Non Immigrant O Visa - Do I need return Ticket

[ceebee]

We finally finished our house in Thailand in November and I spent Nov & Dec in Thailand on the final days of my Non Imm O Visa.
We will be returning at the beginning of Feb to stay on a more permenant basis and I propose getting a new non imm O visa based on having Thai Wife.
I am also 60 in Jan and will be retiring (although possibly need to work at some time in next 5 years as I only have a small pension until I am 65)
Because I may look for work in Singapore or Malaysia I will get a Non Imm O Multi entry Visa.
The reason for my post is to see if anyone knows if what Thai Airways told me when I tried to book a single ticket from London to Bangkok is true.
I was told that unless I had a return ticket I would not be allowed into Thailand and they refused to sell me a single ticket.
I can not understand this as before 90 days is up I would either go over border and return with another 90 day stamp or would be working during the week in another country and commuting back at th weekend. What I would not be doing is returning to UK every 90 days.
What have you long termers done with regards to your initial flight to settle in Thailand

[Korkenzieher]

Thai are wrong then, as far as I am concerned. You have to have a return or onwards flight *if you do not have a visa*. Did you tell them you would have a visa? If not, there is your problem; if you did then you should phone the embassy. In either case they should be prepared to sell you a single, because you *could* have an onward flight with a different provider.

You could be challenged on boarding the plane, however. I have been challenged only once and I had both a return ticket *and* an O visa at that time - Jobs-worths! I have twice flown on one-way tickets since that rule came in and wasn't asked on either occasion. If there is any insistence on showing a ticket to exit Thailand, you could always book a convenient date out (90 day visa run say) on Air Asia and present that as your onward flight.

However, I would suggest using a different airline.

Discussion on the same topic here:
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... 39#p196327

[lomuamart]

There should be no need for a return or onward flight if you have a visa of any sort. I'd speak to the airline again and if they give you the same story then ask to speak to a supervisor.
When I came over years ago, it was with Thai as well. I think I only had a double entry tourist visa. I'd checked with the Embassy and they confirmed that there was no need for onward travel. However, I was quizzed at check-in until I said that I confirmed things with the Embassy. It was OK then. Maybe it's just the national carrier who cause more trouble then others?
The rules havn't changed.

[Korkenzieher]

Lomua - on dealing with Thai Airways. Lets face it, if immigration appear to make rules up on the fly when it suits them, some functionary at Thai is either just as likely to, or to be under instruction to that effect, or simply afraid of the consequences of getting it wrong and therefore taking the conservative route. I haven't flown Thai in donkeys years, but got questioned by an Etihad Ground Crew member while he had my passport and outward and return tickets in his hand. To say I was indignant doesn't get even close - couldn't even check his own ticketing to see I had a return, or my pp to see I had a Visa but gets in my face all clever and powerful and needed a putting down!

That said, you are right - there has only ever been a need for a second leg if you take visa on arrival. I think these things are brought in targeting more at Asians, Africans and Arabs who apparently repeatedly turn up at Swampy showing no intent ever to leave (no luggage, return flight, money, accommodation booking). As with all things un-intelligent though, slavish application of the rules is now the norm. You are apparently also required, on request, to be able to show a hotel booking! What, even if I own a condo? Oh. Does not compute. Hotel booking please...

[moja]

We arrived here 4 years ago on a one way ticket with Thai Airways and had no trouble at all. Since then we have basically always come in on a one way ticket as it is the return section of every flight and we have never had a problem. We have non imm O visas and that is what makes the difference

[ceebee]

Thanks for replies.
Will try again, the problem was I was applying for free ticket using air miles before some expired today.
May also try buying cheap flight to malaysia for 90 day visa stamp/weekend away

[moja]

used airmiles with Thai for our last trip to UK and had no problem at all with what was basically a one way trip back to BKK. Hope you manage to use you air miles!