Greetings,

I need to fly out to thailand by next wednesday, this trip is short notice. Will be leaving from San Fran in the US. To make it worth it I would like to spend at least 6 weeks in southeast asia (around 45 days). Money is tight so I need to purchase a round trip ticket up front.

It seems like 30 days is the max time allowed if you haven't applied in advance for a special visa.

Im planning to visit Laos and or Cambodia for a couple of weeks while i am there-so I would leave thailand prior to the 30 days and then return for what i assume would be a 15 day extension by land.

However my round trip ticket would indicate a stay of around 45+ days. I am concerned that upon entry to Thailand airport, they will see this and i will not be allowed to enter the country since i haven't pre-purchased a visa.

Im wondering if I can tell them I will be traveling out of the country prior to the 30 day limit, then returning, and this will be accepted or not.

Is it possible to purchase the extension once Im IN thailand, having entered on a 30 day visa w a return ticket indicating a longer stay?

Unfortunately time is of the essence. Essentially I don't have time to wait in the US for a longer visa before traveling. I need to leave next week. I tried calling embassies today but could not get through to anyone.

Summary

-want to buy a 6 week round trip ticket from SFO to Bangkok

-need to leave within the next few days

-have not yet purchased or arranged for a visa

-plan to leave thailand for laos/cambodia prior to 30 days, spend a week or two there then return to thailand

-would be happy to purchase extension visa once in thailand but don't have time to wait for it PRIOR to flying out there

-will this prevent me from entering the country or anything of that nature?

-how can i maneuver this? can i do this? any advice?

Thanks for any help y'all, much appreciated

Your problem would be with the airline in U.S.

They might not let you on the flight without a Visa or a flight leaving Thailand within 30 days.

"...that upon entry to Thailand airport, they will see this and i will not be allowed to enter the country since i haven't pre-purchased a visa."

Arriving in Thailand won't be a problem.

The problem might arise with the airline. Without a return ticket within 30 days, or a visa, some airlines might not let you board the flight.

A guess would that since you do have a rt trip ticket, even though over 30 days apart, they'll let you on board. Since that is a guess, you might ask the airline you'll be traveling with.

It is often suggested here that you arrive early for your flight so that if there is a problem you can arrange a flight out of Thailand within the 30 days. Find a cheap flight, or get a ticket that can be refunded if you don't use it.

"Is it possible to purchase the extension once Im IN thailand, having entered on a 30 day visa w a return ticket indicating a longer stay?"

First thing is, it isn't a 30 day visa. It's a 30 day visa exempt entry.

The only extension you would be able to get in Thailand would be for 7 days,and that would most likely require a ticket out of the country within those 7 days.

Terry

One simple solution is to book a throwaway one way ticket out of Thailand for any time before 30 days.

Example:

Air Asia Bangkok to Phnom Penh anyday between 12th and 24th March 2013 all in fare 1290 thai baht.

book a flight out of Thailand with a departure date within 30 days of arrival in Thailand to Laos or Cambodia and your problem is solved. Notice that if you return to thailand by air, you will get a fresh 30 days of stay and if you return to thailand by land you will get 15 days.

The 30-day stamp you get on arrival is not a visa but a visa exempt.

Officially, Thai law requires that you have a flight ticket out of the country when you arrive. Bus or train tickets are not valid. However, so far I have never been asked to show a return ticket on arrival.

Airliners can cause some issues for you since they have to take you back in case you would be denied access to Thailand (very unlikely if you have a clean record) and also get a fine if I am informed correctly.

My own experience (4 trips by now) is that I always fly into Thailand without a visa and my airliner has never asked me to show them a visa, while I always stay more than 30 days.

I would to suggest to show up at the airport early and check in. Most likely nothing will go wrong and you can board the flight. In the case the airliner really requires you to have a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days, book one online at the airport with your creditcard and then try checking in again. There are a few budgetairliners where you can book a cheap ticket to Phnom Penh/Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Manila for 30-50 USD. If you plan going to Cambodia anyway, a ticket to Phnom Penh might be a bit more costly than a bus trip but it is also much more convenient.

