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Answereda year ago

What is the process and experience like when entering Thailand through BKK immigration?

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Winston ************
asked Sep 27, 2025
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Arrived into BKK (Suvarnabhumi) this morning. There was a long queue. When I reach the IO, from me giving her my passport to her handing it back to me: took less than 2 minutes! Unbelievable. She was super fast. Zero questions asked! This was my 10th entry (3 entries into DMK, 7th entry into BKK, yeah I'm in and out a lot) and all 10 entries have had ZERO questions asked. Pro tip: give the IO your passport+visa printout+boarding pass all at the same time. That pretty much guarantees you won't be asked anything. TDAC is auto-displayed on her monitor when she scans your passport.
Answer summary
Many travelers have shared their quick and efficient experiences at immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Notably, one traveler reported that their entry took less than two minutes with no questions asked, suggesting that presenting their passport, visa printout, and boarding pass simultaneously may have expedited the process. Additionally, others echoed similar experiences, emphasizing the efficiency of the immigration officers and the smoothness of their entries, especially with the new DTV. However, some expressed concerns about potential issues, noting that their past experiences had varied. Overall, the consensus highlights the speed of the immigration process at BKK for repeat travelers.
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Gary ******
Gary ******
I’ve re-entered twice at BKK with no issues since getting the visa last December.

Idk how these anon’s are getting questioned left and right post-DTV…
Dylan *******
Dylan *******
Exact same experience I had when entering just under 2 weeks ago. I handed her my passport, printed A4 DTV, and boarding pass. Had the DTAC up on my phone but already knew they don't ask for it.

The IO literally said nothing. Not a single word.

She was so fast, I reckon it's the fastest I've ever been processed (likely owed to the huge line behind me).
John *********
John *********
@Dylan ******
yep, it's the way it's supposed to be but some like to show their laminated approval 😅
James ********
James ********
Thank You for your wise advice ☺️
Shandy ********
Shandy ********
Well, this data's incomplete until we have a report on entering Chiang Mai.
Andi ***********
Andi ***********
@Shandy *******
He posted on his experience arriving in BKK so the data is complete for his entry. There are CNX entry posts to be found for you to read up on.
Dany ********
Dany ********
@Shandy *******
who flys internationally into chiang mai? sounds weird.
Shandy ********
Shandy ********
@Dany *******
Almost all the accounts of having trouble on entry are from travelers arriving in Chiang Mai. I have a theory that most of them have recently received DTVs in Vietnam and are entering Chiang Mai for the first time. At this point, there aren't enough reports from DTV holdersto confirm commonalities.
Shandy ********
Shandy ********
@Dany *******
I don't know what reason you have not to believe them. I haven't been questioned when arriving in Thailand, but it's not unheard of for IOs, not necessarily in Thailand, to ask questions verifying the purpose of stay. From their reports, the common thread through all of them is that they're arriving in CM fresh from getting their DTVs. I think they might have started doing this because there were fairly large groups of people with DTVs entering Chiang Mai on each flight from Vietnam. In my case, I also arrived in CM as my first port of entry from Taiwan, but I was not questioned at all, but I was probably the only DTV holder on the flight.
Dany ********
Dany ********
@Shandy *******
i dont believe these posts anyway. often anonymous. what would be the reason to go from vietnam to CM? from hanoi? because doesnt make much sense from HCMC. and bangkok is probably always cheaper (just a guess)?

i personally have entered in BKK, HKT and KBV. multiple times. and always a walk in the park. so easy and fast. 🤷‍♀️
Paul *******
Paul *******
@Dany *******
Agreed...only flights are from places like Yangon, Kunming, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. There are a few more but overall, not many international flights and they tend to be more expensive than flying into Bangkok.
Peter ********
Peter ********
@Shandy *******
fly domestic into Chiang mai.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Me too never an issue
John *********
John *********
The DTV is also displayed with the electronic tdac info she sees. Just the passport, try it, works every time .🤷🏾‍♀️
Luit *****************
Luit *****************
@John ********
bad advice, instructions are to show printed copy, just like the advice of
@Winston ***********
, but some stubborn people always find ways to ignore instructions where they can.
John *********
John *********
@Luit ****************
maybe if you are a first timer, ffs get real never had a problem hand over your passport they have everything on the screen, TDAC is doing what it’s supposed to do. Speeds the process up, there are others in the queue behind you.

Keep a copy on your mobile, if you ever get asked but highly unlikely, repeat…The IO has all the information about you on the screen🤦🏻‍♀️

Not bad advice, not stubborn, just common sense 🤷🏾‍♀️
Luit *****************
Luit *****************
@John ********
Perfect example of stubborn behaviour, calling ignoring instructions just common sense.

Some people always seem to think instructions are not OK and their own very limited view of things is better.

Thai authorities make instructions how they like this process, but the genius called John Hampton of course knows it much better.😂
Steve ******
Steve ******
I’m flying tonight from London. had hassle getting through immigration last few times, even though i had a multi entry tourist visa.

Hoping with my new DTV it will be stress free 🤞
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
What does IO mean?
David ******
David ******
Anonymer Teilnehmer 420 immigration Officer?
Winston ************
Winston ************
OP
@David *****
correct
Andi ***********
Andi ***********
Sounds very much like the IO I had 2 weeks ago...
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Go
Callum *******
Callum *******
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