Does my flight out of Thailand need to be before my 45-day exempt visa expires?

When entering Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp that allows a stay of 45 days, your flight out of the country generally needs to be scheduled before the expiration of that period. While airlines may enforce this policy to ensure compliance with immigration regulations, travelers have noted that immigration officials often do not request to see a return or onward ticket. It is also possible to apply for a 30-day extension of stay before the initial 45 days expire. Having a changeable return ticket or a cheap refundable ticket can help satisfy airline policies.