Answered2 years ago
Can I transit through Bangkok on my way to London if I am prohibited from re-entering Thailand?
Hi , 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..
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.
25 repliesnewest first
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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.
Jim ********
@Darren *********
self transfer is different
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 *********
OP@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.
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 *********
OPDarren Thailand sarcasm 😉
Darren **********
Mark *********
OP@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 *********
OP@Braulio ********
doesn’t take an adult to be polite , it’s just common decency, plenty of children have it also …. 🤔
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
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