leosmith

Thanks so much!

I'm a US citizen flying in from the Philippines tomorrow. I want to stay 59 days. I thought all I needed was my passport, but just saw something that made me think I need an e-visa. True or false? Any other docs I need, other than forward ticket, proof of hotel?

On 12/2/2023 at 6:29 PM, leosmith said:

I should have said that my second question was about Thai immigration, not boarding in Korea. 
But I do not have a return flight on the same airline; not sure where you go that. I have an actual ongoing ticket out in 58 days on another airline. The rest of what you wrote is probably right; I'll stop worrying about Thai immigration.

What this thread has made clear is that what the airline will do and immigration will do are variable, depending on the route, airline, country, moods of the officers involved, etc. Let me just add to our shared experiences by saying what actually happened yesterday when I flew from Seoul to BKK on Korean Air. I checked in online, then went to the airport. At the airport, the carrier checked my passport and boarding pass them made me tag my own bags at a kiosk. Of course, I needed to show the boarding pass and passport at security and at the gate, but that was it - no ongoing ticket or length of stay questions. At immigration in BKK they wanted to see the boarding pass that I had just used, asked me how long I'd stay and wanted to see my accommodation confirmation. So I wasted $12, but it was well worth the peace of mind.

6 hours ago, leosmith said:

Agreed; I bought one already for $12 usd. This return flight is in 25 days. I'm probably overthinking it, but if they ask me how long I'm going to stay, do I say 25 days per that ticket, or 58 days per my condo booking receipt? 

Just a reminder - I already have this. Technically, I have purchased a reservation for a ticket, or as some say, I have rented a ticket, for this price. I always do this because it is much cheaper than a "normal" cheap ticket (hard to find one for less that $50 ime) or reserving a ticket then cancelling/getting a refund (hard to escape with fees less than $50 ime).

6 hours ago, DFPhuket said:

I'd say there is less chance of an issue at check in because you're on a round trip ticket. But as technology related to visa and immigration gets more sophisticated, the check in screen could notify the check in agent to ask for proof of an onward ticket within the 30 days. For peace of mind and for a small amount of money, I'd get an onward ticket at https://onwardticket.com/

Please read before you post - I already have one. Also, I'm not on a round trip ticket. I have an onward ticket 58 days out.

3 hours ago, khunPer said:

You are entering visa exempt and granted 30 days of stay. The immigration normally won't check your ticket, but the airline might do it when checking in at departure. Your need an outgoing ticket from Thailand within the 30-days period to be safe. It can be a budget airline ticket to a neighboring country, like a ticket from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur – short distance, different prices depending on week day – the price range might be in the area of$30 to $50.

no, this is more expensive than what I've already done

3 hours ago, Jimjim1 said:

If you are determined to fly out after 58 days why did’nt you just buy a return ticket and visit immigration for an extra 30 day extension before the 30 day visa exempt is up? Unless I am missing something in your post.

Per my OP, I have a real ongoing ticket (as opposed to a return ticket) 58 days out. Sorry if it wasn't obvious that l intend to get the extension just before the 30 day mark. 

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

If they ask, just log into expedia and buy a fully refundable if cancelled within 24 hour ticket to show them. Then when you've cleared security and are at the gate, cancel the ticket. Easy, free. What more could you ask for. Note: this doesn't work with the cheap-o airlines, only the major ones. Expedia will tell you before you input your credit card info if it's a refundable ticket. 

Maybe you have some special deal with Expedia, but when I checked into this in the past, the refund/cancellation fees were far more expensive than the $12 I spent.

2 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

If you say 58 days to the airline then what was the point of buying the fake onward ticket 😆 

 

I personally think you wouldn't have had an issue as you have a return flight on same airline so no risk/cost to them to fly you back. Plus a 30 day extension is a valid tourist approach as it's stated on every Thai embassy site that a visa exempt can get a 30 day extension in country

You are right - I should have said that my second question was about Thai immigration, not boarding in Korea. 
But I do not have a return flight on the same airline; not sure where you go that. I have an actual ongoing ticket out in 58 days on another airline. The rest of what you wrote is probably right; I'll stop worrying about Thai immigration.
 

4 hours ago, impulse said:

why risk it as cheap as rental (and short range) tickets are? 

Agreed; I bought one already for $12 usd. This return flight is in 25 days. I'm probably overthinking it, but if they ask me how long I'm going to stay, do I say 25 days per that ticket, or 58 days per my condo booking receipt? 

I'm a US citizen, going to enter Thailand 2 days from now, by commercial aircraft, planning to stay 58 days, for tourism. I don't have a tourist visa; I plan to extend. I have a real ongoing ticket, but I read a post somewhere of someone in my position recently being turned away by the airline before departure because he did not have an ongoing ticket leaving within 30 days.

Am I ok as is - tell them I plan on staying 58 days, and show the ongoing ticket if asked? Or should I claim less than 30 days and get a "best onward ticket" that leaves at that time?

3 hours ago, Dan O said:

The 45 day for visa exempt entry was part of the covid reaction and ended quite some time ago. 

I did it in February; didn't know that it was a temporary covid thing.

I'm a US citizen interested in entering Thailand in December of this year, holiday only. My plan was to get an extension after 45 days, but it seems some sites are saying the exemption is only 30 days now. True or false?

