Providing proof of departure from Thailand on FREE 60 day visa

**ryydman** · 22nd July 2009 20:23

Rules and regulations are so much fun.

If i wanted to arrive in Thailand to TEFL and on a 60 day tourist visa, as i'm advised to do so by the TEFL course leader, then would i have to book a return (that i'm not going to use) for within the 60 days as proof of departure. Oooorrr could i book a return for say March / April (which i might use) without officials preventing me from boarding my outward flight?

Basically, do i have to waste my return flight, bearing in mind return flights are cheaper then one ways anyway...

**Stinnieboy** · 22nd July 2009 23:38

We have just booked our flights to Thailand. We are using Emirates. When we enquired about a 1 year open ticket they told us we book a return flight this end but we can change the date for anytime inside the year without it costing us anything.

My understanding is that it holds true for most airlines. Even though you book if for 60 days to keep the customs happy you can change that when you arrive and you want to stay.

**Blake** · 23rd July 2009 00:08

Would the "might" be returning be permanent or to visit? I ask because that would determine my answer.

**ryydman** · 23rd July 2009 00:14

Originally Posted by Stinnieboy

We have just booked our flights to Thailand. We are using Emirates. When we enquired about a 1 year open ticket they told us we book a return flight this end but we can change the date for anytime inside the year without it costing us anything.

My understanding is that it holds true for most airlines. Even though you book if for 60 days to keep the customs happy you can change that when you arrive and you want to stay.

Is that the case with bog standard economy tickets? I thought the dates were unnegotiable.

Originally Posted by Blake

Would the "might" be returning be permanent or to visit? I ask because that would determine my answer.

I'm assuming to visit sir.

**Blake** · 23rd July 2009 01:30

If just to visit, I would just get the one way because you still are going to have to buy a ticket to get back to Thailand. Just buy a cheap onward ticket to a border country if you must for this stupid rule.

**ryydman** · 23rd July 2009 01:39

Originally Posted by Blake

If just to visit, I would just get the one way because you still are going to have to buy a ticket to get back to Thailand. Just buy a cheap onward ticket to a border country if you must for this stupid rule.

The thing is, a one way ticket is more expensive than a return. And if i nuy a one way, surely the airline will be cautious, knowing they will be responsible for my deportation flight if needs be.

**lopburi3** · 23rd July 2009 10:04

You do not need any ticket out of Thailand if you have any kind of visa. There is no such requirement by Thailand. Airlines are clearly advised of this in the IATA directive. The only reason for ticket would be a rogue Consulate asking to issue the visa. The onward ticket is only required for visa exempt entry (30 day stamp on arrival). The airline can stop you flying in that case - although Thailand is very unlikely to refuse entry.

**likewise** · 23rd July 2009 10:20

Anyone read about this new rule penang came out with? About not issuing more then 3 back to back TR visas?
Just read it on TV, asked about doing 3 back to back's and then doing 4 x 15 border runs but not answer yet, they are still too busy complaining

**losing.touch** · 23rd July 2009 10:27

Listen to what Lopburi is saying. If you have a tourist visa, you will be admitted into the Kingdom. Therefore, there is no proof of onward travel component anymore.

**likewise** · 23rd July 2009 10:28

Originally Posted by losing.touch

Listen to what Lopburi is saying. If you have a tourist visa, you will be admitted into the Kingdom. Therefore, there is no proof of onward travel component anymore.

Not talking about tickets mate!

**losing.touch** · 23rd July 2009 10:30

Originally Posted by likewise

Not talking about tickets mate!

See the logic through. If there is no requirement, the OP is free to book whatever the hell he wants.

**ryydman** · 23rd July 2009 14:07

News

04 Mar 2009
TOURIST VISA FEE - TEMPORARY CONCESSION
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND UNTIL 04 JUNE 2009, PERSONS WISHING TO APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA WITH SINGLE ENTRY TO ALLOW THEM A SINGLE STAY OF 60 OR 30 DAYS DEPENDENT ON NATIONALITY (SEE PDF
"Ze CONCESSIONARY TOURIST VISA" ON VISAS & DOWNLOADS PAGE) ARE ENTITLED TO A CONCESSIONARY
VISA PROVIDED:-
A) THEY ARE ENTERING THAILAND FOR A SINGLE STAY OF MAXIMUM 60 (OR 30) DAYS.
B) THEY ENTER THAILAND WITHIN THE VALIDITY OF THE VISA WHICH WILL BE 3 MONTHS
FROM DATE OF ISSUE.
C) THEY WILL BE IN POSSESSION OF A CONFIRMED INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKET TO
SHOW THAT THEY WILL BE EXITING THAILAND WITHIN 60 (OR 30) DAYS OF ENTRY.
THIS CONCESSION DOES NOT APPLY TO:-
1) APPLICATIONS FOR TOURIST VISAS WITH MORE THAN ONE ENTRY.
2) APPLICATIONS FOR NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS.
3) APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSIT VISAS.
ALL OTHER CONDITIONS APPLYING TO VISAS REMAIN UNCHANGED.

**Getorfmoiland** · 23rd July 2009 14:27

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand

This is the official line from the website and I had to show proof of an onward ticket when getting a 60 day tourist visa in Singapore last April, so...

**likewise** · 23rd July 2009 15:07

Coz they make up the rules as they go.

**lopburi3** · 23rd July 2009 16:21

You post a quote with no source and an expiration date that has passed "WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND UNTIL 04 JUNE 2009". As I said a rogue Consulate can always attach there own requirements - there is no requirement for such a ticket as the tourist visa can routinely be extended to 90 days - makes no sense to require a ticket out in 60 days.