Denied domestic travel for no passport BKK to Samui

[mangyH2obuffalo]

I was unaware farangs had to provide a passport to travel within Thailand but evidently this is the law now.  I made the trip from BKK to the Sura Thani islands countless times the last 7 years and many times I used a driver's license from abroad or presented a Thai government ID no problem.

 

That special time of the year came when I had to give my passport to employer to renew work permit.  Yesterday, the woman in my department who took it on Monday did not show to work and today.  This morning (Saturday) BKK Airways would not let me on.

 

 I showed every ID I have including expired Thai government IDs and was rejected.  This hurts as I usually fly Air Asia budget style to SuraThani or Nakon Is Thammarat then do the bus ferry dance.  Of course the time I try to treat myself with BKK Airways (which is much more expensive but quicker as it goes direct to Koh Samui then youre near the ferry to Full Moon island or Murder island) I get screwed.

 

The only thing their e ticket vaguely says is "A picture identification shall be produced"..........no mention of passport.  

 

Anyways, just a heads up as I haven't seen anything about this on the internet except a post fro Udon.......

 

Happy travels

[piewarmer]

not good for you, bad luck mate

[hereforgood]

I flew DM in bangkok to Chang Mai and only showed Nevada Id card no issue at all this a month ago on Vietjet Air.

[KhunBENQ]

15 minutes ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

including expired Thai government IDs

Not sure what you mean with that.

 

I always get bashed when I tell that I take my passport on domestic trips that include overnight/hotel/flight.

But indeed, after enforcing passport at banks it would be a new level that yo need pp for domestic flights.

[Moonlover]

7 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Not sure what you mean with that.

 

I always get bashed when I tell that I take my passport on domestic trips that include overnight/hotel/flight.

But indeed, after enforcing passport at banks it would be a new level that yo need pp for domestic flights.

It does make sense really. After all we are required, by law, to have our passports with us, or readily available at all times. And it can't be 'readily available' if we're in one part of the country and the passport is in another, can it.

[DrJack54]

OP, your issue is not new. I have flown domestic many times with my AU drivers license. Also many times been asked to produce passport. 

In any event you arrive Sumui you should always have your pp for everything from hotel check-in or whatever. Bit foolish travel without pp

[4MyEgo]

41 minutes ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

This hurts as I usually fly Air Asia budget style to SuraThani

That sucks, but as others have said, always have your passport when boarding a plane as it is a requirement, lax staff doesn't help the situation, and as I recall flying with AirAsia from Udon Thani to Phuket once, all I showed them was my Thai pink ID card (which most Thai's don't know what it is) and off I went, however on the return journey at Phuket this pretty little filly declined my Pink ID card and said I need your passport please sir, I said oh, and explained that I came down with AirAsia on my pink ID card and she said, but sir you are farang and MUST have a passport, it is AirAsia policy, I smiled at her and said oh ok, I didn't know that, thank you for bringing that to my attention and being so thorough in doing your job (me smiling) with all these thoughts going through my mind which I cannot put on TVF in fear of being locked up, she was smiling back and then gave me my passport and boarding pass with a smile and explaining where I was to go, I only wish she could have read my mind at the time ????

 

Once bitten, twice shy you are now.

 

[moontang]

You gotta look out for middle name issues, too.

[TVUserx]

I lost mine and was allowed to fly Samui to bkk to get an emergency passport, but the airline weren’t happy about it at all, even with police report, home driving licence etc.

[jacko45k]

It is a frequently stated requirement that foreigners need to carry their passports with them at all times. Of course many of us do not for day to day activities, but when I travel I do take it.

Seems like the problem is some female employee who has a casual relationship with work. 

But thanks for the good 'heads up'. 

[Kelsall]

While there is a legal requirement that we have our passport with us, there is no law that requires us to show it to any Thai person who wants to see it.  However, it's their airline, their rules. They can deny boarding for any reason they want.

 

In the past I've never shown my passport for domestic travel.  Now I'll carry it with me for that.

Edited March 1, 2020 by Kelsall

[pontious]

The Bangkok Airways website says for domestic flights foreigners must show passport. For foreign residents and aliens you can show the alien card or work permit.

[legend49]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

It is a frequently stated requirement that foreigners need to carry their passports with them at all times. Of course many of us do not for day to day activities, but when I travel I do take it.

Seems like the problem is some female employee who has a casual relationship with work. 

But thanks for the good 'heads up'. 

Stated where? Head of Immigration has addressed this many times only need a current photo ID , that can be many things other that a passport.

[zaZa9]

Hah , the op gives TV members a bit of a heads up , then receives a litany of 'advice'  telling him what he already knows and has  already stated ! 555

Only on Thaivisa ....

[Taco]

I fly often on Bangkok air Samui to bkk and back with my Thai drivers licence so far no issues and have been not bringing my passport at all for domestic travels.  This I believed was one of the main perks of having a Thai drivers license being able to fly and get hotels without a Passport.  But, I was refused to check into my hotel booking last month in Pattaya without my passport and ended up settling on that plus my copies of my work permit and I got my room.  

