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Do I need an onward ticket when traveling to Thailand on a one-way ticket?

onward travelThailand visaone-way ticketairline requirementsThai immigrationvisa type60-day tourist visa
Oct 10, 2024
a month ago
Jason ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m travelling to Thailand next month with my Thai wife and son . We are staying 6 months and I know all the visa side of it. Now the question is - I’m travelling On a one way ticket and have done many times before but I’m also hearing that the airline can refuse you as you don’t have a ticket to return or onwards to anywhere else.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When traveling to Thailand on a one-way ticket, it's important to be aware that while Thai immigration might not often check for an onward ticket, airlines typically require proof of onward travel, particularly if you hold a short-term tourist visa. It can be advantageous to have a ticket indicating your intention to leave Thailand within the allowed stay, generally 60 days for tourists. Travelers often recommend purchasing a 'dummy' ticket or an onward travel ticket from online services, which provides documentation without the need for actual travel. Ultimately, the strictness of these requirements may vary depending on the airline, the specific circumstances of the traveler, and the visa type held.
Slim ***
Yes
a month ago
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Rudi *********
You need anothrt ticket to go out of th
a month ago
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Paul ***************
Onwardticket.com
a month ago
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Yvonne ******
Yes we made the same mistake and got a fine, bedt to check with the thai embassey, as things change all the time.
a month ago
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Inge ***********
Check onwardticket.com
a month ago
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Terry ******
I'm from Australia sh t hit the fan after Emergency surgery in Thailand got knocked back on Travel Insurance as l had no return date or ticket So be careful. Different subject l know.
a month ago
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Byung ****
Simple solution is contact Thai embassy in your country and you will get the accurate information.
a month ago
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Byung ****
What I was trying to say was relating to the laws and regulations regarding the Thai visa .
a month ago
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Erik ***********
@Byung ***
 wrong. It´s the airline which is the problem. On my last flight here from Europe with Thai, everyone who did not have a visa had to show onward tickets. Has nothing to do with the embassy.
a month ago
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Erik ***********
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Ryan ****
ever heard of photoshop? 😌
a month ago
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Ruth *******
Brandon’s is the most thorough advice. The real question is your visa. You said you’re coming for 6 months. If you’re coming on a proper visa (long-term, not tourist), you should not need an onward ticket and much of the chatter here is irrelevant :-). I hope you have a great trip!
a month ago
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Keith *******
Correct unless you have a retirement visa.
a month ago
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Christopher *******
Cheap bus tix to Cambodia, even if you do not use.
a month ago
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Kaitlyn *********
There are sites you can buy “ return tickets” that show up on the airline as a real ticket but there not. We’ve used them before and they work great. Highly recommend doing this to be safe it’s like $16
a month ago
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Brandon ************
They are real tickets. They are either unpaid reservations that self-cancel if payment is not received or they are fully refundable tickets that the agency refunds after a few days.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
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Robert ********
As others have mentioned, get a Pseudoticket for 10 bucks to be sure.
a month ago
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John *********
What you're hearing is correct.
a month ago
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Dennis *********
This group seems to get same/similar posts several times a day. If someone's traveling
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way around the world, and then wants to hope they get lucky vs spending a few $$ for an onward ticket, is just beyond me. As for bus tickets, I've never tried, but have read the reason IO's won't accept that, as they go to the boarder, and do not go into another country, so the ticket isn't proof of onward travel outside of Thailand, just proof you're going to a Thai boarder town.
a month ago
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Max ********
@Dennis ********
 I have travelled to Thailand many times and have never been asked to show a return flight even though I have always had one, what I have read here worries me though I have done this twice now, come to Thailand on a two month visa and then extended it another 30 days, my return flight was at the end of the 90 days but I here people say your return flight must be just for the 60 days so if I was asked by the air line when boarding I would be refused because I had a 90 day return, is that right?
a month ago
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Dennis *********
could be Thai airlines, I use Delta, no idea. IO is standard abbreviation for Immigration Office. ETA something new that coming soon enough.
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a month ago
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Dennis *********
@Max *******
 what you're missing is that many airlines/gate agents do ask and I get interrogated almost every time before I get my boarding pass, no onward tickets no boarding pass, not flying. Also IO can ask, just because you've been lucky doesn't mean much and when the new ETA comes out that's done automatically
a month ago
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Max ********
@Dennis ********
 thanks for the heads up, has it got any thing to do with me using Thai airways for all my travels? Who is IO and what is the ETA, always thought ETA stood for expected time of arrival.
a month ago
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Max ********
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Ryan *******
