What are the requirements for an onward ticket when entering Thailand on a 45-day visa exemption?

Oct 1, 2022
2 years ago
Lisa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am going to come in January on the 45 day visa exemption then get the extension.

Just confirming and apologies if this has been asked but in regards to my airline do they need to see my ticket for leaving on day 45 then show say boarding flight an exit ticket to a neighbouring country on day 45 or say a throw away ticket or can it be the end date of the extension itself. Or is the throw away ticket not needed. Hopefully it makes sense
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When entering Thailand on a 45-day visa exemption, it is generally advisable to have an onward ticket out of the country, even though some travelers have reported not being asked for one. Airlines may require proof of onward travel before boarding, especially for long-haul flights, as it is their responsibility to return you if immigration denies entry. While it's possible to adjust your itinerary after entering Thailand, it’s safer to have an as-yet unused ticket when checking in. Reservation services for onward tickets exist, allowing for purchase without the need to travel.
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David ********
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David ********
Use these costumes you a tenner
Simon *******
No
Glyn **********
Depending on the airline. I've had trouble with this leaving Canada and got lucky when I convinced a supervisor I can change my visa in Thailand and or apply for extensions. Having a passport full of visas and extentions was helpful.
Jo **********
i always have a return or and outbound ticket, but in 20 years and flying into Thailand about 8 times a year I have never been asked. I have always flow from Europe or Singapore
Giorgio ******
@Jo *********
of course they don't ask you , because they see your return ticket when you check in . if they let you in the first plane it's because you have a return ticket ...... if not they would be responsible to fly you back where you came from , at their own expense ..
Jo **********
@Giorgio *****
no your wrong the check in attendant does not see that’s why they ask in many cases. in my case i have no return ticket fly here to Thailand and my forward ticket to Singapore on scoot. not even the same airline.
Yuri ***********
the air company did not ask you when landing because they saw at the check-in that you had a return ticket! I had questions when I had only 7 days on top! Now I prefer to make an electronic visa for 2 months quickly and there are no problems from Europe! Just came back! 2 months as one week555
Jo **********
@Yuri **********
wrong absolutely wrong. My onward ticket was purchased separately. They never asked. And even when you book the return on the same airline the gate agent can’t see that that’s why they ask. The question of a return ticket happens mainly in the US
David ********
@Jo *********
Thai air asked me 3 weeks ago for proof of return ticket out of the country luckily I had one stored with emirates 19 months ago 👌
Jo **********
@David *******
what country did you fly from?
David ********
@Jo *********
Heathrow london

It’s the first time I’ve been asked travel here 3 times a year
Lisa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
thanks heaps
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
For 15$ you can get. a reservation and print out your exit flight ticket
Giorgio ******
depends on the airline and on the attendant who was hired for 3 hours to take caRe of your check in . so be aware she or he don't give a s***.

so good luck the mood of these peoplemayvary dependingon how they woke up ,what did they eat , how was last might etccc...

hope for the bezt and be ready for the worse 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Giorgio ******
I just faced the same problem 2 weeks ago . the attendant let me through !💖

the guy at the counter next to me got refused , we both were in the exact same situation , I guess the othet giy shluld have called your attendant in Marocco 🤫
Giorgio ******
Troy Rockwell I'm relating a fact .

I wish you well .
Giorgio ******
Troy Rockwell when the girl who first ask is refused boarding , you'll see who is a joke and a jerk
Giorgio ******
Troy Rockwell I never asked you to waste your time , you entered the talk with false infos

who ask questions want real answers . they don't want jerks who don't know whwat they talk about
Giorgio ******
Troy Rockwell of course your info was not false , you had no info , except for what a guy told you in Marocco

as

good as rely to a cristal ball for any traveler with some experience ..

thank you so much for the laugh 🤣🤣🙏🙏
Giorgio ******
Troy Rockwell if an attendant in Marocco + a supervisor says something , you then just wait for the agrement of the super duper hyper higher authority to confirm

something that is completely out of their authority . then you're safe for a non information.
Darren ********************
You don't need onward travel for the tourist stamp. Only needed for the tourist visa. I've never been asked when being stamped in. The last time I came in was last month.
Stéfan ********
@Darren *******************
I have been asked once by an immigration official as I was entering on a visa exemption... It's very random but they definitely can ask.
James ************
Darren ********************
Stuart *********
@Darren *******************
hope you keep up the good luck. Don’t change your airline for the next attempt. You may find a different experience.
Stuart *********
If you are entering on a long term visa, like a Non O or Non OA, Non B or Thailand Elite you do not need an onward flight out from Thailand.