On 1/5/2023 at 9:00 PM, BritTim said:

Fastest is a border bounce at Aranyaprathet/Poipet (you can use a comfortable casino bus run). However, do not do that if you have an even remotely extensive immigration history in Thailand. That crossing can be seriously bad news.

Really? Others have told me it wouldn't be a problem in my case. I've been visiting Thailand as a tourist once a year (except Covid years) since 2003, about 3 months/visit. Never overstayed, and no intention to live here; I'll return to the US after the 45 days. 

If I go by air, can I stay in-transit and not pass through customs until I return to Thailand?

27 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Malaysia just introduced testing for all arrivals and you'll be put in quarantine if you show any fever or other flu/COVID symptoms.

Thanks very much for the warning. Ko Lipe and Bali out for sure then.

I'm a US citizen in Pattaya, currently on a 30 day extension to my 45 day exempt stay. I was planning to go to Koh Lipe for a few days via Malasia and return for another 45 days, but those plans fell through, so I'm considering other options. I might end up just doing a very quick border bounce. In your opinion, which is the fastest, which is the cheapest, and which is the most convenient border bounce from Pattaya?

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that he got the extension before the deadline. The TM30 that he planned to use, for the place he stayed over a month, only went to the 2nd, which caused the panic. But the passport was stamped for the 4th, so I guess they were able to use the most recent TM30 and get it done in time (he did it through a service, so not sure exactly what they did regarding TM30s). Thanks for your help!

Is it still possible to pay at immigration when exiting the country (he only needs a few days), or would that make returning in the future difficult?

Just got this question from a friend, US citizen, tourist still in his 45 day exempt period, in Pattaya now:

"How bad is it if I apply for the extension a day or two after my entry period expires? Mine expires on the 2nd, but it sounds like the 3rd is the earliest I can apply."

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Koh Lepi ....assume you have been there. I wouldn't go with a free ticket. 

Koh Lipe, not Lepi - typo or a different place? It was a snorkeling paradise in Jan of 2020 - has it changed? Not much else to do there, so I guess I see your point if you don't like that.

12 hours ago, BritTim said:

if you are a frequent visitor, the wrong official might decide you spend too much time in Thailand as a tourist. Arriving by land would then be safer.

I've been to Thailand many times; once per year, 3 months per visit, for about 16 consecutive years before the pandemic. But Nov 9 was the first time I've been admitted here in about 3 years. Why would arriving by land be safer?

I am a US citizen staying in Pattaya. I was admitted Nov 9, no tourist visa, and just extended to Jan 22. I'd like to go to Ko Lipe on the 21st, via Langkawi Island Malaysia (air), and return the same way. Will this give me another 45 day visa exempt stay in Thailand? Will it raise any eyebrows (too many consecutive trips to Thailand)?

I’m a US citizen in Thailand for tourism, and my passport stamp says admitted Nov 9 until Dec 23. I want to get a 30 day extension. Questions:

1)   Can I get my extension on the 21^st or 22^nd, or do I have to go on the 23^rd?

2)   Do I need to, or does it make sense to use the Imm-Q on Mobile to set an appointment date/time?

3)   Is an E visa possible in my case?

4)   Can I download, print and fill out the TM.7 from here to take with me, rather than trying to fill it out while I wait in line?

5)   Are the docs required only passport, TM.7 and photo? Isn’t there a form required from my condo? The departure card (TM.6) is gone, right? Any ongoing flight info needed?

I'm a US tourist set to enter Thailand in November, by air, with no visa. I've been looking for a list of documents required, but it seems like I'm finding old lists. Is this correct?

• Passport
• Flight Itinerary.
• Proof of onward flight (less than 30 days out)
• Hotel booking confirmation.
• Vaccination record (if vaccinated)
• COVID-19 test result (if unvaccinated)
• Travel Insurance.

I thought the last 3 items went away.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

First up it doesn't need to be return. Any onward flight within 30 days will be sufficient.

All the options of how to do this are covered in link to another thread.

Read through that thread and you will understand your options

My question is not covered in that thread. Let me keep it simple - is there any form that I need to fill out where I have to declare the duration of my stay?

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

If you are flying visa exempt the airline at departure MAY want to see onward flight within 30 days.

Are there no forms that require me to say how long my stay will be? Doesn't the return reservation need to match whatever length of stay I claim?

On 9/2/2022 at 6:39 PM, ubonjoe said:

If you have a tourist visa to use for entry a return or onward ticket is not required.

If entering visa exempt by air you can asked for a ticket out of the country within 30 days.

I've decided to only stay 75 days (visa exempt plus extension). Per you comment, do I need to state that I will only be there 30 days, and show a flight reservation that reflects that?

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Note : You can do 2 visa exempt entries via land per calendar year. 

That's awesome! When I first arrive in Thailand, can my return air ticket be 90 days out even though I'm not on a visa?

I'm a US citizen traveling to Thailand in either November or December for tourism. I want to stay about 90 days. I used to get a 60 day tourist visa, then extend for 30 days. I have heard that US tourists can now stay for 45 days without a visa. Does this mean I can stay 45 + 30 = 75 days without a visa? Is it possible to stay longer without a visa?