20,000 Baht in cash to enter?

[Thaiboxer]

Hi Guys,
Only 25 days to my trip (pretty excited by now ) so on Wednesday last week I went to the consulate to pick up my Visa. The lady who worked there duly stamped my passport and relieved me of £28, and then handed me a letter and ushered me out of the door. When I had a chance later to actually read the letter, it stated at the bottom something like

"upon arriving in Thailand, a single traveler must have 20,000 B on their person"

Whats this all about? Is it enforced? I was hoping to travel light cash-wise and change my money in Thailand, as I heard the rate was better.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Sam

[Datsun]

Sounds strange, I stayed for 2 months last year on tourist visas (did one visa run) and didn't have to show anything, no return tickets or anything else.

[MrDK]

I believe those are the official rule, but I have never heard about them being enforced.
I also believe it should be equivalent so pounds, dollars, Euros, etc. should do as well .... if at all it is ever enforced.

[Thaiboxer]

So you think I shouldn't bother?

Whats the worst that can happen if I don't and get stopped?

[Datsun]

Originally Posted by Thaiboxer

So you think I shouldn't bother?

Whats the worst that can happen if I don't and get stopped?

Take an amount of pounds or euros equivalent to 20.000 bath with you, then you are set.

[Dupree00]

Originally Posted by Thaiboxer

So you think I shouldn't bother?

Whats the worst that can happen if I don't and get stopped?

Firing squad.

























Well you did say the worst.

[MrDK]

Personally I travel with about that much in US cash anyway, but have never been asked.
If you didn't plan on that amount of cash, I wouldn't bother.
Just make sure you have a credit card and you should so just fine.

[Thaiboxer]

Thanks for the advice guys

Appreciated

[Nicke]

Be prepared to show your ongoing/return ticket though, if you dont have a visa for Thailand. Last year I had to show my visa in Thailand everytime I left KL for Phuket, not this year though.

[marc26]

this unrelated but i was next to a guy one night in Canadian immigration in Vancouver
the absurd questions they were asking this guy about money was insane

they asked him how much in his bank
when he replied 30k usd, the girl asked if he could go get it now

it was so absurd

[K2]

Originally Posted by Thaiboxer

Whats this all about? Is it enforced? I was hoping to travel light cash-wise and change my money in Thailand, as I heard the rate was better.

You don't need 20k in THB cash - 20k THB is ~330 quid so not a huge amount. I'm sure they would accept it if you show them valid credit card(s) and/or ATM card(s) should they ask to show the money.

Definitely change your money in Thailand. (Current rate GBP/THB --> 61.55).

[Evilbaz]

Things have changed marc26.
I landed in Vancouver with the princely sum of AUD $90 - they let me through because I had a paid trainfare with meals to Toronto and a letter of confirmation of a job.
Mind you this was in the days when the Aussie dollar was worth $C 1.12 and $USD 1.20 and you were a twinkle in your father's eye. 5555

[cybernator_uk]

I just did my visa run to Poipet, Cambodia and had about 2000 baht on me, no credit card or bank card and you know what, I didn't even see the stamps go in my passport, let alone be asked for money. Next time I'll take the 20,000 Baht just to be safe.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

I just did my visa run to Poipet, Cambodia and had about 2000 baht on me, no credit card or bank card and you know what, I didn't even see the stamps go in my passport, let alone be asked for money. Next time I'll take the 20,000 Baht just to be safe.

But when you go to Cambodia on a visa run to the border, make sure you take a copy of your confirmed return-trip plane ticket. If you forget it, and cannot produce it, then you are required to pay 200 Baht for a bus ticket back to Cambodia, so you have proved to them that you are able to leave the country when your visa is up.

[bayleaf]

Originally Posted by Thaiboxer

Hi Guys,
it stated at the bottom something like

"upon arriving in Thailand, a single traveler must have 20,000 B on their person" sure it doesn't say 'proof of funds' which is different

Whats this all about? Is it enforced? I was hoping to travel light cash-wise and change my money in Thailand, as I heard the rate was better.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Sam

I think you will find they just want 'proof of funds' so that they know you will be able to afford your trip and not work or find other ways of funding your trip. Therefore mini statement(s) from an ATM in UK showing a balance of over 20000Thb equivalent (£330) should be adequate if requested. However I have never been asked.

[plahgat]

When I made my latest Thai Tourist-Visa in Singapore a few weeks ago I was requested to show that I had the equivalent of 1000 S$(approx. 20000 baht) in cash or a copy of a recent statement of my bank-account showing at least that amount, and also copies of my airplane tickets going both in and out of Thailand!
Never happened before during 21 years of visa-trips!

Plahgat

[jimholio]

Wierd... Would they walk with you to an ATM to get it out? I never had any money on me untill i get to the ATM at the airport.

[bobbycrush]

will i need a visa for six weeks? from the uk.

is it a much better rate in thailand for baht?

[K2]

Originally Posted by bobbycrush

will i need a visa for six weeks? from the uk.

is it a much better rate in thailand for baht?

No - you wont need a visa although for 6 weeks it might be an idea, but in any case you'll be able to extend it here.

Yes - much better rate here in Thailand - currently 61.18 - look at Bangkok Bank box showing rates here in Thailand. ---->

[Crustasian]

Originally Posted by K2

No - you wont need a visa although for 6 weeks it might be an idea, but in any case you'll be able to extend it here.

Yes - much better rate here in Thailand - currently 61.18 - look at Bangkok Bank box showing rates here in Thailand. ---->

K2 your maths is slipping 6 weeks is 42 days.They only give you a 10 day extension on 30 day entry.

I noticed that at Sadao and Satun at the entry back into Thailand they have a sign up stating that travellers should have 20,000 Baht but I have never been asked for it.

It is probably the Visa ofice just giving you the information because they are obliged to do so.

[K2]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

K2 your maths is slipping 6 weeks is 42 days.They only give you a 10 day extension on 30 day entry.

Useful spot there for OP Crusty or he can just make sure his trip is not longer than 40 days (inclusive or entry and exit days).

[gwyd1982]

Originally Posted by K2

Useful spot there for OP Crusty or he can just make sure his trip is not longer than 40 days (inclusive or entry and exit days).

Or he can just pay 500 bht per day overstay fine. Im sure if you only here on holiday then 8 pound fifty a day isnt much, and prob less than applying for the 90 day visa...even if you overstay for a 2-3 days.

[lowerpro]

Originally Posted by gwyd1982

Or he can just pay 500 bht per day overstay fine. Im sure if you only here on holiday then 8 pound fifty a day isnt much, and prob less than applying for the 90 day visa...even if you overstay for a 2-3 days.

Yea thats a silly move, as over stays can go against yea for future visa's if you want to come back to LOS, just better not have over stays on your record .

[gwyd1982]

Originally Posted by lowerpro

Yea thats a silly move, as over stays can go against yea for future visa's if you want to come back to LOS, just better not have over stays on your record .

I never before hear of anyone having trouble. I thought if you pay the fine. no problem? But better safe than sorry. Good advice Lowerpro.