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What should I consider when trying to re-enter Thailand after being denied entry on a tourist visa?

Thailand visa rulestourist visaentry denialvisa run vs. border bounceThai immigration policyproper visa applicationvisa exemptionvisa extensionSongkranexpat advice
Dec 28, 2024
a month ago
Gregory *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This seems more like a depends on the situation question, but in the middle of November I was denied coming back into Thailand after a flight to Vietnam over the weekend for a visa run. Too many times coming in and out under the tourist visa apparently 🙄

Anyway, they didn't really give me any confirmation on what the result would be for my next entry, and my expectation is to try again in March to set myself up for Songkran. Does anyone have any experience like this or could provide guidance?

My main issue is if I fly to Thailand from the US, apparently they have to send you back to the country you came from which would be an expensive, long flight back. So I'm trying to avoid that situation. I might fly to the Philippines first, but like I said just checking if anyone has some insight. Thanks 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience of being denied re-entry to Thailand after a weekend trip to Vietnam for a visa run, stating concerns over being sent back if they attempt to fly directly from the US again. Many commenters advised them to obtain a proper visa instead of relying on visa exemptions, highlighting that repeated entries under the tourist visa can lead to problems at immigration. Recommendations included applying for a tourist visa from the Thai embassy in the US or considering a neighboring country as a stop before crossing into Thailand.
Bill ********
Get a visa......
a month ago
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Rod *********
Stop trying to take short cuts and get the appropriate visa
a month ago
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Tracey ********
Simple go get a proper visa. Save having to worry.
a month ago
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Steven ******
Was it a tourist visa or a visa exemption? A flight via another, closer country that you wouldn't mind spending some time in may not be a bad idea but if you apply for and have the correct visa for the reason for your visit everything should be fine.
a month ago
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Ben *****
Why not the DTV, you're set for 5 years pretty much.
a month ago
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David ***********
If they think you are a tourist they can refuse you anytime. All depends on the officer you see.
a month ago
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Tim *********
just get a visa 🙄
a month ago
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Pertti *************
You're not wanted person now. Get proper visa in future🙏💵
a month ago
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Greta *****
You are what they call 'Persona non grata'
a month ago
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Greta *****
How about get the APPROPRIATE visa to get in and out as much as you like?
a month ago
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Alexandra *******
apply for the METV, it's an E Visa that you can get online from the states 👍🏼 it's good for 6 months, but you can stretch it to 9 months 🤩
a month ago
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Piotr *************
How many times did you go in and out by the way?
a month ago
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Ian *********
Apply for a visa before you go
a month ago
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Warren ******
Just get a visa theres so many available now. I did the 6 month one which u could string out to 9 months
a month ago
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Philippe *********
@Warren *****
 which one is this?
a month ago
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Warren ******
@Philippe ********
 6 month one. U can do 2 months in each stay and extend by 30 days so ass up to 3 x 90 day stays it says worrying about getting straight back in. This was before all the new visas though maybe u can extend it longer
a month ago
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Warren ******
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Nongnuch ********
Gregory Phillip . . . .you didn't do any "visa runs". What you were doing are called "border runs" and you tried to enter visa-exempt just too many times within a year. You were not "abusing the visa system", you were abusing the visa-exempt system. A "visa run" means you travel to another country to apply for a visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in this country. That's NOT what you did. . . . . . . . . That said, get a proper tourist visa in the States before you fly to Thailand in March. Apply for either the single entry 60-days tourist visa, or for the 6-months multi entry tourist visa
a month ago
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Floyd **********
They want you to get a proper visa now before you enter. So just get a proper visa before you arrive. (*Not the visa exemption you get on arrival) and you will be enjoying Songkran without any worries. 👍🙏
a month ago
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Todd *********
You went to Vietnam for a visa run. Were you issued a visa at the Thai Embassy there? It doesn't sound like you are even clear about what you are doing
a month ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Todd ********
 it is just bad wording, the usual confusion. He didn't do a visa run, he did a border run including one week in Vietnam. He didn't "abuse the visa system", he abused the visa-exempt system
a month ago
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Todd *********
@Nongnuch *******
 it’s seems highly likely, yes. And I tend to look it more as ‘using’ the available system, rather than ‘abusing’ it. He was denied entry at some point. But had to be aware it was likely coming
a month ago
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Todd *********
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Paul ***********
If you get denied entry.. They will send you back whence you came 👍
a month ago
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Sherry *****
Get a new passport.
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Sherry ****
 and new fingerprints etc.?
a month ago
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Sherry *****
@Graham *****
 yes, I thought my comment ridiculous, until I actually did it and it worked for me. But, ppl believe what they want to believe. I am not here to change the world.
a month ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Sherry ****
