Did I really need a Visa fot Thailand?

by Catherine
(USA)

I feel that I was recently bumped from Korean Air; because I did not have a visa. My round trip ticket was 2 weeks over 30 days; which I did not know that this could be a problem requiring a Visa; so, they said.

I did not plan on staying in Thailand for thirty days, because I was going to travel outside the country by catching other airlines to go to Singapore and other Asian countries to visit with my brother who is living in Thailand.

Would I, still, need a Visa to enter your country in this situation? Would I have needed a Visa for every country that I would visit for a couple of days; before flying somewhere else?

I thought all that I needed was a current Passport. This Korean Airlines just told me that it was their policy to require a Visa for a passenger who was going on a flight over 30 days to Thailand; even though I wouldn't be staying there for 30 days which they didn't ask?????

Were they wrong in requiring this for my flight? I was already there ready for my flight, my husband had left thinking that everything was settled; and then, they came up with this excuse for me not able to fly?

Is it their position to be Immigration experts to refuse my flight that was already scheduled? They put me through a great deal of anguish, inconvenience, and expense doing this to me.

I thought Visa were for people who want to live in that country for a while. I was just going to be a visitor; who had no intention of living there. I wanted to visit my brother for a while; while, traveling with him. Please inform me; as to what I should have done in this situation?

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Did I really need a Visa fot Thailand?

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Technically...
by: Michael

Thai immigration policy has always been that you need to show an onward ticket to get a visa or visa-free entry. In practice, they often don't check this, but the airline was just being conservative in not allowing you to board the flight since you couldn't show proof of onward reservations.

What you may not know is that the airline gets fined, and possibly jeopardizes its landing rights, if it brings people into the country who don't have the required visas, or other requirements. This is true everywhere in the world, and it's why airlines tend to be more cautious than the reality on the ground dictates.

***ParadisePattaya***
Michael,
Thank you for the clarification. If Catherine would have arrived at the airport with Tourist visa in her passport she would have had no problems.

In many countries tourist visas for Thailand are free of charge at the moment.

I am sure Catherine appreciates your input as much as I do.
Regards,
Brent

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Visa for Thailand and Korean Air
by: Paradise Pattaya

What an unfortunate story!

I would be mad at the airline too. Disappointed not to be able to travel as I planed.

The Thai Visa requirements change often and are confusing but I am not sure that Korean Air's staff were doing the right thing. Most foreign nationals will receive a 30 day visa exemption when entering Thailand by air and 15 days when entering via overland border checkpoint.

A visa extension can be obtained at the local immigration office or in your case you would receive a new visa exemption after you leave the country and re-enter.

You do need a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and onward travel documents. Given, you did not have a visa and the 30 days visa exemption would not cover the 2 weeks"over". I agree with you that it is at the discretion of the Thai Immigration officer to grant you a visa exemption or not and it is hers/his final decision.

Visas are not only for people who want to live in Thailand. There are tourist visas that can have multiple entries and 60 days per entry and I always recommend visitors to get a tourist visa in their home country. In your case I would recommend it as well but since you wanted to leave Thailand within 30 days anyways you didn't really need it as far as I am concerned.

I would talk to the travel agency who sold you the ticket and also Korean air. At least they should have told you that you needed a tourist visa to be able to board the plane.

Thank you for sharing your hard to believe story. I wish you the best and hope that other Thailand visitors will visit a Thai embassy before they leave home and apply for a tourist visa.

I think you have all the right in the world to feel the way you do.

Best Regards,
Brent

Links to: Thai Embassies Outside of Thailand's Borders

and...Thailand Visa Requirements

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Submitted by: Paradise Pattaya

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What an unfortunate story! I would be mad at the airline too. Disappointed not to be able to travel as I planed. The Thai Visa requirements change often and are confusing but I am not sure that Korean Air's staff were doing the right thing. Most foreign nationals will receive a 30 day visa exemption when entering Thailand by air and 15 days when entering via overland border checkpoint. A visa extension can be obtained at the local immigration office or in your case you would receive a new visa exemption after you leave the country and re-enter. You do need a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and onward travel documents. Given, you did not have a visa and the 30 days visa exemption would not cover the 2 weeks"over". I agree with you that it is at the discretion of the Thai Immigration officer to grant you a visa exemption or not and it is hers/his final decision. Visas are not only for people who want to live in Thailand. There are tourist visas that can have multiple entries and 60 days per entry and I always recommend visitors to get a tourist visa in their home country. In your case I would recommend it as well but since you wanted to leave Thailand within 30 days anyways you didn't really need it as far as I am concerned. I would talk to the travel agency who sold you the ticket and also Korean air. At least they should have told you that you needed a tourist visa to be able to board the plane. Thank you for sharing your hard to believe story. I wish you the best and hope that other Thailand visitors will visit a Thai embassy before they leave home and apply for a tourist visa. I think you have all the right in the world to feel the way you do. Best Regards, Brent Links to: <a href="http://www.paradise-pattaya.com/thailand-embassy.html" target="_blank">Thai Embassies Outside of Thailand's Borders</a> <p> and...<a href="http://www.paradise-pattaya.com/thailand-visa-requirements.html" target="_blank">Thailand Visa Requirements</a>

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