I may have made a big mistake. Need advice

[hawker9000]

I had this issue last January when I flew out of Wellington to Bangkok via Sydney with Qantas.

Qantas denied me boarding based on the rule which states I was granted a 30 day visa waiver based on the intention to leave the country within those 30 days. I showed them an intenerary in which I was going to Laos after 28 days, with hotel phone numbers, room costings, transport options, costings and transit times but this was not enough for them. They deemed "intention to depart the Kingdom" as having a ticket to prove that I was going to leave. They wanted me to show them the bus ticket to Laos.. shows how much they knew about SE Asia.

I ended up having to stand in front of them with my Air Asia app, telling them "I am buying this ticket to satisfy your requirements although the ticket I am buying will not be used and I will be leaving under the arrangements previously shown to you". An absolute farce that cost me a few hundred dollars NZ.

I would suggest preparing for this in advance, and buying a throw away ticket with either Airasia, Thai Lion or Tiger which can be flashed if necessary. You could also try Cebu Pacific flying to Angeles (known as Clark) as they occaisionally have 1 peso fares which work out about 7-800 baht after all fees are paid.

The issue is not the law, but that western countries do not understand that in SE Asia the law is open to interpretation (and designed so), and there is no hard and fast in regards to this. They therefore take the hardest line necessary and demand you have an outbound ticket pre-booked prior to boarding.

Your cheapest route is most likely Bangkok to KL or Bangkok to Penang during a special.

OT, but no longer any direct flts BKK to CRK. Since June I believe; hopefully to be reinstated someday.

[rogerpilly]

You can reserve a ticket out of the country with Thai airways, you have 24 hours to finalize the purchase, which you obviously don't, but if you print it, it looks like you bought it. I did this in Italy to have a visa with Thai consulate. No question asked. You should try it, it doesn't cost you anything. Or buy a ticket out using Expedia, print the receipt, than call them and cancel. Any ticket is refundable within 24 hours. You only lose the booking fee, around 20 bucks. I did this too and worked like a charm. I hope this helps.

Good luck!

[ukchatterbox]

I flew many times to BKK on a visa-free entry. I never was asked about a return ticket, not from any airline, not from the immigration in BKK.

Each time on my return from the UK I have been required to show visa extension. B.A. Lufthansa and Thai. On outward bound from BKK CC of payment has always been requested

[billbob6840]

Pawheel, I over stayed once when a person needed a visa ever for a week or two, I think it was 4 days. but it was in the late 80's or 90's however I have been to Thailand probably 20 times or more, since then, and there was no problem. I think they only get stern about over stays when a person does it several times, with no good excuses. I think you'll be ok with only one overstay.

[billbob6840]

after reading some of these comments, it occurs to me that the return tick has to match the time you are leaving

Thailand. and this is what they are checking when we do the border run on a double entry visa?? I see on here a lot of comments about tickets and proof of exit. as far as normal entry exit I only get asked how long I will stay occasionally. but when i'm filling out the customs entry form on the plane I always put a address where I will stay, and on my next rip I will have obtained a double entry visa here in the USA, so I will have that also to show. anyone want to comment on my info right or wrong, any input will be appreciated ....

[pawheel]

Thanks again for all your suggestions and input. I booked a one way flight from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur. I guess its a $35 insurance policy at this point.

[craigt3365]

There is no need to buy an outgoing ticket, other methods can be used. See below

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

Please be careful with comments about coming here without a visa on a one way ticket. Some get away with this. Many don't. Just because you were OK doesn't mean the OP will be OK. The US is especially strict with this rule and every time I've flown here (which has been many), they've checked things closely. Specifically, my visa. Some carriers here in Asia don't check as closely, but some are still caught out.

That topic above lays it out quite well. Especially this comment:

It is well known that some airline may, or may not insist on the above. There is no much point in discussing which ones will or will not, and from which departure airport, because all that can change at any time. So it is recommended that those flying to Thailand on visa exemption and without outgoing ticket do as below, in order of increasing cost and inconvenience.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Last time I departed the U.S., PDX via United shuttle up to SEA, I had a real difficult time explaining to the ticket agent that a Re-Entry Permit actually did mean that I could re-enter Thailand. She kept asking for my visa, which was in two passports ago and dated Dec 1998. Finally she got the message and here I be.

Mac

[billbob6840]

as many times as I have flown to Thailand, over the years, I have never been asked for a proof of return to my country

however my stays as they can see on there computers has always been no more then 3 weeks. even in 2013 when

I did two trips one of them a month, I was never asked for a return ticket.

[craigt3365]

as many times as I have flown to Thailand, over the years, I have never been asked for a proof of return to my country

however my stays as they can see on there computers has always been no more then 3 weeks. even in 2013 when

I did two trips one of them a month, I was never asked for a return ticket.

Did you miss reading my post above???

Please, no more posts saying return tickets are not necessary. It doesn't help the OP.

[pawheel]

I will follow up with my experience tomorrow after I check in at LAX... If they ask for the onward travel prior to the 30 window I will have a one way ticket to Kuala Lumpur.

Just to recap. I started the thread to ask if I would have any problems being accepted into Thailand with a 36 day round trip ticket. It was stated I would have more trouble leaving the US than being accepted once in BKK.30 days is the maximum allowed stay without a visa. With the suggestions of our fellow posters I booked a one way ticket out of Thailand prior to the 30 day window.

