Picture courtesy of The Thaiger 

 

A tourist who was recently denied entry to Thailand at Don Mueang International Airport has issued detailed clarifications about the incident, correcting several inaccuracies circulating online. Speaking on social media user @kaotickaya explained that she and her companion were not given any explanation by immigration officers at the time of refusal. She added that the only information provided came later from airport security staff shortly before they were sent back to Vietnam.

 

The clarification follows widespread attention to her earlier video, in which she described being turned away due to insufficient funds. She emphasised that immigration officers gave no instructions, contrary to some summaries of the incident. The tourist also said her video was filmed by herself and later reposted without permission, requesting only that credit be added.

 

According to her post, she returned to Thailand without any issues after entering through a different airport. She stressed that she and her companion had not overstayed or made repeated border runs, but immigration had reviewed their travel history because they had previously spent significant time in the country.

 

The tourist explained that while filling out forms, they were stressed and were not informed of the minimum cash requirement. She noted that they had never been asked for a minimum amount on previous visits, so they were unaware such a rule existed. She said they filled out the forms incorrectly as a result and could have resolved the issue within minutes had they been told the amount needed.

 

After being taken to a holding room with no explanation of next steps, they sought help from others in the room. They booked flights back to the same destination airport on the same airline, as the only alternative was to return to their home country. Several security staff reportedly suggested they try re-entering Thailand through another airport and did not specify any minimum period they needed to remain outside Thailand.

 

She added that her frustration was never directed at Thailand, acknowledging that any country has the right to refuse entry. Her previous experiences in Thailand had been positive, she said, and she shared the videos to warn other travellers not to make the same mistakes. She also advised travellers to avoid Don Mueang Airport, based on her experience.

Video courtesy of @kaotickaya on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR6Qz2EEqNE/?igsh=ZWx1YjRjNXM2Zmw4

 

• The tourist says immigration officers provided no explanation at the time she was denied entry.

• Airport security staff later informed her the refusal was due to insufficient funds.

• She re-entered Thailand at a different airport the next day without any issues.

 

Original Story

 

Tourist-faces-entry-denial-at-Don-Mueang-over-funds-requirement

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from TheThaiger 2025-12-10

 

 

Video courtesy of @kaotickaya on Instagram

 

What form would she have been filling in that asks about the amount of cash she has?

12 minutes ago, treetops said:

What form would she have been filling in that asks about the amount of cash she has?

 

   TDAC form asks about your income 

11 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   TDAC form asks about your income 

 

Where?

 

I thought it did just as the old TM6 did (although having done one a couple of months ago wasn't sure), but don't see it online and the next pages after these were the health declaration then the preview/submission page.

 

 

 

ETA:  Sorry about the quality of the pics, but you can run through it yourself easily enough.

12 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

Where?

 

I thought it did just as the old TM6 did (although having done one a couple of months ago wasn't sure), but don't see it online and the next pages after these were the health declaration then the preview/submission page.

 

 

 

ETA:  Sorry about the quality of the pics, but you can run through it yourself easily enough.

 

  Old TM 6 asking about income 

TDAC has the same question 

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Old TM 6 asking about income

 

I remember them well, but she wouldn't have been filling this in at Don Mueang surely?

 

Of course they might have had some lying around and asked her, but is that likely or was she just trying to backpedal?

2 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

I remember them well, but she wouldn't have been filling this in at Don Mueang surely?

 

Of course they might have had some lying around and asked her, but is that likely or was she just trying to backpedal?

 

   I was just giving you a sample of where the question about income is .

The same question is on the TDAC form , first page at the bottom 

30 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   TDAC form asks about your income 

And they expect you to carry that income with you?  555

1 minute ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   I was just giving you a sample of where the question about income is .

The same question is on the TDAC form , first page at the bottom 

 

Not in the images I showed that I just took from the TDAC website.  Can you screenshot where you see them?

6 minutes ago, treetops said:

 

Not in the images I showed that I just took from the TDAC website.  Can you screenshot where you see them?

 

    I filled mine out a few days ago and the last question on page 2 is about income .

I remember it well because you couldn't go onto page 3 without all the questions being answered first and I kept getting stuck on the income question (I had to scroll up and upload things first) 

Must be something different.  There is no facility for uploading anything on the TDAC, only entering data or selecting choices in the fields provided.  Here's hopefully a better image of the bottom of Page 1.

