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Is it normal for immigration officers in Thailand to take photos with their personal phones during entry?

Thailand immigration Thailand visitor visa immigration procedures passport security Thai visa rules expats in Thailand

Jul 1, 2025

13 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. I entered Thailand (via Bangkok) a couple days ago (UK passport holder so just getting a visitor visa at the desk). I noticed that the immigration officer used their personal iPhone to take a couple photos of her screen (don’t think pictures of my passport itself were taken) but noticed it and thought it was unusual as never seen this before. All other interaction was completely normal and was stamped and let in without issue. Just wondering if anyone has had the same experience. For note, this is my first time back to Thailand in 13 years.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A UK passport holder recently entered Thailand via Bangkok using a visitor visa. The individual observed an immigration officer taking photos of the officer's screen using her personal iPhone, prompting concerns and curiosity about the unusual behavior. Other commenters shared their similar experiences and speculated on the reasons behind the officer's actions. It's noted that taking photos is common among Thai workers for work-related documentation, and many expats have encountered similar scenarios in various contexts within Thailand.

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Brian *********

People taking pictures of passports here is huge!!

Drives me nuts, major security issue!

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Jodie *******

Yes also in Bali and Vietnam at airport

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Tae'lur ********

I read the oddest airport stories in this group lol

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Mark ******

Don't think too much about it...

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Daniel ******

Me to

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Jim *******

Thais working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Embassies, Consulates) are the the top students, Medalists from the Chula and Ramkhaeng Universities. That is why I can always say - Thai young top guns, efficient , kind, well presented, English well spoken.

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Redd ************

@Goldie *********

👀

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Brett *********

It is a common practice. Happened when I went for an extension. Has also happened before.

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Ricky ********

Hotel reception will take photos of your passport as well. You will be on camera walking down the street.

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James *********

When we went into the bank in the morning the cashier and security officer wanted pictures taken as soon as we went in. I felt uncomfortable and left. Being new to Thailand but now knowing things I'd feel perfectly comfortable about it.

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Garrett ***********

How do you know it was her "personal iphone"?

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Det *******

@Garrett **********

How would we know if it was a government phone?

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Stuart *********

You don’t. Nor does the OP. They just assumed it was a personal phone. All we can deduce from this is that the officer used a phone.

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Det *******

@Stuart ********

Assuming it is personal phone would be most likely. The government computer would have a camera if they needed to take pictures.

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Det *******

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James ******

Usually a work phone so that information is only stored on that. My wife works in hospital administration and they issued her a phone again . IPhone which she hate 😆

Also thai people in professional capacity usually have strict rules about personal phone use. Up to a point of having wages deducted.

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Yo ****

Using their phone.

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Yo ****

It's normal if the officer taking a photo using

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Dennis *********

How do you know it's their personal phone. Possibly immigration issues them a work phone

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Trav **********

@Dennis ********

Nitpicker.

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Elías ********

@Dennis ********

my thoughts

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Elías ********

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Bent *************

You didn’t get any visa!

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Craig *********

i had my photo taken with the beer i just purchased at the restaurant so they could prove it was a customer who drank it😀

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Oliver *********

I know one who takes a photo of every new passport until they have every country 😅

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Nick ************

Plice Officers have asked me to pose with them for a photo quite a few times. Not sure why but I have always obliged. Someone jumped out of a pickup on soi 7, Sukhumvit and took several photos of me walking back to my room. That was a bit more worrying and he sped off pretty quick.

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Roberto *********

@Nick ***********

They like to have pictures with a farang. This has happened to me a few times, always in remote provincial areas

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Roberto *********

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Tapiwa **************

I had the same exiting. But it was a copy of my insurance, my entry to the next country. Nothing from my passport. I guessed she wanted to back herself up should something happen. I wasn’t really bothered. They had done the same in Vietnam on my exit too. So i thought procedure maybe

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Dave ************

@Tapiwa *************

what insurance is required?

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Tapiwa **************

@Dave ***********

just normal health insurance , nothing particular.

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Tapiwa **************

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John **********

It's pretty common in Thailand for workers to take photos of things to show their boss that their working probably nothing to do with you. I've been stopped at checkpoints and had to pose beside the open boot of my car so they could take a photo to prove they were actually checking cars

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Julian *******

@John *********

I was asked to pose with officers at a checkpoint, I refused ,

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Mma *******

well played.

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Julian *******

I’m not some kind of amusement nor should I pose with strangers who could use my photo for nefarious purposes, the RTP don’t enjoy a reputation of being trustworthy

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Roberto *********

Whereas foreigners visiting Thailand are totally trustworthy? 😂

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Julian *******

@Roberto ********

most foreigners visiting Thailand are law abiding , regardless i should not be forced to be photographed for no legal reason when i had done nothing illegal

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Christopher ******

just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're not being followed. 😆

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Roberto *********

Foreigners have a reputation of getting drunk, getting stoned, disobeying road rules, fighting in the street, "falling" off balconies, overstaying visas etc. The list is endless

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Julian *******

@Roberto ********

i suggest you get out oh Phuket and Pattaya. Most foreigners don’t live there full time and they’re tourist locations.

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Roberto *********

I'm not in Phuket or Pattaya. Are you saying foreigners visiting these areas don't count towards the reputation of foreigners' behaviour? Very subjective viewpoint

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Julian *******

@Roberto ********

I’m actually saying you’re way off topic and making no sense

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Roberto *********

Probably because you're in denial? You say the Thai Police have a "reputation" whilst ignoring the fact that foreigners also have a "reputation". You try to deflect that by saying this behaviour is confined to Pattaya and Phuket. Do you want to add Samui to your list?

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Julian *******

@Roberto ********

you can add any area with high concentration of tourists. I just mentioned the two most popular.

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Roberto *********

Ok. So Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Pai, Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Chang, Kanchanaburi should all be ignored when foreigners get drunk and cause disturbances? Doesn't kind of leave much does it? And you do realise when you enter Thailand your photo is immediately accessible to the police?

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Julian *******

@Roberto ********

why are you putting words in my mouth. ? You’re condescending, I have lived here for many years , you don’t even live here so troll elsewhere

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Roberto *********

I've been here 16 years. You're the one that came out with the dumb statement of the police having a reputation, and I pointed out that foreigners also have a reputation (which is true). You then went into total meltdown

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Julian *******

@Roberto ********

so you lie on your profile then ?

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Roberto *********

Nope

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Roberto *********

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Vinson *******

are you “legally there in Thailand?

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Julian *******

absolutely,

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Julian *******

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Jacob *****

Maybe they're an intern and need it as proof of studies.

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Lynnette *******

You didn't get a visa. You've entered exempt of any visa. No idea why they took photo of their screen.

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Lynnette *******

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