Answered3 months ago
What are the requirements for showing a departure ticket when re-entering Thailand with a DTV?
IO in Phuket made me purchase a departing flight when I came back from my border run.
I went to Penang, Malaysia for my first "border run". I stayed for 5 nights, came back to Thailand via Phuket airport a couple days ago. IO asked for my passport and fingerprints, then my visa (which I showed her on my phone). She asked how long I plan on staying in Thailand to which I replied "a few months." Then she asked if I had a departure ticket to which I replied "not yet." She looked concerned that I didn't have a departure ticket and I said "I'm on the DTV, it's good for 6 months." She said she knows but I still need a departure ticket. She asked like 3 other IO's around her, then finally a supervisor. Supervisor took my passport, said to follow her, brought me to an area with a dozen chairs and told me to book a ticket and let them know when it was done.
I purchased the cheapest one way ticket I could quickly find using Kiwi's flexible dates calendar (back to Penang on a Wednesday in November). I chose not to use the trip insurance because it listed specific circumstances (COVID, weather, home emergency,etc) that would allow a refund, not just "because I changed my mind." Instead I used Kiwi's upgraded "flex" option to purchase the ticket for an extra $30 that guarantees 80% refund of the ticket for any cancel reason, regardless of airline policy.
I did look into the Alternative Airlines website that I had heard others used, but as far as I could tell it was just airlines that offered the same travel insurance as before as an option to cancel.
Once I purchased the ticket and showed them, I was escorted directly to another IO, who pulled me back up in the system, stamped my passport for another 6 months, and sent me on my way.
So ultimately I bought a $65 ticket for $95, canceled it, and got $50 back, despite my flight being through Air Asia, which has a blanket "no refund" policy.
Nobody asked about my cooking classes or work or my bank account or the 20k cash.
Just posting in case it helps anybody!
I went to Penang, Malaysia for my first "border run". I stayed for 5 nights, came back to Thailand via Phuket airport a couple days ago. IO asked for my passport and fingerprints, then my visa (which I showed her on my phone). She asked how long I plan on staying in Thailand to which I replied "a few months." Then she asked if I had a departure ticket to which I replied "not yet." She looked concerned that I didn't have a departure ticket and I said "I'm on the DTV, it's good for 6 months." She said she knows but I still need a departure ticket. She asked like 3 other IO's around her, then finally a supervisor. Supervisor took my passport, said to follow her, brought me to an area with a dozen chairs and told me to book a ticket and let them know when it was done.
I purchased the cheapest one way ticket I could quickly find using Kiwi's flexible dates calendar (back to Penang on a Wednesday in November). I chose not to use the trip insurance because it listed specific circumstances (COVID, weather, home emergency,etc) that would allow a refund, not just "because I changed my mind." Instead I used Kiwi's upgraded "flex" option to purchase the ticket for an extra $30 that guarantees 80% refund of the ticket for any cancel reason, regardless of airline policy.
I did look into the Alternative Airlines website that I had heard others used, but as far as I could tell it was just airlines that offered the same travel insurance as before as an option to cancel.
Once I purchased the ticket and showed them, I was escorted directly to another IO, who pulled me back up in the system, stamped my passport for another 6 months, and sent me on my way.
So ultimately I bought a $65 ticket for $95, canceled it, and got $50 back, despite my flight being through Air Asia, which has a blanket "no refund" policy.
Nobody asked about my cooking classes or work or my bank account or the 20k cash.
Just posting in case it helps anybody!
Answer summary
The poster recounts their recent experience returning to Thailand from a border run in Malaysia, specifically through Phuket airport. Upon re-entry, the immigration officer requested a departure ticket, despite the poster having a DTV valid for six months. After being asked to book a ticket on the spot, they purchased a refundable ticket for a nominal fee and were subsequently granted a six-month extension. The comments highlight various strategies and experiences related to immigration rules in Thailand, emphasizing the requirement of showing a departure ticket and suggesting alternatives like buying a 'dummy ticket'.
107 repliesnewest first
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Magenta********
It used to be that you could buy a ticket between 30 and 40 US dollar to neighboring country... It seems to be at least double these days....
No wonder tourism is down
No wonder tourism is down
Renske ************
Guess I'm not the only one who was asked this question. I had to do the same thing; to buy an onward ticket on the spot, or they wouldn't let me in. The rules are clearly getting stricter. Thanks so much for sharing your experience, so we can all be prepared. 🙏
Dar *****
Grow up child. I told you to look where there’s a payment option for 7-Eleven or Grab do the search on your own. What are you a child? 
