Do UK passport holders need additional documentation for a 28-day trip to Thailand under visa exemption?

Aug 21, 2024
4 months ago
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I hope this is not too dumb a question. I just want to make sure I’m doing everything right

I’m a uk passport holder and plan to fly to Thailand for 28 days in January .

From what I read I’m covered by the visa exemption. Does this mean I can just get on a plane and enjoy my holiday without any paperwork. ( other than carrying my uk passport which has 5 yrs to run)

Please do advise thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
UK passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days under the visa exemption rule. To ensure a hassle-free entry, they should carry their passport, have proof of an onward or return ticket, and it is recommended to keep a boarding pass handy while passing through immigration. While proof of accommodation and travel insurance are not strictly required, having them may be beneficial. Additionally, be aware that the visa exemption can be extended for an additional 30 days while in the country if needed.
Charles *********
Have a return ticket and reservations for accomodations.
Tom ********
Because you get 60 day VOA now be prepared to stay longer because you will love it! 🙂
Graham ******
@Tom *******
To help the OP and others use the correct terminology as Visa on Arrival (VOA) is 15 days and cannot be extended and Visa Exempt is currently 60 days and can get a 30 day extension.
Angelo ***********
Proof of onward travel, aka a return ticket, or a ticket out of the country in the 60 days period of validity of your visa excempt.
Richard **********
I read that you can extend the 60 day visa exemption up to 90 days while in Thailand. Is that correct?
paul****
💯 true enjoy
Ricky ********
Before you go make a few photo copies of your passport to carry with you and leave your original in the Hotel room safe
Sharon *******
Officially you need passport, hotel booking, outbound ticket & about £500 cash if memory serves.

Realistically & assuming its your 1st time here, passport with at least 6months validity, a hotel booking for your first couple of days & a few thousand baht to get you started. I would recommend travel insurance, if you plan to rent a vehicle then you need an international drivers permit. ATMs charge a withdrawal fee here as may your UK bank so cash maybe easier/cheaper just make sure the banknotes are clean & you get a fractionally better rate for £50 notes.

Download the Grab taxi app when you're here even if you do end up jumping in a tuktuk at least you'll have an idea of fares & route
Anna **********
Does this apply to Canadian too?
Todd *********
@Anna *********
yes - 60 days visa exemption
Anna **********
Brandon ************
Anna **********
@Brandon ***********
Thank you Brandon
Graham *******
I thought it was 60 days now?
Steve *********
You will get 60 day visa when you arrive. You need nothing just Uk passport ( that’s current unless things change by January )
Jonny *********
@Steve ********
make sure you have copies of your insurance cover we were asked to produce first time we went. We had it but in bags n stuff. So the second time we had it ready to hand but we weren't ask.
Todd *********
@Jonny ********
you were not asked to produce insurance insurance cover as a tourist
Jonny *********
@Todd ********
not the second time we went
Todd *********
@Jonny ********
or the first time. It’s simply not a requirement in any way shape or form
Jonny *********
Tim ********
@Jonny ********
never ever heard of this.
Jonny *********
@Tim *******
my wife is disabled and we were advised to have copies of everything. We had wheelchair assistance. But like I said second time nothing
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonny ********
ok. Thanks for the tip.
Tim ********
@Steve ********
an exemption. Not a visa.
Steve *********
@Tim *******
Says visa on the stamp you receive !!!!
Graham ******
@Steve ********
It says "Visa Class" and the Thai writing and the numbers says 60 days exempt section 17 (of the Immigration Act)
Brandon ************
@Steve ********
a visa is something you apply for and purchase from a Thai embassy. Visa EXEMPT means you are exempt from needing a visa. It's not a visa but just an entry stamp.
William **************
Just keep your boarding pass. Last time I left it seat pocket in error. Was asked for it at passport control and the immigration agent gave me alot of grief on not having it. We provided my wife's boarding pass and he stamped my passport and a lot grumbling in Thai to my wife. It was a first in regards to asking for boarding pass. But now I know.
Kim *********
@William *************
there has been a sign at immigration stating the documents needed for a long time - passport boarding pass and evisa if applicable.
William **************
@Kim ********
sigh...yes...I'm old
Kim *********
@William *************
😅 ok maybe I shouldn't mentioned it. So am I actually 😔
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@William *************
that’s a great tip. I would never have thought of it ! Thanks
Chris ******
Watch out for them ladyboys some of them are better looking than the women 🤣
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *****
My wife will be accompanying me on this journey but your advise is noted. Thanks
Chris ******
@Orson ******
wear some good sunglasses so you don't get caught looking 😜🤣
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your speedy answers. And reassure. I’ve never been and am looking forward to the adventure
Baz *********
Yes, just turn up with passport and money and you will be fine
Lynnette *******
Best to show a means of leaving Thailand either return ticket or onward ticket, airlines like to be sure you're going to leave. And yes, you get up to 60 days without a visa.
Stephen ********
That's all, and enjoy 👍🏻
Greg ***********
If you plan to stay in Thailand for 28 days, I presume you have a return ticket for day number 28

This means you check-in at your origin airport hassle free, as you have a proof for the airline that you are leaving Thailand within the period you will get stamped in,

and you will enter Thailand visa exempt and get stamped in for a 60-days stay permit
Brandon ************
If you have a return ticket to Thailand (there and back) then yes, the only thing you will need is your passport. Keep your boarding pass with you for your final flight to Thailand as well as they usually ask for that at passport control.

If you don't have a return ticket, then your airline might ask you to show proof that you'll be leaving Thailand within 60 days, but different airlines have different policies.
Andrew *******
@Brandon ***********
yes this seems to be up to the airline whether they ask for return .. .I've been over thirty times and only been asked once ...Thai airways
Bob ********
@Brandon ***********
When you say to...

"Keep your boarding pass with you for your "final flight" to Thailand as well as they usually ask for that at passport control"...Why do you say "final" flight, ..which flight do you mean exactly please as he will only have arrived on the one he just disembarked from... Are you including any future flights?
Brandon ************
@Bob *******
the flight segment you took that landed in Thailand.
Hugh ********
@Brandon ***********
Great answer, saves me asking! Useful tip about the boarding pass
Billy ******
Kim *********
@Billy *****
ohh happy to see that the moderator's reply was confirmed correct by a member in this group. Now I know I can trust what he says (irony might be involved) 😏
Angelo ***********
@Kim ********
It is only half correct. As the immigration officer might ask for a return ticket or proove of onward travel.

Because it is Thai law. Has nothing to do with "some airlines are weird".
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Angelo **********
It’s all good I have return tickets so it’s no problem- I’ve recieved good tips about keeping boarding passes which I would have probably discarded if I didn’t know this
Angelo ***********
@Orson ******
I never kept mine. But that is perhaps a good idea. For TM6 etc, and TM30 if you have to do that your self at immigration (no worries you do not need to read that up, your hotel/landlord is doing that). TM6 is a so called "departure cart" you have to fill it out inside of the plane or before you go through passport control/immigrations. If you want to stay longer than 60 days, you need to "extend your stay", and for that you need the TM6 (and TM30).
Orson *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you so much. I do have a return ticket
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