1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

My point was, if the SETV is included in the 150 days (or whatever), why should I go through the 'trouble' of applying for such a visa, if VFEs give me the same number of "allowed" days in Thailand per year...

 

As there's no hard 150 days (or whatever) rule, only the immigration officer who stamps you in (or not) can answer this question.

On 11/18/2025 at 3:53 PM, GanDoonToonPet said:

Damn! So it's looking like a maximum continuous stay of 5 months (per year?) assuming people won't bother with the second extension.

 

As I'm on my 3rd VE60 with the first 2 already extended, I don't hold out much hope.

 

Only hope is that it runs out on 1st Jan, and it's a calendar year rule, so they might give me next year's 30 day extension.

 

Time to look into alternatives 🤔

I am in a similar situation. Only second VE this year (first one extended), and my current one runs out on Jan 4.

Will ask at immigration, whether I can still get a 30 day extension. 

Tourist denied entry at Don Mueang Airport over minimum cash rule | Thaiger https://share.google/mVM0jOThMjiN66ZWA

 

Found this Thaiger post concerning. 

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Tourist denied entry at Don Mueang Airport over minimum cash rule | Thaiger https://share.google/mVM0jOThMjiN66ZWA

 

Found this Thaiger post concerning. 

 

Myself and about 40 other foreigners arriving on a flight to Don Muang from Siem Reap a month ago were taken out of the immigration queues to a side area, made to fill out a separate form and subjected to pretty aggressive interrogation. Apart from wanting to know the how's and why's of our travel plans they wanted to see proof of funds, accomodation and onward travel. Not a pleasant experience and took over 1 hour to get through. 

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Tourist denied entry at Don Mueang Airport over minimum cash rule | Thaiger https://share.google/mVM0jOThMjiN66ZWA

 

Found this Thaiger post concerning. 

 

DMK did/does have the reputation of more immigration 'interventions' than BKK. The proof of funds requirement has been part and parcel of countless rejections there over the years, many of them documented on this forum.

 

I did pick up on the wording on the need for paid onward or outward ticketing which knocks the onwardticket.com type sites into a cocked hat. Not sure if that's a direct quote from immigration but I suspect it is. This based on the head of HKT immigration recently mentioning such flight workarounds will be targeted by staff at his airport.

 

At least the 'victim' here was advised to use another airport and re-entry was successful. She doesn't mention if she pulled 20k baht (equivalent) from an ATM before that inbound flight though.

13 minutes ago, kinyara said:

 

Myself and about 40 other foreigners arriving on a flight to Don Muang from Siem Reap a month ago were taken out of the immigration queues to a side area, made to fill out a separate form and subjected to pretty aggressive interrogation. Apart from wanting to know the how's and why's of our travel plans they wanted to see proof of funds, accomodation and onward travel. Not a pleasant experience and took over 1 hour to get through. 

 

Now that is concerning.

 

Did you observe anyone falling foul of the "no cash, no entry" edict?

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Now that is concerning.

 

Did you observe anyone falling foul of the "no cash, no entry" edict?

 

No, I was too busy keeping an eye on my passport as it was a disorganised area not suitable for the number of people they pulled. If they didn't have cash they were asked to produce evidence of access to funds such as bank cards or online banking balance. The timing coincided with the scamming situation really hitting the headlines so my feeling was it was an overkill reaction connected to that. They actually asked people to show photos of themselves on their phone to prove they'd been in Siem Reap.

1 hour ago, kinyara said:

 

No, I was too busy keeping an eye on my passport as it was a disorganised area not suitable for the number of people they pulled. If they didn't have cash they were asked to produce evidence of access to funds such as bank cards or online banking balance. The timing coincided with the scamming situation really hitting the headlines so my feeling was it was an overkill reaction connected to that. They actually asked people to show photos of themselves on their phone to prove they'd been in Siem Reap.

 

It is commonplace practice worldwide for foreigners to be subject to IMM cross-examination at points of entry to foreign countries. So why should Thailand be demonised in isolation on this account?

 

4 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

It is commonplace practice worldwide for foreigners to be subject to IMM cross-examination at points of entry to foreign countries. So why should Thailand be demonised in isolation on this account?

 

 

Who is demonising Thailand ?  I'm relaying my and others personal experience that was relevant to a previous post. It might help other people flying into Don Muang get their ducks in a row regarding current scrutiny. Go look for an argument elsewhere.

10 hours ago, kinyara said:

(...) they wanted to see proof of funds, accomodation and onward travel.

 

Did you have to show cash? (Never mind; just saw your post above...)

