To travel is to prepare. Such as ensuring that your passport is valid, taking out travel insurance, possibly applying for a visa and also making sure that you have enough money with you, otherwise you may be faced with an unpleasant surprise.
What some tourists may not know is that the immigration officials at the airport in Bangkok may ask you if you can prove that you have sufficient financial means: a minimum of 20.000 baht (about 500 euros) for an individual and for a family this amount is even 40.000 baht. This is of course also possible in euros. This is not new, by the way, this rule in the immigration law has existed since 1979.
Also make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months and that you can prove that you have sufficient money. Incidentally, the EU (Schengen zone) applies the same policy. A foreign tourist traveling to the Netherlands must also be able to demonstrate that he/she can spend €55 per day.
Thai immigration officers can carry out random inspections and check whether you meet these requirements, otherwise the immigration officer can refuse to allow you to enter the country.
You also have to make sure that you have the right one visum features. Belgian and Dutch tourists get a visa-free entry of 30 days. There are no costs attached to this.
Source: TAT
I would like to clarify something: that cash money can be in any common currency, so also just 500 euros in cash, or Malaysian ringits. If in total, per person, it is only 20,000 baht equivalent.
Incidentally, also useful if you want to change money, you definitely get more for cash money and do not have to pay a bank surcharge.
In practice, I have never been asked about this at an airport, incidentally, this question is usually used when people travel back and forth very often in a year.
Never asked for it in over 10 years. I have at most 50 euros in my pocket. Visa gold, Mastercard is also good. If only you can withdraw money. Never heard of cash money. For longer than 30 days there and back, an airline may ask you for a valid visa for Thailand before departure (Austrian is very strict with this). Even you refuse. Back neighbor happens. 35 days instead of 30
I assume this is not the case if you live in Thailand. As a tourist, I never carry that much cash with me. We always take credit cards with us. Much safer anyway
Nicky, when you change cash at SuperRich Thailand in Bangkok you get the highest rate.
We always do, we always take 1 euro after 10.000 euros per person.
We have never been robbed because my husband hangs a handy little handbag on his stomach with the papers in it and the money, you can't just cut this handbag open or try to steal it, then you have to steal my husband hahahahaha
I have been out and in the country about 25 times in the last 120 years. .I was never asked that question. .
If that question is asked, ask if you can use a debit card, directly behind the immigration passages, there are a dozen ATM (debit card) machines. .make sure that the debit card has worldwide coverage. .default is only Europe (you can change this “on line”.
Often you can max. Tb 15.000 pins at a time. .you pay in Thailand and NL together approx. € 12.00 costs for each time pin.
It is best to contact us and NOT to exchange this at the airport, but somewhere outside the airport. . saves about 5% in terms of exchange rate. .
I think incorrect. The immigration officer really does not go with you to an ATM. You must be able to demonstrate it on the spot. Not changing at the airport is also not correct. On the bottom floor at Airport Rail Links is a Superrich counter, which gives an excellent rate. https://youtu.be/JnDz7TYEzpw
In Bangkok itself you get an even higher rate at SuperRichThailand.
Rori and Gerard: It doesn't matter that they've never asked you or that you've never heard of it.
If they ask and you don't have 20.000 baht or the same amount in other major currencies, you just won't get in. Not even for pinning.
As is often the case in Thailand, not every immigration office is the same. In my condo sometimes a man from Malta comes, about 2 times a year for a few months. In that period he usually leaves Thailand for a few days and comes back with a new visa. He has been asked regularly, but not always, about that 2 baht for the last 20.000 years. He looks like an old backpacker. That undoubtedly plays a role.
Shortly before you get to immigration at airside, I have already seen a bank counter ….. so no need to be unable to withdraw cash …
When I still had to do a regular visa run (5 years ago) with my multiple entries, I always had that amount with me … .. precisely because I knew that obligation …. never asked…, yet safe to anticipate their stick behind the door system…
Just be warned. It happened to us in January 2017 with our visa run.
Previously always an O-visa multiple for 1 year, no problem.
This year a tourist visa multiple for 6 months (because they don't give O-visas to winter visitors).
Our story:
Just by car to Sadao (South Thailand) parked our car and did a visa run with the moped taxi.
Cash taken 5000 THB and our credit cards.
Towards Malaysia no problem……..back to Thailand “BIG PROBLEM” no 40 000 thb (2 people, me and my wife) to show to the official.
We were taken to the office and had to wait there for more than an hour before it was our turn (there were still 2 Dutch people in front of us). After another hour and a lot of Bla Bla we were allowed to enter the country.
