Answered9 years ago
What are the requirements for proof of funds when entering Thailand?
Tip of the Week
PROOF OF FUNDS
Not counting the financial requirements needed to get extensions of stays from the immigration offices inside thailand there are two situations when you could be asked for proof of funds.
One is at a thai consulate when applying for a visa and the other is at an entry point to thailand when you're stamping in. They are completely different things and require completely different types of proof.
At a thai consulate when you are required to show proof of funds you do so by showing a bank statement with a balance of the required amount. The bank account can be a thai or foreign account and the currency can be in baht or a foreign currency
At an entry point into thailand when you are asked to show proof of funds you do so by showing CASH. That can be in the form of thai baht of the equivalency in a foreign currency.
The actual posted rules for proof of funds when entering the country are;
10K baht entering visa exempt or visa on arrival
20K baht entering on a tourist visa or a Non-Immigrant visa.
Be advised that many officers when asking for proof of funds to stamp someone in on a 30 day visa exempt entry ask for 20K baht (not the 10K baht that it really is).
PROOF OF FUNDS
Not counting the financial requirements needed to get extensions of stays from the immigration offices inside thailand there are two situations when you could be asked for proof of funds.
One is at a thai consulate when applying for a visa and the other is at an entry point to thailand when you're stamping in. They are completely different things and require completely different types of proof.
At a thai consulate when you are required to show proof of funds you do so by showing a bank statement with a balance of the required amount. The bank account can be a thai or foreign account and the currency can be in baht or a foreign currency
At an entry point into thailand when you are asked to show proof of funds you do so by showing CASH. That can be in the form of thai baht of the equivalency in a foreign currency.
The actual posted rules for proof of funds when entering the country are;
10K baht entering visa exempt or visa on arrival
20K baht entering on a tourist visa or a Non-Immigrant visa.
Be advised that many officers when asking for proof of funds to stamp someone in on a 30 day visa exempt entry ask for 20K baht (not the 10K baht that it really is).
Answer summary
In Thailand, proof of funds may be required in two contexts: applying for a visa at a Thai consulate and upon entering the country. At a consulate, applicants must provide a bank statement showing the necessary balance, which can be in Thai or foreign currency. Conversely, at entry points, travelers are required to show cash—the equivalent of 10,000 THB for those entering visa-exempt or with a visa-on-arrival, and 20,000 THB for those on a tourist or non-immigrant visa. Many travelers are not frequently asked for proof of funds, but it remains advisable to comply with these requirements.
47 repliesnewest first
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Ron *******
@Lee *********
. As Tod has answered more than once. You COULD be asked for proof of funds which needs to be in cash or travellers cheques. Having a return flight and hotel confirmation is a totally seperate requirement that if you never had you COULD be refused entry for if immigration required you to prove and you never had it. So too answer your question, if your required to show the funds and you don't have it in cash or travellers cheques, a refusal of entry is highly likely and a return flight and accomodation, won't save your day.
Ron *******
No problem. Enjoy your holiday.
Lee **********
@Ron ******
yes I am. ThanksRon *******
You can arrive visa exempt and be stamped in for 30 days. You don't need a visa as I'm assuming you are UK citizens.
Lee **********
@Ron ******
now I’m asking if I have to get a visa before arrivalRon *******
You asked if you needed to show proof of finances.
Lee **********
Cash isn’t the problem here as both myself and my mother will be exchanging plenty. My point is the visa as it’s been a few years and a few immigration changes since I’ve flew into Thailand 🇹🇭
Lee **********
So just to confirm. I’m flying to Dong Mueng airport BKK from U.K. with a return flight which I plan to leave 10 days later. Do I need to show proof of finances as well as my hotel which I already have booked? I intend to book the flight from DM airport to Samui the week before I leave U.K. Does my return flight and booked hotel provide enough proof as the last time I went to Thailand on holiday you could get the visa on entry. So much has changed so just want to make sure of what I need for my 10 holiday there at the end of May. 🙏
Nic *******
Tod would you agree though that you're less likely to be asked for the cash proof coming through by plane? I've never once been asked.
