First Visa Extension Run - Re-Entry Experience - Suvarnabhumi Airport

It was time to do an somewhat early extension run due to scheduling conflicts as my initial 180 das were ticking away. As with most DTV'rs, I see no reason but to leave the country for a few days and make a weekend out of it.

Going through an extension with immigration seems to be a pain and most officers doesn't seem to want to go through the hassle themselves and each immigration asks for various things.

A change of environment is also always good IMHO and doesn't cost much. Went to Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. Never been there. Will probably not be back there either. I think there are more interesting places in Vietnam to visit. But that is besides the point.

Coming back, had already done the TDAC and was extremely lucky with no immigration lines at all and many immigration officers at location.

I really tried to seek out a male officer but the very vast majority was female (I am male) and I got directed to a certain line while trying to find a male officer.

My 20+ years experience in Thailand is, along the lines of what's been posted here before, that I have never had any problems with male officers. The female ones are the ones that can give you grief. And have done so in the past for me. A few times. for absolutely no reason.

When it was my turn, just one person in front of me, I haded over my passport and my A6 sized laminated visa.

The question "what you do in Thailand" was answered with "business development and software development within AI" was met with a frowning face and a surprising negative look with a shacking face as there would be a problem with that.

Most likely, what I just explained to her was way over her head. I realized that I could have entered the whole "cannot lose face" zone with her with my response.

She held my passport and the stamp and tinting her head in a body language "I am in doubt" and "should I really stamp this passport with what was just being explained to me" kind of posture.

Took a few (long) seconds where I was getting nervous of a secondary inspection and getting grilled. Not that I have anything to hide nor haven't got all my ducks in a row but, if you get the wrong officer on the wrong day, those who knows, they know.

It is an experience anyone can be without.

After those seemingly very long seconds she stamped my passport and waived to me in a way of "get out of my face".

She wasn't a member of the "Land of Smiles" club. I can tell you that much.

I am from a Western EU country. Very presentable. Shaved. Fresh hair cut. Buttoned shirt. Dress proper. Articulate well. Shower daily for those who wonder. Wear expensive watch and some bling bling. Samsonite hand luggage. Well, you get the idea.

No tourist visa history that stands out by any means. Far apart. Not frequently used.

Yet, this unnecessary attitude. And it is always from female officers. Did I feel welcome as a quality tourist who brings in quite a lot of foreign capital and spends way over the average tourist during longer periods of time? No, not really. Quite the contrary.

Anyway, stamped in, no biggie. No major questions asked. Just feeling unwelcome by an immigration officer who I am sure rather would greet some quality Indian tourists.

Sorry for the rambling. Just can't understand why Thais so quickly forgot what happened to them when Covid-19 hit. They quickly forget how important we are for their economy.

From first hand experience only please, not speculation- When entering on a workation DTV, Is the entry smoother and less hassle-free, less chance of difficulty for first entry on DTV to enter through BKK, and then travel on to CNX? I'm getting mixed signals from various posts here. I feel I'm in 100% compliance, and the extra leg through BKK adds travel costs and is basically a nuisance. If the odds of not being f'd with are the same, I'd rather just enter at CNX.

My next border run is coming up. Planning to fly to Vietnam for a week. What's your current experience re-entering to Bangkok? Were you asked for documents or confirmation of your bank balance?

An alternative would be to cross the border into Laos at Nakhon Phanom. Does anyone have experience with this?

Could people share their experiences recently re-entering from Laos by Land? Any documents asked? Thank u:)

Sorry about the anonymous post I don't usually do it but don't want a certain person bugging me. Done my second entry today at chiang khong and it was smooth asf. Leaving laos he said you only stayed one night but I had my print out to hand and (laminated with dtv print out on one side and soft power document on the other side.a smile and through in 2 mins max. On the thai side exactly the same but took a bit longer as the lady was interested about my cycle touring as I was entering with my touring bike.took about 3 mins max. Showed my dtv but she just passed it back to be with a โคกดีและปลอดภัยเดินทาง.

I’m a Myanmar passport holder. I entered Thailand for the first time with a DTV at BKK airport last night from HCMC. The process was quick. No questions were asked and I didn’t have to show any documents. The officer simply took my passport, stamped it and handed it back.

But I’ve seen some posts in group where people were worried about entering Thailand for the first time with a DTV at BKK Airport. Based on my experience, it was completely smooth and hassle-free. Thanks.

Hello community,

I want to share my recent and frankly *horrible* experience entering Phuket International Airport — posting anonymously as I don’t want any trouble.

This was my first time entering Thailand on the new DTV (Digital Workation) visa. As soon as the immigration officer realized it was my first entry on this visa, I was pulled aside. Another officer took my passport and asked me to wait.

I wasn’t nervous at first because I had applied for the visa myself and prepared everything properly. I had my house lease and bank statements printed, and the rest of the documents on my phone.

After around 10 minutes, an officer gave me a form to fill out with detailed personal info. I completed it and waited another 15 minutes. Then they asked to see all my documents. I showed everything I had printed, then they asked for the rest from my phone. I had *a lot* — I really overprepared during the application process and had every possible supporting document.

The officer started going through everything very carefully. I began to feel nervous and even started shaking — not just from fear, but also because the airport was freezing cold. About 20 minutes later, he came back and said he still wasn't convinced and asked for *more* documents.

At that point, I was panicking. I started pulling out anything I could think of — LinkedIn profile, old diplomas, past certificates, anything that could prove my career and remote work. I explained everything politely, clearly, and with a smile, trying to stay calm.

Still, the officer said he needed to consult his supervisor. He was grilling me for over an hour. I’m a white woman, dressed appropriately, speaking respectfully and openly — and yet I felt like I was being treated with suspicion from the start.

Eventually, after what felt like forever, he handed me my passport and let me go. I understand they have a job to do and must be careful, but the whole experience was incredibly stressful. I really thought I might be deported.

I’m sharing this so others are mentally prepared — especially if you’re entering via Phuket with a new visa. I hope your entry is smooth and drama-free, because I’m still shaking as I write this.

Very unpleasant experience.

Land of smiles? Not at BKK Suvarnabhumi airport.

History;

2023- 1 x visit of 28 days and 1 visit on VISA for 56 days.

2024- 2 visits of 29 days

2025- decide to travel around Asia for 6 months. Arrive BKK 28/1. 2 months visa exempt and 1 month extension. Visited many cities and places. Then flew to Cambodia and Vietnam for 2 months as never been before.

25/6 - fly back to BKK. TDAC all completed, flight to Europe on 22 July, so less than 1 month.

Immigration woman told me I will not be allowed entry. I asked why not, she said you've just done a border bounce and you're not a tourist! ( border bounce for 2 months lol)

No. No entry. So she called a supervisor, who saw my visas etc for cambodia and Vietnam. Showed him a list of cities and places i had visited, and my return flight to Europe. He asked why i had extended before and i told him honestly, i was going to visit the south chumphon and Hat Yai. He agreed that I was a tourist, and told the woman immigration officer to let me in. He then left.

Her face was like thunder, you could see the anger in her face.

As she returned my passport she said, you're not allowed in Thailand again without a visa!

I know it's IO decision, but with my history and never a border bounce, I find her attitude and decision harsh? Any views welcomed , especially as the amount of people who abuse the V.E and border bounce regularly. Maybe it's these abusers, ruining it for genuine travellers

Has anyone had any issues coming through Suvarnabhumi Airport immigration on a DTV Soft Power asking questions about recent Muay Thai recent classes and asking for proof ?

Anyone received their visa today from Hanoi?