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What is the typical amount to 'donate' when dealing with police for a marriage visa application in Thailand?
Thailand marriage visaDonation requestsPolice visitVisa application processBribery in ThailandExpat experiencesVisa-related expenses
Dec 25, 2025
4 months ago
Keith ****
ORIGINAL POSTERHappy Chritmas to ya'll.
The police just called and are visiting tomorrow ref marriage visa application They asked for a donation. Can anyone recommend what amount one would normally donate in such instances
Thanks
The police just called and are visiting tomorrow ref marriage visa application They asked for a donation. Can anyone recommend what amount one would normally donate in such instances
Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a situation where a person is inquiring about the customary 'donation' or payment that is often requested by police during a marriage visa application visit in Thailand. Comments reveal a range of opinions, with some suggesting specific amounts (e.g., 500 to 2000 baht) while others argue against giving anything, viewing it as a form of bribery. The conversation highlights differing experiences among expats, with some reporting no requests for donations, while others feel it smooths out the process.
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John *******
So many answers encouraging bribing police! Do the police officers have the right to deny a lawful application for something in Thailand?
IndigoG********
I had to get fingerprinted during covid in CM...she asked for a donation...I got my prints and gave her the donation in front of her entire staff and got the heck down the road....she was stuned
David ************************
Ask for a receipt and see what happens.
Olav *********
Here in Lori they came and did not ask for anything.
Area *************
Red enveloppe such as Chinese hong bao then 2000 each one. Maybe ... That's a thai standard.
Jim **********
One thousand per officer
Ishbel ***********
Wow I’m lucky they never asked for anything from us.
John ***********
I look at it this way, at least they are not asking to consummate the wedding by sleeping with the bride before the marriage in the name of the king like they use to do in England.
Daniel **********
Give them 2,000 in an envelope. If you don't, the same thing could happen to you that happened to me. In the end it cost me much, much more. I also was renewing my extension O visa (marriage).
Nick ************
Donate after you have what you need from them. That is what I do for immigration officer. Usually something other than money. That way you are saying thankyou for their help and not trying to influence their decisions.
Samuel *******
@Nick ***********
why need to donate? Wtf. Donation is a choice. Why you have to give when you don't want to? It's like a bribery! And they asked for it? So silly. Your money, your choice. Their gov pay em for the duty. Why still need to begging foreigners for money. Wtf is wrong with them??Reply to
Samuel *******
Reply
Dany ********
you go to one of the immigration office websites and download the „NO GIFT POLICY“ image and then print it on A3 or bigger and put it where they will 100% see it. Maybe multiple printouts.
Daniel **********
That's foolish.
Dany ********
just compliance 🤣
Reply to
Dany ********
Reply
Mark **********
If you give once they will expect the same every year
Jack *****
8k for yellow book..2500 for marriage documents.. then lunch for village head man...too much tea money...sheesh
Jo **********
500
Jorge ****
The best 1000 THB ever spent. Put it in an envelope and hand it over with a smile. Do as the Romans do.
Michael ********
When in Rome do as the Romans do, that old saying is still prevalent today ! Thais expect, from Thais, and farrang, farrang have more money, so larger donation.
Tim ********
I just arrived in Thailand about 3 hours ago. Dec 25th about 11:15 PM No line had a O visa did my digital card they didn't ask questions in and out in less then 10 minutes well except for luggage. Staying 120 days. Will probably leave in 60 or 70 days for week and come back and get visa exempt to cover until April 22. It turned out to be the easiest thai entrance in 15 years
Mark *********
Ha loey.
Brandon ************
1000 baht is what I've seen mentioned in other posts.
Anne *******
Ask for a receipt for tax purposes.
Michael ********
4 bottles of Chang
Marc ********
1000
Dave ********
Just ask how much and half it. Job done
Jim *********
You could always donate the wife .
Michael *******
I invited them in when they came to us! I opened a few beers! 🍺
Vivek ********
1000 baht if u can give them a bottle this is enough
Jay ********
Put 1,000 thb in an envelope
That’s all you need to do
Don’t ask questions
Just go with the flow
TiT
That’s all you need to do
Don’t ask questions
Just go with the flow
TiT
Daniel **********
Yes, but 2,000.
Daren *********
@Jay *******
Totally disagree. By doing that you are just encouraging this kind of corruption. I have never been asked in 22 years. Offer them a chair and some water. That is it.
