One Way From Australia

[AurelMax]

Hello everyone...

I'm a backpacker currently in Perth, Australia, originally from Belgium...

I'd like to go to Thailand for a month or so... and then go to Malasia by land

But the problem is that Australian Authorities would refuse me to enter the plane if I cannot proove that I'll be able to leave Thailand if I have a limited in time visa...

Wich visa should I apply for to be allowed to enter Thailand without return ticket?

Thanks for answers, good night

[lopburi3]

As long as you have any visa aircraft will normally allow you to board with a one way ticket. So a tourist visa is what you should have.

[Old Croc]

The Australian Govt won't stop you leaving, but the airline may do so. They are the ones who wear the costs (if they can't get it from you) if you are refused entry to Thailand.

Australia would refuse entry when you return under those circumstances.

The simple answer would to get an onwards ticket from your next destination.

[AurelMax]

Thanks for the quick answer :-)

I guess there's no solution if I don't know what my next destination is...?

[AurelMax]

I guess then that I misunderstood and the problem would come from the airline company, would refuse me to get the plane without ticket...

Should I contact Thai autorities, Airline company, or both?

Thanks

[Momo8]

Tourist visa of course but the Oz authorities have nothing to do with this.Not sure about your nationality but Aussies can can into Thailand without a return ticket go check out the Thai embassy in Perth.

Australia, Royal Thai Consulate General, Perth

Visa section, 4 th floor, Durack Centre

263 Adelaide Tce

Perth WA 6000

Tel: 9221-3237

Fax: 9221-1635

Email: [email protected]

[jstumbo]

Australia has nothing to do with Thailand (apart from the fact that Thaksin was/is there and funnelled funds to buy property in Oz.) So don'tworry.just check it out with the Thai authorities.

But it is not the Thai authorities are not the ones that will prevent him from getting on the plane. Check with the airline.

Sometimes people report that they can sign a waiver at the airport and the airline will let them fly using a one way ticket.

Another option is to get a fully refundable ticket for leaving Thailand and then just refund it. Also you can look at getting a ticket on a low cost airline flying to the city that you want to go to next, and you can just pay a fee to change the date to a date that you want.

Or, get a tourist visa.

[AurelMax]

Yes I think u're right, jstumbo

2 questions about what u said :

Sometimes people report that they can sign a waiver at the airport and the airline will let them fly using a one way ticket

what's a waiver? :-)

Or, get a tourist visa

I'm gonna get the 60 days tourist visa... what does it change?

[jstumbo]

what's a waiver? :-)

I have never seen one, but I have heard reports when someone is stopped at the airport, sometimes the airlines will let them board if they sign some kind of waiver form that basically says they will be responsible for the costs if they are refused entry. I do not think that all airlines use this though.

I'm gonna get the 60 days tourist visa... what does it change?

With a visa, the airline will probably not even ask you for a return ticket.

Again, I would suggest that you contact the airline and see what their policies are, because different airlines work differently. Some don't even check for a return ticket, some will allow waivers, other will not.

Also theoretically, if you did not have a ticket out, you might get stopped at immigration in Thailand. But it is very rare and as far as I can tell happens more with people that come from "poorer" countries.

[sjaak327]

Yep, contact your airline and get a written confirmation that they will let you board, I have read quite a few reports from people being denied boarding from Australia en route to Thailand.

If not I would get a Thai tourist visa, it won't break the bank and will be cheaper then any international airticket out of thailand, unless of course, you actually going to use that ticket.

[david96]

Go to the Royal Thai Consulate in Perth in person and obtain a 60 day tourist visa, it will cost you AUD45.

You can enter Thailand within 3 months of date of issue. You will now comply with the airlines requirements.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Australia has nothing to do with Thailand (apart from the fact that Thaksin was/is there and funnelled funds to buy property in Oz.) So don'tworry.just check it out with the Thai authorities.

But it is not the Thai authorities are not the ones that will prevent him from getting on the plane. Check with the airline.

Sometimes people report that they can sign a waiver at the airport and the airline will let them fly using a one way ticket.

Another option is to get a fully refundable ticket for leaving Thailand and then just refund it. Also you can look at getting a ticket on a low cost airline flying to the city that you want to go to next, and you can just pay a fee to change the date to a date that you want.

Or, get a tourist visa.

Ignore all of the above well meant but incorrect advice ( except the get a tourist visa in Perth advice )

[jstumbo]

But it is not the Thai authorities are not the ones that will prevent him from getting on the plane. Check with the airline.

Sometimes people report that they can sign a waiver at the airport and the airline will let them fly using a one way ticket.

Another option is to get a fully refundable ticket for leaving Thailand and then just refund it. Also you can look at getting a ticket on a low cost airline flying to the city that you want to go to next, and you can just pay a fee to change the date to a date that you want.

Or, get a tourist visa.

Ignore all of the above well meant but incorrect advice ( except the get a tourist visa in Perth advice )

I am not sure what is incorrect about what I wrote.

