Answered5 years ago
Why was I refused boarding from Heathrow Airport while traveling on a tourist visa to Thailand?
Looks like travelling on a 30 day tourist visa is out without valid reason, I've just been refused boarding at heathrow, have everything else but she says now you have to show proof why you are travelling.
Answer summary
The user was denied boarding at Heathrow due to a lack of valid reasons for travel on a tourist visa to Thailand. Other commenters noted that specific proof for traveling is now required from the UK government, emphasizing that tourism is not considered a valid reason. There were discussions about existing travel exemptions and the necessity to complete required forms to justify travel.
119 repliesnewest first
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Simon **********
I flew out on Thursday 6th May from LHR and I didn’t have to give a reason for travel.
Eugene *********
One day the people of the world will say enough is enough!
Dick **********
I am amazed at the number of people who do not understand that you cannot travel unless for specific reasons. It is on the government website. Do your homework people!!!!!!
Lynnette *******
@Dick *********
that involves reading stuff. LolDick **********
@Lynnette ******
They can read it on their phones Lynnette *******
@Dick *********
annoying isn't it. 
Mike *********
OP"Update" I'm now in my ASQ in Bangkok, lady that first refused me I asked her to ask her supervisor, supervisor called Amsterdam supervisor (connecting flight) and she said OK, so I just managed to catch flight after 3 very fraught hours.
Very good otherwise, thanks for all the help and encouragement (most people)
Very good otherwise, thanks for all the help and encouragement (most people)
*****
55
Simon *******
@Mike ********
is proof of renting a property in Thailand enough proof ?Mike *********
OP@Simon ******
I should imagine if it's a historic rental yes, but not if you have set up recently so as to bypass restrictions.Simon **********
@Mi**
I am here too! We might have been on the same flight 🙂Mike *********
OP@Simon *********
was you wearing a black HH jacket ?Mike *********
OP@Simon *********
small world of Facebook 🤣🤣Simon **********
@Mi**
you were wearing a white HH jacket 😂Mike *********
OPI had grey HH jacket on
Mike *********
OP@Simon *********
5555 I sat next to you out of heathrowSimon **********
@Mi**
yes!
Roland ****
@Mike ********
Good to hear you made it....The Thai Tourist Visa duration of stay has been extended from 30 to 45 days for visits between 22 December 2020 - 30 September 2021. An additional 15 days should compensate the mandatory quarantine for those entering Thailand. This 45 day tourist visa exemption will be valid for visitors from 56 countries that qualify for a 30 day visa exemption.
YeDo ***********
Same as the Berlin wall, afraid you didn't make it out in time...
Wish you the best of luck at the next attempt, and that it will be for a far longer period than 30 days!
Wish you the best of luck at the next attempt, and that it will be for a far longer period than 30 days!
Simon *******
When did this happen?I read that you need proof to travel
Christopher ***********
I was de-boarded at Madrid Airport by Air Europa staff (not for Covid). They allowed me to rebook the next available flight with themselves at no additional cost. However, they explained that this can only be done once.
Tara *************
The power of the Immigration Division is apparently greater than that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and I wonder with all these stories popping up ... I wonder if there ever will be tourism to Thailand possible ....
Sadly the Immigration Police and Department are mentally stuck in a world with 5,000,000 visitors a month ...
Sadly the Immigration Police and Department are mentally stuck in a world with 5,000,000 visitors a month ...
Lynnette *******
@Tara ************
nothing to do with immigration. UK govt dont permit "holiday" travel due to covid pandemic, travel is only for valid reason found on a govt list.Tara *************
@Lynnette ******
i stand corrected ... however I was refused boarding because I seem to be banned from Thailand and I have no idea why ... no paperwork ... nothing ... when asked for a reason Immigration refuses to give a reason ... so ... I don't know why I am in this mess ... no one wants to tell me what to do ... Immigration in Bangkok told me to go to their offices and I can never get there ... Lynnette *******
@Tara ************
you're problems about thai immigration are not relevant to UK govt restriction on holidays.Steve *******
@Tara ************
This is nothing to do with the 'conditions' of entry into Thailand. It's about the 'conditions' of leaving the UK imposed by the UK Government.Tara *************
@Lynnette ******
it has ... the conditions of entry change all the time ... you need a secretary to keep track of all the documents that change ... Lynnette *******
@Tara ************
thats nothing to do with this persons post about Heathrow, London. 