Good luck!

I would to suggest to show up at the airport early and check in. Most likely nothing will go wrong and you can board the flight. In the case the airliner really requires you to have a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days, book one online at the airport with your creditcard and then try checking in again. There are a few budgetairliners where you can book a cheap ticket to Phnom Penh/Singapore/Kuala Lumpur/Manila for 30-50 USD. If you plan going to Cambodia anyway, a ticket to Phnom Penh might be a bit more costly than a bus trip but it is also much more convenient.

Good luck!

100%. There is a small chance that immigration in Thailand can refuse entry on the same grounds but I'm sure the same method could be used (buying a ticket out there and then) if you asked very nicely. However, if the OP is going to PP anyway I suggest getting a return flight so as to get the 30 days as Mario pointed out to reduce the chances of needing to fork out 1900 Baht for a 7 day extension.

I'm not so sure about departing from the USA, but my experience flying a number of airlines, although usually THAI from Australia, Switzerland and many SE Asian countries to Bangkok the following is what they will allow and I have never experienced any problems so far:

Departing from Australia: no Thai visa in passport, 12-month return ticket - no problems, no questions asked, nothing. A simple return ticket is enough to get on the plane. Seasoned Thailand travelers like me know that it's practically certain that you will get on the plane with any return or onward ticket, no matter how far ahead it is booked for. Open return tickets (which are practically unknown in Australia, but if you do get the chance to book one, would also be accepted).

If anyone ever questioned this, you could always say you are travelling to Cambodia etc. and travelling overland and this will be accepted as is the actual case for you. However, as mentioned this has not generally been my experience. However, in one case last year I had a tourist visa, but this wasn't even checked and I had no evidence of a ticket out of Thailand during this time as my ticket was purchased as BKK-SYD-BKK. I told the check-in lady after she asked about my onward flights and told her I was also travelling to Kunming, Ho Chi Minh etc. by air but hadn't booked my tickets yet and this was accepted. This was of course also the truth BTW.

Departing from Switzerland: Travelling on a Swiss passport, no Thai visa and no evidence of onward ticket out of Thailand, both Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways accepted me for boarding, no questions asked, no problems.

In this case, if you were ever questioned, simply present a valid credit card and then you will be accepted for carriage, however, departing from Switzerland I've never had to do this.

Departing from any SE Asian country to Thailand: This includes Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and also Kunming, China: No Thai visa in passport, no onward or return ticket. No problems, no questions asked, never an issue as you'll always get on the plane, especially if you are from a rich country. This is also because the airlines know that Bangkok is a hub airport and would probably assume you are using Bangkok as a hub for onward travel. However, a Vietnamese citizen travelling by air from a Vietnamese airport to Thailand would have trouble getting on the plane without an onward ticket, but not a westerner or a Japanese/Korean traveler.

Departing from Hong Kong SAR, China: Evidence of onward travel required. I didn't have any, was a bit offended at the mere suggestion as it was the first time ever that I was asked to produce one but eventually I was asked to produce a credit card to get on the plane; I did this, was accepted and I was on my way.

In short: despite not knowing exactly what your airline in the US will say, I am almost certain that with a 45-day return ticket and a story explaining you will be travelling to Cambodia etc. you WILL be allowed to travel without any problems. In fact, you will almost certainly not even be questioned about this in the first place - most airline tickets are flexible and will allow you to change dates so it's not an issue most airlines will get involved in. They DO however want to see evidence of outbound travel or ability to purchase a ticket, but beyond that it's exceedingly rare to get questioned about exact outbound travel dates etc.

