Refused boarding pass for BKK at Ho Chi Min City airport

[Sophon]

"Enter Before" date means ALL entries must be made before that date. So the guy in HCMC was correct, your visa was expired.

How long were you stamped for at Swampy?

So you're saying that a double entry 60 day tourist visa issued on 30 June must be used in 2 months? If that is the case then the two previous double entries I had were also expired, yet I was permitted my entry second into Thailand on each occasion with no question. All the information I have had to date, including from Thai immigration, is that your first entry must be made before the enter before date.

Thai immigration gave me a 60 day stamp on arrival at Swampy.

As others have said, the dates that you state don't really add up and makes the whole situation quite confusing. But if you did indeed enter after your tourist visa was expired and were given a 60 day stamp, then you were given a permission to stay you didn't qualify for. Since you would only have qualified for a 30 day visa exempt stamp, you will technically be on overstay if you stay longer than 30 days.

It's quite possible that no-one will notice the apparent error, but if they do you will be fined for the overstay (it may not sound fair, but it's your responsibility to know how long you should be allowed to stay). And it could be that the Immigration officer just picked he wrong stamp, but entered the correct permission to stay (30 days) in the computer. Up to you if you want to take the chance, personally I would leave before the 30 days are up and go get a new tourist visa, or alternatively go to an immigration office to get a 30 day extension.

Sophon

[shaurene]

"Enter Before" date means ALL entries must be made before that date. So the guy in HCMC was correct, your visa was expired.

How long were you stamped for at Swampy?

If I remember correctly the visa has a date when issued and a date visa expiry date which is normally 3 months after issue date, and gives the date. He entered Thailand in June his visa was obviously a multi entry one, so the entry before date could have been October 10 or later and if so he had the correct visa and HCH were wrong.

[stevenl]

"Enter Before" date means ALL entries must be made before that date. So the guy in HCMC was correct, your visa was expired.

How long were you stamped for at Swampy?

If I remember correctly the visa has a date when issued and a date visa expiry date which is normally 3 months after issue date, and gives the date. He entered Thailand in June his visa was obviously a multi entry one, so the entry before date could have been October 10 or later and if so he had the correct visa and HCH were wrong.

No, it could not. From the OP: "my visa had an entry before date of September 11th".

[mike324]

Guy with WP shouldn't have been refused because he didn't have an onward ticket. But for you who is only on a tourist visa, it is by airport rules that you have an onward ticket. If not the airline that ticketed you could be fined by the airport at your destination for allowing you to board.

[stevenl]

Guy with WP shouldn't have been refused because he didn't have an onward ticket. But for you who is only on a tourist visa, it is by airport rules that you have an onward ticket. If not the airline that ticketed you could be fined by the airport at your destination for allowing you to board.

So he had a workpermit, but what about his visa?

[mike324]

The Vietnamese guy sounds correct.

You must make the final entry before the expiration date listed for the first entry.

When you arrived in BKK you were given the visa on arrival time only, as your visa had expired.

No shame, it happened to me before also.

----

As I am traveling on 1-way tickets these days it would be helpful to know any suggestions on cheap bus or train tickets and destinations that can be quickly booked on a mobile while a the airport out of Thailand to fulfill the onward travel requirement.

Booking flights can be expensive and would rather not worry about reading the fine print on refunds waiting for a plane etc.

The easiest solution is to change the dates on one of your old e-tickets you get in the email to show the date your are flying out. Copy it from your email, paste it in Microsoft Word and change the dates, print it out and carry it with you. It also helps if its not the same airline you are flying, as some sharper staff will know what flights don't fly at a particular time or day if you just pick a random date without checking airline schedule. Ticketing staff will only look at it, they will not go and spend the time to check if your ticket and date is actually valid.

If you don't have onward travel proof, sometimes you can request the staff to let you sign a piece of paper (hand written, or typed up on the spot) stating that you will be responsible for onward tickets and fines, if you are refused at the destination airport.

