Beginning/ending A S.e. Asia Trip In Thailand, Visa Needed?

[Freddyrocks]

Here's my situation, I will arrive in Thailand/Bangkok(from the U.S) in mid January '09 and be heading back to the U.S. in May(about 4 1/2 months). I will have my roundtrip ticket up arrival that will of course show my departure date but I'm unsure as to if I'll need a Visa or not. My 1st 3-4 weeks will be spent in Thailand followed by 2 1/2 months or so visiting a number of different countries in the region(I do know that some of the Countries I may visit will require a visa). I will then finish my trip back in Thailand for a final couple of weeks. I'm confused about whether or not I'll need a visa for my original entry into Thailand and then re-entry towards the end of the trip. Please advise, and any other suggestions. advice or "heads up" would be also greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Sophon]

Here's my situation, I will arrive in Thailand/Bangkok(from the U.S) in mid January '09 and be heading back to the U.S. in May(about 4 1/2 months). I will have my roundtrip ticket up arrival that will of course show my departure date but I'm unsure as to if I'll need a Visa or not. My 1st 3-4 weeks will be spent in Thailand followed by 2 1/2 months or so visiting a number of different countries in the region(I do know that some of the Countries I may visit will require a visa). I will then finish my trip back in Thailand for a final couple of weeks. I'm confused about whether or not I'll need a visa for my original entry into Thailand and then re-entry towards the end of the trip. Please advise, and any other suggestions. advice or "heads up" would be also greatly appreciated. Thanks

A condition for being allowed in on a visa exempt entry when arriving in Thailand is that you have a confirmed ticket out of Thailand within 30 days. It's the responsibility of the airline carrying you to make sure that you meet the requirements, and because of that there is a risk, that you won't even be allowed to board your flight in the U.S. if you do not have either a visa or such a ticket. Generally you will have no problems with immigration in Thailand if you manage to get here.

There will be people telling you that you will have no problems, and maybe you won't. But then again, maybe you will. For me it would not be worth it taking the risk, so I would either get a visa or buy a ticket (has to be a airline ticket) to where ever you are going next before leaving the U.S. But as they say - up to you.

Sophon

[Jingthing]

If I were you, I would definitely buy an airline ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days of your arrival in Thailand. This is so that you can board the airplane. Unless you look super scruffy, Thailand immigration won't even check. If you have this air ticket and the airline clerk gives you any flack, stay calm and demand to speak to a supervisor, and explain you are due a 30 day stamp in Thailand and the ticket out is sufficient. In a worse case scenario, they may make you sign something accepting responsibility.

[Freddyrocks]

So....I could either obtain a visa before leaving the U.S OR have a flight from let's say Phuket to Bali already purchased before arrriving to Thailand as long as that flight is within 30 days from my initial arrrival. Is that correct?

[Maestro]

This is correct.

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Maestro

[Jingthing]

So....I could either obtain a visa before leaving the U.S OR have a flight from let's say Phuket to Bali already purchased before arrriving to Thailand as long as that flight is within 30 days from my initial arrrival. Is that correct?

Careful now! Phuket is IN Thailand. If you are going without a visa, the air ticket leaving within 30 days must be to anyplace OUTSIDE Thailand. Bali, yes. Phuket, no.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

So....I could either obtain a visa before leaving the U.S OR have a flight from let's say Phuket to Bali already purchased before arrriving to Thailand as long as that flight is within 30 days from my initial arrrival. Is that correct?

Careful now! Phuket is IN Thailand. If you are going without a visa, the air ticket leaving within 30 days must be to anyplace OUTSIDE Thailand. Bali, yes. Phuket, no.

as I read it, he said from Phuket to Bali ( if such a flight is available )

[digitalchromakey]

So....I could either obtain a visa before leaving the U.S OR have a flight from let's say Phuket to Bali already purchased before arrriving to Thailand as long as that flight is within 30 days from my initial arrrival. Is that correct?

Careful now! Phuket is IN Thailand. If you are going without a visa, the air ticket leaving within 30 days must be to anyplace OUTSIDE Thailand. Bali, yes. Phuket, no.

as I read it, he said from Phuket to Bali ( if such a flight is available )

No, have to go via, say, KL - same effect though.

[Jingthing]

as I read it, he said from Phuket to Bali ( if such a flight is available )

Oops, yes, I read it too quickly.

[Freddyrocks]

So....I could either obtain a visa before leaving the U.S OR have a flight from let's say Phuket to Bali already purchased before arrriving to Thailand as long as that flight is within 30 days from my initial arrrival. Is that correct?

Careful now! Phuket is IN Thailand. If you are going without a visa, the air ticket leaving within 30 days must be to anyplace OUTSIDE Thailand. Bali, yes. Phuket, no.

Yes, thank you. The flight needs to be to another Country and not within Thailand.