[levi0515]

I purchased a one-way ticket through Expedia travel as I have done so for 2 years to Bangkok, Thailand from Nashville, Tennessee. All was well until I arrived in Chicago (ORD) to change planes for flight 9 to tokyo Japan. As I prepared to board I was told by the lady at the gate that I could not board the plane unless I purchased a ticket to leave Thailand in 30 days.I was told I could get a refund minus $50.00 processing fee after I arrived. I explained to her that I never purchase a round-trip ticket because I have never had to present a round trip ticket before going to Thailand. And also I apply for a retirement visa also known as a non-immigrant O visa before my 30 day tourist visa expires. This requirement to have a round trip ticket was not posted and is not posted anywhere at the time of purchase for this trip. They sent me to the ticket counter and told me they had an immigration official from thailand on the phone to speak to me. The person on the phone told me that he was a Thailand immigration official and that I must purchase a ticket out of Thailand to be admitted into thailand. I was told to purchase a ticket to viet nam (Ho Chi Mihn City) for $240.90.
I called Expedia and they told me they could not do anything about this. I purchased the ticket because my wife and son live in Thailand. As soon as I arrived at the airport in Bangkok, I went through immigration without any question from immigration about my length of stay or if I had a round trip ticket. I even asked an immigration officer if I needed a plane ticket to leave and I was told by immigration that there is no such requirement to enter the country.To me this was like extortion because I have to wait up to 2 months before I get the refund and I will only get $200.00 back. I will not use expedia or fly Japan Airlines again.