Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost 

 

Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has denied claims that passengers transiting through Bangkok en route to Cambodia were subjected to unnecessary checks and luggage searches, rejecting allegations circulated by Cambodian authorities and regional media. The operator said the reports were “entirely untrue” and insisted that services at Thai airports meet international aviation safety standards. The issue has prompted travel warnings and raised concerns among transit passengers using Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

The dispute follows an alert issued by the Cambodian embassy in France earlier this week and reported by Cambodian media. The embassy warned that passengers transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport could face “excessive and unacceptable checks” by Thai authorities, citing complaints from European travellers. It also said some luggage was lost upon arrival in Phnom Penh.

 

“As a precautionary measure, travellers are strongly advised to favour itineraries that do not include transit through Thailand and to consider alternative airlines offering more appropriate and favourable transit conditions for travel to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” the advisory said. The notice was issued on Tuesday and later picked up by several Southeast Asian news agencies. Most transit passengers travelling to Cambodia via Thailand change flights at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

 

AOT dismissed the claims on Friday, December 19, stating it had never singled out passengers travelling to Cambodia for strict interrogations or luggage inspections that allegedly caused losses. “AOT firmly confirms that all such allegations are entirely untrue,” the company said in a statement. It added that passenger and baggage services at Suvarnabhumi and other airports under its management adhere to international standards.

 

The controversy emerged after Thai authorities ordered stricter screening of Cambodian nationals arriving in Thailand, alongside tighter checks for possible foreign mercenaries allegedly hired by Cambodia. These measures were introduced amid escalating border clashes between the two countries. Phnom Penh has denied deploying foreign soldiers.

 

AOT operates Thailand’s main international gateways, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai airports. The company said normal operations continue at all locations and that there has been no policy change targeting specific transit routes or nationalities.

 

Bangkokpost reported that the situation is expected to remain under scrutiny as regional tensions persist and travel advisories remain in place. Airlines and passengers may monitor official guidance from both governments, while AOT has reiterated its commitment to standard procedures and compliance with aviation regulations. Any further developments will likely depend on diplomatic exchanges and security assessments in the region.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Airports of Thailand has denied claims of targeting Cambodia-bound transit passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

• The Cambodian embassy in France issued a Tuesday advisory warning of “excessive and unacceptable checks” and reported luggage losses.

• The dispute follows tightened screening measures amid escalating Thai-Cambodian border tensions.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Bangkokpost 2025-12-21

 

 

 

On the Cambodian side of things they've been dishing out special treatment to Thais for months now in a very negative way

I reported this a couple of months back when I went there. Thai Mrs on valid E visa, not accepted - "you're a tourist" they said to her as they happily accepted my identical E visa due to my British passport.

They're a joke, corrupt to the very core - and this is just the Cambodian immigration officers before we entered the country.

Needless to say we booked a flight, and left a few days later. I hope the government there disintegrates and when the resulting civil war is settled we shall see what's left....

3 hours ago, ukrules said:

I reported this a couple of months back when I went there. Thai Mrs on valid E visa, not accepted - "you're a tourist" they said to her as they happily accepted my identical E visa due to my British passport.

 

I THINK THAIS DONT NEED A EVIAS  for Cambodia , anything chnge?  sounds......,your story

 

my thai Gf was never need a visa go with me to cambodia ( since more 10 yrs)

8 minutes ago, lapamita said:

I THINK THAIS DONT NEED A EVIAS  for Cambodia , anything chnge?  sounds......,your story

 

my thai Gf was never need a visa go with me to cambodia ( since more 10 yrs)

You don't need an 'E-Visa' - but this was not simply an e-visa - it was an e-visa 'E' Type. Big difference.

It's the kind of visa you can extend in the country - banned for Thais according to the immigration officer. Ok for me though. 

 

Just the concern of being hassled in transit, will prompt some travellers to seek an alternative route to Cambodia avoiding Thailand.

 

Passengers arriving from Cambodia are getting special treatment. Been going on for some time.

12 hours ago, ukrules said:

On the Cambodian side of things they've been dishing out special treatment to Thais for months now in a very negative way

 

Cambodia has been hassling their own citizens too! Yesterday, my Cambodian GF returned home to Thailand from Phnom Penh after a visit to her sick mother. Cambodian immigration told her she could not go to Thailand (Hun Sen apparently said so?). Anyway, they kept her for one hour refusing to stamp her out of Cambodia. They came up with all kinds of arguments such as "your 16 year old son can look after himself", "you don't have any cash on you" (she has plenty in her Thai bank), "you'll get refused entry to Thailand" (she has been in and out many times in last 6 months - and has a valid Non-O extension). In the end, they relented and stamped her out just in time to make the flight. She was the only Cambodian on the plane - except for crew. In the future, unless tensions ease, she will fly back to Thailand via Vietnam or Singapore. Oh, and on arrival in Bangkok, Thai immigration stamped her in with no issue at all.

 

When it comes to unnecessary checks and harassment at immigration counters of Bangkok airport, it does not depend who or where you are or are going. It all depends on the mood of the day, from God,  in the brown uniform, behind the glass counter. Simple as that. 

Well both country's are at war aren't they?

14 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

 has a valid Non-O extension). .

She was the only Cambodian on the plane -

 

1. i doubt (or shes old, or biiiig money,...)

2. hmm 5 days ago ,their was minimum 30,40,50 cambodians on my plane to bkk

23 hours ago, ukrules said:

You don't need an 'E-Visa' - but this was not simply an e-visa - it was an e-visa 'E' Type. Big difference.

It's the kind of visa you can extend in the country - banned for Thais according to the immigration officer. Ok for me though. 

oh  yes   big diffrence 5$ more .

dont worry any visa can extend/changed in cambodia without any hassle