Thai visa return airline ticket ?

[ruizphd]

When I arrive at the BKK International Airport, they never ask for my plane ticket. But I noticed that some visas require a return trip date I assume before the visa expires. Or less than 30 days if your country elegible for a 30 day visa.

So how do you beat the system with your airline ticket, if your

a US citizen for example and have 30 days, but are planning to do the visa run to cambodia? Can you have an open return??

[lenno]

In theory, if you arrive and get issued with a visa on arrival then you must also have a valid ticket out of the country. In reality, as long as you look reasonably smart then this is hardly ever checked.

A bigger problem than Thai immigration is likely to be the airline. If they fly you in and you subsequently get rejected at immigration, it is down to the airline to take you back to where you came from. This responsibility means some airlines won't let you on board without a return ticket (Indonesian airline Garuda, for example, often does this), but most are more lax about checking. If the airline will take you without a return ticket you have a very good chance of getting in, as problems at Immigration in Thailand are highly unlikely.

'Open jaw' tickets (e.g. flying into Bangkok, but flying out of Singapore) should be okay, but it's worth checking with the airline first. An open 3 / 6 / 12 month ticket should also be ok.

Entering Thailand overland from one of it's neighboring countries without a ticket out is almost certain to be okay. You're only likely to be checked if you give Immigration a reason to want to reject you e.g. dressing untidily, looking like you have no money etc...

Getting a tourist visa in advance provides exemption from the need for a return ticket, but the airlines may still require one even so.

[jayenram]

Prior to living in Thailand, I visited some 50 times over a period of 6 years, sometimes for business, sometime for pleasure, always requiring just a 30 day tourist visa. On arrival in Don Muang I have never been asked  by immigration to show a return airline ticket, although generally I had one anyway.

By the way, the majority of "reputable" airlines will change a fixed date return ticket at any time without charge (except for charter flights).

[James]

Any idea if China Airlines demands a return ticket prior to departure ?? I am going back to Thailand, and haven't decided when im returning. Likely, I will be traveling around a bit. Anyways , just asking, because I dont want some angry Mandarin keeping me at the gate.  If no one has a clue I will just call the airlines themselves. But didnt want to ask them in case it sounded to shady to them  

James

[Rinrada]

James I have usued China Airways for over 10 years with not 2 many problems (I refused to board once and another time told the manager at bangkok.to F.U.)I got stuck in amsrterdam once but they put me up in the local Golden Tulip plus food etc and next day got upgraded-as usual.If you are in the UK give Leanne Emery the new service manager a call,shes OK and wont think you are suspicious (are u?)Direct Line..0207-291-9232...Chok-dee. :cool:

[James]

Just got off the phone with a ticket representative with China Airlines in California area. She said, that by regulation if I am flying to Bangkok,  I require an outbound ticket ( could be to anywhere) out of Bangkok before they will let me on the plane.  I am going to go to the airport early to see if this is the case. And, if they dont let me on I will just buy a ticket out of Bangkok for Singapore or somewhere near by. I must say I think this is all a bunch of crap. I mean really! What are people who continue their travel plans by leaving via land or sea suppose to do. It doesnt make sense. I really hope its just some dusty regulation, that they dont bother to check at the terminal.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Thailand grants a 30 day visa free period of stay to the lucky countries for tourism purposes on the basis  the arriver has  a confirmed outbound ticket within 30 days. Immigration and Customs have copies of the flight manifest which indicates outbound arrangements or the lack of them. An increase in security means it got tougher. Airlines are responsible for you, and in addition to having to remove you from the Kingdom at airline expense they are heavily fined. The considerable effort and angst to avoid getting a visa does not seem useful to me. If one has a visa issued abroad, one does not need an outbound ticket.

[James]

Dr. Pat Pong

I will be arriving on a double entry tourist Visa, which was issued in Washington DC.   I still do not think this negates the airlines regulations.  I am sure Immigration in Bangkok could care less.  What I am worried about is my little friends at China Airlines giving me a problem. Again,  seems wierd that they would be concerned about me, being a liability, especially since I am an american passport holder, look smart, and have money on my person to proof that I can support myself more than adequately . Again, really this regulation seems stupid to me. What about farang who continue their plans out of the Kingdom on land. Someone going on to Malaysia is expected to have a outbound air ticket,  when in fact they might just as easy cross the border on foot. Seems unreasonable!

James

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Cannot speak for China Airlines ....but Thai will carry you if you have a valid tourist visa, and it is legal. It may be that some consular officers may interpret things differently. The Malaysia thing is not valid....the requirement for the 30 day visa on arrival is that the tourist has an outbound  airticket within 30 days. A visa overcomes the problem. Your double entry visa enables two stays of up to 60 days   each entry  and you have 6 months in which to make them both.  I can see where Thai Immigration are coming from...the idea that    a visitor MIGHT go overland to another country sometime is  too hard to police.  For instance people find booze and girls and lose track of time....not that you or I would suffer from this affliction.