 it may have worked 20 years ago, but since you need to give them your fingerprints at the borders, these days of new passports deleting your old sins, are definitely over
a month ago
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Sherry *****
@Nongnuch *******
 it happened six months ago.
a month ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Sherry ****
 well okay, but then you weren't compromised in no way, you were legal, regarding your entry history . . we are talking about people having gotten "flagged"
a month ago
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Sherry *****
@Nongnuch *******
 well I was kicked out of the country. Of course I was flagged. Why else would I make this comment. Something wrong with you. Do not reply.
a month ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Sherry ****
 a new passport will NOT help. Your personal details are in the central computer. You just can't make it obsolete by trying to enter with a new passport. STOP SPREADING wrong info
a month ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Sherry ****
 did you work as a teacher illegally? Som Nam Na they say in Thailand
a month ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Nongnuch ********
@Sherry ****
 a new passport won't cut any ice. He got flagged in the Immigration's central computer system under his name, birthdate and fingerprints. It would pop up even if he had a new passport
a month ago
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Sherry *****
@Nongnuch *******
 if you say so....
a month ago
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Brett *****
@Sherry ****
 he say facts
a month ago
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Brett *****
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Brett *****
Get proper visa stop abusing the system
a month ago
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Greta *****
@Brett ****
 EXACTLY 💯
a month ago
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Greta *****
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Lyndon ************
Fly to neighboring country, cross into Thailand at a land crossing
a month ago
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Rosa **************
@Lyndon ***********
 that is call illegal entry!
a month ago
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Lyndon ************
@Rosa *************
 no, it's an entry by land. Nothing illegal at all.
a month ago
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Lyndon ************
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Charlie *********
The man is asking for advice/experiences for his situation, not your assumptions and judgements. There is something very wrong with a lot of you. Gregory, good luck.
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Charlie ********
 Nobody is assuming anything as the OP states he has already been denied entry
a month ago
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Ruud ******************
@Charlie ********
 stupid answer, only the IO can tell you when you are at the airport
a month ago
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Charlie *********
@Ruud *****************
 Then that’s the answer, not giving him crap for asking.
a month ago
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Charlie *********
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Kool *******
As long as you have a legitimate return airplane ticket, and not a fake one bought from a website, you'll be fine in March.
a month ago
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Rene ******
Which airport did you fly in? BKK is difficult, at CNX they might be more lenient
a month ago
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Paul ***********
@Rene *****
 won't really matter now... He is flagged in the system 👍... As soon as an IO puts his pp in the computer it will come up
a month ago
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Todd *********
@Paul **********
 that also doesn’t matter. Some ignore it. Or get fasttrack entry pre-arranged to ensure clean entry
a month ago
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Rene ******
@Todd ********
 sb got refused in koh phangan for an extension bc a flag. Got extension in samui without problem. So also "being flagged" and the follow up is at the discretion of the officer/office apparently🤷‍♂️
a month ago
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Rene ******
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Mac ******
What you’re doing is likely seen as abusing the visa system, which is why you were denied entry. Immigration is cracking down on this—it’s hard for everyone, not just you. Why should you be an exception? Get the proper visa if you plan to stay long-term, or you risk being sent back again.
a month ago
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Bonnie *******
@Mac *****
 it's a messed up system. We don't want to stay long term. We want to come and go many times between Malaysia Thailand and Cambodia. They force us to stay longer in the country to avoid coming in and out too many times.
a month ago
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John ********
@Bonnie ******
 why is it messed up? Visa exempt is for occassional holidays for people. They assume those using it are taking a one to six week holiday from work, as the vast majority of tourists do. If you are lucky enough to have more time because you are traveling or retired then there are visas you can obtain to suit your circumstances. In your case a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa. For me as a UK citizen Thailand's visa system is far easier for me than the UK's is for a Thai.
a month ago
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Bonnie *******
@John *******
 a 6 month visa should be for someone that wants to stay for several months not for someone that wants to come up and down between countries. If you get a 6 month you have to pay for the visa instead of coming in for free and you have to pay a reentry fee to come back into the country. Even if you were only here for 6 weeks they would ding you for going in and out. That's messed up
a month ago
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John ********
@Bonnie ******
 there is no re-entry fee, and if you are in thailand for only a few weeks over say a two month time and have a return ticket it is highly highly unlikely that you will be refused entry. Why can you not be grateful and, more importantly happy, that you have opportunities that most of the world only dream about. Go holiday in Gaza and then tell us you having to pay a few dollars for a visa is messed up
a month ago
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Cissi *********
@Bonnie ******
 you are a bit wrong there... with a multientry touristvisa you can come and go as you please during a 6 month period. Yes there is a fee to obtain the visa, but there are no reentry fees - it's multientry!

