20 replies to this topic

[welshwonder]

Because im going on a double entry tourist visa i.e

60 days + 30 days extension Jomtien
then a quick border run to activate the 2nd entry
then another 60 days + 30 extension Jomtiem

Due to the limited amount of time i have on this visa im not really sure what day i will return to the UK after activating my second entry (cambodia run). So i have only puchased a one way ticket to BKK and will go to a travel agent in Pattaya when im ready to return and book my return flight home. The question is , as im flying out of Heathrow will the airline except me with only a one way ticket plus a valid double entry visa , or will i get refused. Have any of you guys done this befor ?

[zakooo]

a pal of mine flew last year on a one way ticket with a 60 day visa and he was fine.on the 60day one why don't you go for the 90 day multi entry o visa if you are over 50.i am going in 3 weeks for 5 months and got one all i had to show hull was a copy of a bank statement with enough cash in to last 5 months.cheers.

[fostraswift]

I flew one way on a double entry visa, was asked at check in if i had a visa, showed it to her..no problem

[welshwonder]

zakooo, on 11 October 2011 - 05:54 PM, said:

a pal of mine flew last year on a one way ticket with a 60 day visa and he was fine.on the 60day one why don't you go for the 90 day multi entry o visa if you are over 50.i am going in 3 weeks for 5 months and got one all i had to show hull was a copy of a bank statement with enough cash in to last 5 months.cheers.

thanks, but  but non 0 is not an option as im not 50, but may be i could get a letter of a charity that might swing a non O.

fostraswift, on 11 October 2011 - 06:28 PM, said:

I flew one way on a double entry visa, was asked at check in if i had a visa, showed it to her..no problem

thats good news , thanks.

[sbf]

You may be asked to sign a waiver at check-in to relieve the airline of liability if you happen to be refused entry at Bangkok.  I have travelled in and out of Thailand several times - sometimes with a return ticket and sometimes with one-way only (as like you not sure of my return date).  This time I had purchased a return ticket whist in Thailand and when returning to Thailand I was asked if I had a return ticket.  I had a new 60 day tourist visa and pointed out that I was using the return leg of the return ticket purchased in Thailand and that I had evidence in my passport of many visits to Thailand in the past, but to no avail.  I was given the choice of purchasing a return ticket of signing a waiver.  I had not encountered this problem before so maybe its part of a general tightening of the application of the rules.

[Scumbag]

sbf, on 20 October 2011 - 05:24 AM, said:

You may be asked to sign a waiver at check-in to relieve the airline of liability if you happen to be refused entry at Bangkok.  I have travelled in and out of Thailand several times - sometimes with a return ticket and sometimes with one-way only (as like you not sure of my return date).  This time I had purchased a return ticket whist in Thailand and when returning to Thailand I was asked if I had a return ticket.  I had a new 60 day tourist visa and pointed out that I was using the return leg of the return ticket purchased in Thailand and that I had evidence in my passport of many visits to Thailand in the past, but to no avail.  I was given the choice of purchasing a return ticket of signing a waiver.  I had not encountered this problem before so maybe its part of a general tightening of the application of the rules.

No, it's just the airline protecting itself. I guess whoever checked you in was not having a good day. I have never come across the waiver thing before but I guess the policies will vary between the different airlines.

[dave01]

U could just go online b4 you go and buy an el cheapo ticket to anywhere, to satisfy the visa... u wont have to use it, but at least you have a ticket for a flight outta Thailand... just an idea

[Hung1]

The rule is, to enter Thailand, you must have a return ticket, unless you are a Thailand resident.  I live in Pattaya, so I book flights from BKK to home, and then back.  I don't have problems with Thai immigration, but I have a retirement visa, so there wouldn't be one.  What I do have problems with, is the airlines when I fly back to BKK.  They have twice refused to allow me to board because I don't have a return ticket.  The airlines have to follow the law.  I end up having to get a supervisor and showing them my retirement visa, to prove that I live in Thailand to board the flight.

There are other options.  I once came to Thailand with a 6 month visa and planned to stay until the money ran out.  I booked my ticket with an open ended return.  When I got to where I knew I would have to go home with in a week or two, I called the airline and scheduled my flight back.  I don't know if all airlines will do that, but mine did.

