Do airlines or Thai immigration require travelers to show a bank statement or cash for entry into Thailand?

Sep 13, 2024
3 months ago
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello,

Have you ever been asked by an airline on the way to Thailand or at immigration at the airport in Thailand for a bank statement to see if you have enough funds?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion focuses on whether travelers have been asked for a bank statement or proof of funds upon arriving in Thailand. Most respondents indicate that it is rare for airlines to request financial documentation, and while Thai immigration is allowed to ask for 20,000 baht in cash, this rarely happens unless the traveler has been previously flagged. Many users share their experiences, noting that travelers from certain regions, like South Asia, might encounter such inquiries more frequently. Additionally, some mention the possibility of showing a bank statement or bank app but emphasize that the formal requirement is cash.
Torhild ******************
A couple of weeks ago
Tony *******
500 times never
Tony *******
Never
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So little update. I arrived at Bangkok today. No one asked for enough funds or even an onward ticket
Greg *********
I never been asked, in fact, never even got my luggage checked
Ron ******
No but my last journey (one way becoming an ex-pat) my "Onward Ticket" was asked for at check in desk.
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *****
Yes i have that on too. printed out. I used air asia assuming i could cancel it but i can't so next time i will try something else ๐Ÿ™‚
Ron ******
Look online for company Onward Ticket, $14 .
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *****
Yes i will try next time. Was a bit skeptical at first. Bit afraid that they would recognize this kind of ticket at the check in desk at the airport
Ron ******
If you buy within the time limits even if they doubt your "printed copy" (I recommend you do that) it is a valid online booking they cannot dispute.
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *****
oh good to know !
Kate *******
If you look like a bag of red flags then yeah, any countries immigration will ask you that.
Jo **********
never after over 200+ entries
Richard ********
Never
Dennis **********
Airlines will never ask that , immigration might if you look like you can't afford your next meal but I never have been asked
Mark ********
No never
Egger *********
No
Leigh *****
In all my years travelling to Thailand never asked about money but did ask if i had a wife๐Ÿ˜…๐Ÿ˜…
Gary **********
Only happens if you are flagged up as a over stayer ...on a many occasions ...
Brandon ************
One time on a flight from Sapporo back to Bangkok, the airline staff asked me if I had money. I just said yes and they continued checking me in.
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
oh wow ๐Ÿ˜ƒ
Brandon ************
@Yasmin **********
She seemed very confused. Went through my passport like 5 times and then asked me if I had a visa. I said yes. Then she asked me if I had money, which made no sense because if I have a visa there is no money requirement.
Milan ********
During covid, when you needed coe for entry ... But asked to show internet banking, not only cash
Don *****
Iโ€™ve seen it happen to others in line. They were Somali or Ethiopian. They did not ask me or any other Americans. Safe to say this is only for nations that experience more emigration than tourism. Nothing personal strictly economic.
Jo **********
@Don ****
correct
Paul ****************
I have come through Thai immigration 30 or more times never been asked anything about money.
Andrew *******
@Paul ***************
same here ...not asked once in forty entries
Jan **********
It's cash
John *******
I have not, but have seen others near by be asked.
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
Ah. Did they have something printed out or showed their phone?
John **********
@Yasmin **********
you can only show CASH if you are asked. Bank statements are not acceptable and there are no ATMs in the area
Andrew *******
@John *********
you can show cash availability on bank phone app
John **********
@Andrew ******
no. Cash means cash. Real money, not money in the bank
Andrew *******
@John *********
but I've shown them my bank details and no problem
John **********
@Andrew ******
then consider yourself lucky to have got away with it. The regulations say that if you enter visa exempt you need to be able to show 20k baht cash, a ticket out & accommodation booking if asked by immigration
Andrew *******
@John *********
been to Thailand over 30 times ....only asked once ..and showed money in account ...๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
John **********
@Andrew ******
yes, normally they only ask if they're looking for a reason to not let you enter. Which is why you were lucky to get away with showing your bank account
Andrew *******
@John *********
I think you are right ...they have a record of your previous visits .
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Okay then it's just 10 k baht. I think it wil be okay
John *******
@Yasmin **********
Thailand only seen cash request, but with Cambodia, where I also live, they will let you go to ATM and print receipt (not sure if they do that in Thailand). From what I have seen, it they tend to focus on South Asians (not sure who specifically) and South Africans. Have not see this happen with East Asians, Europeans nor Americans
Graham ******
@John ******
there is no ATM airside in BKK
John *******
@Graham *****
yup, that is why I said cash was required in Bangkok, but Phnom Penh they allowed going to ATM
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ******
Okay. I have
*****
cash baht and then i can show bank statement.
Graham ******
@Yasmin **********
*****
B cash is not enough if asked
Yasmin ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
i can get money tomorrow at the airport of departure just to be sure. It has never been asked before but this time I have a one ticket to bangkok and a one ticket to vietnam.
Jan ******************
@Yasmin **********
Just bring 600 USD, handy anyway and easy to exchange everywhere.
Chris *******
Jan ******************
@Chris ******
Cash is still the formal requirement, but based on feedbacks some are also are allowed to show print of bank statements or bank app to prove sufficient funds.
Chris *******
@Jan *****************
I just stated the rule.

Not the exceptions as you cannot count on that being the case.

If you advise on exceptions that can lead people into trouble.

Nothing worse than somebody arguing but the "internet said".
Jan ******************
@Chris ******
I donโ€™t advise anyone, just stating the fact that cash still is the formal requirement, BUT some also are allowed to prove funds in other ways. I guess this as some point will become more formalised as cash is no longer king in Thailand, but itโ€™s still the formal requirement.
Louis **************
In my 5 trips to Thailand, never happened
Neil ******
No. Maybe because I don't look like I dont have 20k baht cash ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿผโ€โ™‚๏ธ
Graham ******
Immigration are entitled to ask to see
*****
Baht cash (or the equivalent in any major currency)
Stuart *********
The technical rule is 20,000 baht or equivalent in cash only. Almost no one is asked for this. The only way they would ask is if they want to deny you entry based on extensive previous entry history
Elรญas ********
Unheard of airlines, but it DOES happen at Thai immigration desks, at the airport, although very rare. Normally only for people who is already kindda flagged.
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