What should I prepare for my return to Thailand with my son, given past travel experience and current visa options?

Question

Hi, quite a complicated one here.

Having left Thailand with my 2 year old son in June i was interviewed quite firmly at the airport, with the childs mum being called and having to photograph and send over documents (even though he was leaving on a British passport), before they would let me on the flight. It was a fairly intense situatiom an they also put a note in his Thai passport that i intended to return in September.

I now intend to return (with my son) in October. Having read Todds sticky im fairly concerned about what will happen at the airport as i did stay in a Thailand on covid extensions from March 2020 until June 2022 to take care of my son.

My original plan for October was to arrive on Visa exempt (45 days), get the obligatory 30 day extension, then get a further 30 days based on having a thai child, giving me a total of 105 days and returning to the UK (with my son) mid January.

My original query was to ask is it acceptable to book our return flights for January or do i need to show that i have an intention to leave within 45 days?

But now im also concerned that (a) they might possibly deny me entry due to previous covid extensions? (b) The note in my sons passport says I will return in September when in fact it will be October.

Will the fact i have my half Thai son with me, help / hinder or have no impact on my entry in to the Kingdom? Is it at all conceivable they could seperate me from my son?

Thanks in advance.
🙏

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is planning to return to Thailand with their son after a previous intense experience at the airport during departure. They worry about potential scrutiny due to their past stay during COVID-19 extensions and a note in the child's Thai passport indicating a previous return date. They ask if booking return flights for January is advisable, and if having a Thai child will impact their entry to Thailand, either positively or negatively. The responses advise on the necessity of a consent letter from the mother, potential visa options for easier entry, and general recommendations to prepare documentation that ensures their reentry and minimizes complications.

Kris ********* · Answer

The problems when leaving are normal. You should have a letter of the mother and a copy of her id card and a copy of the birth certificate mentioning the name of the mother and you. The letter should be in Thai. I had a letter in English and I had issues too.

As for coming back - they want to have you guys coming back (rather sooner than later). Nobody knows for sure, but I think you'll not have problems.

As for coming back - they want to have you guys coming back (rather sooner than later). Nobody knows for sure, but I think you'll not have problems.

Stuart ********** · Answer

You were interviewed because you were taking a Thai person out of the country who is a minor and you are not a Thai person, it's as simple as that. It is nothing to do with your visa. Really the mum should have accompanied you to the airport to help the situation. They would have been worried that you are smuggling a Thai out of the country against the mother's wishes 👍

Willem **** · Answer

You need a consent letter from your wife to travel with your child:  ref Thai embassy in Bern :

1.2) Only one parent travels with the child/ren; please provide

-  An official relationship document, e.g., birth certificate

- consent letter* from the other parent/legal guardian with a copy of his or her passport OR if you have sole custody, you must provide a copy of custody papers OR if the other parent is deceased, you must provide a copy of the death certificate.

Mark ********* · Answer

Might it be because of child protection? Falang father removing child from the country I would expect to be checked.

Robert ******* · Answer

Apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on having Thai child before you make your way into Thailand. No hassle with flights and visa exempt entry.

Get 90 days on entry and apply for the 60 days extension to visit family. Use the visa designed for this situation.

Tod ********* · Answer

Whether you'll get grilled or not comin' back in is something no one on this group can say with any certainty. You might want to look into Fast Track Entry <- offered by several companies (Thai Visa Centre being one)

Doubtful you'll get denied entry with your thai son with you BUT again, it will come down to the officer you're standing in front of to stamp in and I would have the 3 proofs they can ask for just in case

proof of 20K baht or the equivalent in CASH

proof of onward travel in the number of days you'll be stamped in for

proof of lodging

It's about all you can do to minimize the exposure to being denied entry.

Also keep in mind if they wanna hard like you about onward travel they won't care in the least about any extension you can get from your entry, they'll stick to the rule of proof of onward travel within the number of days you'll get stamped in for (45 in your case)

Just so you're clear the extension based on "visiting thai family" is 60 days not 30 SO if you come in visa exempt on a 45 day stamp, take the 30 day extension you could get the 60 day extension and that'd give you 135 days total

What should I prepare for my return to Thailand with my son, given past travel experience and current visa options?

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