[mike324]

Guy with WP shouldn't have been refused because he didn't have an onward ticket. But for you who is only on a tourist visa, it is by airport rules that you have an onward ticket. If not the airline that ticketed you could be fined by the airport at your destination for allowing you to board.

So he had a workpermit, but what about his visa?

The original poster DID say the other guy has a Non Immigrant B Visa (NIB). The only reason why the Vietnamese guy didn't allow him to board was because he didn't have an onward ticket.

[stevenl]

Guy with WP shouldn't have been refused because he didn't have an onward ticket. But for you who is only on a tourist visa, it is by airport rules that you have an onward ticket. If not the airline that ticketed you could be fined by the airport at your destination for allowing you to board.

So he had a workpermit, but what about his visa?

The original poster DID say the other guy has a Non Immigrant B Visa (NIB). The only reason why the Vietnamese guy didn't allow him to board was because he didn't have an onward ticket.

Thanks, see it now. Op wrote NIB, I was wondering about that, not a very common abbreviation, but since he continued about the WP I focused on that.

If that truly is the case, the checkin clerk was wrong not letting him board, but he should have stood his ground and refused the OP.

[BV70]

OK... having slept on this and read and re-read comments here and spoken to a few mates in the know, I'm beginning to this this is a scam to get you to part with your money in HCMC airport.

I'm saying this based on the actions of visa staff at Vietnam Embassy in BKK who escalated the cost and attempted to induce fear when trying to obtain a tourist visa (I eventually walked out and applied on-line for a VOA) but also the actions of some tour operators both inside HCMC airport and in Vietnam itself, where confusion over Dong conversion is rife, as is adding a few noughts to a 50,000 VDN fee for example for anything from a taxi to a bottle of water.

Regardless of the dates on my Thai tourist visa and its validity, it was wrong for this to be questioned for as a UK citizen I would qualify for a visa exempt stamp on arriving in Thailand - I currently have zero visa exempt stamps from border runs. While it was suggested to me that I return into HCMC to purchase the correct visa for Thailand, an onward flight and a new flight from HCMC-BKK, I was told it could be arranged for me on the spot by airport staff - but would cost more and I must pay cash. They held out until the final call of my flight, by which time my passport was returned and I had the VIP treatment through security and to the plane waiting on the tarmac.

The other guy with the WP (I think he was Polish) couldn't be bothered arguing his case and purchased a flexible flight that could be altered at a later date, although the expense to him I recall was rather excessive. He blamed airport staff in Vietnam claiming there is always an issue here.

I notice one poster suggests the staff were from Air Asia.... I was flying with Vietjet and it wasn't one of their staff I had to deal with. He wore a red t-shirt that appeared to promoted tourism and maybe said something like 'miles of smiles' but I was really too flustered to take this in at the time.

To add to the confusion and regarding the 60-day stamp granted at BKK and the comment that I would be held liable for an immigration officer's mistake, I have spoken with a friend who was granted a visa exempt stamp at the airport some time ago and the date had apparently slipped to read exit by XX-2015 instead of XX-2014, in effect giving him 30 days and a year stay. He was concerned about this and visited Chang Wattana immigration to make sure he wouldn't get penalised for an overstay. Staff at immigration confirmed that he was to go by the stamp in his passport. He ended up staying for about 3 months and left Thailand without question, no overstay charge, no red flag in his passport, nothing.

To those questioning the dates on my visa purchased from Laos. This was hand-written (the previous tourist visas I have are printed) and I paid an agent outside the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to turn things around for me in 2 hours - it actually took him about 20 minutes - god knows how with about 500 people queueing for visas at the time, but it did. This may explain the oddity over dates.

I hope this clears up any confusion....

[hughben]

Was the guy in the red shirt working for the airline?

If not, he has no right to demand an onward ticket from Thailand. It would be non of his business. Same with any visa for Thailand. Like you said, you could have entered as visa exempt, but the airline could still demand on onward flight.

[FritsSikkink]

OK... having slept on this and read and re-read comments here and spoken to a few mates in the know, I'm beginning to this this is a scam to get you to part with your money in HCMC airport.

