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Can I transit through Bangkok on my way to London if I am prohibited from re-entering Thailand?
Thailand immigrationTransit rulesVisa restrictionsTravel adviceCustoms proceduresSelf-transfer flights
Apr 3, 2025
a year ago
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi , can I get advice please, I exited Thailand on 23-3-25 after a eight month stay , (broken up by a boarder run and two weeks in Vietnam) so in that eight month period I was in Thailand for over seven months …. I was told by immigration I cannot re-enter Thailand for a six month period….. I’m now in The Philippines wanting to book a trip to London / Heathrow,, nearly all the flights go via Bangkok ,, self transfer ….. Will I be allowed to enter Thailand as technically I have to go through customs to claim my baggage to rebook on connecting flight ?? TIA..
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires whether they can transit through Bangkok while on their way to Heathrow, considering they've been informed by Thai immigration they cannot re-enter Thailand for six months after a lengthy stay. Comments suggest that if the flight is booked as a connection (without needing to retrieve baggage), entry might be avoided, but answers differ on the necessity of customs clearance in a self-transfer scenario.
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Steve *********
Fly Singapore Airlines, to Singapore, and continue on to the UK
Richard ******
If you do a transfer all on one ticket from origin to destination technically you are not entering Thailand 🇹🇭 just making a connection. Your bags should be booked to final destination as well.
Meady *********
Immigration I'd for leaving and entering only
John *********
Only transit
Darren **********
Anytime I’ve ever traveled and had a layover in a foreign country. I’ve never gone through customs. I’ve just gone to the gate where my next flight will be.
Brandon ************
@Darren *********
A self-transfer means it 2 separate tickets. One booked to Bangkok, then a different ticket purchased from Bangkok to the next destination. That means you have to leave the secure area going through passport control to check-in for your next flight at the main desks.Darren **********
@Brandon ***********
what’s the benefit of doing that?Brandon ************
@Darren *********
Sometimes can be cheaper, sometimes need more time in a place, many potential reasons.Reply to
Brandon ************
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Jim ********
@Darren *********
self transfer is differentReply to
Jim ********
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Ollie *******
KLM doesn’t go Bangkok from Philippines.
William *********
Try Manila/Tapei/ Heathrow with EVA, done it a few years ago and it was fine.
Charles ******
I'm sure there's other local international airports that fly direct to London, can you not just get a cheap interconnecting flight to one of them. I'm pretty sure Hanoi does, maybe HCMC or Kuala Lumpur
Mike *******
A friend just flew from Manila to Heathrow on Thai Airways and transited in Bangkok without entering Thailand. Can’t you do the same?
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mike ******
not on a self transfer , I’m not sure maybe without checked luggage ? But to claim checked luggage you have to go through customs , therefore actually entering Thailand …. So it appears it’s not possible 🙅Elías ********
@Mark ********
you don't need to claim baggage if the whole trip is on the same airline or other work code-share.Mike *******
@Mark ********
So why do a self transfer, rather than transit? Surely transit is an option.Reply to
Mike *******
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John ********
There is no harm in dreaming of course you will be turned around and a answer to your question is NO WAY 🤣🤣
John ********
Darren Thailand no different than you asshole
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDarren Thailand sarcasm 😉
Darren **********
Reply to
Darren **********
Reply
Mark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
ok thanks for info, wasn’t dreaming at all , didn’t know , that’s why I was asking the question ….Maybe one day I’ll be as vastly knowledgeable as you ……. 🙈Darren **********
@Mark ********
you think he’s knowledgeable? I thought he was being an asshole. Braulio *********
@Mark ********
...,it's an adult skill to be politeMark *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Braulio ********
doesn’t take an adult to be polite , it’s just common decency, plenty of children have it also …. 🤔Reply to
Mark *********
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Michael **********
nope, self transfer means you have to get through the custom and that means that you'll get denied in. Check on Hong Kong or china instead
Reply to
Michael **********
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