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What documentation do I need for a visa-exempt entry to Thailand as a Canadian traveler?
Thailand visavisa exemptionCanadian travelerBangkok immigrationvisa documentationCOVID-19 travel regulations30-day visa exemptionair travelonward ticketaccommodation proof
Apr 27, 2023
3 years ago
Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello Visa advice friends!
Photo (from my first trip to Thailand in 2019) for attention.
I'm a Canadian traveling to Thailand from Vietnam. As I understand it , I'm able to get a visa exception for 30 days. Plan is to land in Bangkok next week, by air. I was wondering if someone can a) confirm this and b) tell me if I need to arrive with anything documentation-wise (ie: ticket out of Thailand , proof of accommodation, bank statements ect). The only info I could find was quite old, and with the ever changing landscape of Thai immigration-- I figured it couldn't hurt to ask here.
Any clarification would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Photo (from my first trip to Thailand in 2019) for attention.
I'm a Canadian traveling to Thailand from Vietnam. As I understand it , I'm able to get a visa exception for 30 days. Plan is to land in Bangkok next week, by air. I was wondering if someone can a) confirm this and b) tell me if I need to arrive with anything documentation-wise (ie: ticket out of Thailand , proof of accommodation, bank statements ect). The only info I could find was quite old, and with the ever changing landscape of Thai immigration-- I figured it couldn't hurt to ask here.
Any clarification would be much appreciated! Thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A Canadian traveling to Thailand from Vietnam can enter visa-exempt for 30 days. Key requirements include possessing 20,000 THB (about $800 CAD), proof of accommodation booking, and an onward ticket. While many travelers may not be asked for documentation upon arrival, airlines typically require proof of onward travel. Alternatives to flying include overland travel from Vietnam.
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Paul *******
Just come overland if you feel that it's going to be complicated satisfying airline requirements. It's really not far and backpackers are used to it.
If you're in Ho Chi Minh, catch a bus to Phnom Penh (5-6 hours), there are around 30 or more daily, operated by several different companies.
Spend the night then look for a direct bus to Bangkok, which leaves once a day.
An alternative is to find a bus from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap. There are fewer departures, but still several daily, though it's a longer haul (could take up to 12 hours). Then from Siem Reap, you have several daily direct buses to Bangkok (7-8 hours including stops at the border).
You can do this journey more quickly by taking taxis along some parts of the journey. I've done Phnom Penh to Poipet in less than 5 hours for instance. Aranyaprathet to Bangkok, can take as little as 3 hours.
If you're in Ho Chi Minh, catch a bus to Phnom Penh (5-6 hours), there are around 30 or more daily, operated by several different companies.
Spend the night then look for a direct bus to Bangkok, which leaves once a day.
An alternative is to find a bus from Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap. There are fewer departures, but still several daily, though it's a longer haul (could take up to 12 hours). Then from Siem Reap, you have several daily direct buses to Bangkok (7-8 hours including stops at the border).
You can do this journey more quickly by taking taxis along some parts of the journey. I've done Phnom Penh to Poipet in less than 5 hours for instance. Aranyaprathet to Bangkok, can take as little as 3 hours.
Paul *******
@Jake *****
You're welcome. Anyway, traveling overland in Asia is very easy. Only exception is Myanmar, where this is outlawed by the government.Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
hopefully doesn't come to this 😅 but thanks for the info.Reply to
Jake ******
Reply
Richard *********
use Onwardsflights dot com> worth the few $$ for peace of mind
Gorgon *****
If you do use Air Canada that is a definite..book an onward ticket just before expiry to satisfy departure...(online temp reservations can be found by google search for exactly that.."onward travel". Suggest you avoid online pre checkin since, at least in AC's case..they will request a visa and there is no provision to input anything like a visa exempt status ..and raises flags. However, with an onward ticket reservation and your flight locator # you should be fine..and when you arrive in Bangkok you should sail through with 30 day visa exempt but wise to have a hotel reservation to satisfy TM30 requirements...something you will find out about should you apply for an extension in country later.
