Unanswered2 years ago
Why was my visa exempt entry to Thailand declined at the Nong Khai border?
My visa exempt entry to Thailand at the Nong Khai post was declined today.
I obtained my new US passport last year. I flew to Thailand twice last year, got 1 extension of the two exempts. And used one border cross from last year. This was going to be my very first entry to Thailand in 2025, I am very surprised to be declined. Did anyone have a similar experience lately ? Supervisor said I stayed too long in Thailand, he said I should go back to Laos and fly to Thailand. But on the paper he gave me he marked (1) and (3), I think meaning they think I work in Thailand, which is nonsense, I don't work. I think we are back to pre-pandemic days, Thailand does not need repeat tourists anymore
I obtained my new US passport last year. I flew to Thailand twice last year, got 1 extension of the two exempts. And used one border cross from last year. This was going to be my very first entry to Thailand in 2025, I am very surprised to be declined. Did anyone have a similar experience lately ? Supervisor said I stayed too long in Thailand, he said I should go back to Laos and fly to Thailand. But on the paper he gave me he marked (1) and (3), I think meaning they think I work in Thailand, which is nonsense, I don't work. I think we are back to pre-pandemic days, Thailand does not need repeat tourists anymore
Summary so far
The user faced a declined visa exemption entry into Thailand at the Nong Khai border and is seeking insights from others with similar experiences. Comments indicate a crackdown on visa exemptions, especially due to extended stays. Various users suggest considering proper visa types instead of reliance on visa exemptions, emphasizing the need for clarity on immigration rules and individual officer discretion.
102 repliesnewest first
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Andriy ***************************
Thailand only wants dummies to come here for a short time, empty their wallets, then go the fuck home.
Luit *****************
@Andriy **************************
I think Thailand has visa for almost every purpose, so everybody who is not a dummy can just apply for a visa. Staying for a long time in most other countries also needs to apply visa, so why should Thailand be different?Andriy ***************************
@Luit ****************
hurry up and empty your wallet then go home
Keith *******
Definitely wouldn't go to Cambodia.
James *******
OPExempt entry stamp is used for tourism purposes. There is 2 exempt land crossing per year rule. There is NO limit to airport visa exemption entry. Plus exempt stamps are allowed to extend another 30 days with a cost of 1900 THB. If Thailand does not want visa exempt entry to be used more than certain times within a year they can easily make it a rule or they can make exempt stamp only 15 days not 60 or they would not let 30 extra day extension. This is the source of confusion, depending on the immigration officer and their daily mood swing your outcome is determined. I go to islands, mountains, rent motorcycle, every night pay for a hotel, don't work in Thailand; yes I am definitely a true long-term tourist and there is no law that prohibits using exempt entry for this purpose.
Caz *****
@James ******
What do these immigration officers think I wonder, that we are all countryless and coming to Thailand for their social welfare benefit system 😂 to get free housing and schooling, to get access to a free healthcare system. Like you say, there are people wealthy enough to travel long term and if they are complying with Thailand visa exemption policy (as I did last year), what is the problem? We are all paying money into the Thai economy while we are there. Constantly. The scales are tipped in their favour financially.Caz *****
Luit *****************
@James ******
there is no 2 exempt land crossing rule. Of course they can make rules different, but stricter rules means real tourist get inconvenience, because there is a hardcore group trying to live in Thailand, refusing to buy a visa for their purpose. And don't forget, for long term tourists METV exists, but of course you can try to profit from free entries as long as it gets, but the visa exempt just is tot created for that purpose, and by using it, you accept that you depend from the individual officer.Ni**
@Lu**
: why would any tourist already here go back overseas and jump through bureaucratic METV hoops in their home country for zero benefits over repeat 60 day exempt entries? If Thailand didn't like the visa run & fast track business they could shut it down overnight.Repricing strategy, not 'crackdown'.
Many would rather pay double for this business model than dealing with bureaucracy. How does this 'abuse' harm Thailand? Why not automatically block repeat entries at borders and airport gates? 💰
Luit *****************
@Ni**
tourists planning long trips to a number of countries prepare the necessary visa in their home country before they travel. People who stay already in Thailand and need extra time are not tourists. And of course the fact a lot of people profit from this bypassing the system might keep it alive.
