A Chinese tourist has reportedly been permanently banned from entering Thailand after a viral video showed him damaging an automated immigration gate at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The incident allegedly took place at around 2.35pm on May 13, involving a 30-year-old man identified as Zheng Liwei.
According to reports, Zheng was preparing to board a Spring Airlines flight to Shanghai when he encountered difficulties using the airport’s automated passport control system.
Footage circulating online showed the man repeatedly attempting to scan his passport at the auto-gate gantry. After several failed attempts, he appeared to lose his temper and slammed his passport against the scanner.
Moments later, Zheng allegedly kicked open one side of the gate, startling nearby passengers. When the system still failed to respond, he reportedly kicked the second gate open before forcing his way through the immigration checkpoint.
Thai immigration officers then attempted to stop and detain him, but authorities claimed he became aggressive and verbally abused officers in both Mandarin and English while resisting arrest.
Reports stated that the suspect shouted offensive insults at officers during the confrontation before his wife intervened and managed to calm him down.
Photos from the scene later showed Zheng surrounded by airport officials alongside an interpreter wearing a vest marked with a Chinese flag.
Investigators later revealed that the auto-gate malfunction was allegedly caused by the tourist placing his passport incorrectly on the scanner.
Thai authorities said the damaged immigration gate sustained losses estimated at around 450,000 baht, equivalent to approximately RM54,500. Zheng was reportedly ordered to pay compensation for the damage.
In addition to facing charges for property damage and verbally abusing public officials on duty, the tourist was also reportedly blacklisted by Thai immigration authorities and permanently barred from re-entering the country.
The incident has since sparked widespread reactions online, with many social media users criticising the tourist’s behaviour and praising airport officers for handling the situation professionally.
