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Is the Thai cash requirement for entry now 20,000 THB per person under the visa-exemption scheme?

Thailand travelVisa exemptionCash requirements for entryVisa rulesImmigrationProof of funds
Dec 11, 2025
a day ago
Thewanderingman ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I need some clarification. Is it true that travelers entering Thailand under the visa-exemption scheme must show 20,000 THB per person and 40,000 THB per family and that this amount must be in cash (Thai Baht)? Is there any official confirmation on the Royal Gazette website that this rule is now required?

As far as I know, the requirement has always been 10,000 THB per person and 20,000 THB per family. There is a lot of confusion about this topic, especially now that visa runs are under strict scrutiny. But is this higher amount mandatory even for regular travelers who are not doing visa runs? Please help me understand.

Thanks in advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
There is a current discrepancy regarding the amount of cash travelers must show upon entering Thailand under the visa-exemption scheme. While some sources claim a requirement of 20,000 THB per person and 40,000 THB per family in cash, many commenters clarify that this amount has been frequently cited in the past but is not strictly enforced. It's noted that the funds can be presented in any currency equivalent to the stipulated amounts. Furthermore, several travelers have experienced differing enforcement practices from immigration officers, adding to the confusion. The consensus indicates that while it's advisable to have the funds available, it may not be requested in every situation.
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Peter *******
Every country has that rule, even the morons at US and Australian immigration rarely ask the question. If you look like a tramp, thay may ask !
a day ago
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Iain **********
One person posts that they were asked (targeted for a reason) and the whole page loses their mind
a day ago
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Andrew ********
@Iain *********
 this is proof people dont actually read the requirements from the offical immigration page and go off what people say in these groups
a day ago
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Gregory *********
@Iain *********
 yes but there are lots of people getting refused entry on visa exempt. It is a trend and money talks in thailand. You carry $600 usd or more and some will get entry with this box ticked who might have been refused. If you have onward flight ticket abd cash you will find you get past more.
a day ago
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Gregory *********
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Herbert *******
A question: I've been living in Thailand for two years with an Extension of stay permit (EOS retirement over 50). I'm traveling to Europe soon for a few weeks and have a single re-entry permit from immigration.

