@J**

they don't need the 500k to be there for 3 months. They do want 3 months of statements, showing the money going in with the payslips (highlight that), but the 500k only needs to be there at the end. I didn't have it for 3 months, just at the end. I highlighted the monthly payments. Rest of that all sounds fine.

@Ke***

this is when applying for the visa, and it's a ticket TO Thailand, not back out. London does require this. You're thinking of an onward ticket when coming here, that's not needed.

@J**

@Chan*****

this is a relatively recent change. I do think people used these successfully in the past. But I don't think it will work for the DTV and if they catch you they will at minimum cancel your current application; there's a risk it could even affect future ones, they see it as deliberate fraud.

Here's one reference from a law firm. But I definitely read something quoting the Thai authorities directly where they were aware of these services and actively looking for them. There was a guy on Reddit who tried using it a few months back on arrival and they insisted on seeing the bank transaction of him booking it.

"Placeholder Bookings Now a Serious Risk

Authorities have also identified widespread use of unpaid, non-ticketed flight reservations (“placeholder bookings”). These were historically tolerated by some officers and airlines, but immigration has now warned that presenting an unpaid itinerary may result in immediate deportation. This is a meaningful operational change and should be taken seriously."



"When I landed in Thailand, I didn’t have a return ticket. Immigration pulled me aside right away. Even though I had already filled out the arrival form online, they made me fill it out again and told me I needed proof of onward travel.

So I quickly booked a reservation using the Onward Ticket website, thinking it would work. About 5 minutes later, an officer came back and asked me to show proof of the transaction from my bank account. I was honestly shocked — not sure if that’s even legal.

I explained that I’m a software developer and planned to extend my visa later. I also told them the ticket was just a reservation, not a fully paid flight. The officer said, “If you don’t buy a real ticket in 10 minutes, I will deport you.”"

@Joe ******

you can try it but in my experience they want the PDF of the actual ticket. That's what I gave them. They only want a ticket into Thailand, they DON'T need one back out.

@Joe ******

They made a specific announcement recently as part of their recent crackdown that they know about this and will be looking for it; if detected, they will refuse visas/entry and deport people. People have been caught out on trying this recently. It used not be a problem but it is now.

I wouldn't recommend it. A few years ago, maybe. Not since they specifically said they are looking for it.

There is a fair chance you can book the ticket based on the presumption you will get the visa.

Alternately, book something that is changeable/refundable.

@Gr**

sure, if she was malingering and didn't have an actual disability. But from her description, it's pretty clear she does have one, and what happened to her was terrible.

Who said anything about galivanting in the tropics? She's going abroad for medical treatment. If she can get better medical treatment in Thailand, at a lower overall cost to the UK taxpayer, I don't see the drawback here, for either her or the UK taxpayer.

It's part of a warped mindset, which the redtops do indeed have, that anyone in receipt of disability benefits must be made to suffer as much as possible in order to receive benefits.

There are A LOT of veterans in Thailand living off military disability. Why does no one ever complain about them?

@Gr**

I'm wondering what your thought process is here, that disabled people shouldn't be able to have a life if receiving benefits for their disability? What if she had too much fun in the UK? Should that be allowed?

@Gr**

she's disabled and seeking treatment in Thailand. It's not like her disability is made up, it sounds quite serious and not something I'd wish on anyone. Would you like to be in her situation if you were getting £1,000 a month for it?

How does it negatively affect anyone if she comes to Thailand rather than staying in the UK? Who benefits from her staying in the UK? She doesn't. Neither does the UK taxpayer.

@Gr**

she's actually costing the UK taxpayer less by being here, her benefit is reduced from not being in the UK and she's not using NHS services she otherwise would be. It makes financial sense for the UK to allow people on medical benefits to get treatment abroad at their own cost, it's better for everyone.

CaptivatingPeapod7461 if you say "I will be okay with 5 months." do you mean you'll be OK if the consulate only gives you a visa for 5 (or 6) months? As that's the risk if you submit a treatment plan under 6 months.

It might work, but it's an unnecessary risk. People have been given a shorter visa if they submit a plan under 6 months.