On 15 Jun 2004 12:36:54 GMT, queequak@aol.com (Queequak) wrote:
>>
>>If I understand correctly, you're flying into BKK, leaving Thailand, then
>>coming back to BKK to fly home. I would think you could get a 30 day visa
>>on your first arrival and another visa on your second arrival. It would be
>>a lot easier if you have an outward ticket each time, showing that you will
>>be leaving the country.
>>
>>I know it's the bleeding obvious, but you could give the Thai embassy a ring
>>and they could tell you the real situation. Not as much fun as hearing it
>>from other travellers though!
>
>Yes, you're right. I won't be spending 60 consecutive days in Thailand, flying
>in, then overlanding into Vietnam, then back into Thailand for a while to get
>the flight out. I'm just concerned they may not grant the first visa if I can't
>prove I won't be flying out of Thailand for 62 days.
>
>Think I will give the embassy a ring, but I don't think I'll like what I have
>to hear (think it will be standard party line: get visa from UK before you
>travel). Just wondered what the realities on the ground are (last time I
>entered Thailand from Malaysia, I can't remember whether they saw my tickets or
>not..)
The reality of the situation is that Thai immigration will almost
certainly not ask you about your ticket, and will just give you 30
days on arrival. There is a slight risk that when you check-in the
airline might raise a question about the dates of your return ticket.
I fly into Bangkok holding only a one-way ticket several times a year,
and on the rare occasions when I've been asked about it, they've been
happy with my explanation that I have an onward ticket waiting to be
picked-up from a travel agent in Bangkok. If you have a printed
itinerary for your Cambodia/Vietnam/Laos flights, even one produced by
yourself, it may be helpful to have that with you when you check-in.
As you guessed, the Thai Embassy will just give you the official line,
but for all practical purposes I don't think you'll have a problem.
Chris
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