Do Australian passport holders and their Thai family members go through separate immigration lines at Bangkok airport?

Feb 18, 2018
7 years ago
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello

We are entering in to Bangkok international airport

My wife is Thai and holds a Thai passport.

Both me and my daughter hold Australian passports. Do we all go through the Thai immigration line as a family.?

Or do we have split up ?
5,165
views
5
likes
129
all likes
71
replies
1
images
32
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The question addresses what line to use for immigration when arriving at Bangkok airport with a Thai citizen spouse and Australian passport holders. Responses vary, with some confirming that it is common to split up between Thai and foreign lines, while others suggest that family members should go through the Thai line together. Experiences differ based on individual encounters, but the consensus is that families can often go through the Thai line without issue.
Miki *******
Youre all individuals, think:)
Jonn *********
90 days APEC
Lance *******
Thanks David
Jonn *********
BTW. You can apply from any member country.
Jonn *********
Had one for years and it was good.

China was fantastic to use.

Basically 21 country access for up to 90 days.

Asia pacific was the original setup.

USA and Canada are coming on.

Ten years validity now.

It was $200.

When I was with Ford Australia I introduced the card to all our key travellers.

It saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in visa fees.

Criteria for application was a significant amount of travel.

Financial benefits to the member countries.

Had to occupy a position in the company or provide a letter to warrant the issue.

It's still available for anyone interested.
Jeff *********
Sorry, but this question is simply odd. Aussies go in the Aussie line and Thais go in the Thai line. What is so difficult about that?
Robert ********
I'm American and do not qualify, but found this online using google, maybe it will help you...
******************************************************************************************
Lance *******
How do you get one Robert A. Piccus
Robert ********
Just get an APEC card and use the Priority Lane.
Richard *******
That's funny, I never spotted an 'Aussie' line at Suvarnabhumi airport...........
Zayid *******
Have had different results. But doesn't hurt to try staying together. But there is a priority lane on the right you should aim for. Ineligibles always use it so it is not clear but it's actually for families.
Robert ********
Not exactly...
******************************************************************************
Jonn *********
Went through two weeks ago and we were split up.

My Thai wife had to go through the e gate and I queued up 25 minutes in the normal section waiting for the usual people who don't fill tm6 forms in correctly.
Jonn *********
When i was working here and had an APEC card..

They used to rush to open up a separate gate... Happy days, they were.
Richard *******
@David ******
Yep, I am on the same and havn't had a problem. I guess it is the luck of the draw.
Jonn *********
So was the original poster.

I asked a very distinguished looking officer if we could go through together.

Response was she had to use the Thai e gate.

I had to join the rest of the people in the usual section.

I was on O with retirement extension and multiple re entry permit.

He looked at it, smiled politely and sent her one way, and me to the usual section.
Richard *******
Yes, but you are Australian............ ;)
Linda ************************
What a weird mix of contradictory and strange answers.... So what is the real answer?
Jonn *********
Hard to say because of the e passport control in place now, Thai people walk through the e gates.

UK and Australian e passports don't work on their system yet.

Much like the UK.

My Aussie passport doesn't work there.

Come to think of it, my UK one doesn't work there either, last time. lol. πŸ€”
Markus **********
Very good question :)
Ron *******
Another one who shouldnt be allowed to travel here until he has received attitude adjustment. Of course though, it's all key board bravado.
Brad *********
And there are Thai officials that read stuff posted in English.
Erik ***********
Acording to international airport policys they should not split up families. In the EU and US if a family member does not have the required passport for the line it is still okay. However if the little Hitler as some of you called them still says no make a stand and argue with them or just take the entire family to the other larger line. Thailand as a developing country needs to learn international standards and the only way for them to learn is to say no, argue and ask them why not. If their small brains only say no sir sorry just continue asking why and that you demand an explanation. This asking why is regards to anything even peewee brains outside of Thailand who cant give you an explanation. Good luck 😁
Bent ******
@Er**
I think you get a better result without arguing. Never heard of anyone who had better results from arguing with IO’s in Thailand.
Karim ********
All together Thai Line! Never had any problem.
Colin ***************
So I might have missed it. What happened please Angelo.
Martin ******
Always goes through with my wife. IO's have always been courteous and friendly. 10 years now
Noel *************
It's been said but I always go through the Thai one with my wife and never have any problems.
Mike *******
I was told they don't like families split up.
Mike *******
They don't like families in different queues in case of proplems on entry.
Markus **********
Cultural correct? Go ahead in line is a way of Thai culture so you are doing the right thing ;)
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike ******
I am quiet shocked

I Just wanted to do what right for my family and what was culturally correct
Mike *******
Can't please them all Angelo.just ignore the losers.
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks mike that is what I thought, but some people is advise Post

are quiet rude about a simple inquiry
Mike *******
I always use the thai channel when with the missus (thai)
Francis ********
I have to try that I always go threw the everybody else I do have a non O
Michael ******
Go through the Thai immigration lane mate.

I do this everytime with my wife, and the staff are always polite and friendly.
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks mate.

So confused

I take your advice
Edward ******
Split
Lall **********
Same way as u left
Bim *******
In 11 years I have always gone through the Thai line with my wife. Never a problem
James *******
One for Thai immigration, one for the rest. Simple
Michael ******
What colour are ducks?
Markus **********
@Michael *****
after reading many different opinions here I have come to the conclusion this in not black or white. Morally go ahead in a line is wrong, splitting up family also. Legally if there is a rule on this it is ok or not ok to do this. So do you follow the law/rules or your moral? And what people do here is not relevant. In a subject where we discus bringing medicine into Thailand one lady clearly statet that she always bring her medicine into Thailand without no problem (she had a prescription from her doctor) but the interesting here is if she was allowed to bring it or not.
Michael ******
@Markus *********
Care to expand on your opinion?
Markus **********
What people do and what's allowed is 2 different things. Morally and legal...
Michael ******
Go for it next time mate!

It's much quicker.
Lance *******
Michael I've no idea but i always get nervous when I'm in line. And i have a thai wife thought i wasn't scared of anything.
Michael ******
@Lance ******
Why does it give u the willies?

It's exactly the same staff if u go through the non Thai immigration desks.....
Lance *******
I always go thru farang line thai immigration gives me the Willie's 😬
Rob **********
No. It's not simple. You can go through the Thai line as a family. No problem - done it countless times with my daughter.
Michael ******
I always go through the Thai immigration desk with my Thai wife.

Immigration staff have always been polite and friendly to me.
Lance *******
Not according to half the people on here.
James *******
Split up
Colin ***************
They can only tell you where to go
Colin ***************
Go to the one that's the fastest line.
Graham *********
if young children you can go through the premier Lane. ...not to much queing
Graham *********
Yes that's. ok
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
2 year old ?
Daniel ************
all at thai immi
Haldis **********
I have gone through the Thai line with friends and with my stepmother, never been a problem.
Lance *******
What airport. We went thru Dong Muang and they split us up.
Paul **********
No problem at Suvarmabhumi let us go as family Not so Heathrow ignorant as pig shit
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
(special1) just asking if we go as a family of seperate. Simple question might be above your I Q
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Richard *******
Suvarnabhumi
Cholticha **********
Your daughter can go with the mother even she hold Australian passport.

Also if she is under 15yo , she can stay over 30days by following her thai mother
Richard *******
I have always stayed with my wife and daughter in the "Thai" line, never had a problem with that.
Angelo *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks that what I thought
Reiner *********
Or she go with u
Reiner *********
Split up
Thai Visa Advice
... members Β· 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice