What was the experience like at Bangkok immigration for a first-time traveler?

Dec 22, 2022
2 years ago
Henry ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sawasdee krap. Well I have arrived in Bangkok yesterday and everything was so simple at immigration. Wasnโ€™t ask for any proof of any kind. No need to prove how much money I had or insurance for my holiday. I had everything printed, my flight data and my hotel reservation but asked for nothing. I got my passport stamped from December 21st to Feb 3rd and away I went. Happy days. Now to discover Thailand and see what it has to offer.
9,874
views
101
likes
272
all likes
75
replies
2
images
38
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post shares a first-time traveler's smooth experience at Bangkok immigration, where no additional documents were requested like proof of funds or travel insurance. The traveler received a 45-day entry stamp and expressed excitement about exploring Thailand. Comments reflect on the relaxed entry requirements, personal travel advice, debates about the necessity of travel insurance, and observations concerning tourism and local cultural experiences.
Muzzy *********
This country just if you have money you get honey
Brian *******
At immigration you showed yr passport and boarding pass, right?
Henry ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ******
that is all the immigration officer asked for and he kept the biggest part of the boarding pass. No problems whatsoever.
Rene ******
Robert ******
Too bad the airlines aren't in the loop.
Paul **********
to get your 3 month visa you had to show all of those things on your application, so the migration officer would know you have all of them when you gave him your passport and visa.
Graham ******
@Paul *********
The OP doesn't have a visa if the entry stamp was 45 days
Paul **********
@Graham *****
oh got ya, I thought he had applied for a 90 day visa, I do oppolgise for not reading all of the post.
Asso ******
In this country everything depends on the specific immigration officer who is checking your documents... and on their mood on that specific day. The fact that nobody has asked additional documents from 99 people before you, for example, doesn't mean that you will not be the lucky number 100, who will be asked to provide all the documents in the list
Dennis ***********
Had the same experience when arrived Oct 29 and was directed to the new? senior line,through in 3 mins.my only beef with Immigration is,I come each year with my Thai wife for 5:5 mths with visa,yet i still have to do the visa run(Cambodia now baht 3000 every 60 days.I have already paid baht 7500 in Canada for my visa,why on earth do we have to do these visa runs.the visa should cover my whole 5:5 mth stay period.It needs to change.
Ken ********
@Dennis **********
and they say we should stay green.

I totally agree with you on this Dennis
Dennis ***********
@Ken *******
Ken we are NOT alone on this issue.This is a sore point with ALL tourist forced into this unwarented immigration rule.What,s the point,we could spend that money in the local economy.
Ken ********
@Dennis **********
no point whatsoever, hard to understand why, unless it's to pay for the bridgeswhich Cross the Mekong
Sasi *******
Welcome to Phuket and Krabi ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘
@ Travel *
88

IG:travel88global

Hi ":) I am Sasi local here Phuket and Krabi feel free to message for any assistance ๐Ÿ˜Š whatsapp +66
*****
1982

More than happy to assist you,

We have a tour program and Transportation service in Phuket, Phang nga and Krabi#taxi#transfer#tours

#ticket#guide#boat#yacht#hotel#poolvilla#luxurytour#privatetour and many more.!!!
Sri ***
Mostly for south east asians they ask these things
Jennifer *******
Yup that was pretty much my experience in November. Unlike Japan where I had a stop. It was awful. Donโ€™t take a flight that stops there if you can avoid it. It was awful.
Sam ********
@Jennifer ******
what happened? I had transit in Tokyo recently and it was great (just in the airport).
Sid *******
Have a good time mate
Sabrina *****************
Enjoy beautiful Thailand ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ โ˜บ๏ธโค๏ธ
Rahul *******
U got only 15 day visa

On arrival ?
Dar *****
@Rahul ******
depends where from Indians are only 15 days
Brett *********
@Rahul ******
add up the days. It is 45.
Brett *********
The OP
Rahul *******
@Brett ********
ya ok because indian only get 15 days visa on arrival

Enjoy your trip

Do visit temples in Bangkok
Brett *********
@Rahul ******
Henry McGoldrick doesn't sound like an Indian name....
Lekshe **************
@Brett ********
Rahul Anand sounds very Indian :)
Brett *********
@Lekshe *************
but Rahul was not the subject of the post....
Rahul *******
@Brett ********
who is henry mcgoldrick
Ronald *****
Have you bring enough $$$...In Thailand, No Money No Honey
Stephenie **********
Straight to soi 6 pattaya start the holiday as you mean to go on
David *********
@Stephenie *********
or maybe 6\1 555
Stephenie **********
@David ********
sorry yes, I presumed he was hetro
Na ****
You need insurance and income only for longstay visa applications.

