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Do I need a return ticket for visa exemption when flying to Thailand?

Visa ExemptionStudent VisaReturn Ticket RequirementTravel from South AfricaImmigration RulesThailand Visa Regulations
Oct 20, 2023
a year ago
Logan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
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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.
Wally *****************************
Leaving from RSA 3 days ago we had to have return tickets within 30 days.
a year ago
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Alistair ********
Bring your own zol with you bru it's cheaper in SA. 🌻😂
a year ago
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Lzt **************
You won't be allowed through the gate at O.R.Thambo without a return ticket. Been there, done that, lost the money and missed the plane 😔
a year ago
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Kambiz ************
Usually they don't ask, but they might.
a year ago
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Aubrey *********
2nd time to Phuket, Thailand and no one asked me for a return ticket or an onwards ticket. Not an airline or immigration.
a year ago
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Michael ********
@Aubrey ********
 i fly a lot and before covid would get asked by airline maybe 5 % of the time. Since covid i would say about 50 % of the time never been asked by immigration in 30 plus years.
a year ago
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Michael ********
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Sam ******
Yes you need a return ticket and be wary of the $10 onward tickets, they have wised up to that little "loophole".
a year ago
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Stuart *********
@Sam *****
 You don’t need a return ticket. A ticket out of Thailand anywhere will suffice.

Onward tickets are real tickets with real PNRs. Any airline staff looking up the PNR will see a real booked ticket.
a year ago
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Sam ******
@Stuart ********
 whatever you say. Lived in Asia for years and have witnessed the crackdown on saffas.
a year ago
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Sam ******
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Brandon ************
@Sam *****
 there's no "wising up" to having an actual ticket that is canceled later on.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Alistair **********
It's a ticket departing Thailand within allowed time period, so to Cambodia for instance is fine. You can get cheap onward tickets online for around $10 or just book a cheap ticket to Cambodia for $40.

It's normally airline staff that ask, very rarely immigration ask but it is a requirement and can be used to deny entry.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
You're not likely to be asked by the passport control officers in Thailand (though they can ask), you're most likely to be asked by your airline. Many airlines will not let you checkin for your flight unless you can show them a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of your arrival. The ticket does not have to be back to your country, just to a country outside of Thailand.
a year ago
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Jon **********
It’s very likely you will be asked even when you check in at South Africa by the airline.
a year ago
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Logan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon *********
 for a ticket back to SA or just out of Thailand?
a year ago
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Jon **********
@Logan ************
 out of Thailand anywhere. Google throw away ticket a lot of people have used them. If you are arriving on 30 day visa the flight has to be within that time period. Airlines / immigrations don’t entertain people’s plans about getting long stay visas they just follow back and white. Extremely unlikely you will be asked for anything when you arrive in Thailand if you haven’t got history of visits.
a year ago
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Jon **********
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