Bangkok: Immigration authorities in Thailand have implemented stringent measures to prevent Cambodians from entering the country using visa-free entry and are intensifying efforts to address high-risk foreign groups, amid fears that these groups might include mercenaries.
According to Thai News Agency, critics and academics have expressed concerns on social media about the potential entry of foreign mercenaries into Thailand. These individuals are feared to be conducting operations that could jeopardize national security and undermine the capabilities of Thai forces.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Cherngron Rimphadee, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau and spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau, disclosed that the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, along with Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, have been vigilant about this issue following renewed violent clashes between Thais and Cambodians. Despite normal commercial airline operations between the two countries, there are concerns that foreign militant groups might exploit visa-free entry to threaten security within Thailand and through illegal Cambodian border crossings.
On December 11, 2025, the Immigration Bureau convened a meeting with commanders and heads of immigration checkpoints at five major airports-Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Hat Yai. The aim was to establish strict measures against individuals whose actions pose a risk to national security, particularly those clandestinely crossing borders to assist Cambodians, engage in espionage, or partake in other activities. The focus was on two groups entering Thailand via visa-free entry: mercenaries from Eastern Europe and Upper Asia, and Cambodians, especially during the heightened conflict period.
Since the onset of violent clashes, 185 individuals have been denied entry from early December to December 13, 2025. The Immigration Bureau is coordinating with security intelligence agencies to gather more information on foreign mercenary movements. Identifying individuals will help focus efforts on targeted groups without hindering the general influx of foreign tourists, especially during peak tourist season when daily arrivals range from 75,000 to 80,000, with immigration officers having less than 45 seconds to process each passport.
These enhanced screening procedures may lead to longer queues at passport control, particularly at Suvarnabhumi Airport during peak hours. Immigration officers have been stationed at all inspection counters to manage the situation. Although security measures might extend waiting times to around 45 minutes, it will not impact the entry and exit of Thai citizens.