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Can I use hotel bookings as proof of accommodation when entering Thailand on an exempt visa, and do I need an onward flight ticket?

Thailand VisaVisa on ArrivalExempt VisaAccommodation ProofImmigration RulesOnward TravelChiang MaiExpat Advice
Aug 2, 2019
5 years ago
Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone.

Im planning to land in chiang mai and get an exempt visa on arrival. Is it possible to book a couple of days or one-week stay at some hotel and once there look for an apartment and use that as proof when they will ask me once landed?

And my 2° question can i basically just say to them that i will travel by bike or train outside thailand and be accepted without the need to show them a flight ticket?

Thank you very much
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of using a hotel booking as proof of accommodation upon arrival in Chiang Mai with an exempt visa and whether they need to show a flight ticket for onward travel. The comments suggest that while travelers may not be asked for proof of accommodation or travel plans, having a hotel booking and proof of onward travel (even if it’s just a statement about cycling or taking a train) can help avoid complications, especially for first-time visitors. Immigration officers typically require proof of funds and accommodation, especially for those without a history of visa entries.
Barry ******
You should always have a general plan for what you will do for 30 days in Thailand just in case. And also a plan for leaving when your exemption is finished within that 30 days.

BUT You won’t be asked anything by immigration unless they suspect something. That’s where your plan comes in.

Your airline will most likely ask (particularly budget airlines) about your plans if you are on a one way ticket. Sometimes they won’t even ask for proof and just accept what you say (see the plan part)
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok thank you very much Barry
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
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Jason ***********
The airline will most likely not issue you a boarding pass without proof of an onward ticket out of Thailand.
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
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@Ellie ******
 ok thank you very much Ellie
5 years ago
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Ellie *******
@And***
, Better to ask your airline.

When you are flying into Thailand on visa exempt scheme, it’s more airline who would ask for the proof of onward travel.

Some accept a ticket by bus or ferry with destination in another country, some ask for flight ticket to any other country, but a few ask for “return ticket” if you don't have any visa. Or some airline ask you to sign some kind of agreement.
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
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@Jason **********
 ok thank you, so with a bus ticket for Myanmar I should be fine?
5 years ago
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Biff *******
If you're flying in with no visa the airline may want to see proof (not you saying "I'll cycle out of the country") that you will leave Thailand within 30 days of arrival before you check in for your flight.
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
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@Mark *****
 ok thanks
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Biff ******
 thank you very much
5 years ago
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Biff *******
As long as the destination on the ticket is in another country, not just to a border town in Thailand.
5 years ago
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Mark ******
@Andrea ******
 yes...anywhere leaving Thailand
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Biff ******
 ah ok thank you Biff so a bus ticket to Myanmar should be fine?
5 years ago
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Biff *******
The airline aren’t interested in the possibility of you getting an extension. They only care about their responsibility to fly you back at their expense if you’re refused entry travelling with no visa. They will want to see proof of travel out of Thailand within 30 days.
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Biff Jones or 60 days if i ask for an extencion right? So a bus ticket for another country its good
5 years ago
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Tod *********
If you don't have an extensive history of living here on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visa entries you aren't gonna be asked for anything when you stamp in.

The people who are questioned and asked for proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH), proof of onward travel (within the number of days you're to be stamped in for) or proof of lodging are usually people with histories of living in thailand on those entry stamps I mentioned
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok yeah sure. Thank you Tod
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Andrea ******
 nope, you should be totally fine, I doubt they'll ask anything of you at all. BUT just in case I'd have the first one (because if they're going to ask you for anything it'll be that) the proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent in CASH)
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tod Daniels no its my first time so i dont have to worry about that
5 years ago
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Robert *******
You can tell them anything you like, I guess your question is what can I answer if Immigration officers ask me for funds, you show 20.000 Thb or equivalent currency in cash, if asked for onward travel, you show a bus, boat, train, plane ticket to a destination outside Thailand and if you're asked for proof of accommodation you show you booked a hotel.
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 ok thank you
5 years ago
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Robert *******
i want is not proof of anything. If asked you show proof. Good luck
5 years ago
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Andrea *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 ok thank you. But if i want to cycle out? And if i booked only for some days because i want to find a room once there is it ok?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
IF you show up without having bought a visa from a thai consulate in your country before you wing your way here (and you're from one of the 51 countries that get them) you will get stamped in on what's called a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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