3 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

 

Been awhile are there no ATM before you go through customs

None. 

I suspect there is more to this story than is being revealed in the article.

41 minutes ago, camper star said:

I wonder what will happen when the Thai govt. will require travel health insurance to enter the country or something similar to cover medical expenses. 

I wonder what will happen, when people stop wondering about things over which they have no control and  that may never happen

However the answer is not that difficult even a 6 year old could work it out  here are two possible scenarios to keep you guessing 

A)  Present your mandatory insurance to the IO and gain entry assuming you satisfy any other requirements

B)   Don't purchase the mandatory insurance and get denied entry

 

Furthermore as the majority of incidents occuring here involve Drugs, Alcohol , and Motorbikes ridden b those with no licences what is the point of insurance that will not payout?

8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

2025 is it really ?  I'm not quite sure what that has to do with anything but many thanks for reminding me. 

           Thankfully     It is not a requirement or even necessary to own a smartphone, You and others are free to do what ever you want but should not criticise others who don't wish to do the same,    The Thai authorities obviously agree hence the cash rule

          Having witnessed many times  the queues at supermarket checkouts caused by not so smart geriatrics with their smartphones and apps.  I dread to think the of the delays that could cause at airports, things are bad enough already  without the likes of you making things worse

            

The likes of me??? How do you know how I pay at Lotus and how long I take? 

There are many things which are almost impossible to do without a smart phone these days, and I am quite happy to follow the advancement in their development. 

1 hour ago, TedG said:

I rarely carry cash; it's a risk. 

As big a risk as losing your card or, God forbid, your phone?

4 minutes ago, Will Iam Not said:

The likes of me???

i did not use that phrase so please do not misquote me ,  I do have a smartphone in fact I have several    There is nothing I cannot do with out them.    and as you say in a subsequent post

God forbid losing your phone   

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

while not always enforced, exists as part of Thailand’s entry requirements. According to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), tourists must show proof of at least 20,000 baht per person or 40,000 baht per family to secure entry.

In the giant tome that is Thai laws, 20K is indeed on the book.  They did make a todo about it and occasionally enforced it, at Mae Sai, bridge, border bounce. My god that was  TWO DECADES Ago.   😁. 

19 minutes ago, sandrew33 said:

I think the issue is the requirement to show it in cash. I mean many people from many countries don’t use cash and you can get by on tap or withdraw cash from ATM’s once in the country. 
 

Proof of funds is entirely reasonable, requiring it to be in cash is kinda 1990’s areas. 
 

I don’t believe she’s telling the full story TBH. 

Yes, agreed, kicking her out for failing to show proof of funds was probably a pretext - she talked about spending time in Thailand, referring to multiple previous visits, etc.

 

Agreed too that people don't carry much cash these days, but 20k is the rule so this story might serve as a reminder. She didn't talk about showing cards, and it's odd that the immigration officer didn't escort her to an ATM if that really was the reason why she was getting booted. 

 

Likely more to the story as you say. I've never heard of this 20k rule being enforced unless as a catch all "no means of support" stamp for too many visits (even though money was shown), and I've never been asked, even when I was a scruffy young backpacker.

1 hour ago, Mangkhut said:

Who carries cash in 2025???

Yeah, put it on the credit card 

2 minutes ago, Webfoot said:

I suspect there is more to this story than is being revealed in the article.

 

In the past, there have been a lot of stories of people being knocked back for "lack of funds", when there was some other real reason.  Whether that was behavior in the queue, being from the wrong country, dressing inappropriately, etc. 

 

I'm not defending it...  That's not my yob, man.   I may fault immigration for not being consistent, but not for keeping the requirements a secret.  The 20K baht (or equivalent) has been that way forever, and it's not that tough to comply with.  That's $600 USD.  And have an onward ticket and evidence of a place to stay. 

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

i did not use that phrase so please do not misquote me ,  I do have a smartphone in fact I have several    There is nothing I cannot do with out them.    

