Will my travel history from old passports be scrutinized upon entering Thailand on a visa exempt entry?

Jun 11, 2023
a year ago
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have an extensive history of staying on various visas (UK passport, ED visa, Volunteer visa, tourist visas and visa exempt entry + extensions), currently in the UK and renewing my passport.

Will my old passports' travel history be flagged and scrutinised on the immi system at the border, if I attempt to enter on visa exempt entry? (Currently waiting for LTR visa application to be processed)

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquired whether their extensive travel history, documented in previous passports, would be an issue when trying to enter Thailand on a visa-exempt entry while awaiting the processing of an LTR visa. The community largely confirmed that the immigration system maintains a digital record of travel histories, which are likely to be reviewed upon entry. Various commenters suggested potential challenges the user might face, including possible denial of entry and advice to consider alternative visa options or waiting until their LTR visa is approved before traveling back.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cheers for your input everyone, much appreciated
Lizzie ******
My friend has the same history, changed her passport no problem going back in thailand after that.
Bob **********
If they look they will see your history but they didn’t for my girl same situation
Incognia **********
@Bob *********
i think immigration officers should check in different side of computer if want to see history for old passport.But if doesnt check they dont see very old years.
Paul *******
Well if you can actually manage to qualify for the LTR visa and you get it just wait until it's approved and come then..don't arrive before.
Anthony *********
You've done good so far to have not been turned away already, each time now for you is a gamble
Rei ***********
Just stay away in Thailand for couples of months. Just get more stamps in your passport from another countries. I think there will be no problem coming back here then
John *******
Your travel history to Thailand is already in the system and if as frequent as you say there is a big chance you maybe turned around or denied entry upon scanning in they don't give 5 flying ones it's all down to the the person you front upon entry expensive experience if you get denied I would probably give it a shot but would certainly have a paid tourist visa in place prior to departure of my home land would not chance visa exempt Chokh di you going to need it
Kool *******
You've returned home so coming back from there they will let you in the country, but you could have problems of doing any border bounces, and getting tourist visas, and not flying to your home country at the end of the tourist visa and extension they let you in on.
Marc *********
If you did nothing wrong whats the problem ?
David *******
@Marc ********
apply for 60 day visa before you go
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc ********
people are turned away for having spent a lot of time in Thailand in the past. As per reports from other people
Henrik ****
@Daniel *********
, only if your story is spooky (or you look spooky) πŸ™‚ Many of us have long histories in Thailand without a problem. I had one day overstay 15 years ago giving me issues every time a lady was at the counter, until I actually got a new passport πŸ™‚
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
so having a new passport made them not mention your overstay?
Henrik ****
@Daniel *********
, yes, and avoiding a lady at the counter worked also with my old passport. They didn't actually mention my overstay, but every time when bouncing out and in (on my multiple Non-O) the lady at the counter was convinced that I had a new overstay even though the stamp said differently. When asking how possible to do an overstay when the stamp said differently, they always said it was my problem if the stamp was wrong. I learned to avoid ladies in uniform πŸ™‚
Paul *******
@Henrik ***
Granted, the ladies do tend to be the worst. You're right.
Henrik ****
@Paul ******
, I can only tell you my experience.
Henrik **************
Welcome to 2023, everything is computerized πŸ˜…
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik *************
thanks, good to be here.. πŸ˜•
Henrik **************
@Daniel *********
it isn't really but it's ok.. have to work with what we got right? πŸ˜“πŸ˜…
Richard *********
whats most important is the previous year

if multiple visa exempt, tourist visas>> ur pushing ur luck
ΠžΠ»ΠΈΠ²Π΅Ρ€ *********
Doesn't matter if you change your passport. Your immigration history is all in their computers.

The good days are over mate, where you could just chuck your passport away and get a new one to start fresh over!
Mike *******
Try to fly into a non-Bangkok airport. Better chance I believe
Brandon ************
@Mike ******
Phuket is as bad or worse
Mike *******
@Brandon ***********
is it? I've not tried. Sumui has always seemed simple and I hear Hua Hun field/airport is too.
Brandon ************
@Mike ******
I believe almost any other airport besides Bangkok and Phuket is fine. But it's hard to tell if they're actually good or just so few people so no reports
Steve *******
Yep. Changing your passport wont change your travel history. It's all digitally stored and has been for years.
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brandon ************
Yes they will see your entire history when they scan your fingerprints and take your photo. You have a very high chance of getting pulled aside and asked for the 3 proofs and/or being denied entry altogether.

You could try contacting an agency that offers VIP entry for a price to be determined after they know your entire history (
@Thai *****************************
), but it's likely to be expensive given what you've stated.

You're probably better off waiting for the LTR and getting it from your embassy in the UK before you return to Thailand.
Henrik ****
@Brandon ***********
, I guess it depends a lot of what the actually history is πŸ™‚ Wont it be difficult to get an LTR visa if your history looks bad?
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
I have never overstayed or done anything illegal, so the LTR application is irrelevant to my question... I just added that info for context in terms of waiting for the long-term solution to come through
Henrik ****
@Daniel *********
, then why do you think your history will be an issue entering Thailand by tomorrow?
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henrik ***
because people report that extensive history of spending time in Thailand in the past can cause immigration officers to look at you less favourably, and potentially deny entry. It's quite simple.

What do you mean about tomorrow? I never said I was entering tomorrow.
Henrik ****
@Daniel *********
, by tomorrow I meant before getting your LTR visa. I think ppl are getting problems from having spooky records like something looking like bending the visa rules. I changed from multiple Non-O into Non-O extensions when a border station officer was talking about "misusing" the visa rules by getting a visa without showing money (which was not true in my case). But at least one nearby consulate is well-known for issuing multiple Non-O visas without asking to see money...
Garrett ***********
@Henrik ***
Why would a history of living legally in Thailand look bad when applying for an LTR?
Henrik ****
@Garrett **********
, true, but then he probably has no problems in the first place?
Daniel **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
StΓ©fan ********
@Daniel *********
you won't have major issues if you acted within the law. Entering and staying in Thailand under various long-term visas isn't a problem. What they see disapprovingly are several back to back visa exemptions or simple tourist visas AND volunteer visas as several of these were bogus.
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