Jason ***********
Its illegal to travel overseas without good reason. Tourism doesn't count as a good reason..basically only work, medical, legal
Channel **********
@Jason **********
.. And familyJason ***********
@Channel *********
good pointMike *********
OP@Jason **********
buying a house is a good reason, it's on the list, just make sure you have proof, im still building so no blue book or other info, fortunately they took my pictures of the proof eventually Jason ***********
@Mike ********
covered by legalRoland ****
You did not do your homework for your trip. If you had filled in the form you would be on that plane.....
Steve *******
@Roland ********
Filling in the form is NO good without the proof to back up your reason for leaving the country. Mike *********
OP@Roland ********
I did fill in the paperwork, it was the lady at the check in desk that stopped me and asked for proof, as a new build in thailand on my girlfriends own land no proof was available, no blue book untill property complete. That was only issue, lack of proof.Roland ****
@Mike ********
information overload is the way forward. You should also have had copies of plans, title deeds to the land, correspondence, bills, estimates, etc, etc, etc... Even if it is in sanskrit which is unlikely they will understand... 
Greg ******
The walls on the prisons have greatly expanded.
Jonathan ********
I flew out on May the 1st, no one checked my declaration form.
Steve *******
Yep, it's been like that for quite a while.
Kelvin ********
You should of done form before you boarded
Mike *********
OP@Kelvin *******
did form, she didn't even ask to see, just looked in passport saw there was no visa got her ipad out and started asking questions, if I didn't have any of these specific visas I was not allowed to travel, top of page she showed me at very top outside of visa block it clearly stated visa exempt ok
Gary **********
It's not legal to fly out any where from UK .. ..
Simon **********
@Ga**
rubbish Lynnette *******
@Gary *********
not true. My son just flew out. You need the valid reason to fly. Just check the list. 
Garrett ***********
@Ga**
Not true. Steve *******
@Gary *********
Unless you've got one of the valid reasons to leave.Gary **********
@Steve ******
True
McGregor **********
It’s to stop people at the moment travelling to other countries and bringing back a different variant. Now the U.K. has vaccinated over 34 million people the country is getting back to normal and foreign travel is prohibited till 17 May , however only to safe countries
Mike *****
First person that I have heard being stopped going.and it's just bad luck..in a few weeks Scnapps and Co.will do away with it and will be allowed to travel..
Steve *******
@Mike ****
Ive heard about many people being stopped from leaving since before Christmas and not just Thailand but anywhere.Mike *****
We're you stopped by police or check in staff..
Mike *********
OP@Darren *******
I told them that I am building a house and need to see building and builder which I am. At point now of discussing what and where + finishes. 
Anthony *********
Australia has been like that since March 2020 till now. In October you still could not fly out 30 days Visa Exempt but Thailand introduced a Special Tourist Visa (STV) for select countries, to allow people to come to Thailand for a minimum 3 months...
In Australia, you apply to the Border Force who gives you exemption from not leaving permission under the proviso of a required minimum 3 month travel...as a valid reason to leave the country. I think you need to apply for an STV visa to have any chance of getting out of the UK. Also Thailand will not allow you to enter without a COE..Certificate of Entry, ASQ Hotel booking and Covid Insurance cover...which you can only get with a visa....so yeah you need the STV. Go on the UK's Thai Embassy website to apply....all details will be on there.
In Australia, you apply to the Border Force who gives you exemption from not leaving permission under the proviso of a required minimum 3 month travel...as a valid reason to leave the country. I think you need to apply for an STV visa to have any chance of getting out of the UK. Also Thailand will not allow you to enter without a COE..Certificate of Entry, ASQ Hotel booking and Covid Insurance cover...which you can only get with a visa....so yeah you need the STV. Go on the UK's Thai Embassy website to apply....all details will be on there.
Pierre ***************
@Anthony ********
they do same in France the Thai embassy in Paris do same but for have the COE is in few hours I think that user countries don’t want that we go anywhere
Will ************
Fill the bloody form in like everyone else. Here's the link
******************************************************************************************
Jambee ***********
Did you look at the Thai Embassy website first
Steve *******
@Jambee **********
Nothing to do with the Thai Embassy. It's about UK Government restrictions on leaving the country.
Maxie **********
@Taylor *******
read please darling!!! 
Dave ********
Uk have been like this for a while . You have to give them a valid reason . There’s plenty to choose from just make sure you have your story straight
Steve *******
@Dave *******
Story? You need to prove your valid reason to leave. It's no good just making up a story.Simon **********
@Steve ******
I flew out from LHR on Thursday and nobody questioned me as to why I was travelling.Dave ********
@Steve ******
I got out here ok 
Gooddy *******
She’s right. Need proof of valid reason to travel
Chris *********************
How do I stand i have 2 young children in Thailand i haven't seen for 15 months would the airline refuse me boarding
Steve *******
@Chris ********************
Family is a valid reason to leave the UK. You'd have no problems leaving with proof that you have 2 kids in Thailand.
