I have never been asked for an onward ticket when entering Thailand. ymmv of course.

They rarely if ever ask. But the airline flying you in will check. That's where the problems happen.

It seems like Arriving Immigration in Thailand rarely asks for proof of onward travel, although they may be clamping down given all the recent issues? It seems like it is usually airlines which ask when you are checking in for your flight(s) to Thailand who sometimes ask for a Visa, or proof of onward travel.

Well, since I never have an onward ticket when heading to SE Asia - it stands to reason I have also never been asked by the airlines either. I have in other instances been asked by the airlines (Copa airlines comes to mind when I was going to S America) and luckily I had an onward ticket that time. So it's not an every time thing. Of course rolling the dice seems unwise. I don't see why an airline would care that I am traveling around without an exact return date. There is no law stating I am not allowed to do that. There may be a law in the arriving country - but I will deal with them on a case by case basis

The law is by country. But the airlines are also subject to the law that says that if they fly someone in that is not eligible to be there, the airline is liable. Both to take care of the passenger and pay some fines. And that is why the airlines do it. Pretty much always.

I've flown to Thailand nearly 200 times. Every single time they check either for a ticket out of Thailand or a visa allowing me to stay. It's not the return to your country ticket that matters. It's the ticket showing that you are leaving your destination country.

Well, since I never have an onward ticket when heading to SE Asia - it stands to reason I have also never been asked by the airlines either.


Ah OK, your first post referenced not being asked when entering Thailand.


For itineraries heading into Thailand, verifying a visa, or in the case of a Tourist Visa Exemption, having proof of onward air travel, typically is dependent on the airline. Some are more cautious than others. IME, TG, UA and DL are all sticklers. Other airlines like NH, LH, KE I've flown into Thailand have been uninterested. AFAIK, there are no fines per se, but the airline may have to pay a daily fee to "store" you in transit until they can transport you back. For most carriers that is one day or less.

I've had colleagues denied boarding in the U.S.

Interesting. I flew United out... they didn't ask. And I usually fly United out of the States. They almost never ask (although I do recall being asked 1x although I do not recall the destination). Was ~7-8 years ago.

If asked I would likely just book a refundable ticket on the spot with UA and cancel it as soon as they let me through (with their 24 hour cancel policy). Need hasn't arisen yet though.

How does someone travel the world? What if someone doesn't know all their dates and destinations? As long as we have means (i.e., money) then it would seem to me their issue would be minimized. Of course these are bureaucratic airlines I'm speaking of who may not have the staff or desire to think outside the box :rolleyes:

In any event, I've spent considerable time flying about without onward tickets and it rarely comes up. Luckily the 2x it did I had onward tickets although in one case it shouldn't have worked (since I had a return ticket 6 months later and wasn't allowed to stay in the return country that long). They didn't even question it - just seemed to want to see any ticket of any kind coming back (that was United). The only ones who seemed to care were Copa and I had specific dates and a return flight for that trip luckily.

200 times and checked every one? Wow. What airline? I've only flown in a dozen and never been asked. Weird we are not seeing the same thing. Perhaps my American passport helps?

In any event, I've spent considerable time flying about without onward tickets and it rarely comes up.

We're just talking about Thailand as a destination; I'm not familiar with other countries/destinations, and any "rules". And as it relates to the 30-day Tourist Visa Exemption. This may be somewhat "unique"?

Many airlines have this programmed into their rez/check-in systems and prompt the agent to review. I could never, ever use UA OLCI/kiosks in ~ 100 departures from the U.S. to Thailand, as I always got bounced to an agent who had to review my length of stay, onward travel or visa. I mostly had a 1 yr non-imm B visa which required that I leave every 90 days. Now I have an 1 Year Extension of Stay, with a multiple re-entry permit. (But I have to report every 90 days.) Thailand has many, many, many, many arcane immigration "rules", which are variably enforced based on nothing more than whimsy.

Again, it seems like only a few airlines verify/enforce this requirement so not surprising you've never encountered it before.

I used UA online check in. Was not bounced to agent. Was not checked at gate. May have been programmed as you say - but if so agent(s) never bothered me. I've flown to Thailand much less than others here - but numerous times via UA. Never asked. Obviously ymmv. Of course others may not want to risk it... but I'm just saying it's not a 100% guarantee you'll be checked.

I used UA online check in. Was not bounced to agent. Was not checked at gate.

You were flying from the U.S to Thailand on a one-way ticket? Or your stay in Thailand on your many itineraries was greater than 30 days? You have a U.S passport? You do not have a visa for Thailand?

IME, you were an outlier.

I flew from the US to Thailand via Narita on United on a one way United ticket (016 stock). I have no Thai visa - just got the 30 day on arrival avail to US citizens. Was not checked by United or by Thai immigration for onward ticket. This is the ~6th time I've taken such a flight on United and have never been checked. I am not allowed to stay over 30 days and I won't. I will do a Visa run someplace (KUL, SIN, HKG, etc.) and come back. Ultimately i'll be here over 30 days - but following the rules and not greater than 30 at one time.

I cannot imagine I am alone in not being checked.

Was not checked by United or by Thai immigration for onward ticket. This is the ~6th time I've taken such a flight on United and have never been checked.

Not sure what to say other than you are outside the normal patterns that I am used to. Again, you wouldn't be "checked" by arriving Thai Immigration, but possibly by UA.


I fly BKK-USA-BKK on UA (and NH) and UA always verifies my Visa as it looks like I have no onward travel.

I spoke with a friend last night who just flew JFK-(ICN?)-BKK on Asiana. The check-in agent at JFK told him that 90+ days is a no go, 60-90 days is marginal and 1-59 days is fine. He is on a 65 day return ticket and they let him board; he told them he planned side trips to Vietnam and Laos.

The airlines are just enforcing the law at the destination because they are liable if you are denied entry.

Primarily United. Over 100 arrivals on UA. But also Singapore, Kuwait Air, Delta, Thai.

I'm not sure why your American passport would help more than my American passport (unless you're a diplomat), but anything is possible.

Always. In fact 2 years ago UA in SFO challenged me because they found my visa in my passport but it had expired and my return was about 75 days in the future. I showed them my new visa in a different spot and the issue was over.

Since then I've been flying BKK/SFO/BKK so, as you, no onward travel. UA takes my passport and goes through it until they find the visa. Always.

Can you kind folks give practical advice for my situation?

I am a Canadian citizen and eligible for visa-free entry, however, the wording on both Thai official sites and my own gov't's travel advisory site varies and confusing. The latter claims that I can enter Thailand for "up to 60 days without a tourist visa" and in another section, "60 days through the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa" which.. is a visa and costs $200. The information I find elsewhere all state it's only 30 day visa-free exemption upon arrival with the possibility of extension (some sites say you can, some say you can't).

Here is my situation:

Day 1 - Fly into BKK via PEK on Air China.
Day 2-24 - Explore Thailand AND 1 or 2 other SE Asia countries (overland).
Day 25-35 - Leave via BKK to another area of Asia (ticketed).
Day 36/37 - Return to BKK, either hours before my flight home or the day before to spend a final day on the beach.

Based on what I've read here, I am still not required to get a visa in advance, correct? I can fly in and use the 30-day visa-free exemption and if they require proof of a departing flight, I show them my day 25 flight. Moreover, whenever I return to Thailand during days 2-24, I get a new stamp and a fresh 30 days, right? And finally, returning to BKK won't be a problem either when I'm returning past the initial 30 day mark for my flight home?

Your itinerary covers you. No visa necessary. The flight out on day 25 and back in 11 days later starts a new 30 day visa free clock.