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Is an onward flight ticket to Malaysia acceptable when entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption?

Visa ExemptionOnward TravelThailand ImmigrationThai Visa RulesExpat Life in ThailandTravel from ThailandVisa ExtensionAirline Check-in RequirementsTravel Tickets
Sep 10, 2024
2 months ago
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Im arriving from the UK on a 60 day visa exempt and im traveling to malaysia Langkawi after. However it appears an exit tick to a neighbouring country isnt acceptable as per attached. Is that everyone elses experience/knowledge to ? Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around whether an exit ticket to a neighboring country, specifically Malaysia, is acceptable for travelers entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption. Most commenters suggest that an international ticket (like one to Malaysia) is generally accepted; however, they advise that airlines tend to be stricter about proof of onward travel than Thai immigration officials. Experiences vary, with many users indicating they have never been asked for an onward ticket in their travels. Some express skepticism regarding the validity of information from non-official sources, stressing the importance of using official Thai government sites for accurate visa and immigration advice.
Terary **********
I guess you're asking about the exit requirements? I don't think you need to concern about it. You can buy your Langkawi tickets before coming to Thailand. If for some reason that doesn't work for you, you can buy a throw away bus ticket from Hat Yai (Thailand) to Penang (Malaysia). I think you can also book a boat from Koh Lipe to Langkawi. Koh Lipe has an immigration office.

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- to buy boat or bus tickets.
2 months ago
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David ********
I have been to Thailand 15 times over 15 years, 13 times on tourist visas and 2 times on retirement visas. Although I have had a return ticket to Australia for all times I have never been asked to see my exit air ticket return ticket to Australia or where my accommodation is...never
2 months ago
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Beverley *******
It is the airlines that ask not Immigration.
2 months ago
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Phillip ********
I am from Germany and have never been asked for any onward ticket or funds.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Phillip *******
 If you are flying out without a visa or on a one-way flight, you must expect that the airline CAN ask you for proof of onward travel from the destination country within the expected length of stay stamped upon entry.

They "can", they don't have to. But if the check-in crew consistently implements the aviation rules, they will definitely ask for it. Because this rule EXISTS!

If you have never been asked for the onward travel proof when flying to Thailand without a visa, this means you have been lucky

Thai immigration is usually not interested in proof of onward travel or the return flight. They only ask for it randomly.

It is also important to know that many airlines do NOT accept a train or bus ticket to a neighboring country as proof of onward travel, but insist that it must be a FLIGHT ticket.

since a bus only goes to the border and does not cross it (right-hand drive/left-hand drive!), such tickets are sometimes NOT sufficient as proof

Of course, there are people in every group who claim the opposite, but they can never GUARANTEE it, whereas a flight ticket is always a 100% guarantee

Then there are people who firmly claim that the proof of onward travel is not true, just because they themselves have never been asked for it.

But these people can never guarantee in these groups that this will not happen. That is why such behavior is irresponsible and dangerous!

There is NO guarantee that you will not be asked at check-in. It could just as easily be the other way around and proof of onward travel will be requested.

Then you stand at check-in and cannot board!

That is why I do not think it is a good idea to present your own experience as irrefutable. Thousands of travelers have already been turned away in the past.
2 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
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John ********
So if you enter on 60 day exempt and have a return ticket for 90 days, the immigration are aware you can get a 30 day extension from immigration while in Thailand, so therefore should not stop you entering.
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 immigration no problem, its the airline at check in who are obliged to check before allowing you to board
2 months ago
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John ********
@David **********
 Never been asked in twenty five years of flying on one-way tickets dozens of times from all over the world.
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 thanks. On visa exempt ?
2 months ago
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David ***********
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Martino *******
I use Onward Travel everytime the airline asked me the return ticket without problem. If they don't ask nothing i don't do it, if they ask i do it in 2 minutes. In the immigration in Thailand they never asked me the return ticked, but i suppose that onward travel will not have any problem.
2 months ago
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Dave **********
So what do we do if we want to extend the entry for another 30 days (1900 Baht) ?
2 months ago
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Dave **********
It says you can't use an open ticket or ticket to a neighbouring country??? I've never had a problem in the past, but that's before this new no visa requirement . Probably best to get a tourist visa in home country? But even then it can be extended.!
2 months ago
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David *******
@Dave *********
 yep..if you use an agent will cost more
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dave *********
 you either get lucky when you check in or you book a cheap throw away ticket to malaysia within 60 days
2 months ago
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David ***********
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Ian *********
Id be amazed if they ask u for Onward travel proof.they usually only ask if u been in and out Thailand a few times.ive only been asked once and it was because I flew to kl and back same day and I'd already been in Thailand a few mths .still let me bk in but I did have a flt bk to UK a mth later
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian ********
 even on visa exempt ?
2 months ago
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Ian *********
@David **********
 i already had 60 days and extended for 30 i was heading to kl to get another 60 on way back in but was only needing 30 as my flight home was in the next 30 days ,they wanted see my home flight details but i got the 60 .this was last time after covid they done the 60 days , the young guy on desk was being awkward but a superior over ruled him and gave me the days
2 months ago
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Ian *********
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Greta *****
Train ticket to any neighbouring ticket will do. All they want to know is that you don't plan to overstay your visa
2 months ago
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LaMechelle ********
I've never been asked for onward travel ticket in my 5 years living in Thailand. If you have a ticket to Malaysia or form Malaysia to the UK, I'm sure this will suffice if asked.
2 months ago
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Ian **********
You won't have a problem I have entered from UK, Sri Lanka and Turkey never any questions asked
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks all. The reason i ask is that now it is 60 days not 30 i guess they are trying to stop over abuse. This is the site i got the info from