Daniel **********
@Daren ********
only a fool would do that. I refused also and learned a big lesson. It ended up costing me tens of thousands and 3 trips out of Thailand and back, and something else which I won't get into here.Daren *********
@Daniel *********
Follow the rules and there will be no problem in your applicationReply to
Daren *********
Reply
Albert *************
@Daren ********
Bottled water or from the tap?Daren *********
@Albert ************
From the tap of course. You don't want them to stay for too long.Reply to
Daren *********
Reply
Graham ******
Ask them for a receipt or a photo with the handover 555
Phil *******
Petrol money ?
Daren *********
Don't give them nothing. I certainly didn't give them a single baht.
The only thing I ever gave them was a glass of water.
The only thing I ever gave them was a glass of water.
Christopher **********
“Don’t give them nothing.” = Do give them something.
So a single baht was insufficient so how much do you give them?
So a single baht was insufficient so how much do you give them?
Daren *********
@Christopher *********
WaterReply to
Daren *********
Reply
CreativeCr***********
The district office ask the same, paid 1,000 baht and got married.
Gordon *********
Ask them to sign for it
Daniel **********
That's ridiculous. You don't know things work here.
Gordon *********
@Daniel *********
sorry 20 years here l know they won't signReply to
Gordon *********
Reply
Daren *********
@Gordon ********
Or take a picture of them receiving the donation.Reply to
Daren *********
Reply
David ******
4 bags of rice .
Sam ******
20 baht each, it all adds up... all you old gits advising to just do it... you rely on attention so will pay for anything!
Dan *******
Ours just visited and didn't ask for anything
Chris ********
Cheaper to donate in long run 🤣
Antonio *********
2,000 Baht and a bottle of Regency
Tom *******
Local taxation 😂
Michael *******
Let your wife deal with it…..
Bob **********
Two bottles of water
Ricky *******
500
Radius ******************
I heard 2000 baht is the going rate for "excellent police service" in future needs
Martyn ***********
I recommend 'donating' it will seriously smooth out your process. Normally it's a proper nightmare, don't donate now and they will have you spinning around in circles and getting nothing done.. Look at it as an opportunity to smooth process....
Brandon ************
@Martyn **********
actually it'll cause more problems with the wife if he didn't donate and she finds out they asked.Keith ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Martyn **********
appreciate the advice, thanksDaren ********
@Keith ***
Yes 2000 baht. Only 60 usd and will save you in the future.Daniel **********
Martyn gave good advice. See my post below.
Reply to
Daniel **********
Reply
Paul *********
Make the donation.
Would you say no?
500 baht?
Would you say no?
500 baht?
Brenton ******
@Paul ********
too much, give them 20 bahtKeith ****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
definately not, just wondered what the going rate was for a bride,donationSam ********
@Keith ***
if you're paying the police for something that is legal then you're being mugged off....Paul *********
@Sam *******
Donations are okReply to
Paul *********
Reply
Ron ******
@Keith ***
dowry or donation?James *********
@Keith ***
500 baht perReply to
James *********
Reply
Alex ********
10k
Ray ********
@Alex *******
you are the person who spoils it for every law abiding guy.Only ever give the GOING rate.
No need to show that you're stupid and give way above the norm.
Rob *************
@Ray *******
so what’s “the norm” then big guy?Ray ********
@Rob ************
you sound smart, I'm sure you'll work it out for yourself.Reply to
Ray ********
Reply
Bbc *********
No such things , I will never but don’t mind a bottle of sansong
Barney ********
@Bbc ********
yeah even regencyReply to
Barney ********
Reply
Billy ********
I got married November never had that happen
Rob *************
@Billy *******
wow. And it’s December already!Reply to
Rob *************
Reply
Alex *******
I would say a "donation" could be considered a bribe and that's illegal. I am a foreigner who always obey the law.
Trav **********
@Alex ******
So you are a newbie 🤔Michael ********
@Alex ******
You will get on very well, with that attitude in Thailand !Yo***
@Alex ******
yes, could be considered. just could be.. maybe in your country, the law said a donation could be a bribe. but in Thailand, maybe it is really donation? we do not know. so if you want to find it out clearly by law, go to court with this. The judge in Thiland will make it clear if that is bribe or donation.Greg ********
@Alex ******
chok-deeeeeMartyn ***********
@Alex ******
you've just arrived here?James ********
@Alex ******
Wow , aren't you just the Saint of all farangs.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Jack *****
Which immigration office
Reply to
Jack *****
Reply
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