn, even a week would do.. all my resources out of reach in Bangkok bank , got a condo to empty and motorbike to put into storage ....
Greg ************
@David ******
you could plead your case to the border agent. I have heard of instances where they will stamp for a week to allow you time to pack and leave. But there are no guarantees.

Also if you’ve been given previous warnings about length of stay, they will be noted in the system so that will go against you.

Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find a β€˜friendly’ border agent (*cough), otherwise you’ll need to enlist the help of friends and transfer your money online.
Didier ********
@David ******
My friend had the same problem. He explained his situation and got 7 days stamp.
Brandon ************
@Didier *******
There is no such thing as a 7 day entry stamp. There's not a single visa in Thailand that gives a 7 day entry stamp. You must be talking about an extension for someone who is already in Thailand, which has nothing to do with this situation.
Maksym ***********
@Brandon ***********
stamp is fully on discretion of immigration officer, and he can stamp any date. Not only
*****
/180
Brandon ************
@Maksym **********
immigration officers absolutely do not have discretion on randomly giving days on an entry stamp. The law states how many days you'll receive or your visa does. The officer can't just decide to give you some random number of days.
Bernie *************
@Maksym **********
so a few thousand bhat to the immigration officer might get you a 180 day exempt then πŸ˜πŸ€”
Henrik *****
Or more than 180 days in Bangkok Hilton.
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