KhmerTimes-Mar 10, 2026
Despite Thai immigration authorities dismissing Khmer Times’ report of entry denial to Cambodian and Indian travelers, the harassed passengers who were held in detention and their passports taken during the period stand by their harrowing experiences shared with this newspaper. According to Khaosod English, Phongthorn said neither the foreigners were denied entry nor were they asked to immediately book return tickets. However, several affected Cambodian passengers who recently travelled to Bangkok for business meetings told Khmer Times yesterday that Thai authorities denied their entry and placed them in a detention room at the Suvarnabhumi Airport until the following day. The travelers said they had prepared all the necessary documents for entry, including hotel reservations, meeting arrangements and return flight tickets. Worse, according to them, even passengers travelling for medical purposes, including those with doctor’s appointments, were denied entry. Among those affected was a Cambodian senior executive working for a multinational organization operating across Southeast Asia. He said his team was placed in a room surrounded by iron fencing, describing the conditions as uncomfortable and similar to a prison facility. According to him, about 20 people were held in the room at the time. During the detention, he spoke with several Indian tourists who claimed they had been held there for up to five days. He also noticed several Chinese travelers reportedly transiting through Thailand to Cambodia. Affected Cambodia passengers expressed hope that authorities from both countries will address the situation to ensure clearer procedures and better treatment for travelers in the future. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501858473/cambodian-travellers-recount-ordeals-as-thai-authorities-deny-kt-report/
