Hi,

Me and my wife will be flying from Singapore to Chiang Mai airport in a few days.

We have already travelled round south thailand with 60 day visas we got in the UK before we left.

This time our stay will be under 30 days so I am thinking the visa exemption on arrival should be fine.

However I keep reading things about being asked to show 20k baht cash at immigration...

I have a few questions about this and would greatly appreciate any help!

- How likely is it we get asked to show the 20k cash at chiang mai airport with only the one previous thai visa? (I heard it was more likely if you had had a lot already).

- Are there ATMS on the Thai side before immigration?  I'd rather not withdraw it all in Singapore dollars and convert to bahts as this will involve 2 conversions and take off a big percentage.

- As a married couple do we need 20k EACH or just between us?

Thanks in advance for any info! :)

 

It is highly unlikely you will ba asked to show the equivalent of 20k baht in any exchangeable currency.

Only those with numerous visa exempt or tourist visa entries are questioned and asked for the 20k baht.

Officially it is only 10k baht for one person or 20k baht for a family for a visa exempt entry.

I cannot answer your question about ATM's being available.

 

Whilst you didnt ask this can I just add I have never heard of anyone who is dressed smartly at immigration being asked to provide proof of monies. All the ones I have read about have turned up scruffy (in my book) having in addition painted themselves in green and black all over on arms legs and neck

 

Came through Singapore - Chiang Mai just yesterday. Definitely no ATM's in either the immigration or customs area. Plenty in the general arrivals area, but AFTER immigration & customs. As long as you're reasonably well presented & have an outgoing flight ticket & a hotel booking, I agree it's very unlikely you'll be requested to present THB20k in cash.

4 hours ago, Chivas said:

Whilst you didnt ask this can I just add I have never heard of anyone who is dressed smartly at immigration being asked to provide proof of monies. All the ones I have read about have turned up scruffy (in my book) having in addition painted themselves in green and black all over on arms legs and neck

 

Most ridiculous post of the day

 

Immigration Officer to "Tourist"

So you been living here for 50 years on Visa Exempts? Oh but I see you are dressed smartly so I will let you in

 

 

15 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

Most ridiculous post of the day

 

Immigration Officer to "Tourist"

So you been living here for 50 years on Visa Exempts? Oh but I see you are dressed smartly so I will let you in

 

 

Reread what I have written then try responding again. I have not read or heard of anyone asked for proof of monies when dressed smartly (or in my book normally)

19 minutes ago, Chivas said:

Reread what I have written then try responding again. I have not read or heard of anyone asked for proof of monies when dressed smartly (or in my book normally)

I read what you said and it's complete rubbish

 

I have a friend who was dressed smartly and looked nothing like the people who you claim to have been refused who was refused at DM a year ago

 

They look at your previous history in Thailand, it's as simple as that

 

Unless you were actually there you have no idea how these people looked, 

 

 

6 hours ago, darrendsd said:

Most ridiculous post of the day

 

Immigration Officer to "Tourist"

So you been living here for 50 years on Visa Exempts? Oh but I see you are dressed smartly so I will let you in

I know that is your opinion, and most immigration officials probably do not allow their prejudices to affect their professional decisions. That said, some officials are seriously offended by people they see as being disrespectful by asking for service while "inappropriately" groomed. While not strictly relevant to airport immigration, I have seen officials at some offices tell foreigners who did not even smell to go away and dress properly before they will deal with them.

My own observation is that Thais are much more influenced by appearances than most Westerners. Thais I am friendly with will often comment quietly (favorably or unfavorably) on how they feel about some foreigner they have just seen based entirely on their grooming. I am not saying their attitude (akin to judging a book by its cover) is right, but it is reality.

It is my view that anyone entering Thailand who might be in an ambiguous situation (such as same day in/out by air for a visa exempt entry) would be wise to take account of Thai cultural attitudes. You do not need to agree with them, just recognize them, and present yourself accordingly. That includes grooming and the way you speak to the officials.

14 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I know that is your opinion, and most immigration officials probably do not allow their prejudices to affect their professional decisions. That said, some officials are seriously offended by people they see as being disrespectful by asking for service while "inappropriately" groomed. While not strictly relevant to airport immigration, I have seen officials at some offices tell foreigners who did not even smell to go away and dress properly before they will deal with them.

My own observation is that Thais are much more influenced by appearances than most Westerners. Thais I am friendly with will often comment quietly (favorably or unfavorably) on how they feel about some foreigner they have just seen based entirely on their grooming. I am not saying their attitude (akin to judging a book by its cover) is right, but it is reality.

It is my view that anyone entering Thailand who might be in an ambiguous situation (such as same day in/out by air for a visa exempt entry) would be wise to take account of Thai cultural attitudes. You do not need to agree with them, just recognize them, and present yourself accordingly. That includes grooming and the way you speak to the officials.

I agree, I have been here a long time and know how to dress and talk to Immigration, I was at Immigration today as it happens and had a 10 minute chit chat with the I/0 after my extension had been processed however the poster above seems to imply that only people who are not dressed well will be asked to show the 20k,  this is simply not true, anyone who has been using VE or TV to stay here longterm can be questioned no matter how they look

 

My friend last year was denied entry, he looked nothing like the people  who the poster described which kinda proves my point

17 hours ago, iang said:

Came through Singapore - Chiang Mai just yesterday. Definitely no ATM's in either the immigration or customs area. Plenty in the general arrivals area, but AFTER immigration & customs. As long as you're reasonably well presented & have an outgoing flight ticket & a hotel booking, I agree it's very unlikely you'll be requested to present THB20k in cash.

The OP could always obtain the cash equivalent in SGD before departing Singapore if he had any concerns. 20,000 THB = around 835 SGD on the basis of an exchange rate of 24 THB to the SGD.