I just want to double check that this has to be in cash (USD or Baht), and I can't just show a bank statement.

It can be a bank statement if the money is in a Thai bank and the balance updated on the application date showing at least 20,000 baht

 

 

OP, you are correct.

Must be in cash. Baht or equivalent currency.

Having stated that very rarely asked for.

Goes against all instincts: showing all that cash is like pulling out a bunch of bananas in front of a gorilla.

 

 

Never ever been asked to show cash after dozens ++ trips.

20 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Never ever been asked to show cash after dozens ++ trips.

Why would they ask 20m tourists to open wallet? Not practical

44 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Why would they ask 20m tourists to open wallet? Not practical

most likely its at random

7 minutes ago, Straight8 said:

most likely its at random

Never seen it. Just a law that is rarely used.

That be the rule, but from 1992-2015, I entered 120 times Visa Exempt. Not once was I ever asked to show money...nor for a return ticket. 

4 hours ago, bendejo said:

Goes against all instincts: showing all that cash is like pulling out a bunch of bananas in front of a gorilla.

 

 

Like wrestling a gorilla. You don’t quit when you’re tired. You quit when the Gorilla is tired. (Your comment made me think of this)

Like many other long term visitors and retirees to LOS have said to this post enquiry;

 

NEVER been asked to show the money.

 

I've visited multiple times year since 2009 (both on tourist visa-on-arrival and home-country acquired 60 day tourist visa).

 

I have NEVER been asked nor seen ANYONE EVER asked to show the money.

 

I have had money on both savings and credit cards all the times I entered LOS but had only a small amount of Baht on me when landing. 

 

Now as a retiree, living here, who travels in and out of LOS (sometimes as much as 4 or 5 times a year some years) I never even think of carrying Baht cash to that amount in or out of LOS.

 

If you look like a vagrant maybe they'll ask you. If you're showing some signs at I.O. presentation that trigger them to enquire deeper into your reasons for coming to LOS, or maybe if theres a flag in your passport electronic profile that alerts I.O. to something else they might ask you.

4 hours ago, Straight8 said:

most likely its at random

It isn't random, they ask it when they suspect someone is unable to pay for their visit to Thailand. 

Most tourists will have the equivalent of US$500 on them when they travel internationally.

But if you look like a derelict backpacker that is on their last legs, then this is a way to disqualify your visit into Thailand.

 

12 minutes ago, Iron Tongue said:

It isn't random, they ask it when they suspect someone is unable to pay for their visit to Thailand. 

Most tourists will have the equivalent of US$500 on them when they travel internationally.

But if you look like a derelict backpacker that is on their last legs, then this is a way to disqualify your visit into Thailand.

 

this came up a lot pre-Covid. some dudes who were living here on back-to-back visa exempt stamps were reporting that they were being asked for proof of funds. 

 

for some reason they didn't have it on them because... reasons. apparently B20k is a massive amount of money and you're a nutjob if you travel with that much cash on you ????

6 minutes ago, Iron Tongue said:

Most tourists will have the equivalent of US$500 on them when they travel internationally.

Back  in my day I would have 10000 USD in cash just to party. The girls would great me with HELLO HANDSOMEMAN. That amount would last me for 2 weeks. If I needed more I would go to an ATM. I was an oil man from Saudi Arabia.????

I've never been asked, my hunch is it would greatly depend on one's appearance, a smartly dressed person would be highly unlikely to be checked for this, whereas someone who looked like they'd be begging on the streets for their next meal would in all likelihood be asked to show sufficient funds. 

1 minute ago, grain said:

I've never been asked, my hunch is it would greatly depend on one's appearance, a smartly dressed person would be highly unlikely to be checked for this, whereas someone who looked like they'd be begging on the streets for their next meal would in all likelihood be asked to show sufficient funds. 

I wore Levi's and a shirt. That was about as smart as I dressed. And most of the time I was moved to FIRST CLASS.

 

30 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

for some reason they didn't have it on them because... reasons. apparently B20k is a massive amount of money and you're a nutjob if you travel with that much cash on you ????

If flying to a neighboring country for a day, before flying back to Thailand to get a new visa exempt, why would you carry 20k baht in cash? The only reason would be to show to Thai immigration, but if you didn't know that they might ask you for it...

Some of them might even have money in a Thai bank account, but that's not accepted by immigration if they look for a reason to deny entry.

You must feel or not look like  a quality tourist?????

1 hour ago, Iron Tongue said:

if you look like a derelict backpacker that is on their last legs, then this is a way to disqualify your visit into Thailand.

Have you been watching me?

14 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

Have you been watching me?

33% look bad

1 hour ago, FriendlyFarang said:

If flying to a neighboring country for a day, before flying back to Thailand to get a new visa exempt, why would you carry 20k baht in cash? The only reason would be to show to Thai immigration, but if you didn't know that they might ask you for it...

Some of them might even have money in a Thai bank account, but that's not accepted by immigration if they look for a reason to deny entry.

LOL

for more than 20+ years been asked only once: at border crossing with Malaysia some "Bazaar-something" by very tired IO lady at her tiny booth. She didn't even ask, just mentioned. And luckily I had that amount with me. 

However last (pre-COVID) years there were many stories (rumors) about ppl denied entrance due to lack of funds and insurance. The last thing I want is to engage with IO at the border. 

2 hours ago, Sparktrader said:

33% look bad

Things are looking up then.

Danok immigration  tried to "shake me down" once, when re-entering one evening on a border hop.

 Insisted even though I held a non-imm multiple entry O visa . 

Eventually, but reluctantly, accepted a show of funds on my Thai on-line banking app.

Not a pleasant experience.....and I was smartly dressed ????

4 hours ago, khwaibah said:

I wore Levi's and a shirt. That was about as smart as I dressed. And most of the time I was moved to FIRST CLASS.

Decent Levis (or any other quality jeans) and (collared) shirt are smart dress in my book.  That's how I always travel.

Old, dirty, worn jeans and scruffy T-shirt may not be considered smart by some in authority.

 

Oh and back on-topic, been travelling to Thailand since 1985 on various different visas or visa-free entry and have NEVER been asked to show cash on arrival.

Never asked, ever.

6 hours ago, mancub said:

Danok immigration  tried to "shake me down" once, when re-entering one evening on a border hop.

 Insisted even though I held a non-imm multiple entry O visa . 

Eventually, but reluctantly, accepted a show of funds on my Thai on-line banking app.

Not a pleasant experience.....and I was smartly dressed ????

I think they will request show-of-funds for those who are border runners.

 

For those one time visitors, I don't think they will.

 

This will ruffle a few feathers, but tends not to happen in Xpress lane (premium boarding pass arrivals).

 

Never been asked in any lane ever, anyhow. 

12 minutes ago, EricTh said:

I think they will request show-of-funds for those who are border runners.

 

For those one time visitors, I don't think they will.

 

It's the only time I've ever encountered it, although I recall it being an issue for several people at the consulate in Savannakhet a few years back when applying for visitor visas. There was a sign advising of the requirement I think.

good conversation, thanks for the various insights...

 

I'm gonna go ahead and bring the cash. It's not a big deal, I'm just not used to carrying cash these days.