A friend and I were talking today; what happens to all the backpackers that come in on a 6/12 month ticket or no ticket out with every intention of visiting the neighboring countries.

My hunch was if you are 20-30 and looking backpackerish, they ignore it providing you have no Thai stamps, not been thru BKK in awhile.

What a hassle on people that just want an honest holiday.

Or could you imagine being denied boarding on your holiday to Thailand for not having a visa?

Curious

The rule, which has not changed in a while, is that to get 30 day visa exemption you need onward air travel within 30 days.

In the past airlines have often denied boarding to those without onward travel or visas, now the airport immigration are sometimes asking for the onward ticket too, thus filtering out some of the ones that get past the airline check.

IMHO the ONLY way to do it if you don't have / want onward air travel is to bite the bullet and shell out on a tourist visa

I was just curious... but last time I was through I was asked for a ticket out. Years ago CX also asked me for a ticket out but at that time I had a visa. Anyway - Thanks