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Do I need my passport to fly domestically with Bangkok Air if it's with the embassy for renewal?
Visa RulesTravel DocumentationThailand Domestic FlightsPassport RequirementsExpat Travel ExperiencesVisa and Immigration AdviceHotel Check-in Procedures
Mar 10, 2023
3 years ago
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERDo I need my passport, as a foreigner , when flying domestic on Bangkok Air. ?
I need to surrender my passport for 6 weeks for renewal..
Other issues I may encounter ?
I need to surrender my passport for 6 weeks for renewal..
Other issues I may encounter ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
When flying domestically in Thailand, particularly with Bangkok Air, travelers are typically required to show some form of identification. If you are surrendering your passport for renewal and cannot provide the original, alternatives such as a Thai driver's license or a photocopy of your passport may suffice. However, it's crucial to understand that many hotels and airlines are likely to still request your original passport, either for verification of immigration status or as a standard identification procedure. Many expatriates recommend having a photocopy of your passport along with a written confirmation of its surrender to your embassy or consulate. It is advised to verify with the airline before flying and keep up-to-date with the latest requirements regarding travel identification in Thailand.
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Bjorn ********
I’ve been in a similar situation in Thailand and I had a dozen color photocopies of the passport ID page and the arrival stamp made up. I traveled a bit and every hotel took my photocopy AND explanation why I didn’t have the passport in possession.
Paul *******
Since hotels will simply photocopy the passport information page (they don't need the arrival stamp) then a physical passport really isn't necessary. A photocopy does the job because that's what they'll retain themselves anyway.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Lisa ********************
Have you used an agent / agency to get new passport?
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lisa *******************
to easy to do on my own. Consulate is 5 minutes away . Paper work takes 20 minutes. Been on first name basis with consulate for 25 years..Lisa ********************
@Brian **********
good. I do mine myself but often using an agency slows things down.Paul *******
@Lisa *******************
Do embassies even permit you to use an agency? I'd think it depends on the embassy, never heard of this being a thing except for british citizens, and the only reason I know that is because some Thai visa agents advertise they can help to apply for British passports as well.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Rob ********
Hi Brian , just looking at comments first , various agreements , anyhow , as a foreigner you required to carry passport or Id , usual stuff , photo of passport and paper copy in your wallet . I’ve flown numerous times with Bangkok air from samui to Bangkok , always had to show my passport , they insist , never really flown with them elsewhere , flown various other places , many with Thai smile and not really had a problem , used my ID ,
Paul *******
Take photocopies of your passport, which is surely sufficient for hotel check in, in case you don't have a Thai driver's license. Only for a flight may they require the original document.
Paul *******
Just wait, soon
@Steve *******
will come along and tell us all how his magic Australian drivers license got him onto a Thai domestic flight even though legally, only a foreign passport or Thai government issued photo ID is acceptable for domestic travel by air.Steve ********
@Paul ******
We're talking about producing ID. Thai Smile and Thai Airways have always accepted my Aussie driving licence for domestic flights. Happy now? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. But again, the post is about Bangkok Airways, of which I have no experience. That's the topic.Paul *******
You don't need to carry your passport around either, only a copy. I use my Thai driver's license to travel around the country including on the rare occasions I fly domestic. I wouldn't pull out my foreign driver's license though, simply because it could be rejected. You've been lucky they're accepting it but airlines are under no obligation to do so, because it's not a Thai government issued document.
Now stop being lazy and just get yourself a Thai driver's license. Very easy to do can be accomplished in a few hours.
Now stop being lazy and just get yourself a Thai driver's license. Very easy to do can be accomplished in a few hours.