*****************************************************************************************************
%20Visa%20Exemption%20Scheme&text=Hold%20citizenship%20from%20an%20approved,hotel%20or%20an%20apartment%20address

Definately says no neighbouring countries

Has anyone yet actually tested it on a 60 day exempt to a local country ?

Thanks
2 months ago
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Phil ******
@David **********
 thats because this link is incorrect.

Only use Thai govt immigration sites please.

What is your passport nationality please?
2 months ago
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David *******
@David **********
 read carefully. "This website is managed by Siam Legal

International - a law firm in Thailand"..... not the Thai Government or Thai Embassy.. a law firm masquerading as a government spokesman. BS Bs BS.

What if the tourist is from a neighboring country ? They're not allowed to show a ticket taking them back home? Ridiculous. My gf is filipina and we're entering Thailand tomorrow expecting no issues.
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
 thats what i thought. Thought i would ask though just in case. Thanks again. David
2 months ago
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David ***********
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Gillian ******
@David **********
 this website belongs to Siam legal, which is a law firm, therefore the information is not directly from the Thai embassy in London and presumably therefore not strictly official 🤷🏻‍♀️
2 months ago
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Gillian ******
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Matt ******
I was only asked once for my onward, but that was my 3rd visa exemption in a 8 month period
2 months ago
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Stephen ********
Just checked in on a one way ticket without a visa 🤷‍♂️
2 months ago
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John *********
I have never been asked on entry for an onward travel doc i always have a place lined up to book at the time if they insistđź‘Ť
2 months ago
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Lewis ********
Never been asked in 10 years by an immigration officer.

I have been asked by the airline in the UK on the odd occasion but that’s usually just some jobs worth.

Book a cheap flight to Singapore if you’re worried.

Personally I wouldn’t worry
2 months ago
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Terry ********
@Lewis *******
 So are u saying that you entered visa exempt for 10 years and was never asked for an onward flight?
2 months ago
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Lewis ********
@Terry *******
 I have entered on all kinds of visas over the years and was never asked for onward flight. The majority of my visas have been visa exempt either land crossings or flying in through either DMK or BKK.
2 months ago
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Lewis ********
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Galen ******
I don’t understand why Immigration would be concerned about outbound travel destinations. Their only concern should be that people do not overstay. If it is an air ticket to a country far away or a bus ticket to a neighboring country, should be irrelevant. With fixed date return tickets, doesn’t seem like it will be too easy to get a 30-day extension added to the initial 60 day entry.
2 months ago
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Graham ******
@Galen *****
 That's not an Immigration page he posted
2 months ago
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Galen ******
It's best for people to use only official Immigration sites for accurate information.
2 months ago
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David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Galen *****
 i did look on the london thai embassy page but there was no info available
2 months ago
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Graham ******
@David **********
************************************************
*****
-faq
2 months ago
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Graham ******
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Ken *****
@Galen *****
 they make the rules, that’s what is important.!!

Here it’s accepted what you say.

Maybe we should follow there interpretation of border force??

Millions there, not thousands.
2 months ago
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Galen ******
@Ken ****
 The area where I live along Manamkong seems to be managed well. Lao citizens regularly use their border pass system to cross into Thailand to take advantage local markets throughout the week. Very efficient! Up the road from where I live there is a very busy Customs / Immigration crossing into Lao. Many foreigners use this crossing for visa renewals and also to continue their tourism journeys into Lao, Vietnam and other locations. When tourists enter Thailand, the only requirement there should be is their intention to leave Thailand when their visas are finished and possibly the financial means to do so. There should be no specific ticketing requirements.
2 months ago
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Galen ******
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Otto *********
Onward travel is accepted!
2 months ago
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Duncanc **********
Where did you source this document?

I’ve frequently had onward flights to Malaysia and it has always been accepted as proof of onward travel
2 months ago
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David **********
@Duncanc *********
 good question, I'm curious too.
2 months ago
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David **********
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Sharon *******
It is far more likely to be an issue for your airline than at immigration when entering Thailand as they rarely ask for any of these things unless there is a reason to do so, ie previous overstay or lots of entries. I assume you have a ticket booked to leave Malaysia back to UK as you don't mention returning to Thailand, in which case I would present your Malaysian flight & UK return if asked
2 months ago
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Stuart *********
A ticket to Malaysia is valid as long as it is an international ticket not just to a Thai border town where you’d cross over on foot etc.
2 months ago
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Stuart *********
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