James ********
Did you actively participate in the cooking school course you signed up for?
SoftF******
OP@James *******
yep. I actually chose this one because the classes were included. The other school wanted money just for the paperwork and said I had to pay extra for private classes if I actually wanted to cook 🤦♀️
Christopher ***********
Whatever next?
LongTimeLivi************
This storey sounds fishy.
SoftF******
OPLongTimeLivingInThailand lol
TaupeSqu*********
Best onward ticket 🎟️
Fleace ********
I read about this happening to other people.
SoftF******
OP@Fleace *******
me too. I was hoping it wouldn't happen to me, but it wasn't unexpected 🫤
Kevinko *******
I wonder why you all dont know ONWARDTICKET.COM or similar websites?!?! You get an official ticket (that they will cancel for you). It looks absolutely legit and costs 10-15 usd.
SoftF******
OP@Kevinko ******
I remember other people posting about it, but couldn't remember it when I needed it 😅 I have to keep it in mind for next time!Dar *****
You should’ve bought a ticket with the option to pay at 7-Eleven or through Grab. They give you either 24 or 48 hours to pay. But they give you all the receipts so it looks like you’ve actually purchased.
SoftF******
OP@Dar ****
how do you find that option? On the Grab app??Dar *****
SoftFox8857 it’s not on the Grab app. It’s a feature when you buy tickets. Do some research stop asking questions.
SoftF******
OP@Dar ****
where did you tell me where to search? 👀You went from "you should've brought a ticket with the option to pay at 7-Eleven" to "it's a feature when you buy tickets. Do some research stop asking questions."
Kristian ********
SoftFox8857 how weird is that guy 😂
Kristian ********
@Dar ****
dude you are an absolute weirdo, what a crazy response.Dar *****
SoftFox8857 I was being helpful. I told you where to search. I didn’t know you needed me to hold your hand. Are you an adult? 
SoftF******
OP@Dar ****
oh, I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone who was trying to be helpful 🙄But I'll look into it, thanks 👍
Craig *******
I have an email from the Ottawa embassy confirming that no onward ticket is required....
SoftF******
OP@Craig ******
good luck arguing that with the IO 😮💨
Lisa ********
Cathay Pacific has a refund for 24 hours after you book
Craig *******
@Lisa *******
yes and most major airlines have thatSoftF******
OP@Craig ******
I didn't see it on Air Asia. Strictly a no refund policy.
Jon **********
You could also have bought a bus ticket, it doesn't have to be a flight
GrayK******
Don’t you guys travel with miles? If so, keep
The Expedia/ Orbitz tip is wonderful for the ones without miles.
*****
k miles as an ‘emergency’ and if asked book a tix to some neighboring country on the spot. The Expedia/ Orbitz tip is wonderful for the ones without miles.
Liam ********
GrayKale866 best comment. I do exactly this.
Christian *******
Thanks for sharing. In 2019 I arrived in DMK on METV and had to buy a flight out of Thailand as proof of leaving.
Angelo ***********
Strange story! There are booking services with fully refundable tickets (well, likely a small $5 fee or something). Unfortunately I don't remember them. They got often mentioned in the various visa forums.
SoftF******
OP@Angelo **********
yeah, I remember reading about some, too, but then also couldn't remember where specifically when I needed to do it. I think Alternative Airlines was one that I read about, but when I tried to do it that's not how it worked. But maybe there was an option on there I missed 🤷♀️ Lots of (mostly) good suggestions in this thread, though!
Mike *******
Next time just make 1 day trip to Satun and back,no questions asked
SoftF******
OP@Mike ******
it's still gonna be hit or miss with IO. Especially in Phuket it seems 🤷♀️Mike *******
SoftFox8857 No,you pay a bit extra there and get everything easy,same in Ranong with Burma run,made it 3 times already there, never was asked any questions and I have a horrible visa history with multiple ED and volunteer visas
SoftF******
OP@Mike ******
what do you mean? Pay extra in Satun? Are you talking about using one of the visa run services?
