Did anyone see the documentary about the guy, I think he was Canadian m, but can't swear on that. Anyway he was flying passenger commercial aircraft on bent pilots licence. Hee was found out eventually but the thought of being eight miles high with an ex truck driver at the controls oooh! Scary.
If a passport has less than six months valid some airlines will not accept depending on where you want to travel too. Also most if not all countries that you apply at their Embassy or consulate for visas required a minimum of six months on application. Seeing as most passports last ten years, forfeiting less than six months is better than refusals anywhere.
I've read they only want to see the 500k THB or equivalent in any bank account. Ppl have also commented that they aren't concerned where it comes from, all they want to see is a bank statement showing the required balance.