Rod *********
Makes me laugh they come here fall in love with a prostitute and think they can easily extend just to sink the sausage
James *******
OP@Rod ********
how do you know your wife was not a former street laborer in Pattaya and everyone in this group passed her at least once ? Be civilized or be treated in a language you can understand
Carlos *********
Youre using a free exemption to live there and they wont like that. They think you are abusing their benevolence of the exemption purposes
Caz *****
Thailand is turning to 💩, all the Russians in Phuket, Chinese now worried about going there, now they are turning away genuine tourists on a Thailand Visa exemption scheme...how to screw things up.
Luit *****************
@Caz ****
they are not turning away genuine tourists on an exemption, only people who misuse the system. Vietnam not even has visa exemption, and I do not hear complaints. The complaints here are not from tourists, but from people who made it a challenge to get in as many times as possible without paying for the proper visa. And about the Russians I agree with you.Ni**
METV = too much paperwork + only available from home country + visa runs
ED = what if you just come to relax?
Marriage = what if she's just your gf?
Retirement = only for old people
Elite visa = unavailable to recent ED/Volunteer holders, silly pricing vs DTV
DTV = too much paperwork (application or in-country extension), even DTV holders being harassed at airport now
Non-B (WP) = higher cost, fake company
Even including fast track/safe entry costs, flying in on tourist exempt is still the least bureaucracy and hassle. Respect the hustle.
ED = what if you just come to relax?
Marriage = what if she's just your gf?
Retirement = only for old people
Elite visa = unavailable to recent ED/Volunteer holders, silly pricing vs DTV
DTV = too much paperwork (application or in-country extension), even DTV holders being harassed at airport now
Non-B (WP) = higher cost, fake company
Even including fast track/safe entry costs, flying in on tourist exempt is still the least bureaucracy and hassle. Respect the hustle.
Tom **********
@Ni**
if you don't have the resources to be a resident alien, I wouldn't want you in the countryLuit *****************
@Ni**
This sounds like an advertisement from agents offering border runs for visa exempt.When you call METV and DTV too much paperwork you cannot be taken serious.
When you spend about 10 to 15 minutes, you can have done the application for METV or DTV online, getting in and out the country every 60 days is costing far more time...
It is normal that a country wants people to pay for a visa when they stay for a long time, not just to earn money, but have more control.
And I know the visa exempt is big bussiness for some companies, but that does not make it correct.
Michael *******
They love repeat tourists, but not residents disguised as tourists……just get correct visa and you will be fine for future trips.
Stéfan ********
Sounds like you’re living in Thailand by using these visa exemptions. If you’re using them consecutively, that’s the issue. 2 back to back of these essentially means 6 months, which translates to“living in Thailand.” They do want you to live in Thailand, but there’s a price to pay for that “service”.
Tom **********
Why don't people just get the correct visa?
Matthew *********
@Tom *********
is this then a guaranteed entry?Tom **********
@Matthew ********
if you have the correct visa.
David ******
Thailand has millions of Russians and any other repressed nation in there.
They certainly don't need anymore.
They certainly don't need anymore.
Ni**
So much abuse! Why don't they crack down on visa run agencies and fast track services?
Richard ******
Just get the right visa,surprised at how many people how got all this time to spend in Thailand,especially on a tourist visa,and you can't work
Kurt *************
I got questioned aswell last weekend. Same place. But since i actually have a reason to be here i got in on doubt
James ********
Using the express immigration lane at Suvarnhumi makes things a breeze the immigration offices know you have money so you'll be spending up = good touist
Steven *********
@James *******
how do you organise being able to use the express lane at immigration?Luit *****************
@Steven ********
just pay for the service...James ********
@Steven ********
Fly business classLuit *****************
@James *******
Spending is not enough to get access in Thailand and not the keyword here, paying teamoney is a completely different thing.Even when you prove you buy house or condo gives you no more rights, the immigration officers are not interested in your financial situation, only in their own financial situation.
Bob *********
Initial entry at a land border with a brand new passport with no previous thatland stamps makes you look like a criminal who's afraid of being arrested if you flew in.
Steven *********
Danny *******
I think they just want tourists with money , DTV is the only way to check which is why they are more forcing now. It’s smart to be fair
James *******
OP@Danny ******
I am in top 5 % with my multiple single residence homes in California, I always spend great at islands without having to work anywhere. Besides visa free entry for all those third world country people and most of Chinese don't bring in much cash. Things are random hereLuit *****************
@James ******
As top 5% you should just buy elite visa to solve all your problems.Danny *******
@James ******
I’m assuming the only way the gov can prove it is by seeing the 500k THB , hence the switch in visa policy
Daniele ***********
Showing 20k cash, proof of accommodation and flight ticket out of Thailand doesn't work anymore?
