Answered9 years ago
What are the financial requirements for entering Thailand as a tourist?
Financial Requirements When Entering Thailand
Okay, this topic or something close comes up in a LOT of threads.
This is the Royal Gazette Posting about the financial requirements you can be asked to show when you enter the country.
This has NOTHING to do with the financial requirements that thai consulates require to issue visas, this is only when you stamp into the country.
It should be noted while the rule states that entering visa exempt requires only 10K baht, people who were asked at Don Mueang & Suvarnabhumi had to show 20K baht.
Okay, this topic or something close comes up in a LOT of threads.
This is the Royal Gazette Posting about the financial requirements you can be asked to show when you enter the country.
This has NOTHING to do with the financial requirements that thai consulates require to issue visas, this is only when you stamp into the country.
It should be noted while the rule states that entering visa exempt requires only 10K baht, people who were asked at Don Mueang & Suvarnabhumi had to show 20K baht.
Answer summary
When entering Thailand, tourists may be asked to show proof of funds. While the official rule states that entry via visa exemption requires 10,000 baht, many travelers have reported being asked to show 20,000 baht at the airports like Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi. Cash is generally required, and while travelers often discuss the acceptance of credit cards or travel money cards, immigration officers typically only accept cash. As a precaution, it's advisable for travelers to carry the required amount in cash to avoid potential denial of entry.
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Tod *********
OP@Ste****
, after reading the thai wording, that was my question too. Could a credit card be used to exchange for baht. In theory, I'd weigh in on yes it could at any ATM machine, but it's anyone's guess what an immigration officer would say.
I wonder what would happen if someone pulled this out when stamping in and showed them and also showed them that stampin' in visa exempt only requires 10K baht not 20K.
Tod *********
OPA friend was gracious enough to search around and find the thai version of the proof of funds from the Royal Gazette listing required when entering thailand.
Thank you
Thank you
@M**
, (y) ***********************************************************
*****
.PDF
Mei **********
You're welcome. 😉
Stephen ********
Thanks for for detective work digging that up.
Stephen ********
...ต้องมีเงินหรือเอกสารบรรดาที่จะพึงจ่ายเป็นเงินตราได้...
...must have money or "general documents" exchangeable for cash...
เอกสารบรรดา doesn't quite clear the matter up as much as I'd hoped it might. Certainly does apply to traveler's cheques, as we already knew. But as a credit card can be used as a cash advance, does that fall under that category, legally? Again, I'm just speaking in terms of the wording of the regulation. I'm not recommending it.
...must have money or "general documents" exchangeable for cash...
เอกสารบรรดา doesn't quite clear the matter up as much as I'd hoped it might. Certainly does apply to traveler's cheques, as we already knew. But as a credit card can be used as a cash advance, does that fall under that category, legally? Again, I'm just speaking in terms of the wording of the regulation. I'm not recommending it.
Dee *******
Boggles the mind that in the year 2017 everyone is expected to carry cash into a country full of ATMs and app payment options.
Dee *******
@Robert ***********
Oh man, the Octopus card is great. Hong Kong does a lot of things right.
Robert ********
@Dee ******
Hong Kong is a very fine example of a place which has a card called "Octopus" which that govt has managed to integrate across their entire public transport system (railways, subways, buses, ferries and taxis) and several retail businesses empires. Thailand on the other hand is having difficulty just getting the MRT snd BTS to agree on a single card payment system. I agree the desire is there but they have a long way to go to make this a popular and trusted form of payment.Dee *******
@Robert ***********
Yea, the Thais are slow to move from cash but the Government wants them to go digital. That's what I'm talking about, the Gov wants their people to go digital but foreigners have to carry cash into the country. It's a mixed signal and doesn't make sense, especially since so any people around the world don't carry cash anymore. They should give people the option, show cash or proof via digital means.Robert ********
@Dee ******
personal experience from living here, my banks have discontinued their mobile payment services due to multiple failures. I have had people send me payment via "K-Bank" but that is it. Beyond convenience stores offering digital payments to customers, I see most people still using trusted cash.Dee *******
@Robert ***********
Yes, that could happen. Just like someone with cash could lose their case or get robbed. But the point is, digital is where everything is headed, with Thailand already pushing for a cashless society in the future, but foreigners still need cash while Thais are urged to use PromptPay and other apps for transactions.Robert ********
Most people I know prefer cash and distrust mobile app payment options for fear of hacking.
Barry ******
Just come in by air and be able to use the priority lanes. Business / first class passengers or those on elite visa don't get asked for anything
Kevin ***********
Yea you can use the service for about 1200ish if not flying in business class.
Thomas ********************
I was given this handy leaflet along with my visa. Someone must have decided to end the confusion :)
Tod *********
OP@Tho***
, I actually found the information I posted on the thai consulate in Vietnam's website ;)Stephen ********
"Means of living expenses" is even more vague than "payable document".
Benjamin **********
I have been asked to show 20k but I didn't have and showed my credit cards. That was enough. But another dude had to show 20k but he didn't have the money. They let him borrow the money from other travelers 😕😶😂😂😂 And he could enter the country
Aaron **************
I leave the country on a ED Visa ( Non B visa ) for a wedding in October.
I definitely need to have funds on me then. Thank you for clearing that up.
