Hi everyone. I'm going to fly to Thailand from South Africa within the next week and will be arriving on visa exemption as I will be applying for my student visa in Thailand. I just want some clarity as to whether a return ticket is needed out of Thailand for the visa exemption, and whether the ticket should be back to SA specifically or just anywhere out of Thailand.
TLDR : Answer Summary
When traveling to Thailand on a visa exemption, it is generally required to have a ticket out of the country. This ticket does not need to be a return to South Africa, but should be to a destination outside of Thailand. Many airlines will check for this ticket before allowing boarding, and it is advised to have it ready. While some travelers report not being asked for a ticket by immigration upon arrival, having an onward ticket is still a requirement that can potentially lead to denial of entry.