Ben ********
That's annoying. Next time perhaps use Klook and book a fully refundable bus ticket to Cambodia
RadiantC********
@Ben *******
Bus ticket to Cambodia, a country whose borders have been closed for well over a year and we have no idea when they might reopen (if they ever will)? Yes, a very smart idea that is, considering the last cross border bus services between Thailand and Cambodia departed in mid June 2025.Ben ********
RadiantCamel1017 oh yes, I forgot about that. In that case a bus to a neighbouring country where the border isn't closed
ExcitingR**********
Showing a departing ticket is an existing rule for any tourist visa. And it’s more and more enforced. As DTV is just considered as a tourist visa, you can expect to show departing tickets much more often in the near term.
Ivan ************
ExcitingRaccoon1731 it's not, it's only a rule for visa exempt, under 12(1) of the immigration act. If required for a tourist visa it is required *to get the visa* but not at entry.
Anonymous ******************
This reads like an advert for Kiwi.
SoftF******
OPAnonymous participant 358 I'm learning so many better ways that I could have done it instead 😹
Bobby ***********
Next time google onward ticket...
James ********
@Bobby **********
that trick is known by Thai Immigration Officers. Not smart to try to trick them. They could tell you to book a flight to your home country.
Ho ******
Do you usually stay the full 180 days?
SoftF******
OP@Ho *****
this was my first time out since I got the DTV. It was pretty close to 180.
Cata*****
Anonymous ******************
If you use chase card you can book and get free 24 hour cancellation
Guy ******
Had a post reclined on here because I shared the same experience…. Why ?
Mark ******
@Guy *****
Had the same thing happen and changed the word "f-a-k-e" to false". That fixed the issue.SoftF******
OP@Guy *****
idk. Maybe a different admin? Seems like it's not an uncommon experience. At least in Phuket 🫤Guy ******
The Phuket threat is real and I feel people don’t want to know , head in the sand kind of behaviour.
Dany ********
@Guy *****
i travel many times via phuket without any issues
CapableC********
Could of used onward ticket it’s a real ticket but you just buy the reservation like 20 bucks
CapableC********
You get an actual PNR that you can verify with the airline it’s a real reservation, they even offer you the flight to pay in full if you want to - dumb alert ‼️
DTV_Pag*******
CapableCelery590 That will work on a lazy or passive immigration officer, but not a diligent one. They will ask to see your proof of payment for the ticket. They know about Onward and they know a plane ticket doesn’t cost 20 USD.
CapableC********
What a load of rubbish I have used onward ticket for 6 years it’s a real ticket and they have verified it before to see my reservation. Why do you make sweeping assumptions
James ********
DTV_Pag_Backer YEP 👍 they are aware of that trick.
Anonymous ******************
You can buy emirates biz class that gives you 100% refund if it happens again
Kristen ************
Anonymous participant 792 that’s what I did when applying for the DTV, not with emirates but another airline.
Brian ****
You must have 500k baht for the visa but you can't use it without a cheap ticket out. Makes sense if you don't think about it.
Wannikea *********
Phuket is known to be difficult at times.
SoftF******
OP@Wannikea ********
I've heard that 🫤Tahani *****
There’s something called a “dummy ticket” for this kind of purpose. I’ve used it a couple of times, and it’s always worked. 😉
Mark ******
@Tahani ****
If you are speaking of a ticket that is not real, I'd think about that a bit. If for some reason they found out about this, could they not bar you from entering for years? For me, I'm retired so have a Non Immigrant O/A visa.Tahani *****
@Mark *****
actually the tickets are verifiable and come with a PNR which usually can be looked up on the airline’s website or through a PNR checker while it’s active. However the reservation is temporary so it will usually expire after a certain period which depends on the website you use! So for immigration etc it’s a great option.Tahani *****
@Mark *****
It’s just important to use a reliable website. There are plenty of scam sites out there that simply edit a PDF and insert your name, but those reservations aren’t actually linked to an airline booking. The last time I entered Thailand visa-exempt which was in April, I used the website in the screenshot, and the immigration officer had no issues verifying my reservation.Mark ******
@Tahani ****
I was unaware of that. Great advice.Cata*****
@Tahani ****
Hi, would you mind sharing the platform that you used? I google dummy flight but there are many links that's mostly just explain what it is. Thank you in advance
Joe *******
Catathome me too, be interesting to know!
