Do I need to show proof of income or a minimum amount of cash for a short stay in Thailand?

Jun 12, 2022
2 years ago
Rich ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Update:

thanks everyone. As the back and forth below in the comments points out, I had trouble finding the right answer. (Apparently I’m not alone!) I’ve got it now. Thanks!

Original post:

I’m staying for less than 30 days and I keep hearing conflicting info. Will I need to present proof of income or have a certain amount of cash in my bank account? Or is that requirement for someone staying longer? I’ve googled for the answer and I’m just not sure which website is the most accurate and up to date.

Grad student here hoping it’s not a fortune. lol
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original post seeks clarification on whether proof of income or a minimum amount of cash is required for entry into Thailand for a short stay of less than 30 days. The comments reveal that while there is a requirement to possess approximately 20,000 baht (or the equivalent in other currencies), it is rarely enforced. Users share personal experiences indicating that they have often not been asked for cash upon entry, but it is advisable to carry this amount as a precaution.
Gary **********
Never been asked and I've been going there for over 20 years etc and lived there for 10 years or more ..but I'd say have at least 20 k bht with you it's not alote any way aprox £450 .. just I case
James ********
I have never been asked.
Dana *******************
Me neither… and it’s a good thing as I had $0 in cash because I planned to hit the ATM upon arrival to get Thai bhat. Would have served me right to be declined entry because I was totally ignorant of this requirement.
Bonnie *******
@James *******
we were asked one time coming across on the train
Chris *******
20k baht

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Although it us rarely ever asked for, unless they are looking for a reason to deny you.
Dimitri ********
If they ask you to show this it means that they already decided to refuse you. They are just looking for an easy reason to fill in on their documents. If it is your first time to Thailand they will not ask you for this.
Craig *******
@Dimitri *******
LOL that's what I always thought!
Dan **********
@Craig ******
if this is your first time coming you probably will not be asked. It is mostly used to keep out people that are abusing the system. Dress appropriately do not look like a bum and should not be bothered.
Craig *******
Yes this rule has probably been there since pre-atm days and is long out of date. The only reason they leave it in place is it gives them a box to check when they want to keep someone out. I've also entered a dozen times and never been asked, same with POOT.
Dimitri ********
@Craig ******
I have been dozens of times through immigration, I was never asked for this. When you check the Thai consulate websites in your home country... A lot of info about visa. But this money is never mentioned. If immigration asks, it is just an excuse to throw you out. That is my understanding. I am sure that 99% of tourists who arrive do not have this money in cash. I never carry that much in cash myself.
Bonnie *******
You need to have 300 dollars cash. A bank account is for people that are staying long term
Garrett ***********
@Bonnie ******
You're citing a website called "travelhappy," and it is incorrect. It's 20k baht or the equivalent currency, which is roughly $600 usd.
Bonnie *******
@Garrett **********
the other one that is posted says the same thing
Darren *******
@Bonnie ******
it's more than 300, officially it's 20k baht which is closer to USD 600
Bonnie *******
10 thousand
Chris *******
@Bonnie ******
the information you have is outdated. The threshold is 20k baht now.

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Darren *******
Bonnie *******
@Darren ******
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Bonnie *******
That is for a visa not a visa waiver.
Darren *******
Darren *******
@Bonnie ******
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*******
/05/trsingle_entry/ - USD 700 requirement for a tourist visa versus 20k baht visa exempt. Both figures from the Thai Embassy website in Washington DC.

Any other visa you'd like to claim your 10k baht from a travel blog in 2010 is for?
Bonnie *******
@Darren ******
that says for a visa not for a entry without visa
Darren *******
@Bonnie ******
did you read the links/screenshots? One is for visa exempt and the other is for a tourist visa.

Now, which visa, or lack of visa, do you believe requires only 10k as funds evidence should you need to provide it?
Bonnie *******
@Darren ******
the link you posted says 10 thousand
Darren *******
@Bonnie ******
really? Whereabouts?
Bernd ***********
@Darren ******
you should give up. Some people simple not able to understand what they do read. It's clearly written everywhere on the RTE's webpages worldwide.
Darren *******
@Bernd **********
true and she's far too pigheaded to admit she's wrong.
Darren *******
@Bonnie ******
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%20entering%20Thailand%20under%20the,or%2040%2C000%20Baht%20per%20family.&text=Even%20with%20the%20visa%20exemption,in%20order%20to%20enter%20Thailand.

I raise you an actual Thai Embassy website where it says 20k, not some random travel blog
Garrett ***********
Everyone entering the country needs 20k baht or the equivalent currency in cash. It's rarely asked for, but it is a requirment and it's the most common reason for refused entry.
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