Proving I'm leaving Thailand...

So we are arriving on the 23rd of July, and return flight is on the 3rd of September. Whilst we are under the visa exemption as Irish and English citizens, it's obviously over 30 days. We'll be travelling throughout Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand for this time.

I spoke to the Thai consulate here in Ireland and they told me all I would need is a train or bus ticket- but I can't seem to get one. We're planning on heading to Cambodia via Aranyaprathet but neither trains nor buses can be booked ahead. Any ideas?

I've seen mixed reviews as to how much it actually matters that you prove you're leaving. I was considering just booking a hostel in siem reap and showing that.....does it matter!?

The problem isnt with Immigration in Thailand BUT the airline when you check in. You could either get a visa before leaving, a cheap flight out within 30 days or Plan C-- wait till you get to the airport and be ready to get online to book a flight out if asked for proof.
A hostel booking in another country definitely wont cut the mustard.

Thanks for the info westwood.

Hmm. I'll call my airline and see what they say...

Otherwise, there must be pre-bookable transport out of thailand. The consulate seems to suggest there is: "Foreigners entering Thailand... are required.... to have proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets)"

As westwood points out, Thai immigration is not, necessarily, your problem. The airlines is. And, you can't go by what someone on the phone tells you. It's up to the check in staff.

You can book a cheap Air Asia, Nok or Bangkok Airways flight, to one of your other SEA destinations, online.

And regardless of what the Consulate says, the airlines will in all probability want an onward flight.

Hmm. I'll call my airline and see what they say...

Waste of time. As pointed out above, the person you speak to on the phone will not be the one to check you in, and that's where the hurdle is. Time and time again we've been told the stories have been different between phone call and check in.

You need to follow the wise advice already given - you cannot make it up as you go along simply by saying "but there must be a way...etc etc"

The consulate is right, but what they don't tell you is that they don't police very well their own rules. It's the airline who faces the big penalties for carrying pax who then cannot get entry, so it's the airlines who can be super-cautious in the first place, and not board you.

Since it's very difficult to obtain boat tickets out of Thailand, or train and bus tickets, it usually comes down to having an airline ticket onward within 30 days of arrival. Or a Tourist Visa (TV) already obtained.

Do as Westwood tells you - get to the airport early and be prepared to go online to buy a one-way ticket on, say, AirAsia from Bangkok (DMK) to Phnom Penh (PNH). Look up fares now for your dates, so you know what price we're talking here. You may well breeze through check-in without being asked why you haven't got a visa. They may accept it when you say you'll be heading out of Thailand after only a week (or whatever). If so, no problem - there'll be no worries entering Thailand with visa-exempt stamp when you state on your landing card that you will be staying less than 30 days.

The ONLY alternative to this is to get a 60 day TV in your passport before you leave Ireland.

You could print up an itinerary mentioning dates and names of guest houses in Siem Reap, onward to VIetnam, whatever - it all could help. Chances are you will not have a problem boarding, but if you do then you must be prepared to play ball. Another poster will advise you to ask to sign a "disclaimer" form if they don't wish to board you. They may give you one, but they probably won't. At this point, if you're having a problem, you just do what check-in want - or you don't fly!

Good luck - thousands go through this every single day.............................

Here is what I have done over the last couple of weeks. If you have a return ticket why is the airline even asking the question? When you enter through BKK you fill out the arrivals card and they staple the departures card into your passport. No questions no answers. (29June) Fill out he departures card when you are ready to leave.
Flew AA FD606 to PNH on 2 July, filled out departure card, at DMK , no worries. Flew back on AA FD611 from REP on 8 July into DMK, again no dramas no tickets etc. I am off to CNX today on Nok DD8312 then to UTH and road hop across the border to Vientiane and then re-enter at Friendship Bridge. Again , I expect no problems.

So we are arriving on the 23rd of July, and return flight is on the 3rd of September.

@#6

If you have a return ticket why is the airline even asking the question?

