I am a US citizen planning a trip to Southeast Asia for five months this winter. I had planned on booking a round trip ticket for Bangkok without a visa. I would leave the country in accordance with the 30 day US tourist visa exemption as I intend to spend time in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos as well. However I have found from certain resources that I may or may not be required to provide proof of departure within 30 days of my arrival upon entry to Thailand. Does anyone know whether such proof is required? If so, will I have problems having booked a return ticket from Thailand 5 months from my arrival? Any info or advice regarding visas in southeast asia is much appreciated. Thanks.
Reply to this Hello Daniel 😊
Officially we as foreigners are supposted to be able to show a ticket to prove that we will leave Thailand, within the next 30 days when entering Thailand. Luckily the Thai immigration rarely ask to see the ticket. Look as neat and tidily dressed as possible when entering Thailand, so as not to encourage them to pick on u.
What is more likely to cause u problems is the airline which is flying u into Thailand. They may not want to let u on the plane, without the requirements needed by the Thai immigration. I would call the airline and explain the situation and ask if there will be a problem with boarding the plane.
Mel
Reply to this Thailand has become very strict on there visas form what I heard, I contact my local thai consulate in England.
I have got a double entry visa, as we fly into Bangkok and then go northern thailand for 3 weeks before going into Laos, we will then return back into Thailand again probably about 6 weeks later after Laos and Cambodia so needed a second entry visa to come back into the country. With this you get 60 days with each entry. Only thing is you only get 6 months from the date of issue to have visited the country for the second time.
I would just double check everything to be safe and not get stuck with no visa etc.
Looking on google, it seems there is thai consulates in D.C, Los Angeles and Chicago so contact one of them.
Reply to this Thai Visa is now $30. Yes, Shelby is right, we are cracking down on this here. Visa-on-arrival will no longer give visa's without seeing an airline ticket (no bus or train tickets accepted) leaving by / before 30 days. Many people who are arrested and awaiting deportation (up to one year) complain that they thought they were OK because immigration admitted them and the law, therefore, is not enforced. This can no longer be the case. It is time consuming and expensive for the Thai Gov't to arrest and house these inmates. It has nothing to do with being dressed nice and neatly, it is no longer discressionary. Please have your confirmed ticket for entry / exit to Thailand ready before you apply for your Visa at the Thai Embassy.
Reply to this Thanks for your help, everybody. I'll contact the consulate.
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