Thailand checks foreigners’ passports on domestic flights to prevent illegal overstays

Under the new requirements, foreign passengers are required to show an original passport with their name matching that on the boarding pass so that they are eligible to board domestic flights, the authority announced.

In addition to passports issued by their government, foreigners can also present a laissez-passer, a diplomatic travel document issued by the United Nations.

In case foreigners who fly on domestic flights lose their passports, they will also be allowed to submit one of the following documents: an emergency passport, non-Thai ID card, or a driving license.

These stricter regulations are intended to prevent foreigners from overstaying illegally, Nikkei Asia reported.

Thailand has witnessed a strong tourism recovery post reopening but the number of people overstaying their visas remains a headache, especially at resorts.

Last year, many foreigners were found overstaying their visas in Thailand.

Overstaying for 90 days entails deportation and a ban on entering the country again.

Thailand received 28 million foreign tourists last year and it targets 35 million this year.