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Answered3 years ago

Why are questions about entry experiences at Thai airports deemed unhelpful?

Tod *********
asked Sep 12, 2023
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ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS;

There's a reason we don't do posts like "what airport is easy entry", "what consulate is easy for xxx visa" "what land border is soft touch", or "will I get in". .. ... :(

That's because those posts are about as worthless as tits on a tomcat as far as really helping anyone..

Unless someone has the same nationality, same entry/stay history, AND gets the same immigration officer when you stamp in it's anyone's guess how it will go for YOU when you stamp in (that goes for airports and land entry)

AND

It's the same thing at consulates getting visas. They look at entry/stay history, nationality, the way you meet the requirements, etc.

With that being said as far as AIR ENTRY, if you have an extensive entry/stay history AVOID Suvarnabhumi / Don Mueang <- especially if you've been living here on back to back free 30 day stamps/extensions and or have a b/s ED visa or equally b/s Volunteer visa in your passport (even if it's cancelled and you're not entering on it).

Those two airports deny HUNDREDS of people a week and ship them back to where they just flew in from and/or back to the country of passport origin (if they think it's time for you to go home :O )

It is not that we don't want to be helpful, it's that we want to give you accurate info and those "How is xxx" questions can't be answered accurately AT ALL.
Answer summary
This post expresses frustration with common questions regarding entry experiences into Thailand, particularly about specific airports and consulates. The author emphasizes that responses to inquiries like 'which airport is easiest for entry' are often inaccurate due to individual circumstances such as nationality and prior immigration history. Specific airports, namely Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, are noted for frequently denying entry to individuals with certain travel histories. The author and other community members encourage seeking accurate information rather than anecdotal experiences.
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Ellie *******
Ellie *******
Just FYI.

What we are aware of is there are 8 major airports in Thailand that have regular international direct flights currently. (as explained already, we are not going into detail for each airport)

Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), Hat Yai (HDY), Krabi (KBV), U-Tapao (UTP), Samui (USM)
Ellie *******
Ellie *******
More unrelated additional information.

With connecting flights, You will go through passport control (immigration) at the first arrival airport to Thailand even if you have connecting tickets (<- most cases it'd be one of the airports in Bangkok). Then you will clear customs at the airport of your final destination in Thailand.

You have to fly in by direct flight to those airports if you want to avoid passport control at BKK or DMK.
Jeff ******
Jeff ******
Any suggested alternatives to bkk and dmk?
James ********
James ********
@Jeff *****
don't use Phuket either. Recent reports of DENIED ENTRY there too.

Try Chiang Mai and Good Luck 🍀

Land BORDER crossing entries into Thailand are safest if eligible.
James ********
James ********
This reply from Ellie is Spot On...

Just FYI.

What we are aware of is there are 8 major airports in Thailand that have regular international direct flights currently. (as explained already, we are not going into detail for each airport)

Suvarnabhumi (BKK), Don Mueang (DMK), Phuket (HKT), Chiang Mai (CNX), Hat Yai (HDY), Krabi (KBV), U-Tapao (UTP), Samui (USM)

UTP is Pattaya.
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
@Jeff *****
all you can do is have the 3 proofs

onward travel within the number of days you get stamped in for

20K baht or the equivalent in CASH

confirmed lodging

if they're going to hassle you about entry those are the things they're gonna home in on before they deny you ..

Did you miss the part in this thread where I said we don't DO "where can I get in" posts or questions?
Jeff ******
Jeff ******
@Tod ********
or maybe you were just referring to air entry as a general term. I have not tried leaving and coming back by land, so maybe you were referring to doing that instead of flying 😄
Jeff ******
Jeff ******
@Tod ********
I was mainly asking if there were any other airports I may not know of. I always fly into BKK when I travel into Thailand and I have used DMK for travel within the kingdom.

The post said that these two airports are not good for people who have stayed for long periods of time. I was wondering if there was another airport I didn't know about where people can possibly get in and out.
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
@Jeff *****
I think there are 6 or 7 airports here that have international flights.
Dylan *********
Dylan *********
@Tod ********
what about using fast track services at the airport?

