Just got pulled to interrogation at BKK airport with a Russian 1st timer who made mistake of writing he was staying 90 days. Russian eventually got stamped for 30 or 60 not sure.
I have been in and out of thailand for 2-3 at a time on both sides with only Visa Exemption Airport Stamps. I was 100% honest and when he asked me why I came I blurted out, "to visit my girlfriend". Bad Answer I guess.
I had piles of cash on me +8k usd, a return flight to America, a phone number(thai) and an address. He asked what I was doing in Thailand and if I knew what kind of visa I was using. I explained I had been only staying 2-3 weeks at a time and leaving for 2-3 weeks(always coming back to thailand). That I was a Poker professional and travel to Macau, Manila, ect to play poker and then hang out in Thailand inbetween. He pulled over 2 other people either excited or disbelieving that I was a poker professional and asked for pictures. Scrambled and managed to find a picture of me winning a tournament for $5k last summer.
Wasn't too impressed and I explained I had just worked my ass off for 4 days in Manila and now it was time to relax in Bangkok. That did the trick for some reason or he was just bored.
For people with similar strategy:
1. How often do you get pulled?
2. Do they record that they pulled you and make it harder in future?
3. Was I lucky to get through or was it fairly standard?
4.He didn't give me the typical,"This is the last time warning, get a visa next time" But he did question me my plans after spend a month in Las Vegas playing the World Series of Poker. Is Visa necessary now?
5. Was "visiting girlfriend" a bad answer and what is better?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A traveler experienced an interrogation at BKK airport about his frequent visits to Thailand, where he only utilized visa exemption stamps. He was questioned about his purpose of visit, having a girlfriend in Thailand, and was eventually allowed entry. He inquired about the frequency with which travelers get pulled over, if such interactions affect future entries, and whether disclosing he was visiting his girlfriend was an inappropriate response. Fellow users shared their experiences, advice on handling such situations, recommended visas, and insights on immigration procedures.
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