 

   Get  Grab/Bolt ?

Buy a  cinema ticket from a no cash cinema ?

9 minutes ago, Webfoot said:

I suspect there is more to this story than is being revealed in the article.

There always is

44 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Not even in a Thai bank account?

 

I've been a tourist in scores of countries, never had a bank account in one.

The only accounts I've ever opened in another country are in Thailand where I live legally on my long term visa.

21 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

dread to think the of the delays that could cause at airports, things are bad enough already  without the likes of you making things worse

So Mr Prang, you deny using this phrase earlier?

They were worried this Beauty Queen would steal the job of yer local Katoey fleecing Indians on Beach Road in Pattaya.

The requirement was you only had to "show" funds and a bank statement would be sufficient.

This was true the last time I had to do some crappy van visa runs through Sadao a number (5-10) years ago.

Has this changed to requiring actual cash since then?

Sadao used to make a killing accepting 1 or 2 hundred baht from every visa runner to overlook this exact requirement at the time. Infact I remember of the 2 times the first time I presented statements and updated passbooks etc and got let through. The second time I tried this the officer just scowled, grunted, put his hand out and said "money, money".

 

This issue in particular could possibly be fixed in minutes if they told her the problem and let her get 20k out or show it in her phone.

The ATM airside has always been some kind of issue too. I remember testing this scenario once but don't remember whether there were ATMS and / or if they let you get money. I remember an issue and asking kasikorn staff at an exchange kiosk but do not remember exactly what the issue was.

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Get  Grab/Bolt ?

Buy a  cinema ticket from a no cash cinema ?

I have never needed to use Grab or Bolt  don't even know if its available out here in the sticks,  I have not felt the urge to visit a cinema for over 50 years ,  I have also never (yet) faced a no cash situation were the use of a debit/ credit card was not an option.     

I know I know  the hassle of carrying a card with me must be terrible but my cards fit in my wallet and pocket a lot easier than my smartphone 

Each to their own is my philosophy and as long as my choices don't negatively effect others they can keep their nose out of my business

17 minutes ago, Will Iam Not said:

So Mr Prang, you deny using this phrase earlier?

So I did "your honour"  well spotted     and on reflection it does seem  really rather apt does it not

1 hour ago, smedly said:

lol

Old fella?

2 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

So I did   well spotted     and on reflection it does seem  really rather apt does it not

Rather apt?? Please explain, thanks

16 hours ago, smedly said:

she had to produce 20kbaht ? 

 

 immigration are being a bit over the top with this nonsense, do Thailand not want tourists

 

They want our money only. They don't really want us...

26 minutes ago, sandrew33 said:

LOL “the rule is outdated but I’m a dinosaur so it suits me”. 
 

It’s an interesting argument Bday. 

one way of looking at it I guess,  I consider it  adapting to circumstances, and it has served me well over the years,    The other way would to be to stamp my feet and whinge about it on social media  

Just now, TDCNINJA said:

 

They want our money only. They don't really want us...

Define "us"?  They don't want people who are exploiting the visa/visa-exempt system or who are penniless!

1 minute ago, Will Iam Not said:

Rather apt?? Please explain, thanks

is it really necessary ?     

16 hours ago, smedly said:

she had to produce 20kbaht ? 

 

 immigration are being a bit over the top with this nonsense, do Thailand not want tourists

Seems not, who wants to walk around with 500 quid in their pocket to get nicked, when one can withdraw money from any ATM in LOS with a card, daft, daft , daft......................🙄

2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Define "us"?  They don't want people who are exploiting the visa/visa-exempt system or who are penniless!

A penniless 'tourist'......

47 minutes ago, Usnh said:

Only RICH ones.

and you consider showing 20,000 bt evidence of being rich? 

Just now, transam said:

A penniless 'tourist'......

A turn of phrase, not literally!

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

is it really necessary ?     

It is for me please, I am a bit thick! 555

1 minute ago, Will Iam Not said:

It is for me please, I am a bit thick! 555

# me too