And if youre not using fast track, you think its safer to enter via Phuket airport instead of dmk/bkk, and then flying from phuket to Bangkok the next day?
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
@Dylan ********
might work, Phuket started denying people with extensive entry/stay histories too though.. It's a crap shoot and that's why we don't let posts on ASKING what's a soft touch airport, or how to get in 😛
Amin ***********
Amin ***********
“Those two airports deny HUNDREDS of people a week and ship them back to where they just flew in from and/or back to the country of passport origin”

So they don’t give you a chance to book a flight to a neighboring country? I thought maybe they would just deport you to a country where you CAN legally enter but it seems I’m wrong.
Darren *******
Darren *******
Glad it worked out for you. I really don't like that the decision seems to be dependent on which officer you get and what kind of a mood they're in that day, it shouldn't be like this, it isn't right
Darren *******
Darren *******
Amin Eftegarie I spent 7.5 months here during the pandemic, then went back home for 3 months, then I tried to come back again visa exempt, this was the mistake, lady said I should of applied for a visa first before coming. Then she said that I've already spent too much time in Thailand and that I need to stay out of the country for at least 6 months first before coming back. It's understandable but what made me the most mad was that I wasn't allowed to choose which country I could go to and instead, she threatens detention center on me and forces me back home. Lady was letting her power go to her head. I can't remember a time where I was fuming more on the inside than I was during all this.
Amin ***********
Amin ***********
@Darren ******
Wow! Insightful story. I’ve been in a similar situation whereby I entered visa exempt but the immigration lady told me I should’ve gotten a tourist visa. Luckily I was still allowed in after 15 min of her questioning me.
Nigel **************
Nigel **************
Keep up the terrific work n advice all you moderators here. You are a collective wealth of helpful accurate knowledge. Thanks.
Michael ********
Michael ********
If only people realized this.... See so many comments like that. Well I never had an issue, i've been doing it for years......Everyone's time will come if they try to stay in Thailand long term as a 'Tourist'.
Troy *******
Troy *******
I came in on a new passport had 0 issues through bkk history is in the system for 3 years and I have a lot of stamps since 2021 in there. Officer didn't even ask any questions
Tod *********
Tod *********
OP
@Troy ******
which while anecdotally interesting has zero to do with this thread 🙁 believe me your entire entry history going back close to 15+ years is available to ANY officer at passport control when you stamp in as soon as they scan your passport even if you got a new one, even if you entered on a passport from a different country.

Congrats on getting in believe me it's a numbers game and when your number is up you'll know it 😛 meaning you can get in fin until you can't 😮
Ian *********
Ian *********
Sooo true!! Different Immigration Officers interpret rules differently too. There is always an element of luck who you get
Andy ********
Andy ********
@Ian ********
I don't think that they are interperating the rules differently. I think they are evaluateing what is in front of them differently. By that I mean how is that person presenting? What is the previous entry and exit history? A whole host of things to evaluate if the reason they are wanting to enter, is genuine.

This isn't just true of Thailand it is true of most if not all countries.
Rene ******
Rene ******
It also seems like immigration staff at local offices get shuffled every few months, so even when you think you know everyone in the office, you probably won't soon enough.
Cliff *********
Cliff *********
Thank you for setting "them" straight.

Unfortunately, "they don’t seem to look at any previous postings……
Rob **********
Rob **********
Good advice. It’s not always a good idea to hunt for ways to avoid the system. 🙏.
Tong *****
Tong *****
Very true about Suvarnabhumi. I entered visa exempt 2 days ago and counted 21 people, singles and couples turned away from the IO's, where they went I've no idea.

Just a quickie for those who might not know. I came in visa exempt because my elite visa had expired 2 days previously. Strangely the IO didn't spot the expiry and demanded to see my elite membership card 🤷 Once I got that cleared up all ok but a heads up to elite holders, you need the membership card too which never used to be the case.
Tong *****
Tong *****
@Thomas ************
indeed, if the system was simple there would be no need for forums like this 🤷
Hunter ********
Hunter ********
Spot on Tod 👍
Joseph *****
Joseph *****
I haven't said anything for while, but I recommend this group whenever I saw someone post a visa question somewhere else.
Angelo ***********
Angelo ***********
Charles *************
Charles *************
Good morning Todd 🙏 have a great day 😀 😊 ☺️

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