Will I face immigration problems entering Thailand with multiple stamps on my passport and switching from an ED visa to a tourist visa?

November 17, 2019
5 years ago
Gonçalo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone,

I m in an ed visa, I am 7 months in Thailand already and my visa finish on 26 of December.

I m planning go home on 15th of December and come back to Thailand in January with a tourist visa for 60 days.

In my passport I have around 5 stamps in the last 3 years.

Do you guys think I will have problems with the immigration when enter in Thailand?

Please share with me your opinions.

Thank you all
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice about potential immigration issues when returning to Thailand after holding an ED visa for 7 months. They plan to enter on a tourist visa in January after leaving in December, and they are concerned about their history of multiple entry stamps and the possibility of being denied entry, especially when flying into Bangkok. Commenters advise caution due to the strict scrutiny at Bangkok airports and suggest alternative entry points to minimize risks.
Terary **********
what
@Ian ******
said
Ian *******
Or, fly in to say KL 1st then fly into U Tapao
Ivan ************
I would not say this is risk free. If attempting a tourist entry Bangkok airports in particular may look at whether you have been in Thailand for over six months in the last year, and there are reports that they can include time spent on an Ed visa.

It's one of these things that you might be fine, but you do have a risk. I'd avoid flying into Bangkok if at all possible, Chiang Mai is lower (although not zero) risk, best of all would be entering by a land border.

This is one of these things where we could guess you might be "probably" OK but there are reports of people fitting your profile being denied. And if you are denied after a long haul flight it's detention and all the way back home at your own cost.
Ivan ************
Land borders are safe. Very unlikely you would denied and if you were the worst is you are just stuck where you are. The border with Laos at Nong Khai would be ideal, if you could get a flight into Vientiane, that is a very relaxed border. Maybe difficult to get a flight to. If you do this Udon Thani airport is 60km from the border and you can fly to wherever you want in Thailand.

Or alternately, it might be more easier to get a flight to KL and then cross the southern border. That border has a reputation as being more picky but you'd still likely be OK, and worst case you are just left in Malaysia and can try again. In this case you could fly to whever you want to go domestic from Hat Yai (60km from the border).

If you are flying in, Chiang Mai is lower risk than Bangkok, although not quite a low risk as a land border.

You could very well be fine. But you also might not, and the consequences if you fly into Bangkok from Portugal and are denied are going all the way back to Portugal at your expense.
Gonçalo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
thank you very much for your advice. Which border do you think is better to cross? You know I just want to back home in Portugal to open the Christmas presents but it's too cold there. After seeing the recent posts I don't want to feel like a criminal, if I am not welcome to spend my money here I can spend it somewhere else
Maxim ***********
Avoid DMK once coming it, even if the chance of getting denied can be low in your case it is 50x time lower elsewhere.
Gonçalo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
thank you very much I will definitely follow your advice
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