Thai passport photos must measure 40 × 60 mm (4 × 6 cm) — a larger format than the 35×45mm ICAO standard used by most countries. At 300 DPI, this translates to 472 × 709 pixels. These specifications are set by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Common confusion: Many online sources incorrectly list Thai passport photos as 2×2 inches or 35×45mm. The correct Thai standard is 4×6cm (40×60mm). This is a frequent source of rejected applications for both Thai citizens and foreigners obtaining Thai visas.
Exact Thai Passport Photo Dimensions
| Format | Width | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM | 40mm | 60mm | Official Thai MFA standard |
| CM | 4cm | 6cm | Common Thai notation |
| Inches | 1.57″ | 2.36″ | Approximate conversion |
| Pixels | 472px | 709px | At 300 DPI |
| Aspect ratio | 2:3 | — | Same as standard 4×6 photo prints |
Get a compliant passport photo online
Head Height Requirements for Thai Passport Photos
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifies:
- Head height: 60–80% of the image vertically (chin to top of head)
- In print terms: approximately 36–48mm from chin to crown
- Eye line: Approximately 56% from the bottom of the image
- Centering: Head centered horizontally with even space on both sides
The taller 60mm frame gives proportionally more space above and below the face compared to the standard 35×45mm format. Note that the absolute head measurements (36-48mm) are larger than on a 35×45mm photo (27-36mm) — your face needs to be physically larger in the final print.
Glasses and Appearance Rules for Thai Passport Photos
- Glasses: Not permitted. Remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses and sunglasses.
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed. No smiling.
- Background: White, evenly lit with no shadows behind the head.
- Hair: Must not cover the face or forehead. Both ears should be visible.
- Head coverings: Only for religious reasons. The full face from forehead to chin must remain visible.
- Clothing: Avoid white tops that blend into the white background — the system needs a clear boundary between clothing and background.
Thai Passport Photo Size vs Other Countries
| Country | Size | Head height | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 40×60mm | 60–80% | Rectangle |
| Saudi Arabia | 40×60mm | 60–80% | Rectangle |
| UAE | 40×60mm | 60–80% | Rectangle |
| United States | 51×51mm | 50–69% | Square |
| United Kingdom | 35×45mm | 64–76% | Rectangle |
| Malaysia | 35×50mm | 60–80% | Rectangle |
| Singapore | 35×45mm | 60–80% | Rectangle |
| Philippines | 35×45mm | 60–80% | Rectangle |
| India | 35×35mm | 60–80% | Square |
Thailand shares the 40×60mm format with only Saudi Arabia and the UAE — making it an outlier in Southeast Asia, where every other country uses 35×45mm. A compliant photo from Saudi Arabia or the UAE will match Thailand's dimensions exactly. Photos from Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, or India are all incompatible.
For expats and frequent travellers: if you hold passports from multiple countries, you need separate photos sized for each. A single photo session won't work unless the studio produces multiple sizes from the same sitting.
Common Thai Passport Photo Sizing Mistakes
Using the ICAO 35×45mm standard. The most common error. Most photo services outside Thailand — and even some inside — default to 35×45mm for "Asian passport photos." Thailand requires 40×60mm. If you don't specify the size explicitly, you'll almost certainly receive the wrong format.
Confusing with the US 2×2 inch format. Some online sources incorrectly list Thai photos as 2×2 inches (51×51mm). The correct size is 4×6cm (40×60mm). These are completely different sizes and shapes.
Wrong aspect ratio. Thailand uses 2:3 (same as standard 4×6 inch photo prints). Phone cameras set to 4:3 or 16:9 will produce the wrong proportions. Set your camera to the closest matching ratio before shooting.
Using a Singapore or Philippines photo. Both countries use 35×45mm — too small for Thailand. Expats moving between Southeast Asian countries often assume one photo works everywhere. It doesn't.
Wearing glasses. Glasses are not permitted in Thai passport photos. Remove all eyewear before the photo is taken — this includes prescription glasses, not just sunglasses.
Where to Get Correctly Sized Thai Passport Photos
Passport Division offices. The main offices in Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana and Pinklao) and regional offices throughout the country have on-site photo services that produce the correct 40×60mm format. This is the most reliable option — the staff verify compliance before printing.
Photo studios. Professional studios in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other major cities know the local standard. Ask for "รูปถ่ายหนังสือเดินทาง 4×6 ซม." (passport photo 4×6cm). Prices range from ฿100-300.
Photo booths in malls. Major shopping centres (CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, Terminal 21) have photo booth services. Quality varies — check that the output is actually 40×60mm, not the default 35×45mm that some international booth software produces.
Outside Thailand. Specify 40×60mm explicitly. Most international photo services default to 35×45mm for Asian countries. Provide the exact pixel dimensions (472×709) and DPI (300) if the studio doesn't have 40×60mm pre-configured.
Thai Passport Photo Digital Submission Requirements
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs accepts digital photo uploads for online passport applications:
- JPEG format, 472×709 pixels minimum at 300 DPI
- White background, no shadows
- The automated system checks dimensions, aspect ratio, and face detection before accepting the upload
- If rejected, verify your photo with a compliance checker first
For in-person applications, bring two identical printed copies on glossy or matte photo paper. The prints must be exactly 40×60mm — verify with a ruler before leaving the studio. The Passport Division also photographs applicants on-site for biometric capture, but the submitted prints are still required.
File size tip: If your photo exceeds the upload limit, reduce JPEG quality to 80-85%. This typically brings a 2-3MB file down to 300-600KB without visible quality loss. Don't compress below about 100KB — heavy compression creates blocky artifacts around the eyes and mouth that the automated system may flag.
Thai Passport Photo Size for Babies and Children
Children's Thai passport photos follow the same 40×60mm size and 60-80% head height requirements. The Passport Division applies the same automated checks regardless of age.
Infants (under 1 year): Lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from directly above. Both eyes should be open. The face must be centered and clearly visible. The 60-80% head height rule still applies — on a 60mm frame, the baby's head must measure 36-48mm from chin to crown.
Children (1-5 years): Same rules as adults — neutral expression, eyes open, face centered. Studios at Passport Division offices handle children's photos regularly and have techniques for managing restless children.
All children under 18: Thai children's passports have shorter validity periods (5 years vs 10 for adults). This means more frequent renewals and more frequent photos. Keep a compliant digital copy of your child's most recent photo — you'll need it again sooner than for an adult passport.
Verifying Your Thai Passport Photo Size
Use our passport photo checker to validate your photo against Thai requirements before submitting. This catches dimension errors, aspect ratio mismatches, and file format issues that would otherwise trigger rejection.
For background requirements, see our guide to Thailand passport photo background. View all Thai passport specifications on the Thailand passport photo hub.
