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As an expat on a retirement visa, what documents are needed for domestic flights in Thailand?

Jun 6, 2022
4 years ago
Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
As an expat on retirement visa do I need anything other than my passport for domestic flights...i.e Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When flying domestically in Thailand, expats on a retirement visa typically only need their passport and a flight ticket. Some may also be asked for vaccination records. A Thai driver's license can sometimes be used instead of a passport for identification. There are no visa requirements for internal flights, only an ID is necessary.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Ben *******
Pretty sure there are zero visa requirements for internal flights in Thailand. I've taken a few on just a visa exemption.
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Giorgio ******
@Ben ******
absolutely right . No visa requirements for traveling on an airplane inside Thailand . Only ID .😁
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Giorgio ******
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Cliff *********
Passport and ticket and carry on is good
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Andy ******
Last 2 domestic flights I take from Bangkok to Phuket and back they only ask for passport ,depends which airline I think
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Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *****
...ok thanks
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Wayne ********
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Gary *********
The interweb, making people lazy for 20 years.
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Marc ***********
Enough money ?
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Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc **********
...always..🤣🤣
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Wayne ********
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Kevin **********
Also get one of those suitcases. I must have lost a dozen pair of underwear running thru the airports to get to my gate
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Giorgio ******
If you have a thai driver's licence you can use it

Don't even need your passport .

Still need your passport to book an hotel room , because it proves you visa's validity !!😁
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Hans ******
@Giorgio *****
pink thai ID card or drivers licence enough. Often even a European ID card accepted.
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Giorgio ******
@Hans *****
thanks for sharing your own personal experience ! As any real traveler knows experiences may vary depending on people , places, timing , situations etc...

This is one of the first thing any traveler learns . I learned that when I started traveling more than 50 years ago , and it is still easy to verify everyday ..
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Giorgio ******
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Mark ***********
@Giorgio *****
I never use mine. My Thai ID is always sufficient.
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Giorgio ******
@Mark **********
thanks for sharing your personal own experience . Experiences may vary depending on places , people and situations ! As any real traveler knows .😁
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Giorgio ******
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Wayne **********
@Giorgio *****
handy to know, thanks
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Оливер *********
@Giorgio *****
don't need a passport to check into hotel. Thai license is sufficient ☝️
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Giorgio ******
@Оливер ********
I say SOME hotels ... SOME SOME SOME !!!
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Оливер *********
@Giorgio *****
all of them! Never had any issues!
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Giorgio ******
@Оливер ********
At borders I went through customs hundreds of time . My luggage was never checked . I ' m not stupif enough to go around and tell people ; you may bring whatever you want through customs I've never been checked 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 or as you say "never had any issue " 🤣🤣🤣
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Giorgio ******
@Оливер ********
you've been in all thai hotels ?wouah !!! Great experience I guess you could write a guide .

Even after showing my driving licence Î've been asked for my passport to prove my visa availability .

The fact you have not been asked for it doesn't prove anything . I've never seen a live kangooroo

I won't pretend they don't exist , I've never been bitten by a dog doesn't mean they don't bite .
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Оливер *********
@Giorgio *****
then carry your passport with you. Whatever makes you happy 😊
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Giorgio ******
@Оливер ********
thank you for your advice . I've lived in Thailand for 20 years . I really needed the help of some smart guy who knows everything , and never had any issue ..
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Оливер *********
@Giorgio *****
have nice day!
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Оливер *********
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Andrew *********
@Giorgio *****
i only use DL hen flying domestic as well as checking in to hotels
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Giorgio ******
@Andrew ********
if you read well , I do too .

I just mention SOME hotels will ask you for your passport , I"m not here to give you a list but they do exist .

Î also use my driving licence most of the time . OF COURSE . I never said the contrary !!😉😉

I only say some places or some people have the authority to verify your visa situation , and for that you need your passport ,

Pink ID ,or driving licence doesn't show your visa situation .

Can't be clearer !!
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Giorgio ******
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Alan *********
@Giorgio *****
that's not correct, I use my Pink ID card when checking in at Hotel's.
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Giorgio ******
@Alan ********
well of course if you have a Pink Id card !

I prefer my driver's licence it's an ID proof and a licence

.... pink ID , is only proof if ID ! can't drive with a pink ID🤣🤣!!!
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Alan *********
@Giorgio *****
but you claim you need a passport to book a hotel which isn't true.
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Giorgio ******
@Alan ********
read again you"ll understand. Î said SOME hotel do . SOME SOME .
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Giorgio ******
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Jeff *******
@Giorgio *****
I use driver's license for hotel rooms
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Giorgio ******
@Jeff ******
I understand I do too , in some hotels I know . But some hotels won't let you in without your passport because they are responsible for checking your visa . This is the case of some places in Bkk .

Up to the hotel , to be strict or not!😁
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Jeff *******
@Giorgio *****
hasn't happened to me yet, but I usually check in late, I use hotels when I work in town.

Night shift maybe not too strict.
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Jeff *******
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Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Giorgio *****
..that's handy. I have a 5 year driving licence..thanks
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Giorgio ******
@Wayne *******
I always use my driver's licence as a proof of ID . Try it , you'll see !

Passport only for proof of visa's availability !😉
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Giorgio ******
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Kool *******
You might be asked to see your vaccination records.
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Gary *********
Charles, I flew and nothing required. That was February, so even less chance now as it’s soon to be classed as a epidemic. Maybe you were unlucky,
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Wilhelmina ********
I flew 2 weeks ago from Bkk to CM and was asked.
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Gary *********
They don’t Ian. I flew in February and not asked.
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Gary *********
Not everyone is vaccinated and those who aren’t are still flying, so your jabbed status is not important any more.
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Ian *****
@Gary ********
Although I think Air Asia have a vaccinated only policy, not sure though. 🤔
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Charles **********
@Ian ****
Bangkok Air said they require to see Covid vaccination document.
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Charles **********
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Giuseppe **********
They still look vaccine record, better to show it
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Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
...ok, thank you
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Gary *********
Not required, what ever your status I believe ?
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Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ********
...thanks, I'll see if I can get them. I've had 3 jabs in my local village
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Karim ***************
@Wayne *******
you don’t need them.
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Karim ***************
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Joe **********
A flight ticket maybe? But yes, that should be all
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Wayne ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Joe *********
...thank you
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Wayne ********
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