If I am not mistaken, the requirement to carry 20.000 thai baht or equivalent in other currency per person is particularly required with tourist visas and possibly also with visa exempt. Not with annual visa (O or OA)
If you live here just make sure you have a Thai bank account. App on your smartphone and you can show what is on your account.
Totally agree Ben. The demand for 20,000 Baht is purely an excuse, the real reason is different (suspected of working mostly). But when the question comes, the money has to be there, so an app or something like that is not enough.
In one of the comments I read that a Dutch passport and a return flight can prove sufficient, so this is completely incorrect advice. Fransamsterdam's reaction is entirely correct.
People don't care at all about which passport you have with you. Not enough money in your pocket can cause a big problem.
The fact that people at Schiphol do not ask for sufficient money upon arrival is also an incorrect representation of the facts, people are sent back every day if they cannot prove that they can support themselves. Most countries use these rules to keep out vagrants and undeclared workers.
Thank you, Thai Tourism Authority, for bringing this relatively unknown rule to the attention once again. And thank you Thailandblog for taking over this post.
But yes, we are Dutch, so we are never asked about it, or we think 50 euros is more than enough, or we bring something with which we can withdraw money (for that we are best allowed to enter the Kingdom first), or we go debit card at an exchange office, or we take credit cards with us. Moreover, Immigration never doubts our good intentions, whether we live in Thailand or we have an App on our smartphone. So what are they whining about now?
It is a normal requirement that you may expect from a tourist, who nevertheless comes with the aim of spending money and must have sufficient money. It is also the case that the rule applies that you must be insured for medical expenses for your period of stay. In fact, you must be able to demonstrate this, just as it applies to the Netherlands. So take your valid insurance card with you.
proof that you are insured: incorrect. It is talked about but is really incorrect information. At least when we talk about entering Thailand. It's a pity that sometimes just nonsense is written.
With travel insurance you are covered for medical expenses, at least if you come as a tourist.
And otherwise check your travel insurance, you are also covered by some health insurers in countries outside the EU.
I would ask about that
Of course, tourists should be able to spend enough money. I just think it's outdated that you have to have that with you in cash.
Even money in a Thai bank account would not suffice.
By the way, I always take enough Euros with me because the exchange rate is better then and I don't have to pay debit and bank charges. At the most at the end of my holiday I will withdraw money and take the surplus home with me; as a starting point for next time. 😉
Does it have to be in bahts or are euros also good enough?
Almost 10 years ago I was on the BKK-AMS flight with Eva Air when we returned to BKK after about 4 hours of flying. The Eyjafjallajökull had erupted and air traffic was halted in Europe. We were stuck there for about 2 weeks. There were then thousands of people including a woman with 2 children camping at the airport who had run out of money. Conclusion : it is important to have enough money when you start your trip, but even more important that you still have enough money at the end of your trip.
Exactly and that's why I always make sure I have a few thousand euros in my pocket. In memory of 'You never know'.
How about if you have lived here for many years and still have a fully valid retirement extension visa based stamp and exit visa in your passport.
And you have been to the Netherlands for a while, and you do not have 20000 baths with you.
Thai Bank books lie at home.
Then the door at the immigration at the airport will be slammed shut for you.
Especially with those new requirements for retirement that you have to have 400K in your bank account all year.
I think in some sort of situation I would like to have a chat with the chief on duty.
I therefore suspect that this only applies if there are those who regularly go border hopping.
And what is the value of showing the official a credit card, with the nice looking card the question is whether it is still usable, may have been blocked by the credit card company.
And the official can't see this, I still have one at home from the AbnAmro bank ICS and it hasn't worked for a year now, but the expiration date on the card is still pending, because they have kicked me out like many others.
So the only proof might be having 20K in cash on you.
Even a bank book that still contains a considerable amount can be at zero coma zero for a long time.
Only an update performed on the day can show whether there is enough money on it.
And for that you also have to be behind the immigration counter and that is not allowed just like pinning.
jJan Beute.
I don't know anything about that THB 400.000 all year round in a Thai account. I always show that I have a minimum income of THB 65.000 per month and that is always accepted. My money is in NL.
It is better to always have a bank book with you, or an app on your phone
This is the first time I've heard that, nor has it ever been asked for in the 15 years I've been traveling to Thailand for holidays. It will of course be the case, but it is strange that it is nowhere to be read at the airports, not even on the visa (short stay), travel agencies do not come with this either. Crazy right?