Paul *******
@Steve *******
it seems you do and you even have an inate ability to make up facts. THAI stopped flying domestic months ago, so how did you fly with them from Phuket? Even to make a booking you're forced to buy a ticket from the Thai Smile counter, as THAI won't sell you one. Happened to my friend last September on a flight from Bangkok to Phuket. He may have received a TG flight number but THAI Smile, with its all economy class product isn't THAI mainline. Period.Steve ********
@Paul ******
I book online using the Thai Airways app. It's the same airline you dickhead. I haven't bought a ticket at a counter for about twenty years! Do you still do that? Cackle! You're still way off topic. This thread is about ID, not about the different classes on an aircraft! Cackle. I don't need a Thai licence, why would I bother. I rented a car in Phuket from Avis, Aussie licence accepted (as always in the last 23 years. Chortle). Perfectly legal.Paul *******
@Steve *******
Calm down now mr. Goldilocks, it's NOT the same airline, otherwise, why the different name? What part of THAI Smile is a subsidiary of THAI do you not understand? It's absolutely a separate airline. If it were the SAME airline, why the need for the two companies to merge?Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Paul *******
@Steve *******
Thai doesn't fly from Bangkok to Phuket!!! Thai Smile does.Steve ********
@Paul ******
I flew Thai yesterday from Phuket to Bangkok and as usual the licence was accepted. I can't see what it has to do with the booking system. I always book on the Thai Airways website and get a Thai Airways (TG) flight number, but I assure you the ID is merely to ensure that the person receiving the boarding pass is the one standing in front of them. And as I've said before, it's a legal requirement to carry a passport, so I do, but it's much easier to pull the licence out of the wallet and place it on the counter. But this post is about Bangkok Airways. I only ever fly Thai domestically so I can't comment on what processes other airlines use. I hope this now clears up your confusion, because you seem to struggle with comprehensionPaul *******
@Steve *******
and yet they have separate booking systems! So you don't care that you can't fly domestic on THAI anymore to show off your shiny Australian drivers license? Might be time to apply for a Thai one or dust off your passport .Steve ********
@Paul ******
We're talking about showing ID at check in. Thai Airways accept my Australian driver's license. That's what we're talking about. I've no idea what will happen when the Thai Smile name ceases to exist, and frankly I don't care. It will be what it is. And Thai Smile is WHOLLY owned by Thai Airways, so you're wrong about that tooPaul *******
@Steve *******
absolutely not the same product at all at this time. It's basically like a low cost carrier. Let's see whether THAI is serious about returning to flying domestic after the merger is completePaul *******
@Steve *******
Thai Airways no longer flies domestic routes. Thai Smile does, but that's a different airline, part owned by THAI. Very different product.Steve ********
@Paul ******
Totally owned by Thai Airways and about to be rebranded as Thai Airways. Same product.Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Steve ********
@Paul ******
Thai Airways has always accepted it. I can't help what they do, I can only report in actual events. But yeah, I reckon a Canadian licence will be accepted by Thai Airways, don't know about other airlines. Consistency is not a word in the Thai vocabulary. 🤣Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
John ********
Always have a copy of your passport most relevant pages with you as required by Thai law - then you are safe with police and check in at hotels without original pass
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
always do. Passport stays in a safe place , not my pocket..Reply to
Brian ***********
Reply
Dana *******
You are in a foreign country and your Canadian Embassy has asked you to give them your current passport and stay without it for 6 weeks before delivering you a new one ? Really ? My Swiss embassy ask me to exchange my old passport for the new one only the day once the new passport is ready ! They then make a hole in my old passport and I can even keep it if I wish. Poor Canadians...
Dana *******
Just keep in mind that our passport does not belong to us, but belongs to our government. There are some obligations. One of them is to not let it in the hands of non-officials, especially in a foreign state.
Bobby ********
Let's ask our "Canadian Correspondent"
@Todd ********
. What's the story Todd, how can Canada do this to their people? 🤣Jack *********
I flew from Phuket to BKK and needed my passport and Boarding pass.
Paul *******
A Thai driver's license would have worked too.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Roberto *********
Why would you be "surrendering" your passport for SIX WEEKS!!! Are you deranged?????