Dave *********
@Chris ********************
No ..thats a valid reason.. I know I have two children in Thailand also..but im back here in Bangkok now..Chris *********************
@Paul ******
i have been married for 10 years i have cert and i have daughters birth certificates 
Paul *******
@Chris ********************
Then I would just say returning home you have been working Chris *********************
@Paul ******
are you sure im intending to fly with Qatar Paul *******
@Chris ********************
if you have things like thai driving licence or birth certificate anything that show you have stable conection with the country I say I’m just returning home after working Paul *******
@Chris ********************
You would not be stoped for that , 
Phill ******
what reason for leaving did you give ?
PJ *********
Full quarantine for arrivals into BANGKOK did you book the asq hotel have all your paperwork in order
Steve *******
@PJ ********
It's not about entering Thailand it's about having a Government valid reason to leave the UK. The OP wouldnt even get a CoE without the correct paperwork.
Dave ***********
Who is she? Check in staff?
Lynnette *******
Its quite a weird list of "reason to travel". Buying a property and checking an overseas property was one. Is it still there I wonder.
Greg ********
@Lynnette ******
Yes the Stanley Johnson clauseLynnette *******
@Greg *******
very true. Gooddy *******
@Lynnette ******
it is Lynnette *******
@Chris *****
ah. Good. Think all you needed was proof from agent for viewing property or that you own one. Alan *********
How would going on Holiday actually be a valid reason 🤔
Mat ************
@Alan ********
I entered in March on a tourist visa with a valid reason, the tourist visa isn’t actually only for tourism. Alan *********
Gwen Coathanger it is what it is.
Lynnette *******
@Alan ********
visas aren't always holidays. Alan *********
@Lynnette ******
he said a tourist visa, I think the clue is in there somewhere 🤣Alan *********
@Mat ***********
and he never declared a valid reason so can only assume he was going on holiday , had he had a valid reason this post wouldn't have gone up and we wouldn't be having this conversation 😉Mat ************
@Alan ********
yes but you said the clue is in there but really the clue isn’t in there because it’s not only for tourism. Alan *********
@Mat ***********
as he hadn't put a valid reason it would have been assumed he's just a tourist...is it really that hard to understand ?Lynnette *******
@Alan ********
the reason for travel is given on the UK form. You enter the reason, with proof no matter what the visa is called. Lynnette *******
@Alan ********
I know. But if your not "holidaying" you can use it. Alan *********
@Garrett **********
I'm not arguing that fact, but it states tourist and that's not a valid reason. Garrett ***********
@Al**
Many people enter Thailand on tourist visas to transition to Non-Os. Phill ******
@Alan ********
, he means visa exempt .but for 45 days not 30 with covid isolation .Alan *********
@Lynnette ******
can use it as you please but it still says tourist visa. 🤣Lynnette *******
@Alan ********
nope. I use a tourist visa but not for holidays. 
Charlie *******
I assume that is not a problem from us?
Graham *********
Yes...been like that for a while
Garrett ***********
Pretty sure it's been like that for a while in the UK. The UK is running low and money and can't afford to loosering people to better countries.
Jock **********
They want to keep you in the country Steve so you keep paying taxes and keep the Ponzi scheme going . Like every government is doing . Your in a prison but just haven’t figured it out yet.
Todd *********
fair point being made there
Nick *******
@Garrett **********
what another stupid comment from you. Ur getting good at this. 😗
Jinren *******
@Garrett **********
*lose vs. looseGarrett ***********
@Jin***
Fixed it, thanks bro. Jock **********
Garret speaking the truth
Phill ******
@Garrett **********
yep ,ozz getting like that now too .Gooddy *******
Andy *******
That's a new one.
Ruth *******
@Andy *********
I’m a bit shocked no one told him when he applied for his visa.
Rogerio ******
@Ruth ******
It's a visa exemption, but yes, you'd think he'd research how to get out.
Maxim ***********
@Ruth ******
Its not a visa.Andy *******
@Ruth ******
I from USA so news to meRuth *******
No. It’s not. Travel from the UK without a valid reason has been illegal for most of the pandemic. It’s not a Thai restriction.
Nigel *********
Take it that's from the UK? And there's no 30 day tourist visa available.
Phill ******
@Nigel *********************
he means visa exempt , 30 days but now its 45 cause of isolation .Activity
48 joined48
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