If on a visa exempt entry or tourist visa you may well need to have a flight ticket out of Thailand within the amount of days that your initial entry allows, regardless that you can get an extension in country. It doesn’t need to be a return ticket, any ticket out of Thailand will suffice.

In theory immigration can deny you entry if you don’t but they rarely ever would, because they know you can get an extension.

Almost always the hang up will be when you try to board your plane. Many airlines will not allow you to board without an onward ticket within the number of days.

Some will let you. Many won’t. Short haul carriers probably won’t care, but for long haul carriers they probably will. If you don’t have an onward ticket it’s the carriers responsibility (at their expense) to return you to your point of departure should immigration deny you entry for some reason.

You probably don’t want to be the one scrambling to buy an onward ticket at the check in desk. Best option is a changeable ticket, and just change the date when you’re here.

Alternatively you can Google “onward flight ticket” and you’ll find a plethora of companies willing to sell you one for around $10. A real ticket, Phuket to Singapore, would be approx £25/$35 depending on the time of year. Bangkok to Cambodia would probably be similar.

You’ll probably get a number of replies saying “I managed to enter with a one way ticket no problem, therefore you won’t have one either.” They’ve been to Thailand 20 or 30 or 100 times and haven’t been asked so they assume that no one else on the planet has ever been asked either.

When you get to the check in desk you’ll find out which way it’ll go for you. Be prepared. You might get away without one, but do you want to take that gamble?
Lisa *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thanks heaps 🙏
VaiAna **********
@Stuart ********
, good answer , Better be safe than sorry or better be prepared . Besides what is $10-25 to avoid the hassle at the airport .
Miguel *************
@Stuart ********
I would add that he shouldn’t be too confident about coming on a 45-day visa exemption when this isn’t in effect yet.
Martyn ***********
@Miguel ************
coming? It started today (or not) ....
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
yes started today.
Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
confirmed with a stamp?
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
not seen an actual picture but numerous reports of people being stamped in for 45 days from land and air entries.
Stuart *********
@Miguel ************
it is as of now
David ********
@Stuart ********
does the onward travel have to be by airline? Could it be by bus, train, sea, etc? And would you still have to show a ticket for that?
Stuart *********
@David *******
Bus, train, helicopter or rocket ship. But you would need a ticket showing that it’s an international ticket out. Not a bus ticket to a border town where you could walk across a border.

Cheapest option I’ve found is a train ticket from Hat Yai to Padang Besar for 100 baht (approx US$3/£2.50). Third class so won’t be very comfortable for the ride you won’t be taking. 12go.asia
Kerry ***********
@Stuart ********
rocket ship 🤣
Stuart *********
@Kerry **********
yeah. Not sure on current prices. Must be an international destination though.
David ********
@Stuart ********
thanks! We plan to go to SE Asia next year and want to use Thailand as a home base of sorts as we visit other countries in the area, returning to Thailand each time. We'd likely visit a country for a week or as long as a month before returning to different areas of Thailand. The idea being this will help us to decide what areas were like to stay at for longer periods of time. But these border rules are certainly more challenging than travel in other areas of the world for us. So far it's a step learning curve! Your help is greatly appreciated.
Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
you have the patience of saint mate... I would have said search the group.. 555, this must get asked at least once a day.
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
at least once a day. I copy and paste the same answer over and over again. Probably to groans from our long term members “oh not again” but some find it useful.
Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
can't you post to search the group before posting?
Stuart *********
@Martyn **********
to be honest the search option for forums isn’t the best nor intuitive. Easier for many to ask a question than search.
Martyn ***********
@Stuart ********
definitely easier, we can see that.. 55
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