Because OP's return ticket is way past the 30 days to qualify for visa-exempt arrival. All the examples you gave are fine because they are all short trips where the 30 days rule isn't applicable.

Going by the reports on this forum it strikes me that the only airlines ever asking this question are the ones that work in the ALTEA check-in system and cannot be bothered with a workaround. If you come across the word in your airline blurb, be prepared. Doesn't help you alot, just thinking out loud.

Yep...get a Tourist Visa...£25..£10..added for doing it on the day you show up at your nearest Thai Consulate..end of drama. The Arab based Carriers are hot on this forward ticketing. PS you have to show up in person now unless you post all the guff to London Consulate..they did not win prize from me for their social skills so I rolled into Liverpool..great as usual,but not local for you...take care.

Thanks everyone. Spoke to a Manager in Ethiad and he said train or bus will suffice- it seemed pretty certain, as the lady I spoke to before him said it as soon as I asked: "you need to get a train or bus ticket out." Unsure as to whether I'll play it safe and go get a visa tomorrow, or just book the bus. I've found some places where I could book a bus seat.

Yep..as they say in Thailand"Hup tu huw" .. I know what I would do..,and it does not hold you to fixed dates to cross out of Thailand. Have a great time...Cambodia..,.!

The ONLY alternative to this is to get a 60 day TV in your passport before you leave Ireland.
Not always correct now. I had to have a onward flight to get a visa. Other consulates may not be so picky.

Yep...a new one on me... Fined for overstay..no problem...apply and produce whatever in person for visa at consulate before entry, and pay fee..OK...don't bring gift or what maybe constructed as gift valued more than 10,000 baht in or may result in tax... What other gems in store...?

mcgardla, since you're only a week away from your trip it would be great if you'd take a few minutes after arrival to come back into this thread and let us know what you did in the end and how it all evolved. Such feedback helps us give more relevant responses to this oft-asked question.

QUOTE - "Thanks everyone. Spoke to a Manager in Ethiad and he said train or bus will suffice- it seemed pretty certain, as the lady I spoke to before him "

Onward ticket is supposed to be confirmed ticket , bus or train tickets are not confirmed tickets and not really practical to get from outside Thailand.

I've just booked one! thaiticketmajor.com- went through verified by visa and kasikorn bank as opposed to the site itself, so it is legit. There are a good few other- dodgier looking- websites that do the bangkok-siem reap route, but all in thai, so useless for me unfortunately but if can read it transport.co.th is the website for the government buses, selling the exact same tickets as thai ticket major. It's 793 Bhat for TTM, 750 (without booking fee) for Transport Co. So no major difference.

Again, I spoke to Ethiad and they said this was fine, but I've emailed them anyway just to have it in writing.

Success! .....So far

#14 bangkokboy I definitely will do that! I will keep in touch as to what happens with Ethiad in Dublin and the getting through immigration in Bangkok. The people I'm travelling with will be going through Heathrow, so I'll let you know that also- just to see what differences there are, if any. Thanks!

I wouldnt worry about reporting on Immigration in Bangkok. As we've all said, fat chance of anything happening.

If it's Etihad both ex-Dublin and ex-Heathrow then you'd expect the same requirements at check-in (but not necessarily). If different airlines then it's anybody's guess - it really IS down to the airline in the way they interpret the rules. Telling them at check-in (if asked) that the office said a bus ticket would be fine, when they want to see an airline ticket...........well, wait and see. Ah, but you'll have your email!

As for arrival Bangkok, as westwood and the rest of us have said, there'll be absolutely nothing to report - we know already that you will not have any problem.

BTW, what's the price diff between the bus ticket and the cost of a 60-day Travel Visa?

RE# mcgardia.

