Entering Thailand Without A Return Ticket

[nanyang]

Is it possible to enter Thailand, by air, without a return ticket?

I would like to come for 30 days and then leave, on foot, to Laos.

Then return to Thailand and book a flight out leaving within 15days.

My reason is that the return leg of my journey if booked now is almost twice the entry fare.

If I were to wait until nearer the time of my return then the fares are, usually, cheaper.

I have to fund the flights for three adults and one child hence my frugalness!

[pit101]

Is it possible to enter Thailand, by air, without a return ticket?

I would like to come for 30 days and then leave, on foot, to Laos.

Then return to Thailand and book a flight out leaving within 15days.

My reason is that the return leg of my journey if booked now is almost twice the entry fare.

If I were to wait until nearer the time of my return then the fares are, usually, cheaper.

I have to fund the flights for three adults and one child hence my frugalness!

If you want to enter Thiland you need either a visa or a return ticket!

[PhilHarries]

#i assume you are entering Thailand on a 30 day visa exemption stamp.

Theoretically you should have an onward or return ticket when entering Thailand on a 30 day stamp however I have never been asked for it at the airport and nobody to my knowledge has either.

For your re-entry over the land border you may be asked and it has happened although I've seen postings from people claiming to have got through no problem. So I guess it is up to you, take the chance or buy a cheap train/bus ticket out dated within the 15 days.

I don't understand your booking problem though. The return ticket price is what it is when you book the ticket, if you don't pay you don't get the ticket. Once you've got the ticket, in my experience, you don't get a refund if you change the booking to a cheaper date. If you are travelling on single tickets then that is the most expensive way to travel.

[paulspad2002]

a return ticket is always heaper than 2 one way tickets.......hellooo

[JR Texas]

a return ticket is always heaper than 2 one way tickets.......hellooo

For some tourists, having to purchase a return ticket prior to getting a visa is costly and frustrating. This is particularly true for tourist without any set agenda......tourists who are using Thailand as a hub to explore the region.

For these tourists, the real possibility exists that they will not use the original return ticket. That is costly and frustrating. Many will now decide to not even come to Thailand or greatly reduce their stay in the Kingdom (another stupid visa rule that hurts tourism).

[pit101]

Theoretically you should have an onward or return ticket when entering Thailand on a 30 day stamp however I have never been asked for it at the airport and nobody to my knowledge has either.

That is right. The risk is that at the airport while check in they not will you board on the flight to Bangkok!

[ubonjoe]

Why not get tourist visas. You didn't say where you are traveling from so I can't tell you how much of a problem it would be to get one.

They are free until June 4th.

It sounds like you are just going to Laos to get the extra days. You would get a 60 day entry with a tourist visa,

[PhilHarries]

a return ticket is always heaper than 2 one way tickets.......hellooo

For some tourists, having to purchase a return ticket prior to getting a visa is costly and frustrating. This is particularly true for tourist without any set agenda......tourists who are using Thailand as a hub to explore the region.

For these tourists, the real possibility exists that they will not use the original return ticket. That is costly and frustrating. Many will now decide to not even come to Thailand or greatly reduce their stay in the Kingdom (another stupid visa rule that hurts tourism).

That's what I couldn't understand about the OP. Admittedly I am reading between the lines a bit but I can't believe he, two other adults and a child are travelling on one way tickets then he excuses his frugalness. It just plain don't add up.

All other return ticket options are fully paid for up front and the price varies according to their flexibility. Even if an airline is offering returns at different prices according to the dates you travel those prices are likely to be fixed and won't drop the closer to the date you get. Whatever happens though you don't get your outward ticket without booking and paying for a return unless they are one way tickets.

Be real good if the OP could come back and clarify the situation.

[nanyang]

Thanks for all your help.

I'm working in China and , as I have a two month break, my wife, who is Thai, would like to return to Thailand.

The kids are 'luks' so no problem for them returning either - for the 'breadwinner', problems.

I could get an "O" visa, I could have got a re-entry permit when I left etc. etc.....

