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Will I encounter issues at Bangkok immigration due to my travel history and multiple visits to Thailand?

Thailand immigration Visa exemption NON-O visa Travel history Thai immigration policies Tourist visa Travel to Thailand Expat advice

Apr 26, 2022

3 years ago

Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have heard reports of people having problems with bkk imigration due to to many visits to thailand, here is my recent travel history

December 2020 flew in on 90 day non o visa and got 60 day extension but only stayed 2 weeks of it

October 2021 flew in visa exempt stayed 29 days, was question by immigration at bkk as to why i was visiting thailand, I told them i was on holiday from work and visiting my thai son as soon as i showed them my return ticket was stamped and waived through 

I plan on returning to thailand next month for a 3 week stay using visa exempt

Does anyone think i will have issues with bkk immigration doing this? I will have a return ticket, if i could i would get a non o visa but due to my current work location i dont have access to a thai conulate

One thing i do find interesting on the official thai e visa website it says you can have a short visit to see family on a tourist visa

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion centers around concerns about potential issues at Bangkok immigration due to frequent visits to Thailand, especially with a travel history that includes a mix of visa types. Multiple contributors suggest that having a return ticket and not showing signs of overstaying previous visas are key to smooth re-entry. Some users recommend avoiding mention of family connections, as this may lead to stricter questioning. Overall, most agree that as long as your documentation is in order, you should not face significant problems.

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Leigh *****

All the times I've been through immigration at bkk,seems to me depends on the immigration officer at the desk,just hope you get a happy one,I've only ever been asked 1time why I come to Thailand every year 😋😋

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Terary **********

I have been pulled aside a couple of times. They yelled at me for a few minutes then let me go on my way. When I was in BKK airport, getting yelled at, I watch them pull-over some other gentlemen and yell at him. His paperwork was in order but it was in the senior citizen lane and his wife when through the normal lane, she had all the paperwork.

I am convinced they randomly select people and yell at them for a little bit. If you're not a dick they'll send you on your way.

Thailand, pre-covid, was unlimited in visitor visa and visa exempt (by air). The policies are generous especially if you have financial means.

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Paul *******

I started coming 3 or4 times a year and after a few years with loads of stamps I got taken to separate desk for 5 mins and questioned. When I pushed back asking what the issue was it seemed they thought I was taking the piss getting free exemption and not getting a tourist visa. I started getting a visa once a year and all stopped. Arrived Sunday on exempted in Phuket. Was asked why no visa- I said because I only stay for 28 days- all fine. Had return tickets but not requested

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Wayne ********

you should be fine they have been Red Flagging this from closer countries who bought properties here (immigration don’t know this ofcourse) but they coming and going very frequently so just tell them to get a proper longer term visa which some can .. 2 of my friends had this happen to them or they won’t let them in

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Nathan ******

I am married but have been coming in on tourist visas because it's easier and fits the amount of time I stay (been coming here since 2005 on many different types of visas).

The last 2 times I have been stopped, questioned (the last time for over an hour) and told I would be refused entry because I should be on a non O visa. It seems if you mention a child or wife and have any other visa than a nonO it sets you up for problems.

The issue seems to be with immigration at Suvarnabhumi as the Consulate and local Thai immigration suggest that it's perfectly fine to come in on a visa except or tourist visa and change it in country.

I ended up changing it to nonO in country as they were quite serious about not allowing entry.

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Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was never told by immigration at bkk that i needed a non o to enter thailand just that if i wanted to stay longer than 30 days to get a visa so hopefully it goes the same when i fly in june

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Nathan ******

@Dustin ********

I think what red flagged me was that I was coming in on tourist visas while having a wife and listing our address as the place I stay.

I don't know, but they said if I come back on anything other than a NonO, I would be denied entry.

Hopefully you won't ever have an issue or problem...good luck.

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Nathan ******

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Janet **********

I didn't know you could change a tourist visa to a non -O in Thailand. Do you do it at immigration? I am married and going back in a few months . It would be easier than doing a visa here. Thanks.

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Janet **********

Thank you.

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Nathan ******

@Janet *********

yes at your local immigration office.

I just got my final nonO stamp good for 1 year from the 'under consideration' that I got last month.

I started the process the end of November. That's 5 months...so be prepared to have time and have the funds tied up your bank for more than what you'd expect.

I don't know how they could complete the visa out of the country(maybe it's just the application) as you need photos and a visit from the immigration officers to take more pictures and secure a witness signature, not to mention the 3 different bank statements I had to get in 3 different months.