[mike324]

just use the same itinerary layout and change the dates, reservation numbers, flight number and time, destination. They will not check if your onward itinerary is a real one or not, its best to use another airline then the one you are flying. Look up airline flight schedules on airline websites. I use to do this for my wife before she got her visa.

In some places you can request for them to type up a paper stating that you will be responsible for the costs of onward ticket if you are denied at the immigration / airport, its more of a hassle for them to do that so most will not want to do it this way.

[paz]

There is no need to buy an outgoing ticket, other methods can be used. See below

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

Please be careful with comments about coming here without a visa on a one way ticket. Some get away with this. Many don't. Just because you were OK doesn't mean the OP will be OK. The US is especially strict with this rule and every time I've flown here (which has been many), they've checked things closely. Specifically, my visa. Some carriers here in Asia don't check as closely, but some are still caught out.

That topic above lays it out quite well. Especially this comment:

It is well known that some airline may, or may not insist on the above. There is no much point in discussing which ones will or will not, and from which departure airport, because all that can change at any time. So it is recommended that those flying to Thailand on visa exemption and without outgoing ticket do as below, in order of increasing cost and inconvenience.

Craig, I'm the author of your quote. If you keep reading on my posting you would find that, for example, one can get a fully refundable ticket on Expedia. That means that paying for a throw away ticket is not necessary.

[Smokin Joe]

This would not work for everyone, but another option is just wait until check-in. If there is a problem, buy a full fare fully refundable ticket at he check-in counter using a credit card. Just cancel the ticket for the full refund.

I came over once on a one way ticket out of Honolulu and got all the questions etc. Ended up giving them my CC, they ran it to check the balance available and let me on the flight without an onward ticket. They were happy just to know know that I could get one if needed.

[pawheel]

Follow up. I just checked in at LAX. United airlines didn't question me for anything. United has their own terminal so domestic and international check in at the same place. It's a total mess. Nothing is very organized.

I was hoping to get into the new Bradley international terminal for duty free. The United terminal has nothing to offer.

No need for an onward ticket via United this time.

[paz]

I was hoping to get into the new Bradley international terminal for duty free. The United terminal has nothing to offer.

You can get duty free at arrival. About same prices but different selection.

[billbob6840]

ok I am reading all kinds of posts, about tickets, 1 way, R/T etc. being asked about visa etc. bottom line this is my plan, I will get a double entry visa here in the USA, and will have a R/T ticket LAX to BKK and BKK to LAX. this will be the first time for me to stay longer then 5 weeks. aside from the visa run, prior to the first 90 days of the 2 entry visa. can anyone give some input about my plan, and any foreseeable problems???? this sit is like butt holes when it come to opinions every one has one, and it seems that many contradict each other. all I want to know is do any of you Expats who have been doing this for years, provide me with some insight. Re. my plan.

[faxx]

Questions for return tickets depend on the class of your carriage. Most airlines will never bother to ask First or Business Class passengers for a visa or return ticket, but they will pest those buying economy seats.

[paz]

ok I am reading all kinds of posts, about tickets, 1 way, R/T etc. being asked about visa etc. bottom line this is my plan, I will get a double entry visa here in the USA,

With a visa you dont' need an outgoing ticket. The discussion is about visa exempt entries.

[gk10002000]

I never had a problem with a ticket having a return date a month or so later then what my initial 30 day visa exempt date would be. I have probably done a similar thing to what you describe on 5 or 6 of my trips. I never really know how long I will be staying. I buy my ticket fly to Thailand and get the 30 day visa exempt on arrival. My plane ticket more than half the time had a return date of maybe 20 or 30 days after my visa would run out. EVA air does not charge to make a return change reservation. If I stayed longer because my next contract job didn't start, once I bought the 7 day extension, other times I made a border visa run. Now they let you simply pay the 1900 baht and get another 30 days without making a border run. I would not worry at all about lining up the ticket dates with the 30 day visa exempt dates.

[Mario2008]

I never had a problem with a ticket having a return date a month or so later then what my initial 30 day visa exempt date would be. I have probably done a similar thing to what you describe on 5 or 6 of my trips. I never really know how long I will be staying. I buy my ticket fly to Thailand and get the 30 day visa exempt on arrival. My plane ticket more than half the time had a return date of maybe 20 or 30 days after my visa would run out. EVA air does not charge to make a return change reservation. If I stayed longer because my next contract job didn't start, once I bought the 7 day extension, other times I made a border visa run. Now they let you simply pay the 1900 baht and get another 30 days without making a border run. I would not worry at all about lining up the ticket dates with the 30 day visa exempt dates.

EVA normally checks if you have a flight out within 30 days.

If you can change the ticket fre of charge depends on your ticket class and the restritctions that goes with it. You do not only have economy and bussines class , but with these classes you have ticket classes. The person next to you might not have paid the same price as you.

You can get cheap tickets, but must have a flight back within 30 days and canot change, or you have a more expensive ticket and can have a flight back within 60 days and can change the date (for a free) or you have a moe expensive tickets and have even less restrictions.

Note that airlines overbook their flights, as there are always passengers that don't turn up. If more pasengers turn up than expected, guess who they are going to deny boarding: the person whithout the required documents. They don't have to pay compensation to him.