Will I encounter issues at passport control in Thailand if I can't provide a return date while intending to retire?

buy a bus ticket from 12go Yat Yai to Penang. Pay for the fully refundable ticket, renter Thailand stress-free, get your 18 euro back . no fucking worries

Never been asked. In 14 trips in 3 years. Never asked for a return ticket either ( even though I did have one )

I just did it 2 ½ months ago and told them I was retiring here with no problems

It's not imagination it's the actual airline you travel on the reason is if you are denied entry into Thailand has to pay for your return and a fine

The only thing I've been asked at the departure airport was proof of covid vaccination. I think documents such as a forward ticket could be asked at immigration. In the 8 years of traveling back and forth to thailand I have never been challenged by airport immigration. I think its descretion of the immigration officer. Do you look like a hippy packpacker living on a shoestring?

I got asked in September what date I was flying home and from what airport & what airline, I was also asked where I was heading to within Thailand. They accepted my answers & didn't ask for any further proof but they do randomly ask 🙄 I have been in & out 4 times over 2 years, back in 2weeks again.

Big mistake

Have never been asked about my return flight but that's not to say it won't happen but highly unlikely it will

Just buy a cheap refundable ticket onward travel. Job done

No!

But your airline may ask - ask them!

Get a non o visa before u come only £6o I think then no problem and u will get your retirement visa much easier when hear

Get the 90 day non o in your home country before going to Thailand

In 6 trips, I was only asked once. I just responded: "In 7 weeks."

I've never been asked when I plan to return .. not once .. came here on a one way ticket in January

No they won't and we have got our Non O Retirement visas after arriving on Boxing Day.

At Heathrow I told the check desk we had a forward ticket to Vietnam of which we are going to use, flying to Phu Quoc for 6 days next week.

If you are flying to Thailand a one-way ticket without a visa, you can expect that the airline will ask you to provide proof of onward travel from the destination country within the expected length of stay stamped upon entry. In your case it’s a 60-days visa exempt entry.

It does not necessarily have to be the "return flight". It CAN be a return flight. But it can also be a one-way flight "out of Thailand" within the permitted period.

For example, a cheap one-way ticket with Air Asia from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur for $35.00, is a 100% secure onward travel proof

Even if you have a visa, the airline can ask for proof of onward travel if you are leaving Thailand outside the length of stay stamped upon entry, or if you want to fly with a one-way ticket.

They "can", they don't necessarily do so. But if the check-in crew implements the rules consistently, they will definitely ask for it.

Because this IATA rule does in fact EXIST, even if many people don't believe it or want to accept it, just because they have never been asked for proof of onward travel.

The penalty for the airline that does not follow the rule is 10,000 U.S. Dollars if the passenger is rejected at the border of the destination country.

And if a flight is overbooked, the airline uses the onward travel proof as a proven means of thinning down the number of passengers. And that's what they will surely do in such a situation!

Thai immigration normally is not interested in proof of onward travel or the return flight. They only ask for it randomly - this usually happens to those entering the country who got an extensive stamp history in their passport, or passengers who turn up in ragged clothing or drunk.

The airline is only enforcing a guideline from Thai immigration. The IATA, as the highest aviation authority, has committed to applying these guidelines. And because Thai immigration has passed the check-duty to the airlines, it does not check again when you enter the country. They tacitly trust the airlines did check already

It is also important to know that many airlines do NOT accept a train or bus ticket to a neighboring country as proof of onward travel, but insist that it must be a FLIGHT ticket.

** You also often read that you can provide proof by booking a hotel in a neighboring country.

** or by presenting a visa for the neighboring country.

** or by signing a form in which you accept responsibility in the event of entry being refused.

** or by taking a speedboat ride from Koh Lipe to Langkawi.

** or a bus ticket to Cambodia

** or a train ride to Singapore

** or a cheap "onward ticket" (but at your own risk)

All of these are just half-hearted suggestions. There is NO guarantee that it will work. The airline decides whether to accept it or not

Of course there are people in every group who claim the opposite, but they can NEVER GUARANTEE their statements

Where as a “real” one-way flight ticket out of Thailand is always a 100% guarantee

Then there are people who firmly claim that the proof of onward travel does not exist, just because they have never been asked

These people can never guarantee that you will not be asked. Such a behavior is irresponsible towards those asking in FB groups

There is NO guarantee that you will not be asked at check-in. It could just as easily be the other way around and proof of onward travel will be asked.

