Fly domestically without passport

[thaiscot]

Hi 

I may have to travel to bkk domestically and need to hand in my passport, I would like to fly back home afterwards ,  I know years ago I could travel  ( Flight ) as a foreigner in Thailand without my passport  and just show my Thai driving license or ID

 

Is this still the case or not ?

 

Regards

[richard_smith237]

https://aseannow.com/topic/1338306-passport-required-for-domestic-flights-i-have-a-thai-dl/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/846749-domestic-thai-flight-without-passport-yes-again/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1011119-local-flight-without-passport-possible/

 

[thaiscot]

Hi

 

I went to Chiang Rai airport yesterday ( my local airport) and asked at the thaivietjet air ticket desk and was shown a printout from their website that states that foreigners can fly with a Thai driving license 

[KhunLA]

To me, that would be extremely stupid to do.  

 

1. What if they do want your PP at the airport ?

2. What if someone wants to see where ever you go to ...  then what do you do ?

3. What if you have an oops, and hospital needs it, or you need money from your bank in an emergency ?

 

Mind boggling, with all the crap some people have to have with them, but the one thing they may actually need in a foreign country, they don't seem to want to carry.   Aside being their most important document, and safest place is on your person.

[rough diamond]

36 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

To me, that would be extremely stupid to do.  

 

1. What if they do want your PP at the airport ?

2. What if someone wants to see where ever you go to ...  then what do you do ?

3. What if you have an oops, and hospital needs it, or you need money from your bank in an emergency ?

 

Mind boggling, with all the crap some people have to have with them, but the one thing they may actually need in a foreign country, they don't seem to want to carry.   Aside being their most important document, and safest place is on your person.

What if your passport is "away" for renewal?

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

What if your passport is "away" for renewal?

Then apparently you really suck at planning things 

[rough diamond]

Just now, KhunLA said:

Then apparently you really suck at planning things 

Do you plan family emergencies or work re-allocations etc?

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

Do you plan family emergencies or work re-allocations etc?

Apples & Oranges from the OP 🙄

 

Who makes flight reservation when they sent their PP away ?

 

What if ... what if people thought for just a second before doing something.

[VocalNeal]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Apples & Oranges from the OP 🙄

 

Who makes flight reservation when they sent their PP away ?

 

What if ... what if people thought for just a second before doing something.

 

How does the OP get back home from the Consulate or VFS without flying. OK I suppose we don't need a PP for bus travel. 

[rough diamond]

13 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Then apparently you really suck at planning things 

You must have an amazing crystal to ball that allows you to foresee emergency travel situations!

[rough diamond]

Just now, VocalNeal said:

 

How does one get back from the Consulate or VFS without flying. OK I suppose we don't need a PP for bus travel. 

Or internal flights.

[4MyEgo]

5 hours ago, thaiscot said:

I went to Chiang Rai airport yesterday ( my local airport) and asked at the thaivietjet air ticket desk and was shown a printout from their website that states that foreigners can fly with a Thai driving license 

 

This varies on aircraft flight policies, I know with AirAsia, I was aloud to board with my Pink ID, but on the way back, wasn't, so I was shown their policy, which stated all foreigners must board with a Passport.

 

Rarely will your Embassy hold your Passport, I would take a photocopy in case, and or ask them for a letter to give to the airline advising them that they are holding it for such and such reason.

 

Good luck

[richard_smith237]

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Apples & Oranges from the OP 🙄

 

Who makes flight reservation when they sent their PP away ?

 

What if ... what if people thought for just a second before doing something.

 

 

Flawed criticism - the Op has not made a booking, he's simply asking the question.

 

And... if there is no issue flying domestically without a passport, then there is no issue and your commentary is flawed for another reason.

 

What if ... what if people thought for just a second before posting.... 

 

 

On 4/16/2025 at 3:17 PM, thaiscot said:

I may have to travel to bkk domestically and need to hand in my passport, I would like to fly back home afterwards ,

 

[bkk6060]

I hear about the rules, but this is my experience. 

