What are the current requirements for proof of funds and onward travel for entering Thailand as a tourist?

@J *************

google says

@Brett ********

10,000 proof is for the visa-exemption, 20,000 is for holders of tourist visa. . . a VOA must be bought for 2000 Baht and is only valid for 15 days and not extendable

@Greg **********

VoA requires 10K baht proof of funds. Visa Exempt entries requires 20K baht. Fact for 20 years.

@Brett ********

You are wrong! Section 12 clearly states:

@Greg **********

it is the image that is misleading. It is absolutely, positively 20K baht for Visa exempt

@Brett ********

the problem is the inconsistency of Immigration. Even when some will say that the proof of cash for visa-exempt entries is 10,000 THB, actually at the airport Immigration will ALWAYS ask for 20,000 THB, regardless if you enter visa-exempt or on a tourist visa 😎

@Greg **********

yes. Immigration Officers at border entries pay no attention to what individual Immigration offices post on their walls. There are many ways the Immigration Officer at the point of entry can notate refusal of entry. Most common is lack of funds because it is easy to prove and notate. Most people don't carry the cash.

@Brett ********

correct, you have detected the discrepancies in this poster (which was made up by an Immigration office!) . . . . the image is wrong in TWO places: FIRSTLY: If you show up visa-exempt and should get asked for proof of cash, they will definitely want to see 20,000 THB or the equivalent in another major currency. SECONDLY: holders of a Non-Imm-Visaclass will not be asked for proof of cash

@Greg **********

the official law specifies visa categories for this. and there even is the non-immigrant visa holders listed to have the cash.

@Dany *******

I strongly doubt that Non-Imm-O Visa holders will EVER be asked for a proof of cash, but since you are constantly posting all sorts of rubbish comments, I shall decline to discuss this with you any further 😎

@Greg **********

i am not posting any rubbish, i am usually posting facts. and i can link you the official law here real quick. look for yourself if you are clueless:

.PDF

@Brett ********

Stop posting nonsense. . . . . .You don't qualify for a VOA if you are a British citizen

@Greg **********

wrong.

@Rob***

Robert many people come with the intention of getting the 30 day extension. Why allow the extension if you have to pretend you aren't going to apply for it when entering?

Others may be traveling around and plan to leave by land.

@Michael *******

it's you that need to provide the empirical evidence for your claim ;)

@Graham *****

Note, that it was a question and not a statement of fact and "because" or "no" are not answers. There seems to be a lot of conclusion bias here. Are there a lot of expats in Thailand that are so jumpy and defensive?

@Michael *******

evidence of people not being robbed? I wonder who tracks those stats 😂

@Todd ********

I would suggest looking at incidents per capita, which is what matters and the point of the question. If it is known that all the tourists are required to have that much currency in their pockets it would seem that any opportunist would see it as easy picking. Are all expats in Thailand so jumpy and defensive ?

@Michael *******

are all Californians this foolish? Probably not. It’s not them… it’s just you. Every year more newbie travelllers arrive and try to figure it out. Chok Dee

@Ben *****

The fact that it wasn't mentioned to you or that you don't know about it doesn't mean it wasn't required.

@Ben *****

it still is a rule. You not knowing it or nobody mentioning it to you does not cut any ice

@Ben *****

who didn't mention it to you?

@David *********

Thai Immigration

@Ben *****

It only comes up if the Immigration officer has concerns about you.

Which means it's a BS

@Jeremy *******

yea you also wrote "nobody knows if it will reset". You seem very argumentative

@John *********

are you a time traveler?

If so cool…it’s not 1 Jan as I wrote so nobody knows

Unless you the time traveler knows all

@Jeremy *******

there is no mention of reset anywhere in the rules after they moved to 60 days visa exempt, in fact the reset was removed from land border crossings at that time to align them with air entries. The latest guidelines issued to immigration officers with regards to enforcing the current visa exempt rules also contain no mention of a reset. No requirement to be a time traveler, just read the official information

@John *********

This is what I wrote…I know fir a fact you have zero reading comprehension skills

Plus it’s not 1 Jan so nobody knows if it will really reset to zero….in the ancient times before the 60 day visa free exemption stamp it did reset to zero on 1 Jan

If you’re not a time traveler nobody knows until 1 Jan

@Jeremy *******

there is no reset on January 1st

@Greg **********

how do you know

Are you a time traveler??????

@Jeremy *******

*** There is no "reset".

*** There is no mention of "calendar year".

*** There is no two-times limit on visa-exempt entries within a one-year period.

*** nothing "resets".

There are only two extensions possible on visa-exempt entries, within a one-year period.

The first extension will be issued for 30 days, the extension for a second visa-exempt entry will be issued for 7 days

You can theoretically do 4, 5 or even 6 visa exempt entries for short 2-3 weeks holidays, within a one-year period, if you never maximize each stay.

