@Lye *********

why ? It's a simple name check. One of the roles of an embassy is to issue visas or travel documents to those applying from that country.

@Jo *********

that doesn't change the fact that it's a written rule. If you replied, 'it is a rule, but I've never been asked in 100 entries' that would be a useful response. To just respond 'i've never been asked' just makes the actual facts difficult to come by. As I said twice already, I've never been breathalyzed driving my car by the police, so by your thought process, drink driving must not be illegal. imagine this post from a visitor to UK;. "someone told me that it's illegal to drink drive in the UK ?" And I reply, 'well I've never been breathalyzed". Can you see how unhelpful my comment is ? Worse than that, it's completely misleading and could land someone in world of shit.

@Martin ****

what are you on about ? 60,000. You are an idiot. A fool. You live here ? Live where exactly ? For how long ? You've passed immigration how many times ? You've been a member of this group how long ?

@Wayne ******

so do you say this is a rule, or is not a rule ? I'll give you a clue - I've never been breathalyzed by the police when driving. Your comment does nothing but add to the uncertainty.

@Carsten ***********

Thailand not a country dealing with cash ? It's one of the largest cash economies. Many businesss, hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, boat drivers. And the more off the beaten tourist trail you go, the less places accept credit cards. Wether you have seen this, depends on the type of holiday you take. When was the last time you paid a fishermens boat or taxi boat driver by credit card ? Or street food (yes you can scan with a Thai account, but credit card ?)

@Colin ********

rules are the rules. You are being told the rules by people that know, and you're now accusing people of being judgemental and looking down their noses at you. If you had listened and accepted the answers given by those helping, this would have ended long ago. So yes this law might be considered decades out of date - ever been to Thailand before ? I guess not. Welcome to Thailand, where rules and regulations and even laws are decades outdated. Why do they want a tourist to carry 20k in cash ? To prove that they have money to cover their stay. That they won't get stuck here begging on the street, or in a hospital bed, or turning to crime to fund their stay, as a number of tourists have done over the years, in well publicized stories - fair enough ? And yes, it can be used to pay for anything. You can throw it in the bin, or put it back into an account. It is an ENTRY requirement only. Credit cards/ATM cards might be invalid, bank statements/screenshots can be faked. Book and pay for accomodation online ? Just 20 years ago, many accomodations did not have 'online booking'. Many that are more remote still don't. And they don't care. I know many places on Koh pha ngan and even Samui don't have online booking, a website, even a phone number. You need to shift your attitude from white, lower-middle class, privileged know-it-all, to something more humble, grateful, patient, understanding. And every idiot that maybe visited once, and posts on here that they didn't get ask so.....are just that, an idiot. I've never been breathalyzed by the police, does that mean it's ok to drink and drive ? Coincidentally, show me where it is written in law that drink driving is illegal. Come on dude, wake the fuck up.

@Jo *********

it's been a rule since forever. Thailand can do what they like for entry/exit requirements. They can introduce or change laws tomorrow morning. Of course they can ask for 20k in cash or equivalent, to show you can cover your own expenses for your trip and won't become a burden on Thailand. Hence they also ask for proof of paid accomodation, and proof of onward travel to ensure that you are able to leave. I don't think journalists the world over will jump at this story. You think you have the right to enter and stay thailand ? Crazy you are.

@Ruth ******

even the 220 baht charged locally By the ATM machines themselves ? I don't think so ...

@Martin ****

yes you can be asked to show 20,000 baht or equivalent. Also proof of paid accomodation. Also proof of onward travel out of the country before your visa expiry.

@Brian *******

just change up a few thousand baht in advance in your home country. Never change at an airport, inside or outside. Also look into getting a wise account (formerly transfer wise).