In 10 years I have never used my passport for a domestic flight, or to check into a hotel.  Always my Thai DL has been sufficient. 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, 4MyEgo said:

This varies on aircraft flight policies, I know with AirAsia, I was aloud to board with my Pink ID, but on the way back, wasn't, so I was shown their policy, which stated all foreigners must board with a Passport.

 

I have experienced the same with Air-Aisa - I tried my Pink ID (easier to access in my wallet), they wanted a passport...

 

Other airlines have all accepted a Pink ID when flying domestically.

 

1 minute ago, 4MyEgo said:

Rarely will your Embassy hold your Passport, I would take a photocopy in case, and or ask them for a letter to give to the airline advising them that they are holding it for such and such reason.

 

Good luck

 

Some Consular offices keep the passport - either for Passport renewal or Visa Processing.

 

Taking a PhotoCopy is a good idea - but best is calling up the Airline and double checking.

 

Or, even taking an old passport as proof of ID (though I'm not sure if that is accepted).

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I hear about the rules, but this is my experience. 

In 10 years I have never used my passport for a domestic flight, or to check into a hotel.  Always my Thai DL has been sufficient. 

 

Any variations in Airline - i.e. AirAsia (as per the above comments) ?

[KhunLA]

10 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

 

How does the OP get back home from the Consulate or VFS without flying. OK I suppose we don't need a PP for bus travel. 

OP didn't state nationality, so hard for anyone to help.   States he/she 'may' have to hand in PP.  Again, poor planning, as should simple ask, then he/she wouldn't have ask on the forum, as query that nobody can answer, except give useless advice.

 

I'm a Yank, and we just mail ours in.  2 weeks or so, and it's back.

 

As others are pointing out, the only thing consistent in TH, is the inconsistency.

[Rotweiler]

My pink card solves THAT issue.

[4MyEgo]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Some Consular offices keep the passport - either for Passport renewal or Visa Processing.

 

Interesting, I just renewed my Passport online, they didn't require my old Passport, it was a one page form, pretty straight forward and I had my new Passport delivered to my address within 7 days.

 

Several countries allow online passport renewal, including Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Finland, and the United Kingdom. The UK also offers a simplified online renewal process through services like My British Passport. Australia allows online application forms to be downloaded and lodged at an Australia Embassy if overseas, effectively providing an online renewal process. 

 

No need to travel, perhaps other Embassies should get their sheet together LoL

 

[KhunLA]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Flawed criticism - the Op has not made a booking, he's simply asking the question.

 

And... if there is no issue flying domestically without a passport, then there is no issue and your commentary is flawed for another reason.

 

What if ... what if people thought for just a second before posting.... 

You post below, now above, points out, we can't answer the query.  AA as you point out, want a PP, though that my be inconsistent with different airports and or check in agents.

 

Other carriers have different policies.  Again, we don't the nationality or consulate.

 

We are not the people to ask.   I would ask the consulate, if they need my PP ?  If so, then go to airlines I plan on flying with them, tell them you won't have for return flight, and please place that in the PNR when made. 

 

Simple solution to simple issues, instead of useless advice on a forum form strangers.

 

Y'all have a nice day

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

You post below, now above, points out, we can't answer the query.  AA as you point out, want a PP, though that my be inconsistent with different airports and or check in agents.

 

Other carriers have different policies.  Again, we don't the nationality or consulate.

 

The Op is finding out from the comments of People.

 

Flying Nok Air / Thai VietJet / Thai Airways etc - a driving licence or Pink ID has commonly been accepted (as per this thread and others).

 

Flying Air-Asia is more hit and miss.

 

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

We are not the people to ask.   I would ask the consulate, if they need my PP ?  If so, then go to airlines I plan on flying with them, tell them you won't have for return flight, and please place that in the PNR when made. 

 

Asking them to add a note in the PNR is colouring outside the lines and likely to be met with 'cannot'...  Though there is no harm in giving it a try.

 

Its better to just ask the airline directly what their policy on ID is.

 

The Op already seems to know that the Consulate will hold his passport - This has happened to me numerous times (consulates holding a passport when processing a Visa), which is the reason I have a second UK passport.

