No Return Ticket

[chriscolumbo]

i've just found myself to be in a bit of trouble. i am uk citizen and i hold a australian working holiday visa, and i am now in calcutta, india. my plan is to get a one way flight from here to bangkok and buy an onward flight in bangkok to sydney, and i thought this would be no problem because i don't even need a tourist visa to thailand if i stay less than 30 days. however the man at indian airlines said that i need to show a return or onward ticket on arrival in bangkok. he advised me to see the thai consul on monday but in the mean time is there any advise anyone can give if this is true. i have plenty of money for onward ticket, and a credit card so its not like i would be stuck in thailand

[lopburi3]

Without the ticket, with confirmed outbound flight, you are not allowed a 30 day entry without visa. Although immigration is very unlikely to check this many airlines do. They would not only have to pay to get you out but also fines would be imposed so they are not keen on breaking the rules. Just get a tourist visa and your problem is solved. Or buy the proper ticket.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The 30 day tourist permit on arrival, is condtional on you holding a confirmed outbound ticket, Get a visa at home.

[chriscolumbo]

thanks for the advice. so what your'e saying is that if i get a tourist visa i can get in to thailand on a one-way flight? i'm not at home, i'm in calcutta. will they issue a tourist visa from here?

its no use me getting the proper ticket, i have no wish to return to india so its half wasted, although i can just waste the money if its the only option i suppose

not a good situation to be in, but youre help is really appreciated. i'll post if i eventually make it to thailand

[dr_Pat_Pong]

With a 60 day tourist visa the airline shouldn't raise any objection to carrying you. Indian airlines make up the rules as they go along. Ask the Consulate people there Royal Thai Consulate-General, 18-B Mandeville Gardens, Ballygunge, Calcutta 700 019 Tel 440 7836. Good luck

[lopburi3]

its no use me getting the proper ticket, i have no wish to return to india

Onward travel is all you need. Like a refundable ticket to Singapore that you cash in after you get here. It does not have to be a return ticket.

Try getting a visa first. If you have that there should be no problem. But a Royal Thai Consulate in India may require a return ticket to issue a visa (not sure).

[percy2]

I'd just made this point in another topic in the genral section , its seems to have deleted Maybe because it was in the wrong section , but the info was correct.

You do not need an onward ticket when arriving for 30 days if you hold a passport that gives you the TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION

TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION

          -  According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 6 February B.E.2538 (1995), 8 December B.E. 2541 (1998)  1 October B.E. 2545 (2002) and 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) , passport holders from 39 countries do not require a visa when entering Thailand for tourism purposes if their stay in the Kingdom does not exceed 30 days.

          -  The applicant must possess instrument of means of living expenses 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly.

          -  Please also be advised that ordinary passport holders of 39 countries who intend to engage in certain activities are eligible to apply for a visa when entering the Kingdom if their qualifications meet the conditions set forth by the Office of Immigration Bureau. For more information, please contact the Office of Immigration Bureau, Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120, Tel. (662) 287-3101-10 or at website http://police.go.th

• List of 39 countries are as follow:

 

1. Australia  :  Commonwealth of Australia

2. Austria  :  Republic of Austria

3. Belgium  :  Kingdom of Belgium

4. Brazil  :  Federative Republic of Brazil 

5. Bahrain  :  State of Bahrain

6. Brunei Darussalam  :  Negara Brunei  Darussalam

7. Canada

8. Denmark  :  Kingdom of Denmark

9. Finland  :  Republic of Finland

10. France  :  French Republic

11. Germany  :  Federal Republic  of Germany

12. Greece  :  Hellenic Republic

13. Hong Kong  :  Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

14. Indonesia  :  Republic of Indonesia

15. Ireland  :  Republic of Ireland

16. Israel  :  State of Israel

17. Italy  :  Republic of Italy

18. Japan

19. Korea  : Republic of Korea

20. Kuwait  :  State of Kuwait

21. Luxembourg :  Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

22. Malaysia

23. Netherlands :  Kingdom of the Netherlands

24. New Zealand 

25. Norway  :  Kingdom of Norway

26. Peru  : Republic of Peru

27. Philippines  :  Republic of the Philippines

28. Portugal  :  Republic of Portugal

29. Qatar  :  State of Qatar

30. Singapore  :  Republic of Singapore

31. Spain  :  Kingdom of Spain

32. South Africa :  Republic of South Africa

33. Sweden  :  Kingdom of Sweden

34. Switzerland :  Swiss Confederation

35. Turkey  :  Republic of Turkey

36. United Arab Emirates

37. United Kingdom :  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

38. United States of America

39. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam

You do need an onward ticket ifyou are arriving and need a transit visa or a tourist visa.