Roberto *********
@Brian **********
I can't believe your own country would leave you in a foreign country without a passport. That's lunacy.Delvonte ********
@Roberto ********
im sure you have to give your American passport as well. Think it is customaryRoberto *********
@Delvonte *******
I can only speak for Australia. You apply online for a renewal. The old passport is automatically cancelled thirty days after the new one is posted to you. You never have to be "without passport"Reply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roberto ********
welcome to our Tredeau gov'tReply to
Brian ***********
Reply
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roberto ********
ask Canada.. not my choice.Taz **********
@Brian **********
it is weird, Australia doesn’t even keep your old passport, on receipt of the new passport they just cut half of the front cover to void its validity, I still have about 4 old passports plus my current passport, but like I said earlier ask them for a letter to say it’s been surrendered for issue of a new passportReply to
Taz **********
Reply
Taz **********
If you have a Thai drivers licence it can be used for all domestic travel and checking into hotels, suggest you take a photo of your passport and relevant stamped pages, also a photocopy, you are required to be able to provide identification to police ect if requested, required to carry identification. Also if surrendering your passport make sure you get something in writing to say it has been surrendered for renewal, to show police if requested to show ID. You will not be able to fly domestic without passport or Thai drivers licence, you should be able to travel by bus if someone else buys the ticket, I have travelled by bus with Thai partner buying both tickets on her ID card
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
calm down hilltribe man. I'm simply recounting how things are done in Thailand. You're stuck in the past. I even agreed with you that some hotels insist on sighting a passport. So there's really nothing additional for you to comment on or rant about.Paul *******
@Taz *********
you responded to the wrong person. Your reply was meant for @Giorgio *****
right?Taz **********
@Paul ******
yeah sorry, oopsReply to
Taz **********
Reply
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
well, I'm simply stating that things have changed (in a good way) even Thailand doesn't remain static. The only thing that continues to remain inconsistent is whether a particular hotel insists on sighting a passport if you're a foreign national and on a non-immigrant visa or not. Most of the time, they don't but there are some that do.Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
ouf ouf ouf shhhhh ... that is all I am f*****g saying . you don't decide , I don't decide . they do what they want , and if you go to one of those places , you have to comply . I never said any thing different , for who can read english . even though I could write
it as clearly in 4 other languages .
and any body gets in one of those places , believe me , they are not gonna call Paul James ( nor John Doe) to know what to do .
Reply to
Giorgio ******
Reply
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
occasionally that happens to me too, but my point is they only copy your information page they NEVER waffle through your passport to check entry stamps. That's something they used to do years ago but not anymore. TM6 forms are no more for Air arrivals and some nationalities use auto gates now like I said. That was my point. I've been asked for my passport twice in the past 10+ years. Just twice. Once, i handed my friends passport to the hotel the second time I had no choice to show my own.Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
I would think a guy like you would be smart enough to " Never say never" 🤣🤣 . because you NEVER know what somebody you NEVER met is supposed to doin a country of 65 millions souls and 3000 km long .
I realise I had completely wrong idea about you , being a smart guy . teaches me a good lesson .
I feel disapointed ...
Reply to
Giorgio ******
Reply
Paul *******
@Brian **********
nevermind Giorgio, his information is out of date. I've been to dozens of hotels throughout Thailand both as a guest myself and accompanying guests and not once have I seen a hotel clerk going through a passport to take copies. They only copy the front information page. 98% of hotels accept a Thai driver's license or pink ID card in lieu of a passport too. Therefore, no need to rely on the wife. For me, I often travel alone hence I need to rely on myself and the documents I hold to check in. Only twice have I been asked to present a passport for hotel check in. The first time, I got my friend to present his instead, while in the second case I was alone and grudgingly handed over my passport. Next day I was heading to Laos so had it on me. On most purely domestic trips I leave the passport at home though I do take copies with me.Paul *******
Only 3 countries in this region still go through your passport with a fine brush so to speak, these are Myanmar, Vietnam and China..in all 3 countries, outdated bureaucracy means checking and photocopying all visa and entry stamp information in addition to the information page.
Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia hotels simply take a quick photocopy of your information page.
Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia hotels simply take a quick photocopy of your information page.
Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
yet in 2018, Thai immigration officials at an event held by the government were able to find my immigration info just by looking up my Thai driver's license. Keep trying, Giorgio!Paul *******
@Giorgio *****
no hotels check your visa anymore. They just take a photocopy of the information page of your passport. With that, immigration can easily check your status. Besides, Hong Kong and Singapore passport holders use auto gates now, they don't receive a stamp in their passport. Your information is 20 years old!Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
20 years went by so fast !🤣🤣🤣 ! 2 weeks ago an hotel in Bangkok wouldn't let me check in , without seeing my passport . it's not because you haven't face some situations yourself that these situations don't exist !!
Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
I didn’t say they don’t exist, I did say once in 12 years I was asked to provide my passport despite my Thai partner supplying her ID, & that hotel still accepted my Thai licence, I also said 99 percent of the time I have not needed my passport, and there are plenty of hotels around so if one demands passport can simply go to another 🤣🤣🤣Giorgio ******
@Taz *********
you are really some kind of traveller .. you are so much " I know everything" I cant belive a smart guy like you think you are , would advice to go to another hotel . pretty stupid @🤣. if you've never been in a place where there is no other hotel you haven't been in as many places as you pretend .it just make it clear , you're a troll as your name indicates l
Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
OXY-morons like you make me laugh, 🤣🤣🤣 so where in Thailand is the one horse hotel, besides the little things you find attached to a village, & yes I’ve been there too 🤣🤣🤣Giorgio ******
@Taz *********
of course you've been there , trolls have virtually been in every a** hole of the planet .Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
🤣🤣🤣 you are such a sad person 🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Taz **********
Reply
Giorgio ******
@Paul ******
sorry I don't have to go through such troubles . but of course everything is always possible . they can also get infos about you , just from your car's plate . so when some official wants to check about you, you're gonna tell him : hey officer if you want infos about me why don't you just check my plates .. keep trying
Reply to
Giorgio ******
Reply
Giorgio ******
@Brian **********
yes of course !!! if you use your wife thai ID to check in hotels were would they be a problem ??? who said the contrary ?? the prior question wasn't about your wife .
you lived here 29 years and you still don't know if you need your passport or not to fly domestic ????🤣🤣🤣
I've lived here for quite a few years and always used MY driver's license to fly destic , never been an issue
Giorgio ******
@Taz *********
some hotels (not all) absolutely require your passport because they have to check the validity of your staying , so they need to check your visa . .thos is a fact even though dome people here are gonna tell you you don't need it , and your thai drivers licence ( which is true in many cases) is enough ! those people are jerks , yoir driver's licrnce contains no informations about your visa
Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
🤣🤣🤣Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
it’s not your visa they are checking, it’s your name and your passport number which is printed on your Thai licence, they have to record it in the hotel register, this register is what the police check when they go around hotels, they are supposed to reference the registered guest against their wanted persons on the immigration wanted list.Yes some hotels request passport, however the majority do not, also travelling with a Thai Partner they can check in using their ID card, 99 percent of the time the hotel will not ask for foreigner passport ect, I know because I have done this for years, once my passport was lost, so my partner used her ID to check into hotel, no questions asked, from that time on I always asked her to check in and buy bus tickets, only once in 12 years a hotel said they needed my ID and requested my passport, as usually my partners ID was enough, I supplied my Thai Drivers licence pointing out my passport number was on it. A friend of mine from America also uses some ID, can’t recall what it is exactly, however it is photo ID / miniature passport data page with passport number, I have travelled with him and he just shows it to check in, and me, no passport just Lao girlfriend booking our room 🤣🤣🤣