Also, if you are a genuine tourist, staying a week or so in various countries, returning to Thailand several times - immigration are unlikely to "ding you". They are cracking down on people doing border bounces, entering time and time again on visa exemptions = people that are trying to live/stay longterm in Thailand without having a visa at all!
a month ago
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Cissi *********
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Charlie *********
@Mac *****
 Did he say anything about wanting to be an exception? No.
a month ago
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Galen ****************
There should be no one person being able to make a decision if a foreigner can enter visa exempt or not. Why can't they just put it in black and white saying you can enter visa exempt X amount of time in a given period, regardless if you are a tourist, possibly planning to stay long term or any other status. Cut and dry, no questions asked. Too easy, but they won't do it, will they? Think about it, there is a reason for that.
a month ago
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Mac ******
@Charlie ********
 Yes, he clearly implies it when he mentions planning to ‘try again in March to set himself up for Songkran.’ That suggests he believes his situation is different enough to warrant a different outcome, despite immigration already denying him entry for abusing the visa system. Expecting a different result without addressing the root issue—frequent visa runs—is essentially asking for an exception.
a month ago
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Charlie *********
@Mac *****
 Sour grapes, that’s all.
a month ago
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Mac ******
@Charlie ********
 Says the troll. I can only conclude that you’ve been denied entry before.
a month ago
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Charlie *********
@Mac *****
 🙄 Nope. I’m pretty-much by-the-book. But I don’t judge others who aren’t.
a month ago
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Mac ******
@Charlie ********
 And yet here you are, judging those who judge.
a month ago
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Charlie *********
@Mac *****
 lmao, you got me there. I can live with it.
a month ago
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Charlie *********
Thanks, you made me lol.
a month ago
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Charlie *********
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John **********
Nobody can answer your question other than the immigration officer you will stand in front of at the time of entry.
a month ago
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David *******
Apply for a visa from thai embassy in the us
a month ago
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Ruud ******************
If you want to avoid problems, get a proper visa. Problem solved
a month ago
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Roberto *********
Was the Vietnam trip a VISA RUN or just a BORDER BOUNCE? If a visa run it's highly unlikely you'd be denied
a month ago
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Bob **********
@Roberto ********
 visa run you buy a visa a border bounce you come back exempt stamp no visa free entry
a month ago
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Bob **********
Yes you can extend for 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht
a month ago
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Roberto *********
@Bob *********
 Talking to the wrong person. I already know the difference. I was asking the OP what he was doing. Read more carefully next time! 😂😂😂
a month ago
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Derek *******
@Roberto ********
 I still don’t get this. Can we get some remedial help in here? Ha ha ha. What is the difference between getting a 90 day Visa exemption on arrival from a Western country and going to some other country and going through some sort of visa application process? It’s not the same thing?
a month ago
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Lynnette *******
@Derek ******
 how is entering with NO VISA ( nada/zero/zilch ) the same as entering WITH a a real physical visa paid for at an embassy?
a month ago
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Derek *******
Lynnette Munoz I don’t know. That was my whole question. It is exactly the same. You show up with no visa, you get 60 days, you can push it to 90. If you go through all the trouble of going to some embassy and getting a visa, it’s not necessary, and you still get the same amount of time. So what’s the difference? Tony Morgan explained it well, but there’s no actual difference in your experience
a month ago
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Roberto *********
@Derek ******
 No such thing as a 90 day visa exemption
a month ago
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Derek *******
@Roberto ********
 I thought you can get the exemption and then push it out to 90 days? That’s what I see all over every Thailand group.
a month ago
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Tony ********
@Derek ******
 if you have a visa, when you arrive at passport control, technically your saying 'i've been given permission by your foreign office to enter the country, if everything is OK, can I enter'?

While a visa exemption is saying ' please can you check if i am able to enter the country'.

With a visa the majority of the IM's job is done for them, and its pretty much just a stamping exercise. Without a visa your 100% in the hands of the IM to look at your travel history and for them to decide wether you fit the tourist criteria.
a month ago
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Derek *******
@Tony *******
 thank you! That was never really clear to me before. I’m about to arrive on a tourist exemption. My second time in Thailand with a year in between.
a month ago
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Bob **********
@Roberto ********
 you got tooooo much time on your hands
a month ago
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Roberto *********
@Bob *********
 Here you go.😂😂😂
a month ago
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Bob **********
@Roberto ********
 like I said to much time got outside enjoy yourself
a month ago
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Roberto *********
@Bob *********
 You obviously don't because you can't even read the posts properly! 😂😂😂
a month ago
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Roberto *********
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Michael **********
@Roberto ********
Aren't those the same thing?
a month ago
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Roberto *********
@Michael *********
 Far from the same thing. See
@Jeffrey ********
 post above. He describes the difference perfectly
a month ago
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Michael **********
@Roberto ********
Ok thank you....
a month ago
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Michael **********
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Elías ********
@Roberto ********
 what's the difference between each?
a month ago
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Jeffrey *********
@Elías *******
 A visa run is where you go to another country and apply for a visa at a Thai embassy or consulate, while a border bounce is where you set foot in the other country and then come back to Thailand to get a visa exemption on arrival. In the first case you have an actual visa in your passport; in the second case, you don't.
a month ago
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David ***********
@Jeffrey ********
 it seems getting there are three possibilities after the initial visa exemption and possible extension.

1. Border bounce where you leave and enter same day.

2. Leave and return a few days later

3. Obtain a visa.

1 and 2 soley down to the IO and your previous history.
a month ago
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Graham ******
@David **********
 and 3 if it's a Tourist Visa
a month ago
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Elías ********
@Jeffrey ********
 Thanks
a month ago
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Elías ********
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