@Martin *****

cancelled mine, new years eve, about 5 years ago. Left me on the street without a booking at 5am.

How much does a cup of coffee cost ?Ɓ (ie it doesn't really matter does it, if you want it)

Whatever, you'll have enough change in your pocket to pay for it. Or is it a case of, if its free you'll get one, or maybe if its 200 maximum. But at 500, no way.. they are taking liberties. I don't understand what you will decide upon with any answer(s). You need it. Its dirt cheap. So........

@Jack ***************

ok, I understand your predicament more now. Of course you are being a little demanding with Chiang RAI, as I would think Chiang Mai has flights in from more departure cities/countries. So as someone else mentioned - codeshares. As example you fly London Heathrow to Chiang Mai, but with a changeover in BKK. The last leg of the journey, BKK to Chiang mai will be flown by thai Airways, usually with a thai Airways plane/staff. But you'll have a single ticket and won't need to collect/deposit bags at all.

Or am I missing your point entirely ?

Finally, go hand luggage only if possible. That will change your life.

Just fly DIRECT. No 'stop overs'. I think you may have a misunderstanding of how airlines routes are flown, or how to search and buy flights. What was the last flights / routes your bought and travelled .?

Have you toggled with options/settings on your search app.

I use skyscanner, since discover it maybe 15 years ago, nothing has beaten it.

Try skyscanner, chose 'DIRECT FLIGHTS ONLY'

@Will *****

it equates to number of people actually experiencing a behaviour. And with enough replies you could establish percentages/ratios and likelyhoods. But this is nothing unusual, no maltreatment in the slightest. This guy is swanning around like he's the first and only long term traveller with rights to any country, and he puts himself above other citizens of the world. He's lucky to be allowed in this time.

@Kev *********

there is little I don't know about immigration control, locations, technologies used, hours of business, staff hierarchy. Biometrics, technologies and manufacturers worldwide standards, and evading detection. I got a fair understanding of footpaths between Malaysia and Thailand on the southern border. But also jetski and boat hire on the island of Langkawi, and luxury yacht and private plane charter. The distances, depths and characteristics of the seas between Langkawi and mainland Malaysia, but also to Satun, in Thailand. From satellite imagery, I know the points and inlets on that coast line where you could land a jetski or small boat easily, with minimal eyes on you, where you could be instantly met by a driver with a vehicle, and within 2-3 minutes be joining the motorways north to Krabi. I also have similar knowledge for the Eastern border with Cambodia, and western border with Myanmar. Funny year that was.

@Will *****

so yes, asking for first hand experience from random people on here will give you more information and answers than going to your own embassy like a big baby, especially when there is no clear set of rules.

@Will *****

IF, and that's a big 'IF', If Thai immigration pick up a ringing phone (unlikely) and they understand that it is another countries embassy with a complaint on how their citizen was treated, that call will be put on hold, passed around, staff to staff, office to office, and that is if you're lucky, probably they will give you another office/telephone to call, but probably, They won't speak enough English to understand or pretend to not understand, and keep that up until the call drops. As ultimately no crime has been commited, no abuse of human rights. And immigration officers have the power and authority to deal with any matter as they see fit.

Have you any experience in post sales customer service here in Thailand?

Tried to get a refund or exchange over the telephone?

What is your experience of Thailand, and immigration ?

@Ken ******

you should be OK then. Fingers crossed for you. How long does retirement application take from handing it in ? Can you apply in advance of your 50th, so that it is ready and waiting ? Or its only valid to start processing from the very day of our 50th's ?

Why on earth are you sleeping on a bench in the airport ? Did you have any 'airport business' within 24 hours ? Sounds like you didn't.

With due respect, you do come across a little entitled here. Sounding off on Facebook, after being DESERVEDLY pulled aside, shookdown and frisked, like many others daily, is an example. Nothing special/unusual or even unpleasant happened to you, yet you report it like a sexual abuse. Using the airport benches as your private hotel room, when arriving 'just after midnight", is another great example. Most hotels have 24 hour reception/check in. Do you see for yourself the picture I'm painting ? And this AFTER your entry permitted through immigration.

You have some holes in your history you don't talk of. What is your exact history of entry exit to Thailand since your 2 year covid break ?

What is the purpose of your lengthy stay in Asia ? What do you do for work ? What do you do for income ? It sounds a little like Thailand has been your 'base' certainly since covid, and maybe before, but only a little.

You also did not display or even mention to them or us, the three proofs. Onward flight, 20k in cash, proof of paid accommodation booking. Did immigration not ask for this ?

With regards to rules, there is in reality only one rule, and that is "Entry to Thailand is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer