ask
Search
Ask
Answereda year ago

Is it more complicated to enter Thailand through Chiang Mai compared to Bangkok?

Anonymous *************
asked Jul 18, 2025
1.2k
views
8
replies
3
likes
Coming into Thailand soon with an approved DTV. I hear CMX is a bit more complicated than BKK.

Has anyone come in recently into Thailand and was questioned? If so, which airport did you come into?

(I also used to be on an ED visa and spent a lot of time in Thailand)
Answer summary
Several expats shared their experiences entering Thailand with a DTV visa, highlighting differences between arriving at Bangkok (BKK) and Chiang Mai (CNX) airports. Many reported smooth processing at BKK, with no significant questioning from immigration officers. In contrast, CNX seemed more complicated, with travelers mentioning being pulled aside for additional questioning and paperwork. Generally, expats recommended flying into Bangkok for a hassle-free experience.
8 repliesnewest first
9

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Marc ********
Marc ********
Arrived at CNX one week ago (1st arrival under DTV). And no issue at all, the immigration officer didn't even want to check the visa. She took my passport and I got it back in seconds with the 6 month stamp on it.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
I came into bkk yesterday. I’ve had an METV, then two ED visas, been in Bangkok since July 2022. Got the DTV in Hanoi, flew in yesterday and the IO just asked what I was going to be doing in Thailand and I said studying Muay Thai and she asked me where and I told her and then she just stamped me in with 180 days. I saw her bounce two people in front of me (not sure why) so she wasn’t exactly soft, but no problem for me.
Nakula **********
Nakula **********
Just flew in yesterday on soft power to cnx for my second entry they asked me where I was staying that is it. My guess would be most of the people who are getting pulled aside applied from not thier home country and went to a flagged country or used a sketchy agent to help bend the rules in the 500k
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
In Chiang Mai you will be pulled out of line, and taken aside to fill out some paperwork, asked to show 20,000 baht, etc. Best to fly into somewhere else.
James ********
James ********
Avoid Chiang Mai as your international arrival airport....
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Only in CM so far.
Dom ********
Dom ********
No questions at all through bkk for multiple dtv entries now
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
I heard the same so went in via bkk and was asked no questions at all, just handed e visa print out and passport to io

Activity

9 joined
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
Anonymous *************
9
people
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
...members
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
What should I expect when re-entering Thailand through Chiang Mai Airport on a Muay Thai Soft Power DTV after my original Muay Thai activity has ended?
676652mo
What was the experience of entering Thailand with a DTV visa at BKK immigration?
2.5k8584mo
What should I expect when entering Thailand with a DTV visa after using the Fast Track service during immigration?
10.3k841264mo
What should I expect during immigration when using a DTV visa in Thailand?
3.1k18554mo
What is the experience of entering Thailand with a DTV visa at immigration?
2.9k13584mo
What is the process like for first-time entry into Thailand on a DTV workcation?
671714mo
What do I need to know about entering Thailand with a new passport and existing visa?
1.8k6405mo
What do recent reports say about DTV entry experiences at Thai airports?
1.5k465mo
What are the key takeaways about DTV entry experiences in Thailand?
3.2k2985mo
What is the process for transferring a DTV stamp to a new passport and extending its validity in Thailand?
1.9k6435mo
What was the process for transferring a DTV stamp at Bangkok Immigration and extending my stay?
3.9k30495mo
What should I expect at immigration when entering Thailand through Chiang Mai Airport with a DTV visa?
3.7k31406mo
Do I need to transfer the DTV visa entry stamp to a new passport after renewal?
1.8k13187mo
What was the experience of getting a DTV visa on arrival at Bangkok airport like?
8.1k3017210mo
What has been the experience of entering Bangkok Airport with a DTV visa recently?
2k73810mo
What is the immigration process for entering Thailand with a renewed passport and DTV?
1.2k22710mo
Is it smoother to enter Thailand on a workation DTV through BKK or CNX?
2.6k18351y
What has been the experience with immigration at Bangkok airport for DTVERs?
2.2k11351y
What to expect when entering Thailand on a DTV visa and what documents should you prepare?
10.6k791371y
What should someone expect when using a Thailand visa for the first time at the airport?
2.3k21151y
What was your experience applying for a DTV workation visa in Taipei?
1.1k5111y
Does it matter which airport I reenter Thailand with a DTV visa?
2k11262y
What was your experience with your first border run to Kuala Lumpur for a visa extension?
1.8k11222y
What should DTV visa holders expect when arriving at Chiang Mai airport?
13.9k1061752y
Can you apply for a DTV visa in Vietnam and re-enter Thailand afterwards?
1.1k512y

Resources

Need help with your DTV visa?