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Do I need an onward flight to enter Thailand from Laos via Bangkok DMK?

Visa Exemption Thailand Entry Onward Travel Requirement Aviation Policies Tourist Visa Laos to Thailand Travel Exempt Entry Visa Don Mueang Airport Immigration

Nov 22, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am looking to fly from Vientiane to Bangkok (DMK) to get a 30 day exempt entry in Thailand (I don't really fancy obtaining a Thai visa in Vientiane unless I have to and have used my two 30 day land entries already this year). Does anyone have experience of doing this? Specifically, am I likely to need an onward flight out of Thailand in order to be allowed to board my flight to Bangkok (DMK)? Thoughts appreciated!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking advice on traveling from Vientiane to Bangkok (DMK) to utilize a 30-day exempt entry into Thailand without obtaining a visa in Laos, mentioning they have already used two land entries this year. Commenters discuss the risk of needing to show proof of onward travel, with some sharing personal experiences regarding the boarding process and immigration scrutiny at Don Mueang Airport. Suggestions include obtaining a tourist visa in Vientiane to mitigate risks associated with entry requirements.

Toby *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for your replies everyone!

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Ron *******

I'm sure I've seen Laos Air reports and not allowing boarding with no flight out of Thailand. I'm also sure I've seen reports they don't allow boarding with an overstay stamp in a passport either.

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Amornrat **********

it is for flying from Bangkok to Laos.

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Ron *******

Ok. I'm not sure where I got the refusal from then. I'm pretty certain there is somewhere in the region that won't issue them. Maybe it's Manila?

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Tod *********

, I think you're right about Lao Air.

I know you can buy the visa on arrival and stamp into Lao by land just fine with an overstay stamp in your passport. It doesn't cause any issues

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Ron *******

I have this in the back of mind that you cannot use Lao Air either way with an overstay stamp in your passport. Not many people report about using Laos Air.

Visa wise, don't Laos refuse visas with a red stamp in a passport? Maybe I have that wrong?

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Tod *********

, I remember reading about it too, I just didn't know if it was flying to Lao or from Lao :/

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Ron *******

Tod, I'm not entirely sure. I just know this has come up before on the Thai visa forum. The red overstay stamp and the need for a flight out of Thailand.

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Tod *********

they don't allow you to board an airline in thailand going to lao with an overstay stamp in your passport?

OR they don't allow you to board an airline in lao to come to thailand?

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Tod *********

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Ian ***************

If you have any intention of staying another 30++ days and already have a bunch of Thai ink in your passport, get a tourist visa at Vientiane while you have the chance. Takes away the risk. My 2¢ ;-)

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Tod *********

That totally depends on your visa history in your passport. Don Mueang immigration officers can be cranky and ask for proof of 20K baht in cash, proof of a hotel booking and proof of onward travel in 30 days <- if you're comin' in on a 30 day visa exempt entry.

I'd say you will have a way easier time getting a single entry tourist visa crossing by land at the Nong Khai border and then flying back to Bangkok from Udon Thani (because it's a domestic flight and you don't go thru passport control)..

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Jeremy ********

it might be a case by case basis...but that is the 3rd times I have had to show a ticket out of Thailand before the boarding pass was issued...i just thought it was standard protocol by the different airlines...

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Tod *********

@Jeremy *******

wow, okay I will edit my comment :/

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Jeremy ********

When i just came back from Singapore the gate agent for Lion Air made me show him a plane ticket out of Thailand before he would issue my boarding pass to me....

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Tod *********

, To me that'd be the safest way, because they never ask for proof of anything entering by land at Nong Khai and you're not gonna get grilled flyin' into Don Mueang either ..

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Toby *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yeah maybe I will go for the single entry tourist visa after all then, thanks Tod, much appreciated!

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Toby *********

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