New Requirements To Enter Thailand

[jdinasia]

That you have enough money to spend for your stay is a requirement all over the world. Let's not get over excited here over nothing. Especially since it is not a new requirement, only the amount has gone up for some categories.

Wrong.........totally wrong. I don't know another country in the world that might enforce a rule like this if it wanted to do so.

Of course, you need money to travel.......that is a requirement. And that amount varies depending on where you stay, what you do, how long you stay, etc.

It is the "legal requirement" that is utter nonsense and intrusive and quite frankly insulting to international travelers.

Again, it does not matter if they do or don't enforce it in a particular case.

What matters is that they can and apparently have.

It is a stupid rule that serves no purpose whatsoever other than to give Thailand an even worse image than it has now.

See the bottom of post 84

[Heng]

Fairly surely it is and will continue to only be selectively enforced. Basically anyone who seems suspicious, on whatever list, or perhaps even just mouthy.

Overall though despite the whinging we see on the boards, most tourists seem to 'assume the position' (bent over and tucked back) at the airport and at immigration stations all over the country and this whole thing is a non-issue.

[ajarnmark]

Not a new requirement but seldom enforced.

Thanks i have been in and out 7 years but never heard of this one. Amazing Thailand

If you dont know that does not mean that these requirements were not there. What about amazing you?

[britmaveric]

Actually most countries have such rules...however they do not enforce them. I doubt this will be used for every person, def selective.

[Brewsta]

What you do with 10.000 ?

I spend 10.000 on Sukhumvit in one day !

Of course you do.

[Brewsta]

This House An Insipid Vacation Interruptum.....Sad Accountants (Retired)?,,........

Go Figure, as it were.

Brewsta

[BigC]

anyone who comes here on holiday with less than 10 or 20 k or working must be on a proper tight budget. infact u might get a free flight home when u get deported. you might be thank full. seeing as though u have 200 pounds to last u a holiday. less than 10 k wouldn't even buy your ticket home !

[jfchandler]

I'm believing there now has been a change/edit to the original post, since its original version...

Note the current/edited language:

The news is that Tourist visa holders and Non-Immigrant visa holders now are required to show proof of funds as above, at the "Immigration officers discretion".

That, I gather, has always been the case, as others have pointed out here. But I don't recall the part about "at the Immigration officers' discretion" being part of the original posting.

The still unanswered question, after many hours now, is what does airport immigration accept as "proof," if you happen to be one of the lucky ones singled out for proving financial resources.

[BigC]

I'm believing there now has been a change/edit to the original post, since its original version...

Note the current/edited language:

The news is that Tourist visa holders and Non-Immigrant visa holders now are required to show proof of funds as above, at the "Immigration officers discretion".

That, I gather, has always been the case, as others have pointed out here. But I don't recall the part about "at the Immigration officers' discretion" being part of the original posting.

The still unanswered question, after many hours now, is what does airport immigration accept as "proof," if you happen to be one of the lucky ones singled out for proving financial resources.

10 or 20 k is not aht much cash ony 10 or 20 notes. hope i don't lose it while i am being frisked. do they take visa or master card ? i'll bring it ll in 1 baht coins that will make tem sorry ! actually no it won't they will wave me through cause they can't be bothered with me and not only will i lose my chance to piss them off but i will have to carry a shit load a coins about,. someone do th maths. work out how many kilos that is. that is if u have too much time on your hand and u want something to do.

[surangw]

robbers now are garenteed a good haul going after new arrivals ?

[jackr]

It is the "legal requirement" that is utter nonsense and intrusive and quite frankly insulting to international travelers.

Again, it does not matter if they do or don't enforce it in a particular case.

It is a stupid rule that serves no purpose whatsoever other than to give Thailand an even worse image than it has now.

anyone who comes here on holiday with less than 10 or 20 k or working must be on a proper tight budget. infact u might get a free flight home when u get deported. you might be thank full. seeing as though u have 200 pounds to last u a holiday. less than 10 k wouldn't even buy your ticket home !

