Will I have a problem with my airline about my return ticket after a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand?

Aug 10, 2023
a year ago
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I go to Thailand on a 60-days tourist visa - will I have a problem with the airline if my return ticket is in 6 months? I plan to extend my stay in Thailand up to six month to study and practice some Thai, but not in a school.

Can the airline decline to bring me to Thailand? I will use Eva Air

Thank you all for your comments 😊
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original post discusses the potential issues of flying into Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa while holding a return ticket scheduled for 6 months later. Key concerns include whether the airline (Eva Air) will request proof of onward travel during check-in, given that tourist visas are typically granted for a stay of 60 days, which may not align with a 6-month ticket. Comments highlight that airlines often require proof of onward travel and may deny boarding without it. Additionally, there are reminders that tourist visas can be extended only for 30 days and that studying Thai outside of accredited institutions could complicate visa regulations.
Mitchell *******
Ok, I am new to the party here.

1. You are planning to get an ED visa? If not, then,

2. I guess you will "Study" on a tourist visa, which would be illegal to do. But in any case,

3. Your airline may very well ask for proof of onward travel, which would need to be within the 60 days. Thai immigration may ask as well, but less likely. Those saying they have never been asked, have just never been asked. Plenty of other people get asked. They are actually asking more frequently these days. Just book a changeable flight before hand. I have actually received money back on a couple occasions when I changed dates.
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mitchell ******
ED visa would be preferred if I find an accredited school around Rayong. If I cannot find I plan to stay half year with 90-days non-imm-O visiting family. Then apply for retirement visa (if I can have bank account) or make extensions or border run for the rest of the half year πŸ€“
Faron *************
depends on your airline and the gate agent
Ray **********
I have been going from the USA to Thailand for 20 years and have never been asked for an onward ticket
Antanas *************
Buy some bus ticket from Thailand for 30$ and that’s it
Kerry *********
Can you not just just study in a school and get an Ed Visa? Might save some hassle.
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kerry ********
many schools except in BKK closed since Covid
Sri ***
As u cant change ticket now, you can take risk at immigration if they ask return ticket, u will be in trouble, instead you can buy cheaper ticket to Manila or Kualampur which costs less than $100.00, u can show this ticket, it will work
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sri **
So they would accept a one-way-ticket to Thailand with an onward ticket out of Thailand?
Sri ***
@Helmut ********
yes, onward ticket is good enough to show ur leaving thailand
Sri ***
If u show onward journey ticket, they ask you for visa for that country as well, if u r from visa waiver countries then your fine otherwise you need visa too
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sri **
thank you, good to know 😎
James ***********
If you got a multiple entry visa, no one will ask you about onward travel.
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **********
Thank you, that makes sense πŸ€“
Braulio *********
ask Eva Air
Henrik *****
You are required to have a ticket inside the period which you have been allowed to stay in Thailand,

60 day visa = onward ticket within 60 days.
Edna *******
Henrik Mau plus extension, not hard to get if one goes to immigration within 12 days or less of your 60 day tourist visa. Go early and check for unexpected government holidays, and there are a lot.
Henrik *****
You need to have a onward ticket within every granted visa period, sΓ₯ if on 60 days touristvisa + 30 days extension, and the returndlight is later than 90 days, then 2 onward tickets is needed, 1 within 60 days, 1 within the 30 days extension.
Brandon ************
@Edna ******
extension doesn't affect the requirements. The requirement if they ask to see a flight is onward travel within the number of days you'll be stamped in for. That does not include the extension.
Steve ********
How do you study Thai if not in a school?
Michael ********
@Steve *******
stay on an Island like i did 35 years ago where nobody spoke English. Although i doubt to many place like that now
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
I have been offered a private teacher πŸ€“
Jo **********
@Helmut ********
they want accredited learning institutions not scams
Edna *******
@Helmut ********
recheck those rules, if an accredited, certified teacher and you have a contract etc. don’t know if that would work. Worth a try to find out. Also any airline is very difficult to reach by phone. Any info you need should be on line. They are usually very busy now . High season isn’t that far off. Less flights, less pilots.
Graham ******
@Steve *******
Private tutor etc. but that will not get the OP an ED Visa if that is the hope
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
yes, I do not expect ED visa for that
Steve ********
@Graham *****
Ok got it. Just seemed easier if he enrols in a school and gets the ED visa which can keep him here for a year
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
I will try to find a school. Private teacher (tutor) was my plan B πŸ€“
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
unfortunately no language school at my destination - after Covid
Graham ******
@Steve *******
yes, in 90 day increments
Samuel ******
Here is my experience. SFO to BKK. With Eva airline. I went online and applied for a 60 day visa from the Thai embassy in Los Angeles. It takes about 20 days so don't apply at the minute. My ticket April 27th return September 19th. Eva is not going to ask about a visa to Thailand as a US citizen you get one on arrival. When going through immigration at BKK they never asked about a return ticket. After 60 days I paid for a 30 day visa extension for 1900 BHT. Now I needed to leave Thailand when that expired. I booked a round trip flight to ho chi Minh city. When leaving Vietnam at the check in counter they want to see a bought ticket leaving Thailand. I pulled it up on my phone and showed my Eva flight leaving the 19th of September. I believe they would have not let me board the flight back to Thailand without a ticket showing me leaving Thailand in the future. At immigration in BKK the officer did ask me when I was leaving Thailand. When I told him September 19th he asked how I was going to do that on a 30 day visa when the 19th is 60 days away. I explained that I would get a visa extension. He shook his head and stamped my passport.
Mitchell *******
@Samuel *****
not everyone will be lucky like you.
Lynnette *******
@Samuel *****
you don't get a visa on arrival as a US citizen. You get permission to enter and stay 30 days with no visa. You can extend this by 30 days.
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Samuel *****
This is genius! πŸ˜ŠπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘
Brandon ************
Tourist visas are only eligible for one 30-day extension. You will not be able to extend your stay up until 6 months.

Your airline may require you to show proof that you will be leaving Thailand within 60 days (this is how long you'll be stamped in for if you arrive on a tourist visa). You need to check with them.

If this is their policy they can and will deny letting you board your flight until you can show them this proof. There have been many reports of people scrambling to purchase a flight out of Thailand while standing in line for check-in because they have been denied boarding.

Call your airline and ask them their policy for a tourist visa to Thailand.

If it's require or if you'd like peace of mind, you can google "Onward Travel Ticket" and purchase a fully valid plane ticket out of Thailand to use for proof of leaving. The agency you purchase this ticket from will cancel it at a later date based on the options you purchase.
David *********
How will you get the visa with that flight
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
Or I could just enter with visa exemption and return flight within 30 days. Later in Thailand take care for extension and change the return date accordingly πŸ€”
Helmut *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ********
I could probably book the return flight within the 60 days of visa - and later, after having entered Thailand change the return date and get a visa extension or new visa?
Edna *******
Helmut Wallner I hope you understand airlines charge huge fees to change flights? Just in May I had to change. I also had a flexible ticket, I was charged 890$ extra. With no flexible it would have been more than twice that. Read the fine print. I made the mistake of thinking I was covered, wrong. If your not registered in a school ahead of time, could be an issue there too. Things are getting much tighter regulations, and could be some major visa and other changes after a Prime Minister is installed. Very unstable right now. 60 days plus one 30 day extension/1,900THB) must be applied for in your home country, tourist visa. I suggest you do some homework, check the official rules on Thailand embassy site.
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