@Michael ***************

It's a prudent interpretation of an official poster at Chiang Kong border crossing that you should read accordingly. It doesn't matter how you feel about it, but if you truly felt comfortable in your own (relaxed) interpretation, then you wouldn't be shooting anonymous messengers or making vague defamation threats over something that is easily defended with truth.

Comments like these tend to age poorly,

@Michael ***************

. As a respectful guest I will do as requested: bring all documents (laminated) and able to present the original bank balances at any time.

If (anonymously) advicing others to do the same makes people feel uncomfortable, then that's on them. As with all things Thailand: better too careful than careless.

You sound wise and prepared for the future, Anonymous participant 257.

May your past luck continue to work out for you in Thailand's rapidly changing political/visa climate. I wish you all the best in the art of speculation. One day, you too may be able to give back some of your abundant time and experience.

Your wisdom will be just as valid when posted anonymously and you will have less personal risk (amongst the poor). Another great personal rule to follow.

"First they ignore you, then they call you Anonymous, later they call you an agent. Eventually, they will deport everyone." - Gandhi

Anonymous participant 257 Are you arguing against a message of common sense, or are you motivated to discredit the motives of those helping to protect the community (at no cost), given the amount of posts we see daily?

What is your motivation to believe that visa abuse will continue to remain business as usual after all the news?

@Chris *********

DTV with 500,000+ equivalent in multiple global bank accounts and significantly more invested. Does that make the message stronger or weaker? Common sense has no price; poverty hopes for discounts. Go ahead, risk taker.

Thank you for your opinion,

@Josh ****

. The smell of fear, panic and poverty when Immigration presents an unusually coherent new poster that has everyone questioning what makes a quality tourist for Thailand is something to be studied with full empathy.

@Chris *********

Anonymous posters tend to be more experienced with Thailand and less naive about life in general. Some lessons are learned the hard way, internet anonimity included. Keep making your trips. Survivor bias is real.

@Chris *********

Invested or not, 500,000 THB should not be a meaningful portion of a quality tourist's net worth.

You'll want to have instant access to liquid cash when you find yourself in a tough spot. Try hitting a local on your motorbike in a Thai part of town and see how gnarly things get without being able to settle things on the spot. The police will be involved before you can even explain them what stocks are. It all goes downhill from there.

Immigration knows this very well. Poverty = trouble. Quality tourism only.

Anonymous participant 257 First stage: denial. The new standards specifically exist to filter out those who WERE granted a DTV, but now panic when a measly 500,000 THB bank balance (or equivalent) is deemed a ridiculous expectation. Both your reactions stem from fear and not common sense. Feel free to go ahead and take the risk.