Do I need a bus or flight ticket as proof of onward travel when entering Thailand on a British passport?

Question

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to fly from London, England to Thailand on a one-way ticket. I have a British passport and understand that I can enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme

.

My question is about the onward-ticket requirement. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay in Thailand, it could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, and I may decide to fly to another country later.

Has anyone recently entered Thailand with a bus/train ticket as proof of onward travel, for example a bus ticket from Thailand to Vietnam, Laos or any neighbouring countries rather than an onward flight ticket?

I’ve read the Thai Embassy information saying that onward travel can be by air, train, bus or boat, but I would really like to hear from someone who has actually done this recently and had no problems with the airline when checking in or with Thai immigration on arrival.

I’ll have accommodation booked and will have at least 25,000 baht with me. I just want to know whether it’s safe to book a bus ticket as my onward travel rather than committing to a flight, as I’m not sure yet where I’ll go after Thailand.

If anyone has done this recently with a British passport, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience.

Thanks in advance for all of you

Ask Thailand · Answer

The conversation discusses the requirement for proof of onward travel when entering Thailand with a British passport under the visa exemption scheme. The original poster is considering using a bus ticket to a neighboring country as proof but seeks confirmation from others' recent experiences. Responses vary, with some confirming that bus tickets are acceptable while others caution that airlines tend to check for onward travel and advise booking refundable tickets to mitigate risks.

Magnus ********************* · Answer

You need a onward ticket of some kind of transportation, really not matter what kind but you need it. Otherwise you could end up at check-in and be refused to enter.

You can waste money on a ticket you not use or you can book a refundable/changeable ticket for return or onward.

Paul ********* · Answer

The airline might refuse you check in if they don’t like your plan. I had to book. N extra flight once before I cab old get checked in. But then I started booking buses into Vietnam which seemed to be acceptable.

Ralph ******* · Answer

I travelled to Thailand earlier this year and had a train ticket as my onward travel(that I never used), with no problems.

If you haven’t got a history of long stays in Thailand then the immigration officer is unlikely to ask you for this proof.

Abey ****** · Answer

You sound like you are running away from the UK. Colindale has a large Asian population, you are not an illegal alien by any chance.

Markus ********* · Answer

why don't you simply  book a refundable flight back?

Colin ******* · Answer

It is best to be safe now, Immigration is getting much stricter, you may be barred from getting on the plane, as it is a requirement of travel, unless you have a [mention redacted].

Sylvia ******** · Answer

or buy a good air ticket, then cancel and get refund when you arrive

Lynnette ******* · Answer

Airline are the ones more likely to check, so you could ask them  to confirm they are happy with that as proof.

Paul ********** · Answer

This is asked multiple times a week, answers is 50/50, some say you need onward travel, others say you don't. I have personally entered many times on a 1 way ticket, I dont even remember being asked why. But I was genuinely in Thailand waiting for work to start, so I didn't have a set departure date. I was never refused to fly or enter Thailand

Todd ********* · Answer

Bus ticket is fine. The requirement is ‘proof of onward travel’.

Do I need a bus or flight ticket as proof of onward travel when entering Thailand on a British passport?

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