Answered9 months ago
Do I need to clear immigration and customs when transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight in Bangkok?
If someone is flying from UK to BKK and then getting an internal flight, do they have to clear immigration and customs first?
No baggage to collect.
International light lands at 06:00
Onward internal flight leaves at 07:40
Is that enough time?
No baggage to collect.
International light lands at 06:00
Onward internal flight leaves at 07:40
Is that enough time?
Answer summary
When arriving in Bangkok on an international flight and connecting to a domestic flight, whether you need to clear immigration depends on if your baggage is checked through to your final destination. If your ticket is booked directly to your domestic destination and your bags are checked through, you may not need to pass through regular immigration, but instead use a separate transit immigration area. However, if you need to collect your baggage and check in again for the domestic flight, you will need to clear immigration and customs in Bangkok, which could be tight with only 1 hour and 40 minutes between flights. It is advisable to check the specific airline arrangements and factor in possible delays.
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Russell ****************
Pushing it, you might make it.
Bent *************
Depends on the destination and the airport.
Dan *******
It is more than enough time. Yes, you will clear immigration in BKK, but there is a seperate immigration for transit passengers which is normally pretty fast. Security will be done just before your boarding gate, which is also normally pretty fast
Michael ********
That would be tight!
Bob **********
Yes you have to clear immagration to get to the domestic flights it’s going to be a close call
Nongnuch ********
in case your baggage gets checked through, you will remain in transit, and pass through a special Immigration counter on your way from the international to the domestic terminal, though which you will get stamped in into Thailand. Make sure you have your TDAC filled out and submitted. 1:40 hour is plenty of time, if your incoming flight isn't late. You will need your carry your checked baggage through customs at the last airport . . . . . . follow these signs:
Bjørnar ******
Nongnuch Kamdee you dont see kkc in that list ?
Nongnuch ********
Bjørnar Aure et cetera! The sign is not long enough to name every city to which you can fly from the domestic terminal . . . or do you see Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, U-Tapao ?
Lynnette *******
If you booked to final destination with an airline that's got a code share with a domestic airline then you follow the transit signs to the departure gate. Did you book to Bangkok and buy a separate ticket to a different place or buy a ticket UK to somewhere with transit in BKK? If you booked and it's transit in Bangkok you don't leave international and check back in. It helps if you know whether your ticket was issued to where you're actually going.
Tim *******
No you can have luggage full of drugs and no one knows
Nongnuch ********
Tim Jones he will have to pass his luggage through Thai customs at the final destination which is Khon Kaen International Airport
Nigel *******
There is a different immigration for people transferring to domestic flights. It depends if you have your boarding pass for the domestic flights. If not you have to go through the main immigration, then check in for your domestic flights.
Nongnuch ********
Nigel Mills correct!
PeacefulRe**********
Definitely need to clear immigration even before you catch the domestic flight!!!
Jim *******
PeacefulReindeer8686 What is definitely? Upon disembarking at Souvarnabhumi, Bangkok, there is a lane to "Connecting Flights".
Say, someone coming from London and travelling to Chiang Mai, no bags collection. Go for your next flight gate, Thai domestic. Your bags will be at the end point.
Say, someone coming from London and travelling to Chiang Mai, no bags collection. Go for your next flight gate, Thai domestic. Your bags will be at the end point.
Nongnuch ********
PeacefulReindeer8686. . .yes, but he will not pass the "normal" Immigration. He will enter Thailand on the way from the international to the domestic terminal
Jo **********
Nongnuch Kamdee it’s called CIQ but it’s only available for certain airlines
Andreas ********
Depends on a few things
Where is final destination
Is it same airline or cooperation airline
Some airport do not have immigration so you have to pick up and check in
Where is final destination
Is it same airline or cooperation airline
Some airport do not have immigration so you have to pick up and check in
Nongnuch ********
Andreas Jaeger Khon Kaen airport has customs, that's why he enters Thailand through a special Immigration counter in the transit area and his baggage will have to pass customs at the final destination airport
Andreas ********
Nongnuch Kamdee if he fly's e.g. to Udon he needs to do immigration and baggage claim in BKK airport
Nongnuch ********
Andreas Jaeger he is flying to Khon Kaen, and there is a customs gate through which he needs to carry his checked-in luggage. He will enter Thailand at the special Immigration in Bangkok on the way inside the transit area from the international to the domestic terminal
Taki****
Depends on which internal flight and if your checked all way through to final destination. If final destination has immigration & customs facilities maybe enough time. If no facilities like Khon Kaen you will have to clear at BKK so probably not enough time.