Don't forget to set your debit card to world status
Can certainly be asked. Happened to me too with a tourist visa. Although I must add that I was actually not allowed in (it was my 3rd time overland, where the limit of 2 times had just been set, which I didn't know). After much effort, I still managed to get in because my wife signed to guarantee that I would leave within two months, I showed 20.000 baht (had to let my wife enter Thailand with my debit card to withdraw money), and a valid flight ticket (booked quickly online, she even called Air Asia to check if I had paid)
Is only requested from holders of an ordinary “Tourist visa” or a “Visa Exempt”.
Holders of a METV or Non-immigrant visa will (normally) not be asked to do this.
When you are asked for financial proof with a tourist visa, these are the amounts that are also stated on the MFA website when applying for a Tourist visa.
– Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15398-Issuance-of-Visa.html
For a “Visa Exemption” it is 10 000 Baht per person or 20 000 Baht per family. Same as with a “Transit” visa which is also 30 days.
– Evidence of adequate finance (10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family)
http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15398-Issuance-of-Visa.html
By the way, the counter value in each coin is good. Doesn't have to be in Baht.
However, it is rarely asked of the average tourist. Usually there will be a reason. For example, multiple entries back-to-back.
But it could also just be that you're unlucky and they just unpack you as a sample.
Having 20.000 baht or € 500 in your pocket does not seem to be a problem if you go on holiday for two weeks and this is a rule in many countries and even in the Netherlands.
The fact that people have never been checked, so neither have I, also depends on the person, I suspect.
A backpacker is more at risk than someone who is going on an organized tour with a well-known tour operator.
I have been traveling in and out of Thailand for 33 years. I don't know how many times I crossed the Thai border. But that was very often, because I also occasionally made trips to surrounding countries. I have never been asked about money, contents of suitcases, what I came to do in Thailand or anything else. People were always very friendly and courteous to me.
One time I remember an incident. At Suvernabhumi bound for the Philippines, I suddenly had a feeling of 'I shouldn't be on this plane'. For some reason it felt all wrong, I don't know why. I went to a Thai official and told him my problem. He kindly asked me to come with him to a small office, where another official took care of the matter and then called a lady to escort me to neutral ground. I had already passed the pass check. Everything was handled with friendliness, very efficiently and very quickly. The next day I went to the Philippines after all and coincidentally I met the lady in question. She kindly inquired whether everything was satisfactory. In one word excellent service.
And about that money. You have to spend money in Thailand anyway, so you might as well have it in your pocket. I always make sure I have a few thousand Euros or the equivalent in THB with me. Of course I also have all credit cards, debit cards, etc. But withdrawing money with these types of cards costs relatively much, so I don't do that. Only in very exceptional cases, if there is no other option. But in those 33 years that has only happened once and that was in the Philippines in Cebu in a resort on the island of Macktan.
And as for the risk of having money in your pocket. In all those 33 years I have never been robbed. Knock on the door so as not to tempt the gods. 🙂 Besides, I believe in karma. So if you have never stolen yourself, you will not be robbed.
It normally only concerns the Visa Exemption as far as I can tell.
Previously also entry on Tourist visa, but it was also the time when you did not have to provide financial proof when applying for a Tourist visa.
It is actually normal that it is no longer asked of someone who is in possession of a visa, annual extension, re-entry, etc., because he has already proven that he has sufficient financial resources when applying for it.
You can find the following information regarding Visa Exemption on the website of the Thai Embassy in Brussels.
Is not on every website of the Thai embassy, but it should if it can be applied officially
“Please make sure that you are in possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months, a round-trip or onward air ticket within 30 days after arrival, and adequate finances equivalent to at least 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family. Otherwise, you may be inconvenienced upon entry into the country.”
https://www.thaiembassy.be/2022/09/01/visa-exemption-scheme/?lang=en
That you have been to Thailand on Visa Exemption many times and have never been asked is not so exceptional because it is rarely asked or checked.
Doesn't mean that it doesn't exist of course... however, there will always be a reason to ask that particular person.
We have been going to Thailand every year for about 14 years, we have never been asked for money.
Maybe because I'm Thai myself and we always go through customs/immigration together.
The only time (knock on wood) I was asked about money was at Schiphol Airport.
A casually dressed man asked how much money I had, I don't remember whether he had pinned on a card, but had the idea that it was a checking official.
Actually confused and answered and asked no further questions.
But was asked because of the 10000 euro scheme. Wasn't asked to show my answer.
At my border runs recently, I made sure that I had the money (20000 baht) with me, know it and don't let it "catch" me to encounter endless red tape. TIT.
On Phuket I once had 1 day overstay, miscalculation in time and that cost me 500 baht, that moment no leniency, but a smiling officer who collected.