Timatic: does a foreigner need a return or onward ticket to enter Thailand?
Aug 26, 2022, 7:11 am
#1
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Timatic: does a foreigner need a return or onward ticket to enter Thailand?
does anybody have a wording/link of/to Timatic or any legal or at least reliable source for which cases a foreigner need a return or onward ticket to enter Thailand?
just to proof that it is not needed for Non O visas and its extension of stay with reentry permit
for visa exemption, visa on arrival and tourist visas, it is needed...
just to proof that it is not needed for Non O visas and its extension of stay with reentry permit
for visa exemption, visa on arrival and tourist visas, it is needed...
Aug 26, 2022, 5:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2018
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does anybody have a wording/link of/to Timatic or any legal or at least reliable source for which cases a foreigner need a return or onward ticket to enter Thailand?
just to proof that it is not needed for Non O visas and its extension of stay with reentry permit
for visa exemption, visa on arrival and tourist visas, it is needed...
just to proof that it is not needed for Non O visas and its extension of stay with reentry permit
for visa exemption, visa on arrival and tourist visas, it is needed...
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/publicservice/issuance-of-visa
Aug 26, 2022, 10:39 pm
#3
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
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For my one data point, I flew in from Malaysia two weeks ago; no one at KUL nor BKK asked me for an onward ticket. US passport.
I don't think I've ever been asked for an onward ticket (i.e. leaving Thailand) in my ~30 visits.
I don't think I've ever been asked for an onward ticket (i.e. leaving Thailand) in my ~30 visits.
Aug 26, 2022, 11:15 pm
#4
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As my flight back to Thailand is usually the last flight of my ticket, out of my hundreds of flights back to Thailand during the last 26 years, I habe been asked probably in 5-10% of all those flights to show an onward/return flight or a visa
Aug 26, 2022, 11:23 pm
#5
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If it's needed for some visas, my worry would be that an airline GA might not permit someone to board without some sort of onward ticket even if the rules don't require this.
In practice, I suspect that enforcement when entering Thailand depends on whether your nationality and routing are commonly associated with overstays in Thailand.
In practice, I suspect that enforcement when entering Thailand depends on whether your nationality and routing are commonly associated with overstays in Thailand.
Aug 26, 2022, 11:49 pm
#6
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If it's needed for some visas, my worry would be that an airline GA might not permit someone to board without some sort of onward ticket even if the rules don't require this.
In practice, I suspect that enforcement when entering Thailand depends on whether your nationality and routing are commonly associated with overstays in Thailand.
In practice, I suspect that enforcement when entering Thailand depends on whether your nationality and routing are commonly associated with overstays in Thailand.
enforcement is more at check in abroad (as airlines are liable for people rejected) than at immigration at Thailands airports
Aug 27, 2022, 6:55 am
#7
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
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maybe because they saw the return flight on your booking/ticket/itinerary in their system....
As my flight back to Thailand is usually the last flight of my ticket, out of my hundreds of flights back to Thailand during the last 26 years, I habe been asked probably in 5-10% of all those flights to show an onward/return flight or a visa
As my flight back to Thailand is usually the last flight of my ticket, out of my hundreds of flights back to Thailand during the last 26 years, I habe been asked probably in 5-10% of all those flights to show an onward/return flight or a visa
I've had one return ticket since 2004 ... and that was IN 2004. Nice try, buddy.As I hinted at/and as was suggested above, it could have more to do with my passport.
Aug 27, 2022, 11:54 am
#8
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I've had only one check in agent mistakenly ask me to show a return flight when I had a visa. I just replied that it didn't need a return ticket because a had a visa. The agent checked timatic and then agreed.
So while, I don't have a screenshot of the timatic entry, I'm reasonably confident the information is there.
So while, I don't have a screenshot of the timatic entry, I'm reasonably confident the information is there.
Aug 27, 2022, 12:03 pm
#9
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Hypothetically speaking, if one were really worried about it, one might hypothetically use the services of onwardticket.com.