Jim *******
New knowledge to me, thanks to all the members who had connections from an international flight connecting to a Thai domestic flight.
I will never do that transfer.
I will never do that transfer.
PeacefulRe**********
Takiep74 how do the officials keep you separated from other domestic pax ?
Graham ******
PeacefulReindeer8686 Clear Immigration in the transit area between international arrivals and domestic departures
Taki****
PeacefulReindeer8686 if you are checked through to your final destination you transfer before clearing immigration. If not checked through have to clear immigration & customs at BKK.
Nongnuch ********
Takiep74 YOU COULD NOT BE MORE WRONG . . . . Khon Kaen Airport (KKC) has immigration and customs, as it's an international airport, meaning all arriving and departing international passengers go through checks, but for domestic flights within Thailand, you primarily go through standard security and immigration at your first point of entry (like Bangkok) before connecting to Khon Kaen. For international arrivals, expect passport control and customs declarations at KKC; for domestic, security checks are key for weapons/contraband before boarding any flight" . . . . . this means he stays in transit at the BKK and passes customs at the Khon Kaen Airport with his baggage
Stephen *********
OPTakiep74 Thanks it's KK he's flying onward too.
Lennart **********
Stephen Farrant 😂👍
Taki****
Stephen Farrant in that case he will have to clear formalities at BKK and check in at the Domestic counters for the flight to KK. It is doable if no delays but very tight. I have done that trip a few times and would recommend taking a later flight to KK.
Taki****
Lennart Carlsson they don't, was there yesterday, they have the infrastructure but it is not operational. The other guy knows f**k all 🤣
Taki****
Nongnuch Kamdee when was the last time you went through KK airport? I travel through Khon Kean airport frequently, last time yesterday. I can assure you that International processing facilities are not yet operational. Try checking your facts or drinking less before stating someone could not be more wrong.
Lennart **********
When did they start with immigration at KKC. ?
I arrived in October and had to pass immigration in Bangkok!
I arrived in October and had to pass immigration in Bangkok!
Bjørnar ******
Takiep74 correct. I have done that many times and you must do immigration and pickup your luggage and check in . Its only 6 airports you can do direct transfer to and kkc is not one of them.
Nongnuch ********
Takiep74 YOU COULD NOT BE MORE WRONG . . . . Khon Kaen Airport (KKC) has immigration and customs, as it's an international airport, meaning all arriving and departing international passengers go through checks, but for domestic flights within Thailand, you primarily go through standard security and immigration at your first point of entry (like Bangkok) before connecting to Khon Kaen. For international arrivals, expect passport control and customs declarations at KKC; for domestic, security checks are key for weapons/contraband before boarding any flight" . . . . . this means he stays in transit at the BKK and passes customs at the Khon Kaen Airport with his baggage
James ********
I assume it’s the same airport
Stephen *********
OPJames Gordon Yes BKK
Martin *****************
Stephen Farrant a lot of internal flights use Don Mueang, so better to check.
Martin *****************
Stephen Farrant there are 2 airports in Bkk!
Stephen *********
OPMartin James Clifford Thanks but it is BKK.
Martyn ***********
If it's with a different airline? You will need to do immigration and bags. Therefore, I think you won't have enough time.
Adam *****
There's a separate immigration line for internal transfers. Bags are checked through.
Robin *******
Adam Goh no bags are not I fly London to BKK - BKK to Udon Thani, bags are checked only to Bangkok, reclaim bags and check them in again for the internal flight , all the way with Thai Airways
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