A Chinese man has been barred permanently from revisiting Thailand after he allegedly damaged an automated glass gate at the country’s key international airport in the central Samut Prakan province.
The 30-year-old man reportedly failed to follow instructions when using the automated gate at the airport’s immigration area on Wednesday.
When it malfunctioned, he kicked two glass barriers and damaged the equipment on the way to boarding his flight to China, the Bangkok Post reported.
He allegedly kicked the glass gate for a second time after he failed to use it correctly, and forced his way through without completing the necessary immigration process.
Video footage shared on social media appeared to show him slamming his travel document before kicking the barriers and forcing his way through them.
Authorities immediately intervened and restrained him and charged him with a fine of up to $15,000 for property damage, imprisonment for up to three years, or both, according to local news reports.
The man has also been charged with hurling abuses at officers on duty, a crime if proven in court, is punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $600 (20,000 baht) or both.
Officials have reportedly revoked his visa and placed him on a permanent blacklist, barring him from entering Thailand.
The man is expected to be deported once legal proceedings are completed.
This incident comes just a week after the Thai interior ministry ordered local authorities to act firmly against law-breaking foreigners, who intimidate residents or behave inappropriately in public.
In recent months, numerous complaints have been registered across Thailand of unruly behaviour and inappropriate conduct by long-staying foreigners, especially in tourist areas like Phuket and Surat Thani.
“Tourists exhibiting inappropriate behaviour or causing disturbance to the public and other tourists must be prosecuted strictly according to the law, without exception, especially those engaging in behaviour that violates Thailand’s fine cultural values and those related to drug use,” Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.
Thailand forecasts 500,000 more foreign tourists this year, up from 33 million in 2025, despite the ripple effects of the Middle East war on the global economy.
“Thailand welcomes all tourists of all nationalities who respect the Thai people and Thailand,” said Police Lieutenant General Panumas Bunyalak, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, adding that “any conduct or actions that violate basic morals will result in visa revocation and deportation”.