52 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Is this a new requirement?

Nope, been on the books a looong time. Rarely enforced, but for dodgy folks they suspect are abusing immigration rules, or the spirit of them, the immigration officer can ask the arrival to 'show me the money'. No have the cash, no can enter. They can start the process for denial of entry because of lack of funds.

If you're legit, it's mostly nothing to be concerned about. But carrying the thin, lightweight seven $100s is insurance.

Edited June 17Jun 17 by rwilem

17 minutes ago, rwilem said:

34 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Is this a new requirement?

Nope, been on the books a looong time. Rarely enforced, but for dodgy folks they suspect are abusing immigration rules, or the spirit of them, the immigration officer can ask the arrival to 'show me the money'. No have the cash, no can enter. They can start the process for denial of entry because of lack of funds.

If you're legit, it's mostly nothing to be concerned about. But carrying the thin, lightweight seven $100s is insurance.

I believe it was a "requirement" back in 1985 when I first visited Thailand. But in over 60 trips since then, using visa-free, or SETV, or Non-Imm O I've never once been asked for to show funds.

Then again I've always got at least 500UKP or 20,000 Baht or some combination thereof anyway.

Edited June 17Jun 17 by VBF

On 6/16/2026 at 10:05 AM, DrJack54 said:

Not acceptable

I had this experience in Ranong coming back from Myanmar. The IO asked me if I had 20,000 baths with me. I said no but I showed a K bank statement. She said I needed cash. I said no problem because there is an ATM across the street. I was getting ready to give my bank card to my friend who was waiting for me at the immigration office inside the fish market to go and pickup the money. Then the IO realized that her request did not make sense. She stamped my passport and let me go with a large smile.

18 minutes ago, Nid-Noi said:

I said no but I showed a K bank statement. She said I needed cash. I said no problem because there is an ATM across the street.

It's an issue at airports. Some do not have ATM airside on arrivals.

It's more of a concern for those using visa, exempt back to back and io looking for reason to refuse entry.

By way of example next month I have friend visit and he visits Thailand maybe 3 times each year.

Always stays 2 weeks. Enters visa exempt.

I would be shocked if io asked him to show funds.

I understand this is a long standing requirement - but it dates from before the days of banking Apps. For those of us who live here (not a tourist) and have an App for a Thai bank, can't we just show the balance (in the App with our name)? Like others, the chance of me arriving at the Bangkok airport with 20,000 THB in my pocket is unlikely. Even in other currencies - like from the country I just arrived - that's quite a bit of cash (USD $600+).

2 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

I understand this is a long standing requirement - but it dates from before the days of banking Apps. For those of us who live here (not a tourist) and have an App for a Thai bank, can't we just show the balance (in the App with our name)? Like others, the chance of me arriving at the Bangkok airport with 20,000 THB in my pocket is unlikely. Even in other currencies - like from the country I just arrived - that's quite a bit of cash (USD $600+).

Of course the answer is no you can't. But at the same time the chances that you would be asked to show cash are minuscule. Like many others I have entered well over a hundred times and never once asked to show cash or indeed anything else at immigration.

I can't believe anyone travels international without a wad of cash in case of emergencies. I've had my ATM card eaten, and even had my bank account (back home in the USA) closed while I was overseas. Ask yourself how you'd get by if your wallet and/or smartphone got stolen? Or if your bank flagged your account for suspicious activities online? You can get real hungry in the week or so it takes to straighten something like that out.

I always keep a few thousand $$ in hard cash (USD, GBP, EU, CA$). In 28 years of living and working overseas, it has saved my bacon more than once. Not often, but enough that I always keep some around, and separate from my wallet.

Edited June 18Jun 18 by impulse

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

I understand this is a long standing requirement - but it dates from before the days of banking Apps. For those of us who live here (not a tourist) and have an App for a Thai bank, can't we just show the balance (in the App with our name)? Like others, the chance of me arriving at the Bangkok airport with 20,000 THB in my pocket is unlikely. Even in other currencies - like from the country I just arrived - that's quite a bit of cash (USD $600+).

If you live here and you're not a tourist, you don't need to worry about this. The 20,000 baht is a requirement for tourist entries.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

I always keep a few thousand $$ in hard cash (USD, GBP, EU, CA$). In 28 years of living and working overseas, it has saved my bacon more than once.

Two taps to the side of the forehead, smart move. Pretty funny, many people here moaning about carrying or even using cash. Whatever.

As the guy known among my 'cash-free' friends as the 'odd one' who uses cash, there have been more than a few instances they've had to turn their heads my way, asking me to bail them out in situations where their cards or payment apps were useless. Ah, it's good someone has some cash then, right?

But they'll still turn their noses up at the idea of carrying some cash themselves.

Edited June 18Jun 18 by rwilem

But they'll still turn their noses up at the idea of carrying some cash themselves.

I doubt that a lot of travelers think past losing their smartphone and/or wallet. How are they going to call the bank "back home" if they don't have a smartphone or the lost card with the number to call, and they don't have cash to buy a new smartphone? Then, there's populating the replacement phone with the information you need. I'd get real hungry in that time.

If you're always traveling in a group, you're probably safe. I travel solo. That's not a romantic notion. It was a work thing... I usually don't have a buddy like you to tap, except in Thailand and China.

They won't ask you to show it unless they are considering denying you entry.

Do you have any reason why they may deny you entry?