Giorgio ******
@Taz *********
all this blablabla doesn't contain the smallest info I din't know . thank you for easting your time to supply infos eberybody knowsTaz **********
@Giorgio *****
****************************
Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
if you knew all the info, why did you crawl out from under your rock 🤣🤣👍Giorgio ******
@Taz *********
I did it so once in a while it gives people like you a chance to believe they are important and so smartTaz **********
@Giorgio *****
🤣🤣🤣Taz **********
@Giorgio *****
🤣🤣🤣Reply to
Taz **********
Reply
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Giorgio *****
I get my wife to use her Thai id at check in. Never an issue in 29 yearsReply to
Brian ***********
Reply
Mark **********
Go to the police with your passport, they will issue you a letter
Paul *******
Your embassy can issue such a letter and it's more official than the police.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Malcolm *************
Never surrender your passport officially the law states in Thailand you should always have your passport with you
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Malcolm ************
yes, I realize this. Last time it was 10 days , this time 6 weeks plus ? Canada rules get pretty stupid.Malcolm *************
@Brian **********
Very strange rules indeedReply to
Malcolm *************
Reply
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Malcolm ************
Canada says it has to be surrendered.. screws me up. But it is what it is .Malcolm *************
@Brian **********
Can only speak for British passport holders 👍Reply to
Malcolm *************
Reply
Roberto *********
@Malcolm ************
It's not just Thai law, it's the law of the country who issued the passport.Reply to
Roberto *********
Reply
Stuart *********
You need ID. Whether it’s your passport or some Thai government issued ID such as a driving licence will also suffice.
What country is your passport? Many don’t need you to surrender the old one when applying for a new one. For example for a British passport you only make colour copies of every single page, but keep the original.
What country is your passport? Many don’t need you to surrender the old one when applying for a new one. For example for a British passport you only make colour copies of every single page, but keep the original.
Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Canada takes it and returns it. With new PPThat way I can transfer the Visa at Immigration
Andrew ********
@Stuart ********
Australia take your passport. You get the old one back (rendered useless)with the new one.Andrew ********
I'm about to find out its time to get a new one.
Brett *********
@Andrew *******
I renewed my Australian passport in Bangkok 2021. They cut it. Put a stamp in it and gave it back to me.Brian ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Andrew *******
same for Canada. But 6 weeks. My Buddha , Why ??Andrew ********
I'm in Bangkok and my information is correct.
Roberto *********
@Andrew *******
Actually you're wrong. Australia you do not need to send old passport when renewing onlineStuart *********
@Andrew *******
Ok thanks for the info. Didn’t know that.Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Jeremy ********
you will need it to check into your hotel
Marc ********
@Jeremy *******
Why?Terry ********
@Marc *******
because he’s a troll.Jeremy ********
@Terry *******
I’m a troll for asking questions???Reply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
Zap **********
@Jeremy *******
5555Jeremy ********
@Michelle ***********
im still waiting patiently for you to answer the questions.....Reply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
Zap **********
@Jeremy *******
what's your problem?Jeremy ********
@Michelle ***********
nothing im waiting for you t answer my questions...im patientZap **********
@Jeremy *******
you are also assuming he doesn't 🤣 just letting him know what's accepted for check in case he doesJeremy ********
@Michelle ***********
ok but I asked 2 questions....Reply to
Jeremy ********
Reply
Stuart *********
@Jeremy *******
never ever needed a passport to check in to a hotel, but just use driving licence. The OP hasn’t stated whether they have one of those though. Nor indeed if they were going to stay in a hotel….Zap **********
@Jeremy *******
or Thai Drivers licenseJeremy ********
@Michelle ***********
does everyone have that? does he have that? Ill wait patiently for you to answer those questionsZap **********
@Jeremy *******
I don't know but it is accepted for check inJeremy ********
@Michelle ***********
so you're assuming he has oneReply to
Jeremy ********
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