A friend is coming to visit soon, and I want to be clear about what to expect and pass the information on. They are a US citizen. They have never been to Thailand but have traveled a lot in Europe and the passport shows this. No overstays. They are flying in to Chiang Mai on a one way ticket. Future plans are not final yet. As the title says, expecting a 60 day visa exemption. Is this the correct term?

 

In buying an onward ticket does the exit date need to be within the 60 days of the visa exemption, or can it be within the 90 days including an extension? Does the IO stamp the exit date according to the date of the onward ticket or give the full 60 days?

 

What amount of money is required to show Immigration if asked? Must it be in cash on the person or can bank accounts on your phone suffice?

 

Any other gotchas that I should pass on? Thanks in advance.

22 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

In buying an onward ticket does the exit date need to be within the 60 days of the visa exemption, or can it be within the 90 days including an extension?

Entering VE (without a visa) the airline don't appear to be too concerned with the departure date, just as long as they have a return/outbound ticket.

 

22 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

Does the IO stamp the exit date according to the date of the onward ticket or give the full 60 days?

No. On arrival, he will be stamped permitting a stay of 60 days, regardless of his departure date.

 

22 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

What amount of money is required to show Immigration if asked? Must it be in cash on the person or can bank accounts on your phone suffice?

Discrepancies on sites whether the amount remained at 10,000 BHT, or now 20,000 BHT since VE was increased from 30 to 60 days.

Although rarely ever requested, he should carry the equivalent of the amount in cash, any currency.

 

22 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

Any other gotchas that I should pass on? Thanks in advance.

If he intends to apply for a 30-day extension, then it's important that wherever he stays has filed a TM30.

22 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

What amount of money is required to show Immigration if asked? Must it be in cash on the person or can bank accounts on your phone suffice

Never gets asked. 

23 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

buying an onward ticket does the exit date need to be within the 60 days of the visa exemption,

Depends on airlines.

 

You need to fill out DTAC entry app.

 

 

45 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Never gets asked. 

Never say never.

4 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

ou need to fill out DTAC entry app

Careful getting that acronym wrong.. 

DTAC is a phone service provider

 

TDAC is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card and there is no app. It's a website

https://tdac.immigration.go.th/

6 hours ago, jmd8800 said:

In buying an onward ticket does the exit date need to be within the 60 days of the visa exemption, or can it be within the 90 days including an extension? Does the IO stamp the exit date according to the date of the onward ticket or give the full 60 days?

You already have correct answer posted. 

Might add that some people opt to buy onward ticket from rent a ticket. 

One example Google "onwardticket.com" You buy these tickets day prior to departure flight 

Explained in this link. 

 

https://www.thedigitalnomad.asia/innovation/tools-and-services/onward-ticket/

Thanks for the replies!! 

On 6/17/2025 at 11:10 PM, Harrisfan said:

Never gets asked. 

... on a "first entry ever" from a higher-income country passport, it is never asked.  Infrequent short-stay visitors would also not be asked.

 

If he did a fly out/in to stay longer, it might be - unless using Immigration's agent-services.