@Lynnette ******

in 1979 it was realistic to require a certain amount in cash as you needed to pay your entire holiday from the amount. In 2024 people do not carry 20k in their wallet. It is way too much to require. If you think it is normal to carry this amount, maybe redo the math?

@James ******

so you can't read it? How did you reply to it then?

@Thaimer *****

you may need cash every now and then (whether this amount is needed is up for discussion) but you don't need to carry all of it at once right. It's not that cash is the safest thing to carry a lot of in your pockets.

@Lynnette ******

all true, but the point is that (officially) it is required to be in cash. Hence the question.

But obviously the requirement is unrealistic. It may not have been in 1979 but it is very unrealistic today. And everyone knows that, immigrations officers as well.

Can you imagine what happens if one person is refused for having money in the bank? It wouldn't go down well.

Not so long ago the Thai authorities investigated a supposed case where someone was refused entry for the said reason, as they too understand it is a little strange to ask for that. The outcome of the investigation was that it had not happened; the influencer posting it had just made it all up.

@James ******

the one referred to in the opening post, for instance.

@Colin ********

ah right.

Then either have it mailed or go for the switch.

@Kev ********

"should" is a strong expression, you can switch visa types if that's how things play out. But why not get the visa that you need upfront? That's how it's supposed to work; switching has been made possible for edge cases but you don't seem like one as you already know that you want to stay for longer. If you get your visa upfront, the terms and conditions that you'll encounter along the way are better suited. For instance, for your tourist visa you'd need proof of onward travel, for longer visas you do not. With a tourist visa, it will be hard if not impossible to open a bank account, which you then, depending on the visa you aim to switch to, may need. If you come with the right visa, you can open the account and comply with the extension conditions without trickery.

In principle you can do that, but obviously switching to a new type of visa comes with conditions.

Why not get the visa that you need upfront?

No, you cannot extend for 40 days. It's 30 days. The rest of the plan is sound.