SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[rsn 135]

I would plan on getting a return ticket. Maybe Thai immigration does not normally enforce the rule, however if you get the one guy that is very thorough you are screwed. Also with the recent crackdowns in thailand regarding visas, your best to be safe.

If the airline does allow me to board, and immigration in Thailand actually does ask for a return ticket (never been asked before) then can't I straighten that out at immigration (i.e. purchase a ticket or show I have funds to return, etc)? They are going to just send me back without giving me an opportunity to buy a return ticket are they? I've already purchased a one-way, but even if I didn't I don't like the idea that I have to purchase a return ticket even though I don't know when I will be returning and may have to incur change fee charges or purchase a more expensive ticket that allows changes.

[daboyz 36]

I would plan on getting a return ticket. Maybe Thai immigration does not normally enforce the rule, however if you get the one guy that is very thorough you are screwed. Also with the recent crackdowns in thailand regarding visas, your best to be safe.

If the airline does allow me to board, and immigration in Thailand actually does ask for a return ticket (never been asked before) then can't I straighten that out at immigration (i.e. purchase a ticket or show I have funds to return, etc)? They are going to just send me back without giving me an opportunity to buy a return ticket are they? I've already purchased a one-way, but even if I didn't I don't like the idea that I have to purchase a return ticket even though I don't know when I will be returning and may have to incur change fee charges or purchase a more expensive ticket that allows changes.

I would just tell Thai immigration you are there to attend your fiancee's interview, and then return to the U.S. with her. Maybe show them some proof from the USCIS or the embassy in Bangkok. Copy of Packet 4, or NOA2 from USCIS. I was just there in March, and they didn't ask me for anything.

Edit:

I seriously doubt they will deny you entry in Thailand.

Edited June 3, 2009 by daboyz

[rsn 135]

I would plan on getting a return ticket. Maybe Thai immigration does not normally enforce the rule, however if you get the one guy that is very thorough you are screwed. Also with the recent crackdowns in thailand regarding visas, your best to be safe.

If the airline does allow me to board, and immigration in Thailand actually does ask for a return ticket (never been asked before) then can't I straighten that out at immigration (i.e. purchase a ticket or show I have funds to return, etc)? They are going to just send me back without giving me an opportunity to buy a return ticket are they? I've already purchased a one-way, but even if I didn't I don't like the idea that I have to purchase a return ticket even though I don't know when I will be returning and may have to incur change fee charges or purchase a more expensive ticket that allows changes.

I would just tell Thai immigration you are there to attend your fiancee's interview, and then return to the U.S. with her. Maybe show them some proof from the USCIS or the embassy in Bangkok. Copy of Packet 4, or NOA2 from USCIS. I was just there in March, and they didn't ask me for anything.

Edit:

I seriously doubt they will deny you entry in Thailand.

That's sort of what I figured. I can't be the first person going to Thailand with a one-way ticket in this situation. I was hoping that NWA &/or Thai immigration would be logical about this, especially if I show proof of why I'm there.

[AaronLV 12]

You should still have time to get a tourist Visa. Mine took a total of 3 days to get, with FedEx each way. It will be no fun to be turned away.

[daboyz 36]

You should still have time to get a tourist Visa. Mine took a total of 3 days to get, with FedEx each way. It will be no fun to be turned away.

Is there a difference between getting a tourist visa, and just getting the 30 day stamp?

[rin and john 71]

One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United (or an onward flight - i.e. BKK to SIN - fully refundable). Then once you are safely in Thailand, return the ticket. Would tie up cash or credit for a little while, but wouldn't cost you anything in the long run.

John

[rsn 135]

You should still have time to get a tourist Visa. Mine took a total of 3 days to get, with FedEx each way. It will be no fun to be turned away.

I think that might be just as risky as not getting a visa, given the time constraints. My flight is June 13, and if I FedEx my passport to the embassy and it gets lost or does not get returned to me on time, I'm definitely screwed. Based on what I've been reading, if I run into any problems at all, it will most likely be in Chicago when I attempt to board the plane. If that happens and I'm not able to talk or b.s. my way out of it, I'll deal with it I guess. The overwhelming belief on thaivisa is that I will not get denied entry once I get to Thai immigration. I tend to believe that based on my past experiences (I just got back from Thailand a couple weeks ago as well, nothing unusual from immigration then either).

[rsn 135]

One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United (or an onward flight - i.e. BKK to SIN - fully refundable). Then once you are safely in Thailand, return the ticket. Would tie up cash or credit for a little while, but wouldn't cost you anything in the long run.

John

Hmm. I didn't think of that. Get a refundable ticket with no intention of using it and then get a refund when you get to Thailand. Might just work. If the cancellation fee is nominal, then I don't have to worry about how much the actual ticket costs. Or I could buy a one-way return ticket on NWA and refund it. I think the fee is only $50. Hmm.

[*Robert* 2]

One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United (or an onward flight - i.e. BKK to SIN - fully refundable). Then once you are safely in Thailand, return the ticket. Would tie up cash or credit for a little while, but wouldn't cost you anything in the long run.

John

Fully concur with that idea.