Tahani *****
Catathome
also onwardticket.com
******************************************
and also onwardticket.com
****************************
SoftF******
OP@Tahani ****
I'll look into that in case I need it next time! 🙏
Tim *********
SoftFox8857 onward flights, 15 dollars booked 1 day before your arrival in bkk, im always doing that
Mark *************************
Should have bought a bus ticket from Hat Yai to Changlun. Cheap af. They just wanted to see an onward ticket.
SoftF******
OP@Mark ************************
I'll keep that in mind for next time!
Peter ********
Book a refundable ticket. Problem solved
SoftF******
OP@Peter *******
I did. I just lost half of what I paid in the process. Is there a better way to book a refundable ticket next time?Peter ********
SoftFox8857 on Orbitz it's completely refunded if you cancel within 24 hours. Everytime I fly into Thailand I purchase one just in case I encounter a situation like yours
SoftF******
OP@Peter *******
thanks for the info!
Vladimir ******************
SoftFox8857 book a flexible fare with a major airline. In this case either directly with Thai/SQ or Expedia. Select option of fully refundable (if in doubt - look for refundable business fares). With Expedia in particular canceling within 24 hours is likely to just reverse the preauthorization. Costs $0
MysticalAs***********
SoftFox8857 you can cancel Expedia tickets up to 24hrs. (Edit: gives a 100% refund.)
Brian ********
MysticalAsparagus5854 100% refund is the critical part here. Expedia is good.
SoftF******
OPMysticalAsparagus5854 ohh good to know!
Ciaran ***********
Clown stuff really.
David ********
How is this allowed ? Makes me think i should get a marriage visa I just don’t want to Thai up money in a Thai bank.
James ********
@David *******
The 400,000 Thai baht can be withdrawn once you get the one year extension of stay as Married to Thai... and redeposited 2 months before your one year extension ends.Luit *****************
@David *******
They just use an existing rule for tourists, so why should it not be allowed?David ********
@Luit ****************
its a visa for digiital nomads, flexbility is one of the important factors. Most people won't know if theyre leaving in 3 weeks or 5 months. It's not in the spirit of the visaLuit *****************
@David *******
Maybe they only check the people who use the visa in a way that is not in the spirit of the visa...
Yasmin ***********
funny how to all seem to make up their own rules🙄
Juan ********
@Yasmin **********
that's what happens when you hate foreigners Thais make western racists look like Jesus
Luit *****************
@Yasmin **********
They don't make their own rules, they just select an existing rule when they like.LongTimeLivi************
@Luit ****************
wait until they start checking if you're wearing underwear. Strip searches coming soon. Don't go camando in Thailand.Ivan ************
@Lu**
the explicit rule about onward tickets is specific to visa-exempt entry. It doesn't apply to visa holders of any type. That doesn't mean they can't ask but they are not "selecting an existing rule" as that specific rule is only for visa exempt.Luit *****************
@Ivan ***********
It is just a way of enforcing the general immigration law to prove you have enough funds for your stay.Yasmin ***********
@Luit ****************
tomato tomato :PSoftF******
OP@Yasmin **********
I literally bought my ticket to Malaysia like 2 weeks prior and they expect me to have a ticket 6 months in advance 😂Luit *****************
SoftFox8857 The rule is that a tourist can be asked to show he is leaving within the stamped in period.
For DTV this might be a bit long, and therefore not enforced most times, but it looks like they started being more strict.
For DTV this might be a bit long, and therefore not enforced most times, but it looks like they started being more strict.
Andy **********
@Luit ****************
The rule, as I understand it, is that those without a visa need onward transport arrangements but those with a visa do not.I've been doing this for 20+ years on all kinds of business, tourist, non O, visa waiver entries and even airlines worldwide accept that if you have a visa you don't need onward transport but if you do not have a visa and your trip exceeds the
*****
day entry waiver, then they may refuse to board you because you do not have that visa.As ever, I think this is one little Hitler's lack of understanding and her colleagues saving face.
SoftF******
OP@Luit ****************
I understand the concept. And I know it's a standard "rule". It's just funny to me and seems like it shouldn't be enforced 🤷♀️
Paula ******
would a train ticket have worked ?
Jon **********
@Paula *****
It just has to be a ticket out of Thailand. It can be a bus ticket.Guy ******
@Paula *****
no has to be a flight I’ve had the same experienceSoftF******
OP@Guy *****
maybe depends on IO like all of this nonsense 😑SoftF******
OP@Paula *****
probably. Just proof that you're leaving the country.Activity
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