Good luck...it's a bit intimidating because of the volume of documents that must be acquired but not too difficult.

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Nathan ******

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Brian ********

Your visits to Thailand sound plausible

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Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ya thats what i was thinking im not trying to live their on covid extensions and as soon as i get a chance i will get a non o multi entry

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Dustin *********

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Dimitri ********

You visited Thailand only once a year. I was once questioned. I entered Thailand for the third time in a year with a VE. The first 2 visits I also extended the "visa". But even that third time they let me in after I told them the reason why I came.

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Lee ************************

I used to get questioned all the time best thing is don’t say visiting son as this is a reason that your not on holiday . I was forced into getting visas even tho only there 4 months a year .

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Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lee ***********************

the problem with that is i already have a non o visa in my passport, which is why i was very briefly questioned upon my last entry in 2021 but as soon as i showed immigration my return ticket they let me in they just said if you want to stay longer get a visa

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Lee ************************

@Dustin ********

that’s the problem better to have no visas at all and don’t say married or have kids or anything then it’s ok for 30 days stay my friend works same as me and never has any issues on 30 day exemptions me because I have a house married and kids etc “ need “ a visa even tho Iam back at work .

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Lee ************************

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Mitchell *******

Hmmm, Bangkok. Why is that different? I have come to Thailand 3 times for a total of 9 weeks since mid Oct 2021 as visa exempt, and I have had no issue whatsoever. But I have flown in via Phuket each time.

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Brandon ************

@Mitchell ******

Bangkok is being very hard on anyone trying to enter with a Covid extension in their passport. No reports of this difficulty if entering in other cities.

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Brandon ************

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Haydn *******

You will have no problem whatsoever.. You have done nothing wrong.. Relax they will not be at all concerned about you

. Enjoy your holiday

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Bobby ********

It's not good to give poor advice like this. What is "wrong" in your eyes is not necessarily "wrong" in the eyes of an immigration officer (who has absolute power of discretion - which works both ways). As Brandon has indicated, IOs in Bangkok (both airports) can be very mercenary when it comes to frequent visitors who they deem as not having the correct visa for their visit. They are particularly hard at the moment on people with covid extension history (and most of these people have actually done something "wrong" by falsely applying for such a visa - although it's a fine line), although one and possibly two are no big deal, and also the bogus volunteer and ED visas which were sold by agents during the first year of covid. There have been numerous reports of these "volunteers" and "students" arriving back in Thailand and being denied entry. It is worthwhile anyone in these situations to seek advice as to the preferred way to re-enter Thailand.

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Brandon ************

not the best advice. Should be prepared. I had a similar situation to the op, and got a 60 day Covid extension last year because I needed 2 extra weeks until my flight.

I then left the country for 4 months and returned with a tourist visa and was questioned by immigration for 40 minutes and asked to show money etc.

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Haydn *******

@Brandon ***********

. He has done nothing wrong.. Why should he be denied? I too have travelled in and out of Thailand during the last 2 Covid years.. I entered on Visa Exempt each time and extended.

Maybe I have a friendly face. 🤔🤔😁

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Brandon ************

half a plane of people was denied entry earlier this month at Bangkok for having Covid extensions and not being able to show immigration everything they wanted to see (20,000₿ in cash, a flight out within the time they're entering for, and the hotel they are going to).

Just because you followed the rules doesn't mean you won't get any trouble. It's best to be prepared and then not need it than to be denied entry.

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Spencer *****

@Brandon ***********

if I don’t remember wrongly half of the people on that plane went for a one day visa run, hence being denied.

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Spencer *****

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Brandon ************

The people having problems are those with a Covid extension in their passport. As long as you don't have one of those, you should be fine. Especially if you can show a flight out 3 weeks after you arrive.

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Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

i did do 1 covid extension in march of 2021 but only stayed 2 weeks of the 60 day extension

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Brandon ************

@Dustin ********

if you have a Thai son you should have been able to get a visiting Thai family 60 day extension, so it's unfortunate you used Covid extension.

I suggest making sure you have 20,000₿ in cash, something showing where you're going to stay after you leave the airport, and your exit flight.

I'd also suggest getting a tourist visa if you can, since that is usually treated easier than visa exempt, but it's no guarantee.

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Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

i would get a non o visa but due to my work location i have no embassy access

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Brandon ************

@Dustin ********

have you checked the evisa website to see if where you are has since adopted the evisa system? Worth a shot

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Dustin *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

yes i have and no they dont

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Dustin *********

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