Looking for tips on visa requirements for Thailand - in regards to the proof of return ticket clause.
Hi, I'm planning a long overland trip for the end of the year (hopefully about a year long). Because I want to be flexible about my travel itinerary I don't want to lock myself in to a return flight before I leave. Ideally, I'd just like to fly into Bangkok and start travelling overland without any set deadlines. However, I've run into some confusion about visas.
As an Australian, I can get into Thailand without a visa (automatic visa), however, the embassy states that I need prrof that I'll be leaving the country - a return plane ticket. Now, I know that there are ways of getting around this, such as buying a cheap ticket from an asian carrier such as Air Asia, but is this really necessary? Are there other means by which I can enter Thailand without a return ticket, such as having a valid Cambodian or Vietnamese visa?
Any help from any of you that have done a similar thing would be appreciated. 😊
Reply to this Hi
I think, you can buy a air ticket from Australia to Bangkok and return and when arrive Bangkok you can reconfirm your back date with the airlines which you book and continue go to Vietnam and cambodia. Or You make visa to Vietnam and go to Vietnam first and then to Cambodia(in Vietnam you can make visa to Cambodia and ThaiLand, if your country poeple can into Thailand without visa, you can go to Thailand and has some procedures in border). Tourist Visa to Vietnam and Camboadia is valid in 1month(i.e Visa to Cambodia has valid in 3months for your enter but you can stay during in there 1month).
Have a good time!
Reply to this Yeah - the official line and the line on the ground in Bangkok airport are different - I arrived on a one way ticket last august and was given a one month tourist visa no questions asked, Thai airways did ask me about it though on the inbound flight.
It's up to you if you chance it - you could be unlucky and be rejected - but I haven't heard of that happening to anyone yet.
... it would be nice to have consistancy.
Reply to this Thanks, it's good to have finally heard that someone has done that. As you say, it seems like it's a chance thing so maybe having a cheap flight out is the prudent option.
Reply to this I've flown in and out of BKK from neirborhing countries many times on a one-way (Thai Airways, Air Asia, even United) without ever being questioned on my one-way status. Its a crap shoot, but most likely not a problem as Thailand issues tickets very easily to Aussies and American with ease. Its not like you are coming from one of their 'roque' countries that Thailand doesn't like (I won't put those here, you can see which ones they are by the countries listed in their consular website as to who needs special visas).
Feel free to roam for 30 days and then do a visa run to Myanmar or Cambodia by bus to get it renewed. Easy (time consuming in travel, etc) but never really a hassle.
Good luck and safe travels.
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