The Immigration Bureau has ordered strict screening of Cambodians entering Thailand with visa-free privileges, along with other high-risk foreigners amid concerns about mercenaries. Since early this month, 185 individuals have been denied entry.
Concerns have been raised by critics and academics via various social media platforms that foreign mercenaries might be entering Thailand to conduct operations threatening national security, aimed at undermining the capabilities of Thai forces in all forms.
On 14 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau and its spokesperson, stated that Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpetch, the Royal Thai Police Chief, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonlalak, Immigration Bureau Commander, are concerned about this issue. This follows renewed intense clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, while commercial flights continue operating normally between the two countries. There is concern that foreign mercenaries may exploit visa-free entry to conduct operations threatening security along the front lines, both within Thailand and by illegally crossing from Cambodia.
On 11 Dec 2025 GMT+7, 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 deemed security risks behind the front lines. These include those who sneak in via natural routes to assist Cambodia, spies, or those engaging in other harmful acts. The focus is on two groups using visa-free entry: mercenaries from Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, and Cambodians flying into Thailand. Given the current escalation to clashes, such visits appear inconsistent with normal tourism. Those with legitimate business in Thailand are advised to obtain proper visas from Thai embassies before travel to allow screening at the origin.
Since the recent violent clashes, from early December until 13 Dec 2025 GMT+7, 185 individuals have been denied entry. The Immigration Bureau will coordinate with security intelligence agencies to gather additional information on movements of foreign mercenaries. If specific individuals can be identified, it will improve targeting of prohibited groups without affecting other foreign tourists, especially during the tourism season when daily arrivals reach 75,000 to 80,000. Immigration officers at entry points have only about 45 seconds to inspect each passport.
The enhanced screening measures may cause congestion and longer queues at passport control, especially at Suvarnabhumi Airport during peak flight hours. However, immigration officers have been deployed to all available counters. Although wait times will increase from the usual maximum of 20 minutes to about 45 minutes, officials confirm there will be no impact on travel for Thai nationals.