6 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

It is commonplace practice worldwide for foreigners to be subject to IMM cross-examination at points of entry to foreign countries. So why should Thailand be demonised in isolation on this account?

 

 

Because Thailand is the land of the smiles ? 

 

Mostly those who are already testing and frankly abusing a system that was supposed to make everyone’s life easier who is true tourists. 

On 12/8/2025 at 11:29 PM, DrJack54 said:

Tourist denied entry at Don Mueang Airport over minimum cash rule | Thaiger https://share.google/mVM0jOThMjiN66ZWA

 

Found this Thaiger post concerning. 

 

The Immigration Bureau has posted a video in response to the publicity surrounding the incident.

 

It tells people how to avoid problems when entering "especially under the new 60 day visa exemption policy"

 

Of particular interest to me is that it states that one should have outward travel booked for within the 60 days allowed "or within 90 days if you plan to extend your stay".

 

It makes no mention of a limit to VE entries.

 

It's on Facebook and Instagram but the best I can manage is just this link to Immigration Thailand Instagram reel:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSBoR8-E4QV/?igsh=MXBuOWttZ3V5czN5eg%3D%3D&fbclid=IwY2xjawOl-CpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBhSTNEVFlRb2VENmRvQ2JTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjKOMqqT1DSdlZAp8ZnTiNX5brLpERUdosipNy8jfhyR_r88YbtkzliXZtkG_aem_0XebpY6ydX4p5OCa999NGg

 

 

9 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

The immigration Bureau has posted a video in response to the publicity surrounding the incident.

 

It tells people how to avoid problems when entering "especially under the new 60 day visa exemption policy"

 

Of particular interest to me is that it states that one should have outward travel booked for within the 60 days allowed "or within 90 days if you plan to extend your stay".

 

It makes no mention of a limit to VE entries.

 

It's on Facebook and Instagram but the best I can manage is just this link to Immigration Thailand Instagram reel:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSBoR8-E4QV/?igsh=MXBuOWttZ3V5czN5eg%3D%3D&fbclid=IwY2xjawOl-CpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBhSTNEVFlRb2VENmRvQ2JTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjKOMqqT1DSdlZAp8ZnTiNX5brLpERUdosipNy8jfhyR_r88YbtkzliXZtkG_aem_0XebpY6ydX4p5OCa999NGg

 

 

 

An unpaid reservation or a paid booking?

19 hours ago, Hummin said:

 

Because Thailand is the land of the smiles ? 

 

Mostly those who are already testing and frankly abusing a system that was supposed to make everyone’s life easier who is true tourists. 

 

    True tourists haven't been affected at all .

10 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

An unpaid reservation or a paid booking?

 

There was no mention made of either of those categorisations........it just says "a confirmed ticket leaving Thailand....."

 

10 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

There was no mention made of either of those categorisations........it just says "a confirmed ticket leaving Thailand....."

 

 

The only direct reference to unpaid versus paid was maybe a couple of weeks back by the Immigration chief at Phuket airport.

 

So far as I know, nobody's posted about an onwardticket com type of flight booking being declined.

40 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

    True tourists haven't been affected at all .

True 

On 12/9/2025 at 11:56 AM, OJAS said:

 

It is commonplace practice worldwide for foreigners to be subject to IMM cross-examination at points of entry to foreign countries. So why should Thailand be demonised in isolation on this account?

 

Wind your neck in; this is not about demonizing Thailand, it is about passing on information about a hardening of approach from Immigration. I thank the OP, and others, for communicating this.

Regarding the "Tourist denied entry at Don Mueang Airport over minimum cash rule "

 

 

It's one of the official requirements for entering Thailand, like having a valid passport or completing a TDAC.

I've never been asked to show my cash but always bring it. It's not that difficult since it does not have to be ฿ but other currencies like €,$ or £ are accepted as well. 

Also don't know anyone who would visit Thailand and not spend any money.

So it is just about why they don't accept banking apps as proof. Well, they just don't.

Personally (as a cash-preferring person)  I like if there are places insisting on cash.

Can you remind us of the amounts- is it 10 k or 20 k min needed?

51 minutes ago, persimmon said:

Can you remind us of the amounts- is it 10 k or 20 k min needed?

Various sources state different amounts. 

To be on safe side for single traveller 20k.

Family 40k. However as stated the advice varies. 

 

Some posts in thread emphasizing funds is due to this is a common excuse reason immigration give for denied entry

 

In reality they are denying entry due to many visa exempt entries. 

However as there is no rule to deny entry on that basis... They play the joker card = "insufficient funds" 

 

2 hours ago, persimmon said:

Can you remind us of the amounts- is it 10 k or 20 k min needed?

