Hey there!

I'm a tourist planning to visit Thailand. I'm an Israeli guy, and so i know i'm entitled for automatic visa for 30 days.

The thing is i arrive to Bangkok by air, and i want to exit by land, and so i don't have a flight ticket out of Thailand that will serve as a proof that i will exit the country within 30 days.

Is it going to cause me any problem at the airport upon entering the country?

If yes, what can i do?

Thank you!

It is not likely to be a problem as the airline is not likely to allow you to board the aircraft. You require an onward ticket to use the 30 day entry without visa and the airlines normally check this on long flights.

Normally you obtain a tourist visa or you buy an air ticket out within the 30 days to show airline at check-in.

why should it concern the airline if i have visa or not?

i mean, is it possible to get visa automatically only if get in and out of the country by air?

wouldn't i get it if wanna enter and exit Thailand through land borders?

if payed an airliner money for a flight ticket, can they really prevent me from boarding the plane because i don't have visa, even though i'm eligible for a 30 days free visa?

It is not a visa. It is a special entry without visa provision for selected countries. And if you arrive by air the airline will likely check. And yes they can prevent you boarding as you do not have the required documents for entry. Normally it is not an issue at a land crossing as Thai authorities do not often check this unless there is specific reason to do so. But airlines do check.

i understand...

now in what phase am i likely to have problems with the airline, cause with the airliner i fly with (El-Al) i am able to do Check-in online cuz i bought an electronic ticket and so i don't see where the problem should be.

and let me get this straight, if the airline WILL assure me that i will not have any problem boarding the aircraft than i shouldn't expact any problem at the Thai border itself?

Edited April 23, 200620 yr by yuvalporat

Your passport will be checked - no visa in passport and no return ticket within 30 days and they may well say go home or buy a ticket. You are not likely to have an issue at Thai immigration but if you do the airline will be fined and you will be on next flight out owing airline.

I see...

Well thank you anyway...

and let me get this straight, if the airline WILL assure me that i will not have any problem boarding the aircraft than i shouldn't expact any problem at the Thai border itself?

No, Immigration accepts arrival by air and departure by any kind of way..

The airline is responsible for taking you back should you be caught on overstay.

So to cover their asses , they make sure that you have some kind of ticket out of Thailand.

If they assure you that you can board with a single way ticket, then you should not have any problems.

Easiest way round it is to buy a refundable, one way ticket out of Thailand. Once you are in Thailand go to the airlines office and ask for a refund.

As lopburi3 has explained, to qualify for the 30 day entry without visa you need to have proof that you will exit within 30 days. It does not have to be a plane ticket. If (and it is a big if) Immigration refused you entry to Thailand because you do not qualify for the 30 day entry, and do not have any other visa, then the airline that flew you in are liable. I believe they can be fined also. Hence why they make sure you can legally enter. In your case you do not have proof of onward travel within the 30 days, so do not qualify.

yuval..

go to the hamiteyal site from masaa aher )המתייל) )מסע אחר)or similar they can advise u ......zillions of israelis going to thailand before continuing on to the rest of the after army round the world trip....

also tofa'at teva etc there are also a few sites for thailand in hebrew.... go to walla and look for tiyulim etc....

oh... and dont dress like a typical israeli backpacker please (rastsa sharval and beads )

bina

israel

yuval if u are in porat u can pm your number next time im in area (i have thai boyfriend working in nearby moshav) i can brief u.....