I'm not so sure about departing from the USA, but my experience flying a number of airlines, although usually THAI from Australia, Switzerland and many SE Asian countries to Bangkok the following is what they will allow and I have never experienced any problems so far:

Departing from Australia: no Thai visa in passport, 12-month return ticket - no problems, no questions asked, nothing. A simple return ticket is enough to get on the plane. Seasoned Thailand travelers like me know that it's practically certain that you will get on the plane with any return or onward ticket, no matter how far ahead it is booked for. Open return tickets (which are practically unknown in Australia, but if you do get the chance to book one, would also be accepted).

If anyone ever questioned this, you could always say you are travelling to Cambodia etc. and travelling overland and this will be accepted as is the actual case for you. However, as mentioned this has not generally been my experience. However, in one case last year I had a tourist visa, but this wasn't even checked and I had no evidence of a ticket out of Thailand during this time as my ticket was purchased as BKK-SYD-BKK. I told the check-in lady after she asked about my onward flights and told her I was also travelling to Kunming, Ho Chi Minh etc. by air but hadn't booked my tickets yet and this was accepted. This was of course also the truth BTW.

Departing from Switzerland: Travelling on a Swiss passport, no Thai visa and no evidence of onward ticket out of Thailand, both Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways accepted me for boarding, no questions asked, no problems.

In this case, if you were ever questioned, simply present a valid credit card and then you will be accepted for carriage, however, departing from Switzerland I've never had to do this.

Departing from any SE Asian country to Thailand: This includes Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and also Kunming, China: No Thai visa in passport, no onward or return ticket. No problems, no questions asked, never an issue as you'll always get on the plane, especially if you are from a rich country. This is also because the airlines know that Bangkok is a hub airport and would probably assume you are using Bangkok as a hub for onward travel. However, a Vietnamese citizen travelling by air from a Vietnamese airport to Thailand would have trouble getting on the plane without an onward ticket, but not a westerner or a Japanese/Korean traveler.

Departing from Hong Kong SAR, China: Evidence of onward travel required. I didn't have any, was a bit offended at the mere suggestion as it was the first time ever that I was asked to produce one but eventually I was asked to produce a credit card to get on the plane; I did this, was accepted and I was on my way.

In short: despite not knowing exactly what your airline in the US will say, I am almost certain that with a 45-day return ticket and a story explaining you will be travelling to Cambodia etc. you WILL be allowed to travel without any problems. In fact, you will almost certainly not even be questioned about this in the first place - most airline tickets are flexible and will allow you to change dates so it's not an issue most airlines will get involved in. They DO however want to see evidence of outbound travel or ability to purchase a ticket, but beyond that it's exceedingly rare to get questioned about exact outbound travel dates etc.

I have NEVER not been asked if I have a visa when I check in in the UK. I always do so I have no idea what would happen if I said no. However, I don't recall them ever checking my passport to see if I am being honest about having a visa.

Airlines can and do refuse entry if you do not meet the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

They get fined and have to take back any passenger who is refused entry.

Airlines can and do refuse entry if you do not meet the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

They get fined and have to take back any passenger who is refused entry.

Any reports on it happening at immigration at the airport for example?

I am always asked for proof of an onward ticket or visa when I fly out of Chicago, New York, or DC. I always fly ANA, but it is United staff at check in. I have showed them a train ticket to Nong Kai (they asked where that was and I said Laos), a used and expired visa and a Air Asia itinerary that was for the wrong year. The airlines don't really look at it or care. It's a rule they go through the motions to follow.

I've never been asked at passport control, and I go through there a lot.

Sent from my GT-P1010 using Thaivisa Connect App

Go to the airport early. If they let you check-in with the air ticket you have, great, if they do not, head straight to the airport's internet cafe and buy the cheapest air ticket you can find that leaves Thailand 29 days later. It will probably be an AirAsia flight. Print it out and go back and check-in with it. Then, simply do not show up for the flight. The flight will cost around $50US.

With some advanced planning, if you are forced to buy the exit ticket, you could incorporate this air ticket into your trip, so its not wasted.

The only extension you can get on a 30 day visa exemption stamp is 7 days.

Airlines can and do refuse entry if you do not meet the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

They get fined and have to take back any passenger who is refused entry.

