Answered5 years ago
Do I need to show proof of funds when entering Thailand on a tourist visa?
If you enter on a tourist visa do you need to show proof of funds with a bank statement or can you just let them know that you have a debit card with available funds? What would be a suitable amount of cash to have on hand?
Answer summary
When entering Thailand on a tourist visa, it is recommended to have 20,000 baht in cash or its equivalent in a major currency. While technically you may need to show cash, in practice, many travelers do not get asked for this proof. Using a debit card indicating available funds is generally not accepted if requested by immigration. Although carrying cash is advisable, actual enforcement can vary depending on the immigration officer.
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Jonas *************
I have met a guy allows you where tonight entry on this he said he had a girlfriend a business a house in Thailand but for one and a half year he has been going in and out and not having the prope visas. My guess it's a nice technicality to pull out to show that we don't like what you're doing. Even if you have the money they probably could give you some amateur trouble. Nobody really has the right to enter any other country on Earth even the valid visa. You can always be the denied entry at the border to a country which you're not to citizen of.
For him the solution seemed to be that he would need to get a proper (new) visa to enter Thailand.
Typically these issues problems may disappear if you stay away for a while and if you fly in with a proper return ticket or next time. I never been off for return to get by the immigration officials but I see that it is legally requirement of an exempt entry. (Ive checked). I even asked an immigration officer last time I entered from Vietnam if I actually needed it after the airline had recorded and I had to buy one we officer said no you don't need it. Which again seems to be incorrect relative to the online information at immigration sites....
For him the solution seemed to be that he would need to get a proper (new) visa to enter Thailand.
Typically these issues problems may disappear if you stay away for a while and if you fly in with a proper return ticket or next time. I never been off for return to get by the immigration officials but I see that it is legally requirement of an exempt entry. (Ive checked). I even asked an immigration officer last time I entered from Vietnam if I actually needed it after the airline had recorded and I had to buy one we officer said no you don't need it. Which again seems to be incorrect relative to the online information at immigration sites....
Darren *******
nope
Ադամ ********
If you get to the “show money” point these days you are screwed. They will find something else to deny entry and send you packing.
Tony ******
@Adam *******
yes it's real design to keep what they see as the real cheap Charlie's out simply don't dress so bad they pick on you actually been taken to front of line because I was well dress arriving play the game and Thailand is amazingԱդամ ********
@Tony *****
I had Thailand Elite 5 years even then grilled once or twice, but no "show money" hassles. Avoid female IO at BKK.Ադամ ********
@Tony *****
Pandemic changing outlook for future. Enjoy life most importantTony ******
@Adam *******
yes well u pay for what you get and that works well I find it easy to do what I need to stay here life's good too enjoy
ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
Seriously if you don't have
*****
baht then you should stay home lol
Chelsea *******
OP@ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ ******
nobody said we don't have it we want to have enough prepared in cash. sheeesssh ..
Garrett ***********
"can you just let them know that you have a debit card with available funds?"
😂😂😂😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂
Ian *********
they can demand to see cash Youll be unlucky if they do BUT they can and deny entry if you dont have it in cash if they wish to do so
Chelsea *******
OP@Garrett **********
not really sure what's funny here since they accepted seeing our debit card in Singapore. Thanks for the constructive help Admin.Yuri ***********
if you go for 60 days e visa they ask proof bank statement ,should be around 5000 dollars!
Stan *******
Yes! It only valid UNTIL the last date mentioned. You need to travel BEFORE THAT LAST DATE or your SETV expires and at best you’ll be given a 30 days visa exemption stamp or denied entry.
Now run away and do some more googling and stop wasting peoples time or preferably cancel your trip until
you understand what I’m trying to explain to you.
You seem like a lost cause to me! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve explained your misapprehension to you! 🙄🙄😂😂
Now run away and do some more googling and stop wasting peoples time or preferably cancel your trip until
you understand what I’m trying to explain to you.
You seem like a lost cause to me! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve explained your misapprehension to you! 🙄🙄😂😂
Stan *******
That’s NOT a 90 day visa! That’s the period you are allowed to avail yourself of entry to Thailand! If you arrive after the 22nd of March you will be either denied entry or will be given a 30
day exemption stamp, depending on your home country. You MUST enter Thailand before 22nd of March. That photo plainly states that you are on a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) which allows you entry and MUST be used between 20
December and 19 March. Any later and it’s invalid.
