What should I do if my visa hasn't arrived before my flight to Thailand?

Hi there. Yes, my visa approval didn't come till after my scheduled departure. I just no-showed for the flight and extended my hotel stay a few days at a time. Luckily I was able to apply for a refund of the return portion of the flight and it came a few weeks later. Once my DTV got approved, I just booked a bus ticket to depart the next day.

Flightnumbers are like busnumbers, they describe a specific route, but not any date or time.

Always check the website of intended Thai Embassy to be used, for details on visaprocessing time.

Did the embassy you applied at demand that you have a ticket? The application form just asks for the flight details of your intended proposed arrival.

Yes. I flew back to Thailand on a visa exempt before my dtv was approved (the day after). After a few weeks I travelled to another country then returned and stamped in on the dtv for 180 days. This was last year when it was so much easier. These days I read a lot about people getting called in for interviews or further proof they're still in country. If you can, maybe postpone your trip. If not, hope for the best.

You didn't have to book a real ticket to apply by the way. Any flight number would have sufficed.