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I am a US passport holder and planning to transit with checked-in baggage through Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok (BKK) as follows:

  • flying from the US to BKK on a ANA (issued by United) RT ticket,
  • and then from BKK to IGI Airport, Delhi, DEL on a TG ticket (also issued by UA, but using FF).

The difference in between the two flights is around 7 hours.

On the return, 16 days later, I have

  • an Indigo ticket (from NSC Bose Airport Kolkata, CCU to BKK)
  • and then that BKK ticket to the US (issued by UA). The return is by Hong Kong airlines from BKK.

The difference between arrival and departure time is around 4.5 hours.

I presume I will need a transit visa in both directions. Or will the first visa be valid because the gap is under three weeks between going on the way out to India and returning from India. But what do I need to apply for a transit visa?

lambshaanxy
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user3236841
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1 Answers1

9

As an American citizen, you do not need a visa for Thailand, regardless of whether you're transiting for 4 hours or staying a month.

You do need to fill out the Digital Arrival Card each time you wish to enter, but it's free and easily filled out online.

However, I need to caution you that when self-connecting, it's quite risky to have only 4.5 hours between flights, especially when you have checked luggage that needs to be collected, taken through customs and re-checked back in. And the fact that you're flying in on a low-cost carrier from India, where delays are quite common, makes this even riskier. If you miss your connection for any reason, you'll be on the hook for an expensive replacement ticket. Why not add some buffer, arrive the previous day, and stay overnight in Bangkok?

lambshaanxy
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