It is NOT your duration of stay, it just the date when you must use it before.
Jeez, started using Google or your brain, whichever is easier for you! 🙄🙄
day exemption stamp, depending on your home country. You MUST enter Thailand before 22nd of March. That photo plainly states that you are on a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) which allows you entry and MUST be used between 20
December and 19 March. Any later and it’s invalid.
It is NOT your duration of stay, it just the date when you must use it before.
Jeez, started using Google or your brain, whichever is easier for you! 🙄🙄
Chelsea *******
OP@Stan ******
no, because in China which I've been living for the last 11 years this is the format of their visa. Regardless my creation of this post was to ask about the funds needed at immigration. Now leave my post and stop being so ruthless. It's not that serious...Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
great, enjoy your trip! 👍Chelsea *******
OP@Stan ******
we are coming Friday.Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
happy new year. Didn’t mean to be so tetchy! Have a good trip, but please check your dates! 😀Chelsea *******
OP@Stan ******
Thanks Stan😀Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
it’s very serious if you turn up and your visa validation has expired and you’re denied entry.But you seem to know it all, so just get on with it. But as you seem such a know-all, why even ask? As for ruthless, wrong word for someone who was trying to help someone as befuddled as you seem to be!
But you’re American, right? Thought so. 🙄🙄🙄
Chelsea *******
OPThanks everyone, we have removed 1500usd for the journey. Should suffice. Thanks for all the info. We are traveling with a small baby so we don't want anything holding us up.
Neal *******
@Yuri **********
loool 5k bro wtf are you talking about??? It's 500$ in a bank account for tourist visa and nothing for visa on arrival. 10 years going to Thailand never heard of it.
Neal *******
There you go, the "probably" has been used. The only way for you to keep posting stuff you don't know about. The previous statement is wrong. Just let go and stop trying to make a point out of nothing.
Neal *******
@Dan *******
Ok to everyone who wants to complain that I'm rude for pointing at a wrong fact you can cry and insult me or report me, this won't change anything. You are wrong, you must say so or let other do it for you. Now sit down and grow upDan ********
@Neal ******
as in "YOU probably never heard of ...(all that AQ bullshit before)" as you so rudely berated the gentleman for suggesting that $5000 was required by immigration, when it was, infact, at some point in the last 18 months, required by immigration. I won't take time out of my day to prove it to a rude prick like you, but I know about this as I've been here, in Thailand for over two years now, living in luxury villas for absolute peanuts, my visa renewed in just 30 mins each time, laughing, watching idiots like you jump through hoops to gain entry. My point being, you're the one who is wrong, you're the one who doesn't know what he's talking about, and you're rude with it too. Rude to him, and now rude to me, like your something kinda special. Immigration were asking $5000 recently. Now I wish you a safe journey of course. But always remain humble. 🙏Dan ********
@Neal ******
"10 years going to Thailand" probably never heard of PCR test, $100k Covid insurance, Quarantine, Certificate of Entry etc etc. Times have changed.Dan ********
@Neal ******
Have you travelled here since covid restrictions began ? They did introduce new financial requirements that changed often, but much more substantial than the 20k rule, which is decades old now anyway.Neal *******
@Dan *******
i just finished to get the tourist visa. I have been through all the AQ bullshit.ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
@Neal ******
exactly lmao. I don't know where these people get information hahahaStan *******
@Neal ******
visa on arrival is only valid for 15 days and only for about 12-15 countries.I’m sure you mean visa EXEMPTION which is for 30 days and guess what? You don’t need a visa because you’re bloody exempt from needing one if you’re from one of over 50 countries who are also exempt from needing one if staying for less than 30 days. A visa exemption can be renewed ONCE for a further 30 days on payment of 1,900 baht.
Yuri ***********
@Neal ******
****************************
Dan ********
At some point in the last 18 months, they were requiring $5000 proof of funds, and in that account for 3-6 months. It could of been as high as $10,000.