Tell them your a tourist and meeting other tourist and not sure what the itinerary is yet cause your not the leader of the group.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Ryan ******
 that's not going to get you on your plane if they ask for your exit ticket
a month ago
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Chris *********************
@Brandon ***********
 some ppl don't or cannot take it in that the airline can deny you boarding if you don't have a return flight with out a visa
a month ago
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Ryan *******
@Brandon ***********
 already did sir.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Ryan ******
 your story vs dozens of others who have reported having to purchase a plane ticket while standing at the counter or miss their flight
a month ago
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Brandon ************
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Henrik *****
Nothing strange, you are being allowed to stay 60 days, and you need to show the you intent to leave again within the 60 days you have been granted.
a month ago
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Jason ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone
a month ago
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Brian *********
@Jason *******
 my son used the onward ticket site for about £15. Catch up with you next month.
a month ago
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Jason ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian ********
 I’ll get there earlier than usual and if they need one I’ll purchase one . See u soon chap
a month ago
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Jason ********
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Samuel ********
Problem solved in five seconds: buy a plane ticket to Singapore and cancel it on arrival.
a month ago
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Ruth *******
@Samuel *******
 refundable tickets are not easy to come by.
a month ago
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Ruth *******
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Dave ********
You'll have to bail out make a tourist visa after 90 days anyway . Why not just settle on a place to go do that and book ticket for it now ...🤔.
a month ago
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Simon *******
This depends on what visa you have ,if youvare arriving on a 60 day exemption then yes it's correct if you have a retirement visa one way is ok
a month ago
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Dan *********
My son just flew to Thailand from the UK last weekend on a one-way ticket - he was asked at check-in what his plans were and he just replied that he was going to fly on to Singapore before his 60 days were up. We had an 'onward' ticket already printed off just in case we needed to show anything as proof, but they just said "OK" and off he went. No questions when he arrived in Thailand - just the verbal check from the airline's check-in agent. As others have said, it can be a bit of pot luck as to whether or not you get asked and if you have to produce anything. A $16 'onward ticket' will be sufficient if you do
a month ago
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Ruth *******
@Dan ********
 how far in advance can you get the onward ticket? I know it’s only valid 24 hours, so I’m unclear how that works. I’m thinking of using it for a trip to Vietnam, but I’m a bit nervous about it.
a month ago
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Dan *********
@Ruth ******
 i'm not sure exactly how far in advance you can book, but you can definitely do it as I was offered that option when doing it for my son. I did it the day before he travelled, knowing that the reference number that you get is good for at least 48hrs (in case the agent were to actually check online vs take your word for it), so I didn't need to book it in advance. It's literally a 2 min job to book and you receive a confirmation email with a PDF booking immediately. There's nothing to worry about - very straightforward and easy to do.
a month ago
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Dan *********
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Dave ********
@Dan ********
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a month ago
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Dave ********
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Dave ********
Get a dummy ticket $10 max ... What visa you arriving with...?
a month ago
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Jason ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
 60 day entry visa 👍
a month ago
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Jason ********
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Don *********
I bought a $50 ticket to Malaysia just in case when flying on a one way ticket on Korea Air. They asked to see it in Seattle on departure and again in Seoul.
a month ago
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Chris *********************
@Don ********
 that's what I keep saying better safe than sorry, but if you got a disposable flight though onward ticket 10 dollars
a month ago
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Ruth *******
@Chris ********************
 I can’t speak for Don, but I feel better when spending thousands on a trip to just spend the few extra $$$ for a real ticket. I did the same with a $35 ticket to Siem Reap.
a month ago
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Ruth *******
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Jeff ********
not sure what sounds 'strange' about having a return ticket. It's common sense to have an onward ticket. You don't live there so get scootin'.
a month ago
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Dave ********
@Jeff *******
 it's a bit silly imo ... You might be a free rover planning to visit multiple destinations but don't have a set itinerary...
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@David ******
 I don't think it's unreasonable to expect someone to have a plan to leave a country only 60 days out when that's as long as their permission to stay will be valid
a month ago
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Daniel *****
@Brandon ***********
 a plan yes, a firm date and ticket no.
a month ago
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Dave ********
@Brandon ***********
 you might only want to stay 10, 15 , 20 days etc ... You might have loose plans to meet up with people that ain't set in stone. Spontaneous natured souls don't like set timetables ... Anyway Thurko , out of interest do you know many people in my position who have used the Thai visa centre VIP 8000 bht meet in airport successfully ...