Sean *************
How many days did you leave Thailand for? That may be a key detail as to why
James *******
OP@Sean ************
I was in Laos 14 days for a cross-country motorbike rideSean *************
@James ******
wow, peculiar. 14 days out of the country shows you’re not working here. Damn!Henrik *****
Do not try to circumvent the visa rules, then you will have no problems, get the proper visa for the lenght of time wanting to stay in Thailand, and visa excempt is not for staying long time in Thailand.
It can be hard for a civil servant, that may work long hours 6 days a week, and with less than 2 weeks holiday / year, to comprehend how you can be tourist for so long so often.
Tourist travel is globally understood as travels less than 3 month, that is why a yearly travelinsurance will permit travels of up to 3 months at the time, International driving permit is limited to 3 months etc.
Try to look at the rules in your own country, they are propably very close to Thailands definition of a tourist.
It can be hard for a civil servant, that may work long hours 6 days a week, and with less than 2 weeks holiday / year, to comprehend how you can be tourist for so long so often.
Tourist travel is globally understood as travels less than 3 month, that is why a yearly travelinsurance will permit travels of up to 3 months at the time, International driving permit is limited to 3 months etc.
Try to look at the rules in your own country, they are propably very close to Thailands definition of a tourist.
Garrett ***********
@Henrik ****
What rule did he try to circumvent?Henrik *****
The Immigration denied him entry ! Should say it all.
Trying to stay long time on short time visa / visa exempt.
Trying to stay long time on short time visa / visa exempt.
Garrett ***********
@Henrik ****
Sounds to me like he followed all the rules, left when he was supposed to and didn't overstay.Henrik *****
Trying to stay long time on short time visa / visa exempt.
Garrett ***********
@Henrik ****
That's not what I asked. You said he was trying to circumvent the rules, I'm asking you which one?
Lawrie *******
@Øyvind ************************
The land of even bigger corruption.Hun Sen the Khmer Rouge operative that rules by family decree!
Jordan *****
@Lawrie ******
bla bla bla, who gives an f. Judging by the kind of regimes appearing now in countries where “democracy” existed for centuries, making and unmaking laws by the day, at least in Cambodia I know what tomorrow brings
Dimitri *****************
@Lawrie ******
they became neo-conservative, not khmer Rouge anymore (not that that changes much)
Lucas **********
I work in australia 2 weeks on 1 week off.. I spend my week off in thailand.. I've entered 19 times in 18 months on tourist visa and never had a problem..
Andrew *********
@Lucas *********
because you don't use the whole stay and I assume always have a return ticket you look like a genuine tourist. If you don't have confirmed plans to exit the country then they're going to be more suspicious.
James *******
OP@Lucas *********
I think this is just starting. Thailand did same thing before pandemic era, when they have plenty of tourist they start flexing muscles so other sorts of income pours in to the diamond hands at the places we know
Maksym ***********
@James ******
Thailand want tourists that spend 1 week every 2 weeks. That's good and clear case. If someone stays in Thailand 180-270 days - then he is not a tourist...
David *******
@Lucas *********
I guess it's because you appear to be a genuine tourist - there for a short time each time and no extensions.
Abhishek *******
How long did u stay last year in total . I have done 10 visa exempts in 22 months and am American too
James *******
OPEntire euro zone, japan, possibly all of the western world give 2 x 90 days visa exempt, total 180 days a year. So it is a very common thing. Nothing surprising here
Luit *****************
@James ******
visa exempt only for certain countries, and that list is not as long as Thai list, and also the 90 days cannot be back to back
Deborah *******
@James ******
you may want to look into dtv visa you can apply in ventiane if you enrol in a language class or cooking school
Patrick *****
@James ******
the possibility could be that you have stayed 200 plus days out of 365 days (There are immigration start counting from your first entry stamp and not Jan 1). And almost all immigration offices in the world will flag a tourist who stays more than 180 days.
Brandon *********
@James ******
what about your old passport? How many entries did you have on that one?Luit *****************
@James ******
so that is 220 days in about a year. Are you really expecting immigration officers that to find normal touristic use?You even stayed long enough in 2024 to become a Thai tax resident for that year.
Todd *********
@Luit ****************
if you are not a pauper, yes, they generally have no issue with it
John **********
@James ******
that's well beyond the realms of tourism
Maxim ***********
@James ******
Happened to me late 2024 after 10 years in Thailand so yeah they are cracking down at Nong Khai and every border now. I flew Vientiane to BKK a few days later and got fast track entry with a priority lane officer. Was 6k of tea money paid to agent to get in.James *******
OP@Maxim **********
may I send a pm to ask how to get fast track with agent .
