The Immigration Bureau has ordered strict screening of Cambodians entering Thailand under the free visa scheme and is also blocking high-risk foreigners suspected of being mercenaries. Authorities ask foreign tourists to understand the situation and expect wait times not exceeding 40 minutes at checkpoints.
Concerns have been raised by critics and academics via social media that some foreigners, identified as mercenaries, may be flying into Thailand to conduct operations that threaten national security and aim to undermine the capabilities of Thai forces in all forms.
The latest update from 15 December 2025 reports that on 14 December, Pol Maj Gen Cherngron Rimpadee, Deputy Commander and Spokesperson of the Immigration Bureau, revealed that Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet and Immigration Chief Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonylaksam are deeply concerned about this issue, especially following intensified clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
Despite regular commercial flights operating between the two countries, there is worry that some foreign mercenaries might exploit the free visa policy to enter Thailand and carry out activities that threaten security along the front lines in Thailand or through illegal border crossings from Cambodia.
On 11 December 2025, the Immigration Bureau held a meeting with commanders and heads of immigration checkpoints at five airports under its jurisdiction—Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai—to establish strict measures against nationals exhibiting suspicious behavior that could threaten security behind the front lines. This includes those secretly crossing natural routes to aid Cambodia, spies, or others carrying out illicit acts. The focus is on two groups of foreigners using the free visa to enter Thailand:
- Mercenaries from Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
- Cambodian nationals flying into Thailand using the free visa privilege. At this time, tensions between the two countries have escalated to violent clashes, making it unlikely for rational individuals to travel for tourism. Those with legitimate business should apply for proper visas at Thai embassies to allow for screening at the source.
Since the outbreak of violent clashes, from early December to 13 December 2025, 185 people have been denied entry.
The Immigration Bureau is coordinating with security intelligence agencies to gather further information on the movements of foreign mercenaries. If individuals can be identified, enforcement can focus more precisely on prohibited persons without impacting other foreign tourists, especially during the peak travel season when 75,000 to 80,000 tourists enter the country daily. Immigration officers have about 45 seconds to check each passport.
The enhanced screening measures may cause more crowded queues at passport control, especially at Suvarnabhumi Airport during peak hours. However, immigration staff are fully deployed at all counters. Although wait times may increase from the usual 20 minutes to about 45 minutes, officials assure there will be no impact on the travel of Thai nationals.