Do Thai immigration officers always require proof of onward travel for visa exempt entries?

@Tom **********

yes it's the lack of consistency that's particularly annoying ...to buy an onward ticket you may not use only to not be asked ...then another time no pre-booked onward ticket to get to check in counter to be told you need an onward ticket .....seems totally arbitrary and inconsistent even with the same airline !!! Sometimes it's down to the person on the check in counter

@Billy *****

who has 1100 THB? I see only 3000

@Sam *********

this happened to me this time too. I arrived two weeks ago, my second time in Thailand this year. I was quite shocked at how hard I was grilled too. I’ve always abided by the regulations in the past.

@Sam *********

three is a lot.

Yep sure seems stupid 😕

@David **********

agreed. I don’t know why people get so defensive about this. There’s an entire business for onward tickets for a reason. They didn’t create a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist. 🤦‍♀️. I have not yet been asked in Thailand, but I have in other countries. People, including the OP, have been asked in Thailand. This idea that it “never happens” or that the person must have done something wrong is absurd.

@Michael *******

Have you still got that Hippie haircut? Could be an issue even these days….

@Kevin ******

I guess they also look at previous entries and departures .....it's very frustrating as I like to keep an open itinary and frequently change plans

@Kevin ******

wow, a case of common sense in the land of smiles!! 🙏

@Ahmed ******

passport being new or not doesn't make any difference, a brief overview of your entry and exit history shows up on the screen when they scan your passport which they can then either look deep into your history on the computer or check your passport.

It's also not totally random, if you have an extensive history of exemption or TR use or even an overstay you're likely to be pulled out and grilled.

@Robert *******

which “official Thai website”? Please, supply your link. Every Thai embassy I’ve seen shows this requirement, so I’d honestly like to see where the Thai government lists requirements and does not include this one. One Thai website as a resource for those who inquire might be quite useful to provide people as a resource.

@Robert *******

what website you following?

@Robert *******

FYI: there is everything on Thai official sources about this being a requirement. All airlines are supposed to check this upfront, also Korean.

@Robert *******

all official Thai embassies websites say that onward ticket is required for visa exemption,🤷😂

@Robert *******

it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer. They may ask for proof of onward travel.

@Robert *******

fyi: Your airline (Korean Air) has no requirement for an onward flight, but your airline (Korean Air) has to bring you back free of charge if your entry is denied. That's why they ask for the return or onward flight.

@Garrett **********

no necessarily. I have recently flown in from Cambodia on a 60 exempt. I have done this many times as I worked in Cambodia for 10 years teaching. Anyway, for the first time ever, the Thai immigration officer asked how long I was staying and when I said less than 60 days, she asked where I was going next and ASKED TO SEE MY TICKET. This is the 1st time a Thai immigration officer asked to look at my ticket out. Usually its been my experience the airline in Cambodia asked to see a ticket out before boarding the plane, and they didnt this time.

No one "must have pissed off" the I.O in Thailand, its just their choice.