Help Taking Money To Thailand

[necrosisowns]

Hello everyone I'm moving to Thailand next Saturday with my friend
for a year and I am now struck with a big issue. Firstly through
research I found out I may encounter issue whilst taking my money cash
through US customs.. I have worked off the books here in the states
amoungst small investing to gather my money towards moving to thailand
(I promise there is no illigal or drug involvement as is how I feel
customs would approach me having cash but I don't know)

My questing is how would I go about taking $20,000 USD into Thailand?
I heard something about pre-paid visas, also heard I can just take some
of the cash, and I'm not famaliar with how money wiring works at all. I
really need to know what exactly I should do in this case since its
really just a few days till I depart. I am not trying to have any
unnecessary dealings with customs as I've read horror stories of money
being confiscated by and people having to jump through hoops to regain
what is rightfully theirs.

Help please! (I also post this topic in Local Thailand Phuket forum as I wasn't sure where to ask)

[Shot]

Take a look here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/261599-how-much-cash-can-you-bring-into-thailand/

[FunFon]

Stupid to carry cash IMO anyway.

Travellers Cheques are still a real thing, charge 1%

Also pre-paid cards with the Visa logo work fine at ATMs.

Note also you can't really say you've done nothing illegal as you're obviously violating US tax laws and believe me the IRS takes those crimes just as seriously as any others in fact they are a foe to take more seriously than most other sources of persecution over there.

Spreading your purchases/conversions out to avoid detection is now also in itself illegal.

Having your money confiscated is absolutely the least of your worries be very grateful if you get caught and that's all that happens.

[necrosisowns]

ForFun it's only $20,000 there are actual criminals who steal and sell drugs and they often times get away without trouble but a guy like me who made an honest living will get busted for nothing?! I mean I understand your point please don't get me wrong but that's just overly harsh.

What's the best way to go about NOT dealing with such rubbish? I'm not looking forward to any illegal activity with the IRS or anyone, Can I have my mom just send me my money and take maybe $3,000 cash each between me and my friend on the flight cash?

[necrosisowns]

Stupid to carry cash IMO anyway.

Travellers Cheques are still a real thing, charge 1%

Also pre-paid cards with the Visa logo work fine at ATMs.

Note also you can't really say you've done nothing illegal as you're obviously violating US tax laws and believe me the IRS takes those crimes just as seriously as any others in fact they are a foe to take more seriously than most other sources of persecution over there.

Spreading your purchases/conversions out to avoid detection is now also in itself illegal.

Having your money confiscated is absolutely the least of your worries be very grateful if you get caught and that's all that happens.

Wasn't sure how to quote you via Mobile sorry.

[FunFon]

ForFun it's only $20,000 there are actual criminals who steal and sell drugs and they often times get away without trouble but a guy like me who made an honest living will get busted for nothing?! I mean I understand your point please don't get me wrong but that's just overly harsh.

What's the best way to go about NOT dealing with such rubbish? I'm not looking forward to any illegal activity with the IRS or anyone, Can I have my mom just send me my money and take maybe $3,000 cash each between me and my friend on the flight cash?

-

I'm not judging you myself, but warning you not to take that side of things lightly.

It is against the forum rules here to help give advice like this, and I'm already skating on thin ice. The general comments I made above should be sufficient when combined with your own common-sense ideas, just don't kid yourself that what your doing is "only technically" illegal so do be careful.

And next time consider doing it the right way, just as in Thailand the IRS is happy to accept tax paid on money no matter what the other illegalities may be involved, the tax authorities don't dob you in to the other government agencies and it's one less thing to worry about.

[necrosisowns]

ForFun it's only $20,000 there are actual criminals who steal and sell drugs and they often times get away without trouble but a guy like me who made an honest living will get busted for nothing?! I mean I understand your point please don't get me wrong but that's just overly harsh.

What's the best way to go about NOT dealing with such rubbish? I'm not looking forward to any illegal activity with the IRS or anyone, Can I have my mom just send me my money and take maybe $3,000 cash each between me and my friend on the flight cash?

-

I'm not judging you myself, but warning you not to take that side of things lightly.

It is against the forum rules here to help give advice like this, and I'm already skating on thin ice. The general comments I made above should be sufficient when combined with your own common-sense ideas, just don't kid yourself that what your doing is "only technically" illegal so do be careful.

And next time consider doing it the right way, just as in Thailand the IRS is happy to accept tax paid on money no matter what the other illegalities may be involved, the tax authorities don't dob you in to the other government agencies and it's one less thing to worry about.

Its against the rules to give advice on weather its possible to have my mom send my money to me? hypothetically would it be possible for her to send money from the US (her money) to me whilst living in Thailand via transfer? I really need the help if this is something a PM can help avoid forum rule breaking then so be it but I have only a few days I'm desperate to know what it is to do, I only recently found out about my inibality to carry my cash.

[necrosisowns]

Can I Western Union money over to avoid complications?

I now see I have the option to have my cash deposited into a bank account via western union also there is no fee for this said service, 3 days, cash, and deposit to recievers account. That sounds easy enough, any words guys? I can just do a Travlers Check for $8,000 or $5,000 (hell I could possibly even carry that amount cash between me and my friend correct) and have the rest sent via western union?

We are just a coulpe of young guys moving here to train and fight I'm a boxer/muay thai fighter and he is competing in MMA I'm sponsoring this journey for the both of us.

[FunFon]

You are asking questions that are completely obvious, and giving information that is completely irrelevant.

Yes yes yes everything you say is fine. Bring some cash that you feel is safe, get some TCs, get a few pre-paid cards with VISA and/or other internationally-accepted networks like "Plus", and have the rest transferred over once you get settled.

