Thai Entry Stamps And Onward Tickets

[Skidoo]

Since I plan to stay in Thailand 30-40 days only in the next 6 months, I have decided to go for the 30 day (visa exempt) entry stamp on arrival at Suvarnabhumi.

I have also decided not to purchase a "30 days after arrival onward ticket" beforehand. I (Canadian passport) will leave Vancouver Oct 31 with EVA Air via Taipeh to BKK, return ticket end of April.

Here are my questions:

1. Has anyone experience with EVA Air check-in in Vancouver regarding a Thai visa or 30 day onward ticket?

2. Should Thai Immigration in BKK demand on onward ticket before they stamp me in for 30 days - will Thai Imm. let me purchase a Lao Air/BKK Airways ticket to Vientiane on the spot, or will they send me home, deport me to wherever? Anyone with practical experience?

3. Can I change a ticket with Lao Air/BKK Air effortlessly several times to comply with the 30 day onward

ticket rule? Costs? Anyone with practical experience? I understand that Air Asia etc. do not

refund/change tickets?

I know the consensus in this forum is to obtain a 60 day visa, and extend, and another one.....but, as stated above, I will spend very little time in Thailand this time. One reason is that I do not feel all that welcome anymore, for a number of reasons. I can understand their desire to want to get rid of some of the riff raff, but this could be done in a much more straight forward manner directly in BKK rather than at the embassies in the surrounding countries. But, that's a different topic alltogether....

Thanx for your input.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Safest bet is to get a tourist visa before you leave home. Eva is unlikely to carry you without one.

[LivinLOS]

I dont know how so many people get on airlines without the onward ticket.. I find I am asked more often than not at check in if I have onward ticket or visa.. Last time they would not even sell me the ticket until they had inspected my visa..

[Martin4travel]

Thai Immigration will demand to see your onward ticket BEFORE entering the kingdom and you will not be allowed to enter the country without one.

If you purchase a flight ticket to Vientiane via the web (Bangkok Airways and Air Asia do not fly to Vientiane, but Thai Airways does) and the flight date is 30 days or less then your arrival date, then you will be granted the 30 day visa and there is no problem and no cost to change the flight date after entering Thailand.

However, from a financial point of view, it's cheaper to take a domestic flight from Bangkok to Udon Thani (by Nok air or Air Asia) for around 1,300 Baht + 200 Baht for the one hour journey to the border then the 5,800 Baht it costs to fly the international flight from Bangkok to Vientiane.

That means it's cheaper to do a 60 day visa and take a domestic flight then buying an international onward ticket and then changing the flight date.

[wpcoe]

I dont know how so many people get on airlines without the onward ticket.. I find I am asked more often than not at check in if I have onward ticket or visa.. Last time they would not even sell me the ticket until they had inspected my visa..

The airline bringing you to Thailand is held responsible for making sure you meet immigrations requirements.

If you show up at Thai Immigrations passport control and don't meet immigrations requirements (such as not having a proper visa, and not having an onward ticket within 30 days to qualify for a visa-waiver stamp), the airline is not only fined, but also required to repatriate you at their own expense ... i.e. you make it all the way here to BKK, but have to turn around and go home.