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What options does a traveler have if denied entry to Thailand on a METV?

METVThailand VisaTravel DenialImmigrationBorder Entry IssuesVisa RulesSuspicion of WorkProof of Funds
Aug 6, 2019
5 years ago
Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello All,

My friend just came to Thailand for a second time on a METV and got rejected at Suvarnabhumi. First time was also METV. There was a 3 month gap between the visits.

What are his options besides going back? Flying to Laos and trying to enter via land? Something else?

Please do not suggest getting a visa fit for the purpose of visit, as he already did that - just visiting for vacation.

He's now dealing with immigration so a quick response would be appreciated.

Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a traveler who was denied entry to Thailand on a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) after a second visit. Despite having a gap between visits, the traveler faced issues related to insufficient funds. Comments suggest options such as flying to a neighboring country like Laos or Malaysia to attempt re-entry by land. The discussion highlights the ambiguity in immigration decisions, including the role of proof of funds and how some travelers have successfully appealed similar situations. Additional insights reveal that sometimes immigration decisions may be arbitrary, leading to situations where travelers, despite having the necessary visa, are not allowed entry.
Tod *********
Okay, Looks like he got in.

So this topic is closed..
5 years ago
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James ********
And a mistake is what it seemed to be considering he held a METV
5 years ago
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Brent *******
They let him go! He was already in the cell until thursday waiting for his flight. Lady who guided him out of the cell said she has never seen Immigration to reverse like that. Keeping in mind that his girls family has called in so that might have helped but who knows maybe they noticed their mistake.
5 years ago
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Thomas ********************
Oh ok. Thanks!
5 years ago
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Brent *******
@Thomas *******************
 Lady that showed him the way out of the cell and back to the immigration
5 years ago
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Thomas ********************
"Lady who guided him"? Sorry what does that mean?
5 years ago
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Thomas ********************
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Tod *********
At the posters request this topic is re-opened to update people on what happened
5 years ago
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Thomas ********************
And congratz to him, of course :)
5 years ago
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Thomas ********************
Wow! That would be interesting to know more about.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
After all seemed lost, he was released. Someone had the the right connections.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
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Tod *********
I can't see this thread going anywhere other than down hill,

Good Luck to your friend, hope it works out

IF you get more information
@Rolandas *********
 and want to update the thread message a moderator and we'll open it up
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
They should not issue the visa if they cannot honor it.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Due to bureaucracy.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 I understand that. They do have all information available when they issue the visa so they could deny it to avoid all of this nonsense. Why an innocent person has to be in jail?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
Okay lets understand that a VISA doesn't mean you get automatically IN to the country. It means IF they let you in you get stamped in for a specific number of days only.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
He's in immigration jail now. They're forcing him to buy a ticket back to Europe. Soonest is on Thursday.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your help. I'll let you know the end result.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
According to the stamp, it's lack of funds and suspicion of working here. Both invalid.
5 years ago
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George *******
@Rolandas *********
 is there any other reason he was told that he was denied other than lack of funds?
5 years ago
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George *******
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Or just refuse and hope they let you leave?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
if you appeal the denial it takes 3 days (minimum 72 hours and you stay in lock up the whole time)

It doesn't matter if he signs the form or not, he's denied entry and has to go
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The only other option is to appeal?
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Should he sign the form?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
I would suggest if your friend CAN go to a nearby country he could certainly get in by land. Most people that are denied entry end up doing that and get in without a problem at a land crossing.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
This is the first denial of entry on a 6 month METV I've heard about since they started issuing these visas back on Nov 2015 :/ I have never heard of anyone getting denied on it
5 years ago
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Glen *********
@Tod ********
 I have been questioned twice on METV last year, as they were concerned i was not a genuine tourist...it was touch and go...so im not surprised at all

Thankfully I turn 50 in a couple of weeks...OA from then
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 So true
5 years ago
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Tod *********
James Siegel I think it just comes down to the mood of the immigration officer you get when you get to the passport control desk. There seems to be no rhyme or reason on why some people skate right in, other people get questioned and some just get flat out denied entry. (or at least I can't find an rhyme or reason). :(
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Matt *******
He didn't have 20,000 Baht cash to show them so he was denied under Section 12 (2) Insufficient funds. He can buy a ticket using Ukraine Airlines to wherever he wants to go from here. If he wants to enter Thailand, you can try Laos, but I don't think there is a flight from BKK-Laos on Ukraine Airlines. So you probably need to fly back to Ukraine from BKK, then fly to Laos then enter Thailand through the land border.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Matt ******
 that's because they can't deny you for too much time IN thailand in a period of time because there is NO RULE that states a limit to the amount of time you can spend here on a visa exempt or tourist visas during a specific period of time.

They quote 6 months in a year BUT there is no rule stating it anywhere. That's why you're denied for #2 no way to live, #3 coming to work illegally or #9 no proof of funds.
5 years ago
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Matt *******
That is currently the big mystery. People actually having the 20k baht cash on them but yet the IO doesn't give the opportunity for you to show it but then denies entry based on other assumptions and stamps "Not enough funds" as the reason even though they never asked to see it 😞
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Rolandas *********
 he wasn't asked to show proof of funds ;)
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Which is not true
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Stamp he got:
5 years ago
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Tod *********
James Siegel ridiculous or not, he was not let into the country and it is gonna totally be up to Ukraine Air on where he goes back to.
5 years ago
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James ********
20'000thb rule
5 years ago
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Tod *********
he was denied under #2 no funds and #3 suspected of coming here to work
5 years ago
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Tod *********
here's the reasons you can be denied
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
Showing proof of funds when you BUY a visa at a thai consulate and being asked for proof of funds when you stamp into the country are two totally different things entirely and have nothing to do with one another.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Could you please approve my friend's request to join? His name is
@Justinas *************
5 years ago
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Ed ********
Rolandas Pumputis they do I’ve seen them doing it
5 years ago
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Amir *******
James Siegel i agree to that, also ... trying to speak thai with officer might grant you a denial of entry ... there is something else the OP not clearing regarding his friend denial of entering the kingdom ...!
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
James Siegel Doubt they checked it on the spot.
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
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Tod *********
Okay, showing proof of funds when you BUY a visa has NOTHING to do with showing proof of funds when you stamp IN to thailand. They are two totally different things.

That he wasn't ask leads me to believe he will be denied entry under clause 2 or clause 9 Wait until he goes to leave the country and have him post the denial of entry stamp
5 years ago
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Nigel **************
I thought u could do two METV back to back = total 6 months
5 years ago
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Nigel **************
James Siegel thks. Think I am mixing it up with SETV
5 years ago
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Nigel **************
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Tod *********
Remember immigration doesn't care where you go when you're denied entry it is the air carrier that brought you here that controls where you have to go to. Some let you to anywhere they fly, some make you go back to where you came from and some send you back to country of passport origin.. :(
5 years ago
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Tod *********
he can certainly go to a neighboring country and enter by land. His visa is still valid he wasn't banned he was only denied entry.

I would say Lao or Malaysia and then enter by land
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Rolandas *********
 they only gave him a denial of entry they did NOT void his visa and he is not banned.
5 years ago
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James ********
@Rolandas *********
 What did they stamp it with?
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Even when they stamped his passport?
5 years ago
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Rolandas **********
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