Paul *******
@Gorgon ****
TM30 isn't a big deal these days especially for tourist visa holders.Paul *******
@Gorgon ****
Really? The more the process is automated with less human interaction, the less likely it is you'll be asked for additional documents by your airline. At least that's been my experience.Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
again hit and miss with this airline. Very unpredictable lately. The last three flights with them they are blocking the ability to check-in online in order to force you to talk to a real person. Source : 3 of the 4 flights taken with them in the last 6 months.
Reply to
Jake ******
Reply
Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Gorgon ****
using vietjet, which can be kinda a crap shot on what they do and don't check...Reply to
Jake ******
Reply
Alistair **********
Yes you get 30 days visa exempt entry.
The technical requirements are: 20,000B (about $800 Canadian) or equivalent in cash, proof of accommodation booking for duration of trip (normally first few days is fine) and onward ticket leaving Thailand within the visa exempt period.
99.9% of people don't get asked anything by immigration and just get stamped. Especially holding a Western passport. Your airline is likely to ask for proof of onward travel though.
The technical requirements are: 20,000B (about $800 Canadian) or equivalent in cash, proof of accommodation booking for duration of trip (normally first few days is fine) and onward ticket leaving Thailand within the visa exempt period.
99.9% of people don't get asked anything by immigration and just get stamped. Especially holding a Western passport. Your airline is likely to ask for proof of onward travel though.
Paul *******
@Alistair *********
I thought it was *****
Baht for a 30 day visa waiver. *****
Baht is the requirement for 60 day visas or families.Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
gotcha! Oh well . Immigration office is never too far. Probably Krabi which is never terribly crowded. Thanks for your input!Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
60 days would be easiest, I imagine. Besides more cost , what more is involved with this? Can I still request it on landing in Bangkok? Or do I need to apply in advance?Paul *******
@Jake *****
Needs to be applied in advance.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Alistair **********
@Paul ******
visa exempt is 20K baht per person or 40K baht a family. Visa on arrival is 10K per person and 20K per family.Reply to
Alistair **********
Reply
Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alistair *********
thank you this had been my experience in the past but I wanted to see if anything had changed since covid. As far as accommodation I'm actually staying with a friend. Does that complicate things? Should I book something just to be safe?
Jo **********
@Jake *****
noAlistair **********
@Jake *****
they very rarely check. I've personally never been asked for it. They mostly will check only if you have an extensive history living in Thailand on the wrong visa type or based on your race / passport. I doubt you raise any red flags to them. If it is asked, if you have a phone you could just book something whilst at immigration or if your friend speaks Thai call them and let them speak to immigration.
Paul *******
@Alistair *********
Yes indeed. If you had a Papua New Guinea passport, you'd need to show up with a book full of documents and meticulously show them to the immigration officer.Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alistair *********
my thoughts too, just wanted to have backups in places in case it's a headache. My experience is that they just waive me through on but you know what they say about luck... The only constant is that it changes. I don't have anything strange in my visits to Thailand Besides one day over stay ( by accident ) which they laughed about and extended my visa immediately. Since then I'm extra careful not to mess around with this kinda thing.
Reply to
Jake ******
Reply
Muhammad *************
@Jake *****
if you staying with a friend you should ask him/her for the invitation letter,in which the person must mention that you will stay with him/her ,after you dont have to book for accommodation.Jo **********
@Muhammad ************
that’s way over the topMuhammad *************
@Jo *********
i did the same ..i came from Dubai as Tourist and i did not book any accomodations .I was staying with a thai friend and she send me the invitation letter which i showed them at the immigration in Suvarnabhumi intl Airport .Paul *******
@Muhammad ************
Westerners generally don't need to go to such lengths, but it's better to be over prepared than under prepared. I once gave a Vietnamese friend a letter in Thai, explaining he'd be staying at our place in Thailand. He showed it at immigration.Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
exactly ! Thank you. 🙏🏼Jake ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Muhammad ************
amazing. Very helpful thanks!Reply to
Jake ******
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