Yes, but who brings their spending money with them in hard cash

--

That they're targeting non-imm is a bit of a piss-take... ie, those who have already proved they have 400k in a THAI bank. What next, farangs must carry 20k at all times? I mean, why would they even reiterate this at this juncture! I certainly won't be telling my folks to have 40k in cash on them when they come over next.

[jfchandler]

Just to be clear, because posters have raised this a couple times....

There is NOTHING in this post/policy/announcement that has anything to do with requiring farang to keep those kinds of funds on their persons throughout their trip/stay within Thailand.

The ONLY requirement at issue here is some farang may be required to prove financial resources when they go thru immigration prior to entering Thailand, whether at the airport or various land border crossings.

[animatic]

Just to be clear, because posters have raised this a couple times....

There is NOTHING in this post/policy/announcement that has anything to do with requiring farang to keep those kinds of funds on their persons throughout their trip/stay within Thailand.

The ONLY requirement at issue here is some farang may be required to prove financial resources when they go thru immigration prior to entering Thailand, whether at the airport or various land border crossings.

Sorry I disagree with that reading.

all passengers arriving in Thailand must have sufficient funds as follows

to show at the immigration before entry is permitted.

1. Transit Visa holder: Must hold minimum THB 10,000 per passenger or THB 20,000 per family.

2. Tourist Visa holder: Must hold minimum THB 20,000 per passenger or THB 40,000 per family.

3. Visa on Arrival: Must hold minimum THB 10,000 per passenger or THB 20,000 per family.

4. Non Immigrant Visa holder: Must hold minimum THB 20,000 per passenger or THB 40,000 per family.

The above funds may be held in any permitted currency.

Kindly adhere to the above as insufficient funds on arrival could result in refusal to enter Thailand.

This is pretty direct and clear.

And stupid as hel_l to think this is a good idea, but quite clear.

And the Non-Im requirement is absurd, Non- im B and you need to bring in more cash?

You're here to work, not be an external banking source.

Or if you bring it out with you and then turn around,

THEY MAKE IT LOOK LIKE 20K MORE CAME IN... Better numbers for the ministry...

Could they be so desperate for cash flow appearances that they want to force all to

bring in more currency in the hopes it will make people spend MORE...

Some gov minister ordering a ministry staff to clutching at straws to raise the numbers.

See look what a good job I've done!!!! DON'T SHUFFLE ME!

Few arrive without enough to make a stay comfortable.

But many do NOT like to carry large wads of cash coming into new countries.

Not in the post-travelers checks days of ATMs credit cards and wire transfers.

Can you imagine if every taxi driver thought all farangs with bags had 20,000 cash on them...

eventually that knowledge mixed with desperation will make a few see if it's true...

Dangers practice they have insisted on.

Edited February 19, 2010 by animatic

[jfchandler]

Your comment below makes no sense... Clearly, the policy is aimed at checking people when they go thru immigration at the airport. That's what I said. Your post seems to agree with that. The policy has nothing to do with what happens with people AFTER they clear immigration.

Just to be clear, because posters have raised this a couple times....

There is NOTHING in this post/policy/announcement that has anything to do with requiring farang to keep those kinds of funds on their persons throughout their trip/stay within Thailand.

The ONLY requirement at issue here is some farang may be required to prove financial resources when they go thru immigration prior to entering Thailand, whether at the airport or various land border crossings.

Sorry I disagree with that reading.

[animatic]

Your comment below makes no sense... Clearly, the policy is aimed at checking people when they go thru immigration at the airport. That's what I said. Your post seems to agree with that. The policy has nothing to do with what happens with people AFTER they clear immigration.

Just to be clear, because posters have raised this a couple times....

There is NOTHING in this post/policy/announcement that has anything to do with requiring farang to keep those kinds of funds on their persons throughout their trip/stay within Thailand.

The ONLY requirement at issue here is some farang may be required to prove financial resources when they go thru immigration prior to entering Thailand, whether at the airport or various land border crossings.

Sorry I disagree with that reading.

