Thailand starts checking foreigners’ passports on domestic flights to limit illegal overstays
In a move aimed at curbing illegal overstays, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has introduced new requirements for foreign passengers boarding domestic flights. The heightened measures mandate that effective January 16, 2024, foreign travellers must present an original passport matching the name on their boarding pass to be eligible for boarding.
The updated regulations permit foreigners to use not only passports issued by their respective governments but also a laissez-passer, a diplomatic travel document issued by the United Nations.
In cases where foreigners lose their passports while flying domestically, alternative documents such as an emergency passport, non-Thai ID card, or a driving license will be accepted.
The implementation of these stricter rules is a response to the ongoing challenge of foreigners overstaying in Thailand, even as the country experiences a robust recovery in tourism since reopening its borders. The surge in tourism has been significant, but the issue of visa overstays, particularly at popular resorts, has persisted.