Neal *******
@Yuri **********
we are far from 5k aren't we?Yuri ***********
@Neal ******
30€ evr per day. 30×60=1800.€Neal *******
@Yuri **********
the video say 30 $ per month per person. For... Tourist visa..?Yuri ***********
@Neal ******
I know lad his visa,.has not been confirmed because was small money his account...not my fantasy...also anater informed need 30 euros for each day......,I also travel 4 years 2 times per year nobody ask me cach *****
bt.but they have some rules.
Steve *******
@Yuri **********
Totally wrong information.Yuri ***********
@Steve ******
up to youSteve *******
@Yuri **********
Yep. Up to me but I'll reiterate, your information is totally wrongYuri ***********
Stuart =give you right answer! I thought you would be applying for an e-visa for 60 days!
Chelsea *******
OP@Yuri **********
no, we are all set for Visas. just double checking the requirementsChelsea *******
OP@Yuri **********
we already have the visa. so you're saying at the airport they will ask to see 5000usd?Chelsea *******
OPit's says it's a valid tourist visa for 90 days. That's all I know. Is this really something to get your knickers in twist about ?
Stan *******
@Steve ******
I think she’s a bit deficient in that area. I’ve had to tell about three times and she still doesn’t seem to have got it …. 😂🙄
Otis ******
@Chelsea ******
so reads my eyesSteve *******
@Chelsea ******
It's get's you 60 days in the country, you get 90 days in which you have to use it. Just need a couple of brain cells to work it out!Chelsea *******
OP90 day tourist visa
Chelsea *******
OP@Otis *****
ok, it's no problem as I'm on a work visa and my husband will come under a tourist visa and we will put him under mine upon entry. Thanks. Good Info.Otis ******
@Chelsea ******
agree no need for condescending tones… yes shows 90 day but it is just validity time for use of visa… have plenty of friends who were given 10 year multi x/en to US. One friend got the 10 year multi without asking… to keep the 10Y valid there were specific stay/leave rules…Steve *******
@Chelsea ******
The Single Entry Tourist visa is valid to USE for 90 days from it's issue date but you'll only get 60 days stay when you enter Thailand. It's actually a 60 day tourist visa.Chelsea *******
OP@Stan ******
wow..... 🤮Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
for every reason, especially for those who can’t even get the simplest things right. It isn’t rocket science to know the difference between ‘valid until’ and ‘duration of stay’, fgs. People like you should need a licence to travel before even thinking about leaving their home country
Chelsea *******
OP@Stan ******
shit this group is super aggressive for no reason.....Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
Jesus wept. Are there still people like you around who don’t know their arse from their elbow? 🙄🙄🙄Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
then you’re not on an SETV.Chelsea *******
OP@Stan ******
the dates are 90 daysStan *******
@Steve ******
Afaik, that’s been stopped.Stan *******
@Chelsea ******
no such thing as a 90 day tourist visa. It’s 60 days which can be extended, should you want to, for a further 30 days = 90 days.Steve *******
@Chelsea ******
90 day Tourist visaChelsea *******
OP@Steve ******
what's that?Steve *******
@Chelsea ******
You got the STV?Yuri ***********
,what kind of visa do you have
Yuri ***********
Stuart *********
Technically you need to have 20,000 baht or equivalent in a major currency. It must be cash. A bank statement or credit card won’t suffice if asked. Almost certainly you won’t be asked, but it’s up to the immigration officer.
ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ *******
20 000 won't last you 3 days lol
Mark *************************
@ᘻᗅᖶᖶᗁᕦᙛ ******
*****
baht will last me for more than a month. Theres that.
Craig *******
I wonder why they bother? Do they actually get a lot ppl who arrive in Thailand but then run out of money?? And what does 20k THB prove? Same as a return ticket - it proves nothing since there is no guarantee you'll actually board your flight.
