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

Do I need a return ticket to enter Thailand if staying for 2-3 months without one?

Dec 15, 2025

11 hours ago

We arrive the 2nd week of January, but don't have a ticket leaving Thailand yet, we nto stay 2-3 months.  Will it be a problem uppon arrival not having a return ticket?

3,083

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

Travelers arriving in Thailand often wonder if they need a return ticket when staying for an extended period. While it's not a strict immigration requirement, many airlines will check for proof of onward travel before boarding, and lacking a return ticket could lead to being denied boarding. Some travelers recommend purchasing a cheap 'throwaway' ticket to satisfy airline policies, as immigration may request proof of onward travel upon arrival, although this is less common. It's essential to prepare documentation accordingly, especially when filling out the Digital Arrival Card (DTAC), to ensure a smooth entry into Thailand.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

View the most updated information about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) to understand the latest requirements and eligibility criteria.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.in.th)

Buintje ******

Folow the rules

6 hours ago

Ebbie *******

If you don’t have a return ticket, the airline will not even let you board the flight. Everyone that is saying “no”is stupid.

6 hours ago

John *******

buy a €10 train ticket to cambodia Or nearest country to where your staying in thailand. when filling out DTAC you will need to put down something .I booked a flite tto malasia waste of €75 i didnt use it non refund. got my 30 day extension here leaving in 2 weeks

6 hours ago

Martyn *******

Airlines almost certainly will ask because they will have some responsibility if immigration turn you around. I can in last week and immigration specifically asked me for proof of a return flight out

7 hours ago

Kirstie *********

I always have a very valid reason for not having a return ticket. Needs must you could try flight generator app to show (but not book) an actual itinerary 👍

8 hours ago

Kirstie *********

Depends on how many days you've already stayed in one year, proof of funds apparently now for some, and entry clearance vibes on the day. 60 day TDAC needs applying for 3 days prior to entry. Extend at immigration office for 30 days for 1900 baht

8 hours ago

Alan **********

So, where ARE you going to go when your Thai permission to stay expires ?

8 hours ago

Primož *******

It can be a problem with your airline at boarding and can be a problem at immigration, besides you need to enter the retutlrn flight number, when you file for TDAC landing card. It is official requirement and I don't understand anybody asking such questions and risking to be refused and sent back home in the time, when it happens to hundreds of people.

8 hours ago

Martyn *******

@Primož ******

you actually don't have to put in a return flight on the tdac

7 hours ago

Reply to

Martyn *******

Arild *********

Busticket nong khai to Laos is enough. Be prepared before go airport get expensive when you have 15 min atvairport to show your onward ticket

9 hours ago

Charmae *******

Where are U from do U have a 60 day exempt ?

9 hours ago

Jonah *****

In all my years of international travel ( I am now 72 years old) I was asked once at Heathrow in 2003 and 3 times in the last 12 months,in Asia.

Yes, I now rent a ticket on bestonwardfly.com

10 hours ago

Robert ******

The Digital Arrival Card (DTAC) requires departure information. Date of departure mode of departure, flight number etc. Should imagine it’s a requirement.

10 hours ago

Lynnette *******

@Robert *****

TDAC. Departure part is optional.

9 hours ago

Brandon ************

@Robert *****

the TDAC doesn't require departure information. It's optional. And the immigration officer can't see what you put on your TDAC anyway, they can only see if you did one or not.

9 hours ago

Robert ******

@Brandon ***********

I stand corrected 😀

9 hours ago

Reply to

Robert ******

Andrew ********

Just buy a ticket for Hanoi Vietnam 60 days out from arrival its cheap - if they ask they dont always ask and it will be the airline who asks before you board to thailand if they do

10 hours ago

Anthony **********

Try

***************************

$16 for a ticket you’ll probably not need and definitely will not use.

10 hours ago

Henry **********

Just buy a ticket krabi kl for 25 usd

10 hours ago

Mike **********

I’ve been living in Thailand on non Imm O for more than 10yrs and this past August I was checking in to board my return flight to Thailand. The airline was refusing to give me a boarding pass because they saw it as a one way ticket to Thailand without a return ticket. I had to escalate my argument further up the chain with a manager that I am on a visa and I have reentry stamp in my passport, not a tourist. The manager after making a phone call approved my boarding. My Thai wife was almost in tears that she may have to return alone. So yes, book an onward flight within your 30 day or 60 day, whatever the visa exemption period is.

10 hours ago

Johan ***************

@Mike *********

The airlines (for example SAS) can be pretty stupid about this. A thai friend discovered this at the airport and had to buy an unneeded ticket to Malaysia.

10 hours ago

Mike **********

@Johan **************

the airline want to make sure they cover their ass. The agent told me she would be fined personally. I tried to tell her that rule applies to tourist and to look at the reentry stamp, I’m already approved for reentry. Still she wouldn’t budge, her manager was even skeptical and had to make a phone call. AA in New Orleans, always such a “friendly” airport. My wife has mentioned several times, all American airport staff are always so angry. 🤣

10 hours ago

Alan **********

@Mike *********

Firstly, your situation is not the same. Secondly, you do realize that if the airline originally let you board without a return ticket and you are denied entry into Thailand that airline has to fly you back to where you started, yes ?

8 hours ago

Mike **********

@Alan *********

just proving the airlines may ask may ask for proof of intended departure

8 hours ago

Reply to

Mike **********

Patrick **********

Do you need an flight out of Bangkok if you have a non o visa ?

11 hours ago

Brandon ************

@Patrick *********

9 hours ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

RubyCel*******

Yes

11 hours ago

Jay **********

Just book a bus ticket out if the country... it still counts as onward travel documents and is cheap

11 hours ago

Michael *******

Go online and get a chuck away ticket for $10…….

11 hours ago

Deslea ********

I can’t comment on whether you need it in your scenario, but when we have needed them we just get a cheap throwaway ticket to Singapore or KL.

11 hours ago

Arvid ***********

Sometimes the airline ask when check-in or boarding.

11 hours ago

Robert *********

It can be a problem before boarding ,I just buy a throw away ticket ,get.one before the end if your first visa period.

Being denied boarding can be way nice expensive than a 100 dollar ticket

11 hours ago

Brandon ************

Will it be a problem? Probably not. It's more likely for your airline to ask for proof of your ticket out of Thailand than it is for immigration to ask. If your airline asks, they will not let you board your flight without it.

Because it's one of the 3 legally required items to enter Thailand as a tourist, if passport control does ask to see it and you cannot show it, they can potentially deny you entry. It's not something they ask for often, but it's not impossible.

11 hours ago

Markus **************

@Brandon ***********

depend, I travelled from Germany 5 months ago with return ticket but cancelled it in Thailand than.

After 89 days I flew to Vietnam for 4 days and back to Thailand. At DMK airport they asked for nothing, just my passport.

I'm still in Thailand.

Just book a flight reservation only and hope all is good.

But the rules can change every time at the moment. It's your own risk.

7 hours ago

Chris ************

@Brandon ***********

yep but like the other they don't ask. Can list half a dozen airlines I flew into bangkok on in the last few years.

But there is always a first.

10 hours ago

Ralph *******

@Chris ***********

I’ve been asked on 5 of my last 6 flights. Different airports, different airlines.

7 hours ago

Reply to

Ralph *******

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else