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Why was I denied entry to a flight with only a copy of my passport while processing my Retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement VisaPassport RequirementsTraveling in ThailandImmigration ProceduresDocument Verification
Dec 1, 2022
2 years ago
Vaner *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone. Recently my agent gave my passport and documents to the immigration office for Retirement visa. My agent signed and stamped a copy of my passport and visas. And when I "checked in" with these documents and wanted to go to Khon Ken, the staff did not let me in because the document is not from the immigration ministry office issued by the agency. and after a lot of effort I was able to get the luggage but the ticket was burned. Your information
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shared an experience where they were denied entry to a flight in Thailand because they only had a copy of their passport while their original document was held by an agent for a Retirement visa application. Comments from the community emphasized the legal requirement of carrying the original passport, the potential complications of traveling domestically with only a copy, and offered advice on avoiding such issues by dealing directly with immigration offices.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement 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.
Borja *********
already show up this issue many times here ,...the thinking that any copy or original other than original passsport can be valid to travell inside thailand is so stupid like the one who jump a red traffic light and bcos lucky nothing happen then the result is that red traffic lights CAN BE JUMPED ALWAYS!!!!!!!!
2 years ago
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Andy ******
Has to be a Thai licence if travelling domestic flights in Thailand,IDP no use even with Photo ID ,passport is best
2 years ago
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Angy ********
normally is not a problem to travel in Thailand with a copy of passport with visa pages also, but some problems occurs if police want the original and you are not able to provide it. The solution is not use agents when you wish to travel in days near your visa renovation. Most of immigration offices keep passport only one day, so do it by yourself
2 years ago
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Niklas ***********
How long is it planned that your agent should keep your passport?

And why does the agent/immigration need to keep the passport?
2 years ago
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Marc ********
That's strange. I thought you can just photocopy your passport and travel the world.

For the entry stamps I wanted to use post-it.

🆗️ my plan will not work
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Nigel ********
 Tapes? OMG, you've had those out for a while! They'll be looking for those!
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Marc *******
 My Blockbuster membership card used to work for me. But then Blockbuster went out of business so I was compelled to use a bloody passport
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Steve *******
 Blockbuster gone out of business?
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Nigel ********
 One store left in Oregon USA.
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Steve *******
 Thats a long way to go to return my tapes
2 years ago
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Bob ********
@Nigel ********
 Did you rewind?
2 years ago
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Bob ********
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Michael ********
Any Photo ID will normally do. License etc.
2 years ago
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Vaner *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 no
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Vaner ******
 Used my Thai driving license and just photocopy of passport before, not a problem
2 years ago
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Wayne *********
@Michael *******
 I used my thai id card only on Wednesday and flew to Ubon ratchathani they didn't ask for my passport
2 years ago
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Vaner *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ********
 you have Thai citizen if you have ID card. I am not.
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Vaner ******
 you dont have to be a citizen to have a ID card people who have long term visa can also apply for a pink ID card as everyone calls it. I have one i am not a citizen
2 years ago
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Wayne *********
@Vaner ******
 no the thai id card does not give a foreign person citizen ship. It just means I live here, I still have to have a visa where a citizen does not need a visa.
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Wayne ********
 havent used my thai id yet for flying but yes i wouldnt expect any issues, dont know why the Author is saying no
2 years ago
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Michael ********
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Brandon ************
You are legally required to have your passport with you at all times. You cannot fly with a copy of your passport, that's the same as not having a passport.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
 I travelled internally on my drivers license
2 years ago
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Mitchell *******
@Phil *****
 but it wasn't a COPY of your driver's license. It was your ACTUAL license.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Mitchell ******
 yes correct
2 years ago
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Phil ******
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Brandon ************
@Phil *****
 Thai or home country?
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Brandon ***********
 think it was the Australian licence or IDP.
2 years ago
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Phil ******
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Nigel *********
@Phil *****
 talk us through that one Phil,
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Nigel ********
 i have also travelled domestic with drivers license
2 years ago
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Phil ******
@Nigel ********
 just showed my license with my photo on it. No problem whatsoever.
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Phil *****
 keep going. I'm listening
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
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Vaner *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 but I can travel by bus
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Vaner ******
 do they even check your ID to travel by bus?
2 years ago
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Vaner *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 no never
2 years ago
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Vaner *******
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