Someone asked about arriving in Thailand with no visa and picking up the 30 day transit visa at airport. Several posts said he could have a problem as the airline might refuse him a flight if he doesn't have proof of an onwards destination. I have never had a problem even travelling on a single ticket. Just wondering how strict this is and if so is it some airlines more than others.

If you're from the USA you don't need a visa at all!!! When you arrive you just get a 30 day entry card. I think the same is true if you are from the UK or lots of other major world powers. The Thai embassies I've been to all have a list of the countries whose citizens do not require visas when entering Thailand.

I've never had an airline ask if I had a visa....even when going to a country that required one.

Last time I flew from Sydney they asked me at checkin "How long are going to stay in Thailand" I said "I live in Thailand" they said "OK, show me the visa in your passport"

I am flying about 15-16 times a year to Bangkok using a p/port with no visa and a ticket ending in BKK.

Half the time they do ask for my visa as I have no onward ticket nor a visa in the p/port.

Especially in HKG, TPE, LHR and SIN they seem to be better trained and do check this poitn.

As said before, if you are denied entry by the Thai immigration and have no visa, the airline will be fined Baht 20,000 and has to fly the pax out on own account.

So the rule does exist, it is just a matter of traiing or of how bored the staff at the check-in counter is.

I am flying about 15-16 times a year to Bangkok using a p/port with no visa and a ticket ending in BKK.

Half the time they do ask for my visa as I have no onward ticket nor a visa in the p/port.

Especially in HKG, TPE, LHR and SIN they seem to be better trained and do check this poitn.

As said before, if you are denied entry by the Thai immigration and have no visa, the airline will be fined Baht 20,000 and has to fly the pax out on own account.

So the rule does exist, it is just a matter of traiing or of how bored the staff at the check-in counter is.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What rule are you refering to? USA citizens are not required to have visas...only an entry card which you can obtain on arrival....the same is true for the citizens of many wealthy nations.

From the Thai Embassy in the USA:

------------------------------------

Nationals of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa in accordance with Ministry of Interior's regulation for a maximum stay of 30 days for purpose of Tourism only:-

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRIA

BAHRAIN

BELGIUM

BRAZIL

BRUNEI

CANADA

DENMARK

FINLAND

FRANCE

GERMANY

GREECE (Helenic Republic)

HONG KONG

INDONESIA

IRELAND

ISRAEL

ITALY

JAPAN

KOREA, Rep. of

KUWAIT

LUXEMBOURG

MALAYSIA

NETHERLANDS

NEW ZEALAND

NORWAY

OMAN

PERU

PHILIPPINES

PORTUGAL

QATAR

SINGAPORE

SOUTH AFRICA

SPAIN

SWEDEN

SWITZERLAND

TURKEY

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

VIETNAM

---------------------------------------------

Edited June 21, 200521 yr by chownah

Going back to the OP's question. I was questioned in Perth at the very start of the year, luckily I was carrying the return portion of my Dub-Bkk-Dub ticket with me. This was at the Quantas check-in for the Thai airways flight.

Last time I flew from Sydney they asked me at checkin "How long are going to stay in Thailand" I said "I live in Thailand" they said "OK, show me the visa in your passport"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am a US citizen living in Thailand, happened to me twice when I was returning from the US to Thailand. The reason I was asked is because my flight started in Bangkok, and when leaving the US, the airline United Airlines, wanted to see a return ticket back to the US or visa.

Is there anyone here from any of the countries on the list I posted above who has been refused a flight to Thailand because of a lack of a visa?.........I don't think they can refuse you a flight due to lack of a visa if you are from one of those countries because a visa is not required and if they tried to refuse you they would be in violation of international carrier agreements....I think....but I don't really know for sure. Of course they can ask to see a visa....if they want....at which time you can just say that since I'm a citizen of xyz country I don't need a visa to visit Thailand for 30 days and I will apply for an entry card on arrival which is standard immigration practice for citizens from country xyz. And, better still, when purchasing your ticket ask them about this issue and tell them that you intend to get an entry card on arrival which is standard procedure etc. etc. and see what they say. In fact if you think I'm wrong (believe me I've been wrong before and will be wrong again) then you can call an airline up right now and ask them and then get back and post here what they said. I'd do it but I'm fairly sure that I'm correct on this. I've been told I needed a passport...but never a visa.