Do I also need 20,000 baht in cash when I re-enter Thailand?
a day ago
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Gregory *********
@Herbert ******
 this only applies to visa exempt entry.
a day ago
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Brandon ************
@Gregory ********
 tourist entries, not just visa exempt. But the person asking this question is on a non-immigrant extension so it does not apply to them.
a day ago
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Ian **********
@Brandon ***********
 I don't agree
@Bra****
. This is only a rule for visa-exempt entries as all other entries, apart from VoA, have already satisfied the financial requirements with immigration when obtaining their visa. Whereas visa-exempt entries are unknown tourist. I've been coming here for 20 years and never known anybody say different. I have a DTV which is a tourist visa and the 20k is not a requirement.
a day ago
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Brandon ************
@Ian *********
 Someone just reported being asked to show 20k with a DTV yesterday. DTV is a tourist visa. ANY tourist entry can be asked to meet the tourist entry requirements.
a day ago
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Brandon ************
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Hans *************
That's Bullshit. An ancient law. You think the immigration takes time to count your money? You think people fly to Thailand without money? Will they sleep in the street outside airport?
a day ago
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Yo***
@Hans ************
 They do only when they suspected. Not to everyone.
a day ago
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Leon ********
@Hans ************
 maybe its ze german vay. But it does not wurk hier !
a day ago
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Willy *******
@Hans ************
 I stay in Thailand with long term visa and use cards or qr code pay mostly. And I slso travel a lot. And then i always carry small amount (more than 20.000) of cash in case cards not work, dont want pay ATM fees and so on. Having a little bit cash is just clever. But somehow you get emotional about this 😉
a day ago
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Leon ********
@Hans ************
 challenge immigration in Thailand. Tell them this when you arrive. See who wins. Stupid argument.
a day ago
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Hans *************
@Leon *******
 I arrived more than 200 times already, now laughing about many stories in Facebook...
a day ago
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Christer *****
@Hans ************
 same argument as "I've been smoking for 20 years, and I never had cancer! It's BS!" 👍
a day ago
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Hans *************
@Christer ****
 stupid comparison
a day ago
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Christer *****
@Hans ************
 Not as stupid as your claim that it doesn't happen because you aren't aware of it. 33 years of going to Thailand. I've been asked to show the money.
20 hours ago
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Christer *****
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Hans *************
@Leon *******
 You read that.. and believing everything? You saw it once in personal?
a day ago
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Hans *************
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Glyn **********
@Hans ************
 They have been turning people away who don't have the 20k.
a day ago
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Hans *************
@Glyn *********
 you saw that bullshit story in person? How many years ago?
a day ago
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Hans *************
@Glyn *********
 you saw that? What kind of people?
a day ago
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Hans *************
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Kim *********
@Hans ************
 that's bs - they do ask for proof of money sometimes - that's evident from the posts in this group Mr "born to be sarcastic"
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Kim ********
 one person. Does not a situation make
a day ago
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Kim *********
@Todd ********
 not just 1 person - but maybe in this group
a day ago
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Kim *********
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Willy *******
@Hans ************
 Many seems to have just credit/debit cards. No cash
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Willy ******
 absolutely zero chance we will ever enter with cash for immigration purposes
a day ago
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Peter ******
@Todd ********
 then be prepared for the refusal ! Idiot
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Peter *****
 😂😂😂 no need to soil yourself. There is no shame in not knowing how to effectively manage immigration situations
a day ago
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Graham ******
@Todd ********
 but you don't enter and get a 60 day tourist entry stamp do you so your comment is pointless
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Graham *****
 my girlfriend does. Once again Graham, you prove yourself an idiot
a day ago
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Graham ******
@Todd ********
 from you I'll take that as a compliment
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Graham *****
 is critical thinking against the law in your village?
a day ago
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Todd *********
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Greg ********
@Willy ******
 I was asked a bunch of years ago and I just showed him all my cards and he smiled and welcomed me to Thailand 🇹🇭
a day ago
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Hans *************
@Willy ******
 and? What's the problem? The immigration not interested and not waisting time to check.
a day ago
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Jon *****
@Hans ************
 Sometimes they do
a day ago
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Hans *************
@Jon ****
 yes everybody read that.. and believing... You saw it once in personal?
a day ago
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Jon *****
@Hans ************
 It never happened to me but I have read about some people who were asked to show 20 000 bahts
a day ago
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Jon *****
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Harry *********
@Willy ******
 stupid not to carry ANY cash for emergencies but lots do , can’t pay for their 75 baht cigarettes because the scan doesn’t work and they have NO cash .
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Harry ********
 have you heard of ATM’s and credit cards?
a day ago
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Willy *******
@Todd ********
 Have you heard of card that suddenly doesn't work?
a day ago
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Todd *********
@Willy ******
 have you heard of carrying backups? Unless u are a first time traveller, you have
a day ago
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Todd *********
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Gregory *********
@Willy ******
 It all depends. I have always had cash for 45 years of travel. I have watched others be refused entry especially non western nations with lower GDP. I got stung once in 1980 entering malaysia in days of travellers cheques and cash and real travel. No plastic cards back then. They let me in for 7 days. I lived in countries that had no banking so whole trips needed USD cash. I dont know why they havent modernised to accept credit and debit cards...but i just accept it and carry some cash just in case.
a day ago
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Gregory *********
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Joe ******
Well if your worried about 20.000 baht I wouldn't bother coming Thailand
a day ago
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Tim **********
@Joe *****
 that’s not the point Mr Negative

I typically use an ATM to make withdrawals while in Thailand. My bank pays all the fees for me

So I often arrive in Thailand with $50 US on me

I won’t be doing that anymore, I’ll bring $1000 US

Currently in Phuket; this time, no questions about funds

In over 30 trips starting in 1995, I’ve never been asked

Not taking any chances from now on
a day ago
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Doug *******
@Joe *****
 Why is there always somebody like you to interject pointless arrogant lunacy?
a day ago
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Benjamin *********
@Doug ******
 because its true...
a day ago
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Tania **********
@Doug ******
 There are many and many in this group just saying about them, how they are big, rich blah blah …

People having Thai partners offending fellow foreigners , showing they are better…they have all 😢🙄

Absolutelly sad people !!

