Photo courtesy of Khaosod

 

Thailand's immigration bureau has refuted reports that its officers harassed foreign tourists transiting to Cambodia. Pol. Maj. Gen. Choengron Rimpadee assured that transit passengers do not enter Thailand, challenging international media claims cited by Cambodian embassies. Transit passengers at airports like Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang remain in designated areas, avoiding immigration checks.

 

The bureau expressed concerns over potential damage to Thailand's tourism, which welcomes 75,000 to 80,000 foreign visitors daily. Immigration Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyaluck has instructed nationwide checkpoints to increase staff during peak seasons, ensuring smooth operations during holidays. The agency emphasized their commitment to security and international service standards.

 

Despite the denial, the assertions have drawn attention, possibly impacting perceptions of Thailand's hospitality. Authorities are keen on preserving the nation’s reputation amid increased travel. Moving forward, the bureau will work on maintaining tourist confidence and smooth transit experiences, particularly during busy periods, reported Khaosod.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thailand denies harassment allegations, citing misinformation.
• Transit passengers do not undergo immigration checks.
• The bureau enhances staff during peak travel times.

 

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Nonthaburi Immigration Raid Nets Cambodian Overstayers

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2025-12-26

 

 

 

A vulgar comment was removed. 

Thailand has no obligation to show any hospitality to Cambodians before they lay down the weapons.

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Thailand has no obligation to show any hospitality to Cambodians before they lay down the weapons.

 

Why screw over innocent people who have nothing to do with the conflict? Sounds like an angry, impotent lashing out rather that a solution to a problem. 

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Immigration Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyaluck has instructed nationwide checkpoints to increase staff during peak seasons,

Wow! There's an innovation!

Hey, it's YOUR war--faned by politicians and generals getting kickbacks! Nothing to do with Thais or Cambodians,

20 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's immigration bureau has refuted reports that its officers harassed foreign tourists transiting to Cambodia.

 

That's a rather strange denial, considering that the warning from Cambodian embassies doesn't mention "immigration officers" at all. In fact, they seem to imply that the alleged harassment was undertaken by security officers of some kind.

 

Seems rather prudent for Thailand to be scrutinizing even transit passengers to make sure they're not mercenaries or (for example) hired drone operators.

 

It would also be expected that Cambodia would object to that kind of scrutiny.

 

I'd be lying if I said I understood what's going on at the border...  But I'd be stupid to think everyone's telling the truth.

 

The letter mentions proof of financial resources. Why would security be asking about funds?

Baiting post removed 

 

@ujayujay

20 hours ago, impulse said:

Seems rather prudent for Thailand to be scrutinizing even transit passengers to make sure they're not mercenaries or (for example) hired drone operators.

 

It would also be expected that Cambodia would object to that kind of scrutiny.

 

I'd be lying if I said I understood what's going on at the border...  But I'd be stupid to think everyone's telling the truth.

 

What does a mercenary look later like.

On 12/27/2025 at 7:18 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

Hey, it's YOUR war--faned by politicians and generals getting kickbacks! Nothing to do with Thais or Cambodians,

 

<removed> comment based  upon over prejudice. There is no evidence of anyone "getting kickbacks", nor was there such a claim.

 

On 12/27/2025 at 3:37 AM, Gottfrid said:

Thailand has no obligation to show any hospitality to Cambodians before they lay down the weapons.

 

This is not about hospitality. As long as Thailand is allowing transit passengers and flights to and from Cambodia, Thailand is legally obligated to respect the international  treaties and regulations that apply to such air passengers.

Not all transit passengers transit without entering, particularly at DMK. Still. immigration has always been polite to me.

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

This is not about hospitality. As long as Thailand is allowing transit passengers and flights to and from Cambodia, Thailand is legally obligated to respect the international  treaties and regulations that apply to such air passengers.

I am pretty sure there are clauses that gives a specific country the right to override some of that under certain circumstances.

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

I am pretty sure there are clauses that gives a specific country the right to override some of that under certain circumstances.

Doesn't the US screen all international transit arrivals?

2 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Doesn't the US screen all international transit arrivals?

I think so, but some cute farangs think that Thailand is a haven for idiots

Very true. They do not harass only the foreigners en route for Cambodia at the Airports. On could wonder if the immigration harassment is not for any and every foreigner be it at the Airport or during formalities in the Immigration offices in popular beach towns like Hua Hin or Pattaya ?

17 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

What does a mercenary look later like.

I was trying to find the appropriate photo of Trump but there are just too many to choose from!

A month ago about 40 of us, non Cambodian foreigners, were taken out the immigration queue to a separate area at Don Muang arriving from Siem Reap. Totally disorganised, made to fill out a separate form and subject to pretty aggressive questioning. I only moved to Siem Reap earlier in the year after 9 years of trouble free Thai retirement visas, so indiscriminate. Delayed over an hour and a half. Since others I know have personally experienced the same thing I know the Thai Immigration/Airport authorities are lieing through their teeth in this one. Targeted and discriminatory just because we have chosen to live or holiday in Cambodia. 

7 minutes ago, kinyara said:

A month ago about 40 of us, non Cambodian foreigners, were taken out the immigration queue to a separate area at Don Muang arriving from Siem Reap. Totally disorganised, made to fill out a separate form and subject to pretty aggressive questioning. I only moved to Siem Reap earlier in the year after 9 years of trouble free Thai retirement visas, so indiscriminate. Delayed over an hour and a half. Since others I know have personally experienced the same thing I know the Thai Immigration/Airport authorities are lieing through their teeth in this one. Targeted and discriminatory just because we have chosen to live or holiday in Cambodia. 

Returned from KTI last Monday into BKK.  Not a single question or comment.  Maybe they have eased off now.

9 minutes ago, kinyara said:

A month ago about 40 of us, non Cambodian foreigners, were taken out the immigration queue to a separate area at Don Muang arriving from Siem Reap. Totally disorganised, made to fill out a separate form and subject to pretty aggressive questioning. I only moved to Siem Reap earlier in the year after 9 years of trouble free Thai retirement visas, so indiscriminate. Delayed over an hour and a half. Since others I know have personally experienced the same thing I know the Thai Immigration/Airport authorities are lieing through their teeth in this one. Targeted and discriminatory just because we have chosen to live or holiday in Cambodia. 

So were you in transit?

12 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So were you in transit?

 

I don't know about others but I wasn't, I was coming for 30 days holiday to my condo which I still own. I'm doing it again April/May with 15 days each either side of a flight to the UK so I'll see if the welcome has improved any by then.

1 hour ago, kinyara said:

 

I don't know about others but I wasn't, I was coming for 30 days holiday to my condo which I still own. I'm doing it again April/May with 15 days each either side of a flight to the UK so I'll see if the welcome has improved any by then.

That's what i thought. The op is about transits.

On 12/27/2025 at 10:37 AM, Gottfrid said:

Thailand has no obligation to show any hospitality to Cambodians before they lay down the weapons.

 

On 12/27/2025 at 12:58 PM, flaming dragon said:

 

Why screw over innocent people who have nothing to do with the conflict? Sounds like an angry, impotent lashing out rather that a solution to a problem. 

A Thai IO is not obligated by any law to let any foreign national in the country except Thai nationals, in fact a Thai IO can reject any foreign national on a whim without recourse.

3 hours ago, stevenl said:

That's what i thought. The op is about transits.

It makes IMO a lot of sense to screen people travelling from Cambodia to within Thailand extra carefully.