I'm saying this based on the actions of visa staff at Vietnam Embassy in BKK who escalated the cost and attempted to induce fear when trying to obtain a tourist visa (I eventually walked out and applied on-line for a VOA) but also the actions of some tour operators both inside HCMC airport and in Vietnam itself, where confusion over Dong conversion is rife, as is adding a few noughts to a 50,000 VDN fee for example for anything from a taxi to a bottle of water.

Regardless of the dates on my Thai tourist visa and its validity, it was wrong for this to be questioned for as a UK citizen I would qualify for a visa exempt stamp on arriving in Thailand - I currently have zero visa exempt stamps from border runs. While it was suggested to me that I return into HCMC to purchase the correct visa for Thailand, an onward flight and a new flight from HCMC-BKK, I was told it could be arranged for me on the spot by airport staff - but would cost more and I must pay cash. They held out until the final call of my flight, by which time my passport was returned and I had the VIP treatment through security and to the plane waiting on the tarmac.

The other guy with the WP (I think he was Polish) couldn't be bothered arguing his case and purchased a flexible flight that could be altered at a later date, although the expense to him I recall was rather excessive. He blamed airport staff in Vietnam claiming there is always an issue here.

I notice one poster suggests the staff were from Air Asia.... I was flying with Vietjet and it wasn't one of their staff I had to deal with. He wore a red t-shirt that appeared to promoted tourism and maybe said something like 'miles of smiles' but I was really too flustered to take this in at the time.

To add to the confusion and regarding the 60-day stamp granted at BKK and the comment that I would be held liable for an immigration officer's mistake, I have spoken with a friend who was granted a visa exempt stamp at the airport some time ago and the date had apparently slipped to read exit by XX-2015 instead of XX-2014, in effect giving him 30 days and a year stay. He was concerned about this and visited Chang Wattana immigration to make sure he wouldn't get penalised for an overstay. Staff at immigration confirmed that he was to go by the stamp in his passport. He ended up staying for about 3 months and left Thailand without question, no overstay charge, no red flag in his passport, nothing.

To those questioning the dates on my visa purchased from Laos. This was hand-written (the previous tourist visas I have are printed) and I paid an agent outside the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to turn things around for me in 2 hours - it actually took him about 20 minutes - god knows how with about 500 people queueing for visas at the time, but it did. This may explain the oddity over dates.

I hope this clears up any confusion....

It is not a scam, you were wrong. Visa was expired and for a visa exempt you need proof of onward travel.

[BV70]

OK... having slept on this and read and re-read comments here and spoken to a few mates in the know, I'm beginning to this this is a scam to get you to part with your money in HCMC airport.

I'm saying this based on the actions of visa staff at Vietnam Embassy in BKK who escalated the cost and attempted to induce fear when trying to obtain a tourist visa (I eventually walked out and applied on-line for a VOA) but also the actions of some tour operators both inside HCMC airport and in Vietnam itself, where confusion over Dong conversion is rife, as is adding a few noughts to a 50,000 VDN fee for example for anything from a taxi to a bottle of water.

Regardless of the dates on my Thai tourist visa and its validity, it was wrong for this to be questioned for as a UK citizen I would qualify for a visa exempt stamp on arriving in Thailand - I currently have zero visa exempt stamps from border runs. While it was suggested to me that I return into HCMC to purchase the correct visa for Thailand, an onward flight and a new flight from HCMC-BKK, I was told it could be arranged for me on the spot by airport staff - but would cost more and I must pay cash. They held out until the final call of my flight, by which time my passport was returned and I had the VIP treatment through security and to the plane waiting on the tarmac.

The other guy with the WP (I think he was Polish) couldn't be bothered arguing his case and purchased a flexible flight that could be altered at a later date, although the expense to him I recall was rather excessive. He blamed airport staff in Vietnam claiming there is always an issue here.

I notice one poster suggests the staff were from Air Asia.... I was flying with Vietjet and it wasn't one of their staff I had to deal with. He wore a red t-shirt that appeared to promoted tourism and maybe said something like 'miles of smiles' but I was really too flustered to take this in at the time.