I am pretty sure that there is not a Thai government official standing at every checkin counter that decides to refuse to let the person on the plane. I am also pretty sure that it is an airline employee. I would imagine calling the airline would give him better information as to whether they would let him board, instead of calling the Thai MFA and asking them what some airline, anywhere in the world is going to do. They can't even tell you what their own consulates or immigrations offices are going to do.

I have seen a few posts from people saying that they were able to sign a waiver form. Usually on threads like this one, where someone says that you need a return ticket. And other people say that the airline did not check them or that they were able to sign a form. From what I can tell though, it is only a small percentage that can do this. So it might be limited to only certain airlines or locations. Hence, telling them to check with the airline to find out what exactly they require.

What is wrong with getting a fully refundable ticket and then cashing it in? He will not be overstaying, and he will have his ticket out when arriving. The airlines have actually told me to do this while standing at the counter after not being allowed to check in with a one way ticket. I bought the outbound ticket on the spot, and cashed it in at the airport when I reached my destination.

If he is not sure on his exact date of departure from Thailand, he could make his reservation for 3 weeks later, and then if he decides to go two weeks later, he could change his departure date to his other destination. I think Air Asia charges 500 baht for this if I remember correctly. This happens all the time when someone does not know when they will be returning. I have done this for Thailand because I never know how long my stay will be and I had an open ticket and they would not allow me to board with an open ticket, I needed to have a confirmed departure date for the outbound leg.

[Artfullmover]

Maaaate - You worry too much. I know quite a few people that live in thailand and fly from Thailand with return ticket back there. Effectively they have a ticket from perth to thailand - last leg same as one way never ever questioned by the airlines. If by a very unlucy chance and the worst comes into play at thai immigration apon entry the only thing you will need to provide is proof of onward travel. Could be as simple as a hotel booking or a bus ticket to a neigboring country. If you wanted to play it safe get yourself a tourist visa, If there is going to be any challenge it will be during application proccess not by any of the airlines or thai immigration.

Really thinking about it how did you get into Australia ? One way ticket? That would be more of a challenge than getting into Thailand.

[jackspratt]

Tourist visa of course but the Oz authorities have nothing to do with this.Not sure about your nationality but Aussies can can into Thailand without a return ticket go check out the Thai embassy in Perth.

Australia, Royal Thai Consulate General, Perth

Visa section, 4 th floor, Durack Centre

263 Adelaide Tce

Perth WA 6000

Tel: 9221-3237

Fax: 9221-1635

Email: [email protected]

No longer correct.

Level 8, 14 Victoria Avenue

Perth WA 6000

Tel: (08) 9386 8092

Fax: (08) 9386 1047

Email : [email protected]

[meadish_sweetball]

Getting a proper tourist visa from a Thai consulate or embassy is the easiest way.

Nothing wrong with calling the airline and ask them, but the rules they have to go by are clear - they are responsible for the costs of your repatriation in case you cannot arrange it yourself. That's why they have to satisfy themselves that you have the means to get back home.

So the easiest way for you is to just present a valid tourist visa just as Doc suggested above; then there will be no questions asked, no need to sign a waiver, and no need to get a return ticket which you will later need to cash in.

The check-in staff (often NOT the same as the airline staff these days) have the right to refuse you entry on board a plane without a valid visa or proof of onward travel (preferably a return ticket to your home country).

As a side note, the guidelines for Thailand which shows up on the monitors of the check-in staff specifically state that 'people with a hippie-like appearance' without a valid visa are undesirable, so be mindful of how you present yourself.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

the airlines also get a 20k baht fine if the pax is denied entry.

[chalvy]

I am an aussie citizen but live in thailand. Last year I had to work in Australia for about 8 months on a month on/ month off rotation. Every time I had to leave I had to produce a return ticket. I was lucky enough that my company was paying my flights so I just got into the routine of booking thai-oz return fares. I was always asked what my citizenship was, not to see my visa so it would suggest to me they were targeting all foreigners, even those with visas. Thailand clearly state that one of the requirements for obtaining a visa is a return ticket and adequate funds.

I travel all over Asia for work and this has only ever happened in australia. I have also never been stopped by thai authorities who normally just smile and stamp the passport no questions asked.

If I was in your position, and to avoid red tape and any hassle, I would just book a cheap ticket out of thailand to Singapore or KL or something like that. Make sure it is Y class so you can dump it once you get there. Make sure you have the actual E-ticket receipt instead of just an itinerary. I got caught out on that one and had to see the manager and what-not. Those bitter women at checkout can be quite scary and by the book and i found perth to be the worst of the lot.

[chalvy]

Australia has nothing to do with Thailand (apart from the fact that Thaksin was/is there and funnelled funds to buy property in Oz.) So don'tworry.just check it out with the Thai authorities.

But it is not the Thai authorities are not the ones that will prevent him from getting on the plane. Check with the airline.

Sometimes people report that they can sign a waiver at the airport and the airline will let them fly using a one way ticket.

Another option is to get a fully refundable ticket for leaving Thailand and then just refund it. Also you can look at getting a ticket on a low cost airline flying to the city that you want to go to next, and you can just pay a fee to change the date to a date that you want.

Or, get a tourist visa.

