Bought a One-Way Ticket to Thailand, What Now?

Hi folks,

I already know I need to get immunizations and this isn't my first time in Asia, so I'm aware that I need proof of onward passage since my ticket is one-way (I'm American, by the way, leaving from Los Angeles). I'm just unsure of the best way to find a ticket to buy and then cancel later, do I really need a visa if I stay more than a month? Can I get that there or should I really look into getting it before I leave? I have planned absolutely nothing else so any suggestions of other places to go or see is welcome. I have a long time table. I'll be there in the fall.

Also if any fellow Americans who deal with our crappy insurance have a suggestion on how to go about getting immunized, I'd be much obliged!

Thank you!

I flew into BKK a year ago on a one way ticket with Cathay Pacific no problem.

Yep. Unless things have changed in the last year or two, the onward travel thing shouldn't be an issue.

Yes, you will need to make sure you move along before the visa free periods wear out in each country, but I don't think that's too much of a problem for most people. Lots to see and do in the region, and sitting still for more than a week or two just gets unnecessarily dull...

As far as immunizations, personally, I'd just wait until I get there and get it done there. I detest the US health care system, and avoid it at all costs (pun intended). You say you've been to Asia before? What sorts of immunizations did you not get then that you think you need now?

Happy traveling!

AvaApollo wrote:Hi folks,

I already know I need to get immunizations and this isn't my first time in Asia, so I'm aware that I need proof of onward passage since my ticket is one-way (I'm American, by the way, leaving from Los Angeles). I'm just unsure of the best way to find a ticket to buy and then cancel later, do I really need a visa if I stay more than a month? Can I get that there or should I really look into getting it before I leave? I have planned absolutely nothing else so any suggestions of other places to go or see is welcome. I have a long time table. I'll be there in the fall.

Also if any fellow Americans who deal with our crappy insurance have a suggestion on how to go about getting immunized, I'd be much obliged!

Thank you!

Why did you buy a one way ticket? From the US, using a major carrier, often 2 one way tickets cost more than a round trip. Local flights from Thailand to other cities or nearby countries is pretty cheap. But this means you would have to actually plan on when you will return. You would have proof of onward travel then. Round trip to Bangkok usually cheaper than 2 one way flights in and out of Thailand. Do the math!

You may or may not have a problem with arrival in Thailand but the requirement is still there. Your main problem could be leaving from the US! Especially if you plan on arriving at BKK and only get the free Visa Exemption stamp in your passport. That visa exemption is only good for 30 days. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days just pay for the 60 day tourist visa. Less hassle with ticket agents at the airport too.

Some tourists do stay in Thailand with the free 30 days (with US passport) and then before that time expires visit another country. When they fly back to Thailand they qualify for another free 30 days. BUT if you return to Thailand overland you only qualify for 15 days.
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490

Men and women, old retirees, kid backpackers, newlyweds often have different preferences on where to visit in Thailand. Guessing that Ava means you are female; women seem to like Phuket for lots of stuff like the beaches of course, for the Bali style gigolos, for the sun and fun! Honeymooners and women traveling in groups often choose Phuket. Phuket is the most expensive city in Thailand though.

Women seem to have Chiang Mai on their list of things to visit too. They visit elephants, see Long Neck Women villagers, watch kids dancing in cultural exhibits, visit butterfly and orchid farms, etc.
http://www.thailand.com/travel/recreati ... idfarm.htm

Some young tourists may also take in a full moon beach party at Koh Phangan, do some dope, get drunk with lots of other kids.
http://www.ontheroadthailand.com/Nightl ... a_Ngan.htm

Some tourists like to include nightlife in their holiday while in Bangkok and Pattaya. Some tourists who just want to relax in a cheap beach area choose Pattaya where the hotels and transportation is cheaper than Phuket. But the beach is no good for actual swimming by tourists. (Only 2 hours from Bangkok by bus.)

One thing you should do is to not skip Bangkok! Don't fly all the way to Thailand and avoid that city. Also, my opinion is that you should also schedule a final night or two in Bangkok before you fly home. (If you are flying home from Bangkok.)

A Google check will give you information on shots you need. I always get the JEV and Tetanus shots, Hep A&B and a few more but I have managed care for shots where I don't have to pay for them. In Thailand you can buy Doxycycline for Malaria if you want, very cheap. But check with your doctor first to see if you can use it. Some tourists get shots in Thailand to save money, Red Cross Clinic is one place. Dengue Fever can be a problem but as far as I know you can only try to prevent it by avoiding mosquitoes.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/thailand.htm

Many long term expats and frequent visitors do not take any malaria preventative.
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/thailand/thailand-malaria-map.aspx

In Thailand you can sign up for tours through local travel agencies. They are located in the major cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Choose a tour from their list of popular places to visit and leave the following morning. Sometimes leave on a tour the same night. Anytime you leave your hotel for an extended period of time also have in your walk-around bag hand wipes and a roll of TP. (You can borrow the TP from your hotel toilet. Just flatten it out to make it take up less room.) Many toilets do not have TP and you may not even have water to wash your hands with. You never know when the bug will hit after sampling too much street food!!! A ball cap will keep the sun off your face; even in Bangkok and Chiang Mai use some sun screen when out during the day. No problem getting a tan in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Oh yeah, a simple Google check will give you lots of information quickly. Buy a travel guide, they will give you a lot of background history and some of the things to see in each city. If you do need hotel recommendations on this forum also include the price you want to pay for for your room and where.

Have fun.

Hey,

I booked a one way ticket to Thailand a few years back.

I would get The Lonely Planets South East Asia on a Shoestring book - it's great. Use it as a guide not a bible and you'll have lots of fun I'm sure.

If you ever need proof of oneward travel, make your own bus or train ticket and print that off (check first you can leave the country being awkward on that mode of transport). I've done this several times now.

