This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Do I need a return or ongoing flight when I enter Thailand on a tourist visa?

Apr 30, 2025
21 days ago
David *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do I need a return or ongoing flight when I enter thailand on a tourist visa?
6,337
views
8
likes
168
all likes
95
replies
0
images
44
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
When entering Thailand on a tourist visa, it is technically required to have proof of onward travel, such as a return flight ticket. While many travelers report that they have not been asked for this ticket by immigration, the requirement can depend on the airline’s policy. Some airlines may enforce this rule strictly, while others do not. Therefore, it is advisable to have an onward or return flight ticket, as failure to present one can lead to being denied boarding or entry into Thailand.
David *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I thank you all for your comments. They did clear it up, I'm going to get one just in case. There are no dumb questions... just dumb people.
Robert *********
It is a requirement .the FB stars go on and on ,but it remains a law and people are denied regularly

Your gambling by not having one .simply not worth it for a few dollars to me .

All those that pratel on about coming 27 times etc .

You can speed on a road many times,eventually you get caught .
Michael ********
I went with Emirates and booked a one way ticket.Got to the airport in Birmingham and I was told I had to buy a return.
Betty *********
It is your airline that will probably ask for a return ticket. Immigration very rarely ask for one.
Steve ********
This dumb questions seems to be asked daily. If you are traveling to foreign country you are expected to know the rules and abide by them. A departure ticket IS required. I Persia montage been asked by the airline to provide such ticket. If you’ll break the rules before even arriving, I imagine you’ll gladly break them when you’re there. Travel at your own risk!
Brenda *******
I have never needed one from Thailand coming or going, but in Singapore two years ago, I was forced to buy a return ticket to Singapore.  The attendant at the airport claimed that was a rule.

I chose a cheap SCOOT ticket and after landing in Thailand canceled that return ticket.

No problem.
Arnold **********
It’s totally up to the airlines
Arnold **********
Three times I have been asked and had to book a flight before I could travel
Arnold **********
Many airlines make you have before you board
Damo ***********
You glad you asked that question?

Are you clearer now? 🤣🤣🤣
Will ******
Either. Check in may want to see this
Nika ******
The new form starting May 1 will ask you for departure flight info (date and flight #) so, probably best to have some sort of exit tic
Larry *****
I have been asked by the airline to see it at check in
Trevor **********
No
Bobby *********
No
Frankie *******
Yes u do always.for any flight they will randomly ask u sometimes.i lost money few returns flights cos I could not get the exact date I wanted
Thaimer ******
If you already have visa no one will ask you anything with one way ticket
Sean **********
Philippine Airlines is the only carriers that required. But they where being overly stupid since I was returning on a multi entry one year extension. Had to argue with the supervisor regarding the fact that I live in Thailand
Graham ******
@Sean *********
Philippine Airlines is definitely not the only carrier that requires it
Sean **********
@Graham *****
provably, but it is the only one of 6 carriers I have travelled to Thailand on.

Just one example of one who did.
Peter ***************
They are getting strict now. Suggest you get an onward/return ticket. I was asked for it last entry in March.
Allan *******
I just got a single ticket from London to Bangkok with no issues.
Allan *******
Can anyone recommend a good health insurance ( minimum) for my application for retirement visa from UK? Iam age 67.Much appreciated.
Graham ******
@Allan ******
Non-O Visa does not have an insurance requirement at RTW London, for a Non-OA there are usually recommendations for acceptable insurers on the Embassy website
Allan *******
@Graham *****
Many thanks letting me know.Moving to Thailand has been a big decision for me to make and it helps alot to keep costs down.
Pierre ********
One time I have been asked for it and the officer was blaming me for not having one. It was in BKK airport.
Arnold **********
Yes
Patrick ********
Never been asked here in pattaya now just done a border run..
Phil ******
@Da***
ir is a requirement to show your onward fligh5 for the tourist visa when you applied online. However if you are entering Thailand without a visa for 60-days you may need to show your airline to board your flight as they might bar you.
Andy ********
@Phil *****
sorry I must point out I flew in from dubai
Phil ******
@Andy *******
mate airlines have started asking. You had one that didn't ask
Leo *******
@Phil *****
depends on country on origin. From uk I’ve never been asked for onward flight when applying for visa. Unless it’s changed in the last month.
William ********
Immigration asked me but not the airline, better be safe than sorry
Andy ********
I did a five day trip from Thailand to Vietnam to do as we say the visa run. However when I flew back in on once again a one way ticket. this time I was held by imigration. I have a girlfriend who lives here. It was them speaking to her that they allowed me in. If it wasn't for her being at the airport to confirm they were going to send me back to Vietnam
Nika ******
@Andy *******
how long did you stay in Thailand before that visa run to Vietnam?
Andy ********
@Nika *****
just two months nika. Didn't realise I was going to meet this lady. We had chatted a while on Facebook.
Nika ******
@Andy *******
crap, and they already questioned you?

