BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s Immigration Bureau rejected Cambodian media reports that foreign travellers were detained at international airports, pushed into immediate return flights and forced to pay 1,000 baht.
Report from Cambodia sparks concern
The controversy stemmed from an article in the Khmer Times, which cited Cambodian and Indian nationals as particularly affected. The report claimed that arriving passengers were refused entry, required to book return flights immediately and charged an illegal “service fee”.
According to that account, these alleged payments were collected in connection with the denial of entry at Thailand’s international airports. The story triggered unease among potential travellers in the region and raised questions about the treatment of visitors.
Firm denial from Immigration Division 2
The spokesperson for Immigration Division 2, Pol Col Pongthorn Pongratchatanan, dismissed the accusations on Friday as being entirely disconnected from reality.
“Completely detached from the facts.”
said Pol Col Pongthorn, referring to the allegations.
He criticised what he described as one-sided and inaccurate coverage.
“One-sided and inaccurate reporting damages the country’s image as an international travel destination.”
said Pol Col Pongthorn.
Reasons why entry may be refused
According to the authorities, entry was generally refused only when basic requirements were not met or when there was a perceived risk to public order. They cited several criteria used by immigration officers at the border.
Examples included insufficient financial means for the stay, a lack of verifiable accommodation or travel itinerary, suspicion of intending to work illegally, and behaviour considered a security risk. Officials stressed that such assessments formed part of standard border control practice.
No 1,000-baht fee in the official system
Pol Col Pongthorn explicitly rejected the core allegation of a 1,000-baht “service fee”, stating that no such payment was included in the official immigration procedure.
“Such a payment is not provided for in the official process.”
said Pol Col Pongthorn.
Immigration authorities also denied any involvement in “forced” ticket purchases by officers. They pointed instead to responsibilities that lie outside the Immigration Bureau, emphasising that other parties handled travel arrangements after a refusal of entry.
Return after refusal: airlines in charge
If someone was denied entry, the organisation of their return fell under international aviation protocols and was the duty of the carrier, meaning the airline that had transported the person to Thailand. Immigration officers described this as a standard obligation for airlines.
Under these rules, the airline had to provide a separate waiting area and arrange the return flight to the country of origin. This process, officials underlined, was
“not a matter for immigration officers.”
said the Immigration Bureau.
Rising arrivals increase pressure on procedures
Despite the recent friction, the Immigration Bureau reported a clearly rising trend in foreign arrivals. The growth in visitor numbers has increased pressure on procedures at Thailand’s international airports.
The head of the bureau, Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, instructed officers to balance strict checks with efficient processing of genuine tourists. The aim was to maintain security while keeping entry formalities smooth for legitimate travellers.