How far in advance should I apply for a 60-day visa to Thailand if I'm traveling in December?

@Jan *****************

Did with me

@Rob ******

yes with me too, but this is a bit embassy dependent. Some issues just with an inbound ticket, some with an inbound and outbound ticket within 90 days, and some just with an inbound and outbound ticket within 60 days.

@Jan *****************

could i have been refused by my airline without onward travel but with a visa ?

@Rob ******

yes, you could be refused boarding with a Tourist Visa

@Rob ******

and

@Chris ********************

when a flight is overbooked, the check-in crew starts looking for reasons to deny boarding. The mandatory onward-travel proof which can be asked from travellers who intend to fly to Thailand without a visa, is just a welcome tool

@Greg **********

and that's exactly why they can not just refuse boarding. You really think that with an overbooked flight they can make up new rules just to take the service away that people have paid for?! Wouldn't you agree that this would make it very easy for them to make money?

Sure they can refuse boarding, but then on the basis of the flight being overbooked. The unlucky passengers will be on the next flight, they'll get meals and accommodation, and big compensation for the inconvenience. Obviously airlines cannot just come up with additional rules at the boarding stage just to get rid of the excess passengers.

@Bart *************

all I am saying is: when the flight is heavily overbooked, the check-in crew will start to implement legal rules. The onward-travel proof they can ask from people without visa, is a FULLY LEGAL TOOL and in this case is implemented in order to reject passengers. . They do not just come up with anything they pull out of their noses. The onward travel proof is an IATA rule !

@Greg **********

that entirely agreed. And indeed true that any fully legal rules are more strictly enforced when flights are overbooked.

The story reminds me of a sad case a few years back. A Dutch backpacker was flying to Vietnam with Malaysian Airlines. Dutch require a visa to enter Vietnam, but with a visa you don't require proof of onward travel, a bit similar to Thailand (but with the difference that also at the application stage you don't need proof of onward travel there, whereas Thailand requires that). His docs were checked and approved in Amsterdam at his initial departure. Then suddenly in KL, his docs were checked again, and he was supposedly required to have proof of onward travel. They kicked him out and didn't even give him the opportunity to still book something. He then entered Malaysia.

Ironically, Malaysia requires proof of onward travel. Instead of preventing him from unrightful entry, they made him have one instead. Clearly they weren't interested in preventing unrightful entries, but had an overbooked plane. Complete idiots.

@Bart *************

that's indeed a sad story. This is why I mentioned the issues one can run into when encountered with overbooked flights. It's always recommended to hold a proper visa for the destination country

@Greg **********

rubbish

The airline is obligated to fly you back to where you come from if you are refused entry from Thailand at there expense

@Chris ********************

I know! 😆😂😉 I didn't say ANYTHING else than what you just said

@Greg **********

sorry my friend wrong post please accept my apologies

@Chris ********************

no probs, mate

@Greg **********

What do you mean overbooked ? surely a flight can only be full

@Rob ******

It is a known fact that airlines tend to overbook their flights, because there always will be a few "no shows". This is a common practise among airlines. Understand? And when a situation is arising, when the check-in crew realizes that there won't be any number near the predicted "no shows", they start to employ the "onward travel proof" check. Because then they need to "throw out" a few passengers or the plane will be left with all seats occupied and a few passenger with valid tickets but no more seats

@Greg **********

I don't think that's right mate depends on what airline you fly with, if you have a 60 day visa and you return flight is with the same airline for 90 days there could be some problems if you don't have a onward ticket

I avoided generalization when I wrote: "with a visa, the airline will most probably NOT ask for an onward travel out of Thailand" . . the "most probably" means that, on the contrary, you can run into bad luck and get checked for an onward travel proof even WITH a visa

@Chris ********************

and that's what I said: "most airlines will check" other won't, if you have a visa. For example, passengers with a 90-days Non-Imm-O visa type can fly to Thailand on a one-way ticket, this will be tolerated by "most" airlines. I always avoid to generalize 🙂

@Greg **********

yes mate but the question was coming on a 60 day tourist visa but staying for 90 days

@Chris ********************

yes, correct. It depends on the airline if they take the rules serious or not. Thai Airways is known for being very tolerant if you got a visa but just a one-way ticket, while most Arabian and Chineses Airlines are very strict. . . . . .

@Rob ******

Normally their after people on a one way ticket on a visa exemption, but formally an onward ticket is mandatory also on a tourist visa, and I’ve seen feedbacks of people who are denied check in. I don’t think this happens often, the airline will see that you have a visa and let you go. At the immigration this won’t be an issue if they don’t pull you aside and start questioning you for some other reason regarding your travel pattern.