Proof of income at border

[smok3yjk]

I've seen several people mention that they had to show 20,000 baht before the border agent would let them in. Is this a common occurrence? I'd really rather not carry 20,000 baht cash on me. Would they accept a printed bank statement or logging into online banking on my phone and showing the balance there?

[paz]

Normally does not happen. Virtually nly Sadao/Dannok is reported. The requirement is to show cash (can be any currency), not printed or online statements.

[ubonjoe]

It is not all that common for them to ask. When they do ask the expect to see in cash. It can be any exchangeable currency equal to 20k baht.

[smok3yjk]

Normally does not happen. Virtually nly Sadao/Dannok is reported. The requirement is to show cash (can be any currency), not printed or online statements.

So any of the Lao or Cambodia borders do not have this practice?

[nzexpat]

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Normally does not happen. Virtually nly Sadao/Dannok is reported. The requirement is to show cash (can be any currency), not printed or online statements.

So any of the Lao or Cambodia borders do not have this practice?

Evidence of being in possession of adequate funds can be demanded by any immigration officer at any border.

As already said such evidence is only rarely sought.

[paz]

So any of the Lao or Cambodia borders do not have this practice?

Please explain what you need to do? Visa entry activation, visa exempt, etc.

[Tessellation]

So any of the Lao or Cambodia borders do not have this practice?

Please explain what you need to do? Visa entry activation, visa exempt, etc.

It doesn't matter the purpose. Immigration officials can ask for proof of funds from foreigners for ANY type of entry into Thailand at ANY border. Its never happened to me, but it does sometimes happen to people. Always better to be prepared.

[godden]

Could it have any thing to do with a dress code?

[ronthai]

This was a few/many times reports about 2-3-4 months ago, mainly on TVF by farangs who had this problems after some Visa "changes", that has settled down for now.

No reports that I have seen in the past months (by TVF Newsletter topics), so my guess is, immigrations now stopped asking that stupid question to Western farangs/non-Thais

[SOTIRIOS]

...then you read about the jabs....'Duh, why was he carrying so much cash around'.....

...bottom line is...most foreigners try to comply with all these rules and regulations....

...but when they are arbitrary....it makes it near the impossible....

[technologybytes]

This is nothing to do with income, it's just the normal requirement for persons entering Thailand to be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to finance their stay.

In 13 years I was once asked at Mae Sai if I have 20,000 baht. I said I had and no more was said, i pulled out my wallet but they didn't want to see inside.

When I did visa runs I ALWAYS carried 20k in my wallet just in case though, as there is a clear sign that says you are required to have money on you when entering Thailand.

Another reason, I once went on a visa run only to find the Thailand border unexpectedly closed when I went back and nobody was allowed back in, having money in my pocket was very useful on that occasion. It very rare, but you never know when a border can suddenly close for a day or two.. or for longer.

[dotpoom]

Why no desire to carry 20K on you. If's it's theft your worried about why are you not worried about carrying your passport...far more valuable. If you have a secure place for the PP just put your money with it.

Edited March 26, 2015 by dotpoom

[Kaalle]

I wrote this in another thread and im going to repeat it, even if some people think its the worst thing since the holocaust.

200 baht tucked in your passport when you hand it over, no questions asked, kap khun kap.

[ubonjoe]

I wrote this in another thread and im going to repeat it, even if some people think its the worst thing since the holocaust.

200 baht tucked in your passport when you hand it over, no questions asked, kap khun kap.

There has only been one border crossing that has been reported as that being needed to avoid being asked for proof of funds.

I certainly would not suggest trying it at another crossing

[Tessellation]

...then you read about the jabs....'Duh, why was he carrying so much cash around'.....

...bottom line is...most foreigners try to comply with all these rules and regulations....

...but when they are arbitrary....it makes it near the impossible....

The rules aren't arbitrary in most cases, only their enforcement is. If you prepare in compliance with the rules, you'll be prepared if they enforce them, it won't matter if they don't.

Nobody at immigration will ever ask you why you're carrying 20k baht or the equivalent on your when you pass through. They'll never check your wallet. In most nations I've visited, you only need to report cash if you're carrying $10,000 USD or more.

Bottom line is this:

The official requirement is that an individual is asked to carry 20k baht or equivalent currency with you as proof of funds to enter Thailand. They very rarely ask, but it does happen (I've seen it happen twice to others a few times over the last few years, never happened to me). If you have the money and they don't ask, you'll still get in and they won't know or care that you have that amount on you. If you don't have the money and they ask, you're likely to be turned away to an ATM machine. This can be problematic if you can't withdraw that much in one day (per your bank's limits) or if you're stuck in a transit zone between countries and there is no ATM available.

[macpayne]

Normally does not happen. Virtually nly Sadao/Dannok is reported. The requirement is to show cash (can be any currency), not printed or online statements.

I'm British and in 20yrs of chopping in and out at the sadao/Dannok check point Ive never and i mean never been asked to show proof of funds,, am i that lucky ???? because the most cash i carry in is no more than a couple thousand Bhat sometimes less, i always use my bank cash card for drawing cash.

[paz]

Normally does not happen. Virtually nly Sadao/Dannok is reported. The requirement is to show cash (can be any currency), not printed or online statements.

I'm British and in 20yrs of chopping in and out at the sadao/Dannok check point Ive never and i mean never been asked to show proof of funds,, am i that lucky ???? because the most cash i carry in is no more than a couple thousand Bhat sometimes less, i always use my bank cash card for drawing cash.

If you are asked you will have to show the money or pay few hundreds baht.

[MyFriend You]

Could it have any thing to do with a dress code?

Show up dirty, smelly, drunk, acting stupid or strange, demanding, unfriendly and see how fast they they ask you to show money or just send you back where you came from................but there are dozens and dozens of people that do exactly what I describe, then cry on Thai Visa how they were Hassled, denied entry, forced to show money. 20K baht?? I carry about that in my pockets daily, its not that much money.

Saw it with my own eyes in Swampy In'tl - a groups of Brit Girls, 5 of them, college age, having hitchhiked thru India, didn't bother to bath for 'how long??' were escorted back to the departure area, only had carry on backpacks, reason I know this is they were in front of me I heard them talking and the area reeked of body sweat and urine , and the Immigration officials (both women & men) were saying Na Kliet, Mein Maak, Soko Poke, Mi Hai Maa. and other things I can't mention.

You get what you ask for.

[VIPinthailand]

go toilet after leaving aircraft, change clothes, brush teeth, use deodorant under pit, clean face, fix your hair, shave, like on a date and they will never ask you any questions.

Edited April 17, 2015 by VIPinthailand