Most likely not, but then again the BIB are notable for misreading laws to their best profitability.

And I wouldn't want to get stopped driving or riding near a border without enough cash,

and with this law now actively in effect.

[BigC]

Your comment below makes no sense... Clearly, the policy is aimed at checking people when they go thru immigration at the airport. That's what I said. Your post seems to agree with that. The policy has nothing to do with what happens with people AFTER they clear immigration.

Just to be clear, because posters have raised this a couple times....

There is NOTHING in this post/policy/announcement that has anything to do with requiring farang to keep those kinds of funds on their persons throughout their trip/stay within Thailand.

The ONLY requirement at issue here is some farang may be required to prove financial resources when they go thru immigration prior to entering Thailand, whether at the airport or various land border crossings.

Sorry I disagree with that reading.

so i f i only have my ATM card. i would have to have a police escort to an atm machine and show them my bank balance. i am proper baffled. or do i have to get a bank statment everytime i leave and come back.

they stopped border bounces. now. if it makes life easier. i would rarther do a border bounce and pay to enter the country each time rarthe than go to an embassy every 3 months. though that doesnot apply to me. but it usedto when i was a tourist. if the country is struggling to find money since Taksin has left. After he bought thailand out of debt. maybe after his court case when Thailand has his assets maybe the police will be able to relax for a bit and goement lol

[thaibear1]

I am woundering what happen while I return after 3 weeks from Malaysia with, non-imm visa multiple entry. an in Thailand immatriculated car on my name and 3 Thai, 1 foreign ATM cards but lower cash then 10'000 - if something negative happen I let you know.

[BlackGrape]

Hi,

I was just thinking yesterday about his fake passport scam. I'm UK citizen, domicile but not resident. I have looked at news the last week and everything I see doesn't make me happy. Is it that easy to get a UK passport? I was once in Port harcourt, Nigeria. Standing behind a Native and she got refused to be checked in (due to no passport). Took me approx 30mins with a lot of Niara, and she still was on the plane.

[how241]

Why all the fuss? Is anyone really coming to Thailand and does NOT have that relatively small amount of money? Yes, I agree about the concerns of robbery.

[jfchandler]

The unclear issue is what does "having" mean....

Cash on your person, credit/debit cards, traveler's cheques, bank statements???

Just what forms of "having" will Immigration accept....

[miksguevara]

this country sux thinking about new zealand now 

[HerbalEd]

Don't remember seeing an ATM machine on the air side of immigration and I for one will not be carrying hard currency of any sort on me to a 20K value so I guess it'll have to be a notorized bank statement from KasikornBank no older that 24 hours. Just to figure out how I'm going to get it?

Then again they may install internet access to the visitors so as we can show em our assets through internet banking.

Shlt silly me, Thailand is still in the 19th century.

HTF are they going to enforce this stupid law?

Are you actually willing to go to that much time and trouble because you don't want to carry 20K baht ... or US$600? Whatever ... but that's much more trouble than I'd go through.

[HerbalEd]

What about having to show upon arrival an onward or return ticket out of Thailand? That's also required. I've entered Thailand scores of times in the past 25 years and have never been asked to show money or an onward or return ticket. Hopefully they won't require the ticket because I buy my BKK-SFO-BKK tickets here in BKK at a considerable savings ... which means I arrive in BKK "without" a ticket to show.

[thaibear1]

Don't remember seeing an ATM machine on the air side of immigration and I for one will not be carrying hard currency of any sort on me to a 20K value so I guess it'll have to be a notorized bank statement from KasikornBank no older that 24 hours. Just to figure out how I'm going to get it?

Then again they may install internet access to the visitors so as we can show em our assets through internet banking.

Shlt silly me, Thailand is still in the 19th century.

HTF are they going to enforce this stupid law?

Are you actually willing to go to that much time and trouble because you don't want to carry 20K baht ... or US$600? Whatever ... but that's much more trouble than I'd go through.

I agreee with "HerbalEd" - in the time of plastic money who like travel with such amount??? From now it seem I have to send both my son 9 and 15 years together 20'000 THB / 600 US-$ that they can visit his retired father in Thailand even he own house and car?

