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Will I face issues at check-in if I have a return ticket after 60 days in Thailand?

Thailand VisaOnward TravelVisa ExtensionsImmigration RegulationsAirline Check-in PoliciesTravel Safety
Nov 28, 2024
2 days ago
Lee *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi just seen a post where a guy was questioned at Heathrow because he had more than 60 days on his return flight . I've booked 85 day return 60 days plus my 30 day extension. Can I expect problems at check in ? Thanks again to this group .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original question raises concerns about potential check-in issues due to a return flight scheduled 85 days after arrival in Thailand, exceeding the common 60-day rule for onward travel. Various commenters share their experiences, indicating that while some travelers have been asked for proof of onward travel, many others have not encountered any problems. Suggestions include booking a low-cost onward ticket, explaining visa extension plans at check-in, or obtaining a refundable ticket to comply with airline policies. Overall, while there’s a possibility of facing questions at check-in, many travelers have managed to board without issues even with longer return flights.
Rich *********
I booked a one way ticket from Heathrow to Bkk with thai Airways as I didn't really know when I was going back to London, had no problem at all, just got my 30 day extension this week, so 90 days now.
2 days ago
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Richard ***********
I recently got asked at Heathrow

Between self check in and baggage points

I said I plan to fly to Vietnam on 60 days and they said OK
2 days ago
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David ********
@Richard **********
 exactly my comment well done 👍 it's people here that have created an industry for some online company to purchase ongoing cheap tickets that may or may not exist but good side Hussle
2 days ago
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David ********
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Holger **************
I Had 113 days flight Ticket to BKK ,No Visa ,and was asked about onward Ticket at Frankfurt Airport on nov 13th

After some discussion they accepted my valid Laos Visa in my passport AS Proof of Intention to leave the country
2 days ago
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David ********
@Holger *************
 exactly some discussion may be needed. But you had a reasonable itinerary. It's not illegal to travel like this
2 days ago
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David ********
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Bonnie *********
From what I'm reading, they ask more frequently everywhere. Your return flight is reasonable - you should have no problem. You are within 90 days.
2 days ago
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Jonathin *******
Just my 2 cents worth.

If you can afford an 85 day trip to Thailand you should be able to afford a super cheap throwaway ticket to Cambodia, Laos or wherever. Totally eliminating all the worries!
2 days ago
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David ********
@Jonathin ******
 so you go into a pie shop and ask for a pie. She says do you want sauce you say no then she says well if you don't buy sauce no pie. So you buy sauce then throw it away. It's people like this that screws society. Just stand up for yourself people have become programmed not to challenge anyone anymore. You have rights ffs
2 days ago
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Jonathin *******
@David *******
 Getting sauce with your pie IS a choice. I guess violating immigration law hoping not to get caught is also a choice.
2 days ago
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David ********
@Jonathin ******
 why are you violating immagration. You get 60 days on arrival it's your responsibility to leave when and how you want within 60 days. Eg you may stay 15 days and go to Cambodia for 10 days then go to Vietnam for 10 days then back to Thailand and do it again. What law have you broken ?
2 days ago
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Jonathin *******
@David *******
 In the original post he clearly states it’s a 60 day visa but his return/exit booking is 85 days after entry.
2 days ago
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Jonathin *******
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Sid *******
I booked a flight with Lufthansa from Toronto to Bangkok with layover in Zurich where they switched me to Swiss Air. I was allowed on the plane in Toronto no questions asked. Before Swiss Air would allow anyone to Board you had to show your onward flight or in my case, my Non O Visa and re entry permit. At first they told me that wasn’t good enough, I had to have onward ticket. Then another Agent spoke up and said that it was OK.
2 days ago
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Alain ***************
If they stop you, just book an onward flight inside the airport and show them your booking confirmation screen 🙏
2 days ago
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Ole ****
Get either a fake onward ticket. Or go to the airport early enough to book a real one in case they requested onward travel within 60 days
2 days ago
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Steven *******
Three weeks ago, when I landed at Phuket, the Immigration Officer asked me for my onward ticket. Fortunately, I had one. Had I not had one, she probably would have frowned on me leaving the line and booking one. I understand this is a rare occurrence, but it happened to me.
2 days ago
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David ********
@Steven ******
 did you have any conversation with the officer. Like you are traveling and you are unsure when and where you will leave. You are allowed to choose you know it's not against any law. One way tickets are sold for a reason and by all airlines. The traveler chooses not an airline employee or immagration officer. It's just someone trying to play with you. They probably notice that you only go in and out of Thailand and it's obvious what you are up to high majority are makes answering this question. Challenge the officer instead of assuming you are doing something wrong
2 days ago
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Steven *******
@David *******
 I didn’t assume I was doing anything wrong. She asked for my onward ticket and I gave it to her. What would I challenge?
2 days ago
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David ********
@Steven ******
 l thought you were pointing out that you need an onward ticket that's why you commented here. When infact you dont need an onward ticket.The reason she asked may have been my reply ? Cause it's not a normal question l have never been asked in 20 years coming to Thailand and mostly buy one way ticket.
2 days ago
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David ********
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Lee *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steven ******
 I have a return ticket booked to the UK after 85 days. So hoping I get 30 day extension
2 days ago
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Steven *******
@Lee ****
 That won’t help you in the unlikely event the Immigration Officer asks for one. Some people “rent” a real ticket out of Thailand from onwardticket.com or one of their competitors. I think they are about $15US and automatically cancelled after a couple of days.
2 days ago
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Steven *******
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NT ********
*****************************
Thank me later
2 days ago
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Tony *********
I set off from the UK last week. My return flight is booked 120 days later. Nothing said in England or Thailand
2 days ago
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Nick *******
That's a question that can't be answered on here by anyone. It all depends on the airline and who is checking your documents. Up to them.
2 days ago
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Tim ********
I arrived july 16 from US my return is Dec 13 i was never ask anything went to taiwan in sept for 4 days came back to Thailand receive 60 day then got my 30 day extention i have never been ask for any doc's i stayThailand for about 6 months every year since 2019 never any issues
2 days ago
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Tim ********
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Ronald *********
Which carrier was he flying with ?
2 days ago
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Lee *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ronald ********
 Eva Airways
2 days ago
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Ronald *********
@Lee ****
I go out on a 60 day SE Visa, and book my flight for 89 day return with Emirates.

