Thai immigration authorities have filed a complaint against a Chinese man who accused them of bribery in a viral TikTok video recorded at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. The incident has sparked widespread attention after the unidentified Chinese national posted footage showing him passing through immigration before making allegations of corruption. In the video, he begins by stating, “I’ll show you how to enter Thailand. Officials are very strict nowadays!” as he appears to navigate immigration smoothly. He then claims that after facing difficulties retrieving his luggage, Thai officials could assist him in exchange for money, remarking in Chinese, “All you need is money, and these guys will help you get whatever you want. That’s Thailand. The only issue is the language barrier.” Later, while in a car, he adds, “They [immigration officers] delayed me and confiscated my passport. I thought I’d be deported, but no.” The video concludes with a message in Chinese suggesting that working in Thailand without a visa requires connections with immigration officials.
The inclusion of a Thai immigration officer in the video led to outrage among Thai netizens, who translated the man’s comments and shared them widely on social media. In response, immigration officials addressed the claims and denied any misconduct. Eknarin Chantamartphatsakun, the officer featured in the video, explained that the man had requested help filling out Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), claiming he was unfamiliar with the system. Eknarin stated he assisted the man, guided him to passport control, and later resumed his duties—insisting no special treatment was given. Naowarat Chalermsri, Director of Arrival Immigration at Suvarnabhumi Airport, reinforced that the man followed standard immigration procedures and faced no preferential treatment. Cherngron Rimphadee, Commander of Immigration Division 2, noted that Thai authorities had denied entry to 8,193 foreign nationals (January–May), particularly Chinese travelers evading visa rules. He suggested the viral video’s creator might be linked to illegal facilitation services, using the footage to misleadingly advertise their operations.
Eknarin has filed a formal complaint against the Chinese man at Suvarnabhumi Police Station. Authorities are now working to locate him for potential legal action as the controversy continues to unfold. The case highlights growing concerns over misinformation and the challenges of enforcing immigration rules in the face of unethical actors attempting to exploit Thailand’s entry system.
