Pre-boarding Passport and Return Flight Check at JFK

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

On today's Delta flight from JFK to Narita, all passengers with an onward flight to Bangkok had their passports and return flights checked very carefully. Non-Thai passports had to have six months validity left or the passenger was denied boarding. Three passengers I saw were in trouble on that account. I don't know how it ended for them, but I didn't see them in the passenger cabin.

 

If you had a visa for Thailand, you had to show it and those without visas had to prove they had a flight out of Thailand within a month. The gate agent told me the Thai authorities had gotten very serious about this. I had never before experienced such a intense check at the gate.

 

It will be interesting to see if they repeat it before boarding at Narita, but no sign so far. At JFK, they made a special announcement and called the names of the 20 or so people heading to BKK. No explanation, just "see the agent at the gate."

Evil

[MM 6,562]

Great approach to encouraging tourism!

[nkped 1,208]

In the last couple of years, I have made four trips to Thailand where the return reservation was more than 30 days out. For one, the boarding agent (at check in) verbally expressed concern until I pointed out my visa. On another trip, I saw the agent entering information in the computer with my passport open to the visa page. I don't remember anything specific about the other two trips.

 

August will be the first time with a one way ticket and a reentry permit.

[BeerBelly 1,026]

They've always had the requirement that the passport have a validity of six months before departing to Thailand. This is true when going to most countries, though there are a few where it is only three months depending on passport. There was a big deal years ago (just looked it up, it was in 2007. My how time flies), when Gordon Ramsey's son's passport didn't have the proper validity, yet BA let him fly, while denying another passenger.

 

The whole idea is to cover the airlines' asses. If they fly someone to a country that is then denied entry, they have to then pay to fly them back. In the Ramsey case, BA determined that since it was a family holiday, the likelihood of the child being denied entry was low, so they let him fly.

 

With respect to return tickets...this is fairly new it seems. Though, in 2003, I was required to show I had a visa (not visa waiver) before I could purchase a one way ticket to Thailand on EVA.

[jacko 8,815]

They've always had the requirement that the passport have a validity of six months before departing to Thailand. This is true when going to most countries, though there are a few where it is only three months depending on passport. There was a big deal years ago (just looked it up, it was in 2007. My how time flies), when Gordon Ramsey's son's passport didn't have the proper validity, yet BA let him fly, while denying another passenger.

 

The whole idea is to cover the airlines' asses. If they fly someone to a country that is then denied entry, they have to then pay to fly them back. In the Ramsey case, BA determined that since it was a family holiday, the likelihood of the child being denied entry was low, so they let him fly.

 

With respect to return tickets...this is fairly new it seems. Though, in 2003, I was required to show I had a visa (not visa waiver) before I could purchase a one way ticket to Thailand on EVA.

I think there is also a chance of a hefty fine on the airline.

[ttk 236]

Delta has been doing the check at SEA for several years now. I had a SEA-NRT-BKK flight where my return was 7 weeks out. I was going to fly Philippine Airlines to Manilla after 1week for a 3 week stay and then back to BKK for another 3 weeks. They asked for a visa but I Said I was flying out after 1week. My first document I had easily available was a reservation. They wanted to see a ticket..NOT just the reservation. I had to dig a bit deaper to get the ticket number. I asked why the scrutiny and they told me that Delta could be hit with a large fine if they let me board without the proper paperwork. They have even been learly of 31 days... They do not understand that you may leave on the 1st but arrive a day later on the 2nd. The sytem just spits out 31 days and are clueless.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Just to clarify one point: What was new in my experience was the passport-visa-ticket check at the departure gate that targeted passengers with a connecting flight to Thailand. There have been checks at the landside check-in counter since about 2010, but on a more sporadic basis. Sometimes the check-in agents would ask me to show proof of a return flight, other times not. In the past five years, I have been asked about a return ticket or visa when checking in for flights to Thailand on United, Delta, EVA, Tiger, ANA, Japan Air, KLM,Cebu. Air Asia and Swiss Air. The one airline that NEVER asked was Thai.

 

But I had not before seen or experienced an airline checking passengers to Thailand at the departure gate. It was not a general check, only passengers to Thailand were called to the counter. They didn't check passengers headed to China, just Thailand.,

 

Evil

[graymatter 153]

It makes sense to follow the rules with regards to Visa’s.

 

Tourist Visa Exemption
Australian passport holders (and nationals from 50 designated countries) may travel to Thailand for the purpose of tourism without a visa. They will be permitted to stay for a period not exceed 30 days on each visit provided they arrive by air and have a confirmed ticket out of Thailand (by air, land, or sea) within 30 days. But those entering by land at the immigration checkpoints from neighboring countries, will be allowed to stay for 15 days on each entry.

Please note as follow:

1. Passport must have at least 6 months validity upon entry.

2. Visitors who enter the Kingdom without visa cannot file an application for extension of stay.

3. Tourist Visa Exemption does not apply to foreigners holding Travel Document for Aliens.

 

I assume that similar rules would also apply to USA.

 

The airlines are held accountable for their passengers so I expect them to check passports before taking you to a place where you can’t stay.