QUOTE- "Again, I spoke to Ethiad and they said this was fine, but I've emailed them anyway just to have it in writing. "

Bangkokboy is right , if the Manager you spoke to was in charge of the UK flights , then what he says goes . But the normal way these things are verified is that the ticket is endorsed or marked in advance so that check in staff know that its been okayed. However mcgardia the best thing to have done when you spoke to the manager would have been to ask if it was possible for you to sign disclaimer/ waiver form - ie , you fly without any onward ticket but you agree to pay the airlines costs if they have to fly you back . its not that common but some airlines will do that. To be honest I think it will be a waste of time messing around trying to get bus or train ticket. Its ridiculous the idea that you would be prevented from flying because you don't have a bus ticket !!!!! . You can just show you have enough money to buy a train or bus ticket if necessary.
The idea of the onward ticket is that it be proof that you intend to leave ( as pointed out Thai immigration doesn't care , but airlines are sometimes worried ) . A bus ticket is hardly proof so showing a bus ticket at the airport would be just a charade and the check in staff would have to be stupid to insist on it . If they are going to let you fly with just a bus ticket they may just as well let you go anyway.
And the Thai immigration laws do say 'confirmed ticket' so the manager you spoke to didn't understand the situation.

These issues have already been covered in a PERMANENT VISA THREAD at the top of the branch. This thread was intended to avoid the need for repetitive questions.
Posters continue to post new topics about it in the hope of getting newer or fresher information , but the situation with onward tickets and airline attitudes doesn't really change much and hasn't really changed in 30 years.

The Royal Thai Embassy in New Zealand has changed the wording and now says "confirmed air, train bus or boat tickets to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained." I believe this is similar to other Embassies.

That's right , but ordinary trains buses or boats don't have confirmed bookings . So it would have to be something like the Orient Express or a cruise ship bookings . Embassies don't always have the same rules or guidelines or advice. Sometimes they just make it up as they go along anyway.

Well the "expert" has spoken, dear God I'm glad I know better..

So the bus cost be 16 euros, and I would have had to get a double entry visa which is 70 euros. I think the normal 60 day is 35?

Worst comes to worst, I'll do the refundable flight thing. After speaking to Ethiad I am more confident, because they were just straight away like yep bus or train grand whatever.

Yes, we have the exact same thing in Ireland. Sure they know that people nowadays- students especially- are doing this route and won't be getting any flights except the one home.

You just keep on doing what you do and let the speculators just keep on speculating! ;)

I know who I'd rather see at check-in!

I'd also rather see Friendly Check In Girl since she wouldn't insist on a flight ticket. And Check In Girl it is true that info from Embassy and Consulates is not always reliable and that many airlines do insist on a flight ticket and there is not much you can do if they insist on it.

QUOTE - "Worst comes to worst, I'll do the refundable flight thing'"

First thing you should do is ask nicely if its possible to sign disclaimer form , why don't you ring them back and ask about that ?

QUOTE - "Sure they know that people nowadays- students especially- are doing this route and won't be getting any flights except the one home. "

Well maybe that's how they think where you are , but more generally check in staff don't think like that . They just go by the immigration laws they see on their screen. Airport staff in the region are often not that strict, but flying from outside Asia quite often they will just go by the formal rules with little understanding or knowledge that there is no danger that you will be checked for ticket when you arrive .

I'd also rather see Friendly Check In Girl since she wouldn't insist on a flight ticket.
I'd make an exception for you Dave, I hate to disappoint and you're so certain that you will be asked.

Re# Friendly Check In Girl .

No , I am not so certain I would be asked I never said that ! Didn't you read what i said ? I said quite often outside Asia they do ask for flight ticket - I didn't say every time.

And to respond what you said in reply # 8

• QUOTE - "Going by the reports on this forum it strikes me that the only airlines ever asking this question are the ones that work in the ALTEA check-in system and cannot be bothered with a workaround. If you come across the word.......'

