Thread: flying into thailand without a return ticket

Originally Posted by BigBaBoo

There is a lot of misinformation on entering Thailand on a one-way ticket or without a visa. I've done it myself and here is what I've learned.
First of all, you do not need a RETURN ticket. If you arrive without a visa obtained before you leave (and get a 30 day stamp on arrival at the airport) the only requirement is that Thai immigration MAY want to see is a valid OUT OF THE COUNTRY onward ticket...it can be to a neighboring country like Laos...and not a RETURN ticket to your country. In fact Thai immigration often doesn't ask for this ticket, but they theorectically CAN. In my 30 years experience (although I usually had a return ticket) I have been asked only once to show an onward ticket in at least 100 no-visa entries to Thailand in that 30 year period.
Secondly many airlines do not bother to ask European tourists that appear to be financially capable of supporting themselves in Thailand for their stay for that onward ticket...but sometimes they do. The choice is up to the AIRLINE...and they do it because if anyone they carry to Thailand is rejected by Thai immigration the AIRLINE is required to get them out of the country. That's why the AIRLINES are checking YOU...because if you are rejected it will cost them.
Thirdly, if you have a valid visa...even a tourist visa...most airlines don't cocern themselves with your outbound ticket. (Getting a tourist visa however in some Thai consulates in certain countries may mean the Thai consulate wants to see proof of an exit ticket before they give you a tourist visa). The reason the airlines don't concern themselves with your return ticket if you have a valid Thai tourist visa is that they have no responsibility for you unless you arrive without a visa.
Fourthly, I have in 30 years of at least twice yearly visits to Thailand I have only been asked 3 times...2 times by the airline and once in Thailand by immigration ...to show my out of country ticket. (I had one anyhow, so it was no problem). So you seehow rare it is.
Bottom line...here's how to avoid any problem.
1. Get an out-of-country ticket valid within 30 days if you intend to arrive without a visa and expect to get that 30 day on arrival entry stamp.
2. Get a 30 day or 60 day tourist visa before you leave your country. It's a lot cheaper than an out-of-country ticket.
3. And don't look like a backpacker...look like you can afford to visit Thailand. (I'm not being biased...it's just a fact that is how the immigration will judge you when you arrive.)

In the U.S. you can't get the tourist visa unless you show an out of country ticket as part of your itinerary. This taken straight from the Thai embassy in Wash. DC.

Tourist Visa

Purpose of Visit:-
This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes.

Documents Required:-
- Your actual Passport or Travel Document. (Passport or Travel Document must not expire within 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page).
- One visa application form completely filled out (download)
- Two passport-size photographs (2"x2") (photocopy or photo taken from Photostat will not be accepted). Photographs must have a light color background with a full- face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses. Photos must be taken within 6 months.
- A copy of round-trip ticket or itinerary
- A copy of recent bank statement or evidence of adequate finance
($500 per person and $1,000 per family)
- For non-US citizen, a copy of permanent resident alien card with employment verification or a copy of valid US visa with employment verification letter
- For self-employed, business license or business registration indicating the applicant’s name.

I was in the London Thai consulate today and they were asking people who wanted tourist visas where their return tickets were