TOURIST VISA

1. REQUIREMENT

This type of visa will be issued to applicants who wishing to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes .

2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

- Visa application form completely filled out

- One recent( 4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant 

- Air ticket paid in full

- Financial means (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)

- Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary 

3. VISA FEE

1,000 Baht per entry

(Visa fee may be changed without prior notice)   

4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

The validity of a visa is three months.

5. VALIDITY OF A STAY

Upon arrival, visitors with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for a period not exceeding 60 days at any time.

6. EXTENSION OF STAY

Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their status of visa must file an application for permission at the Office of Immigration Bureau located on Soi Suan Plu, off South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120 , Tel (662) 287-3101-10 (or at http://www.police.go.th/thaiimb/frconten.htm ). The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer.

TRANSIT VISA

1. REQUIREMENT

This type of visa will be issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for the following purposes :

- to travel in transit through the Kingdom in order to proceed to the country of destination or to re-enter his/her own country (category "TS")

- to participate in sports activities (sportsmen, sportswomen, etc.)(category "S") ***

- the person in charge or crew of a conveyance coming to a port, station or area in the Kingdom (category "C")

2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months

- Visa application form completely filled out

- One recent( 4 x 6 cm.)  photograph of the applicant

- Instrument of means of transportation (confirmed air ticket paid in full)

- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht (per family)

- Visa of a third country in a passport or travel document

- Letter of invitation stating the application's participation in sports activities in the Kingdom

- Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional document as deemed necessary

3. VISA FEE

800 Baht per entry

(Visa fee may be changed without prior notice) 

4. VALIDITY OF A VISA

The validity of a visa is three months.

5. VALIDITY OF A STAY

Travellers coming to Thailand with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for a period not exceeding 30 days at any time.

All quoted from those nice people at The Ministry of Foriegn Affairs

[dr_Pat_Pong]

You can now add Chileans to that list. Try phoning an airline Percy and asking them whether they'll carry you. You went to a lot of effort here, but you won't ring around, I gave you the contact number to check with MFA your spurious and dangerous advice on here about sending one's passport around the world unaccompanied to get a visa, you never rang MFA.

[lopburi3]

You do not need an onward ticket when arriving for 30 days if you hold a passport that gives you the TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION

Wrong. Do you see anyplace it says this in all the quotes you provided? I sure do not. The Immigration Police issue the tourist visa exemption stamps - not The Foreign Ministry. A good place to check for immigration requirements, as the airlines will enforce them, is Delta Airlines Visa Requirements

[percy2]

Thai Airways have no problems.

It seems the MFA went a deal of trounle to point out which visas required you to hold a ticket.

I prefer what is in black and white to possibly spurious (good word) info passed verbaly.

Are you saying that the MFA web site is incorrect?

Well appart from the fact that they haven't updated the Chilean bit.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Right on Lop. Try that link Perce...and ask TG again it is inward bound you know.

[Axel]

The MFA - site does not require a return- or outbound ticket on 30-days visa excemption (although they do for 15 days VOA).

However, the airlines do request a ticket. On the way back to Thailand I always travel on tickets that end in BKK and show a passport without any visa. In 50% of all trips the carriers at check-in point this out, only satisfied when I show my valid visa in another passport. So be it, why to fight with the carriers?

What I still do not understand, as I never entered Thailand other than by air, what happens when you enter via a land-border, do have to present an airline- ticket before being granted the 30 days or a return bus-ticket? (Provided of course you hold a passport from one of the 40 countries granted 30 days visa exempted entry).

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I gave you the contact number to check with MFA your spurious and dangerous advice on here about sending one's passport around the world unaccompanied to get a visa, you never rang MFA.