  No sorry, actually any airline regardless of system has a right to demand flight ticket . The reason is that Thai immigration has the power to demand that . Case in point is that I knew of someone who had prior drug convictions in Thailand which were noticed by airport immigration at Bangkok . He was led to a room and told he would only be admitted if he had a FLIGHT TICKET to another country OUTSIDE STH EAST ASIA REGION.
  Do you understand ? Thai immigration can demand anything it likes when they take a dislike to someone . That's the reason why some airlines want to see a flight ticket and in some cases they prefer it be out of the region.

I'd still make an exception for you Dave.

BTW your entire argument is flawed in that you fail to recognise the fact that airlines are issued with a "bible" clearly setting out all documentation requirements for any destination dependent on nationality. This may or may not correspond to what is written on any consular website. In the case of Thailand it is most certainly not a confirmed flight ticket, it is documentation for onward travel.

Your particular example is of no interest to the airline, at no stage has a requirement for a flight ticket to "a country OUTSIDE STH EAST ASIA REGION" ever been a boarding requirement. No fine, no interest.

Friendly, out of curiosity, is there a webpage where we can view the requirements used in the Amadeus system?
Short google came up with nothing...

As far as I am aware there is no public access to this data base.

Too bad. Understandable however.

Is it comprehensive at least? Making difference between no visa/visa on arrival/various types of visa?

QUOTE - "Your particular example is of no interest to the airline, at no stage has a requirement for a flight ticket to "a country OUTSIDE STH EAST ASIA REGION" ever been a boarding requirement. No fine, no interest."

It can be , and there are cases where airlines have quibbled about it. Airlines can make any decision they like about what sort of ticket they will accept if you don't have a visa just as Thai immigration can in the rare cases where it does demand an onward ticket irrespective of what your 'bible' says.

QUOTE - "This may or may not correspond to what is written on any consular website. "

I had already pointed out that embassy and consular websites were not always reliable anyway.

#34 Yes it's comprehensive in that it gives all options available to any particular nationality to satisfy entry requirements. There is everything there to keep the airline squeaky clean in respect of paying fines for inadmissables.
We don't check for criminal records LOL

Hi,

So to all the knockers, what happens when you are asked for an onward flight ticket (if no visa) and told you will not board without? It has happened to me and more than once as posted before. Easy to quote rules etc but try telling the poor guy at check in who is being told onward proof of travel or no boarding. Flight leaving soon, no onward travel proof, check insisting on proof, go on what would he do?

For repetitions sake it has happened (rightly or wrongly) it has.

Brax

Yes, happened to my brother in laws last December.

QUOTE - "We don't check for criminal records LOL"

Before you start laughing read what I wrote
- quote - " Case in point is that I knew of someone who had prior drug convictions in Thailand which were noticed by airport immigration at Bangkok "

The fact that its only people with drug convictions or criminal records in Thailand that are likely to be asked for onward ticket on arrival (although that can vary) is not well known to airline staff . Often they think anyone could be asked . And there HAVE been cases reported here of airline ticket out being demanded at airports in UK , Japan , USA , Australia and even Hong Kong (in that case a disclaimer form was allowed) as well as the cases Brax and Westwood mentioned.
Friendly Check In Girl its all very well to argue in theory , but that doesn't do any good when you are dealing with the check in person or their supervisor who is just doing the job they are told to do as Brax pointed out . Mcgardla got permission to have just bus ticket but elsewhere its not always accepted.
The summary for this is that if someone is able to get in touch with someone in authority at an airline always ask first if there is possibility of signing disclaimer form .

Arrived without difficultly in Bangkok- neither the airline, nor the immigration officials mentioned anything about any kind of onward travel, nor having sufficient money on arrival. On my flight into Bangkok, we were asked to fill in an immigratin form (the usual- name, address, ID number) but told not to bother with the entry/exit information. The immigration official stamped this, took my picture, and moved me along. Literally nothing at all! The people I am travelling with- who arrived on a different flight from a different airport- also had the same experience.

Havent read the replies above again but its probably been said there are few exceptions to anyone being asked by Thailand Immigration for proof of onward travel.The tricky bit is always the airline.