Why are some travelers being denied entry into Thailand and what can be done to avoid this?

I think

@Gee *******

and others have a good idea of what to expect comin' back in.

Plan your work, work your plan, BE prepared (y)

I got grilled for an hour but eventually let back in, lucky they didn't ask for the cash, because I didn't have it

Advice would be to get the appropriate long stay visa.

Maybe the authorities aren't buying the excuse of needing continued covid extensions given people can return home and in most those who continue to apply for them have simply replaced their border runs with until now an easier option

Seems they are starting to get back to normal! Pre-covid that was a common thing, especially at DMK airport.

There will be a point, where even staying a few weeks out, won’t help you anymore. At that point your solution is to get the proper visa or use friendly land-borders(which can’t be accessed right now.)

I got nearly denied back in 2018 after lots of back to back METV. Just saved my a** as my gf had the right contacts in the government through friends of her. They made a phone call to immigration and after 4 hours I finally was able to pass immigration.

Funny fact is that I entered Thailand several times after that incident at BKK airport flying first and business class, until covid started. They always welcomed me back and had no issues at all. (the time I got nearly denied was arriving in Economy class)

However…as a rule of thumb before covid : spending more than 180 days/year in Thailand on the wrong visa was a red flag .

Close to 4 years here on SETV, border runs, a short stint with a non b and work permit, covid amnesty, and then back to back covid extensions. I left in December for 3 months. I expected some heat coming back in and was fully prepared with cash, onward flight and accommodation. Not a word said though. Luck of the draw, really.

I think the best strategy is to get a visa which fits your reason for being in the country. Are you a tourist, working, studying, retired, married to a Thai? There's plenty to chose from. Whether the STV is continued after the covid-era is not known, but for a longer stay visa not requiring the scampering to a land border every couple of months, although it's cumbersome, at least it's a solid longstay visa.

Having the correct visa for the intended reason of entry and staying is always a good idea.

I'll answer this.

I think it's a combination of

- people NOT staying OUT of thailand long enough, (most just try to bounce out and right back in or out, wait for the visa, then come back in.

- people who have been here for WAY too long (in thai eyes) on 60 day covid extensions and who are trying to turn around and come right back in without going to where ever it is they come from

I think IF you're gonna bounce out and back, have ALL the entry requirements they can ask for when you show back up to stamp in

Proof of 20K baht or the equivalent in CASH <- that means no c/c, no online bank statement, no show my balance with my banks app, CASH is what the requirement reads

Proof of onward travel within the days you're getting stamped in for (or at least within the time of the entry stamp and any extension you can get on it)

Proof of confirmed lodging <- where you're going to be staying after you get out of the test&go hotel on the first day.

That's about all you can do, other than have your big boy pants on and have super thick skin because they are giving people a really really hard time AND they are denying people for any reason they can fined. SO don't give them a reason.