@Frank *********

even if they don't enforce strictly, they'll always say that you need it on the phone. Things like enforcement strictness are much better asked in groups where people can share experiences.

@Johnnie *******

this should happen a lot more often. Leave the responsibility with the traveler. Where it should be.

@Stuart ********

calling will not help. Even if they are not very strict at the counter, on the phone they would never reveal that.

But I suspect they might be strict at the counter anyway so at least a backup plan is needed.

@Glenn ********

German strictness. Prepare to be forced to buy a ticket.

The one time in the past I did the same, it was also with Lufthansa, and they were strict.

@Brandon ***********

ah yes that's true.

@Leo ******

obviously working on your own motorcycle isn't working. Working is when you do that kind of stuff for others.

@Brandon ***********

but that's related right? Non-permitted work -> no work permit. No work permit -> not legal to work.

@Greg **********

the unfortunitely here is that the Thai law doesn't specify exactly how this works, so it leaves room for interpretation. So indeed airlines could give it their own 'flavor'. But in principle this shouldn't be different by airline of course, these aren't their rules.

Happy to read that some accept within 90 days. Stupid requirement, that no country should have. The less strict it's interpreted by anyone, the better.

@Dom ******

not anymore, they changed the idiocy of being forced to go through agents, and they changed the name of the most idiotically named ever "visa on arrival" as well (although Thailand is also doing a great attempt for the idiocracy prize with its perfectly appropriately named visas for immigrating people).

Vietnam doesn't have visa in arrival anymore. De facto they never had it; there was a visa with the said name but unlike what it suggests, you had to apply for it in advance. They now aligned the name with the reality a few years ago, and made it so that you apply from the government directly instead of being forced to use an agent. Now, Vietnam does have visa exemption, like Thailand. But as an Australian you do not qualify.

So, get a visa in advance is the way to go.