Unacompanied Minor

[ExpatDave]

Hi,

 

Wondering if anyone knows the answer to this. My Sister was supposed to fly out here with my Son (17), but she is unable to make it. The flight flies directly From LAX to BKK, so once he is in the air, he should be good to go. Would he need a special visa to get here?

[PattayaFanatic]

Hi,

 

Wondering if anyone knows the answer to this. My Sister was supposed to fly out here with my Son (17), but she is unable to make it. The flight flies directly From LAX to BKK, so once he is in the air, he should be good to go. Would he need a special visa to get here?

Just call Thai embassy to find out.Wish my dad flew me to Thailand when I was 17,lucky kid Can't imagine what the mother must be thinkin'.

[ExpatDave]

Just call Thai embassy to find out.Wish my dad flew me to Thailand when I was 17,lucky kid Can't imagine what the mother must be thinkin'.

 

I think he will enjoy himself

 

I have been trying to get a hold of the embassy, but they said the Visa department only takes Emails. So, I sent an Email and it came back auto-reply "Due to the volume of emails...Blah Blah Blah. And gave special instructions to send another Email. I will find out. He was supposed to go with my Sister, but something came up. I am trying to enlist another family member to fly out. Surprisingly, it is very difficult to give away a free all expense paid trip to Thailand.

 

.......And no, I do not need volunteers. I am having a hard enough time convincing his mother to let him come out. I don't think "He can fly out of the country with some dude I met in a mongering chatline" will help his cause.

[PattayaFanatic]

I think he will enjoy himself

 

I have been trying to get a hold of the embassy, but they said the Visa department only takes Emails. So, I sent an Email and it came back auto-reply "Due to the volume of emails...Blah Blah Blah. And gave special instructions to send another Email. I will find out. He was supposed to go with my Sister, but something came up. I am trying to enlist another family member to fly out. Surprisingly, it is very difficult to give away a free all expense paid trip to Thailand.

 

.......And no, I do not need volunteers. I am having a hard enough time convincing his mother to let him come out. I don't think "He can fly out of the country with some dude I met in a mongering chatline" will help his cause.

well once he is 18 he won't need mommy's permission.

[ExpatDave]

well once he is 18 he won't need mommy's permission.

 

Your lips to God's ears.

[Scumbag]

If you don't get an answer perhaps you can send an email to an embassy in another country. The Australia consults are good at answering email. I guess if they don't ask if you are in Australia you don't need to tell them... Have you checked with the airline about this issue? I can't see it being a problem but best to check.

[eXplosief]

I do not have any facts for you, but my intuition tells me that entering the country should not be a problem. Make sure that you as a father are on the airport to pick him up and that he has your phonenumber in case of any problems.

 

 

I think airlines do not see a 17 year old as a minor, see the following links:

 

 

http://www.thaiairways.co.uk/pages/flying_with_thai/infants_and_children.htm

Children from the age of 5 up to their 12th Birthday may travel as unaccompanied minors (UMs).

 

 

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=203&category=21

General Age Guidelines

Airline rules vary, but here's a good idea of what to expect on domestic flights:

 

 

 

Children ages 1 - 4 may fly only when accompanied by an adult. A child must be at least 5 to fly alone.

 

<LI>Kids ages 5 - 7 can take a direct flight to a single destination but not connecting flights.

 

<LI>Those 8 and up may change aircraft on most airlines. If they're between 8 and 11, they will be escorted by airline personnel to their connecting flight. A significant extra charge for this service is likely. Older kids -- age 12 and up -- may not be routinely escorted, but you can request this assistance.

 

<LI>Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay.

 

<LI>Minors must be met at their destination by another parent or responsible adult.

But if you can not contact the embassy, you can also try the airline.

 

 

 

Hope this helps

 

 

[ExpatDave]

If you don't get an answer perhaps you can send an email to an embassy in another country. The Australia consults are good at answering email. I guess if they don't ask if you are in Australia you don't need to tell them... Have you checked with the airline about this issue? I can't see it being a problem but best to check.

 

 

I called the Airline and they have no problem with it.

[ExpatDave]

I do not have any facts for you, but my intuition tells me that entering the country should not be a problem. Make sure that you as a father are on the airport to pick him up and that he has your phonenumber in case of any problems.

 

 

I think airlines do not see a 17 year old as a minor, see the following links:

 

 

http://www.thaiairways.co.uk/pages/flying_with_thai/infants_and_children.htm

 

 

 

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=203&category=21

But if you can not contact the embassy, you can also try the airline.

 

 

 

Hope this helps

 

Thanks, Mate. My only worry is issues with getting the Visa. I will meet him at the airport, so I should be able to handle any problems there. I will also bring a few thousand baht, just in case

[eXplosief]

My logic tells me that the airline would not take him if there was a chance that he is refused entry as they would be responsible for bringing him back.

[vermin]

no he doesnt. my daughter flies as an unacomp minor 3 times a year. same visas as accompanied

[Mike Asia]

Also check out the Thai Airways USA web site. They need to be contacted before hand, fill out a form, etc

 

 

http://www.thaiairwaysusa.com/flight-information/-you-fly/unaccompanied-minors/young-passengers/you-fly.html

 

 

 

[ExpatDave]

no he doesnt. my daughter flies as an unacomp minor 3 times a year. same visas as accompanied

 

Thanks!

[ExpatDave]

Also check out the Thai Airways USA web site. They need to be contacted before hand, fill out a form, etc

 

 

http://www.thaiairwaysusa.com/flight-information/-you-fly/unaccompanied-minors/young-passengers/you-fly.html

 

They told told me they only give special treatment to kids under 16....and guys wearing track suits.

[Mike Asia]

They told told me they only give special treatment to kids under 16....and guys wearing track suits.

 

yah, but the US website says 17, safer to call the office in LA.

 

a tracksuit is a good way to travel, you should try it.

[ExpatDave]

yah, but the US website says 17, safer to call the office in LA.

 

a tracksuit is a good way to travel, you should try it.

 

I think it will be fine. It states under 17. His Mom will take him to the Airport, so if anything needs to be filled out she can do it there.

[Perthie]

I may be confusing the issue here, but what I'm reading is that the airlines are good-to-go but you're not sure about the entry Visa?

 

I've noticed BM ThaiVisaExpress responding to Thai Visa issues on this board a few times, perhaps if you PM him he may be able to give you a clear-cut answer?

 

Just a thought.

 

Cheers

 

Perthie

[ExpatDave]

I may be confusing the issue here, but what I'm reading is that the airlines are good-to-go but you're not sure about the entry Visa?

 

I've noticed BM ThaiVisaExpress responding to Thai Visa issues on this board a few times, perhaps if you PM him he may be able to give you a clear-cut answer?

 

Just a thought.

 

Cheers

 

Perthie

 

Good idea, Perthie. Thanks. I will probably swing by his office. It's on my way home.

[Mike Asia]

I think it will be fine. It states under 17. His Mom will take him to the Airport, so if anything needs to be filled out she can do it there.

.

 

he will be fine i am sure, at least until he sits down on the plane and asks himself what he is going to do for the next 17hr 20min non stop. This is the 5th longest flight in the world!!

[Perthie]

Good idea, Perthie. Thanks. I will probably swing by his office. It's on my way home.

 

You're most welcome mate.

 

Perthie