What are the current challenges for DTV holders entering Thailand?

This worries me in the fact I'm meant to have cash ?

I mean I carry a small amount. However in this day and age, why carry loads ( and potentially not be insured) or targeted for theft?

I have plenty on credit cards, in banks etc and plan to use atm and credit cards.

Ive just got back to UK, after a fabulous holiday. Maybe I will try Vietnam next time instead...

To all the people who think thailands tighter immigration is overboard, you obviously haven't dealt with another country's immigration. To get my Thai girlfriend a visitors visa to New Zealand they dug right into her private life. I had to sponsor her, meaning i was liable for her costs including health care, and the cost of her deportation if she breached the conditions of her visitors visa... now we're onto a relationship visa it was full on disclosure of everything. I understand that Australia is as bad if not stricter. Thailand is just doing a fraction of what other countries are doing and in my opinion it's a good thing.

The most significant concern for Thai Airport Immigration regarding Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) holders often revolves around the legitimacy of their remote work or cultural activities and the misuse of the visa to work illegally for Thai entities.

Here are the key concerns and areas of scrutiny:

• Misrepresentation of Activities: The DTV is for remote work (for non-Thai entities) or specific "Soft Power" cultural activities (like Muay Thai or cooking classes). Immigration officials are scrutinizing DTV holders who may be:

• Falsely claiming participation in cultural courses without actually attending.

• Working for local Thai companies, which is not permitted under the DTV and requires a separate work visa and permit.

• Using the DTV as a way to reside long-term while doing unauthorized, on-the-ground work.

• Financial Scrutiny: Applicants must show proof of sufficient funds (currently 500,000 THB). There is a crackdown on fraudulent applications, including cases where applicants "rented" funds to meet the requirement. Immigration may look closely at the authenticity of financial proof.

• Past Visa History (Especially "Visa Runs"): DTV holders who previously had a history of frequent visa runs (repeatedly leaving and re-entering on short-term/visa-exempt entries) or prior overstays may face increased questioning. Officials might suspect they are using the DTV to legitimize a prior pattern of improper long-term stay.

• Proof of Remote Employment/Activity: Especially during the initial entry or re-entry, some DTV holders have been pulled aside and asked to provide evidence of their remote work (e.g., employment contract, professional portfolio, or evidence of course enrollment).

In short, the overarching concern is ensuring the DTV holder is genuinely using the visa for its intended purpose—remote work or cultural engagement—and not exploiting it to circumvent proper work permits or long-term residency requirements.

To ensure a smooth entry, DTV holders should be prepared to present:

• A valid DTV visa in their passport (and the old passport if the visa is in it).

• Proof of their remote work or cultural activity enrollment (though this may not always be requested, it's best to have it).

• Proof of sufficient funds (such as bank statements, if requested).

• Details of their accommodation and onward travel (if not staying for the full 180-day period).

I flew into Suvarnabhumi from Phnom Penh yesterday and the immigration officers seemed to be putting a lot of travellers through the ringer and asking a tonne of questions, several were taken away I assume for further questioning. I got in ok using the DTV but I was asked a lot of questions ie. how long had I been in Cambodia, what was I doing there and did I know there is a war on the border right now! I also had to show an onwards ticket which I fortunately had to Laos and was also asked why I was visiting Laos, I just answered everything politely but it was quite an uncomfortable experience as I’ve entered at Suvarnabhumi 6 previous times on the DTV with no hassles. I think all travellers are getting caught up in the crackdown on multiple visa exempt entries and I think I copped an officer who was pissed off with Cambodia given the deaths in the border war overnight.

Per person? That's kind of alot ..... I only brought 20k THB cash n 300sgd for 3 of us when we went Krabi. I mean who would bring 60k cash on them for a family of 3? Weird right? Most of the restaurant n food places can be paid via cards. Don't see them checking us at all.

Surprised many of ya'll believe this made up story. He posted this 2 hours ago, which would have been roughly 8 or 9am in Thailand, but calls it "tonight"? And, he happened to have just the 20k cash? Which currency? Hmmm, right. And find it interesting these people always witness the denial and "deportation" of 10 or 20 other people "in the same room". Never seen that before, and pretty sure that's not how deportations work.

If this is true they’re really trying to scare people off and choose other much easier neighboring countries to stay long term.

Came in at Don Muang yesterday for the 5th time since october. First time they asked for my DTV visa. Smiled & stamped all good.

assuming this isn't a troll post, this is wild.

edit: 20k bht makes sense. thought you meant usd.

I feel bad for the gym owners. I wouldn't want to be on-call for my student's immigration needs.