17-1-2024 (BANGKOK) Effective Tuesday, a new regulation mandates foreign nationals to present passports or other valid identification when boarding domestic flights in Thailand.
As per the directive from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, foreign passengers must possess the original passport, and the name on the passport must match the details on the boarding pass to be eligible for domestic flight boarding. In cases where passports are lost, passengers can utilize a temporary passport, a non-Thai ID card, or a driver’s license issued by the Thai government.
The introduction of these stringent regulations aims to curb illegal overstays by foreign nationals, addressing a growing concern, particularly in popular resort areas, as the number of foreign visitors to Thailand is expected to rise in the coming years.
To comply with the new rules, foreigners are required to display either a physical boarding pass obtained at an airline counter or an automated check-in kiosk. Alternatively, an electronic boarding pass received via email from the airline can be presented. It’s important to note that smartphone pictures of tickets will not be considered valid.
Thailand is anticipating up to 35 million foreign tourist arrivals in the current year, reaching 90% of the 2019 levels. The domestic flight sector has experienced a resurgence, with approximately 280 million passengers, including Thai nationals, recorded between January and November 2023, reflecting a return to pre-COVID traffic levels.
