I am planning to return to Thailand in late April or early May. I will apply for a 60 day tourist visa in NY with the intention of extending my stay in Thailand based on retirement once I’m there. My plan is to stay in Thailand for approximately one year before coming back to the USA, so I would like to travel on a one-way ticket if possible.  I am concerned that I might have issues checking in at JFK without an outbound flight during my 60 day visa timeframe. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. 

Really should check directly with the airline and nail them down on it.  Chances are, you will be required to show onward travel as you will officially be on a tourist visa but not necessarily return to US.  You can purchase a ticket from Thailand to any SE Asian country, Singapore for instance and cover the requirement.  Make sure that the ticket class you buy is cancellable and refundable.  There will certainly be some penalty but still probably the best choice.

BTW, I believe you can transition to an "O-visa" retirement extension from a free 30 day entry as long as you do it quickly enough.  You have to have a certain number of days remaining on your entry at application.  I'm not certain of this so check on the forum, others will know.

One other note.  Eva Air at least used to have a very open return policy, depending on the class of ticket, up to a year to return.  You did have to set a date but it could be changed without charge.  Not sure if still in effect but worth checking out.

Edited March 19, 20215 yr by dddave

You likely will have problems with the one way ticket.  They will ask to see your visa allowing you to stay.  I had that when I had a round trip ticket that I used to get from USA to Thailand.  In the interim I had to make a trip back to the USA and I purchased a Round Trip Thailand to USA. I  Flew to USA and then tried to board the return to Thailand  They stopped me saying I could not fly since I had no return back to the USA.  Fortunately  I still had the original return flight from my initial trip to Thailand which actually I was just not going to use.  It was still in effect and was with the same airline.  They verified it was still active and let me board.  I would "think" the only way to get around that would be to purchase a "refundable" one way back to the USA.  Preferably something with an open date.  Just explain you don't know exactly when you will return so that is why you booked the two one ways.  You also "might" get questioned upon arrival here in Thailand when they see you don't have a long term visa and only a one way. 

Get reservation from some airline where you dont need to pay.  Then show that reservation when/if somebody ask ticket back!

You can book any flight away from Thailand! Dont need to be back home!

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful suggestions.  One thing is for sure I will not chance it on a one-way ticket. Does anyone have personal experience with those onward ticket sites such as https://bestonwardticket.com?  Not sure if that could be a possible solution. Also, given the strict Covid regulations for traveling to most if not all south east Asian countries, I wonder if I might need proof beyond an airline ticket, such as a country’s equivalent of Thailand’s COE?  Thanks again. 

Edited March 22, 20215 yr by trav2021

The airline is less of an issue post-COVID, re: IDB/proof of onward travel.

 

It's obtaining the the CoE from the Thai Embassy (or consul) that requires some proof of onward travel within the period of your issued visa (or 45 days in the case of a TVE).

 

The last I checked with the Thai DC Emb, they said...

 

No clue if rented, or throwaway, bookings are acceptable to them?

 

 

 

 

Why not just buy a round trip from an Asian carrier? Pay $25 to change the return...

Btw round trips the return can be extended out one year on many airlines. Last time I even changed airports back for a small fee $100 plus fare difference and had the option of ANY country when I changed it. Just read the ticket fine print when you order pick a return date out a year and change it later by just calling the airline if you need to return early. I have done this several times. The return has nothing to do with the visa. They don't care.

Edited April 4, 20215 yr by DerbyDan