I was under the impression that 2 exemptions with visa run in between are cool. It is getting stricter these days
Andy ********
@Nika *****
well I'm looking at options now. Still trying to decide if I plan to stay or not. Lost my wife to cancer two and a half years ago. Kind of turned my life upside down. We had a good life in the uk. But we will see.
Nika ******
@Andy *******
how about retirement visa? (Assuming, you are over 50)

Thailand beats UK if you ask me haha

Best of luck 🤞
Andy ********
@Nika *****
on that we both can agree on.
Richard ***********
@Andy *******
same happened to me this year, without gf I don’t think I would have got back in
Richard ***********
@Andy *******
immigration told me to get retirement visa next time or stay out for 6 months

I had 60+30, went Bali for 3 weeks, got stopped, let in and did 60+30 again

Change of plans next year
Andy ********
@Richard **********
yes mate not a nice feeling being held by imigration. I travel a lot. First time that's happened. I tend to just fly into a country then decide next place. But after meeting my new lady decided to see if there's a shot with her. Fingers crossed.
Joe ******
It very clearly states on the Embassies website.

If you enter Thailand on a visa exempt, you need an onward ticket, sufficient funds equivalent to 20'000THB and hotel reservation.

So what's not clear about these requirements?
Jo **********
@Joe *****
sure could you imagine if there was a major announcement in the media that all people entering Thailand need to carry 20,000 baht. think about the backlash and absurdity. I have entered at least 100 times never been asked.
Jo **********
it’s not all the same. the rule is of a very different context
Joe ******
@Jo *********
So if anyone asks if they need a driving licence to drive in Europe, and I tell them it's not really needed as I've been driving for 40 years and never been checked. How ridiculous would that be. Just imagine the backlash and absurdity to make random checks on our European roads. Dooohhh. 🤡
Steve ********
@Jo *********
so because you’ve never been asked, it’s ok to not follow the countries rules? Ok!
Jo **********
@Steve *******
No one is carrying that amount of cash. The rule is from the Jurassic era more or less, and immigrations officers know that bank accounts have since become common. It’s only required if appearance is like a bum or you come from a poor country.
Dennis *********
@Joe *****
well you understand if you read something in a facebook posting that overrides any official information located on silly official websites such as a country’s embassy website. It is much better to seek information in social media sites like fb.
Hua ************
@Dennis ********
it's not as half the idiots on fb don't know and just make shit up, plus the new dtac system asks for onward flight and if you leave it blank first thing immigration will ask is why you not have and probably deny you entry. this is to stop all these tourists trying to live here without getting correct visa so it's a good thing in my eyes
Graham ******
@Hua ***********
the departure flight field is optional and, any way, you could just make up a date for the DTAC as it is not binding
Joe ******
@Dennis ********
Spot on 😜
Legin *******
Officially yes ... many people not get asked ... but if you do n you don't have ...

Then you have problems
Bent *************
Ask your airline! They may want to see a ticket out of Thailand. A cheap bus or train ticket will do.
Anne *******
If they ask you and you have no return flight, they will send you home. Better buy a cheap flight to Singapore or Malaysia to be on the safe side. Probably busticket also works but I am not sure about that.
Simon *******
Do you mean a tourist visa that you apply for or a visa exemption that you get when you arrive at the airport .
Graham ******
@Simon ******
It doesn't matter as both are Tourist entry stamps and proof of onward travel is a requirement
Simon *******
@Graham *****
but you can get a 6 month 60 day TV so it does.you don't need the extensions until the end of your 6 months
Graham ******
@Simon ******
On a 6 month METV you still only get a 60 day entry stamp per entry
Ralph *******
Technically your supposed to have an onward ticket but immigration rarely ask.

