Cheap Budget-airline Ticket Instead Of Tourist Visa

[GreenSnapper]

I'm going to spend a few months in SE Asia, with Bangkok my arrival and departure point. I don't intend to stay in Thailand more than 30 days, so I want to avoid applying for a visa here in Germany, as each entry costs 30 EUR.

Instead, I want to use a cheap budget ticket and just throw it away, AirAsia has some for only 1 Baht. The ticket is just used to avoid hassles at checkin and at BKK immigration.

Unfortunately, the 1Bt ticket will not be 1Bt, as taxes and other fees will be added. Seems that there is nothing cheaper than 1700 Bt all inclusive.

Any hints how I can reduce this price? Airasia does not refund tickets, but can I get a refund for the airport taxes and such? Where do I apply for a refund and is it worth the hassle?

Any other ideas how to enter the country without a visa and without a return ticket during 30 days?

Thanks for your help!

[cdnvic]

If the budget is that tight I'd stay home and save up a few more months. If you encounter adversity you're gonna be screwed.

[uhuh]

I'm going to spend a few months in SE Asia, with Bangkok my arrival and departure point. I don't intend to stay in Thailand more than 30 days, so I want to avoid applying for a visa here in Germany, as each entry costs 30 EUR.

Instead, I want to use a cheap budget ticket and just throw it away, AirAsia has some for only 1 Baht. The ticket is just used to avoid hassles at checkin and at BKK immigration.

Unfortunately, the 1Bt ticket will not be 1Bt, as taxes and other fees will be added. Seems that there is nothing cheaper than 1700 Bt all inclusive.

Any hints how I can reduce this price? Airasia does not refund tickets, but can I get a refund for the airport taxes and such? Where do I apply for a refund and is it worth the hassle?

Any other ideas how to enter the country without a visa and without a return ticket during 30 days?

Thanks for your help!

Sounds like u wanna come on a one-way ticket?

1. immigration usually does not care whether u have an onward ticket. The airline which brings u here may care and deny boarding

2. u can buy a fully refundable ticket, good for one year, and get your refund after one year. Eg Malaysian Airlines BKK-Penang, full fare and fully refundable, or Lufthansa BKK-Saigon fully refundable business class (Lufthansa will charge about 15 Euro if they issue a paper ticket, but if u buy the ticket in Germany it should be an electronic ticket). Done this many times.

[Mahout Angrit]

Airasia does not refund tickets, but can I get a refund for the airport taxes and such? Where do I apply for a refund and is it worth the hassle?

From Air Asia 'terms and conditions'

5.1

Confirmation of Booking: The booking of a Seat is confirmed after full payment of the fare is made and after we issue you a booking number and/or the Itinerary. Once confirmed, the booking cannot be cancelled and payments made are not refundable.

[ClaytonSeymour]

I'm going to spend a few months in SE Asia, with Bangkok my arrival and departure point. I don't intend to stay in Thailand more than 30 days, so I want to avoid applying for a visa here in Germany, as each entry costs 30 EUR.

Instead, I want to use a cheap budget ticket and just throw it away, AirAsia has some for only 1 Baht. The ticket is just used to avoid hassles at checkin and at BKK immigration.

Unfortunately, the 1Bt ticket will not be 1Bt, as taxes and other fees will be added. Seems that there is nothing cheaper than 1700 Bt all inclusive.

Any hints how I can reduce this price? Airasia does not refund tickets, but can I get a refund for the airport taxes and such? Where do I apply for a refund and is it worth the hassle?

Any other ideas how to enter the country without a visa and without a return ticket during 30 days?

Thanks for your help!

Could you be more specific about your intended travel plans/itinerary.

[chavy]

I came over on a one way ticket with Lufthansa & had no problems entering Thailand or with the airline.

[GreenSnapper]

Could you be more specific about your intended travel plans/itinerary.

Thanks for all your tips!

My plans are not exactly specified, otherwise I could just book some onward flights and use them.

I intend to enter Thailand and travel overland to some neighbouring countries, returning to Thailand at least 1-2 times more during the following months.

I will never stay in Thailand more than 30 days, so getting a tourist visa for 2-3 entries, costing me 60-90 EUR and the hassle of going to the embassy, making a photo, waiting, returning the next day etc. is just not worth in my eyes.

I know that most probably the immigration will not check for an onward flight. But that is not sure. Also it is not sure if the airline will make troubles.

I remember that even many years ago, I had problems with the airline not letting me checkin, with BA and KLM. Seems to depend on the person on charge. But now, as the rules in Thailand are more seriously enforced, I just want to avoid the risk.

Edited October 1, 2007 by GreenSnapper

[cdnvic]

If you don't plan on staying for more than 30 days at a time you can just use the 30 day stamp you get on arrival if you come from a qualifying country. So long as you don't use more than 180 days in a 6mo period.