Ray, you have the potential for two things to happen. Either they don't let you on the plane, or they turn you away at BKK. I personally, am not a gambling man, and would NOT take any chances at this point. I think John has a very viable solution, unless you want to try for a tourist visa you won't fully utilize.

Robert

[rsn 135]

One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United (or an onward flight - i.e. BKK to SIN - fully refundable). Then once you are safely in Thailand, return the ticket. Would tie up cash or credit for a little while, but wouldn't cost you anything in the long run.

John

Hmm. I didn't think of that. Get a refundable ticket with no intention of using it and then get a refund when you get to Thailand. Might just work. If the cancellation fee is nominal, then I don't have to worry about how much the actual ticket costs. Or I could buy a one-way return ticket on NWA and refund it. I think the fee is only $50. Hmm.

Duh. Sorry. I should have read your post a little better before I responded. "One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United".

[*Robert* 2]

Congratulations Bill on getting the visa!!! :joy:

AND

Congratulations Pete for finally getting your interview date!

Sounds like if they have a new CO(s), the waiting will have been worth it!

[rsn 135]

One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United (or an onward flight - i.e. BKK to SIN - fully refundable). Then once you are safely in Thailand, return the ticket. Would tie up cash or credit for a little while, but wouldn't cost you anything in the long run.

John

Fully concur with that idea.

Ray, you have the potential for two things to happen. Either they don't let you on the plane, or they turn you away at BKK. I personally, am not a gambling man, and would NOT take any chances at this point. I think John has a very viable solution, unless you want to try for a tourist visa you won't fully utilize.

Robert

Robert - I completely agree. I will probably take John's suggestion and start looking for one-way return tickets now. This really is a good idea, and I'll only be out the return fee, at worst (I hope!).

[rin and john 71]

One potential solution for the one way nonsense would be to book a fully refundable one way BKK to USA on NWA or United (or an onward flight - i.e. BKK to SIN - fully refundable). Then once you are safely in Thailand, return the ticket. Would tie up cash or credit for a little while, but wouldn't cost you anything in the long run.

John

Fully concur with that idea.

Ray, you have the potential for two things to happen. Either they don't let you on the plane, or they turn you away at BKK. I personally, am not a gambling man, and would NOT take any chances at this point. I think John has a very viable solution, unless you want to try for a tourist visa you won't fully utilize.

Robert

Robert - I completely agree. I will probably take John's suggestion and start looking for one-way return tickets now. This really is a good idea, and I'll only be out the return fee, at worst (I hope!).

When I travel on business overseas, I almost always get a fully refundable ticket due to the length of my trips, number of segments, and the frequency with which I make changes during my trip. My unused segments are turned back in to my travel agent for refunds. You would need to check with your travel agent or the airline, but I don't believe there is any charge for turning in an unused, fully refundable ticket.

Only the fees associated with ticket purchase are non-refundable (maybe agent fees?)

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1511,00.html

John

[wasabi 4]

You should still have time to get a tourist Visa. Mine took a total of 3 days to get, with FedEx each way. It will be no fun to be turned away.

Is there a difference between getting a tourist visa, and just getting the 30 day stamp?

Yes there is a difference. Any visa, tourist, ED, Non Im O, O-A, retirement allows you to board with a one way ticket. See the thing is not everyone is granted the visa on arrival if some problem pops up. While you can be refused with the various visas I mentioned, it gives the airline a very high measure of assurance you won't be forced to come back thus their acceptance of one way tickets with them.

I have been to Thailand many times and I was never questioned until I tried to board with a one-way ticket. Fortunately that was the one time I did have a visa. I have heard of some people who slide through and I'm sure most of the time you probably could but as others have mentioned I would personally prefer not to gamble. Buying a refundable ticket you never intend to use is a viable option. You could also use the return one-way but just pay the penalty to change the dates if you are not sure when you are coming back.

[daboyz 36]

You should still have time to get a tourist Visa. Mine took a total of 3 days to get, with FedEx each way. It will be no fun to be turned away.

Is there a difference between getting a tourist visa, and just getting the 30 day stamp?

Yes there is a difference. Any visa, tourist, ED, Non Im O, O-A, retirement allows you to board with a one way ticket. See the thing is not everyone is granted the visa on arrival if some problem pops up. While you can be refused with the various visas I mentioned, it gives the airline a very high measure of assurance you won't be forced to come back thus their acceptance of one way tickets with them.

I have been to Thailand many times and I was never questioned until I tried to board with a one-way ticket. Fortunately that was the one time I did have a visa. I have heard of some people who slide through and I'm sure most of the time you probably could but as others have mentioned I would personally prefer not to gamble. Buying a refundable ticket you never intend to use is a viable option. You could also use the return one-way but just pay the penalty to change the dates if you are not sure when you are coming back.

Maybe it was because I flew Asian airlines all of the time and they don't bother asking. All of my tickets to BKK were for all intents and purposes one way tickets because it was the return leg of the round trip. I never had an actual tourist visa.

I eventually did get a Non-immigrant O, but I left Thailand shortly thereafter.

Oh well, just thinking out loud.