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Why do E visa holders have to undergo additional screening at BKK Airport?
Jun 10, 2025
a year ago
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERNew process at BKK for all E visa holders you have to go to security and sit there for 15 to 30 minutes while they check that your E visa is valid.. WHY
TLDR : Answer Summary
There is a new procedure at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) requiring E visa holders to undergo additional security screening, where they must wait for about 15 to 30 minutes for their visa validity to be checked. This has raised concerns among travelers about the efficiency and implications of such procedures, particularly as they may feel it suggests suspicion or a higher level of scrutiny is being applied to certain visa holders compared to others. Different opinions have been expressed regarding the necessity of this protocol, referencing that random selections for further screening might occur globally, and some commenters believe it may relate to broader security measures due to illegal activities. Others argue that this is not a standard procedure, as many travelers pass through without experiencing such delays.
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.
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Anonymous ******************
I think it is necessary because some person of third world country use Thailand as a route of illegal human trafficking to combodia /Lous .So immigration needs to be cautious ⚠️
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 777 oh really? That's not good
Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
YesReply to
Anonymous ******************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
just because it happened to you once, it doesn’t make it standard practice. Just passed by BKK 3 days ago with none of this. Stop spreading misinformationKlaus *********
That happen sometimes randomly with a few people. So don’t spread false information. It’s not a new process they do with all DTV holders.
Andi ***********
This is not a new process it is an 'experience' of one indivdiual.
Anonymous ******************
sorry but thats absolutely BS. arrived yesterday at BKK with no questions asked...
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 637 Exactly,
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Andi ***********
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Fleace ********
It depends on the type of questions you were asked. Were they more work related?
Anonymous ******************
You can be subject to immigration questioning whether you're a visa holder or not, and whether you have a DTV or not. Many people (especially those with experience dealing with immigration) have warned about this possibility. Hopefully, some will start to open their eyes and be more realistic. Yes, you may be flagged, but you can also be questioned even without any red flag.
Please take time to read other visa forums, as many of the visa holders here are new to Thailand and base their assumptions on limited personal experience or short visa histories.
Please take time to read other visa forums, as many of the visa holders here are new to Thailand and base their assumptions on limited personal experience or short visa histories.
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 255 be a man and post with your name 😁
Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
Who cares... See that's the problem. You're focusing on irrelevant things instead of trying to understand how things are working in Thailand. Use your brain and curiosity instead of focusing on the name of people.Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 255 tried is for All eVisa holders. It wasn't questioning. It's a new process
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Jason *********
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Wais **********
Sometimes they just randomly select an individual or two for a little extra screening from all categories, they could be even platinum thai elite visa holders. It is just a safety protocol that is common in all countries’ airports and they do it to their own citizens as well. This time you happen to be the one selected, there is nothing wrong with that. Just cooperate and handle the situation politely and you will be on your way.
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wais *********
sorry that I wasn’t clear. This is not random. This is their new process for all E visa holders. Sitg *********
@Ja***
where are you getting this information from - it’s not a new process !! You think they can do this for 45k visa holders each day -lol
Reply to
Sitg *********
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Moses ***********
Which passport you hold .remember western immigration points are also bad on other countries citizens
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERPaul *********
@Jason ********
mb they are all annoyed at the increase in tariffs and USA is a target lol 😂Reply to
Paul *********
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Anonymous ******************
Still not enough information
What questions
How you apply for DTV?
Any unusual history prior to DTV.
What questions
How you apply for DTV?
Any unusual history prior to DTV.
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 569 I've lived in Thailand almost 8 months with a DTV.
Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
hard to say. What were the questions asked?They are cracking down on DTV abuse. Maybe bad luck
Might not happen again
Bobby *******
@Jason ********
How did you get on with your bank account here, was it closed? My friend is applying DTV, but does not want to lose his bank account, thanksReply to
Bobby *******
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Ian ********
Suck it up it happens
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ian *******
this is the new process for all eVisa holdersJohn *******
@Jason ********
it happened to you, doesn’t mean allReply to
John *******
Reply
Tommy ********
I said this a week ago and all the newbies inexperienced expats didn’t believe it in a different group
Anonymous ******************
@Sitg ********
Truth hurts huh?Anonymous ******************
@Tommy *******
I believe it! So many "digital nomads" out there who really cannot make the criteria. You see them in these forums every day. Can't get or maintain the 500k. I mean, come on, I thought these digital nomads got good pay and traded in crypto currency, and yet many of them are broke! You just have to laugh!Expat **********
Anonymous participant 850 Digital nomad in this context means you take a long holiday to Thailand and log on to your laptop once a week….
Anonymous ******************
@Expat *********
Exactly! It seems many are Cheap Charlies with no money!Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Paul *********
Anonymous participant 850 what DTV are you on
500 k is easy to maintain if you have an income but remember it’s a tough changing economy out there and plenty of updates for anyone in the same space as me trying to stay on top of everything as well as AI. Crypto is great if you got in 7 years ago or just held BTC
500 k is easy to maintain if you have an income but remember it’s a tough changing economy out there and plenty of updates for anyone in the same space as me trying to stay on top of everything as well as AI. Crypto is great if you got in 7 years ago or just held BTC
Anonymous ******************
@Paul ********
I'm remote worker. I have a property portfolio which I manage remotely.Paul *********
Anonymous participant 850 dont we all lol
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Paul *********
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Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTERUsed to I would go through faster. Seems odd to make it seem like you did something wrong and take more of your time. This is why tourism is down maybe
Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
I think Thailand is starting to lean towards wealthier visitors. The Cheap Charlie days could be drawing to a close!Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
that is how visa work in every countryReply to
Anonymous ******************
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Rob ******
Without proper context this is impossible to answer
Jason *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Rob *****
I arrived like normal and went through the line like like I normally do and handed in my visa and suddenly they pulled me out of line took me back to the security office. Maybe sit there for 30 minutes while they checked my Visa asked me a bunch of questions, but they never asked me and then it’s then let me go, but it took an hour to get through immigration when other people that were just on tourist visas we’re just going through the line fast this is something new I didn’t have this happen earlier this year when I came in back in April and so I don’t understand why they’re making it harder on people 
Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
Sounds like random selection for further scrutiny or something in your history they wanted to check.All countrys do this. A one off is not a new standardJimmy ****
Which airport?
Anonymous ******************
@Jimmy ***
suvarnabhumi . Mostly but chiang mai and phhuket aswell .Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
This happens to many people — it doesn't matter if you’re on a DTV visa, family visa, property ownership, or something else. They intentionally look for small mistakes or incomplete documents to pressure you. Many have reported being threatened with deportation unless they paid a fee. It’s a common tactic: find an excuse, then squeeze money out of you. Some agents even offer a so-called 'fast lane' service for a payment, claiming you won’t get pulled aside — and it's widely believed they work directly with immigration officers.Anonymous ******************
@Jason ********
They're only making it hard for DTV holders 😆Ian ********
Anonymous participant 329 it’s there country they can do what they want your a guest don’t forget
Anonymous ******************
@Ian *******
You're replying to the wrong person 😆😆. And it's "their" not "there" 😆😆Expat **********
Anonymous participant 329 And it’s you’re not your….
Reply to
Expat **********
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