The traditional advice is 20k per person for visa exempt or tourist visa.  If arriving Visa on Arrival (not many countries) who apply for and pay for visa at airport, they require 10k.

On 12/9/2025 at 11:56 AM, OJAS said:

It is commonplace practice worldwide for foreigners to be subject to IMM cross-examination at points of entry to foreign countries. So why should Thailand be demonised in isolation on this account?

It's commonplace to check for criminal issues, and to question those coming from low-wage nations to high-wage nations, as they are more likely to be coming to work illegally. 

 

Thus, they would be protecting the well-being of their countrymen - not creating barriers to harm their financial prospects, as is the case with Thai immigration - and for corrupt reasons.

  

On 12/9/2025 at 6:45 PM, Hummin said:

... Mostly those who are already testing and frankly abusing a system that was supposed to make everyone’s life easier who is true tourists. 

The "abuse" is by immigration, who are breaking the law laid-down in the Immigration Act by denying entry for a reason not listed ("coming too long / often"). 

 

Adding insult to injury, they are doing this to force people who are supporting Thai businesses / jobs to pay them off with "safe entry" payoffs via their agent partners.  It's all just a scam to line their pockets. 

 

There is no rational reason to stop people from higher-wage nations spending their money in Thailand - instead of Cambodia, Vietnam, etc - which is the only outcome of this policy.

 

On 11/25/2025 at 7:25 AM, CaptMiguel said:

She says we dont care how much U spend

 

... because they don't get a "cut" of that spending - "other" Thais get it.  Immigration could not care less about Thailand or Thais - is what is so infuriating about dealing with them.  If spent their energy busy busting foreign scab-workers who undercut Thais for jobs, I'd be their biggest fan. 

3 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

... 

The "abuse" is by immigration, who are breaking the law laid-down in the Immigration Act by denying entry for a reason not listed ("coming too long / often"). 

 

Adding insult to injury, they are doing this to force people who are supporting Thai businesses / jobs to pay them off with "safe entry" payoffs via their agent partners.  It's all just a scam to line their pockets. 

 

There is no rational reason to stop people from higher-wage nations spending their money in Thailand - instead of Cambodia, Vietnam, etc - which is the only outcome of this policy.

 ...

We will be back to business as usual in a few months at the most - also with border runs. There's no way that IO will accept to lose a big chunk of their extra money - especially since there's no proposal to increase their wages.

Got my 3rd x 30 days extension this year today at Hatyai Immigration. They didn't ask anything and just applied as normal. 

And my visa exempt + extension history is enormous.

 

6 hours ago, Hyggefyren said:

Got my 3rd x 30 days extension this year today at Hatyai Immigration. They didn't ask anything and just applied as normal. 

And my visa exempt + extension history is enormous.

 

Interesting. May I ask how many days in total for 2025?

Nobody's perfect and I'm sorry for the guys affected. . But over the years I have seen various methods devised by clever Farangs in cooperation with Thai visa agents, to circumvent the loopholes in immigration laws. One was (is) the "marriage visa" scam, which is why so many of us were visited by Thai immigration police in order to ascertain that we actually were a couple. Every time, rules and regulations eventually get tightened, sometimes irrationally. Result: those that follow the rules get penalised. 

Good old Europe has done away with immigration regulations and as a result is flooded by you know whats. Despite the conflict going on with Cambodia, I am deliriously happy to be living here in a non-multicultural society. 

12 hours ago, Chuck443 said:

We will be back to business as usual in a few months at the most - also with border runs. There's no way that IO will accept to lose a big chunk of their extra money - especially since there's no proposal to increase their wages.

 

   The I.O do not profit from Visa exempt border runners .

IMO, the new policy is here to stay 

7 hours ago, Hyggefyren said:

Got my 3rd x 30 days extension this year today at Hatyai Immigration. They didn't ask anything and just applied as normal. 

And my visa exempt + extension history is enormous.

 

 

Can you tell me where in Hatyai did you extend? 

I know the immigration office is closed in the city. 

Also was the visa exempt you extended after a land border run? 

Thanks. 

 

We called Krabi immigration and they told us they would still give extensions after visa runs but would much prefer Hatyai as we live here

2 hours ago, hatyaidan said:

Can you tell me where in Hatyai did you extend? 

 

https://www.facebook.com/psuinteraffairs/posts/pfbid0G2dcRWSZ5FfuLCzj3TEQa59VGCMyczyxBfW2TS7DyWvnUNNta4sz3vocGForxadpl