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What should I know about traveling to Thailand without a return flight ticket?

Thailand Immigration Visa Requirements Onward Tickets Travel Tips for Expats Airline Policies Visa Exemption Visa Extensions

Dec 28, 2024

6 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I arrive Thailand Monday evening from the UK, back with my partner for a month or so, she’s Thai and will be staying there until later in the year. I’m leaving Thailand end of January early February but no date set as of yet to return to the UK. I haven’t booked a return flight as yet, has anyone had any issues at immigration with not having a return ticket?. Thank you in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A traveler arriving in Thailand from the UK inquiring about potential immigration issues when traveling without a return ticket received varied responses. Many commenters emphasized that while airlines often check for onward travel tickets prior to boarding, Thai immigration itself may not consistently ask for proof upon arrival. Some users shared experiences of being randomly checked, while others mentioned that providing a simple proof of onward travel, such as purchasing a temporary or 'dummy' ticket, is a common precaution to prevent boarding issues or complications at immigration.

Andy **********

In 20 yrs of visiting a minimum of 3 times a year I never been asked for proof of return/onward travel tickets nor proof of accomodation whilst there.

The first few years I just turned up on a one way ticket with no accomodation arranged and just travelled about till I decided where to go next. I am a bit more organised now but never been asked

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Billy ******

I bought a cheap ticket to KL within 60 days,I was asked by Singapore air at UK airport if I had a ticket, but they didn’t want to see it, same at BKK immigration, they asked when I was flying out, but didn’t want to see my ticket.

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Jonnie *******

Usually they check, but I’ve been asked once when using a one way ticket if I’d planned on doing an extension once there, (which I did ) this following the check in desk checking through my passport pages and I guess them seeing mostly yearly extensions or yearly multi entry visas with plenty in out stamps, so you may get away with it but best have a dummy onward ticket just to be sure.

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Floyd **********

I’ve always been asked to show proof of departure… until this year, when they took my word 🤷‍♂️ it’s usually asked prior to issuing you a boarding pass in your home or departing country.

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Wylie *******

Just Google onward ticket and use the services of the top result a few days before the flight. It costs about $15 and will give you a real booking confirmation on a real flight that will be good for something like 5 days. The service then cancels the booking after the 5 days.

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Steven *******

I arrived visa-exempt in late October and was asked for an onward ticket by Immigration at Phuket Airport. I understand it’s very rare but it happened to me. Fortunately, I had one; they didn’t ask for it in San Francisco.

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Steve **********

I flew Thai airways from the UK and they will ask for onward travel either at the counter or check-in. If you have an onward ticket in less than 60 days to somewhere else you should be ok..

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Bart **************

It's your airline you need to fear.

It's often advised to check with them, which you could, but you could also safe yourself the time. Any airline will say that you are required to have proof of onward travel if you plan to use visa exemption. It doesn't mean that you will actually get checked.

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Steve *******

You're most likely to have problems boarding your flight from the UK on a one way ticket without a long term visa or proof of onward travel within your stay in Thailand

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John **********

I was checked in Melbourne and was told I couldn't fly. It was fortunate that I had a Singapore flight . Problem solved. It does happen.

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Jason ******

They don't seem to be checking this at immigration anywhere anymore ,as if you got here ,the airline has allowed it and it's policy for airlines to check ,some can check and be strict ,some don't ,best check with your airline first to avoid stress at check in . 🙏🏽

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Stuart ************

I just arrived a few weeks ago , been coming for over 20 yrs and got asked to show return flight at immigration for first time

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Jason ******

@Stuart ***********

that's good to know ,I wonder how long before they check those dummy flights people use .I lived and worked in Cambodia for 14 yrs and used to have issues all the time at Heathrow with airlines ,after a two week visit back there,as I was flying to Thailand without a exit flight , but once I showed my Khmer business visa and proof of my business and home in cambodia they were fine .Thailand seems to be getting stricter now though . 🙏🏽

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Jason ******

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Sylvia ********

Yes many airlines checked at random now for either a visa or onward/return flight. Check with your airline or buy a cheap ticket to Cambodia which you can bin or if possible ask for refund

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Ian **********

It's your airline that may make a fuss - immigration rarely ask. You can buy a temporary ticket for about $14 if the airline deny you boarding. The ticket lasts about 48 hours. onwardticket.com

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David ***********

I saw an interesting comment earlier. They said if you offer a temporary ticket, it will be noted in the system. If you do not use it then that could raise a red flag. Immigration will clearly know about this and have your immigration record.

I arrived with a return date ticket well over the 60 + 30 days. Used the Thai wife card and infomed the IO that she was arranging tickets. He was happy but I have a squeaky cleam record over 30 odd years.

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Ian **********

@David **********

Absolute rubbish 😃 Immigration only ask for a return ticket if you are selected for secondary screening. It's the airlines that mostly ask. Total BS. There is no way your airline or immigration would know if you used an onward ticket

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David ***********

again I try snd be helpful by stating what has already been suggested by someone else and I get nailed.

But why do immigration always want the boarding card at both in and out. To record the filght.

But since the UK has me down as "not the person of interest" they are looking for and but still get checked everytime I enter the UK. I wonder just how much jnfo immigration services hold. I am a British citizen.

A friend of mine was jailed for 6 months because his travel movements were suspicious and coincided with four incidents in four countries. If you think your movements are not bring tracked by airlines and governments you may be suprised.

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Ian **********

@David **********

Thai immigration want your boarding card for two reasons. Since they suspended the TM6 landing card they want to record the flight you arrived on and the second reason is a throwback to Covid when they needed to know where you sat if anybody developed Covid. Nobody has ever been jailed due to suspicion so stop posting BS. Advance passenger information is collected by airlines and shared with government security agencies to stop people travelling who have been banned from do so. Currently this information is NOT shared with immigration

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Ian **********

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