Hello my friend. Is your "next destination" your passport country? Even in such case, the embassy issues the letter? If the destination is a random country, don't they think go somewhere you can buy a ticket out if you deliberately don't want to go home?
this is only my assumption. When checking into the hotel, did you use his passport only? Otherwise it does not make sense that only he got rejected while both of you stayed at the hotel. 🤷♂️
I paid 2000 baht fine for one day delay of 90 days report at cw about 10 days ago. This is probably the worst thing that can happen. And the comment should be closed pretty soon because this is not a visa related question. Good luck.
also I was advised to consult my country's consulate in the country about unjust treatment. Like Japanese consulate in BKK, London, etc. But I haven't done, don't know how effective. I just wanted the say sorry and it is important to be know. I had to do this very quickly before comment closed.
No point asking me while they can reject your entry anytime based on the suspicion of you working, lol. But I did not take any visa, chose to do visa exempt entry more than permitted. I went to Penang and bought visa right away.
I am not sure which one is safer bet but if you are on land, you can save detention center daily charge when you are rejected because you don't need to wait for next flight back. You just walk back or drive back to Malaysia. I know because I did.