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Will I face issues re-entering Thailand with stamps in my old passport and a new passport?

Thailand Immigration Visa Extension Passport Renewal Exit Stamp Ferry Entry Australian Citizen Phuket Immigration Office

Dec 11, 2022

2 years ago

Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. I’ll be leaving Thailand via ferry from Phuket to Langkawi at the end of January. However, I had to renew my passport while I was here. So, I’ll be leaving with entry and extension stamp (45 days entry stamp + 30 days extension - I’m Australian) in my old passport and presumably exit stamp in my new passport. 

The embassy has let me know they’ll include a letter about my passport change, in case I have any issues. But my question is, will coming back in via the same ferry a few weeks later be any issue? 

I won’t be going back to Bangkok to see the immigration office there that did my extension. But should I visit the office in Phuket just in case? 

Appreciate your help!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user plans to exit Thailand via ferry after renewing their passport and is concerned about having entry and extension stamps in their old passport while using a new passport for exit. The comments suggest that showing both passports at the time of leaving is standard procedure but note that the approval may depend on the specific immigration officer. One comment advises visiting the Phuket immigration office to discuss the situation, while another emphasizes that issues may arise based on the policies of the border crossing.

Chris **********

Why would there be a problem? You stamp out on the old passport and re-enter on the new one. You just show them both documents when leaving.

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Tod *********

@Chris *********

you can't do it by LAND, it can only be done by AIR.

They can't get an ENTRY stamp to another country by land without showing the exit stamp from thailand. <-which will be in the old passport SO that means they'll get stamped IN to malaysia on the old passport <- also meaning they'd get stamped OUT of malaysia on the old one and have to get stamped IN to thailand on it too 😕 it's a catch 22 😮

you can't switch passports by land, period end of story 😮

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m over-complicating this in my brain I think. But the bottom line is, come by land (sea) and they want an exit stamp in the same passport they’re going to give you the entry stamp. Coming by air, stamps aren’t so much the issue (for example, I could have flown straight from Australia or the UK where I wouldn’t have an exit stamp).

If I’ve got that right, I think I understand now. 😂

Appreciate all your help!

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Tod *********

@Maggie *******

don't over complicate it, just know you can't switch passports by land, period end of story.

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

. Getting to Bangkok to switch stamps is going to be an absolute pain. Therefore going my land/sea is out. So I think I’ll just fly from Phuket to Malaysia instead of ferry. Should be ok then, from what I’m reading. Appreciate it!

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Maggie ********

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

so, this is what I was getting at in my “to clarify” question above (but I probably don’t understand the terminology or nuances) - I can leave by AIR and stamp IN on my new passport (where I stamped OUT on my old one). But can’t do this by land (for I don’t know what reason, but that seems to be the consensus). So, my best option if I can’t get back to Bangkok to transfer stamps is to leave Phuket by air and come back by air. OR leave by sea/land (?) and COME BACK via AIR only? (Prefer not to fly where I can help it, but weighing my options)

Yikes my brain is tired.

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Chris **********

very interesting, thanks for the info and explanations

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Chris **********

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Tod *********

totally up to the border you're stamping out of on whether they'll let you leave on the new passport without having the entry/extension stamps transferred to it

you're out nothing by showing up at the Phuket immigration office to see if they'll transfer the entry/extension stamps but as a general rule you get the stamps transferred at the office where you got the extension. SO that means if you got it in bangkok you move the stamps there.

It's gonna come down to the officer at passport control when you stamp out

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

sorry to keep picking your brain - theoretically speaking, if my old passport was lost and I had a police report saying as much, could I leave and enter on the new one without issue? 🤦🏼‍♀️😅

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Ellie *******

@Maggie *******

, If you lost your passport, you have to go to the immigration office that issued your extension to get the stamp transferred. You might not be able to leave Thailand with a blank passport only that easily.

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

that makes sense, appreciate your help!! 🙏🏻

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Maggie ********

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

just o clarify, I’ve read that if I’m leaving/entering via the airport, it’s easier? I may have misunderstood. Hoping to avoid flying if possible but good to know my options. 🙏🏻

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Tod *********

@Maggie *******

it's the same rule, it's nothing to do with the way you exit the country (air or land) 😕

If you're on an extension of stay and get a new passport issued inside the country you're supposed to go to the office that issued your extension and get the entry/extension stamps moved BEFORE you leave (getting everything on the new passport)

GO talk to the Phuket immigration office on Tuesday (they're closed Monday) and see what they tell you to do OR if they will move the stamps (doubtful)

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Dan **********

I remember a few years ago I was told at the Poipet land border that the only way to leave on old passport and come back on new was via air. I was in a similar situation and don’t have the ability to get to Bangkok for the swap, Pattaya immigration said they couldn’t do it either.

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

and

- thank you both for your insight! Sounds like it’s going to be a bit tricky, which is a shame. I don’t think I’m going to have the chance to get back to Bangkok in time though, so I may just have to see what happens. Appreciate your thoughts!

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Maggie ********

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Maggie ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you, really appreciate it. I’ll try my luck at Phuket immigration and see how I go. 🙏🏻

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Maggie ********

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