Aug 27, 2022, 2:33 pm
#10
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On my first trip to Thailand I had an open jaw ticket returning from MNL. No questions asked 15 or more years ago.
More recently, they did give me a hard time at SIN when I arriving on UA and buying a ticket (using miles) to BKK while in flight. I was going to do the same for return, but after a little while when I showed them a few hundred dollars in cash and several credit cards that I was not going to become a burden in Thailand. North American passport about five years ago. Got the ticket for BKK-SIN using UA miles while in Thailand, and had no problems arriving BKK.
More recently, they did give me a hard time at SIN when I arriving on UA and buying a ticket (using miles) to BKK while in flight. I was going to do the same for return, but after a little while when I showed them a few hundred dollars in cash and several credit cards that I was not going to become a burden in Thailand. North American passport about five years ago. Got the ticket for BKK-SIN using UA miles while in Thailand, and had no problems arriving BKK.
Aug 27, 2022, 8:30 pm
#11
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and no, i did not imply anything as 99% of foreigners flying to Thailand and not living there, have a return ticket...
Aug 27, 2022, 8:31 pm
#12
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I've had only one check in agent mistakenly ask me to show a return flight when I had a visa. I just replied that it didn't need a return ticket because a had a visa. The agent checked timatic and then agreed.
So while, I don't have a screenshot of the timatic entry, I'm reasonably confident the information is there.
So while, I don't have a screenshot of the timatic entry, I'm reasonably confident the information is there.
Aug 27, 2022, 8:34 pm
#13
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I am just asking for a proof to end a discussion in another forum; sometimes some knowledgable guys here in FLT have quite some amazing sources....
Last edited by BinSabai; Aug 27, 2022 at 11:19 pm
Aug 27, 2022, 11:14 pm
#14
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I do not have the link, but I seem to remember others referring to the UA website where it should be possible to look up what TIMATIC says.
Aug 28, 2022, 12:23 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
Emirates' visa checking tool uses Timatic I believe. For a UK passport holder this is the result it gives:
My understanding/interpretation of the rule is that if you have any type of visa you don't need an onward booking, all other travellers do. Airline check in at your origin is where it'll be checked and not at immigration in Thailand. When I've discussed this with check in staff and pointed out the second last comment "Extension of stay is possible for visa exempt passengers" they have changed their mind about the 30 day rule (it was a hypothetical discussion, I wasn't trying it).
Every discussion on the subject always has someone claiming they've entered 100s of times with no visa and no onward ticket. They're best ignored IMO.
Visa required.
Visa exempt visitors older than 12 years must hold sufficient funds to cover their stay (at least THB 20,000.- per person or THB 40,000.- per family). Proof of funds includes Letters of Credit, vouchers, Miscellaneous Charges Orders (MCO) or well-known credit cards, which are honored in Thailand.
Extension of stay is possible for visa exempt passengers.
Visa Exemptions:
Passengers with a British passport with nationality "British Citizen" or "British National (Overseas)" for a maximum stay of 30 days.Additional Information:
ACMECS Single Visa issued by Cambodia and Thailand are valid for 90 days from the date of issue and are valid for a stay of 60 days in Thailand. Holders of visas issued by Cambodia (marked KHA) will be required to pay their fee for Thailand upon arrival in Thailand.Visa exempt visitors older than 12 years must hold sufficient funds to cover their stay (at least THB 20,000.- per person or THB 40,000.- per family). Proof of funds includes Letters of Credit, vouchers, Miscellaneous Charges Orders (MCO) or well-known credit cards, which are honored in Thailand.
Extension of stay is possible for visa exempt passengers.
Warning:
Visa exempt nationals must have passports and passport replacing documents with at least half an unused visa page for entry/departure endorsements by the Thai Immigration Service.Every discussion on the subject always has someone claiming they've entered 100s of times with no visa and no onward ticket. They're best ignored IMO.