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Answered6 months ago

What are the current airline requirements for proof of onward travel when visiting Thailand on a visa exemption?

MagentaCra**********
asked Apr 12, 2026
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I want to come to Thialand for 90 days. I'm visa exempt so from previous visits I get 60 days and then extend. However if i recall from last time the airline wouldn't board me with a 90 day return ticket. I had to buy a separate ticket which departed after 60 days. Even though i would never use it. Has anything changed?
Answer summary
The airline requirements for proof of onward travel remain stringent, especially for travelers arriving in Thailand on a visa exemption. Although travelers are permitted a 60-day stay, they must often provide evidence of onward travel within this timeframe to be allowed to board their flight. Various community members shared experiences highlighting that while some airlines did not request an onward ticket, others strictly enforced this rule. Recommendations include purchasing a cheap bus or train ticket out of Thailand or considering an open-ended flight ticket which allows changes if needed. No changes to the 60-day visa-free entry have been announced, though there is discussion about possibly reducing this period.
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Juliet *******
Juliet *******
We do d 60 days 1 extension so 90 days no issues at all
MagentaCra**********
MagentaCra**********
OP
Thanks all. Understood
Succ*****
Succ*****
Has anything changed? Most tone deaf question ever. 😆
Martyn *******
Martyn *******
Buy a flexible return, if the your granted the additional 30 days simply change your flight
Keith *******
Keith *******
I was told by the local immigration that only one thirty day extension is allowed in a calender year.
Bent *************
Bent *************
You can buy a train ticket 2. class from Nong Khai to Vientiane for 70 baht!
Simon *******
Simon *******
Use
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Pierre **************
Pierre **************
As usual make the difference between exit and return ....
Peter **********
Peter **********
NO.

Onward ticket, not return ticket, valid for within the 60 days.
Doug ********
Doug ********
Very easy and cheap to get around.

The airline only want proof your leaving Thailand before 60'days,they are responsible to check that before letting you board.

I flew Qatar last two times with a return date of over 4 months...Both times I showed them a single train ticket to Vientiane,Laos , from Udon thani for about 45 days after arriving Thailand.

Ticket was about 3 us dollar's lol..

I got itvfrom.12goasia and just show Qatar airways the ticket at check in. Both times no problem to board as the airline had done what is required of them
Donald **********
Donald **********
Get a METV
PeacefulSe**********
PeacefulSe**********
Why you don’t book a “open” ticket, you pay a bit more but you can change your return date easy
Malcolm **********
Malcolm **********
If you are refused entry and the airline brought you without meeting the entry requirements then they can be held responsible for taking you back so if you don't have some form of exit from Thailand booked within the terms of entry it is very likely that the airline may refuse boarding. I was refused boarding when I came over on a one way flight even though I had a non-O visa, I think the woman at the checkin desk either didn't see the visa stamp (I handed the passport to her opened on the visa stamp page) or didn't know about them. I was OK after explaining the stamp and that I was not coming back so all was OK. You don't have to have a flight back to your own country, you just have to have proof that you are leaving Thailand within the visa terms and I've seen posts that recommend just getting a train or bus ticket to Laos (before the end of the
*****
days) before traveling to Thailand and show them that as it's proof of leaving Thailand within the visa period if you have a problem, you don't even have to use it but it's cheaper than a flight.
Doug ********
Doug ********
Malcolm Whitlock.exactly what I did train once and bus once Udon thani to laos...cost 3 or 4 is doll at a and can get it on 12goasia travel site in five minutes
Cliff *********
Cliff *********
It really depends on the airline.

I have not been asked for the exit ticket by about 5 airlines in the last 9 trips.
Jonah *****
Jonah *****
Just get an onward ticket or a Krabi to KL ticket...very cheap
Scott *******
Scott *******
A bus ticket is even cheaper.
Kevin ***********
Kevin ***********
I've flown with Emirates for the last 14 years and never once been asked about a return flight
Michael ********
Michael ********
Kevin O'donnell i was in birmingham last year.had to buy a return before i could check in.
Peter **********
Peter **********
Michael Morley RUBBISH.

Onward ticket, not necessarily return.
Michael ********
Michael ********
Peter H Bates well just saying thats what happened too me,and travelling to thailand as a tourist they could ask, if you have booked a return flight at immigration.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
That's a question for your airline, not us. Some airlines will require you to have proof of onward travel within the number of days you'll receive on arrival, especially if you don't have a visa. They're just enforcing immigration rules since the same thing is technically required to enter Thailand as a tourist.

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