Of course, upon each entry, you should be able to proof your onward travel, a few nights of booked accomodation and proof of cash equivalent of 20,000 THB

@Jeremy *******

I know the new approach towards visa-runners and visa-exempt entries that were officially announced by November this year. There are NO new rules. There is NO reset!

@Greg **********

ok time traveler

@Jeremy *******

Thailand’s recent crackdown on border runs shouldn’t surprise anyone. Those quick hops were a grey area for years, and sooner or later immigration was going to tighten things up. What surprises me more is how many people act like Thailand doesn’t offer proper options for anyone who wants to stay in the kingdom longer.

The truth is, staying in Thailand legally isn’t that hard if you follow the right path. If you plan to stay more than sixty days, a tourist visa exists exactly for that: sixty days on arrival, extendable to ninety. For more flexibility, the DTV visa allows remote work and longer stays. Beyond that, there are plenty of other options for long-term residents: education visas, retirement visas, work permits with business visas, the LTR program, and more. Thailand has a visa for almost every type of long-term stay.

For those who claim the visa procedure is “difficult” or “hard,” I’m sorry, but that’s just incompetence or laziness. The system works if you take the time to do it properly. And keep in mind: for foreigners, applying for a Thai visa is generally much more relaxed and straightforward. Thai people, on the other hand, often face strict scrutiny when applying for visas abroad. The Schengen visa for Europe, for example, is notoriously difficult to get.

Here’s my advice for anyone applying for a visa at a Thai consulate:

Dress appropriately and be polite. First impressions matter, and consular staff notice respect.

Keep documents neat and undamaged. Cracked or folded paperwork can be grounds for rejection.

Prepare carefully. Double-check that you have all required forms, photos, proof of funds, travel insurance, and supporting letters. Missing paperwork will cause delays or denial.

Know your travel history. Frequent border hops can raise red flags. A clean passport history helps.

Be clear and consistent. Answer questions truthfully and consistently regarding your travel plans or purpose of stay.

Give yourself time. Visa processing can take days or weeks depending on the consulate.

Stay organized. Keep copies of everything you submit for your records.

I also keep seeing people say Thailand is “done,” that the expat community is shrinking, and that everyone is moving to Vietnam or Cambodia. Most of the time, this isn’t a real migration. It’s people who relied on border runs for years and are frustrated that they finally have to apply for the visa they should have had from the start. They created the problem themselves and now blame the government for enforcing rules that have always existed.

And this pattern doesn’t stop with Thailand. These same people will go to another country, skip the visa rules, and then complain once that country enforces proper procedures too.

One more thing: your passport history matters. Immigration notices frequent in-and-out hops, and it can lead to questioning or denial. A clean passport shows you’re following the rules instead of stretching them.

Thailand isn’t closing its doors. It’s simply asking visitors to follow the proper visa routes. Do that, and the kingdom is still as open and welcoming as ever.

@Jeremy *******

You should refrain from thinking in terms of "calendar year"

I would rather say that all visa-exempt stays within the recent "1-year period" will be considered when you attempt another visa-exempt entry

Just think about it, if a “calendar year” count would be in effect:

This would allow 157 days BEFORE New Year, and 157 more days AFTER New Year, totaling in a 304-days consecutive visa-exempt holiday inside Thailand.

The mind boggles.

Do you really believe that Thai Immigration sums up the amount of visa-exempt stays in "calendar years"?

It won't make much sense

@Greg **********

in the ancient times it reset on 1 Jan

But I guess you already knew that but just pretend to not

I mean you’re a time traveler that returned to 17 Dec to give us all this future information

@Jeremy *******

just relax, don't panic. By next year you will see that EVERYTHING I wrote here, is true 😂 My sources are not time travellers, my sources are Immigration Volunteers

@Greg **********

ok time traveler

You know everything

Sure

@Jeremy *******

I am following Thailand related topics in visa-advice forums and groups since 25 years. My source is Immigration Volunteers. I know what I know. And so far I will not discuss this with you any further. Have a nice day!

@Greg **********

blah blah blah blah blah

Time traveler know all sending information back from 1 Jan

@Greg **********

I have no idea what that means.

@David *********

a visa and a stay permit are two completely different things

@Greg **********

Okay, I'll bite: what's the difference?

@David *********

The DIFFERENCE between a VISA and a STAY PERMIT

*** When a VISA is issued by a Thai authority (embassy or consulate), it always has an EXPIRY DATE (visa must be used by). The period within which the VISA might be used for an entry is called the VISA VALIDITY.

Generally, single-entry visa categories have a validity of three months from the date of issue.

*** When you enter Thailand on a VISA, you receive a STAY PERMIT stamped on your passport. This gets clearly indicated on the entry stamp, which says “admitted until” and the date in blue ink, and the visaclass or exempt entry you used marked in the upper right corner)

The entry stamp is NOT a visa!

The DURATION of the authorized stay depends on the visa category used.

There are various visa categories that allow stays for 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days.

***The visa itself becomes invalid upon entry. Very few people are aware of this!

A single-entry visa is only good for one entry, after that, it has expired.

