Do I need to print my visa when entering Thailand for the first time?

Jan 23, 2025
8 days ago
Yes, print out your visa upon the first time entering the country with it. My customs agent was having a bad day and was abrupt and demanded it. He saw it, stamped my passport and I was out of there. I wouldnt want to engage with back and forth to explain in the system....
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TLDR : Answer Summary
It is recommended to print out your visa before entering Thailand, as it can simplify the immigration process. Comments reveal that presenting a printed visa facilitates quicker processing and prevents confusion with immigration officers. Additionally, some users suggested that having a laminated visa could be beneficial for longevity and ease of handling.
Ian **********
He wasn't having a bad day as Thai authorities like everything printed
John **********
The last thing you want to do is hand any officer your phone. Print the visa and keep it simple.
Andy ************
Customs agent? I think you mean Immigration Officer. Visas are nothing to do with customs!
Paul *******
@Andy ***********
Good to point this out. Many people are confused. It's the same with foreigners constantly referring to Thailand's Aranyaprathet as "Poipet". No Thai would understand what you mean if you incorrectly refer to their border as Poipet, which is in Cambodia.

Moreover, despite Poipet being the border town on the Cambodian side of the border there, the difference in treatment between the Thai and Cambodian side is quite stark. Therefore, it's factually incorrect for someone to say "I got denied entry at the Poipet border" if they aren't referring to being denied entry to Cambodia.
John *******
Happy mine is a sticker in my passport
Rafa *******
@John ******
i really would like to have the sticker.
Winston ************
I've not only printed mine, but I had it laminated as well. Now it's a tough and steady thing that will last for years.
Paul *******
@Winston ***********
A very good idea.
George *******
@Winston ***********
I laminate anything that is important document.
Lisa *********
@Winston ***********
given what often happens during our travels, its a good idea
Alain ***************
I was probably the only one arriving with a laminated copy lol. Due to disability I often destroy paper while just holding it. At least my soft power for medical treatment is visible. Not only a dentist visit 🀣
Lee ***********
@Alain **************
no I've recommended doing this in posts for security.
Greg ********
Immigration Officer. A Customs Agent works for a different department and had nothing to do with with your entry to Thailand.
Raja*****
@Greg *******
fact but they did question me the same as well ..
Greg ********
@Raja*****
A certain amount of Visa holders and visa exempt entrants will be questioned every day. Just like anywhere other industry or organisation QA is carried out. Do you feel DTV holders or certain passports are singled out for particular scrutiny?
Sean *******
Yes the people who don't print it aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.
Paul *******
@Greg *****
That often happens, but when it comes to applying for a driver's license, any visa is fine. On a DTV, you may or may not receive a 5 year license upon renewing your license, depending on the office involved.
Greg ******
@Paul ******
Oh yes, definitely. No, I was just emphasizing the fact that anything related to bureaucracy in Thailand involves a lot of paper printing. So, adding one more piece of paper isn’t going to significantly worsen the ecological footprint 😝
Sameer ********
@Sean ******
Wrong. Printing it is retarded boomer mentality. An inefficient, unnecessary waste of paper. I got through just fine showing the digital one. They have to scan the barcode digitally anyway.
Julien ****
@Sameer *******
As much as I agree with your comment, I was rightfully showed by a member of this group that immigration is actually "advising" to print it. I also came with my phone and had no issue with customs but the proper advise to a member would be to say that immigration advises to print. However
@Sean ******
, calling people stupid because they are just making an assumption based on the world progress and miss the information on the small pop up is also retarded.
Sean *******
@Julien ***
Unfortunately Thailand doesn't discriminate against retards otherwise you would be banned.
Julien ****
@Sean ******
You sound like a Pattaya old boy. Hiding behind no profile picture and calling people names 🀣
Sean *******
@Julien ***
I've seen you trolling plenty of people.
Julien ****
@Sean ******
I troll guys like you that come and start calling name and bullying. Seems like you are a recurrent type of loser in Thailand. I am in Phuket if you want to meet boy. Kind of guys that start something and can't finish it.
Sean *******
@Julien ***
Calm down boy the trick is not to get angry. Offering to fight me means you lost.
Sean *******
@Sameer *******
Until you get the same IO as the OP πŸ˜‚
Sameer ********
@Sean ******
If an officer is having a bad day and taking out on the traveller, you can actually report that dumb moronic behavior to their supervisor, who will then scold them into place because true Thai culture is about respect. I've done it before, and I will do it again every time I encounter that nonsense.
Paul *******
@Sameer *******
Sorry, but with that attitude, they can just deny you entry. It's not difficult to print it out. Keep the printout in your passport and just show that every time. Nothing difficult about it at all.

I can understand objecting to things like mask wearing (not currently mandated, but obviously it was during Covid) but that's a different discussion.

However, simple requirements like filling out the TM6 form (only required at most land borders) and presenting a print out of your visa are easy to do and there's no reason for the traveler to object to them.
Greg ******
@Paul ******
Looking forward to seeing them refuse to open a bank account, apply for a driving license, and similar tasks, as these involve printing paperwork... And often more than just one page... It's just how things work here guys 😏.
Andy ************
@Sean ******
*drawer πŸ˜‚
Sean *******
@Andy ***********
I'm Xdysleic.
Lee ***********
@Sean ******
he is clever!
Andy ************
@Lee **********
I just find it amusing, and very ironic, that someone says people aren't the sharpest knives in the "draw"
Sean *******
@Andy ***********
No comma after amusing and full stop after ironic. Einstein.
Andy ************
@Sean ******
My grammar is actually correct, but I'm not the one accusing people of not being the sharpest knife in the "draw" πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Sean *******
@Andy ***********
Yeah right. You've also missed the full stop at the end. πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚
Andy ************
@Sean ******
You need to keep up with developments

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Sean *******
@Andy ***********
Your not the sharpest tool in the shud are you;