Show 20k Baht To Enter Thailand?

[mafaso]

I was coming back from Malaysia the other day on a mini-van full of people. There were 9 of us and all Westerners except for 2 Philippine girls and 1 Philippine guy. When they (the Philippines) went to get their visa stamp the immigration officer asked them to show him that they had 20,000 baht each or they could not enter the country! He said it was mandatory. None of the other people on the van were asked to show this.

So we had to wait around for a while trying to figure out what to do as no one carries that kind of money around with them. Then for some reason he waved them over and stamped their passport and we left.

Also, there were 3 black people in the same line who he asked for the same thing. They talked and talked and then I saw each one of them give the man 500 baht each and then he stamped their visas and let them threw. Corruption? I think so.

Has anyone else ever experienced this kind of thing?

[sbk]

Not Samui related in any way. Moved to the Visa section.

[Axel]

General rule: "Foreigners entering Thailand under Tourist Visa Exemption must possess means of living expenses at the amount of 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family accordingly."

Yes, I saw it a few times, (last time yesterday 17/8/06) at DM-airport, that tourists who could not show the cash have been sent off to the ATM.

[lopburi3]

For entry into Thailand with a visa you are required to have 20k or 40k for family. Only entry without visa (30 day exemption) has the lower 10/20k requirement. So yes it is the law. It is normally not checked unless there is suspicion you do not have the funds to support your stay but is a requirement for anyone entering Thailand.

[baboon]

At the risk of going slightly off topic, a few years ago I flew to Bkk with Biman Bangladesh airlines.

Upon the plane doors being opened, the exit was blocked by officials demanding to see Passports and travel doccuments.I was fumbling for mine but an official told me that as I was farang, I was free to go and never mind. The poor Bangladeshis however were stuck.

It would seem things change yet remain the same.....

[lopburi3]

I have had the same arrival check at LAX on an EVA flight so I doubt that it had much to do with Bangkok. But of course I did have to show my passport.

[visarunner]

General Filipinos are singled out as the main reason for their stay is trying to find work or working to support family.

[Plus]

The law is the law, but they apply it selectively - to people who look like they don't carry that much cash around but who surely have 500 to expedite the proceedings. Corruption? I think it's a fair game because neither Filipinos nor Africans come here for holidays, really. Same with Bangladeshis.

[jdinasia]

I saw this applied one time on a visa run through Jack Golf ... cannot remember who it was applied against ...

The nice thing was the people from the company walked right up and put 20k in the guys hand. The officer looked a bit po'd but hel_l ... what could he do?

[george]

Keep ~500 US dollars or ~400 Euro in the pocket when entering airport or crossing borders, what's the problem?

[lopburi3]

Several off topic posts removed.

[Jimjim]

Who wants to carry 20,000 baht to the Cambodian border? That's the problem. Sheesh. Especially in Poi Pet. Some pickpockets there.

Yes I always see this with Filipinos and only Filipinos. But never with a white person, so, it's just because the last few years so many Filipinos have come to Thailand looking for work because their economy is horrible right now. Wages in Thailand are higher if they can get a teaching job. But few of them can get work permits, so they just go in and out every month. The Thais want to check they have enough money or just give them a hassle. But they always seem to let them through so it just slows the line down.