Dan ********
@Craig ******
yes of course, there are actually quite a few who run out of money. 20k proves you have at least 20k - you would be surprised. And a return ticket shows that when you do run out of money, at least there's is a paid flight waiting to take you back to your country of origin. No return ticket says your unsure of your exit from Thailand, more than having a return ticket. I know of people who have reluctantly gone of their return flight as a last resort, while wanting to stay longer, but could rustle up the funds. Without that return flight, they would end up on the street, begging/crime, or worse still, taking a low paid cash job at the expense of a Thai person.Craig *******
@Dan *******
yes but anyone who wants to overstay just has to buy a return ticket (cost is not much more than one way), then they don't use it. A holder of a one way ticket likely indicates someone of higher means who chooses flexibility over saving money. For me, 1 way = 1000, return = 1200Dan ********
Then there's the extreme situations such as Covid, where hundreds if not thousands of tourists who 'stranded' here ran out of money the day their paid accomodation bookings ended, and were queuing up at the charitable food banks alongside the Thai and Burmese. What these people are doing taking a holiday in such poor financial keeping, I do not know. But it wasn't well received by anybody.
Ian *********
They are not very bright
Craig *******
@Stuart ********
that is a rule from the 60's before ATMs, debit, credit cards, digital anything existed. Yes it's still on the books as a rule, but there is no chance they will ask. Yet whenever this question is asked the sticklers insist on pointing it out LOL
Mitchell *******
@Craig ******
I have been asked 3 times between 2016 and 2020, and was asked to produce said funds 2 of the 3 times.Chelsea *******
OP@Dan *******
for sure! we are prepared. just wanted to see the average. We usually carry 1000 to 1500 usd In cash. Contrary to others on this post we have traveled extensively over the years so we are familiar with the "shake down"!Dan ********
@Chelsea ******
oh, well yes they will definitely give you a going over.Chelsea *******
OP@Craig ******
agreed...Craig *******
@Chelsea ******
that really sucks, this is 2022 FFSChelsea *******
OP@Craig ******
I have been countless times too but my Husband holds an African passport and...well...we know the deal. So we just want to make sure because we were caught off guard on Singapore. Luckily they accepted our card.
Michael ********
@Craig ******
its rare i have been in and out countless times but have only been asked once, same with having return flight I have been asked 3 times. Very small percentage as have flown in probably well over 100 times but it happens.Sorrys its a real pet hate of tbe admins page when ever return flight question or money question comes up someone always comes along and says its never happened to them so not required, not the first and wont be the last.
Craig *******
@Michael *******
well I stand corrected....Ive never been asked in 15 trips, nor have I known anyone else who has, but I'm finding out here that I was wrongMitchell *******
I just did my homework, like any good traveller. Every trip, I usually have at least $500 US in my pocket on arrival. Change it up at the airport.
Mitchell *******
@Craig ******
, UK passport arriving from Canada via HKG or Tokyo usually.Michael ********
@Craig ******
yet before you said there is no chance they will ask 5555Craig *******
@Mitchell ******
where are you arriving from. I have been 15 times in the past 7 years, never been asked anything? Guessing country of origin makes a difference.Garrett ***********
@Cr***
Most common reason people entering on VEE or TVs are denied entry is for lack of sufficient funds, ie 20k baht cash.
Martin ********
@Craig ******
i was able to enter BECAUSE of this rule.Michael ********
@Craig ******
i have been asked to show the Money once, it still happens.Look at the medical form you are still required to fill in for syphillis etc etc for certain visas. Thats also extremely outdated. Never under estimate civil servants and rule books
Stuart *********
@Craig ******
well it’s a rule that immigration officers can use. I’ve not heard of an instance since Covid and all the hoops and stuff you need to enter these days, but it was certainly enforced before then. Many many cases of people who the immigration officer suspected of “abusing” the tourist or visa exempt system using this to refuse entry. 100% had to be cash. More often at land borders (but that’s a moot point for now). There’s no ATMs airside of immigration, they won’t accept a bank statement or credit/debit cards or a phone app and if they don’t want you to enter this is a rule they’ll invoke. 99% (a made up figure) would never be asked, but some certainly were and refused entry because they didn’t have it.Stuart *********
@Ian ********
So many times people comment that “it’s never happened to me and I’ve been coming for 20 whatever years”. Well they’re one of the 99.9% who have not been asked. They have no clue that it could happen to others, but are keen to berate others for pointing out that it “could” happen.Ian *********
@Stuart ********
agree it's very unlikely but it has been asked and people HAVE been denied entryBut still idiots say otherwise
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