@Chris *****

Again you might need to broaden your horizons champ.

@Jay ***

Or live in a nice condo in Bangkok and enjoy eating out at the higher end restaurants and like the nicer things in life in which case it won’t be enough.

The notion that you can’t spend 90k baht a month unless you are a drunk womaniser is pretty lame and reflects a narrow perspective.

@Jo *********

Thanks for making my point.

It’s very sad that those Thai and Cambodian people have died.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the question asked by the OP. You know that. But sure, you are the guardian of moral virtue on here. 🙂

When someone asks how to get to Pattaya from Bangkok do you respond with “The roads are dangerous, 60 Thai people died on the roads yesterday, show some respect!” or do you just tell them you can drive it in about 2 hours?

@Jo *********

There’s nothing to worry about for tourists who aren’t heading within 50km of the Cambodian border. You know that’s the context of the question. And your “show some respect” comment is asinine in that context and typical of those called out who instead of acknowledging they’ve been called out clamour for the moral high ground.

Try being an adult.

@Chris *****

Subjective. Parts of Isaan are ok and much of Isaan is pretty poor and dire for an actual holiday or to live. Also there are areas in and around Pattaya that are nice, including some very decent places to stay. Which is why so many Thais stay there. Of course if you are knee deep with cheap Charlies in Soi 6 that’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

But perhaps broaden your mind rather than spitting out contextless drivel?

@Phil *****

No worries. I’ve honestly never had a problem. Barely ever a question. And like most countries I suspect the Immigration staff have certain triggers that they look for including nationality, frequency and general dodginess ;)

I agree for tourists who don’t want any hassle it doesn’t hurt to have your onwards flight details handy and cash or cash equivalents for 20k baht. Plus obviously your hotel address details.

I’m just saying for most legit visitors from most countries I’d suggest it won’t be an issue.

Obviously if you are a veteran of successive border runs and/or look broke or are from a country of interest (focus for immigration) then your mileage may vary.

Cheers

@Phil *****

I am a tourist though in the sense that roughly the 20 times I’ve entered in the last 2 years have been on a Visa Exemption.

I’m simply pointing out my experiences.

If the aim of the page is to simply restate a list on the Thai visa website then it’d be a pretty short page.

Every country has lots of criteria but like Thailand the immigration staff have flexibility in how they apply and enforce that criteria. In the overwhelming majority of cases they don’t ask for your return ticket (they’ve never asked me in 21 years of average 12 arrivals a year into Thailand). They’ve also never asked me to prove my financials but as you are aware that doesn’t require proof of actual baht on you but proof via various possible means that you have the money (as per the link you sent).

Again these “you’ll be stopped at the airport they are cracking down” stories have flared up at different points over the 20+ years I’ve been in and out of Thailand but invariably those impacted are the ones trying to game the system with tourist or visa exempt stays and border runs (while actually really living here).

So as a tourist my experience is lying that I’m not here to visit family or girlfriend isn’t necessary; carrying baht isn’t necessary; having different addresses isn’t necessary etc etc

But I’m not living here, I’m not gaming the system. So for those that are your mileage may vary.

I’d also add that if you turn up at the airport looking like a homeless backpacker you might get more scrutiny too. But that’s a fairly obvious observation in most countries.

But my apologies if the aim of the page isn’t the sharing of personal experiences and instead is simply a mere restatement of what immigration might ask for based on the visa website 🙏

@Phil *****

And adding to my comment to Lynnette - to your point Phil, I haven’t arrived with baht in my pocket in 10 years. And I tend to have 12-24 month leases and stay in the same property each time.

Again this advice seems aimed at those actually living here who are trying to do so without a visa. Not to actual genuine regular tourist/travelers

@Lynnette ******

based on what? I’ve previously had long stay visas, work visas and now I tend to come and go on visa exempt entries as my stays are rarely more than 21 days (average).

I have an established residence. I have a Thai partner who also has an Aussie & Thai passport and comes and goes regularly.

We often arrive together and tell them we are staying at our house.

Some of the advice on these pages lacks any nuance and seems based on the experiences of those who are actually living here permanently and trying to finesse that via all manner of 1-3 day border runs (air or land). Thai immigration aren’t fools.

Is the advice here for regular tourists/travellers or specifically aimed at border runners?

@Sarah *****

Bangkok is awesome but it can take some time to appreciate its awesomeness. I mean it’s one of the best cities around for the things that appeal to people about cities. But if one doesn’t like cities it may not be your thing.