 

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Simple solution to simple issues, instead of useless advice on a forum form strangers.

 

Asking 'strangers' on this forum throws a wide net for 'first hand experience' which is hardly useless by any means - this forum is a good source of such information. 

 

The Op may now be able to 'ask the airline' the right question - i.e. can he fly using is Thai Driving Licence as ID (if an Embassy is holding his passport)... 

 

I've had poor experienced with trying to get e-mail responses in Thailand) - that said, if a reply is forthcoming - Air-Aisa will likely reply with information that a Passport is required, other Airlines are likely to reply that its OK (if they reply at all).

 

 

Of course - the other issue is the Op not having his passport at hand, if its needed, i.e. by the Police etc...  a separate issue, that overlaps.

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

43 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

The Op is finding out from the comments of People.

 

Flying Nok Air / Thai VietJet / Thai Airways etc - a driving licence or Pink ID has commonly been accepted (as per this thread and others).

 

Flying Air-Asia is more hit and miss.

 

 

Asking them to add a note in the PNR is colouring outside the lines and likely to be met with 'cannot'...  Though there is no harm in giving it a try.

 

Its better to just ask the airline directly what their policy on ID is.

 

The Op already seems to know that the Consulate will hold his passport - This has happened to me numerous times (consulates holding a passport when processing a Visa), which is the reason I have a second UK passport.

 

 

Asking 'strangers' on this forum throws a wide net for 'first hand experience' which is hardly useless by any means - this forum is a good source of such information. 

 

The Op may now be able to 'ask the airline' the right question - i.e. can he fly using is Thai Driving Licence as ID (if an Embassy is holding his passport)... 

 

I've had poor experienced with trying to get e-mail responses in Thailand) - that said, if a reply is forthcoming - Air-Aisa will likely reply with information that a Passport is required, other Airlines are likely to reply that its OK (if they reply at all).

 

 

Of course - the other issue is the Op not having his passport at hand, if its needed, i.e. by the Police etc...  a separate issue, that overlaps.

I meant asking 'in person ... 'then go to airlines I plan on flying with them'

 

...  and he's not so sure about giving up the PP, as states 'may' 

 

Y'all have a nice day 

[thaiscot]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Apples & Oranges from the OP 🙄

 

Who makes flight reservation when they sent their PP away ?

 

What if ... what if people thought for just a second before doing something.

 For your information I haven't booked any flights I only wanted to make sure it was possible 1st before committing to it , I am getting an agent in bkk to do my visa renewal and they need my passport for 4 to 5 working days then are going to EMS it back to me so will fly down hand in my passport then hopefully fly back home , if that's not possible I would get bus or train but would prefer to fly

[KhunLA]

28 minutes ago, thaiscot said:

 For your information I haven't booked any flights I only wanted to make sure it was possible 1st before committing to it , I am getting an agent in bkk to do my visa renewal and they need my passport for 4 to 5 working days then are going to EMS it back to me so will fly down hand in my passport then hopefully fly back home , if that's not possible I would get bus or train but would prefer to fly

Guessing you are not going to USA Embassy ?

[richard_smith237]

46 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

1 hour ago, thaiscot said:

 For your information I haven't booked any flights I only wanted to make sure it was possible 1st before committing to it , I am getting an agent in bkk to do my visa renewal and they need my passport for 4 to 5 working days then are going to EMS it back to me so will fly down hand in my passport then hopefully fly back home , if that's not possible I would get bus or train but would prefer to fly

Guessing you are not going to USA Embassy ?

 

Are they doing 'visa renewals' now ?

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

Interesting, I just renewed my Passport online, they didn't require my old Passport, it was a one page form, pretty straight forward and I had my new Passport delivered to my address within 7 days.

 

Several countries allow online passport renewal, including Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, Finland, and the United Kingdom. The UK also offers a simplified online renewal process through services like My British Passport. Australia allows online application forms to be downloaded and lodged at an Australia Embassy if overseas, effectively providing an online renewal process. 

 

No need to travel, perhaps other Embassies should get their sheet together LoL

 

No online application for the UK if you live in Thailand.

[wimpy]

The pink ID works.