However, I am sick and tired of doling out money for this and that to 'access' Thailand.

I merely wish to return to Thailand with my family, preferably on a single ticket, and decide when and how I leave.

I will be returning to China in September but I don't want to book tickets now when I know they will be cheaper in a few weeks time.

I have to book a two-leg journey, into China and within China. Yes I'm 'baht' pinching but savings can be made.

[ubonjoe]

The only sure way to travel with a one way ticket is to get a visa. Either a non-o (in your case) or a tourist visa.

Airlines have been known to refuse boarding for a flight if you don't have a return or onward ticked within 30 days if you don't have a visa.

There are several Thai consulates in China where you can get a visa. See this website and click on the consulate nearest to you. http://www.thaiembassy.org/

You could buy a one way ticket to KL on Air Asia that if purchased in advance may not cost much more than 1000 baht. Then trash it if you don't use it. This would allow you to make your first entry on a one way ticket. You won't need one when your return from Laos for your 2nd entry.

[ACMIKE]

I have entered Thailand by air 3 times over the last 12 months with only a one way ticket, the reason being I didn't know my exact return date and using budget airlines which are difficult to change reservations. I had no questions from immigration whatsoever.

[ubonjoe]

I have entered Thailand by air 3 times over the last 12 months with only a one way ticket, the reason being I didn't know my exact return date and using budget airlines which are difficult to change reservations. I had no questions from immigration whatsoever.

That works for some flights within the region.

But I cannot recommend it becasue you never know what the airline will want. If they look at the information available from the IATA they will see that a return/onward ticket is required and that the airline can be fined and would be responsible for the return flight if entry was refused by immigration.

[snoother]

The only sure way to travel with a one way ticket is to get a visa. Either a non-o (in your case) or a tourist visa.

Airlines have been known to refuse boarding for a flight if you don't have a return or onward ticked within 30 days if you don't have a visa.

There are several Thai consulates in China where you can get a visa. See this website and click on the consulate nearest to you.

You could buy a one way ticket to KL on Air Asia that if purchased in advance may not cost much more than 1000 baht. Then trash it if you don't use it. This would allow you to make your first entry on a one way ticket. You won't need one when your return from Laos for your 2nd entry.

It seems it is not the case anymore. Today I tried to apply for a tourist visa at the Singapore Thai Ambassy and could not get one because I did not have a proof of my return flight reservation.

I have kind of the same issue as OP, I don't know at all when I will get out of Thailand, not even where to. I plan to stay in thailand 5 or 6 months, and using the visa run opportunity to visit the nearby country, Laos, Vietnam or somewhere else... I guess I have to buy the cheapest air asia flight now.

[lopburi3]

Singapore is in one of their moods. Expect they do not like providing free service.

[ubonjoe]

The only sure way to travel with a one way ticket is to get a visa. Either a non-o (in your case) or a tourist visa.

Airlines have been known to refuse boarding for a flight if you don't have a return or onward ticked within 30 days if you don't have a visa.

There are several Thai consulates in China where you can get a visa. See this website and click on the consulate nearest to you.

You could buy a one way ticket to KL on Air Asia that if purchased in advance may not cost much more than 1000 baht. Then trash it if you don't use it. This would allow you to make your first entry on a one way ticket. You won't need one when your return from Laos for your 2nd entry.

It seems it is not the case anymore. Today I tried to apply for a tourist visa at the Singapore Thai Ambassy and could not get one because I did not have a proof of my return flight reservation.

I have kind of the same issue as OP, I don't know at all when I will get out of Thailand, not even where to. I plan to stay in thailand 5 or 6 months, and using the visa run opportunity to visit the nearby country, Laos, Vietnam or somewhere else... I guess I have to buy the cheapest air asia flight now.

I was not writing about getting visas.

Singapore has been asking for return or onward tickets for some time. Some consulates ask some don't.

[Datsun240Z]

I went there with a multiple tourist visa, and one way ticket and a lump of cash. No problems at all. Just SMILE