Option 2.  Book a two way ticket, make sure that you can change the return date.  Some will have a charge for that.  It's $50 for the airline that I use.  Book your return flight 180 days out, because that's what your visa allows, then change it to when you want before that date.  By then you should have some idea of when you want to go home.

A two way ticket is much cheaper than two, one way tickets.

One other option.  Obtain a visa for Vietnam, Cambodia, or Lao.  You are going to have to make a visa run anyway.  Should the airline, or immigration ask about no return ticket, simply tell them that you are going overland to the other country, and will fly home from there.

[El Cata]

I flew in last March one-way with just a single entry tourist visa & had no problems. It is the airline you might have problems with, not Thai immigration; I flew with Kingfisher but I've heard Emirates can be a bit sniffy. According to the Hull consulate website, to enter Thailand on a one-way ticket you have to be in possession of a valid visa (any visa & not a 30 day visa exemption).

Quote

One-way flight ticket to Thailand

Please note that under Thailand’s immigration rules it is allowed for a foreigner to fly to Thailand on a one-way ticket only if they are in possession of a valid visa which they can present when they check-in for their flight to Thailand.

Without such a visa the traveller will not be allowed to board their flight to Thailand with a one-way ticket.

Please also note that some flight operators may be reluctant to accept a traveller to Thailand with a one-way ticket even if they are in possession of a valid visa. This may be something to do with rules or regulations imposed by the flight operator. Accordingly, we advise all travellers to check this with their airway carrier (not travel agent) well in advance of travelling to avoid last minute complications.

For information about obtaining a visa for Thailand please contact the Royal Thai Consulate in Hull –www.thaiconsul-uk.com

Edited by El Cata, 20 October 2011 - 10:57 AM.

[sbf]

Scumbag, on 20 October 2011 - 08:25 AM, said:

No, it's just the airline protecting itself. I guess whoever checked you in was not having a good day. I have never come across the waiver thing before but I guess the policies will vary between the different airlines.

The check-in lady was fine and she thought it would probably be OK since I was actually doing the return leg of a return ticket, but she called her supervisor for confirmation and the waiver was a requirement. I also had never come across it before either.  It was Thai Airways and it was at Perth airport in mid-September this year.

[Scumbag]

sbf, on 20 October 2011 - 02:23 PM, said:

The check-in lady was fine and she thought it would probably be OK since I was actually doing the return leg of a return ticket, but she called her supervisor for confirmation and the waiver was a requirement. I also had never come across it before either.  It was Thai Airways and it was at Perth airport in mid-September this year.

I wonder how effective any waiver would be anyway. I am under the impression that if you are refused entry because you fail to meet the requirements for entry that the airline is responsible for removing you. I believe it is a legal requirement for them to do so. I can't see how you signing a bit of paper could release them from an obligation that they have with the Thai government. Surely it should be the Thai government signing the waiver????

I have flown from Perth to Thailand on a one way ticket and they didn't blink an eyelid when I checked in.

[Nicolaus Copernicus]

sbf, on 20 October 2011 - 05:24 AM, said:

You may be asked to sign a waiver at check-in to relieve the airline of liability if you happen to be refused entry at Bangkok.  I have travelled in and out of Thailand several times - sometimes with a return ticket and sometimes with one-way only (as like you not sure of my return date).  This time I had purchased a return ticket whist in Thailand and when returning to Thailand I was asked if I had a return ticket.  I had a new 60 day tourist visa and pointed out that I was using the return leg of the return ticket purchased in Thailand and that I had evidence in my passport of many visits to Thailand in the past, but to no avail.  I was given the choice of purchasing a return ticket of signing a waiver.  I had not encountered this problem before so maybe its part of a general tightening of the application of the rules.

I wonder which companies are selling one-way tickets anyway. Moreover, most companies will only sell you tickets in your country of residence. If you are a tourist, you aren't a resident.

Edited by Nicolaus Copernicus, 20 October 2011 - 04:44 PM.

[Edge]

Nicolaus Copernicus, on 20 October 2011 - 04:30 PM, said:

I wonder which companies are selling one-way tickets anyway. Moreover, most companies will only sell you tickets in your country of residence. If you are a tourist, you ar'nt a resident.

I thought all of them did. Expensive of course.

Am I missing something here?
I know about the new rules re TVs from neighbouring countries, but why shouldn't you be able to fly into BKK, travel through SEA or wherever and return home from another country.
I thought lots of people did it.....No?  

