One way to Bangkok

Hey all, does anyone know how strict airlines and immigration in Bangkok are being these days on having further travel plans before getting into the country?
I've a one way ticket booked to bangkok in September and am debating in my head whether or not I should book a flight to Hanoi within the 30 days.. No intention of using it, I want to go overland through Laos.

Thanks.

jonnybravo

Deleted User wrote: »

Hey all, does anyone know how strict airlines and immigration in Bangkok are being these days on having further travel plans before getting into the country?
I've a one way ticket booked to bangkok in September and am debating in my head whether or not I should book a flight to Hanoi within the 30 days.. No intention of using it, I want to go overland through Laos.

Thanks.

When I went there a few months ago I was worried about the same thing so I just got the 60 day tourist visa before I headed. You can apply for one in the Thai embassy in Dublin. I can't remember how much it cost but if you google their website should give you all the details. I think once you have this visa you don't need to have proof of an onward flight.

How long does the Visa take? I have one week after work on Tuesday to sort this out..

ozzy jr

I'm going to Bangkok on Thursday. I've been checking out flights to Hanoi, a one way will only cost about €60 so it'll probably save you a bit of hassle with Visa's etc.

beagle001

They will check for a return ticket,used not be so strict but twice last year they checkd our tickets flying in to bk.
why not fly up to Udan Thani from bk with airasia and take a tuc tuc to the border at Nong kai,cross over to Laos from there.
Bus up is not much cheaper that is unless you had planned to visit Isan on your way to Laos or cross over from Chiang Mai.

jonnybravo

Deleted User wrote: »

How long does the Visa take? I have one week after work on Tuesday to sort this out..

I remember it didn't take that long to get it but I can't remember exactly how long it takes. Details should be on the website. Might be even able to get it if you drop in. Or else like someone said just book a cheap Air Asia flight out.

beagle001

beagle001 wrote: »

They will check for a return ticket,used not be so strict but twice last year they checkd our tickets flying in to bk.
why not fly up to Udan Thani from bk with airasia and take a tuc tuc to the border at Nong kai,cross over to Laos from there.
Bus up is not much cheaper that is unless you had planned to visit Isan on your way to Laos or cross over from Chiang Mai.

Well I plan on spending a month making it up around Chang Mai etc.. Then a month each in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia before heading to the beaches in Thailand.

I'm hoping that if I get into any hassle, I can show him I have enough money and explain that I have absolutely no idea where I'll be in 9 months.. Could be China, Australia, South America or Canada. Thus the one way ticket.

Think I'll buy the ticket to Hanoi, then cancel it of possible.. Give me some piece of mind.



Ozzy, good luck with the trip. What's your plan or where you headed?

ozzy jr

Deleted User wrote: »

Ozzy, good luck with the trip. What's your plan or where you headed?

Thanks. The only thing I have booked is my return flight to Bangkok and I also have a Vietnam Visa. I'll probably go from Bangkok to Hanoi and when I return to Bangkok head down the coast to Ko Tao, eventually ending up in Singapore.

I've never done a trip like this on my own so if I'm enjoying it I'll head over to Australia for a while then head home via Saigon heading back to Bangkok for the flight back to Dublin.

How long do you have between Hanoi and going back to Bangkok.. I'm gonna take a month gettin to Ho Chi Minh and then head back over through Cambodia.

Never done anything like this either.. And doing it on my own aswell. Should be interesting!

darrenh

Deleted User wrote: »

How long do you have between Hanoi and going back to Bangkok.. I'm gonna take a month gettin to Ho Chi Minh and then head back over through Cambodia.

Never done anything like this either.. And doing it on my own aswell. Should be interesting!

You wont be on your own for too long!

I flew into bangkok this time last year and they didn't ask me how long I was staying or when I was leaving. They did a previous time though.

I'd of loved to have the time you are giving to SE Asia. Did you think about Malaysia or Borneo?! Better than Vietnam IMO. Cambodia is do able in two weeks as well. Laos is just class. The slow boat a real highlight.

From Bangkok to Pai is my favourite part of Thailand.

The beaches are cool for a piss up, but there is f-all to do at day time unless you dive. Its relaxing but how much of that do you want to do.

If you could squeeze two weeks into Malaysian Borneo there are some spectacular things to do. Stay with a headhunting tribe. See Orangutans in the wild, swim with giant green turtles and (friendly) reef tip sharks. Treks through the jungle that far more authentic than in Chiang Mai.

South East Asia Blog

ozzy jr

Deleted User wrote: »

How long do you have between Hanoi and going back to Bangkok.. I'm gonna take a month gettin to Ho Chi Minh and then head back over through Cambodia.

