return ticket ?

[Traxster]

I intend to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in late November and hopefully will stay in Thailand for about six months......

My question is............

Do I need a return ticket on my initial arrival at the airport or can I purchase one prior to my departure ?

Thanks Y'All..............

[Slip]

You may have trouble from your airline if you don't have an exit ticket from Thailand, as in the event that you are refused entry to Thailand, they will be responsible for sending you home again. It doesn't have to be a return ticket afaik- just an exit.

[Mario2008]

Correct, ticket out of Thailand needed but not a return ticket, unless you have a (tourist) visa from a Thai consulate.

If your intention is to stay for 6 months in Thailand, best is to apply for a 2 entry tourist visa. Each entry will give you 60 days and can be extended by 30 days for 1,900 baht per extension, so a total of 180 days.

[kandi]

You CAN get trouble at the check-in which doesn't mean you will. When I arrived here two years ago, I only had a one-way flight from Frankfurt - Abu Dhabi - Bangkok with Etihad. I had booked a flight to Singapore for cheap with Tiger Airways, just in case. At the check-in nobody wanted to see anything, neither a ticket out of Thailand or some kind of visa.

[William Osborne]

Happened to me about 12-13 years ago coming from Heathrow, had to buy a refundable ticket onward to Singapore..

These days, there should no issue as you can say you have a e-ticket with another airline... I have done this with Qantas when flying from Oz....

Anyway, if you know you are leaving in 6 months, could be cheaper to get a return ticket ? ... in some cases, return tickets are actually cheaper than a single

[tuky]

Has happened to me at the check in counter of the airline. In my case the airline (Qantas) just asked to see a credit card as proof that I could buy a return ticket if need be. I think it all depends on Who, What, Where, When and Why.

Alternatively, what Mario2008 said.

[David48]

I flew AirAsia from Australia to Thailand last week.

It was a thru ticket.

I was asked to present evidence of forward travel out of Thailand at the check-in desk in Australia.

Which I had to think where my print-out of the ticket was ... until I remembered that I had a Visa for Thailand.

So yes ... they do ask ... sometimes.

[Tchooptip]

I came around ten days ago August 1st with a one way ticket Paris-Kuala Lumpur-Koh Samui, nobody asked anything, with a one year retirement visa.

[puukao]

I've been to Thailand twice, one-way ticket, never a problem. However, next time I will have a return ticket just to be safe. you do save up to a few hundred over a one-way ticket back, so it makes sense. I wasn't sure if I would be there 6 months or a year when I left, but I think I can book a ticket and reserve the right to change it for a small fee. and also get travel insurance as well. I think more people are asking now, so better to play it safe.

[jrtmedic]

puukao

Just as a matter of interest how do you plan to secure visas for your 6-12 month stay ?

[Traxster]

puukao

Just as a matter of interest how do you plan to secure visas for your 6-12 month stay ?

Visa runs/flights ?

[monty]

I came around ten days ago August 1st with a one way ticket Paris-Kuala Lumpur-Koh Samui, nobody asked anything, with a one year retirement visa.

They wouldn't, seeing in your passport you have a visa.

Onward travel is required only when arriving without any type of visa.

Virtually never asked for by immigration, but it is a requirement in the computer system available to airline officials when checking documents on boarding.

Many don't check, and those who do often can be convinced that it is no problem for you (i.e. show credit card to prove you can buy ticket out), but some could be very strict.

In short, a relatively small but nonetheless existing risk, and hurriedly buying a ticket at an airport (trying to make your flight) can be very expensive.

[Slip]

I think it's very hit and miss. Last time I flew back from LGW (March) with Emirates they were definitely looking, as the chap spent about 10 minutes searching my passport for a visa. He couldn't find it so ended up just saying "Do you have a visa", I said "yes" and was on my way, so he obviously wasn't that bothered. My mrs came back a week later on the same flight and was asked for a return ticket- she had a train ticket so again no problem, but I wonder what would have happened if she hadn't had that ticket, she reckons they wouldn't have let her board.

[djvolak]

I flew AirAsia from Australia to Thailand last week.

It was a thru ticket.

I was asked to present evidence of forward travel out of Thailand at the check-in desk in Australia.

Which I had to think where my print-out of the ticket was ... until I remembered that I had a Visa for Thailand.

So yes ... they do ask ... sometimes.

when my company buys my ticket to get me to work or home to thailand they book one way. I had China Airlines in Los Angeles tell me they could not issue the ticket for one way travel to Bangkok. I told the lady I live in Thailand and have an O visa being married to a Thai but she was still having none of it. I asked to speak to her boss and that I would sign a waiver stating that China Airlines was not responsible for getting me back out if I was refused entry to Thailand for not having the return ticket. They actually had just such a form. Signed it and good to go. I have never been asked on the Thai side for return ticket.

[djvolak]

I came around ten days ago August 1st with a one way ticket Paris-Kuala Lumpur-Koh Samui, nobody asked anything, with a one year retirement visa.

They wouldn't, seeing in your passport you have a visa.

Onward travel is required only when arriving without any type of visa.

Virtually never asked for by immigration, but it is a requirement in the computer system available to airline officials when checking documents on boarding.

Many don't check, and those who do often can be convinced that it is no problem for you (i.e. show credit card to prove you can buy ticket out), but some could be very strict.

In short, a relatively small but nonetheless existing risk, and hurriedly buying a ticket at an airport (trying to make your flight) can be very expensive.

I have been asked every time I had a one way flight for the return ticket and even showed them my visa. In the US they still want you to have the return ticket. I signed waivers and got on my flights but they make you jump thru hoops.

[moe666]

I have only been asked once and that was leaving Palawan Island on a Cebu flight, no have ticket out of Thailand, no need have a one year extension of stay, no need ticket out, no I do not need ticket out I have a extension of stay that allows me to stay until Feb. give me back my passport and I will show you. After showing her the extension of stay and the date permitted to stay she said ok.

[Indrid Cold]

I use to enter without return/exit ticket but then i usually enters on my return ticket.

Bangkok -> Stockholm -> Bangkok

dont know if that matters.