What should I consider when booking my return flight if I plan to stay in Thailand for nearly four months?

Dec 22, 2021
3 years ago
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Peeps!

Im planning to travel to Thailand next year February,

I’d Ideally like to stay for just under 4 months (Id like to leave late May).

My question is, should I book a return flight for May when booking my initial ticket before I enter Thailand? Or should I book a ticket for the 2 month mark and then once I go to renew/extend my visa I change my flight date, which probably will be some hassle.

If I book a return ticket for 3.5 months out from my initial arrival will I have an trouble when I get in the country?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Hopefully I worded my question correctly.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to travel to Thailand for about four months and inquires about the best approach to booking their return flight. They wonder whether to book a flight for the intended return date or a ticket for an earlier date, which could then be changed later. The community responds with insights into the requirements and potential issues with onward travel tickets, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and providing proof of onward travel when entering Thailand. They suggest various options for securing a compliant ticket without a significant financial burden.
Dianne *****
You can't stay for 3 and a half months. 90 days is about it at the moment and with Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos and Myanmar closed you can't do a border bounce to extend your time in Thailand. Not sure how immigration would consider flights booked to closed countries. You could travel to Cambodia but it would require quarantine on return and multiple PCR tests ie before you travel to Cambodia, once you arrive in Cambodia, before you return back to Thailand, once you arrive back in Thailand and a couple of times during your first 7 days back in Thailand. Costs for these tests soon mount up
Kim ***********
Not sure if things have changed but you used to require POOT before the 30th day of your stay. Proof of Onward Travel.We have been asked for this on previous trips.
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@K**
even with a 2 month tourist visa?
Kim ***********
@Leighton *******
I'm Australian and we could only ever gets 30 day visa exemption. We could possibly tried to extend it, but it was easier and more fun to jump across to a neighbouring country, so we used to visit Cambodia and Malaysia then return for another 30 days. Have done this over and over.
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@K**
ahh okay. Yeah I think im limited to the 30 day extension as well unless I get the Special Tourist Vida which just seems like a lot of hassle.
Kim ***********
@Leighton *******
exactly how I felt. I simply couldn't be bothered with it and given how easy and cheap it was to travel to a neighbouring country, well, we just did that. Of course this was pre Covid. I do remember that it only cost me $38 AU to fly from CM across to KL. So cheap and easy.
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@K**
100% Pity KL is closed at the moment or that would be perfect!
Kim ***********
@Leighton *******
Yes. It is a perfect solution. Shame, I didn't realise their borders were still closed.
Paul *****************
Paul *****************
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pa**
hoping that it reopens by February or its not going to make sense for me to come anymore.
John ********
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Yuri ***********
Hi lads a question whether there will be problems at the airport cheek in desk when boarding if I have a return ticket in 60 days since I am going to make an additional visa for 30 days. Or I must bay only 30 days return...then change any advise..please.
Paul *****************
Comming soon Thailand is going in Lockdown again same last Year.
Bobby ********
Yuri Savchenko. No-one can say categorically you won't have a problem, as there's a possibility you will. You can "rent" a ticket for about $10 which will cover you, and as it is actually a legal ticket it will suffice. There's a number of online agents able to do this
Yuri ***********
ok could you sagest online agents able to do this thank you
Yuri ***********
@Bobby *******
thank you the 21st century cannot be made easier by the rules for people..
Colin ********
Don't waste your time
Brandon ************
There are 3 places this can be a problem for you, but 2 of them are 99% not going to be any issue.

First is Thailand Pass, who can require your flight to meet your visa, but since they don't ask about your visa, it shouldn't matter.

Second is when you apply for your visa, the embassy/consulate may ask to see onward travel that meets the duration of your visa, but most of the time they don't ask either.

Third is your airline. When you go to check in they are going to ask to see a LOT of paperwork because the airlines are being super-vigilant right now in checking and double checking everything. If for some reason you are denied entry they will be penalized, so there are many reports in this group of people being forced to purchase a ticket as they stand there or miss their flight altogether if they didn't have it.

My suggestion is to find a solution that shows onward travel within your 60 days, and this can take many forms. A bus ticket out of Thailand, okay. A plane ticket to Singapore even if Singapore is closed at the time, okay. A ticket from one of the onward travel services you can find on Google, also okay. Just be prepared to either have proof, or be able to get proof in a matter of minutes to prevent disaster.
Mark ********
@Brandon ***********
I purchased a 60 day return on the airline (Singapore) despite the fact I had only a 30 day visa exempt on arrival. Was no issue at all.
Brandon ************
@Mark *******
that's good, but many others have had issues. Best to be prepared and not lose your entire trip over something so trivial. Check-in agents aren't very flexible
Mark ********
@Brandon ***********
sharing experience (and mention the airline) is all. No one is an expert on this. Data points are how someone makes a decision
Bobby ********
Mark Nissel. Many have been refused boarding and on top of all the other shit at check-in have had to scramble to book an onward flight. As Brandon has said be prepared to prevent disaster. Some people get through with no onward or return flight, but all we can advise is what is the requirement.
Jared **********
Some people say to have an onward travel ticket allowed from your initial visa, let’s assume 60 days. Some people also (myself included) book for 90 days because the 30 day extension is pretty straightforward.

Your best bet is to book your flight for the dates that you want and buy a secondary ticket for onward travel, I bought a cheap ticket to KL for proof of onward.

I came in Nov, my return flight is April. I bought a one way ticket in February to KL that I likely won’t use.
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ja***
I see. Did you buy the KL ticket before you entered just to have the proof of Onward?
Jared **********
@Leighton *******
I bought it when I applied for my visa
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ja***
okay thanks for that!
Bobby ********
With a tourist visa you can only stay maximum 90 days, or are you coming in on an STV?
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bo***
I thought it was 60 days then a 60 day extension for Tourist Visas
Bobby ********
Leighton Butler. 60 days plus 30 extension. And STV gives you 90+90+90
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bo***
nvm just looked it up. Looks like a lot more hassle than the normal Tourist Visa honestly. I guess I’ll just do 3 months then with the 60 day and extension. Then I’ll head out.
Leighton ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bo***
whats the STV?
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