Tourist cash requirement

[arch77778]

I will be entering Thailand as a tourist and is allowed 30 days.However,what is the amount in cash i must have to satisfy immigration.

I intend  sending  money to myself, via Western Union which i will collect in Thailand .The problem is whether immigration will accept

 documentary evidence of the transfer.

[Ahab]

Every time I have come in to Thailand I have never been asked how much money I have with me (over one dozen entries since 1992, currently in country with a non-imm O visa, all others were 30 day visa on arrival).

[ubonjoe]

If asked to show the equivalent of 10k baht it has to be in cash or traveler's checks . 

[arch77778]

Can one still get travellers cheques?Some will ask what is that.

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, arch77778 said:

Can one still get travellers cheques?Some will ask what is that.

Yes they are still available.

Bangkok Bank offers and accepts them. http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/DailyBanking/CurrencyExchange/Pages/TravelersCheques.aspx

[The Fat Controller]

The fees for cashing TC's are pretty steep, I think it is 153 Baht per cheque, so if you do bring them get them in the largest denomination possible.

[KhunBENQ]

It might be cheaper to change your home country currency to US Dollars (equiv. of 10000 Baht or more) and bring it in cash with you and change here in Thailand to THB to spend it.

Trade margins for USD are so small that it might come out cheaper than Western Union or TCs,

 

It migh be worth mentioning what your home country is.

[Thailand]

He is referring to amount of cash to satisfy immigration.

 

I know visitors from HK and China are being told they must show around 20,000 baht, in cash! 

[ubonjoe]

A off topic post meant to derail the topic has been removed.

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, Thailand said:

He is referring to amount of cash to satisfy immigration.

 

I know visitors from HK and China are being told they must show around 20,000 baht, in cash! 

For a visa exempt entry it is officially 10k baht. For visas entries it is 20k baht.

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, arch77778 said:

I intend  sending  money to myself, via Western Union which i will collect in Thailand .The problem is whether immigration will accept

 documentary evidence of the transfer.

No they wouldn't.

 

Why on earth would you go to the hassle of sending yourself money via Western Union? Just carry it in cash, travelers cheques or get a prepaid credit/travel card.

[Upnotover]

24 minutes ago, elviajero said:

or get a prepaid credit/travel card.

That's not much use for immigration.

[Doiger]

Western union is no evidence of cash as it can be cancelled at anytime before pick up.

if you have the money to send western union then just change the cash at the airport to baht before you fly, it will probably work out cheaper.

 

[Craig krup]

I suppose they're a lot more likely to ask if you look like a hobo, or if they suspect that you intend to work. 

[elviajero]

7 hours ago, Upnotover said:

That's not much use for immigration.

I know and didn't say it was. I was suggesting ways of getting money in to Thailand rather than sending it via Western Union before leaving home.

[sniffdog]

Not the safest way, but most 'profitable' .... take cash money (Usd/Euro) and exchange at one of the popular exchanges like Superrich or Siam Exchange.

[thedemon]

Below is what TIMATIC says on the subject.

 

I'm not sure how a tourist is expected to know that they need to be able to show cash only. Many might assume that in 2017 Credit & ATM cards would be acceptable since that is what they will actually use.

 

 

Quote

 

Visa required.

 

The following are exempt from holding a visa:

Nationals of USA for a maximum stay of 30 days.

Additional information:

 

Visitors who are visa exempt must hold documents for their next destination.

Visitors over 12 years of age must hold sufficient funds to cover their stay (at least THB 10,000.- per person or THB 20,000.- per family). Proof of funds includes Letters of Credit, vouchers, MCO's or well-known credit cards, which are honored in Thailand. Exempt are: holders of a re-entry visa.

Extension of stay is possible for visa exempt passengers.

 

Important:

Visitors who are visa exempt but do not hold return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

 

 

 

[changside]

I have to to Thailand several times on 30 day tourist and was never asked for evidence of funds. Sometimes I have Thai Baht left over from previous visit and some Euro cash. I mostly use ATMs to withdraw cash as I do not think it is very safe to travel with a lot of cash even though it is usually more expensive to use ATMs due to fees and exchange rates.  

[JackThompson]

6 hours ago, thedemon said:

Below is what TIMATIC says on the subject.

 

I'm not sure how a tourist is expected to know that they need to be able to show cash only. Many might assume that in 2017 Credit & ATM cards would be acceptable since that is what they will actually use.

 

5 hours ago, changside said:

I have to to Thailand several times on 30 day tourist and was never asked for evidence of funds. Sometimes I have Thai Baht left over from previous visit and some Euro cash. I mostly use ATMs to withdraw cash as I do not think it is very safe to travel with a lot of cash even though it is usually more expensive to use ATMs due to fees and exchange rates.  

 

If you do not travel to Thailand frequently and/or stay for longer periods of time, you are unlikely to be asked to "show the money."  But if you ARE asked to show it, there are many examples where having a credit-card or ATM card did the visitor no good at all, and they were not allowed to enter the country.  Yes, this is counter-intuitive for this day and age, and the only reason I know this rule, is because I read this forum. 

 

If you are (like me) averse to carrying a wad of cash, travelers checks are the only option which are an accepted alternative.

[ladada]

Unless you are expecting to be mugged during your inbound travel, travelling with 10k or alternative major currency (+15% for volatility and incase they use an airport rate for conversion ) seems pretty damn safe. Western union would expensive in fees and you'll have to queue behind all the good folks sending release fees to Nigerian royalty and Syrian oil tycoons. 

[JackThompson]

3 hours ago, ladada said:

Unless you are expecting to be mugged during your inbound travel, travelling with 10k or alternative major currency (+15% for volatility and incase they use an airport rate for conversion ) seems pretty damn safe. Western union would expensive in fees and you'll have to queue behind all the good folks sending release fees to Nigerian royalty and Syrian oil tycoons. 

When is anyone "expecting to be mugged"?  Granted, flying in you are probably OK, and the 10K for a Visa-Exempt is not so much, compared to the 20K you need with a Tourist or other visa-entry.

 

Agree completely that Western Union is the worst choice, if only for the crazy fees they charge.  As well, I once tried to send myself funds, to activate a WU debit-card (years ago), and was told this was impossible.  I had to give the money to a friend to send it back to me.