Well, there ya go. Lite_Beer posted this reply with the intention of helping me but as is so often the case, the info provided asks yet another question. The delta.com site is certainly not comprehensive either in it's answers or definitions. What the heck does the term "visa exempt" mean? This is the first time I've ever heard it. And even if we on this Forum know what it means, do the people running the Korean Airlines check-in counter know? I seriously doubt it. The Korean Airlines folks I spoke with the other day were confused to say the least. And I have yet to receive the promised email from that rep.

The fact is, confusion reigns both at the airline desks and in Thailand itself when it comes to immigration and visa questions.

Thanks for your help everyone. I'll be buying a ticket to Cambodia. I'll probably even go there so as not to waste the ticket.

National USA (US) /Destination Thailand (TH)

Thailand (TH)

Passport required.

- Nationals of USA can enter with passports and/or passport

replacing documents valid for the period of intended stay.

Passport Exemptions:

- Holders of emergency or temporary passports.

Visa required, except for A max. stay of 30 days:

Minors:

- When arriving in, or departing from Thailand, minors aged

under 16 years For details, click here

Additional Information:

- Visitors who are visa exempt are required to hold documents

for their next destination.

- Visitors over 12 years of age are required to hold

sufficient funds to cover their stay (at least THB 10,000.-

per person or THB 20,000.- per family).

For details, click here

- For those who do not require a visa For details, click here

Warning:

- Visitors who are visa exempt but do not hold return/onward

tickets could be refused entry.

http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/

Edited November 20, 201213 yr by Maestro
updated link

AlaskaDave -- I know you're just trying to be prepared and anticipate possible problems, but if Lopburi says you don't need an on-ward ticket, then you can take his word to the bank. Remember -- not every gate agent at the Korean Air counter has training in looking at passports to see if they're in order. Here in Chiang Mai, they have one specific person who always looks at the passports before someone is even permitted to go to the check-in counter.

Thanks NancyL.

I couldn't agree more with you when you say, "Remember -- not every gate agent at the Korean Air counter has training in looking at passports to see if they're in order." Wow, that's the truth! And that's the problem. They have no training and they don't understand how things work in Thailand. And yet those same gate agents have the power to prevent you from boarding your flight.

Thats why they have supervisors and a database in which they can check things, from which Lite Beer quoted.

Not trying to make it more confusing but....... I am on my 3rd "O" non-imm visa which I also get in Portland. My tickets I buy are BKK-SEA-BKK. So......when I leave Seattle I am on a return ticket (no onward or return) back to BKK. I usually travel with EVA and have never had any questions for a return ticket or onward ticket from the airlines or Thai immigration. Like you I am flying into BKK with no other ticket.

Not trying to make it more confusing but....... I am on my 3rd "O" non-imm visa which I also get in Portland. My tickets I buy are BKK-SEA-BKK. So......when I leave Seattle I am on a return ticket (no onward or return) back to BKK. I usually travel with EVA and have never had any questions for a return ticket or onward ticket from the airlines or Thai immigration. Like you I am flying into BKK with no other ticket.

With a visa you don't need a ticket out of the country, so that is the correct procedure. Most airline check-in staff will know, but sometimes a newbie still has to learn the visa rules.

AlaskaDave,

I frequently fly Korean Air from USA to Bangkok on one way ticket and my Non-O visa. I have never had a problem with boarding. This is also true when I lived in Korea and traveled to Thailand frequently. Have a nice trip and enjoy Chiang Mai.

I did hear from the Korean Air representative today by email. He checked with the Bangkok office.

Sung wrote:

I got answer about ‘O’ type Visa from Bangkok.

They said your visa is still available, there is no problem with One way Ticket.

But it’s better to keep your Fiance’s contact no. and address.

So, I reckon I'll go to Seattle with my "O" visa and no out-bound ticket. I have a 3 hour layover there so I'll go to the Korean Air desk early to be sure to have enough time to work through any issues. Plus, I'll take along a copy of the email.

Again, thanks to all for the help.

Thanks all ! I live close to the Thai Embassy in LA--can askmore

Anyone know how easy or difficult to obtain a 90-day immigrant O visa from the Thai consulate in Cambodia? I want to then apply for the retirement extension in chaing mai...

thanks,

CB

It is a embassy not consulate. You should have no problem getting it there but it could take as much as 4 days compared to next day at other nearby embassies or consulates.

From Chiang Mai the best choice might be Vientiane Laos via air to Udon Thani and then crossing the bridge in Nong Kai to Vientiane. Check Nok air for flights.

Edited September 18, 201213 yr by ubonjoe

Embassy or not visas are issued by the Consulate and may or may not be located within the actual Embassy building/compound. I suspect it is called the Consulate Section of the Phnom Penh Embassy.