 

Solution for me is to bring the passport and only use it when they demand it.

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, pontious said:

The Bangkok Airways website says for domestic flights foreigners must show passport. For foreign residents and aliens you can show the alien card or work permit.

Yes, see here, https://www.bangkokair.com/travel-document

 

Very clearly stated that for foreigners passport is required.

[mfd101]

6 minutes ago, Taco said:

I fly often on Bangkok air Samui to bkk and back with my Thai drivers licence so far no issues and have been not bringing my passport at all for domestic travels.  This I believed was one of the main perks of having a Thai drivers license being able to fly and get hotels without a Passport.  But, I was refused to check into my hotel booking last month in Pattaya without my passport and ended up settling on that plus my copies of my work permit and I got my room.  

 

Solution for me is to bring the passport and only use it when they demand it.

The obvious question is: Why is carrying your p/p with you at all times (or just at selected ones such as hopping on a plane) such a problem?

[persimmon]

I have a photo of my pp that I show to hotel staff and also when booking bus tickets or at the Post Office , has been ok so far.I don`t like handing over the real thing to people I don`t trust.

[NCC1701A]

I never travel away from home (over night, out of town) in Thailand without my passport.

 

I always present my Thai drivers license first to see where they will accept it.

So far bus tickets and train tickets have been no problem with a Thai license. 

Many hotels OUTSIDE of Bangkok are OK with a Thai drivers license.

But in Bangkok I am asked 100% of the time for my passport at the hotels I stay at and my drivers license is not accepted.

 

Sorry to say it is common sense to always have your passport while dealing with airlines. They are governed by rules and regulations beyond just the Thai government.   

 

 

 

[pmarlin]

Going any where without a passport is not a good idea. You can always be stopped by police and asked to provide it.

[moontang]

40 minutes ago, pmarlin said:

Going any where without a passport is not a good idea. You can always be stopped by police and asked to provide it.

It just isn't practical for long term.  Lots of beach tourists here..many use the room safes.

[Shammy]

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

It is a frequently stated requirement that foreigners need to carry their passports with them at all times. Of course many of us do not for day to day activities, but when I travel I do take it.

Seems like the problem is some female employee who has a casual relationship with work. 

But thanks for the good 'heads up'. 

Yes carry it "at all times" then get nailed because the corners are dog eared or it starts looking shabby and worn... And now no airline or immigration service will accept it...The country is going insane..

"It is the law" .." Don't think to "mut"...5555555

[khunPer]

19 hours ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

I showed every ID I have including expired Thai government IDs and was rejected.

A valid Id is not "an expired Thai government ID". By Law you should as foreigner actually carry you passport, sometimes a photo copy is accepted.

 

I've been accepted by Bankok Airways with a Thai drivers license only – I had my passport in my pocket, but wished to check if a valid Thai ID was accepted, it was – however it's a few years ago now. You mentioned a "driver's license from abroad", which I fully understand if not accepted, as it might be difficult, or impossible, for the ground hostes to see if it's genuine, whilst a passport is an internationally accepted travel document.

 

A photocopy a your passport together with a valid Thai ID might have worked, and perhaps a receipt from the work permit office, or the agent, keeping the passport.

[khunPer]

1 hour ago, moontang said:

It just isn't practical for long term.  Lots of beach tourists here..many use the room safes.

–But the passport is quite easily available if you get checked, so in accordance with the law. In many areas the police actually says that one can carry a photocopy instead of the real passport, which for safety could be left in a hotel-safe.

[ChaiyaTH]

If you ask me it is insane in the first place to allow people on airplanes with (foreign) driving licenses as you can buy them for 20 bucks on Khao san road. 

The too many times I have seen the pilots opening the door half way the flight, to chat with a stewardess or hit the toilet, a potential terrorist had all the chances.

 

Not that it would not be possible to do with even a real ID, but it is way too easy to fly with a fake one. That is sure.

[theoldgit]

I think that Bangkok Airways are pretty clear what is acceptable documentation for a flight.

 

For foreigners a passport is required, for residents or aliens a Passport or identification document for aliens or residents issued by the Thai government such as a Non-Thai Identification Card (Alien Card), or Work Permit.

 

Copies of travel documents are not accepted.

 

I suppose we all make choices about what to carry with us with their requirements in mind.

 

https://www.bangkokair.com/travel-document

[Thingamabob]

It has always been the law, sometimes enforced, sometimes not,  that you should carry your passport at all times, including on domestic flights. 

[Number 6]

Of course.

 

I can't believe anyone would think otherwise.

[natway09]

I do not have on me (just a colour copy) but always take when travelling even within Thailand. Many hotels will not accept a Thai drivers licence

[BritManToo]

20 hours ago, mangyH2obuffalo said:

I was unaware farangs had to provide a passport to travel within Thailand but evidently this is the law now.

Unlikely.

Just the check-in girl for Bangkok Airways being difficult or stupid.