Life changes in a minute.

They are here till locals change their mind, or find someone better.
a day ago
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Wayne *******
@Tania *********
 20,000 baht makes Joe the wealithiest man in Liverpool 😃
a day ago
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Tania **********
@Wayne ******
 Yes, they love put all others down saying they are 🙄 weathy…

Wealthy and owner of Thailand…🙄 they love it 😂

pathetic…
a day ago
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Wayne *******
@Tania *********
 I have zero idea why certain people feel they have to get involved in others personal choices and tell them what they would do without being asked 😂

Im going to bookmark Joe and next time Im due a holiday, I'll run it by him where Im going and for how long, then he can advise how much spend I need 😉
a day ago
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Doug *******
@Tania *********
 Indeed. They miss out on life while using money to measure themselves.
a day ago
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Tania **********
@Doug ******
 Frustated for some reasons, in need of show they are/have better , Always ,than other fellows; in need to show in groups, ‘imagining 🙄’ they are like locals 😂 ; normally the ‘money ‘so called , blows out and they finish with a kick in the ass, by locals , the owner of Everything here 😊
a day ago
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Tania **********
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Joe ******
@Doug ******
 20.000 baht spend in 1 day
a day ago
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Jon *****
@Joe *****
 1 day ? You're a cheap Charlie, I spend 20 000 bahts in 1 hour 🙂🤫🤡
a day ago
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Harry *********
@Joe *****
 that is hardly possible on a regular basis unless you are one of the many tourist fools who throw their money about in unnecessary tips to everybody that looks at them
a day ago
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Tania **********
@Joe *****
 Nobody asked you about how you spend and where… be Respectful !
a day ago
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Joe ******
Funny I got a lot of likes people agree with me
a day ago
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Bjørge ********
Joe Kane:Just as big arseholes as you, then those who press like
a day ago
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Timur ******
@Joe *****
 Lunacy is contagious
a day ago
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Timur ******
@Joe *****
 dumbness is contagious
a day ago
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Dan *******
Cringeworthy and creepy. No one to play with ? Go play with yourself.
a day ago
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Dan *******
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Philippe *************
Just out of BKK,and the didn’t ask anything to us,but in the other row the immigration officer asked to some people 🙏🏻🙏🏻
a day ago
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Gregory *********
It doesn't have to be in thai baht. You can carry $600 USD. Etc. So any exchangable equivalent in cash.
a day ago
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Christopher ******
@Gregory ********
 $640 now
a day ago
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Gregory *********
@Christopher *****
 IO wont know...ssshh! :)
a day ago
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Gregory *********
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Wayne *********
a day ago
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TG *********
@Wayne ********
 Lame AI answer. No such thing as a "VOA". Many enter "Visa Exempt".
a day ago
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Sean **********
@TG ********
 incorrect
a day ago
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Karl ******
@TG ********
 I think you just got owned.
a day ago
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TG *********
@Karl *****
 Yep I was mistaken. I thought the VOA was abandoned when the eVisa scheme was adopted. Please accept my most heartfelt apologies 🤣
a day ago
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Karl ******
@TG ********
 no problems for me.
a day ago
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TG *********
@Karl *****
 🤣 I'm still not convinced. Lol.
a day ago
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Reply to
TG *********
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Wayne *********
@TG ********
a day ago
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Wayne *********
@TG ********
 there is VOA for some countries so maybe you need to do some research and educate yourself
a day ago
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Tim **********
@Wayne ********
 well rather than that can you name your source?

