1

user Brax posted only yesterday ... "Been to Thailand many times and on 3 occasions have been asked to show an onward/return AIR ticket at UK check in, once even when I had a visa. "

2

I have never been asked or denied entry by immigration. I have never been denied boarding but on several occasions (including from destinations within SEA) been asked to show proof of onward travel, which I always was able to provide.

3

I've never heard of Thai immigration denying someone entry. The only reports I've ever seen are the airlines challenging people who didn't have a visa or return/onward ticket. Hardly what OP is asking for so I don't mind being haughtily ignored. Will be interesting to see if anyone has any first hand accounts.

4

I spoke to a polish guy who was detained in BKK immigration (for a couple of days, IIRC) while his (British) girlfriend ran around arranging the visa he hadn't gotten in advance. Polish people aren't (weren't) entitled to exemptions.

I guess the OP is getting at the situation with exemptions.

5

Of the 20 or so entries I have made in the past 4 years, I've never even been asked a single question. Immigration staff are quick and usually quite friendly. No sweat from my experience.

6

Sandra Gregory got refused entry. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/8392004.stm

7

That Sandra Gregory story is kind of interesting. Seems crazy to push your luck by returning to the place that handed you a death sentence for drug smuggling. Getting a King's pardon doesn't erase your criminal history.

8

It's well established that refusal of entry isn't the issue. It's refusal (or at least a hassle) when checking in for the flight to Thailand without a return ticket.

Just last week I was flying out of Seattle to Bangkok and had the usual airline hangups. First I attempted to self-check-in with the machine but the screen said "unable to do this, please see check-in staff" or words to that effect. The nice lady behind the counter asked when is my return flight, please show return ticket, etc. I said I don't have one, I live in Thailand, etc. ah but I have a non-immigrant visa with a re-entry permit right here in my passport. She looked at it puzzled then went off to consult a supervisor. I saw them discussing my case, waving their arms around and shaking their heads and thought "not again". But she finally said ok we can enter the expiry date of your visa as your return date and that will satisfy "the system". But it was sort of like "We'll let this one slide".

I never bothered to say anything like "you DO realisde that thousands of expats live in Thailand on non-resident visas and fly there one way all the time, what's wrong with you people? etc. but held my tongue. (%&*#!)

Got my boarding pass and all was well (at least until security where I had to remove nearly all my clothes and get my junk scanned for 8 seconds while standing with my hands on my head like a captured fugitive - but that's another story).

So yes, there can still be issues flying one-way, sometimes even if you have a visa. Experiences vary however based on where you're flying from, which airline, and who you deal with on the day (avoid anyone with a "trainee" button on their lapel).

9

I had a similar experience as Captain_Bob once. When she asked me if I had a return flight I told her this IS my return flight, because I live in Thailand. You would think they would have a clue about this.

10

A couple of years ago 2 people at the check-in next to me were told they had to have onward travel ticket ( with THAI from Sydney). Last I saw them at check-in they were still protesting loudly, but I never saw them at the boarding lounge !

11

I've met some individuals that I would be happy to refuse them entry into Thailand.
Lucky the Thais are so tolerant.

12

i got 15 or so entries into thailand, never with a visa, most of them on one way tickets, some out of europe, but most from nearby asean destinations, never a single question asked, always curteous and fast service from immigration! but as captain bob wrote here earlier, might depend on the airline and origin of flight?

13

I've been asked for my visa many times when flying on a one way ticket. One time, didn't have a visa and had to buy a fully refundable return. No biggie.

There was a thread about this a year ago where somebody said they were denied boarding in either Singapore or KL.

If you are blacklisted, then immigration will turn you back. But the airlines won't know so you could get all the way to the airport and then be turned back...thus the airlines rule for either a valid visa or a return ticket...so they don't have to pay for your return.

14

Been in and out of Thailand over 100 times have never had Thai Immigration say anything to me ...