What documents does my son need to travel to Thailand alone and can he stay with his stepfather?

I suggest you ask the same question on Thai Visa Advice you will get very specific answers

To start off, check with your airline if your son would be considered unaccompanied minor. They may ask for notarised letters from parent(s), that parent gives permission to travel, and proof of round trip ticket.

Get a notarized letter from his father stating that your son is allowed to travel on his own and that YOU are allowed to travel with your son without his father/your ex.

Thailand requires this when flying out. If you did a short holiday somewhere you could be asked to present a letter of parental consent for traveling.

Your son may need this for his flight home as well.

Apply for a 60 day tourist visa online. Can extend one time.

If you can get the multi tourist visa better. Then he can stay much longer with exits and extensions.

He NEEDS an exit ticket. Can be by boat even. Just an exit ticket for his first visa allowance.

No overstay for in

Maybe your son will hate the oppressive heat day in day out . Maybe he won’t like the food . Maybe he won’t like a lot of things . And why does his dad willing to dump him so easy ?

I don't think step dad visa will allow a dependent on if not legally adopted...

He can get an ed visa at a school. As he will be studying probably. Will be the easiest option to enrol him in a school for ed visa.

I would contact the airline first. Ask them what documents they accept for him to travel. Get him to take the reply email to the check-in desk. Next go to Thai immigration and ask them what is required. If you go by all replies on here you may get it wrong. Good luck 🙏

Talk to an attorney. Siam-Legal.com could be a big help in getting you on the right track. From what you are asking it sounds like you and his step dad are separated. It is best to talk to an attorney.

You don't say what passport your son holds but if he is coming on a tourist visa or visa exempt you may have to show a return ticket. Some airlines require this before they will allow you to board & it is rarely asked for at immigration. Try googleing onward ticket & book anything out of Thailand. Don't forget that immigration may ask him for proof of accomadation, so an invitation from you & you can also be asked to show proof of funds, I think BT or equivalent.

With regard to if he wants to stay longer as a dependent, I think he would need to have been legally adopted by his step father to be able to piggy back on his visa as you have to show proof of relationship. At 15 I assume if he stays he will go to school so may be able to apply for an education visa. You don't say what visa you hold so would it be possible to be your dependent?

I think it would make sense to talk with your local immigration office to see what they suggest or call the Thai embassy in the country he is from.

You asked the question about your son and being his step-dad's dependent last year, the rules haven't changed since then.

How long is he visiting?