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

Jul 18, 2025
2 days ago
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)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats share their recent experiences entering Thailand with a DTV visa. While some reported no issues at Bangkok (BKK), others cautioned against using Chiang Mai (CMX) due to possible complications, such as additional questioning and paperwork. A few noted having been asked about their stay or financial backing at CMX, while others had smooth entries at BKK with no questions asked.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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 ******************
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 **********
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 ************
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 ********
Avoid Chiang Mai as your international arrival airport....
Anonymous ******************
Only in CM so far.
Dom ********
No questions at all through bkk for multiple dtv entries now
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