To add to the confusion and regarding the 60-day stamp granted at BKK and the comment that I would be held liable for an immigration officer's mistake, I have spoken with a friend who was granted a visa exempt stamp at the airport some time ago and the date had apparently slipped to read exit by XX-2015 instead of XX-2014, in effect giving him 30 days and a year stay. He was concerned about this and visited Chang Wattana immigration to make sure he wouldn't get penalised for an overstay. Staff at immigration confirmed that he was to go by the stamp in his passport. He ended up staying for about 3 months and left Thailand without question, no overstay charge, no red flag in his passport, nothing.

To those questioning the dates on my visa purchased from Laos. This was hand-written (the previous tourist visas I have are printed) and I paid an agent outside the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to turn things around for me in 2 hours - it actually took him about 20 minutes - god knows how with about 500 people queueing for visas at the time, but it did. This may explain the oddity over dates.

I hope this clears up any confusion....

It is not a scam, you were wrong. Visa was expired and for a visa exempt you need proof of onward travel.

OK, as I've said a few times, the mistake regarding dates on my visa was mine, thank you.... however that doesn't explain why I was told to purchase another visa when I could enter on an exempt stamp, nor why their focus was on the visa rather that the onward ticket, which they eventually didn't pursue.

[BV70]

Was the guy in the red shirt working for the airline?

If not, he has no right to demand an onward ticket from Thailand. It would be non of his business. Same with any visa for Thailand. Like you said, you could have entered as visa exempt, but the airline could still demand on onward flight.

No clue whether he was employed by an airline or the airport, sorry....

[martin81]

Just over a month ago I flew from HCM with thai air to Bangkok and no visa in passport.

No problems checking in and no questions asked.

I did have an onward ticket but was never told to show it. It was on another airline Qatar.

Also no problems with IO in Bangkok and my passport were almost full with Thai visa exempt entries.

So not always a problem in HCM.

[stevenl]

@ OP: no, not correct. For visa exempt entry an onward flight would be required.

So: your visa was not valid and you were not eligible for a visa exempt entry. You could have been refused boarding, and they would have been in their rights. No scam, just you not truly knowing or understanding the Thai visa rules.

[mike324]

Guy with WP shouldn't have been refused because he didn't have an onward ticket. But for you who is only on a tourist visa, it is by airport rules that you have an onward ticket. If not the airline that ticketed you could be fined by the airport at your destination for allowing you to board.

So he had a workpermit, but what about his visa?

The original poster DID say the other guy has a Non Immigrant B Visa (NIB). The only reason why the Vietnamese guy didn't allow him to board was because he didn't have an onward ticket.

Thanks, see it now. Op wrote NIB, I was wondering about that, not a very common abbreviation, but since he continued about the WP I focused on that.

If that truly is the case, the checkin clerk was wrong not letting him board, but he should have stood his ground and refused the OP.

its all good, I had to look up a few myself in the beginning.

[stevenl]

OK... having slept on this and read and re-read comments here and spoken to a few mates in the know, I'm beginning to this this is a scam to get you to part with your money in HCMC airport.

I'm saying this based on the actions of visa staff at Vietnam Embassy in BKK who escalated the cost and attempted to induce fear when trying to obtain a tourist visa (I eventually walked out and applied on-line for a VOA) but also the actions of some tour operators both inside HCMC airport and in Vietnam itself, where confusion over Dong conversion is rife, as is adding a few noughts to a 50,000 VDN fee for example for anything from a taxi to a bottle of water.

Regardless of the dates on my Thai tourist visa and its validity, it was wrong for this to be questioned for as a UK citizen I would qualify for a visa exempt stamp on arriving in Thailand - I currently have zero visa exempt stamps from border runs. While it was suggested to me that I return into HCMC to purchase the correct visa for Thailand, an onward flight and a new flight from HCMC-BKK, I was told it could be arranged for me on the spot by airport staff - but would cost more and I must pay cash. They held out until the final call of my flight, by which time my passport was returned and I had the VIP treatment through security and to the plane waiting on the tarmac.