I definitely need to have funds on me then. Thank you for clearing that up.
Walter *********
WTF is FML???
Aaron **************
Tod Daniels FML !!! Don't know what I was saying 😂😂😂. But yes I have a Non Ed visa . Thanks for clearing that up. Appreciated.
Tod *********
OPyou either have a Non-ED <-(education) visa or you have a Non-B <-(business) visa ;) Never the less you'd need to show 20K baht in cash IF you're asked to by passport control when you stamp int the country.
Cedrik *********
I've never been asked, but USD$300 isn't much, even if you're a budget traveler.
Edward ******
I think valid credit cards are excepted.
Tod *********
OPSorry about that
@Edw***
, :/ I deleted it the comment :) getting the money from an ATM before you board your flight here is a good idea.Edward ******
Here we are talking about credit card, can withdraw $600 from ATM, before Bording for the Bkk.
Edward ******
Just withdraw 20,000 baht from ATM Machine
Edward ******
😀
Tod *********
OPnope, not at the airport if you're asked for proof of funds
Lance *********
so if your on an extension of stay with a re-entry permit you are officially on an non Im visa and would still need to show the
*****
baht - am I correct in assuming this ?
Ray *********
No....IMO... You not on a Non Imm O.... that long expired, you are an extension of stay based on marriage/retirement etc.
Stephen ********
It says "money or payable document" yet doesn't define what a payable document is. Obviously a traveler's cheque would be. But, solely for legal clarification, I'd like to know if a credit card or debit card is defined as such by law. And for that metter a personal cheque.
Stephen ********
I didn't say it was about ASEAN treaties, though that is part of what goes throught that office. The government wants all the laws in clear and correct English so that foreigners can have access to and understand the law. This is a big project they are undertaking.
Stephen ********
I did a job recently for The Office of The Council of State and was told that with ASEAN they are very serious about having all the laws in correct English. I talked with one of the translators. Again, I understand the actual situation at the checkpoints, but you yourself have mentioned citing the law to officers when they have misstated them. I'm not saying this is a get-out-of-jail-free card, but it should be clarified by the authorities what a "payable document" is.
I'm curious to hear what you find in The Royal Gazette.
I'm curious to hear what you find in The Royal Gazette.
Tod *********
OP@Ste****
, english translations of thai rules don't hold water here.I'd hafta google around and get the official thai wording from the Royal Gazette to see what it says in thai.
Stephen ********
I realise that. That's why I was surprised by the wording. It could be used as a legal recourse if lawyers became involved.
Tod *********
OP@Ste****
, I know that the people who were asked at Don Mueang & Suvarnabhumi were asked for cash only.Stephen ********
I know the officers aren't accepting that, but if it comes to a question of legal definition.
Ken *******
Does it have to be cash? most tourists use travel money cards these days...my son is coming into Don Meung next week for 1 week from KL never been to Thailand before...should I be telling him to bring cash?
Tom **************
I would say 100% safer to have the cash on him. I was stopped at Don Meung and denied entry 2 months ago for that very reason.
Tod *********
OPAndy,??? you're not making sense, there is no visa money to enter Lao, you buy a visa on arrival and you're in.
The 20K baht in the bank you are required to show at the thai consulate in savannakhet is to get a visa for thailand ;)
The land borders with lao aren't asking for proof of funds when entering thailand
The 20K baht in the bank you are required to show at the thai consulate in savannakhet is to get a visa for thailand ;)
The land borders with lao aren't asking for proof of funds when entering thailand
Tod *********
OPHenry, they are not asked to show funds, BUT people on Non-Immigrant visas are required to show funds if asked
Henry *********
What about people who have a yearly Extension of Stay/Work permit (and re-entry permit)?
Ken *******
He's arriving 08.30 in the morning maybe the officials will still be in good mode at the start of their shifts...haha.😃 I'll warn him anyway :-)
Tod *********
OP@K**
, the thing is, the people who were questioned and asked to show proof of funds did have lengthy histories of living here on back-2-back 30 day visa exempt and/or tourist visa stamps.It is highly unlikely your son will be questioned if this is his first visit to the kingdom.
I'm just posting what the rules are should an official decide to enforce them
Ken *******
Thanks
@T**
I'll tell him to have the cash on him :-)Tod *********
OPDerek, now now, there were several reports of people being asked for funds, not having it, being denied entry, NOT allowed to use the ATM's and being sent back to where they came from
Tod *********
OPDerek Dawson, sadly, there are no ATM machines on the arrival side of the immigration desk and they won't let you use the one after it
Tod *********
OPIt's listed as cash but traveler's checks will work too as will the equivalent in a foreign currency. A credit card won't, showing your bank balance online won't..
Jason *******
Ive never been asked to show money coming into CNX.
Jason *******
Derek Dawson hahaha well, thank you for that observation! :D You are indeed correct ;)
Tod *********
OP@William *****
that is just a b/s form no one reads :O
William ******
Haven't you declared an amount of money on your entry cad.
Jason *******
Yeah I been hearing a lot about this, so I had the cash on me, just in case 🙂 Other currencies are fine as well as Baht.
Tod *********
OPYou may or may not be BUT if you are that's the amount you need to have on you. ;)
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