Nic *******
Tod Interesting ... I often come through Samui but sometimes DM or Suv or Surat ... but I also often travel with cash ... I've not heard on the grapevine of anyone being asked for cash coming through Samui but I'm sure it happens! I'd never heard of anyone only being given 15 days at the airport until recently either - so anything might happen :D
Tod *********
OPOther than the southern border crossings (which as a LOT of people) Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi are the places most people are asked AND the places almost ALL the people who were denied entry happened.
That you haven't been asked doesn't mean you couldn't be asked.
That you haven't been asked doesn't mean you couldn't be asked.
Meryl *************
Not to encourage people not to be prepared, but they didn't ask me for proof of funds when I got my exemption stamps. Didn't see any ATMs in the customs area, so I was freaking out beforehand. So if you're freaking out at the airport right now, know you might still have a chance. If you're not at immigration in a Thai airport yet, withdraw cash!!!
Tod *********
OP@Mar***
, One last time, FEW if any people are asked BUT
if you are asked for proof of funds when entering the country you cannot use phone banking, thai or foreign bank accounts, gold card, or anything BUT cash.
Martin **********
Never been ask funds, neither at normal entry, extension, in 30 years...AND IF I WOULD, have my phone banking, with proof of money, on my Thai and foreign bank account, Gold card (which you not get if no funds. Sure, never think it cannot happen to you, but I not know many people asked for funds, but very important is the exact place you stay. Visa, always bank statement.
Francis ********
@Tod ********
thank you mine is a yearly extension.Tod *********
OP@Francis *******
Now I have seen people who hold a year-long, multi-entry Non-O based on marriage (where you border bounce every 90 days to get another 90 day stamp) be asked for proof of funds at the southern land borders BUT that is not a yearly extension..Francis ********
@Tod ********
yes you are right I just wrote it wrong . Thank you . I have never been asked for funds when reenteringTod *********
OP@Francis *******
, you do not have a Non-O married to a thai with a re-entry permit :/ You most likely have a yearly extension of stay based on marriage that you got from the immigration office. I have never seen someone on a yearly extension be asked for proof of funds
Francis ********
So even if I have a non o married to a Thai with a reentry permit I can be asked about funds ? I don’t have any history with back to back tourist visas just non o back to back
Tod *********
OPAs I posted earlier, FEW (if any) of the thousands of people who stamp into the country every week get asked for proof of funds.
The ones that are asked usually have extensive histories of living here on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visa stamps.
Also the fact you weren't asked doesn't mean the next person behind you in line won't be. It comes down to the immigration officer you get and their mood at that time.
The ones that are asked usually have extensive histories of living here on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visa stamps.
Also the fact you weren't asked doesn't mean the next person behind you in line won't be. It comes down to the immigration officer you get and their mood at that time.
Pierre *********
I had those 20k last time at the airport but damn this is so inconvenient to carry so much cash when travelling. Any report about travel cheques? I heard they should work as proof. At least if you lose it or get stolen you don't lose the 20k.
Tod *********
OP@Nic ******
hang about, like I said there are TWO totally different reasons you might be asked for proof of funds. When you are getting a visa at thai consulate in another country and they require proof of funds you show a bank statement
When you get asked for proof of funds when entering the country you show cash
Nic *******
Ahhhh okay ... thanks!! The consulate pages often just say 'proof' and don't specify what sort. Good to know what the actual law says.
Tod *********
OP@N**
, the way the law is written in thai it clearly states cash in thai baht, the equivalent in a foreign currency or traveler's checks.There was no inter-web when they wrote that law where people could show or download bank statements.
Nic *******
I think the way the law is written you should technically be able to show a bank statement? But in practice they only accept cash?
Tod *********
OPThe way the law is written you could use traveler's checks. I'd just carry USD instead of thai baht.