The other guy with the WP (I think he was Polish) couldn't be bothered arguing his case and purchased a flexible flight that could be altered at a later date, although the expense to him I recall was rather excessive. He blamed airport staff in Vietnam claiming there is always an issue here.

I notice one poster suggests the staff were from Air Asia.... I was flying with Vietjet and it wasn't one of their staff I had to deal with. He wore a red t-shirt that appeared to promoted tourism and maybe said something like 'miles of smiles' but I was really too flustered to take this in at the time.

To add to the confusion and regarding the 60-day stamp granted at BKK and the comment that I would be held liable for an immigration officer's mistake, I have spoken with a friend who was granted a visa exempt stamp at the airport some time ago and the date had apparently slipped to read exit by XX-2015 instead of XX-2014, in effect giving him 30 days and a year stay. He was concerned about this and visited Chang Wattana immigration to make sure he wouldn't get penalised for an overstay. Staff at immigration confirmed that he was to go by the stamp in his passport. He ended up staying for about 3 months and left Thailand without question, no overstay charge, no red flag in his passport, nothing.

To those questioning the dates on my visa purchased from Laos. This was hand-written (the previous tourist visas I have are printed) and I paid an agent outside the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to turn things around for me in 2 hours - it actually took him about 20 minutes - god knows how with about 500 people queueing for visas at the time, but it did. This may explain the oddity over dates.

I hope this clears up any confusion....

It is not a scam, you were wrong. Visa was expired and for a visa exempt you need proof of onward travel.

OK, as I've said a few times, the mistake regarding dates on my visa was mine, thank you.... however that doesn't explain why I was told to purchase another visa when I could enter on an exempt stamp, nor why their focus was on the visa rather that the onward ticket, which they eventually didn't pursue.

You could not enter on an exempt stamp, since you were not eligible for that.

You keep on trying to blame others for your mistakes.

[FritsSikkink]

OK... having slept on this and read and re-read comments here and spoken to a few mates in the know, I'm beginning to this this is a scam to get you to part with your money in HCMC airport.

I'm saying this based on the actions of visa staff at Vietnam Embassy in BKK who escalated the cost and attempted to induce fear when trying to obtain a tourist visa (I eventually walked out and applied on-line for a VOA) but also the actions of some tour operators both inside HCMC airport and in Vietnam itself, where confusion over Dong conversion is rife, as is adding a few noughts to a 50,000 VDN fee for example for anything from a taxi to a bottle of water.

Regardless of the dates on my Thai tourist visa and its validity, it was wrong for this to be questioned for as a UK citizen I would qualify for a visa exempt stamp on arriving in Thailand - I currently have zero visa exempt stamps from border runs. While it was suggested to me that I return into HCMC to purchase the correct visa for Thailand, an onward flight and a new flight from HCMC-BKK, I was told it could be arranged for me on the spot by airport staff - but would cost more and I must pay cash. They held out until the final call of my flight, by which time my passport was returned and I had the VIP treatment through security and to the plane waiting on the tarmac.

The other guy with the WP (I think he was Polish) couldn't be bothered arguing his case and purchased a flexible flight that could be altered at a later date, although the expense to him I recall was rather excessive. He blamed airport staff in Vietnam claiming there is always an issue here.

I notice one poster suggests the staff were from Air Asia.... I was flying with Vietjet and it wasn't one of their staff I had to deal with. He wore a red t-shirt that appeared to promoted tourism and maybe said something like 'miles of smiles' but I was really too flustered to take this in at the time.

To add to the confusion and regarding the 60-day stamp granted at BKK and the comment that I would be held liable for an immigration officer's mistake, I have spoken with a friend who was granted a visa exempt stamp at the airport some time ago and the date had apparently slipped to read exit by XX-2015 instead of XX-2014, in effect giving him 30 days and a year stay. He was concerned about this and visited Chang Wattana immigration to make sure he wouldn't get penalised for an overstay. Staff at immigration confirmed that he was to go by the stamp in his passport. He ended up staying for about 3 months and left Thailand without question, no overstay charge, no red flag in his passport, nothing.

