Answered7 years ago

What should expats know about using the Padang Besar border to enter Thailand from Malaysia?

Padang Besar border Sadao border Thailand immigration visa issues tourist visa entry restrictions

asked Aug 14, 2019

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A word of warning to all: avoid the Padang Besar border with Malaysia. I was turned down for no good, sound reason (made up inconsistent requirements about cash currency  and paper-printed hotel bookings). The officer was rude and unreasonable and I was given an expulsion slip! Went to the Sadao border and granted entry. However, I can confirm that an instant u-turn re-entry is impossible at both. The friendly Sadao officer who let me in after one night in Malaysia recommended minimum 3 nights in Malaysia and said Laos is still the best option. That being said, two older guys I met in Malaysia (with perhaps more back-to-back visas) were denied entry at Sadao as well based on an entry cancellation stamp stamped at Padang Besar. Avoid PB at all costs, they are extremely unfriendly towards white / western foreigners.

Answer summary

A user shares a cautionary tale about their negative experience at the Padang Besar border when attempting to enter Thailand from Malaysia. They were turned away for unclear reasons, received an expulsion slip, and had better luck at the Sadao border, where they were granted entry after a night in Malaysia. The user advises avoiding Padang Besar due to unfriendly treatment towards western foreigners and notes that re-entry is difficult at both borders.

11 repliesnewest first

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Tan ************

Seems to be an ongoing agenda to kick long stayers on tourists visa out.

Unfortunate

7 years ago

Carsten *********

@John *************

I'm 44 and retired so no other option than tourist visa for another 5-6 years :(

7 years ago

Tom *****************

In my case, a total of less than 150 days in 4 years, all exemptions, many entries , often short. But not throughout the year as I don't live or work in TH

7 years ago

Tan ************

John Coby Davies sounds like they are classified as working tourists" who are avoiding all possible kind of taxation.

That's illegal.

Obviously

Black sheep amongst the fine group of long time tourists.

7 years ago

Tan ************

I happen to know a guy who is a tourist for last six years.

Don't ask me who.

Yes. Always a tourists

No TM30 BS

No Visa BS

No immigration issues because he avoid BKK at all cost.

7 years ago

Tan ************

Garrett Greenwald

Tourists

7 years ago

John ********

@Tan ***********

I guess we should define "long stay." I constantly hear bitching on the internet of people wanting to live here permanently, some retired, not really identifying as "tourists," maybe even has a bar or a dive shop, but trying to string along the government with back-to-back tourist visas. That day is quickly coming to an end. Interestingly, these are the ones who yell and complain the loudest.

Are we talking about the same kind of scam?

7 years ago

Tan ************

Oops realized this is the GOOD Facebook group that doesn't block comments after an hour.

Apologies. This group is good.

7 years ago

Tan ************

@John *************

your wild thoughts without official document from any govt authority is also known as speculation.

There are many tourists who stayed long. They are not affected and deemed appropriate.

It's only certain moderators in this Facebook group that make such statements.

They are not the authorities too.

So , we should not spread such falsehood or fake news

7 years ago

John ********

James Siegel Daily practice and procedures by immigration employees is what counts here. Not an “official rule.” Are you new to Thailand?

Reasons for long stay: retirement, education employment, and family are the main ones. I believe there’s a visa for each of those scenarios.

If you try getting a tourist visa for any of those above reasons, forget it and watch your back.

7 years ago

John ********

@Tan ***********

Could that possibly be because....tourist visas aren’t appropriate for long stayers?

Just a wild thought.

7 years ago