Thailand forum
New 'proof of cash' requirement to enter Thailand - or is it?
Have questions? Jump to our menu of forum quicklinks
Add your reply
You need to be logged in to add a reply.
Not a member? you can join here.
Welcome to Travelfish, original Asia travel intelligence you can trust
Menu
busylizzy
Joined Travelfish
31st December, 2007
Location New Zealand
Posts 1874
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
I have just received a travel news article that has indicated that as of 19 Feb, tourists must carry a minimum of 10,000 baht when they arrive in Thailand.
I did a quick google search for more info (very slow and limited as I am on dial-up! argh!) - and only came across a discussion on Thaivisa.com, which suggests that this may be an old, legacy requirement rarely enforced. So I'm not so sure but just thought I'd raise it here for discussion.
As per the original post on thaivisa.com, the requirements are:
"We have been informed by Immigration Department, Bangkok that to be in line with the regulation imposed by the Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Thailand, with immediate effect, all passengers arriving in Thailand must have sufficient funds as follows to show at the immigration before entry is permitted.
1. Transit Visa holder: Must hold minimum THB 10,000 per passenger or THB 20,000 per family.
2. Tourist Visa holder: Must hold minimum THB 20,000 per passenger or THB 40,000 per family.
3. Visa on Arrival: Must hold minimum THB 10,000 per passenger or THB 20,000 per family.
4. Non Immigrant Visa holder: Must hold minimum THB 20,000 per passenger or THB 40,000 per family.
The above funds may be held in any permitted currency.Kindly adhere to the above as insufficient funds on arrival could result in refusal to enter Thailand."
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Requirements-Enter-Thailand-t340437.html
What do others know?
#1 Posted: 23/2/2010 - 03:33
------------------------------
As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.
fondo
Joined Travelfish
23rd June, 2006
Posts 124
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Well busylizzy, the thaivisa discussion brings up a couple of salient points and, in the end, the whole thing looks pretty well meaningless to me.
One reason is that most tourists probably won't even have a visa, they'll have a 15 or 30 day visa free period. The apparently 'new' regulations don't seem to cover that.
Another reason is that surely if you've got an ATM or credit card you've probably got the money.
I don't actually know anything (!), but I certainly wouldn't be losing any sleep over this one.
#2 Posted: 23/2/2010 - 06:29
Advertisement
exacto
Joined Travelfish
12th February, 2006
Location United States
Posts 2048
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
if memory serves, this isn't exactly an entirely new regulation. the thai consulate in los angeles, for example, requires that visa applicants from some countries submit proof of funds (bank statement or such) with their visa applications, although they do not require US passport holders to do this.
i think the key in the link from lizzy's post above is the phrase "at the immigration officer's discretion", so that thai officials will have just one more tool available to keep out certain folks. i agree with fondo that this won't really be an issue for the vast majority of independent travellers, although it might be a good enough reason to wear something a bit nicer when crossing the border! cheers.
#3 Posted: 23/2/2010 - 08:11
Risha
Joined Travelfish
23rd February, 2010
Posts 20
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
These are definitely not new regulations. Proof of cash upon entry in Thailand is as old as the donut. It all depends on the immigration officer whether or not they are actually going to ask - which is extremely rare.
#4 Posted: 23/2/2010 - 14:55
mullup
Joined Travelfish
5th February, 2005
Posts 18
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
If you rock up to immigration looking like a down and out... expect to be asked.
CC would suffice in this otherwise extraordinary event.
#5 Posted: 25/2/2010 - 20:56