However, the airlines often want to see it, otherwise you can’t board.
John **********
Officially you need an onwards ticket. Immigration rarely ask unless you have a history but your airline may insist on it
Jeremy ********
It’s up to the airline…the airline is on the hook to get you to your home of record (HOR) so some will allow but some won’t allow you to board…
Heath ********
Depends on the airline. Sometimes they ask me, sometimes they haven't.
Pat ******
Done 20+ flights … they never asked..
Chuck **********
@Pat *****
delta asked me!
Pat ******
@Chuck *********
of course there are situations when they ask - but it almost never happens…as they said here at comments - buy a 300 bus ticket to cambodia or somewhere… and problem solved ..
Phil ******
@Harry *******
apparently its changing
Graham ******
@Phil *****
The Tourism entry requirement to have proof of onward travel is not changing. If you've seen that it is then please post a link.
Phil ******
@Graham *****
its the airline requirement that they are now asking for onward travel. They have tightened up
Phil ******
@Graham *****
talking about VISA EXEMPT ENTRY is changing as more airlines are asking people with no long term visa to provide onward travel. In the old days they didn't bother.
Pat ******
@Phil *****
easy to buy some random flight to Kuala Lumpur or other place for 1200 baht … and no problem
Phil ******
@Pat *****
12 usd online. Or go for bus trip for ฿350. Easy
Stuart *********
@Pat *****
Sadly that’s sort of similar to saying you’ve hired a motorcycle 20 times and never had a crash.
Jamie *********
@Stuart ********
I’ve been 23 times and only got asked on my last visit in April
Dave *******
@Stuart ********
entered 9th April, immigration officer checked my outbound ticket, showed her and she stamped me in until June.
Pat ******
it actually is shows that last 3 years , after 20 flights, they never asked return ticket .. so in my opinion and experience.. its a quite small chance.. that they will ask it from him ..
Graham ******
@Pat *****
but the chance is there as it is a written requirement
Stuart *********
Usually not but that will be up to your airline policy.

A tourist visa allows you 60 days on entry. It’s possible to extend that once by 30 days (for most countries) but your airline may not take that in to account as extensions are not “guaranteed”.
Robert **********
@Stuart ********
don't you mean 'exempt'? B3cause that is not a visa.
Stuart *********
@Robert *********
The OP said they had a tourist visa. Of course they could be mistaken but either way that could be denied boarding if they don’t have an onward ticket.
Wayne ******
@Stuart ********
onwardticket.com
Eryk ************
@Wayne *****
No matter what people say, and no matter what websites like this one say, this is an illegal action and people should avoid it. Creating reservations without purchasing a real ticket may be seen as an attempt to bypass immigration rules. Having a real reservation doesn't change the fact that the traveller intentionally wants to exploit the system. This isn't actually difficult to check. It's much better to just buy a cheap bus ticket or something similar.
Brandon ************
@Eryk ***********
having a flight booking in your name and showing that booking is not illegal
Eryk ************
@Brandon ***********
I didn't say that having a flight booking is illegal. I said the action is illegal.
Brandon ************
@Eryk ***********
But it's not. You are getting a flight booking in your name. Legal. You are showing that booking. Legal.

Illegal is entering with the intention of overstaying
Harry ********
Been there many times on a one way ticket
Chuck **********
@Harry *******
not no more!
Harry ********
No
Chuck **********
@Harry *******
You do need a return!!!
Steve ********
@Harry *******
you are incorrect sir. Anyone that tries to enter Thailand without a departure ticket takes the risk of being denied boarding by the arriving airline or denied entry by immigration. Do they always check? No, but if they do, you’re screwed. Up to the traveler if they want to risk it.
Harry ********
@Steve *******
sorry, but I've been to Thailand more than 30 times and I have travelled there many times on a one way ticket

I have a friend there now on a one way ticket
Steve ********
@Harry *******
THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THE RULES!!
Harry ********
@Steve *******
Never heard of any such rule nor have anybody else that I know that travels to Thailand regularly
Steve ********
@Harry *******
omfg!! It was literally a requirement for my TV when I first got here and still is. I even had to send it along with my other paperwork. Before I got my retirement visa, I was asked twice by the airline for the proof. I’m sorry dude, but you’re clueless!
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else