May Thailand isn't in the 19th century but it seem step by step go back with the frequent new / refresh visa / entry law, a step more against tourists as last changment 30 / 15 days /arrival by air or land. Strange way win again tourists back.

Once a ex president said in the public "farang go home" ...... soon it will be "farang stay at home" but send your money

[BlackGrape]

I would love to know how much % old money compared to % new money. I am new money

[coolhandjoe]

Is this supposed to mean carrying 20,000 baht of cash, at minimum, to show on demand when processing thru Immigration at Suvarnabhumi???

Or are copies of bank statements and such going to be accepted as proof???

Who takes copies of bank statements on holiday?

[HerbalEd]

Has anyone ever heard about traveler's checks??? Remember those? If you don't want to carry the cash then carry TCs instead. It's easily worked for me in other countries.

This money-for-entry is nothing new and is on the books in many countries. And while seldom enforced these days, it was often enforced in the past ... although never for me in Thailand. Why the rule? To supposedly eliminate the bums who arrive with not enough money to support themselves and thus make trouble and/or become stranded in Thailand with no way of returning home. I see their point is this regard, although, in spite of how cheaply one can live in Thailand, 10K baht ... even 20K .... won't last very long anyway.

If you arrive looking fairly well groomed and dressed ... instead of a tank top, shower shoes, wrinkled shorts, unshaven, etc. ... customs is very unlikely to enforce this rule. First impressions, you know. But if you look like a bum and/or for some other reason you appear to be undesirable they may ask to see money in hopes they'll find a reason to deny you entry. Having traveled and lived in over 60 countries for many years, I've learned it very often pays to look sharp and be courteous to officials ... esp. when dealing with immigration, customs, visa extensions, etc.

Having to carry 20K on you while in country??? No way. Why create a problem in your head that doesn't exist? I guess some people just like to worry about nothing.

Edited February 19, 2010 by HerbalEd

[tartempion]

The days I carried Traveler's checks are long gone.

I also doubt I carry 10/20K baht on me in these technology days.

So I would like to see Thai immigration officers enforce this rule on EVERYONE entering the kingdom

[HerbalEd]

The days I carried Traveler's checks are long gone.

I also doubt I carry 10/20K baht on me in these technology days.

So I would like to see Thai immigration officers enforce this rule on EVERYONE entering the kingdom

I hate TCs and haven't used them forever ... but never say never. Having experienced many times the unexpected, unplanned craziness that can happen in traveling ... esp. in the third world ... I never do major trips without significant amounts of CASH dollars to be readily available in case of an immediate crisis/emergency like a coup, a strike, a riot or just plain bad luck. I keep the cash on my own person ... in two different places ... and in a variety of denominations from $100 bills to $1 bills. I almost never really need to take advantage of this, but when I do I am glad I did and I congratulate myself for being such a good Boy Scout. In countries like Colombia, Brazil, Peru, PI, etc. where armed robbery, bad cops, pickpockets, etc. are abundant I get creative with hiding places but leave maybe 100 accessible as a token giveaway for the guy with a gun in my face. Again ... this is rare but it happens and it's happened to me.

I had a friend in Rio advise me to carry a special stash of many small bills and if robbed by street thugs ... a common experience, even in broad daylight on a public beach ... he said to scatter the bills up into the air and quickly run away. He claimed to have done this a couple of times and no one chased after him because they were too busy fighting for the bills. He called it Rio street tax.

Edited February 20, 2010 by HerbalEd

[Naam]

Don't remember seeing an ATM machine on the air side of immigration and I for one will not be carrying hard currency of any sort on me to a 20K value so I guess it'll have to be a notorized bank statement from KasikornBank no older that 24 hours. Just to figure out how I'm going to get it?

Then again they may install internet access to the visitors so as we can show em our assets through internet banking. Shlt silly me, Thailand is still in the 19th century. HTF are they going to enforce this stupid law?

by sending you back where you came from... i suppose