Then you are left standing at the check-in counter and are refused boarding.

That is why I don't think it is a good idea to present your own experience as irrefutable. Thousands of travelers have been turned away in the past, and HUNDREDS face this problem EVERY day at airports around the world

What kind of proof of onward travel will be accepted, you should ask the airline, but it is best to do so in writing (email) In this case if you receive a positive reply, you can print it and take it to the check-in counter. Over the phone, airline employees sometimes tell you anything whatever comes to their mind, much of it might not be true.

Like someone else already noted: The airline might ask you for proof of onward travel out of Thailand within the period you will get stamped in upon entry.

Proof of onward travel means that airlines and governments want to make sure you are not illegally immigrating to their country, so they need to see proof of a return ticket home. What is this? Basically, some countries want to make sure you aren't attempting to move there on a tourist visa and never leave

They are trying to prevent illegal immigration.

Government officials need to see proof that you plan on flying out, respecting the rules of their tourist visa.

They want to see proof of onward travel back to your home or at least to another destination.

So while you can technically travel on a one-way ticket, they also need some kind of official ticket confirmation showing that you are leaving the country eventually.

They won’t necessarily care where that ticket goes, just as long as it’s out of their country.

Airline Flying Requirements

Many countries actually pass this responsibility on to airlines, meaning that it’s the airline check-in desk who will ask to see proof of your onward travel before they let you board the flight.

Because if they don’t check, and allow you on the flight with a one-way ticket, but immigration officials refuse to let you in, the airline will be responsible for the costs of flying (deporting) you back to your home country. And the airline can be fined up to 10.000.- US Dollar.

Some airlines are very strict about the proof of onward travel rule.

If you can’t provide proof, you won’t be allowed to board your flight. Or they’ll ask you to buy a return ticket from them right then and there — which can often cost hundreds of dollars more than you want to spend.

Onward Travel Rules & Digital Nomads

If you’re a digital nomad too, I feel your pain. Why can’t they just make it easy and allow me to travel on a one-way ticket, trusting me when I tell them I plan to leave in two months?

Some of us prefer to travel spontaneously, without plans!

Most backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads are on a tight budget, trying to make their money last as long as possible. Or they aren’t exactly sure which country they want to visit next. Or they want to travel overland by bus.

Buying round trip tickets just isn’t in the cards for everyone.

Don’t take it personally though. These are their rules for onward travel, and we have to respect them. We have similar laws for foreigners attempting to visit our own countries.

Luckily there are a few easy (and legal) ways to get around this proof-of-onward-travel requirement, so you can travel on a one-way ticket, and not be forced to plan your entire trip down to the last detail.

How to get proof of onward travel

If you think you may need proof of onward travel during your travel adventure, there are a few legal ways to get around the rules without having to buy round trip tickets everywhere you go.

1: Buy a refundable ticket

If you don’t mind waiting a while (sometimes months) to receive a refund, buying a fully refundable second one-way return ticket is definitely possible.

To make it work, you’ll need to buy that second ticket before you leave for your destination.

Once you’ve entered the country, cancel your exit ticket, and wait for the refund.

Just make sure to read the fine print — because some airlines charge cancellation fees, or only refund tickets using flight vouchers instead of cash.

2: Rent a ticket confirmation

The safest/cheapest option is to “rent” an airline ticket confirmation from a real-life travel agency. This is what I usually do.

“onwardticket” websites are services that book a real return ticket in your name, then cancel it for you later.

It only costs something like 12-15 USD, and you’ll get your official ticket confirmation on the spot. It’s cheaper than buying your own ticket and safer than trying to forge one (don’t do that!).

3: Book with your airline Miles

If you are a travel-hacking whiz and have accumulated a ton of points or miles on your travel rewards credit cards, you can use those points to book a one-way return flight and then cancel it later.

Most of the time you’ll find that your points or miles are refunded right away, making it a no-brainer.

