What are the current financial requirements for obtaining a tourist visa at the Thai consulate in Vientiane?

Aug 26, 2017
7 years ago
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I got my 2nd tourist visa yesterday in Vientiane and I did have to show financial details, so I don't think there is any land crossing now that you can get a 2nd tourist visa without a bank acct without 20,000 baht that has been in bank for 30 days
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recently reported their experience obtaining a second tourist visa from the Thai consulate in Vientiane, Laos, stating they were required to show financial details (specifically, a bank account with 20,000 baht that had been in the account for 30 days). This has sparked discussions around whether such financial requirements are consistent and applicable at this consulate, as other users shared their experiences without facing similar obstacles. The conversation also touches on the general confusion and variability regarding tourist visa requirements across different consulates.
Amornrat **********
No announcement yet, hence I'll close commenting. I do hope that they do not implement this idea in Vientiane.
Amornrat **********
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Jordan ********
Look I did my visa run last week 0 problems.
Tod *********
I knew it was only a matter of time until this thread caught traction and hit the Thai Visa forum :(

Now it's really gonna go outta control :/

********************************************************************************
*****
0-vientiane-wants-bank-statements-now/
Lance *******
Quoting Pink Floyd. This could be made into a monster!
Saoirse ********
My fiancé went to Vientianne Laos 9th August and me on 14th August. We didn't encounter any problems at all.
Tod *********
@Ste***
, know I mean no disrespect to you :) I do thank you for your post and for sharing the information you have. (y)

Please don't take my being an asshole personally ;)
Lance *******
Shit don't blame you. I would lose my sense of humor doing that
David ************
That will come soon. I just boarded a 13 hour flight to London. 18 hour layover, and another 8 to USA. Going to drink into submission.
Lance *******
Hahaha have a Chang that will fix it
David ************
Oh, I guess my sense of humor is screwed up today.
Lance *******
@David ***********
you need to look at his business card it's funny. I think it says I'm an arsehole but i know things.
Lance *******
Yes and has helped me out a lot over the last couple of years. It's called joking Tod gets it
David ************
He was one of the founding people of this group.
Lance *******
@David ***********
how do you come up with that? My arsehole comment? Read his business card. Or calling him a top bloke?
David ************
@Lance ******
You must be new here. Tod Daniels knows this stuff.
Lance *******
Top bloke
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Seems a good guy who wants facts, I suppose anyone could write anything, without facts to back it up they are just words
Lance *******
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
No your not,
Lance *******
Hahaha you're a good asrehole
@Tod ********
Tod *********
Call me a skeptic but until I can call the consulate on Monday or get a hold of a visa run company that lugs foreigners to Vientiane that can confirm this I'm still not quite believing it. :/

If on the off chance it is true, I'll be the first one to say I was wrong and to spread the word about it. :)

BUT to me a single report isn't enough to make it a fact, yet ;) .
Coleman *******
Interested in what you find out. THanks,
@T**
Robert *******
Thanks for the time and effort you will put into this.
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I understand, I am just saying what was asked of me
Tod *********
Do not confuse the requirement to show proof of funds at a land border (when asked) with the fact that SOME thai consulates require people to have 20K baht in the bank to get tourist visas.
Tod *********
Not to say this didn't happen but you're sure you were at the thai consulate in Vientiane and not the one in Savannakhet?
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes it was Vientiane,
Robert *******
How many people got their application denied due no money seasoned on the bank while you where there?
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I saw 3, think they were German
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was there Thu, got my visa yesterday
Tod *********
I'm not saying you weren't, I'm saying there are no reports of it other than yours. I'd bet there were a couple hundred people going thru there the same day as you, surely someone would have mentioned it already.
Tod *********
There are NO other reports from people stating this has happened at the thai consulate in Vientiane, not a single one. Given the HUGE number of people who use that place if this was real it'd be all over the interweb
Tod *********
They told you this 2+ months ago?
Tod *********
@Steven *************
The signage they have posted doesn't mean they're asking for it at the desk when you turn in your paperwork
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes it was posted in office
Paul **********
What sort of date gap did you have between 1st and 2nd SETV.
Robert *******
20.000 Thb in bank for 30 days? It used to be just 20.000 Thb bank or cash not seasoned for 1 month.
Robert *******
Not sure who it is telling you. But it seems you dubble somehow the requirements on your own. Read the comment of Tod: Savannakhet started requiring proof of 20K baht or the equivalent (in ANY bank account) back when tourist visas were free.
Alexandre **********************
So you telling me we need 40k? -_-". 20k bank for consulate. 20k cash for emigration. Cant we just open online bank acc in our phone in their front and show the balance? Either way the thai bank acc req is ridiculous as in normal circustances a tourist wouldnt have one nor can make one before comming thailand.
Robert *******
I know
@T**
. My comment about strange is based on the text that Steven posted out of the expat page. It seems that this rule is for those living in Thailand on back to back tourist visa'a.
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
All I'm saying is I had to show proof of funds that I had 20,000 baht in bank for the month proceeding my application, I had it and got my visa ,
Tod *********
@Robert ******
, Savannakhet started requiring proof of 20K baht or the equivalent (in ANY bank account) back when tourist visas were free.
Lance *******
Yes. But 30 day's
@Tod ********
. Maybe just a jumped up newbie wearing an xl shirt with xs undies
Tod *********
@Ste***
, that also doesn't say he was denied at Vientiane either and it's well known that Savannakhet asks for proof of 20K baht in a bank to issue tourist visas.
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Lance *******
@Steven *************
time to head home or to Aussie for a metv
Lance *******
@Robert ******
that make sense. Just trying to make it that bit harder
Robert *******
Makes it even more strange. So a back packer travels around the world apply for a Tourist Visa in Savannakhet for his first visit ever to Thailand needs a Thai Bank account and a letter confirmed by the Thai Manager. Or is this rule just for back to back tourist visa users?
Lance *******
Most banks wont give you a bank account on a tv
Lance *******
That doesn't say in the bank for 30 day's
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Here is a post from someone in Sakon Nakhon ex pats.......After living in Thailand for more than 13 years and teaching English to students and teachers for 11 years. I did not expect to be refused a 2 month tourist visa at Savannakhet today. Why a 2 month tourist visa? because I am between jobs at this time. Reasons for refusal, I now have to have 20,000 Baht in a Thai bank account with my name only on the book. Have the book updated the day before I go for the visa and have a photocopy of if and a letter from the bank confirming that I have the 20,0000 Baht and have the letter signed by the manager. Having 20,000 Baht in your pocket does not count. So I came back with a 30 day exemption stamp. Which means that I can stay in Thailand for 30 days without any money. but I must have 20,000 Baht if I want to stay 60 days..
Lance *******
That's strange must of been that time of the month.
Steven **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
They say it must be in bank for 30 days prior to application, I was first told this was going to happen when I got my first one
Tod *********
Please explain what you mean with your post.

Were you asked by the officials at the thai consulate for proof of financials OR were you asked at the Nong Khai border crossing to show proof of funds?
Tod *********
Meeting financial requirements at the thai consulates that require it (which last time I checked Vientiane does NOT) is not the same as being asked to show 20K baht when entering thailand at passport control.
Tod *********
you were asked for a bank statement by the people at the window where you turn in your application at the thai consulate?
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