Doesn’t look like it’s from a Thai government web site

So yeah, it appears you are cutting and pasting from AI
a day ago
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Wayne *********
Read through the Doha embassy info so you know
a day ago
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Karl ******
@Wayne ********
 sometimes Wayne, you can lead a horses to water but you can't make it drink. These have been the rules I think for a long time.
a day ago
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Wayne *********
@Karl *****
 correct they certainly have. But always those who bury their heads and learn very little about a country they visit or choose to live in.
a day ago
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Sean **********
@Wayne ********
 jeez these people enter the country with blind folds on. There are clear directional signs for VOA whilst walking to immigration.
a day ago
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Karl ******
@Wayne ********
 Just take advise from an All star contributor, your that for a reason.
a day ago
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Wayne *********
@Tim *********
************************************************************************************************************************************************
a day ago
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Wayne *********
@Tim *********
 regardless its the requirements. Upto you to believe or not I dont care
a day ago
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Wayne *********
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Brandon ************
This is not a new rule, far from it. It has been in place for many years.

You do not have to show 20,000 baht. But you are required to have that much to show if you are asked. And it does not have to be Thai baht, it can be in any currency as long as it equals 20,000 baht or more.

There are 3 things required to enter Thailand as a tourist, and these are the same as always.

1) Proof of funds

2) Proof of onward travel

3) Proof of lodging

The rule on the amount is if you are entering visa exempt (without a visa) or tourist visa, you are required to carry 20,000 baht or equivalent in another major currency, or 40,000 for a family.

If you are entering Visa on Arrival (not many countries, they apply for and pay for a visa at the airport) then they are required to be able to show 10,000 baht for an individual or 20,000 baht for a family.
a day ago
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Elías ********
@Brandon ***********
 what about people with visas, such as ED? DTV? Retirement?
a day ago
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Brandon ************
@Elías *******
 DTV maybe, because it's technically a tourist visa. But not for non-immigrant visas like education, retirement, marriage, etc.
a day ago
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Elías ********
@Brandon ***********
 that's a gray area, then. It's technically a tourist visa, but one of the requirements to grant it is to have certain money in the bank for several months. I'd assume it should be more appropriate to show one's bank balance than cash, but who knows. I normally have more than 20K on my TrueMoney always, which is literally like cash for all Thai matters.
a day ago
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John **********
@Elías *******
 it's not literally like cash when entering the country
a day ago
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Elías ********
@John *********
 you mean TrueMoney? From there that app can not only pay almost everywhere, but also transfer to any Thai bank account within seconds.
a day ago
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John **********
@Elías *******
 but it can't supply cash which is what's required if immigration wants to see funds
a day ago
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John **********
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Philip *******
@Brandon ***********
 20k baht is $1k Australian about
a day ago
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Todd ********
@Philip ******
 or $630 USD. Hard to believe people will travel on holiday for a week or two and consider $630 too much. Even eating in ready made 7-11 sandwiches and buying beer all day now can add up
a day ago
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Philip *******
@Todd *******
 I dont know about 7 11 sandwiches but beer certainly can 555
a day ago
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Philip *******
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Robin *******
@Philip ******
 or £470
a day ago
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Graham ******
@Philip ******
 so?
a day ago
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Reply to
Graham ******
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Chris *******
@Brandon ***********
a day ago
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Reply to
Chris *******
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Larry ***************
There have been reports of this happening it doesn't matter if the Royal gazette says it's legal or it isn't legal immigration does what they want this will be done by individual officer one guy at the airport may not ask while the one two lanes over will want to see it they all do it different that's the wonderful thing about Thailand immigration they read from the same playbook
a day ago
Reply
Carsten ************
@Larry **************
a day ago
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Jim *******
@Carsten ***********
 helping your uncle Jack off a horse/ helping your uncle jack-off a horse.

Another useful example.
a day ago
Reply
Trav **********
@Carsten ***********
 Ha,ha,ha, yep. There was no place I could take a breath until I finished. 🤣
a day ago
Reply
Reply to
Trav **********
Reply
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