4: Buy a cheap ticket on A Budget Airline

Extreme budget airlines around the world can have some amazing flight deals. While the airline itself might not be the best — if you don’t plan on actually using the ticket, who cares!

Find the cheapest one-way ticket to a major city in the country next door, and eat the cost. Maybe $50 or $100.

This works best in cheaper areas of the world, like Asia or Latin America. Some examples of budget airlines include EasyJet, AirAsia, Volaris, etc.

5: Buy a bus or train ticket out

Some airlines might be placated if they can see you have a bus or train ticket that leaves the country. This is obviously much cheaper to buy than a plane ticket ($50?), and you don’t even have to use it.

In my experience, sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. I think it depends on the mood of the check-in agent. It’s a risky option.

What About Forging One?

I do not recommend forging your ticket confirmation. If you get caught, it could end up badly.

Especially if you try to show a fake piece of paper to actual immigration officials rather than airline employees.

Lying to immigration officials is illegal, and could land you in jail.

Some people do this, but it’s extremely risky, and can get you in a lot of trouble!

Just arrived ( 6th ), straight through , very quick , no questions..! .👍😁

They do ask you how long you plan to stay. Just went through BKK.

Reach out to Siam Legal, they provide a free consultation.

Read the visa section at the website of the Thai Embassy in you country.

Get a deposit account as quickly as possible with 400,000 buats in account for three months to be on save side, as it's needed for the extended yearly ,extention ,go to the immigration office and ask what is needed for the yearly extention (visa)

I have come in 3 times with DTV. Immigration did not ask for exit ticket.

Neither did the airlines.

They won’t ask about return ticket in immigration but your airline may - ask them, and if they do buy a train ticket out of Thailand. Nong Khaki - Vientiane 120 baht.

Big time, you have to have transport out of the country to a destination that will accept your passport. You need to do a lot more planning!

I was asked today when entering at Dom Meung when I was leaving.

Seldom asked anything at all. Been through 6 times in the last 2 years

I’ve never had them ask at all about return plans/flights

When you retire in Thailand, you will need the non-o visa anyway, so most easy is just to apply for the 3 months non-o in your home country.

That prevents all possible problems with onward flighttickets and questions, and also makes it much easier to open a Thai bank account which you also will need.

Then at immigration you apply each year for the extension. of 1 year.

I would suggest you get a 90 day non O retirement visa from the thai embassy in London before you come. This will give you plenty of time to sort yourself out in thailand I.e. bank account etc. Which is required for you extension. Also if you have a non O retired visa then you shouldn't be asked by your air carrier to show a return ticket ( if they do show them your non O visa) or have any issues with immigration entering thailand

Airline will require an onward ticket before you even board the plane. You can insure that ticket, show it to immigration, cancel the flight and have two years or so to use it, wherever, depending on the airline.

Apply for the Non Imm O visa based on marriage in your home Country then you'll have no problems with the airline or Thai Immigration.

By laws you need to show Thai baht or equals in cash to . However immigration ask that seldom but if the ask and you not have it you sent back . Credit card does not count

Get a non o visa based on marriage or retirement from your home country. Then you can enter Thailand on a one way ticket, no question ask by immigration or airline.

Do you come into Thailand with a visa exempt or an any visa ? The airline will ask you to show an onward or return flight after you 60 days exemption visa . They not allowed to take passenger they are liable to check on this . If you have an retirement visa or any other you not need a return / onward tiket

You may have a problem leaving your departure airport because Thailand requires a return or onward ticket out of the country in order to board the plane. I will say it depends on the check-in agent at the airline. My last time flying into the country I was able to check-in after showing my current lease that I live in Thailand. Another option that I have used for several countries is There are similar companies that provide the same service but I can only speak about this company. You purchase a ticket through them for $14 or $16. The ticket expires after your flight. I have never had a problem doing this.

We didn't get asked either end, BNE to BKK. However we did buy an ongoing ticket to Hong Kong with the ability to ask for a full refund.

What visa, if any, will you be entering the los with?

Just be aware of that your airline might require an onward ticket during check in if you plan to enter on a 60 days visa exemption, but it’s no issues to apply for Non O visa in Thailand.

Nope they dont

Not at all