WU is expensive, just open an account when you get here and have her bank transfer the money. Bangkok Bank is cheapest since she can do domestic transfer to their NY branch, but some branches will require a work permit as in theory required by Thai law, just keep trying other banks/branches until you get a tourist-friendly one so you can keep your money (more) safely than in your backpack.

[Puyai]

Can I Western Union money over to avoid complications?

I now see I have the option to have my cash deposited into a bank account via western union also there is no fee for this said service, 3 days, cash, and deposit to recievers account. That sounds easy enough, any words guys? I can just do a Travlers Check for $8,000 or $5,000 (hell I could possibly even carry that amount cash between me and my friend correct) and have the rest sent via western union?

We are just a coulpe of young guys moving here to train and fight I'm a boxer/muay thai fighter and he is competing in MMA I'm sponsoring this journey for the both of us.

Where are you from? Of course you can transfer money by Western Union!! You can also do a bank transfer if you open up a bank account. I think there is a bank that will let you open up an account with just a tourist visa but I don't know of any free way to transfer money. Or like people have said Travelers cheques is another way. Do not carry cash!

[shaggy1969]

Why dont you turn some of your money into gold jewellery (necklace,armband,rings) and then just sell it when you get to Thailand.

[necrosisowns]

You are asking questions that are completely obvious, and giving information that is completely irrelevant.

Yes yes yes everything you say is fine. Bring some cash that you feel is safe, get some TCs, get a few pre-paid cards with VISA and/or other internationally-accepted networks like "Plus", and have the rest transferred over once you get settled.

WU is expensive, just open an account when you get here and have her bank transfer the money. Bangkok Bank is cheapest since she can do domestic transfer to their NY branch, but some branches will require a work permit as in theory required by Thai law, just keep trying other banks/branches until you get a tourist-friendly one so you can keep your money (more) safely than in your backpack.

I mean the questions may be "completely obvious" to you but I have zero expirence in this department so it has been a rather stressful thing to wrap my head around, I do howsoever appreciate your help none the less

Can I Western Union money over to avoid complications?

I now see I have the option to have my cash deposited into a bank account via western union also there is no fee for this said service, 3 days, cash, and deposit to recievers account. That sounds easy enough, any words guys? I can just do a Travlers Check for $8,000 or $5,000 (hell I could possibly even carry that amount cash between me and my friend correct) and have the rest sent via western union?

We are just a coulpe of young guys moving here to train and fight I'm a boxer/muay thai fighter and he is competing in MMA I'm sponsoring this journey for the both of us.

Where are you from? Of course you can transfer money by Western Union!! You can also do a bank transfer if you open up a bank account. I think there is a bank that will let you open up an account with just a tourist visa but I don't know of any free way to transfer money. Or like people have said Travelers cheques is another way. Do not carry cash!

I'm In the US, NY to be specific.. I'll look into the Travelers Cheques right now to find out more about it. Thank you.

Why dont you turn some of your money into gold jewellery (necklace,armband,rings) and then just sell it when you get to Thailand.

That doesn not particularly sound like a great idea... I do have a collection of designer Shades/sunglasses though.

[necrosisowns]

One final question mates (and I'm sorry if this one is a bit silly to you all) but If I do use a travlers cheque once I get to thailand am I recieving my money back in USD or will they automatically convert it to THB? also when recieving money via western union or bank transer are those funs converte automatically? and will there be any money lost in the conversion. Superrichthailand.com shows a Buy rate of $29.03 and a sell rate of $29.15 that will be the direct funds once conversion is automatically done if at a Bank, Western Union, Travelers Check, or even Visa pre paid card?

[HeijoshinCool]

To answer your question:

As far as American customs are concerned, any negotiable instrument, including traveler's checks, is considered "cash." Probably the same here. Of course, if it isn't, they can still confiscate it. Risky.

Your mom can certainly wire money into a Thai bank.

[MrWorldwide]

To answer your question:

As far as American customs are concerned, any negotiable instrument, including traveler's checks, is considered "cash." Probably the same here. Of course, if it isn't, they can still confiscate it. Risky.

Your mom can certainly wire money into a Thai bank.

Excellent - why has it taken 21 posts for us to reach this point ?

[FunFon]

It's not illegal to carry cash and you can legally carry $9,999 and your friend can carry $9,999 cash without declaring. Whether you carry TC or cash or combination makes no difference. The $10K limit may have been increased, but I am sure you can carry under $10K without issue.

That said, those of us that actually pay taxes look at those of you that evade taxes as criminals.

-

And note within US jurisdictions, that such obvious patterns to avoid detection - referred to as "structuring" - have been held in and of themselves to be criminal - doing so is a separate additional offense to the original crime (tax evasion, money laundering whatever is related).

They usually only use these laws when the underlying offense is considered serious, but just want others to be aware.

[necrosisowns]

okay you guys are obviously taking this too far an just talking out of you a** at this point when you really don't know the case.. I vaguely explained that worked off the books at a point and dealt with small investments what would lead you to believe that I am some damn criminal mastermind running away to Thailand this is ridiculous and out of hand... it's a sheep effect almost, I'll have you guys believe whatever you choose to, my question was answered and I'm greatful for the answer who ever wants to go on with this silly talk of tax evasion, money laundering etc can do so by themselves this is almost comical at this point as I'm CERTAIN i've paid more taxes over the years that those making the silly accusations, I've even went two years without a tax return this talk is just absurd and silly. Good day.

[Tywais]

As there is another topic explaining the how and a link to it will close this one.