Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[gnasher]

I am going to Thailand in December. Although I will probably come back again, initially the free 30 day Visa should be fine, as I am planning on getting a train to Cambodia from that point.

However, I am reading that they are quite strict these days in that I need to show proof that I am leaving the country within 30 days? i.e. flight details etc. However I will not be flying, I will be going by train...

How can I get around this? I realise there is a 3 month tourist visa available also but for a number of reasons I am trying to avoid having to get one.

Can anyone shed any light on this please? How likely am I to be asked for proof of leaving within 30 days?

[starlagurl]

I guess you're taking the train to Nong Khai?

http://www.railway.co.th/English/FareRate.asp

I would call the railway company and ask if they can book in advance. It doesn't look like it, but you never know.

I don't know about Thailand, but usually, if you just prove you have enough money to leave, that is OK too.

[barsie]

They aren't strict- unless you happen to look very poor you'll not have a problem.

I'd do a print of from here http://www.seat61.com/ of the train timetables and highlight the train you'll probably take.

Do you have return flights booked at any point? They would accept those as proof you'll be returning to farangland.

I'd really not worry about it- proof of on going travel will not be a problem.

[gnasher]

Thanks, will check those. No I don't have a return flight booked, as I am heading on to New Zealand after SE Asia (just not 100% sure on what date yet as would like to play it by ear!)

[gnasher]

Right I've just had confirmation from Thai Air that they do check for proof of onward travel before boarding the plane - or failing that a valid visa for entry. So basically I cannot just arrive and get a 30 day visa unless I have proof of a flight out of there after wards.

So I am thinking I will apply for a 60 day tourist Visa before hand as will be returning to Thailand in that time anyway.

However, can anyone tell me what the deal is with Thai visas? On the form it says applications MUST be submitted by hand in London, which is really not convenient considering I am 2 hours away, don't drive and working most days before I go.

Have tried calling the Thai embassy on the two numbers provided but both are no longer in service!

Helpful!

[gnasher]

Nevermind lol, found an agency that will do it for me...

[nealinthailand]

they always say that onward ticket is necessary but been flying in and out for 5 years now and have never had onward ticket. dont fret too much

[gnasher]

I was more concerned about my airline who specifically said they would check when I asked... so have got a 3 month Visa now anyway which probably makes more sense now anyway!

Cheers for your help

[cabbing]

I am going to Thailand in December. Although I will probably come back again, initially the free 30 day Visa should be fine, as I am planning on getting a train to Cambodia from that point.

However, I am reading that they are quite strict these days in that I need to show proof that I am leaving the country within 30 days? i.e. flight details etc. However I will not be flying, I will be going by train...

How can I get around this? I realise there is a 3 month tourist visa available also but for a number of reasons I am trying to avoid having to get one.

Can anyone shed any light on this please? How likely am I to be asked for proof of leaving within 30 days?

We arrived on 7 December and they stamped our passport with an exit date for 8 January. So we are in Hua Hin now for 3 weeks and will return to Bangkok on 2 January, then go on to Vietnam by train etc.. If we fly back to Thailand we can get another 30 visa, is we return by land it's only 15 days. We checked this with imigration at Bangkok airport.
there was no query about our onward journey when we arrived, we are on a 12 month round the world trip and our next exit showed departing from Singapore on 24 February.

One thing to be aware of is if anyone arrives by land from Malasia, you are only allowed to stay for 15 days. Alot of travel companies offer visa runs to over the borders, ie Hua Hin to Cambodia 1,000 baht.

[starlagurl]

Thanks for that "on the ground" information cabbing! It's very useful.

Welcome to the forums too!

[Paul]

The problem isn't when you arrive in Thailand - they are unlikely to check for onward ticket there.

But there is a problem in some countries (Australia is one) that the airlines check for an onward ticket - if you don't have one, then you can't board your flight in Australia.