Never done anything like this either.. And doing it on my own aswell. Should be interesting!

I've no time frame for anything really. Just going to see how things go. I might decide to not go somewhere I was planning to and just go somewhere else instead!

It's either going to be the best thing I've ever done or I'll be home in a week!

darrenh

darrenh wrote: »

You wont be on your own for too long!

I flew into bangkok this time last year and they didn't ask me how long I was staying or when I was leaving. They did a previous time though.

I'd of loved to have the time you are giving to SE Asia. Did you think about Malaysia or Borneo?! Better than Vietnam IMO. Cambodia is do able in two weeks as well. Laos is just class. The slow boat a real highlight.

From Bangkok to Pai is my favourite part of Thailand.

The beaches are cool for a piss up, but there is f-all to do at day time unless you dive. Its relaxing but how much of that do you want to do.

If you could squeeze two weeks into Malaysian Borneo there are some spectacular things to do. Stay with a headhunting tribe. See Orangutans in the wild, swim with giant green turtles and (friendly) reef tip sharks. Treks through the jungle that far more authentic than in Chiang Mai.

South East Asia Blog

You would not believe how much this post has potentially affected my travel... Really looking into spending a bit less time around Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and instead heading on south into Malaysia and Indonesia!
I'm not a huge beach fan so will certainly spend most of my time inland and Borneo does sound really nice from what I've read.. Any thoughts on climbing Mt. Kinabalu?

ozzy jr wrote: »

I've no time frame for anything really. Just going to see how things go. I might decide to not go somewhere I was planning to and just go somewhere else instead!

It's either going to be the best thing I've ever done or I'll be home in a week!

I'm the exact same... Go with the flow and see what happens!

darrenh

Deleted User wrote: »

You would not believe how much this post has potentially affected my travel... Really looking into spending a bit less time around Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and instead heading on south into Malaysia and Indonesia!
I'm not a huge beach fan so will certainly spend most of my time inland and Borneo does sound really nice from what I've read.. Any thoughts on climbing Mt. Kinabalu?

I didnt have time to climb it but people I talked to that did said it was class. I regret not doing it.

Vietnam in my opinion is a f**kin pain in the arse. Lots of people think it is too. Its the least liked of the SE Asian countries. It does have it's fans though. Although I loved Hanoi and its people. Halong Bay is amazing.

I spent 3 weeks on the islands at the end of our trip and was bored a week and a half into it. Best thing is not to make any plans. Best plans are made round dinner at night, at a outdoor food stall, down a grungy side street. Enjoy!

killbillvol2

Regarding Vietnam, I loved it. Lots of others hated it. I've never really met anyone who had a neutral opinion on it...it's one extreme or the other. As I advised a friend recently, go and have a look but don't commit to a particular length of time.

Jesper

Deleted User wrote: »

You would not believe how much this post has potentially affected my travel... Really looking into spending a bit less time around Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and instead heading on south into Malaysia and Indonesia!
I'm not a huge beach fan so will certainly spend most of my time inland and Borneo does sound really nice from what I've read.. Any thoughts on climbing Mt. Kinabalu?



I'm the exact same... Go with the flow and see what happens!

Same here. Leaving work and travelling. I've been working for 8 yrs so It's very hard to have 'nothing' planned. I've a brother living in Philippines for last month and finds it very friendly.

Did anyone look at Intrepid trips or similiar? is it better to just go alone?

darrenh

Jesper wrote: »

Same here. Leaving work and travelling. I've been working for 8 yrs so It's very hard to have 'nothing' planned. I've a brother living in Philippines for last month and finds it very friendly.

Did anyone look at Intrepid trips or similiar? is it better to just go alone?

I dont think you'll will find many people who would go on a group tour, that have been in SE Asia before. No one would recommended it. Go it alone, you'll have so more freedom and fun. Dont worry about being on your own. It will be very rare when you are.

magentas

killbillvol2 wrote: »

Regarding Vietnam, I loved it. Lots of others hated it. I've never really met anyone who had a neutral opinion on it...it's one extreme or the other. As I advised a friend recently, go and have a look but don't commit to a particular length of time.

wow I didn't realise there was such a love/hate thing with Vietnam. I thought it was amazing. Hoi An is just the prettiest little town and Halong Bay is out of this world. Met some of the most lovely people I have ever met in my life there too. I found the Vietnamese people to be so genuine and welcoming too (maybe with exception of Ho Chi Minh it's just another big city)
Definately go north in Thailand. I really wasn't into the beaches all bars/restaurants are owned by english I swear Thai people are outnumbered down there and it gets very repetitive.
Chiang Mai is class and Pai is beautiful.

So OP have you decided on what you're going to do? when are you heading?