THAI ******************************
@James ******
We offer prescreening + fast track service for 2,000 to 4,000 thb depending on airport, and history.Try messaging our team:
**********************
Maxim ***********
Yes
James *******
OP@Maxim **********
sent. Thanks
Nicholas *********
You ve tried going around the system
See it as a game
See it as a game
Pertti **********
The system says: Only Tourists can use Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption.
James *******
OP@Nicholas ********
what systemNicholas *********
@James ******
Foreigners in us doing border runsAfter a certain number of days in the country you re illegal immigrant
Same
Jan ******************
@James ******
since you’re out of Thailand I personally would have flown to Suvarnabhumi airport and ordered a "fast track" service through an agent.James *******
OP@Jan *****************
Thanks Jan, I was thinking of purchasing an outbound flight ticket for March or early April from Thailand and then to fly-in from Laos to Bkk as you said. Alternative, is to apply for a 2 month tourist e-visa in Vientiane.THAI ******************************
@James ******
We offer this service for 2,000 to 4,000 thb depending on airport, and history.Try messaging our team:
**********************
Jan ******************
@James ******
It’s called "safe entry airport service" and it guarantee you a safe entry in BKK. Don’t think it’s allowed to post any links here, but I would have checked this furter up if you end up doing a air entry.
Davis ******
@Jan *****************
fast track won’t work, you would need a “guaranteed entry” from an agentJan ******************
@Davis *****
You’re right, probably the right name, but what I really meant.
Jay *********
How many months ago did you last enter Thailand? I think it doesn't matter to the immigration officer that it's a new calendar year, it hasn't been 12 months since the last entry so it's not a new year in terms of time.
Jay *********
I was correct, he said in a later comment that he had only been in Laos for a few weeks.
Jan ******************
New passport and calendar year is irrelevant, but it seems quite strict.
Michael ******
Waaaaaaait, how many entrys did you have in your old passport?
Michael ******
You have a picture of yourself from that day?
Terrence ***********
I’ve one visa exempt last year. Going for my second one by flying to Singapore. Let’s see what happens?
Brett *********
Where did you try this land entry?
Stuart *********
@Brett ********
it’s in the first sentence.Brett *********
@Stuart ********
silly me
Bill ********
@Brett ********
Nong Khai, you're welcome......
Gardar ***************************
They been cracking down on extempt entires after they upped to 60 days, time to look into a proper visa if you want to stay longer
Stuart *********
Pre changing to 60 days for exempt and thus having the 2 entries by land things were pretty much guaranteed to be “reset” at the start of a calendar year.
Now since the change the calendar year is irrelevant as there is no official limit. It’s up to the specific immigration officer to interpret your entry history and decide whether to let you enter or not.
If bouncing by land then use a recognised bounce company to do so. They know the wheels to grease. They usually won’t take you if they think you can’t get back in.
If bouncing by air then flip a coin. Heads they’ll let you in and tails they won’t. Oh wait a minute. Perhaps that’s the other way around.
Now since the change the calendar year is irrelevant as there is no official limit. It’s up to the specific immigration officer to interpret your entry history and decide whether to let you enter or not.
If bouncing by land then use a recognised bounce company to do so. They know the wheels to grease. They usually won’t take you if they think you can’t get back in.
If bouncing by air then flip a coin. Heads they’ll let you in and tails they won’t. Oh wait a minute. Perhaps that’s the other way around.
Bruce ****
@Stuart ********
I'm facing a similar situation. Recently got new passport ...have had numerous border crossing and increased from 60 to 90 ext in 2024I was declined to do border run at Chiang Kong. They said I'm not really a "tourist" and to consider getting a visa.
I crossed into Laos and will wait 1 week then attempt FLY I'nto chiang mai from laung Prabang
Can u suggest a specific agent to assist ?
Thank you
Brandon ************
@Bruce ***
There are no agents that I know of that do anything with the Chiang Mai airport. The safe entry agents are only for Bangkok airports and Phuket airport.,Henrik *****
Fly home and stay there at least ½ year, before trying to enter again.
James *******
OP@Stuart ********
Stuart what do you think about the chances for a tourist or transit e-visa application from Vientiane with a outbound ticket in hand ?John **********
@James ******
you can try but a tourist visa is not much different to visa exempt so I wouldn't hold out much hopeActivity
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