arlflyer

What qualifies as proof of funds for people entering under the visa exemption (such as from the USA)? There doesn't seem to be a thread or discussion on this.

Answers I'm not looking for include "Don't worry about it" and "Well I've never been asked to show proof of funds". Unless I am misunderstanding the rule as written, in which case being told not to worry about it would be fine.

And also, while I'm at it, are there any other oddball requirements for getting into/out of/around this country that I'd never think of but am not aware of? So far I have proof of onward travel, proof of funds, and original credit card used to purchase domestic airfare...what other curveballs are out there?

Tchiowa

You will never be asked to prove funds, but if you are, the credit card is enough. It's only 10,000 THB (~$300US). If you're nervous, carry cash.

But unless you look like a homeless person who just left the street, you won't be asked.

Diplomatico

There's no thread or discussion because no one is ever asked to show proof of funds (oh, sorry, you didn't want to hear that.) It isn't an "oddball requirement" nor is it a "curveball". While it may technically be a rule somewhere in the written immigration minutiae, it isn't enforced.

MSPeconomist

Has the OP checked passport expiration requirements, if that could be considered an oddball rule?

Tchiowa

BTW, for visa free entry, "proof of onward travel" means by air. Reservations for land travel don't qualify. And that will be checked, by the airline before you come to Thailand.

arlflyer

That's fine, and if it came down to it I'd certainly carry cash. But, I don't usually walk around with much more than $20 anyhow, and getting cash before arrival means a ripoff at Travelex as opposed to easy fee-free ATM withdrawals. So I just wanted to know if I absolutely had to do it or not.


It seems like a lot of formerly unenforced rules have been changing lately, so I just want to err on the side of caution.


Sorry you didn't like my choice of colloquialisms. But no, whether or not I'll need a wad of cash to get into the place isn't something I usually have to consider when visiting a country.

And for the record, maybe you consider this a "minutiae", but here is the link to the page on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site that very clearly states the requirement - but doesn't clearly state what satisfies it, hence my question: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/service...Exemption.html


Thanks, all set there!


Understood (thanks to the presence of several good threads on this), and I will have printouts of all itineraries with ticket #s, routings, pax names, etc.


Apologies if this thread came off as needlessly paranoid or whatnot, but as someone who has been watching the current events from the outside in and planning a trip that is now upcoming, it look to me that over the last few months the times have been a-changin' over there, and what may have once indeed been a piece of "immigration minutiae" may the next day become a hard-and-fast go/no-go. It seems that quite a few formerly lax rules have been tightened up lately, and I'd rather be safe than sorry!

transpac

The Thai MFA site says:

Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).

so I assume that if/when asked you would have to show this amount, or the equivalent in some other currency?

People do get asked.

You can grind through the TV forum for experiences.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...when-entering/

Other oddball requirements? Too many to list, and they change daily. If you are Rohingya arriving by boat you may experience different oddball requirements. "Push 'em back, push 'em back, way back".

arlflyer

TV thread seems somewhat inconclusive, or beyond the scope of an honest 2-week holiday air traveler - most of the discussion seems to be around visa runs, land transfers, etc. But, I'll do some more digging.


Heh, thanks for the honest answer.

transpac

TV thread seems somewhat inconclusive, or beyond the scope of an honest 2-week holiday air traveler

Well, to be fair, you did say...

Answers I'm not looking for include "Don't worry about it" and "Well I've never been asked to show proof of funds".

so if you are "an honest 2-week holiday air traveler", then my advice would be to not worry about it, as you will NOT be asked to display the requisite funds.

If you want to plan for every contingency, have the cash on hand, although you will not be asked for it.

Seems simple enough?

arlflyer

Sure, sounds good. Up front, I was simply asking if anyone knew of an official published interpretation or more specific detail regarding the requirement (such as in statute, regulations, etc...). Seeing that this appears to be absent from official sources, then the best available information does seem to be of the anecdotal sort, so I'll assess my tolerance for risk at the time of departure and decide from there, barring any overt policy changes in the meantime.

transpac

or more specific detail regarding the requirement (such as in statute, regulations, etc...). Seeing that this appears to be absent from official sources, then the best available information does seem to be of the anecdotal sort

Well it is absolutely an 'official' Thai government (MFA) requirement, which can be enforced. I carry a local Thai Bangkok Bank savings account book with me, just in case, even though I have never had to use it. I never have 10,000 baht, or the equivalent in cash, on me.

Are you looking for published details in Thai? Or is English OK?

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/service...Exemption.html

- Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must possess adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand (i.e., cash 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).


http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-...941#ad-image-0

During the recent crackdown ( May-ish to September-ish) a colleague flying into BKK for the first time in 6 months, did meet with a few challenges including having to show cash. However, that is but one anecdotal data point, and the desperation for tourists seems to have pivoted back to the traditional laissez-faire attitude.

EmailKid

Glad I didn't know about that rule as until now, as I didn't carry much cash with me on my twice a year trip to BKK (average over last 10 years).

Now that they charge 500 Baht to use an ATM, I do take about $1,000, so if my math is right, I'd be OK in the unlikely event that they asked to see how much cash I have.

There's also a rule that you need to have a forward ticket, and on my first naive trip I had an open jaw IAH-BKK MNL-IAH that I closed by purchasing a ticket in Thailand, yet neither the airline nor Immigration gave it a second thought.

Diplomatico

The ATM fee is 150 thb not 500 thb.

transpac

The ATM fee is 150 thb


Yes, for Visa-logoed cards; 180 THB for MC-logoed cards, as of today.

The fee for cashing each travelers check is 153 THB.

arlflyer

Yes, I'm aware of this. In fact, I already posted the same link myself. The point of this thread was to clarify what "possession" entailed - whether it was cash in hand, the attribution of said value to one's name (e.g. in a bank account), or the ability to procure the equivalent purchasing power of said funds (e.g. with a credit card). The requirement cited does not have that level of depth.


This is useful to know, that a cash requirement has been enforced on a business traveler. Yes, I too would think that they'd not want to be turning away tourists left and right as well, but stranger things have happened.