Is that bit of gratuitous, and incorrect information still your assertion Perce ?

[percy2]

Of course , because its correct.

[percy2]

To use Delta Airlines as a better source of info for Thai Visas over the MFA is pushing it abit don't you think?

[percy2]

Chris you may well have problems with the airline , but you won't have problems with Thai Immigration.

I know flying without a visa from Singapore , KL , HCMC , Jakarta is no problem.

I have experienced problems flying from the UK and Manila. But always managed to get on the plane.

Never been to India.

[percy2]

I've also flown into Thailand using Delta with no problem now I think about it.

I use Delta regularly as they are the best way of getting to West Palm Beach.

[lopburi3]

To use Delta Airlines as a better source of info for Thai Visas over the MFA is pushing it abit don't you think

This is an airline database and applies to every country in the world. The MFA is like the US Department of State - they issue visas but have no authority to allow you into the country - that is the Immigration Police here and the INS-BCIS in the USA.

The MFA is a great web site if you need to apply for a visa. But it has no control on what happens at a border crossing.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I re-invite you to ask MFA, or write a note to the Thai Embassy in London and ask if you can send your application to them along with the unaccompanied passport, and offer to provide a prepaid DHL pack. And that airline is kinda big isn't it ? Thai won't carry a pax on that basis.

[percy2]

Have you ever been turned away (at immigration) for not having a ticket?

Do you now any body who has?

I know thousands who haven't.

I myself have passed immigration more than a hundred times with no ticket.

[percy2]

P,

I think we went over this before.

You coould look up the thread if of course you haven't deleted it.

Then and now I ask you to show supporting documents from the Thai Goverment to support your position.

You couldn't then.

I doubt you can now.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Why not just write to 'em Perce...we are talking about posting off your passport to London. The airline info is compelling. Try Qantas and BA while you are at it. The Thai written stuff in English is all ov er the place. If you you again tell people to post their passports abroad to Thai Embassies you'll be out again. That is dangerous stuff.

[percy2]

Do you know what the word forum means?

[percy2]

Your not seriously telling me that its dangerous to post one of your two passports abroad , if as in the scenario I put forward your visa is in the passport you retain?

[percy2]

If you do decide to ban me you will look even more foolish than you did last time. Where I must admit I was a little caustic.

This time I have been factual and polite.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Your not seriously telling me that its dangerous to post one of your two passports abroad , if as in the scenario I put forward your visa is in the passport you retain?

Not dangerous ...I L L E G A L....that means against the law. The posting of your passport to the RTE London with a return to courier bag to Thailand will result in No Visa being issued.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

This time I have been factual and polite.

Where oh where Perce is an iota of fact. I will not allow you to post dangerous advice. If that makes me foolish, so be it. Post your facts to support what you say or butt out.

[chriscolumbo]

i'm starting to appreciate the meaning of 'kafkaesque'

heres how things stand

i've been to indian airlines and on their computer screen it says i would require an onward ticket, but the guy said he'd sell me a one way if i wanted

i went to thai consulate to get a visa but they only issue them between 9 and 12. but the man there told me i do not need an onward ticket or a visa. i wasnt sure whether to belive him cos they do make mistakes but he seemed very sure.

you guys are saying i will have no trouble with thai immigration which i think is probably true and the mfa info seems to confirm this

i reckon i'll buy the one way ticket . but potentailly they might not let me on the plane at check in, right?

wish me luck

whats this about posting passports? thats something unrelated isn't it?

[percy2]

I think many posters last time queeried the statement that posting your passport was illegal. Who says its illegal. Show me the law.

What is illegal is to be without a form of ID in Thailand.

Though thats not what we seem to be discussing.

I have posted facts on the original topic.

You have not , you should post facts or but out.

By the way there is no need to SHOUT.

[lopburi3]

i've been to indian airlines and on their computer screen it says i would require an onward ticket, but the guy said he'd sell me a one way if i wanted

Before believe he would not even sell you a ticket so you have made an advancement. The problem is that the person checking you in may or may not follow the rules. As you have credit cards you should be able to make them happy and purchase a full fare outbound ticket if they give you a hard time; and be able to board. There should be no problem once you get the ride.