To those questioning the dates on my visa purchased from Laos. This was hand-written (the previous tourist visas I have are printed) and I paid an agent outside the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to turn things around for me in 2 hours - it actually took him about 20 minutes - god knows how with about 500 people queueing for visas at the time, but it did. This may explain the oddity over dates.

I hope this clears up any confusion....

It is not a scam, you were wrong. Visa was expired and for a visa exempt you need proof of onward travel.

OK, as I've said a few times, the mistake regarding dates on my visa was mine, thank you.... however that doesn't explain why I was told to purchase another visa when I could enter on an exempt stamp, nor why their focus was on the visa rather that the onward ticket, which they eventually didn't pursue.

Stop blaming others , you were and are wrong.

[BV70]

No, I'm just sharing my experience so others travelling from HCMC are aware there maybe problems if you don't have an onward ticket. I'm not apportioning blame, just trying to understand where I went wrong so it doesn't happen again. My visa was out of date, understood, I didn't have an onward ticket from BKK, understood. I still boarded the plane and passed through Thai immigration and came out with a 60 day stamp. That's not blaming anyone, just attempting to work out how this occurred if I 'was and still am wrong'. By all accounts I should not have been allowed to board the plane and the IO at BKK should not have allowed me access to Thailand, but they did and he did. I'm not sure why questioning this and sharing my story in order to seek answers means I am wrong? But I'm sure you are totally and completely right and I'm justifiably wrong to have raised this matter on the forum from the outset. I guess by that reckoning I am also wrong for suggesting I know others who have arrived in Thailand in the last week on a visa exempt stamp with no onward travel without facing questioning?

[mango66]

This visa situation... is more than just a pain in the butt...it is extremely disconcerting to not know what mess you are going to encounter when trying to go and come from Thailand...

It is hard enough to try and satisfy the insane amount of hassle and garbage required in Thailand to come and go...the angst is incredible...

But...now having to worry about boarding a plane from another country...being hassled by airport and immigration authorities before board the plane to Thailand?

This is too much to endure...

have the correct documents ,

no hassle ;

His visa were expired, so ?? who is wrong ?

The Vietnamese authority or the OP ?

he is travelling 3 months around and had not time

to have a look at his passport ?

must be a very stressy vacation

[mango66]

"Enter Before" date means ALL entries must be made before that date. So the guy in HCMC was correct, your visa was expired.

How long were you stamped for at Swampy?

If I remember correctly the visa has a date when issued and a date visa expiry date which is normally 3 months after issue date, and gives the date. He entered Thailand in June his visa was obviously a multi entry one, so the entry before date could have been October 10 or later and if so he had the correct visa and HCH were wrong.

why quotings cant read the complete history ??

He got the Visa in Vientiane, for last enter 11th september !!

He entered same day to thailand !!

Last day of enter was marked with 11th september !!

so if he wanted to use the 2nd visa, he had to enter on - or before 11th september;

And OP already agreed, that it was his mistake !!

[stevenl]

No, I'm just sharing my experience so others travelling from HCMC are aware there maybe problems if you don't have an onward ticket. I'm not apportioning blame, just trying to understand where I went wrong so it doesn't happen again. My visa was out of date, understood, I didn't have an onward ticket from BKK, understood. I still boarded the plane and passed through Thai immigration and came out with a 60 day stamp. That's not blaming anyone, just attempting to work out how this occurred if I 'was and still am wrong'. By all accounts I should not have been allowed to board the plane and the IO at BKK should not have allowed me access to Thailand, but they did and he did. I'm not sure why questioning this and sharing my story in order to seek answers means I am wrong? But I'm sure you are totally and completely right and I'm justifiably wrong to have raised this matter on the forum from the outset. I guess by that reckoning I am also wrong for suggesting I know others who have arrived in Thailand in the last week on a visa exempt stamp with no onward travel without facing questioning?

Ok, 1 more time, but this has already been explained very early in this thread.

Officially required: either visa or for visa exempt entry an onward ticket. You had neither.

