What should a Vietnamese citizen do to avoid issues with re-entering Thailand after multiple visa-exempt entries?

Mar 24, 2023
2 years ago
Hoa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello all, i really high appreciate if someone can tell me about my case: im vietnamese and I had 45 day tourist free visa and after that i flu out. This time is 3rd time and at immigration check at airport, the lady told me I will have big trouble if i come back next time. I just think i can come in and out by flight many times as i want but the immigration lady warns me and im worried.

If anyone has the same situation as i did ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a Vietnamese national's concern after being warned by Thai immigration about potential entry issues after multiple visa-exempt visits. Contributors emphasize that repeated entries without a proper visa can lead to immigration scrutiny, advise obtaining an appropriate visa for longer stays, and suggest that entry may depend on various factors such as the port of entry and the immigration officer's discretion. They also discuss the special arrangements for ASEAN citizens and potential problems when crossing from neighboring countries.
Prinze ******
Your entry to Thailand with VISA on Arrival is only accepted 3x in 6 months. If you're a businessman, they would require you to have the multiple entry Visa for the countries safety and your convenience.

If you're travelling to and from Thailand that often, you're not just a regular tourist. And that VISA on arrival is a TOURIST VISA. Therefore they asked you to have a certain VISA that fits your purpose here in Thailand.
Paul *******
Pre-Covid, I observed how Vietnamese and Lao nationals were all being driven through the Phu Nam Ron border crossing between Kanchanaburi and Myanmar, to renew their stamps on an in/out basis. All of them were working illegally in Thailand. Funnily enough one fluent Thai speaking Vietnamese lady pulled out her work documents, which gave me a chuckle, considering she could have been deported and blacklisted for working in Thailand without a work permit.

The reason why she wasn't is simple: corruption. The visa run vans pay a bribe to immigration to allow this to happen, but it could that this service is no longer running in the way it used to.

Not a single Thai national entered the country at that time, it was 95% border runners.
Paul *******
Avoid coming in via Cambodia, as officials there are notorious for giving Vietnamese nationals a hard time. Arriving from Laos is better.
Charles ***********
This is normal. You may have "big trouble" next time, or you may not. Depends on the official. Also depends on the port of entry: Suvarnabhumi is notorious for having strict immigration officials. Don Muang MIGHT be better (not sure), provincial airports like Chiang Mai less strict, land entries even less strict.

By the way, getting a tourist visa is no guarantee of entry. If you want to stay in Thailand long term, you'll be best getting a long term visa.
Jo **********
last year I entered 8 times visa exempt. never had a single question. Most importantly each time i left the country for more than a week.
Hoa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
thank you so much for your information
Marc ********
Go by land border next time. ASEAN citizens usually don't have problems.

Even the limited 2 times per year does not apply to them.
Paul *******
@Marc *******
Not true. Only citizens of countries with which Thailand shares a reciprocal agreement are exempt. This includes Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia but not any of the others.

Vietnamese citizens will face questioning when entering via some Cambodian borders, even if it's their first visit to Thailand.
Marc ********
@Paul ******
I didn't say he will not face any questions.

I said (as far as I know at least) "the only 2 land border crossing a year" will not apply to him.

I know Cambodians they cross the border to Thailand many many times a year without any problems. I assumed it will be simular for Vietnamese citizens
Stuart *********
Listen to the immigration lady. She’s telling you your history of entering Thailand with no visa is wearing thin. Although Vietnam has a special arrangement with Thailand for entries that doesn’t mean as a Vietnam citizen you can enter any time or as many times you want.

At some point (and by the sounds of it on your next attempt) they may deny you entry.

Get a visa that fits the purpose of your intended visit to Thailand.
Phil ********
@Stuart ********
The warnings are placed into the computer file of the individual;

it'll be up to the next officer; however, innit?
Stephen ********
🎣🎣🎣
Alex *******
How long did you stay outside Thailand between your different entries?
Hoa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alex ******
just 1 or 2 days
Hoa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I know now 😋
Alex *******
@Hoa ********
That is why😉
Abbie ********
This happened to us a couple of days ago! We were pulled to one side and they said we had to book a flight back home otherwise we couldn't come back into Thailand, we are now in the process of getting our visas, if you are planning on staying in thailand for longer I would advise you to get a visa too
Alex *******
@Abbie *******
How long did you stay in Thailand before this happened?
Abbie ********
@Alex ******
came to Thailand in 2022 then went back to the UK for nearly 2 months came back to Thailand in January did a 30 day visa extension then went to visa bounce but wouldn't let us back in
Hoa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Abbie *******
i know. I also do visa now
Brandon ************
No country in the world will let you come in and out as many times as you want. Your permission to enter Thailand is at the discretion of the immigration officers. They are telling you that you have spent too much time in Thailand on visa exempt entry, and you either need to get a visa or stay home for a long time before returning.
Phil ********
Phil ********
@Jo *********
Don't be like what, mate?

So you entered visa exempt & stayed 8 x 30 or 45 days with or without 1,900 extensions?

Fair play if you did.

Good job. Well done. 👍

Were I truly trying to put fear in the heart of plonkers who don't have their proper visas sorted, I'd have posted this video:

555 ครับ 🙃

YMMV

TIT

Cheers 🍺

*****************************
Jo **********
@Phil *******
yes ok you make a fair point.
Phil ********
This could be you:

****************************
Jo **********
@Phil *******
don’t be like that. putting uneasy fear in the OP’s mind. The guy in the video is not telling the whole story. much more going on than too many entries
Phil ********
@Jo *********
Beyond that, unfortunately not all citizenships are treated equally anywhere in the world, innit?

Bi-lateral agreements, visa exempt, VOA & such...

horses for courses, mate.

Cheers 🍺
Jo **********
@Phil *******
yeah and I think that guy in the video is not telling the whole story
Phil ********
@Jo *********
Jo Clemente

Nobody does, innit? 🙃

agree with that, mate.

He was also allegedly wearing flip flops, a Singha tank top, & pissed to the gils

(allegedly)

555 ครับ 🙃
Jo **********
@Phil *******
lol that’s great and probably true LOL
Hoa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
i think vietnam you can
Brandon ************
@Hoa ********
I had to apply for a visa to go to Vietnam and they only provided 2 weeks. Definitely not allowed to go as long as I want
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