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What visa requirements do I need to meet as a 52-year-old Irish citizen visiting Thailand for a month?

Oct 18, 2022
4 years ago
David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
52 year old Irish citizen visiting Thailand for first time, what are visa requirements will just be month or so .do I need an onward ticket money in the bank?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A 52-year-old Irish citizen can enter Thailand under a 45-day visa exemption without needing a visa, provided they have a valid passport. However, airlines may request an onward ticket before boarding. Although proof of funds is generally not required, it's better to have cash on hand in case asked. If planning to stay more than 45 days, consider extending the stay at a local immigration office or applying for a tourist visa for an initial 60 days.
Brian ********
You may want to look at this

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Edwin ********
My problem was with a particular immigration officer at Suwannabhumi Airport who wanted to invent reasons to deny my entry, simply because I had had so many (completely legal) long-term stays in her country. Among the things that she brought up was the lack of an onward ticket, which may or may not have been a valid issue for an American (me) who was entering on a passport and no visa (online advice on this matter was conflicting, and my return travel plans were uncertain anyway). Fortunately I managed to talk my way past her, and she finally backed off on the ongoing ticket issue, and the next officer she handed off to (who was the person who gave me the expected 45-day entry stamp) was a lot easier to talk with. So, given that experience, I STILL do not know what the actual rule is on the outbound ticket issue (!).
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Stuart *********
@Edwin *******
The actual rule is that you DO need an onward ticket if you enter Thailand with a visa exempt or tourist visa. However immigration rarely will ever ask. Only in cases such as yours with multiple entry history and they’re looking for ways to deny entry.
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Mitchell *******
But to be on the safe side... Have an outbound ticket. 🙂
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Edwin ********
@Stuart ********
Sounds about right. Thanks. And her final comment to me was that next time I have to come back with an actual visa instead of just my USA passport. Which in some ways is not fair (why should I be singled out for special mistreatment after having served her country and its people all those years (among other things, I had been a university professor in Thailand)), while in other ways her command made sense to me, and I am exploring ways to comply...
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Stuart *********
@Edwin *******
many reports from others that get the same type of comment. It’s just hyperbole. There would be nothing to stop you trying to enter again without a visa - except an immigration officer having a bad hair day.
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Edwin ********
@Stuart ********
Thank you. She was definitely having a bad *something* day. Though since I am not keen on a repeat performance by somebody else, I will keep looking for more secure means of entry next time. ... :-)
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Edwin ********
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Dan *******
Anyone know if Thai airways ask for proof of onward flight on the direct flight from Heathrow to BKk?
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Graham ******
@Dahni ******
Nobody can say what will happen on the day so why risk it?
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Dan *******
@Graham *****
well they might have changed the rules like TM60 for example.
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Dan *******
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David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I will be flying with multiple airlines from Berlin, this is going to be a nightmare....😓
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David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yeah lads & lass's it's a bureaucratic nightmare , i think I'll just get myself put into a drug induced coma and wake up when the weather gets warmer! Lol
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Stuart *********
@David ********
Multiple airlines means multiple chances that you may be asked. As stated earlier you can buy a “rented” ticket for about $10 or if you’re uncomfortable with that buy a real one from say Bangkok to Cambodia for about $50
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Graham ******
@Stuart ********
But only one of those multiple airlines is flying him to Thailand ;) He already has onward tickets for the other check-ins.
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Stuart *********
@Graham *****
fair point. That final one will have sway on whether he needs an onward ticket or not. Still a coin toss.
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Stuart *********
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Phil ******
@David ********
you chose this
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David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
I don't understand?
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Phil ******
@David ********
you chose your travel.
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Judy *******
@David ********
you have to have your passport with you!
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David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Judy ******
, just the card, will have to get passport Book mailed to Berlin somehow...
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David *********
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Judy *******
@David ********
as long as you have your passport you’ll be ok!
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Judy *******
You have to have your real passport . A passport card doesn’t work in Asia
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David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Judy ******
, do you mean the book version? card won't work?, I'll just have get it mailed from Ireland so..
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David *********
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Peter ****************
Then, besides the extra money you lose maybe 2-3 days from y'r holiday days when going back to get your passport. IF you did not book y'r flight to BKK already. Otherwise you maybe can change your dates if booked (money again I guess)
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Peter ****************
? You are in Berlin without a passport(book) ? No nightmare, the airliner just don't let you fly out of Europe If they do it right. Or you cannot get into another country out of EU. So back to Ireland I guess, sry 🙄
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Peter ****************
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Peter ****************
Think you need a real passport (book).
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Peter ****************
Yep, I know
@Stuart ********
. Alas OP has not much travel experience out of Europe I guess. Pity.
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Stuart *********
@Peter ***************
OP is from Ireland. His card is only valid in EU/EEA countries.
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
As
@Bra****
said banked money is not an issue. As you have no prior history entering Thailand they’re not going to ask you to show cash.

The onward ticket is up to the airline. You’ll see a split difference of opinions on here. Some get away with no onward flight but many are asked - by their airline. If you don’t have one you may be denied boarding. You could ring and ask your airlines policy on that or Google “onward ticket” and get a throwaway one for around $10.

If you’re planning on staying over 45 days then you can either apply for an extension at a local immigration office (1,900 baht approx €50) for a further 30 days to get 75 days total or apply for a tourist visa and get 60 days on arrival (also extendable once so 90 days total) for £30 approx €35.
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David *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a passport card not book, (so can't be stamped obviously (my passport Book is in safekeeping back in Ireland.. will I need to get that to travel?
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Johanna ********
@David ********
not acceptable has to be passport
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Steve **********
@David ********
Need your PP, cards aren't accepted.
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Stuart *********
@David ********
Yes. Cards don’t work here. Only your original passport. The card is only supported in EU/EEA countries.
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Brandon ************
@David ********
you won't be going anywhere without a passport
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Brandon ************
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Brandon ************
Money in the bank won't help you, since if they ask you to show proof of funds, it must be in cash only.

But they don't really ask for that unless they want to deny you entry.

If you have an Irish passport you don't need anything, just show up with your passport and you'll get stamped in for 45 days.

Your airline may require you to show onward travel within 30 or 45 days before they let you board your flight though.
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Jim *****
45 day visa exemption on arrival . Onward ticket maybe needed by your airline
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Jim *****
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