Tourist Visa

[Bamboo Grove]

Went to Hanoi last week to apply for a tourist visa. The rules on the wall stated that in order to apply for a tourist visa one must show a ticket out of Thailand. This is a new rule to me and of course I didn't have one. After a little bit of smiling and asking if this could be done without the ticket, the officer told me that they can, in fact, issue me a visa but the customs officer in Bangkok may not endorse the visa. I said, I'd take the risk and so was given a tourist visa. Had no problems getting the correct stamp in BKK. Nobody said that I couldn't get another tourist visa next time I apply for it.
However, had they insisted on the ticket out of Thailand, I would have bought the cheapest Air Asia ticket available which would probably be less than 2,000 Baht.

[Huahinian]

Went to Hanoi last week to apply for a tourist visa. The rules on the wall stated that in order to apply for a tourist visa one must show a ticket out of Thailand. This is a new rule to me and of course I didn't have one. After a little bit of smiling and asking if this could be done without the ticket, the officer told me that they can, in fact, issue me a visa but the customs officer in Bangkok may not endorse the visa. I said, I'd take the risk and so was given a tourist visa. Had no problems getting the correct stamp in BKK. Nobody said that I couldn't get another tourist visa next time I apply for it.
However, had they insisted on the ticket out of Thailand, I would have bought the cheapest Air Asia ticket available which would probably be less than 2,000 Baht.

As far as I know, this rule has been in existance for a long time but rarely actioned. I was questioned at London Heathrow when checking-in for my flight. I explained (read lied) that I was leaving Thailand by rail to Malaysia.

[Bamboo Grove]

Previously I had thought that if you didn't have a visa, then you needed a ticket out of the country and this was only if you were coming from somewhere else but the nearby countries.

[lomuamart]

I'd always thought that you only needed proof of a return or onward journey if you were entering Thailand on a 30 day stamp. The onus is now put on the airline when you check in. If, for whatever reason you're refused entry at BKK, then it's the airline's respomsibility to get you home.
Indeed, when I came over to live here, I flew Thai Air, with a Tourist Visa, one-way. I was given the "third degree" at check in and just said that I was travelling extensively in SE Asia and that I didn't know from where I'd be flying back from. Was then asked if I had proof of an onward journey to, for instance, Malaysia - "no, I don't know when I'm going". Then questions about money at which stage I took the passport off the Thai lady and pointed out the visa and told her that I'd called the Thai Embassy in London a month before to confirm that my travel arrangements were in order. They said that it was OK. Eventually, I was checked in.
On 5 other occasions that I've been back to the UK, I've returned here on the return part of my ticket - obviously - but with no onward travel arrangements. Each time, I've had a TV or Non O and there hasn't been any question asked.
The first instance described above was 8.5 years ago, though and the last time in October (after the visa regulations had changed), but I had a Non O, not TV.
Could well be that the regulations have changed - or indeed have always existed. It would be good to get definite clarification of this. Maybe it was just Hanoi?

[STEVE G]

The onus is now put on the airline when you check in. If, for whatever reason you're refused entry at BKK, then it's the airline's respomsibility to get you home.

As Lomu says, it has been the case for several years that the airline has to fly you back if you can't get into any country, thats why they look at your passport at the check-in. I know most asian countries require a return ticket for a tourist visa, but they don't always check.