Thailand is a great place to start an adventure in this part of the world. It's easy to travel around and generally pretty friendly.

There can be a lot of tourists but usually where there are tourists there are things to see

Cheers,

Dante

Hi,
Why not talk with any travel adviser about this problem which you facing.

traveloworld wrote:Hi,
Why not talk with any travel adviser about this problem which you facing.

That's what the OP is doing.

Bideshi wrote:Yep. Unless things have changed in the last year or two, the onward travel thing shouldn't be an issue.

Yes, you will need to make sure you move along before the visa free periods wear out in each country, but I don't think that's too much of a problem for most people. Lots to see and do in the region, and sitting still for more than a week or two just gets unnecessarily dull...

As far as immunizations, personally, I'd just wait until I get there and get it done there. I detest the US health care system, and avoid it at all costs (pun intended). You say you've been to Asia before? What sorts of immunizations did you not get then that you think you need now?

Happy traveling!

I didn't get any as I went to Taiwan and lived in Taipei. I remember paying only $12 to see a doctor there, so it was a warm, fuzzy memory compared to the costs here in the US. I just found out how much Rabies costs here and I'm for sure skipping that one. So you'd wait until getting to Thailand to do the Typhoid and Heps?

crazyal wrote:

AvaApollo wrote:Hi folks,

I already know I need to get immunizations and this isn't my first time in Asia, so I'm aware that I need proof of onward passage since my ticket is one-way (I'm American, by the way, leaving from Los Angeles). I'm just unsure of the best way to find a ticket to buy and then cancel later, do I really need a visa if I stay more than a month? Can I get that there or should I really look into getting it before I leave? I have planned absolutely nothing else so any suggestions of other places to go or see is welcome. I have a long time table. I'll be there in the fall.

Also if any fellow Americans who deal with our crappy insurance have a suggestion on how to go about getting immunized, I'd be much obliged!

Thank you!

Why did you buy a one way ticket? From the US, using a major carrier, often 2 one way tickets cost more than a round trip. Local flights from Thailand to other cities or nearby countries is pretty cheap. But this means you would have to actually plan on when you will return. You would have proof of onward travel then. Round trip to Bangkok usually cheaper than 2 one way flights in and out of Thailand. Do the math!

You may or may not have a problem with arrival in Thailand but the requirement is still there. Your main problem could be leaving from the US! Especially if you plan on arriving at BKK and only get the free Visa Exemption stamp in your passport. That visa exemption is only good for 30 days. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days just pay for the 60 day tourist visa. Less hassle with ticket agents at the airport too.

Some tourists do stay in Thailand with the free 30 days (with US passport) and then before that time expires visit another country. When they fly back to Thailand they qualify for another free 30 days. BUT if you return to Thailand overland you only qualify for 15 days.
http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490

Men and women, old retirees, kid backpackers, newlyweds often have different preferences on where to visit in Thailand. Guessing that Ava means you are female; women seem to like Phuket for lots of stuff like the beaches of course, for the Bali style gigolos, for the sun and fun! Honeymooners and women traveling in groups often choose Phuket. Phuket is the most expensive city in Thailand though.

Women seem to have Chiang Mai on their list of things to visit too. They visit elephants, see Long Neck Women villagers, watch kids dancing in cultural exhibits, visit butterfly and orchid farms, etc.
http://www.thailand.com/travel/recreati ... idfarm.htm

Some young tourists may also take in a full moon beach party at Koh Phangan, do some dope, get drunk with lots of other kids.
http://www.ontheroadthailand.com/Nightl ... a_Ngan.htm

Some tourists like to include nightlife in their holiday while in Bangkok and Pattaya. Some tourists who just want to relax in a cheap beach area choose Pattaya where the hotels and transportation is cheaper than Phuket. But the beach is no good for actual swimming by tourists. (Only 2 hours from Bangkok by bus.)

One thing you should do is to not skip Bangkok! Don't fly all the way to Thailand and avoid that city. Also, my opinion is that you should also schedule a final night or two in Bangkok before you fly home. (If you are flying home from Bangkok.)

A Google check will give you information on shots you need. I always get the JEV and Tetanus shots, Hep A&B and a few more but I have managed care for shots where I don't have to pay for them. In Thailand you can buy Doxycycline for Malaria if you want, very cheap. But check with your doctor first to see if you can use it. Some tourists get shots in Thailand to save money, Red Cross Clinic is one place. Dengue Fever can be a problem but as far as I know you can only try to prevent it by avoiding mosquitoes.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/thailand.htm

Many long term expats and frequent visitors do not take any malaria preventative.
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/thailand/thailand-malaria-map.aspx

In Thailand you can sign up for tours through local travel agencies. They are located in the major cities like Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Choose a tour from their list of popular places to visit and leave the following morning. Sometimes leave on a tour the same night. Anytime you leave your hotel for an extended period of time also have in your walk-around bag hand wipes and a roll of TP. (You can borrow the TP from your hotel toilet. Just flatten it out to make it take up less room.) Many toilets do not have TP and you may not even have water to wash your hands with. You never know when the bug will hit after sampling too much street food!!! A ball cap will keep the sun off your face; even in Bangkok and Chiang Mai use some sun screen when out during the day. No problem getting a tan in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Oh yeah, a simple Google check will give you lots of information quickly. Buy a travel guide, they will give you a lot of background history and some of the things to see in each city. If you do need hotel recommendations on this forum also include the price you want to pay for for your room and where.

Have fun.

Thanks for all of the info. I didn't book RT because it was more expensive and I have no idea when I'll come back or where from - it will probably be over a year from now if all goes according to plan, so I figure it's better to book a ticket later than to worry about the fees associated with making changes.

Thank you for the visa information, that is helpful.