Ignore all of the above well meant but incorrect advice ( except the get a tourist visa in Perth advice )

I once tried to leave brisbane without a return ticket. They would not let me on the plane without the return ticket at all. The solution was to go to the travel agent conveniently located next to the check-in and book a ticket. Cost me top dollar and the chick who served me said it happens all the time. The girl at the check-in was quite adamant that the only barrier to me leaving oz was the ticket thing. Also there is no waiver with Thai airways.

Ticket- true

Waiver- not true ( the staff at check-in are all contractors now so they are not "airline specific". I would assume they just have country regulations to go by.)

[Farma]

In the OP’s situation it may be in his interest to book a cheap ticket to a neighboring country.

I regularly fly and find it hit and miss whether they check for onwards tickets from Bkk when leaving Oz. Qantas/BA staff check all the time.

Thai check-in staff didn’t ask why I only had a one way ticket on my last flight earlier this month or a previous one way departure a few months ago. At other times they have. At those times I’ve shown my work visas for other countries and been allowed to board the flight.

[phetjiu]

The Best and ewaiest way is just lob up at the Thai Consulate with your passport, fill in the form and pay you 45 bucks, wait for a while and bingo youu are safe to travel without a return ticket. I've dome it a hundred times and never ever been questioned once.

Go do it mate. Have a nice holiday. I'll be back there next minth. Cheers

[afalang]

Singapore Airlines were recently fined AUD$5000 for letting a pax board a flight to Sydney

without a visa for Oz !

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Singapore Airlines were recently fined AUD$5000 for letting a pax board a flight to Sydney

without a visa for Oz !

and carry the pax back to the port of origin without charge.

[AurelMax]

The Best and ewaiest way is just lob up at the Thai Consulate with your passport, fill in the form and pay you 45 bucks, wait for a while and bingo youu are safe to travel without a return ticket. I've dome it a hundred times and never ever been questioned once.

Go do it mate. Have a nice holiday. I'll be back there next minth. Cheers

Yep, just arrived in Bangkok yesterday.. Absolutely no worries with the visa, much easier than buying then cashing in a ticket.

Thanks everyone :-)

[thaikahuna]

Hello everyone...

I'm a backpacker currently in Perth, Australia, originally from Belgium...

I'd like to go to Thailand for a month or so... and then go to Malasia by land

But the problem is that Australian Authorities would refuse me to enter the plane if I cannot proove that I'll be able to leave Thailand if I have a limited in time visa...

Wich visa should I apply for to be allowed to enter Thailand without return ticket?

Thanks for answers, good night

Good Luck! You got this far...

Edited March 2, 2008 by thaikahuna

[robusto]

I never understood why this would be such a hassle. If you're stuck in Thai immigration with no return ticket - simply phone or order a ticket from AirAsia via an internet terminal, and then you have a valid onwards ticket. If immigration require validation - simply hand the phone over to the customer rep you just ordered the ticket from, or give them a phone reference or a printout or the e-intinary of the ticket. They have plenty of tickets available for under 100 USD, especially if you're going any place, any time within a month. All you need is access to a phone/or internet terminal, and a visa-card or similar with 100 bucks in it. And who doesn't have that in 2008? And if you don't have a ticket, don't have a credit card, or you have one, but don't have 100 USD on it - then I guess you're just the kind of broke-assed tourist they were looking to weed out with that demand in the first place.

It might look like I'm plugging airasia.com now, but in fact, I'm not. However, if any representatives of prizewinning AirAsia, the only low price airline to fly from Suvarnabhumi airport, are reading this - yes, I would actually like a free gift voucher for my unwavering customer loyalty to Your esteemed Company.

Edited March 2, 2008 by robusto

[lopburi3]

1. Customs has nothing to do with tickets or no tickets.

2. Immigration very, very seldom requests to see a ticket from first world travelers.

3. Airlines like to see an outbound ticket for non visa holders - if you have a visa of any kind you are not likely to have a problem. If you do they will always allow you to buy something (assuming you have the funds to do so).

[robusto]

Thanks Lopburi, I was wondering whether or not we were dealing with very irrational laws here. Seems pretty reasonable to me.

[Maestro]

...I never understood why this would be such a hassle. If you're stuck in Thai customs with no return ticket - simply phone or order a ticket from AirAsia via an internet terminal...

You read the post by AurelMax wrong. He was not concerned about being stuck in Thai customs. This is what he wrote:

...But the problem is that Australian Authorities would refuse me to enter the plane if I cannot proove that I'll be able to leave Thailand if I have a limited in time visa...

Actually it would have been the airline refusing to check him in for his flight, which he confirmed here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1833095.

In the meantime, and before you posted, he confirmed that he decided to get a tourist visa and has already arrived in Thailand. See this post: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1844595

--

Maestro

[robusto]

Since the specific case at hand was already closed, it seemed appropriate to use the attention brought to this subject to focus on slightly different sides of the same general issue. However, I now see the error in what I have done, and I sincerely apologize if you or any others might have been offended by my small, but obviously still significant deviation from the topic starters original intended area of discussion. I promise from now on to always stick to exactly whatever topic the threadstarter outlines, no matter how fruitful or interesting even the slightest deviation from the original subject might seem in the heat of the moment.