Edited June 21, 200521 yr by chownah

Is there anyone here from any of the countries on the list I posted above who has been refused a flight to Thailand because of a lack of a visa?.........I don't think they can refuse you a flight due to lack of a visa if you are from one of those countries because a visa is not required and if they tried to refuse you they would be in violation of international carrier agreements....I think....but I don't really know for sure.  Of course they can ask to see a visa....if they want....at which time you can just say that since I'm a citizen of xyz country I don't need a visa to visit Thailand for 30 days and I will apply for an entry card on arrival which is standard immigration practice for citizens from country xyz.  And, better still, when purchasing your ticket ask them about this issue and tell them that you intend to get an entry card on arrival which is standard procedure etc. etc. and see what they say.  In fact if you think I'm wrong (believe me I've been wrong before and will be wrong again) then you can call an airline up right now and ask them and then get back and post here what they said.  I'd do it but I'm fairly sure that I'm correct on this.  I've been told I needed a passport...but never a visa.

I have flown a few times with KLM to Bangkok oneway,every time they have asked to see my visa at check in,which I had,I feel for sure if i did not then I would not be allowed to fly.

Is it not Thai law that says if you have no onward ticket then you most have at least a 60 visa,granted outside Thailand,to enter.

They probably would not ask on arrival,as I have never been asked in about 25 arrivals,but its the airline that will stop you for sure as they face a fine.

I was once refused a oneway flight from LAX to Phillipines because of no visa,I had to purchase an onward flight at the airport before they would check me in.That was with Phillipines Airline as well.

Just found this Thai embassy Washington,clearly states proof of onward ticket.

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/visa.htm

..for many years I flight on a ticket BKK-EUR-BKK...never got problem at all....but last time they refused me to carry on board 'cause lack of visa...I need to buy a one-way ticket Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur..than they let me go...ticket was refundable....but my advice to all is to make visa starting from now..same I do.

chownah, let me put it this way. Everybody who wants to visit Thailand needs a visa.

Now, as with an y rule, there are exceptions. One you quoted is actually a trancription of

TOURIST VISA EXEMPTION  -  According to the Interior Ministerial Announcements dated 1 October B.E. 2545 (2002), 20 December B.E. 2545 (2002) and 18 October B.E. 2547 (2004) , passport holders from 39 countries and Hong Kong SAR 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.

Above does include USA-passport-holders, as said it is an exemption to the rule and only applicable for tourists visiting for max. 30 days. (Believe meanwhile 41 countries allowed)

The Ministry does not explicitly require a return - ticket, however, the airline who brings you to Thaland is responsible that you can get an entry into Thailand. The airliens, OTH, are shy of asking each passenger to show their money, therefore they have a rule, either to have a visa in your passport or a confirmed return- or onward flight within 30 days, if you are a tourist and have no visa.

Here a printout of today's screen that airline check-in staff can consult:

/ 21JUN05 / 0851 UTC

National U.S.A. (US)            /Destination THAILAND (TH)

THAILAND (TH)

Passport required (recommended to be valid 6 months after

period of stay. However, Thai immigration will accept passports

which are only valid for period of intended stay).

Visa not required for a touristic stay of max. 30 days if

holding confirmed return/onward ticket.

Extension up to 10 days possible. Fee THB 1900.- (1 photo

required).

However, if holding passport issued in Marshall Islands:

passport (must be valid for 6 months beyond visa application)

and visa required.

If holding APEC Business Travel Card together with passport:

visa not required.

Entry may be refused if of "hippy" appearance.

For more information see: For details, click here .

Airline staff may travel on standby ticket together with an

airline-identity card.

Visitor must hold all documents for next destination.

If being over 12 years old, visitor must also hold sufficient

funds (e.g. letter of credit, vouchers, MCO's or well-known

credit cards) to cover stay (not applicable if holding re-entry

visa).

Non-compliance with the visa regulations will result in:

- refusal and immediate deportation of passenger;

- fines for the airline of THB 20,000,-;

- overstay fine for passenger of THB 200,- per day.

By all means, the airlines do have a right to deny you boarding, if your documents are not in order (no visa or no return/onward ticket) and they would not be in violation of international carrier agreements, as the carriers regulation request each passenger to have the visa etc. required to enter the coutnry of destination.

In my own experience, I said it, about half the time the airline - staff do intend to deny me to board, because I do not have a visa and my ticket ends in BKK.

(OK, I than show my Thai - visa which is in another document, case slved)

Sorry, if this is too long, I have it somewhere stored on the disc as the question comes up ever so often.

Well, I was wrong again. Thank you one and all for straightening out my thinking on this. It will give me one more thing to worry about next time I fly out of Thailand.....will they let me back?

The best way to arrive here is on foot, or by boat.

No need for airline check-in.

Might be rather difficult from the UK or USA etc.

Well, I was wrong again.  Thank you one and all for straightening out my thinking on this.  It will give me one more thing to worry about next time I fly out of Thailand.....will they let me back?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shua, as they say. Just have a visa or a ticket.

or come by walking as sua yai suggests. No need for ticket, it's a different department of the immigration polie on the land borders and no airline involved.