The airline is held responsible for people on board having the correct documentation, so can and sometimes will refuse boarding people who don't meet the requirements. Immigration hardly ever checks the onward ticket requirement.

No idea why you still got 60 days.

[BV70]

No, I'm just sharing my experience so others travelling from HCMC are aware there maybe problems if you don't have an onward ticket. I'm not apportioning blame, just trying to understand where I went wrong so it doesn't happen again. My visa was out of date, understood, I didn't have an onward ticket from BKK, understood. I still boarded the plane and passed through Thai immigration and came out with a 60 day stamp. That's not blaming anyone, just attempting to work out how this occurred if I 'was and still am wrong'. By all accounts I should not have been allowed to board the plane and the IO at BKK should not have allowed me access to Thailand, but they did and he did. I'm not sure why questioning this and sharing my story in order to seek answers means I am wrong? But I'm sure you are totally and completely right and I'm justifiably wrong to have raised this matter on the forum from the outset. I guess by that reckoning I am also wrong for suggesting I know others who have arrived in Thailand in the last week on a visa exempt stamp with no onward travel without facing questioning?

Ok, 1 more time, but this has already been explained very early in this thread.

Officially required: either visa or for visa exempt entry an onward ticket. You had neither.

The airline is held responsible for people on board having the correct documentation, so can and sometimes will refuse boarding people who don't meet the requirements. Immigration hardly ever checks the onward ticket requirement.

No idea why you still got 60 days.

I genuinely hope this is the last time as you're just repeating what has already been said and what I have stated I understand numerous times - even in the piece you've quoted me in, which was a repetition for those who haven't read the entire thread, of which I assumed you are one due to your comments. This thread was started for information for other travellers and I've thanked those who've explained the situation to me. However there are clearly issues that you can not answer regarding Thai IO and the lax rules for visa exempt arrivals with no onward travel, so let's agree to let it go shall we? You don't know, I don't know, perhaps someone else does. It's probably best to wait for a qualified reply if there is to be one rather than endlessly repeating what has already been gratefully received. Thanks.

[stevenl]

Sorry, you just don't get it.

Good luck.

[watcharacters]

Onward flight tickets are standard with most airlines, as it covers them not having to pay for your deportation flight or if you are refused entry into Thailand.

Mind expelling this in a little further detail, please?

[Maestro]

Something is funny about the visa you got in Vientiane. You say you used an agent, got your passport back within 20 minutes, with an irregular and handwritten expiration date. I can't help thinking that this was a fake visa. Could you scan and post a copy of it?

[MyFriend You]

"Enter Before" date means ALL entries must be made before that date. So the guy in HCMC was correct, your visa was expired.

How long were you stamped for at Swampy?

You beat me too it, his visa was indeed expired, same thing happened to me last year, I went into the city, got a

Visa for Thailand and was able to use the same ticket, Thai Airways just changed the departure date - same guy

was at the desk and personally took me to the VIP room and gave a voucher for me to sit there. Real nice people,

they only do what they are told. Hope you don't have any probs getting out without a fine.

[ChoakMyDee]

To the OP, you're asking questions that will never be answered if you're wanting an answer to "Why did Thai Immigration give you a 60 day stamp?" It's obvious he made a mistake and didn't look closely enough at your visa; had he looked he would have realized your visa had expired and he would have given you the 30 day exempt stamp. You got lucky. You also got lucky in Vietnam when they allowed you to board with no onward ticket. I suspect they just got tired of arguing with you and wanted you out of there.

This doesn't mean different rules for different people. It just means that you got lucky and were able to sneak by the rules.

I've flown from overseas to Thailand many times(with no visa) and not been asked to show an onward ticket....it just means that I got lucky when they didn't ask. I recently flew Emirates and they wouldn't let me board without an onward ticket. Does that mean I get to argue with them because other airlines had overlooked the rules so many times? No, I went and bought the ticket and got on with my life.

[Jonmarleesco]

In innumerable visits to HCMC, most recently in July, I have never encountered such a problem.

But I'll keep it in mind.

[paz]

See:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754481-boarding-to-thailand-without-return-ticket/