thailand visa?

Question

ive bought a ticket to fly to thailand dec4 06 -march15 07 this is over 3 months but i don't intend to stay in thailand that long,i thought i would get a 1 month visa on entry get an internal flight after that month to another country say india or australia then return back to thailand 4 the last month of my ticket, problem is the thai consulate web site says the conditions of receiving a 1month visa on entry is having lots of money ,no problem, having a return ticket dated in 1month from arrival, mine will say 15 march,if i change my ticket to satisfy the rules i will have to return early and wreck everything,are they really strict on having return tickets? ,thanks

Answer 1

1) The main people that check that you have a ticket that takes you out of Thailand within the 30 days is the airline that takes you to Thailand. If you don't have a ticket showing that you will go out within the 30 days then they may stop you boarding the flight. I agree with the people that say that Thai Immigration rarely checks; especially if you are neatly dressed. However, this is because they seem to have delegated the job of checking to the airlines.

2) A cheap and easy way to get proof that you will leave the country within 30 days is to book a cheap ticket on a discount airline like www.airasia.com. You could just find the cheapest flight out of Thailand available; Phnom Penh in Cambodia is usually pretty cheap. You don't actually have to get on the flight, just have proof of booking for a flight to leave Thailand within 30 days when you check in to fly to Thailand initially. (Having said this, if you do decide to go the discount ticket route and not to use it, you do need to find an alternative way to leave Thailand before the 30 days has expired or face a fine - presently 500 Baht a day plus a stamp in your passport that says you've overstayed).

3) There are plenty of travel agents in Bangkok that will give you a good price for a ticket, one way or return, to the countries you mention - Australia/India.

4) Its not having a return ticket to your home country that is important. Its having a ticket that says you'll be leaving Thailand, to go where-ever, before your 30 day visa waiver expires that matters for the purposes of these rules.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem 9 years ago, but ended up flying to Singapore instead then headed North overland.

But to address your Q. specifically: You already have the ticket, and you already intend to see other countries (which is great fun:))

OK, so the best scenario is that Thai immigration allows you in with no questions asked - woohoooo.

Worst scenario is you're denied access. In this situation you'll be ordered to leave the Country forthwith and, since you're OK with cash and you intended to Country-hop antway, it's merely a matter of WHEN you leave Thailand. In this circumstance, you leave upon arrival rather than 2 to 4 weeks later.

So keep an open mind, cooperate and be polite with the authorities, don't worry about it, and you'll be fine.

There is a middle possibility, in that Thai immigration may insist you purchase your 'follow-on' ticket to Oz or India (or wherever, I would recommend KL in Malaysia). That way you satisfy the 3 month visa restriction because your departure date will be on your new ticket from Thailand to, say, Oz on 10 Jan '07 returning to Thailand on or AFTER 15 Feb. because you don't need a visa to enter Thailand if you can show on arrival you have cash and a ticket out of the Country within one month of that (new) arrival - and you already have that ticket stating departure date 15 March 2007. Follow?

So my advice is go. Keep a cool head and an open mind. And do what they want/need you to do. No great problem when you have the cash and an open and flexible itinery.

If you have any follow-up questions just email me, and I'll try and help or clarify, if I can. Click on my avatar for a link to email me.

And whatever happens, I'm sure you'll have a GREAT time:))

Answer 3

Another option which can work is go to the Thai Embassy in your country and apply for a tourist visa which is good for 60 day. To get more people to visit Thailand the fee for the visa has been waived for the next three months, so it will be of no cost to you. Plus if you meet that girl of your dreams you can stay longer with no problems. Another bonus is if you want to stay 90 days and love her long time you can extend your tourist visa 30 days at a cost of 1,900 baht here at any immigration office.

Answer 4

You can obtain a 90 Day Visa or you can just fly-out without one and enter the Kingdom as a Tourist which will cover you for 30 Days you can then go to any Immigration Office in Thailand near the end of it and obtain a further 10 Days.
Depending where you will be but if in BKK, Pattaya, Etc you can book a Trip easy to Cambodia for about 2000 Baht Return and get you're Cambodia Border Stamp Return and re-Start again.

Answer 5

They never look at my return tickets and I never had one until by the time I want to leave Thailand. I work ilegally in Thailand for 6 months and every 30days I went to the malaysian border for visa run and the immigration officer never really say anything unless you overstay. Why go to India or Australia since you can go to the other south east asian countries and you don't have much time in until march anyway. When you arrive in Thailand you'll see how thailand is, how big the tourism are, you'll meet up with lots tourists and they will help you if you need to know anything. Lots of tourists working in Thailand. Good Luck!!

Answer 6

Firstly a flight from Thailand to India is NOT an internal flight.
You will get 30 days on entry into Thailand. You will not be asked to show money unless you arrive looking like a drop out. No shorts, flip flops sleeve less t shirts and no display of tatoo's. Arrive looking clean smart and well groomed and you will sail through Bangkok airport. From thailand you can fly cheaply and easily to malaysia, australia,in fact just about anywhere. Thailand is a friendly place.Few restrictions unless you are an idiot

Answer 7

you will get fined if you stay over your one month period. i don't believe that they are strict with their return period time on your ticket though. i've been to thailand many times. at least once, my return ticket did not match up and was not dated one month from arrival. in fact, customs did not look at my return ticket at all (the last time i went was this past june). they ask for how long you intend to stay in the country (well...they ask you to fill it out on your visa slip)...you can be honest and say for a few months with trips to different countries. the customs people are usually VERY busy and you get filed through quite quickly.

the easiest way not to get fined though is to leave the country for a day. you could take a day trip to cambodia, lao, etc. over a the border (or fly) and then return in a few days/hours/or even minutes. Depending on where you leave from, you may have to pay an exit fare (it was 500 baht to leave from bangkok). AirAsia has great, cheap flights all over SE Asia...they are really reliable and safe. It seems as though you are already planning to do this.

Good luck! Thailand is one of the most beautiful and friendly countries I have ever visited....Chiang Mai was my favorite!

Answer 8

You will be OK,they do not care what date your return ticket is for as long as you have one,but if you want to be extra carefull,when buying your ticket get one that you can change the date off your return for free,have the date on the ticket for the first month,then when you are in Thailand contact the airline and confirm your flight for 15/March.

Answer 9

i never seen them check a return flight ticket you just say you got one, same with the money, they aren't going to look into your wallet. As for the visa no problem as what you say your going to do, Your get a one money visa on arrival then leave within that time period and when you return to Thailand from India or Australia your have another 30 day on arrival visa. (BTW if your flying to India or Australia you can always show them that ticket as your departure date.

Answer 10

Hi, its very unusual to have your ticket checked. When you arrive at Bangkok airport you will get a 30 day transit visa which will suit your needs. It is not possible to extend this visa and you will have to leave before the visa expires. The same applies on your return when you fly back in. But worth checking to see if any visa rules have changed, they do tend to change the rules regularly.If the worst happens you will have to buy a ticket at the airport for your onward flight or get one before you leave England. Bon voyage !!