Any reports on it happening at immigration at the airport for example?

Immigration will vey rarely check, only if you raise their suspecion they might ask for it. Reports of this are very, very rare. But it can happen.

Airlines can and do refuse entry if you do not meet the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to.

They get fined and have to take back any passenger who is refused entry.

Any reports on it happening at immigration at the airport for example?

Immigration will vey rarely check, only if you raise their suspecion they might ask for it. Reports of this are very, very rare. But it can happen.

Cool

book a return ticket for 30 days with the option to change dates (usually for a small fee) problem solved

To buy a changeable ticket can be a very costly option. The fee to change a ticket is normally $100 or more.

The best option is to check on AirAsia.com for the cheapest ticket out of the country 29 days after your expected date of arrival and buy it.

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'm leaning towards buying the 45 day round trip ticket, arriving early at the airport, and if any problems arise, booking a cheap flight from Thailand to Cambodia or Laos to break up the trip. I will let you know how it pans out, and welcome any further input. Peace!

Laos will be the most expensive destination.

Cambodia or Malaysia would be the least expensive. If you plan on not using the ticket check from cities other than Bangkok. IE: Hat Yai or Chiang Mai.

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'm leaning towards buying the 45 day round trip ticket, arriving early at the airport, and if any problems arise, booking a cheap flight from Thailand to Cambodia or Laos to break up the trip. I will let you know how it pans out, and welcome any further input. Peace!

Wait... I thought I was following this thread but now I'm confused.

If you're buying a round trip ticket you will have NO PROBLEM when you check in. All they care about is that you have a visa, OR a ticket out of Thailand. Period. Your return portion could be a year from now, they couldn't care less about the dates.

I think people are getting confused by the problem of having a one way (not round trip) ticket. Most airlines won't let you check in if you have a one way and no visa, you'd only need to buy a throwaway ticket under those circumstances.

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'm leaning towards buying the 45 day round trip ticket, arriving early at the airport, and if any problems arise, booking a cheap flight from Thailand to Cambodia or Laos to break up the trip. I will let you know how it pans out, and welcome any further input. Peace!

Wait... I thought I was following this thread but now I'm confused.

If you're buying a round trip ticket you will have NO PROBLEM when you check in. All they care about is that you have a visa, OR a ticket out of Thailand. Period. Your return portion could be a year from now, they couldn't care less about the dates.

I think people are getting confused by the problem of having a one way (not round trip) ticket. Most airlines won't let you check in if you have a one way and no visa, you'd only need to buy a throwaway ticket under those circumstances.

With a ticket out of Thailand you will not have a problem if the flight is within 30 days of arrival in the case of a US-citizen. OP flies back after 6 weeks, so it depends on his flight(s) to neighbouring countries if he does need a visa or not.

Thanks for the info everyone.

I'm leaning towards buying the 45 day round trip ticket, arriving early at the airport, and if any problems arise, booking a cheap flight from Thailand to Cambodia or Laos to break up the trip. I will let you know how it pans out, and welcome any further input. Peace!

Wait... I thought I was following this thread but now I'm confused.

If you're buying a round trip ticket you will have NO PROBLEM when you check in. All they care about is that you have a visa, OR a ticket out of Thailand. Period. Your return portion could be a year from now, they couldn't care less about the dates.

I think people are getting confused by the problem of having a one way (not round trip) ticket. Most airlines won't let you check in if you have a one way and no visa, you'd only need to buy a throwaway ticket under those circumstances.

With a ticket out of Thailand you will not have a problem if the flight is within 30 days of arrival in the case of a US-citizen. OP flies back after 6 weeks, so it depends on his flight(s) to neighbouring countries if he does need a visa or not.

Oops. You're absolutely right, I forgot to add the "in my experience" caveat...

"Officially" it has to be 30 days or less.

In practise, done it several times with date flight out > 30 days, no problem. Coming from Africa, Middle East or UK on various airlines. YMMV