Gregory ******
Being very new at this, can the funds be in another currency besides Thai Baht??
Tod *********
OP@Gre****
, Thanx for the thanx (y) Believe me though, it is ALL the knowledgeable contributors on this group who take time out of their lives to answer questions for people that make the group what it is..Gregory ******
@Tod ********
thanks Tod. Appreciate all that you are doing to help usTod *********
OPat the thai consulates getting a visa you can show a bank account in thailand or your country
at the border when stamping in you can show funds in thai baht or the equivalent amount in a foreign currency.
at the border when stamping in you can show funds in thai baht or the equivalent amount in a foreign currency.
Gregory ******
Thanks good to know
Armando ************
So i assume that the proof of funds is entirely at the discretion of each immigration officer when crossing the border to re-enter Thailand?
Tod *********
OPFew if any people are asked for it. The southern border crossings are the worst. Most people who are asked have extensive histories of living here on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visa entries
Chris ********
Sorry if this is a stupid question but I thought the funds had to show in a Thai bank for a retirement visa. And does that mean you also have to come into the country with 20,000 baht as well. Apologies if thus is a silly question
Ian *********
I’ve never seen or heard of anyone entering the country with a retirement visa or work visa having to show cash on arrival but with a tourist visa it’s a different proposition as they want to prevent tourists entering the kingdom with a lack of funds
Joe ***********
Holders of Non Immigrant Visas are NOT normally asked to show funds when entering Thailand and this post is not about financial requirements to get Non Immigrant Visas.
Krishn *********
Thanks
@Tod ********
Tod *********
OP@Krishn ********
, sorry, this topic is NOT about proof of funds when getting an extension at the thai immigration office when you are using banked money you show it in a thai bank account.You cannot use the banked money method by a bank account in your country to get a yearly extension of stay. You use a thai bank only.
Krishn *********
@Tod ********
. I little confused.For my non o A(retirement ) visa extension, can I show proof of funds in my home country. As I know it need to show in Thai bank.
Thai bank give almost nil interest rate but my home country give reasonable.
Thanks in advance.
Tod *********
OPnope it was a valid question
@Ch***
, (y) And please never ever be afraid to ask any question about visas or extensions on this group. :)Chris ********
Ok thanks for that, I was getting a bit confused then, and that's not hard haha
Tod *********
OPOkay I didn't cover proof of funds needed at the thai immigration offices to get extensions of stays sorry.
That is a completely separate thing..
If you have a year long extension you got from the immigration office you are highly unlikely to be asked for proof of funds when you enter the country. (I have never heard of a single incidence)
That is a completely separate thing..
If you have a year long extension you got from the immigration office you are highly unlikely to be asked for proof of funds when you enter the country. (I have never heard of a single incidence)
Ben **********
thnx, I was indeed not aware that it could be requested when entering on a tourist or non-immigrant visa.
Can it also be requested when you are on an extension of stay? Like in my case, based on marriage, for which I have shown proof of funds to get the extension?
Can it also be requested when you are on an extension of stay? Like in my case, based on marriage, for which I have shown proof of funds to get the extension?
Joe ********
Thanks, Tod.
Just came to ask about the same thing...
I’m on extension of stay based on marriage with multi-entry permit and am leaving next week for 6 weeks. It would be nice to know if I’ll need to be carrying this much cash when I return...
Just came to ask about the same thing...
I’m on extension of stay based on marriage with multi-entry permit and am leaving next week for 6 weeks. It would be nice to know if I’ll need to be carrying this much cash when I return...
Ben **********
thx
Tod *********
OPI have never read a single report about a person on an extension of stay being asked for proof of funds. BUT in theory they could be because in order to have a yearly extension of stay you needed to at one time have held a Non-Immigrant type visa. But I'd say yearly extension of stay people (or even people on 90 day extensions like people on ED visas) are safe from the proof of funds requests at the entry points to thailand.
Bill ********
Thanks Tod. Very clearly explained!! 👍
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