I worry about paying flying and nobody being there . Still outcast in KL here but hope to return In a week or so to salvage my belongings before departing to slavery ... Cheers 🍻👍
a month ago
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Ruth *******
@David ******
 I’m a nomad and do travel that way. HOWEVER, that’s not the problem of the country I’m visiting. 🤣🤣. Every country on earth has immigration laws to prevent people from coming in on tourist visas and just staying. Honestly, Thailand has some of the most generous I’ve seen. Meanwhile, they have significant issues with people living in Thailand on tourist or other bogus visas (based upon what you’re saying about not being able to get back, can I guess?). It’s perfectly reasonable for them to want to see an exit plan. The only part silly is that that’s the only requirement when people can buy a $15 onward ticket to get around it.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@David ******
 know personally? No. But I've talked to the owner of the agency while he's been helping people with that service and know it works. They will check everything after you submit your request and if they cannot get you through the airport they will tell you.

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a month ago
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Jeff ********
@Brandon ***********
 exactly
a month ago
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Jeff ********
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Bart **************
The law is a little vague on this. It'll probably come down to the person checking you in how strict they'll be. As has been said, immigrations rarely checks.

Myself, I was even advised by the person checking me in once to get a cheap bus ticket. It really can get accepted.
a month ago
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Steven *******
All airlines are supposed to deny boarding if you don’t have an onward ticket. In reality, some agents do and some agents don’t. Personally, I’ve been asked and not been asked. I’ve also heard that some agents don’t accept an onward bus or train ticket. That doesn’t make sense, but it’s possible. Most people “rent” an onward ticket from onwardticket.com or one of their competitors. It’s a real ticket that is automatically cancelled the next day or two. $15US or so.
a month ago
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Vinay ********
@Steven ******
 I've used onward travel and it helps but I have never been asked at immigration. I always use EVA Airlines as their luggage allowance is good and direct flights. I suggest get onward travel ready in case the airline asks. But don't pay until its necessary
a month ago
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Steven *******
@Vinay *******
 It’s extremely rare to get asked at Immigration. It’s supposed to be dealt with at check-in.
a month ago
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Winston ********
@Steven ******
 the last time I flew into Thailand was in June this year. It was my first time travelling without an onward booking. At check in at Canada I was asked where I plan to go after Thailand and I said Philippines. No further questions, got my boarding pass ad moved on. Crossed one hurdle I thought. At Thailand immigration I was asked if I had an outbound ticket i said NO. She flipped back and saw my retiree visas for the previous couple of years. She asked if I was going t renew it and why I didnt do so earlier. I replied I had an emergency and didnt know when I could return. No further qs. My first time without an onward ticket paid off.
a month ago
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Vinay ********
@Steven ******
 yes true. I've never been asked at either end
a month ago
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Vinay ********
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Brandon ************
The legal requirement if you traveling as a tourist is that you can show you are leaving the country (with an exit ticket known as "onward travel") within the number of days you will receive when you arrive. So that would be a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days.

Thai immigration rarely checks for this, but the airlines often do check for it. If your airline asks, they will want to see some type of ticket out of Thailand within 60 days of your arrival, or they will not let you board your flight.

If you are traveling with a long-term visa then this isn't applicable to you. Otherwise you can check with your airline to see what their policy is.
a month ago
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Liam ***********
@Brandon ***********
 this is true in my case on several occasions, the airline will not let you onto the aeroplane if you do not have the required proof of onward or a return ticket within the Visa on entry validity date and that does not include any extra days you get from immigration (ie 30 days )when you are in Thailand.this was my experience and I believe it still is is the case
a month ago
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Peter ***********
@Brandon ***********
 we are flying to Thailand from France on 24th October one way with 5 big dogs to retire, we both have thai bank accounts for a year with 800,000 each and a 10 year land lease so hopefully that will be sufficient.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Peter **********
 none of that means anything. It's about what visa you have
a month ago
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Peter ***********
@Brandon ***********
 we will get the free stamp on arrival and then apply for 90 days and on the for the 1 year extension we are both 60 + ,thanks for your reply.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Peter **********
 then you can be asked for proof that you'll be leaving Thailand within 60 days
a month ago
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Peter ***********
@Brandon ***********
 thank you
a month ago
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Peter ***********
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