No questions departing or arriving.
a day ago
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Ronald *********
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Bart **************
The most common interpretation of the onward travel rule is that extendability is not accounted for. So within 60 days. You could try, maybe you get away with the 85 days story. However if they check they should *normally* not accept the story. Then you could book a refundable ticket on the spot and refund it after arrival. Don't waste any money on pointless stuff.
2 days ago
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Lee *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bart *************
 I have booked return journey after 85 , surely that's proof I'm leaving the country .
2 days ago
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Bart **************
@Lee ****
 it's normally not sufficient. It's worth a shot, but I've been forced to book a new onward ticket before checking in.
2 days ago
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Bart **************
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Robert ********
If you’re scared of that, Google for an onward ticket service and bookmark it.

Should they force you to show a ticket (which is very rare), just book it then and there.

But usually they accept it when ppl show knowledge and explain they will extend at immigration, because that info is on the websites of embassies.
2 days ago
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Bart **************
@Robert *******
 it's not rare, people are checked more often than not. It used to be more rare before covid.
2 days ago
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Robert ********
@Bart *************
I didn’t say that the check is rare. They often check and I think they always check.

But they rarely force people to show the ticket. In many cases a simple “yes I know and I will extend at immigration” is enough.

But you obviously always had a ticket ready and showed it. Good for you.

And BTW. I once knew a German who was always taken out of line. At airports and at border crossing with car in Europe. Always!

It’s your face not your passport that makes them suspect something.
2 days ago
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Jared **********
@Bart *************
 your reply is just as anecdotal as his, the only people i hear getting routinely checked have weak passports
2 days ago
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Bart **************
@Jared *********
 I've been checked for entry eligibility by my airline at virtually every instance since 2018. Before then it was less common. Is my passport weak?
2 days ago
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Jared **********
@Bart *************
 i have no idea what passport you hold, but seems weird to say how often when people are checked since you have zero data and only yourself and anecdotes, as we all do.

I’ve never been asked about a return ticket and never had a flight back in under 4 months
2 days ago
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Jared **********
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Pierre *********
I'm on a one way ticket to BBK but purchased a bus ticket to Cambodia from BBK for $25 cad it is partially refundable. But hoping it satisfies Cathy Airways from. Canada
2 days ago
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Stu *********
When I flew here in 2022 I had to book an onward before Japan airlines would let me board for my flight to Thailand. The onward doesn't have to be really done. And it can be a any mode of transport that shows you planning to leave Thailand. But, once you get to Thailand you can always change your plans. There are even companies that you pay a small fee and they book you a flight that won't be used. I wish I could remember the name of the company but it has been a couple of years since my kids told me about it.
2 days ago
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Don ******
@Stu ********
 onwardticket.com
2 days ago
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Don ******
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Mitchell *******
Book yourself a ticket to Malaysia for some point before day 60. Then either take it, or apply for (and get) the extension and then cancel the flight.
2 days ago
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Holger **************
@Mitchell ******
 Usually cheap flights can be cancelled without any refund....Full refundable flights are rare on short distance flights
2 days ago
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Mitchell *******
@Holger *************
 yup. I am a traveler, so I usually have several flights in a 2 month period anyway. 😅
a day ago
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Mitchell *******
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Kev ********
I was asked two weeks ago I am on a six month ticket and I told them 60 days on arrival and then 30 day extension and then maybe go out the country and do the same again or I maybe come back early they let me through 😎😎👍👍
2 days ago
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Kim *********
@Kev *******
 good for you they didn't follow the requirements
2 days ago
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Kim *********
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Michael *******
I have flown from St Louis to Bangkog 22 times and never been ask to see a onward ticket.
2 days ago
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Matthew *******
@Michael ******
 it does happen
2 days ago
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Steven *******
@Michael ******
 Because you probably always had a return ticket in the system.
2 days ago
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Luc ************
@Michael ******
 because you had a visa probably.
2 days ago
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Mitchell *******
@Michael ******
 but people DO! Your reply is not helpful in this case, as the OP wants to know the way to avoid this.
2 days ago
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Mitchell *******
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Victoria **********
A twenty quid Air Asia/Nok Air (Etc.) flight to (eg) Penang will guarantee you don't get any hassle at check in at your point of departure.
2 days ago
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Rob *******
You might be allowed to board. You might get refused to board.
2 days ago
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Hannah ********
Book a cheap ticket to a near by country
2 days ago
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Brandon ************
That's between you and your airline. Some airlines may require proof of onward travel within 60 days. Some might allow 90 days. Some might not check at all.

The legal requirement from immigration is onward travel within the number of days you'll receive when you arrive.
2 days ago
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Allan ************
@Brandon ***********
 I travelled to Bangkok in April with Emirates, the lady at the desk asked did I have a return ticket,which I had,but with Qatar,I just said yes and she was happy.
2 days ago
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Allan ************
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