Unless they still have some sort of covid rules...
Jimmy *********
I've been here many times..they never asked me for anything coming in...so seems business as usual...
Dallas ******
Enjoy ๐Ÿ‘
Ken ********
Enjoy
Danny *************
They've relaxed entry requirements due to a predicted large amount of passengers, but the passenger numbers so far are about 25% of 2019. But enjoy the lack of bs while it lasts!
Paul *******
Only Thais are still afraid of Covid. They're still wearing masks everywhere. Some are wearing them at home and at the beach. Have seen both over the last couple of days. It's crazy
Danny *************
@Paul ******
Even the Chinese are over Covid. Just this country is still terrified. It's a bizarre phenomenon
Ken ********
@Danny ************
maybe the lack of tourist could be the price of flights at present
Dan ********
hey not trying to cause any arguments here people ๐Ÿคช๐Ÿ˜ Iโ€™ve already stated that Iโ€™ve been to Bangkok & Phuket so far ๐Ÿ˜ not even half way through my trip so guessing it will change the further across the islands I go ๐Ÿ˜Š not complaining though at all , tourism is amazing for Thailand & locals ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญโค๏ธ
Ken ********
Oh Dan , i live in Nong bua lamphu, its a small province. The only tourists we get is by invitation or their lost.

I reckon on 13 years ive maybe seen 100 tourists here and that might be exaggerating a bit.

Also, ive given up booze so i rarely frequent any bars and miss all the visitors we get.

I do occasionally miss the drinking though and go out and have a few 3 or 4 times a year, but im even thinking of cutting down on thst, lol
Dan ********
@Ken *******
I know I just saw the comment & thought where ๐Ÿ˜‚ I guess I have only been to Bangkok & Phuket so far , heading to lanta tomorrow hopefully it is a bit less rammed ๐Ÿ˜
Danny *************
@Dan *******
it will be less rammed in Koh Lanta for sure.
Dan ********
@Ken *******
lack of tourists? ๐Ÿ˜ณ where?! ๐Ÿ˜‚ everywhere Iโ€™ve been is packed
Danny *************
@Dan *******
25% Vs 2019. That's the simple truth. Not packed in Koh Chang at all, where we are.
Greg *********
@Danny ************
Nice to hear. I'll be visiting Koh Chang next month.
Bernie ********
ะžะปะธะฒะตั€ *********
@Dan *******
maybe you have been to the tourist areas? Just a wild guess ๐Ÿคฃ
Ken ********
@Dan *******
ha Dan , i was answering the author, i wouldn't know if we had tourists or not. Im not in a touristy area, although i did see 2 recently this year
Danny *************
@Ken *******
Could well be, that's why my family won't visit me. Could also be people being terrified of Covid, rightly or wrongly.
Ken ********
@Danny ************
still plenty of covid here in our province.

Dont know if i was luck or got a different kind of covid.

I have copd, a lung disease and i was seriously concerned about getting covid. I was very ill for about 12-14 hours, then ok after that.

I was very surprised, it didn't affect my lungs at all.
Danny *************
@Ken *******
Omicron finds its home in the upper respiratory tract, rather than the lungs. Our older generation are lucky that mutation occurred.
Marc ********
@Ken *******
Your body was just able to handle covid well. That's all I guess
Ken ********
@Marc *******
maybe, but i think i was bery fortunate
Marc ********
@Ken *******
Yes of course
ะžะปะธะฒะตั€ *********
Check out the temples and the Museums, indulge in the culture! You'll love it! That's the only thing I'm here for!
Natalie *******
Enjoy! ๐ŸŒด
Henry ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *****
well It said I needed to show insurance on Thai embassy instructions but it must be relaxed. This is my first time so I just followed their line, so I printed it.
Philip **********
@Henry ***********
ive been going for a few years now and always print all relevant documents needed!
David **********
@Henry ***********
even the thai embassy information can be months out of date as it is currently.
Terary **********
Thank you for the post

Have a great time.
Steve ******
Do you need insurance then???
Luc *********
@Steve *****
any idea how much you would have to pay in case you just get a broken leg, arm, or any other kind of health problem. Everything can happen and not only to the others. Who is idiot enough to travel with no health insurance to save a few EUR/USD.
Steve ******
@Luc ********
All i asked do ineed it, not a lecture, i make up my own mind.
Luc *********
@Steve *****
all you need is a brain 555
Steve ******
@Luc ********
Thats why im not reduced to being a teacher
*****
Luc *********
@Steve *****
no Steve... Just because you are to old to be a teacher...
Steve ******
@Luc ********
i have standards also. Teaching in a third world country is really the end of the line.
Luc *********
@Steve *****
5555 Stupid comment from stupid people... What else can we expect from people like you... Stop Steve...You are exhibiting your mediocrity. It becomes embarrassing.
Steve ******
@Luc ********
Peter File,,,,cake little children...
Ross ************
@Steve *****
No. But you should have some form of insurance for your own sake. An ounce of prevention
Tony *********
Wait til you've been here many times in a year and they look in your passport . Then they start asking questions ๐Ÿ™„
Mark **********
Enjoy your trip and stay safe.
Mike ******
Thailand needs your currency .

They have opened their doors ..play the game of giving and Thailand will open gracefully for you ..itโ€™s been hard times here for a long time

Even the weed laws being relaxed was ..come and enjoy our beautiful peoples..
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members ยท 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else