STA travel: "You need to buy a return ticket to Bangkok.."

#9 was this with a visa or a visa exemption? I imagine it was with an exemption. The point is, the airlines are required to see proof of onward travel with an EXEMPTION. If you have a visa, there's no such requirement on the part of the airlines.

OP: The consulates don't ask for onward travel proof with the visa, though, even if it's on the application.

...Think we're just going to India now anyway lol Just make our way to Laos from there via Nepal, Burma...

Much simpler...

Then getting an e-ticket with airasia to phnom pehn is an option as you say just as 'insurance'...

Why not buy a REFUNDABLE return? Cash it in upon arrival

If Thaksin was still in power, I would've suspected that the tightening of regulations was a ploy to increase sales for Thai Air Asia.

Its not true that airlines have only just recently got tough . In fact for airlines based outside of Asia they have been strict for years and its been common for people to be refused boarding , there is nothing new here.
However its generally been the case if you are just flying from within the region the airport staff are often not that fussed about you having ticket or visa . There have been recent posts of people flying in from places like India , Nepal , Taiwan and not beiing asked for tickets at either departure or arrival .

RE# 1
When you say there are "plenty of reports" , note that I haven't been able to find a single first hand account on this forum of someone reporting being denied entry or being forced to buy ticket or having any kind of serious trouble . The evidence would seem to suggest that very very few people are actually being affected by the new policy.

See also related posts=
"VISA FREE ARRIVALS" posted by LENTHELICKER.
" 30 DAY VISA FREE, ONWARD TICKET REQUIRED AT BANGKOK AIRPORT ", posted by WOWPOW.

By the way STA TRAVEL has poor record of giving useful advice regarding visa issues . Years ago they were even giving advice visa runs had been stoppped and everyone had to show tickets even when arriving by land , and that was nonsense . travel agents are only good for airline and tarvel advice , not immigration issues.

Davelliot, there was a 1st hand report about a month ago from a guy who had been refused boarding for a Bangkok-bound flight from Australia.

Living in Cambodia I've gone to Thailand with obviously no proof of onward travel, as have many of my friends, often going to Koh Chang for the long weekend etc. However I am now finally leaving and taking the bus to BKK. My worry having read the above is that I have no valid flight ticket on me - I've changed the dates and have to collect my tickets in Bangkok - do you think they'll accept my emailed itinerary???

As to airlines refusing, I can see why. I once flew to New Zealand with no flight booked out of NZ. I figured a flight out of Sydney proved I'd be leaving New Zealand but it turned out your not allowed into New Zealand with proof of a flight out! Immigration detained me for about 20 min, were very nice, accepted that I was definately going to leave and siad it was the airlines fault for not telling me/letting me on the plane - but it was OK coz htey were going to fine them!!! Made me feel quite guilty - but you see it definately happens!

On two occassions I have been "denied" bording of a flight from Brisbane to Bangkok, because I did not have (1) an onward ticket (2) a residence visa for Thailand (i.e. work visa, retirement visa, marriage, etc). I am convinced that just having a tourist visa would not have satisfied them. Both times it was Singapore Airlines and both times the officials at checkin said quite plainly that I could not board the flight. First time was in 2000 and 2nd time was in 2005. OK I'm fudging somewhat, as in the end I was able to board the flight in each case, but only after quite a lot of discussion with some very strict officials who gave me the 3rd degree. Eventually (the first time) a legal document was produced which absolved the airline of any liability, more or less saying if the Thai officials don't let me in Singapore Airlines is not responsible for any penalties or providing a flight out on their dime. I've told this story several times since then, and went through the same tough procedure the 2nd time in 2005. Now I would be very reluctant to try flying out of Oz again 1-way to BKK. As I also said recently, I flew out of the US (2 weeks ago) and again they demanded an onward/return ticket. This was without any visa in my passport, but again there was no mention of whether or not I had any visa - they clearly and plainly required to see an onward/return ticket. Fortunately I had taken the precaution of buying an Air Asia ticket to KL (which I still have and may/may not use). Once they'd had a good look at that I was issued my boarding pass (Asiana Airlines, by the way).

This ongoing debate as to whether or not you can fly 1-way to Thailand with or without a tourist visa is up in the air (no pun intended) as the level of enforcement of existing policy is scetchy at best. Some are saying that having a tourist visa means no onward ticket is required - please show us this writing! I am not convinced. The bottom line as I see it now is that in the majority of cases you can still fly 1-way to Thailand and get the 30-day e3xemption stamp as a freedom many of us have enjoyed for years, BUT enforcement of the return ticket rule seems to be slowly increasingly enforced (even at land borders) so it's up to the individual to know the state of things and decide if they want to risk doing it the good ol fashioned way or not. I anticipate much continued debate on this issue.

"Some are saying that having a tourist visa means no onward ticket is required - please show us this writing! I am not convinced. "

Actually one of the requirements for obtaining a tourist visa is a comfirmed ticket out of the country ! I have never been asked to show one though. But the reasoning behind it is, that since it is a requirement, it is thus checked whilst obtaining the visa.

It is therefore strange to say the least that airlines are giving you troubles.