Upon entering DMK immigration yesterday, I encountered a Female IO and a second female who interceded and took me aside regarding multiple Visa exemption arrivals (my second this year but third in a row counting 2022). She said I can't enter the country again without a legit visa. She proceeded to type a great deal of info into the computer before stamping me in. That was a bit concerning...
She said they don’t believe that I’m a tourist and also that I can’t return to Thailand without a proper Visa which is fair enough as I have no plans of doing so.
However, I have this unfortunate blip (passport is only 8 months old!) where a previous STV Visa was crossed out and cancelled by Chiang Rai immigration in November. The female IO referenced it. Only one day after issuing me the 90 day extension last October they called me the next morning asking me to come back to the office and then proceeded to cancel my visa and refund my money. They told me to go to Laos and do a border bounce. They told me I could do it twice inside a calendar year, arrive on a Visa Exemption followed by a 30-day extension. Their words.
So my question is: I’ve recently been accepted as a student at MFU set to start my degree in August. I’ll be returning to Canada in the meantime. When I next return to Thailand it will be on an Education Visa sponsored by the University, for a 4 year program. Will I have continued difficulties at Immigration for the duration of my degree and my existing passport all because of the events described above? Will the University encounter difficulties because of it? The ED-Visa would be issued by the Embassy in Ottawa, should I expect any problems there also?
I’ve been here off and on since 2021 on an STV Visa, and some exemptions. I did have multiple visa extensions during COVID, etc via Pattaya, Koh Chang and Chiang Rai immigration offices.
Any advice or help greatly appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience at DMK immigration regarding concerns over frequent visa-exempt entries and a canceled STV visa. They have been accepted for a four-year study program at MFU and plan to apply for an Education Visa. The main query centers on whether their visa history will complicate future entries into Thailand, particularly with the new visa. Responses indicate that as long as they enter with the proper Education Visa and have all necessary documentation, they should not encounter significant issues. However, nuanced discussions suggest potential scrutiny due to previous frequent entries as a tourist.
