Here is the story: my friend was staying in Pattaya, is now in Bangkok for one day and then he will go to Udon Thani tomorrow at noon (Don Muang) for a couple days (and then back to Pattaya).

 

However, he made a mistake and brought his old (expired/cancelled) passport instead of his current one (which was left in Pattaya). All he has is that old passport and some ID from his country. He has no copy or anything of his current passport. 

 

Is he going to be able to travel like that? Or is he doomed to go back to Pattaya just to get his passport? This is our only day out in Bangkok and we're trying to avoid losing 4-5 hours of it.

Check-in, boarding staff only cares for identifying a passenger.

No check for visa or the like.

Very sure they will be happy with the expired passport or the other ID if name fits booking exactly.

 

Hope he learned the lesson for next time.

No distant travel without valid passport.

He could still get in trouble when running into an arbitrary checkpoint.

See also this thread, posts #2, #4...

 

 

 

I frequently use my Thai driving-license as ID on domestic-flights, without any problem, not sure whether that would go for a foreign one.

Thanks what airlines accept this as I often need leave passport at embassy while awaiting chops

I've flown NokAir, AirAsia and Thai using local (Thai) driver license and no passport, for domestic flights. 

 

But I recommend you take your passport with you when possible. Not a good idea to travel without it.