Only "multi-entry" visa categories might be used for multiple entries during their validity period.

***Therefore, after entering Thailand, you are NOT in Thailand on a visa, but have been stamped a temporary stay permit.

***There are several ways to extend this temporary stay permit.

The correct term for this is applying for an "extension of temporary stay permit."

Unfortunately, Thai immigration officials, in their poor English, often refer to it incorrectly as a "visa extension." This is simply infuriating for people who give visa advice and have to fight against the windmills of ignorance. A visa cannot get “extended”, this is technically impossible. Only a stay permit can get extended.

@Greg **********

well explained, thank you

@Todd *******

I shouldn't have to. It shouldn't be this complicated. Simple as. Not this BS..... oh, it might be 7 days. Or if you're lucky 30. How can you plan with this nonsense. Absolutely stupid.

@Darren *********************

It's not complicated. Make your flight for 60 days and don't count on any extension. Problem solved, done and dusted.

@Brandon ***********

that is precisely what we have done for our next trip im January. Would have been nice to stay a bit longer but didn’t want to risk paying crazy expensive return flights home.

@Brandon ***********

Probably worth checking out the gentlemans comment below, as you've failed to give a clear answer to mine and a lot of others predicament.

@Darren *********************

I answered the question for you. If you are worried, then plan for 60 days and you won't have to worry about the extension.

@Brandon ***********

Why should I? When I'm entitled to a second extension and wanna be here longer. Although it 'might' be 30 days, or could be 7, or even better, nothing at all - as not guaranteed, if the immigration officer doesn't like my smile. Complete joke and BS. Shall I claim back my lost airfare from em? Yeah..... exactly - no chance.

@Brandon ***********

that's fine to say, but what if you haven't had any history of staying in Thailand that will cause any questioning by Immigration Officers and you want to stay between sixty and ninety days?

I rarely fly, but from my experience in the middle of 2023, when I booked a return flight to Thailand and had an unavoidable change of circumstances, I lost $AU600 in cancellation fees, of an airfare that cost me somewhere around $1,200 (that was through a recognised Travel Agent 50% by Agent 50% by Airline). Not having definitive, specific Rules that makes it clear to everyone where they stand, can make it very difficult, depending of course, if you have a 'history' that IO's might scrutinise.

There seems to be a variety of interpretations and opinions as to what can and can't be done since the new 'guidelines' were announced a month ago by Thai Immigration,so "Problem solved, done and dusted", I don't think so.

@Colin ********

Thanks for the comment. I'm pleased that you understand where I'm coming from with my comments on the situation. 👍

@Darren *********************

no worries. I understand Brandon is providing a comment based on Thailand's Immigration rules, but with them so often not applying them, some Officers taking a bit of cash to 'look the other way', then the new guidelines set out in November (which is more about stamping out cybercriminal activities and trying to live in Thailand without the appropriate Visa), everything is, in the eyes of many foreigners, as clear as mud.

I don't know where you're up to in your plans to visit Thailand, your history of visiting the country, or where you plan to visit, but you perhaps have a couple of options, which may or may not require extra planning compared to what you wanted:

1) stay a maximum of sixty (day of arrival counts as day one)

2) If you don't anticipate another trip to Thailand within a year of the currently planned trip, maybe in the last thirty days of your 60 day Visa Exempt entry, using a bus ticket purchased before you leave home, go to Laos or Malaysia (I believe a train also runs from Bangkok into Malaysia) and return a day or two later and get another Visa Exempt entry into Thailand. Due to the Myanmar internal conflict and Thailand's border conflict with Cambodia, they are probably not recommended, though flights between Thailand and Cambodia are no problem at the moment.

3) if you want a longer than sixty day holiday before flying home, maybe fly to from Thailand to Vietnam, Malaysia, or another South East Asian country with a flight then back home.

Good luck

@Colin ********

Even if you book a flight for 90 days and can get the 30 day extension, the rules still say onward travel must be within the number of days you will be stamped in for, because an extension is never guaranteed. That's what the bus ticket is for, incase they ask you on entry. Or if your airline asks which is more often than immigration.

@Brandon ***********

ok, so that's the rules, but how often do Immigration Officers strictly apply the rules, such as proof of funds outward tickets and accommodation bookings, especially towards genuine tourists who don't have any history of abusing or 'playing' the system? Thailand really should do something to stop all the confusion among tourists, perhaps removing the option of extensions for tourists. That way, visitors know exactly what is the maximum time they can spend there. This isn't something that has affected me and probably never will, but I can see where it causes issues for people that can take more time for holidays.

@Brandon ***********

The system is absolute BS Brandon. What kind of stupid method is that. So I can only buy my flight ticket to London once I know the decision on my dates from the IO. Instead of buying it 3 months in advance for around 15k, I'll probably be paying more than 20k now. All because their rules are indecisive. Great.

@Darren *********************

So get a visa to cover the duration of your stay, not complicated is it?