In 2 weeks I'll be flying to Bangkok, because I intend to do some backpacking in both Thailand and Malaysia. For both countries I do not need visa (Dutch resident), for a stay of max 30 days in Thailand, and without any limit in Malaysia.
However, officially both countries do require you show the proof on onward travel. Since I want to cross borders by land, and do not yet know from where I'll fly back to my own country, I rather not waste money on these tickets.
I've tried checking with their embassies. The employees of the Thai embassy told me something like 'you just show your passport', thereby implying this onward ticket is not mandatory. But I had my doubts whether this officials actually understodod what I was saying. The malaysian embassy in not reachable.
I'm sure people here have been doing the same things, travelling over land between these countries. What are your experiences. If I don't have any ticket, do I run the risk of being sent back, locked up, or whatever...? Making fake flight tickets I think is not a good idea. What about buying cheap ferry tickets which I do not intend to use?
Reply to this Hello Roojoo 😊
Officially you are supposed to have the proof of onward travel, but I have never been asked to show it when entering Thailand. There is however a bigger risk with the airline which is flying you to Thailand. They might not want to let you on the flight without an onward ticket. Best to check with them before you buy the flight ticket.
But I had my doubts whether this officials actually understodod what I was saying.
I they they understood but did not want to blatently encourage you to break their rules by giving detailed explainations. Hopefully they will get rid of this onward ticket requirement soon, since they dont really enforce it anyway.
do I run the risk of being sent back, locked up, or whatever...?
Being sent back is possible by not likely. I dont think you would be locked up.
What about buying cheap ferry tickets which I do not intend to use?
Some people buy cheap onward tickets which they dont intend to use. That would certainly cover it. Or what about a cheap ticket to fly from Phukett to Malaysia or something like that which you could use.
I dont know anything about what entering Malaysia is like because I havent been there yet.
Mel
Reply to this Thank you for your help. I've tried asking China Southern whether I will be refused onboard their plane. The little Chinese lady didn't understand my English over the phone. Hope they'll understand my email.
Buying Tickets Phuket - Kuala Lumpur might solve it, and it certainly is affordable. Although I still rather travel by land, to have more freedom in my planning. Perhaps I'll just take this risk for Thailand.
Reply to this Well, probably the worst that would happen is that they ask to see your onward ticket and then you would have to buy an expensive onward ticket at the airport in Bangkok but that is unlikely.
Mel
Reply to this Hi roojoo, you can try booking a train ticket on www.thaifocus.com. i've not actually used it but am told it works. also, if you're comparing air fares, try www. airasia.com and tigerairways.com. good luck.
Reply to this we flew from England to Thailand in October and i was also worried about being asked this so i just bought a visa just incase....we ended up flying back to thailand from Vietnam in November and even with a used visa and no onward ticket i was asked no questions at all, passport stamped no problems. So its seems they dont but there is that risk...maybe just get a visa to avoid the worry?
Reply to this It's already too late to get visa I think. Plus, I'm in China now and I don't think I can get one there.
However, I will take the risk and go without any ticket. Thank you all for your advice.
Reply to this I've based my regional travel in Bangkok over the past five years and have never once had a return ticket from Bangkok. When asked, I just tell them that I'm leaving Thailand by road to Laos. Never been a problem.
Reply to this The last bit of encouragement I needed.
Anyone who has experiences with Malaysia. I've heard from people entering through Singapore that they were not asked for anything.
Why do these rules exist in the first place?
Reply to this Why do these rules exist in the first place?
Good question. If they are not going to be enforced, I wish they would get rid of them so we dont have to think about them.
Reply to this On Malaysia: Last time I entered from Singapore I wasn't asked for anything.
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