This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

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

DTV Visa Thailand Entry Chiang Mai Airport Bangkok Airport Immigration Process Visa Questions Expat Experiences

Jul 18, 2025

23 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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)

891

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : 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.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted DTV Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

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.

22 days ago

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.

22 days ago

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

23 days ago

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.

23 days ago

James ********

Avoid Chiang Mai as your international arrival airport....

23 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Only in CM so far.

23 days ago

Dom ********

No questions at all through bkk for multiple dtv entries now

23 days ago

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