 

1 minute ago, treetops said:

Must be something different.  There is no facility for uploading anything on the TDAC, only entering data or selecting choices in the fields provided.  Here's hopefully a better image of the bottom of Page 1.

 

 

   Wait, you may be right .

I was applying for  visa as well at the same time .

The income question might have been on the visa application 

This is her second 'clarification'. Seems like she's scared that she will be refused entry next time due to damaging the reputation of Thailand / Thai tourist industry.

 

Take her future reviews of Thailand with a pinch of salt 🙃

7 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   Wait, you may be right .

I was applying for  visa as well at the same time .

The income question might have been on the visa application 

 

So we're back to my first question.  She wouldn't be filling a visa application as they go to Embassies and are nothing to do with Immigration at that stage.

 

1 hour ago, treetops said:

What form would she have been filling in that asks about the amount of cash she has?

 

1 hour ago, treetops said:

What form would she have been filling in that asks about the amount of cash she has?

It is not on a form, it is an explicit requirement.

I have never had trouble in years

1 minute ago, IDFHero said:

I have never had trouble in years

Most people here do not get asked, It might be different at the Malaysian border.

Isn't "insufficient funds" the default reason for rejection if the immigration officer doesn't like the look of you? Otherwise they never bother asking.

 

Maybe she just didn't look the part or failing to complete a TDAC before she arrived (I'm assuming that's the form she's talking about) pushed some buttons.

 

I will say she doesn't look the type that would just be rejected but ...

3 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

It is not on a form, it is an explicit requirement.

 

Have you watched the video?

 

She claims to have been refused because she filled in the forms incorrectly.  I'm wondering what forms she refers to.

 

Just now, Crossy said:

Isn't "insufficient funds" the default reason for rejection if the immigration officer doesn't like the look of you? Otherwise they never bother asking.

 

Maybe she just didn't look the part or failing to complete a TDAC before she arrived (I'm assuming that's the form she's talking about) pushed some buttons.

 

I will say she doesn't look the type that would just be rejected but ...

It is look of prosperity plus important passport for me to go very fast always

IMHO, this is one of those times that "when you are in a hole, stop digging" applies.

 

Just try entering at another location with all the correct paperwork (such as it is) and don't post on social media.

 

Off topic trolling post and replies removed @IDFHero

Raises a number of questions, e.g. why was she able to enter via another airport after having been denied entry at Don Mueang, and what forms did she have to fill out that mention a minimum cash requirement?

I recall something somewhere that said tourists needed to show proof of 20,000 baht cash,upon entry, but it is rarely asked for. She said she was unaware of any minimum cash requirements for entry.

She’s sharing photos and videos from Thailand in June, July, August, and September, and then from Vietnam in October, all to help to look like an digital nomad.

Now, Thailand is making sure visitors have the right visa. We’ll likely see more posts like this in the future. Many countries have been trying to do this for years. For example, in the Schengen area, visitors are only allowed to stay 90 days within a 180-day period. It looks like Thailand is doing something similar.

Some government officials might not want too many foreigners in their country.

And this is why you use an agent to do any immigration forms.

2 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

I recall something somewhere that said tourists needed to show proof of 20,000 baht cash,upon entry, but it is rarely asked for. She said she was unaware of any minimum cash requirements for entry.

Well In have been entering Thailand illegally for the last twelve years. I may have a few hundred baht left over from the last trip but I always transfer my holiday money to my Thai bank account. Can you still get travellers cheques as I have no intention of getting 20,000 baht in cash before leaving home then carrying it around just waiting for it to be stolen.

3 hours ago, Cameroni said:

And this is why you use an agent to do any immigration forms.

The entry form is not rocket science. 

15 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

I recall something somewhere that said tourists needed to show proof of 20,000 baht cash,upon entry, but it is rarely asked for. She said she was unaware of any minimum cash requirements for entry.

This is still a requirement but there are several ways to demonstrate it if ever asked. .. cash, bank statements, credit  card or debit card statements,  etc...20k per person, 40k per family. On my first trip decades ago, i actually did bring some traveler's  checks along with cash.  

15 hours ago, gk10012001 said:

I recall something somewhere that said tourists needed to show proof of 20,000 baht cash,upon entry, but it is rarely asked for. She said she was unaware of any minimum cash requirements for entry.

This has been the requirement ever since I first came here decades ago. But never once have I heard of genuine visitors being asked to show the cash.