[Nicolaus Copernicus]

Hung1, on 20 October 2011 - 09:11 AM, said:

The rule is, to enter Thailand, you must have a return ticket, unless you are a Thailand resident.  I live in Pattaya, so I book flights from BKK to home, and then back.  I don't have problems with Thai immigration, but I have a retirement visa, so there wouldn't be one.  What I do have problems with, is the airlines when I fly back to BKK.  They have twice refused to allow me to board because I don't have a return ticket.  The airlines have to follow the law.  I end up having to get a supervisor and showing them my retirement visa, to prove that I live in Thailand to board the flight.

There are other options.  I once came to Thailand with a 6 month visa and planned to stay until the money ran out.  I booked my ticket with an open ended return.  When I got to where I knew I would have to go home with in a week or two, I called the airline and scheduled my flight back.  I don't know if all airlines will do that, but mine did.

Option 2.  Book a two way ticket, make sure that you can change the return date.  Some will have a charge for that.  It's $50 for the airline that I use.  Book your return flight 180 days out, because that's what your visa allows, then change it to when you want before that date.  By then you should have some idea of when you want to go home.

A two way ticket is much cheaper than two, one way tickets.

One other option.  Obtain a visa for Vietnam, Cambodia, or Lao.  You are going to have to make a visa run anyway.  Should the airline, or immigration ask about no return ticket, simply tell them that you are going overland to the other country, and will fly home from there.

Apart from your retirement, etc. visa you also need a re-entry visa to come back to Thailand.

[welshwonder]

Edge, on 20 October 2011 - 04:36 PM, said:

I thought all of them did. Expensive of course.

Am I missing something here?
I know about the new rules re TVs from neighbouring countries, but why shouldn't you be able to fly into BKK, travel through SEA or wherever and return home from another country.
I thought lots of people did it.....No?  

Yes alot people do buy one way tickets and travel thru SEA, and a few i know have bought one way tickets from LHR-BKK in the past and had no problems, but quite recently i have heard a few that have been questioned at LHR about the ticket even tho they had either double entry visa or non O ?. Just wanted to find out the latest after them tighting up on visa/immigration thats all dont want to be refused at the desk.

Big Thankyou to everyone for all the info  

[DJW]

Oi - when is this one way ticket to ride?  And why haven't you called as I'm getting second hand news on the internet....:(

[Wolf Cat]

Why not just tell whomever asks, you plan on traveling around Thailand, Mylasia, Cambodia and Singapore by bus/train and will fly back home when ready?  Just make sure you know the Mylasian, Cambodian and Singapore visa rules if asked.

Edited by Wolf Cat, 20 October 2011 - 08:32 PM.

[El Cata]

Wolf Cat, on 20 October 2011 - 08:30 PM, said:

Why not just tell whomever asks, you plan on traveling around Thailand, Mylasia, Cambodia and Singapore by bus/train and will fly back home when ready?  Just make sure you know the Mylasian, Cambodian and Singapore visa rules if asked.

I put Cambodia on the 'travel details after Thailand' part of the visa application - no questions asked.

[travelling_man]

Hung1, on 20 October 2011 - 09:11 AM, said:

The rule is, to enter Thailand, you must have a return ticket,...

I know others have commented as well, but to clarify ...

"The rule is, to enter Thailand you must have a return ticket, ... "

OR A VALID VISA FOR THAILAND.

[biggles]

For many years I flew from oz to BKK on the rturn leg of a ticket with no onward ticket but a valid visa. I never had a problem in all that time with the airlines, I just pointed out my valid visa.

[sbf]

biggles, on 22 October 2011 - 04:29 AM, said:

For many years I flew from oz to BKK on the rturn leg of a ticket with no onward ticket but a valid visa. I never had a problem in all that time with the airlines, I just pointed out my valid visa.

Yes it that was my experience also, but on this current trip (return leg, no onward ticket, valid visa) I was told I needed a return ticket and after a little discussion they produce a waiver form for me to sign before issuing a boarding pass.  As mentioned in an earlier post I don't know whether its a change in policy, more rigid application of existing policy or just a random application of policy, but that is just what happened (Sept 2011).  maybe we need a few more people who have travelled in Sept or Oct on one way tickets to tell us what their experience has been so we know whether its a random thing or a general tightening up on policies. (Thai Airways was the airline I was using this time).