Thread: Tourists may have to prove they have enough money to enter Thailand

And fair enough!

Most other western countries demand that tourist entering their country must prove that they can actually support themselves during their visit.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

And fair enough!

Most other western countries demand that tourist entering their country must prove that they can actually support themselves during their visit.

Never been asked once.

I suspect they only pick on slobs and unwashed backpackers.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Never been asked once.

Nor have I Harry.

Having claimed that I normally come through the Thai resident Immigration gate due to my work permit.

But I support the regulation that people who come here can actually their stay here.

Save's a lot of heartache for everyone.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I support the regulation that people who come here can actually their stay here.

Me too.

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I support the regulation that people who come here can actually their stay here.

Me too.

....even if it's only tens days every couple of years.

Originally Posted by Begbie

Sounds like there's a confusion of two issues being reported as if they were one.

A few disheveled tourists are being asked if they have the regulation required 20,000 baht.

People with lots of tourists visas in their passports are being taken aside and asked if they are working in Thailand and if not how do they support their peripatetic lifestyle.

Terrible journalism from the Independent.

It's them digital gnomes, cause all sorts of trouble they do.

^I doubt it very much that Johnny Fd or his Anton mentor get asked as they bring the wannabes and hopefuls into Chiang Mai for a digital Nomad retreat. Bringing in the cash they are. To that a blind eye.

It's more like the homeless Western bums and dreadlock scaggs that are targeted.

Hairy Barracuda must not be that hairy nor is he I'll bet............................................... ................a fish.

so advertise that all tourists leaving the airport , are now targets for cheap thai thugs.

Yeah, I don't know why they just don't enforce their visa/visitor rules and regulations like every other country.

A little irritating as getting baht in Myanmar means getting a nasty cut on the exchange rates. I presume showing the dollar equivalent is fine? Flying into Don Muang mid August and already mentally prepared for a long line. Slightly off topic but it the fast track worth the money? Seems a pretty reasonable fee for a bit more comfort to me.

I went to Immigration with 20,000 baht to extend my DETV and they never asked to see the money.

Not used to carrying large amounts about I took a detour on the way home and went for a few pints and pool down suk. Came home 4 in the morning with just over 3,000 left and well sukhumvited. Daft twat. My wife now comes to immigration with me now.

Seems like the IO is just using that rule to stop people entering Thailand whom they suspect of working , will not effect non suspected working bonafide tourists

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Slightly off topic but it the fast track worth the money?

No offense but probably not if the conversion rate is so irritable, at first. I do it all the time, and the "agents" that meet you at the gate will give you their personal email & phone number. They stay in the airport all day long escorting people. Once you have contacts, the agents are more than happy to meet customers outside of the agency for a reduced rate.

At least for Suvarnabhumi, pay for the agency to get you through a couple times and get personal contact details for the agents that escort you. They are more than happy to get people across for off-book pocket change, as they are there all fucking day anyway, and they will make more money charging you personally.

I highly doubt immigration are going require 20k baht in cash to enter Thailand ffs.

If I was flying from the US, I don't even know where I could acquire Thai Baht at home.

Originally Posted by Fluke

Seems like the IO is just using that rule to stop people entering Thailand whom they suspect of working , will not effect non suspected working bonafide tourists

How do you spot the difference?

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

A little irritating as getting baht in Myanmar means getting a nasty cut on the exchange rates. I presume showing the dollar equivalent is fine? Flying into Don Muang mid August and already mentally prepared for a long line. Slightly off topic but it the fast track worth the money? Seems a pretty reasonable fee for a bit more comfort to me.

If it's anything like it was when I landed last month, it's more than "a bit of comfort".

The queues for joe public extended down the slope into the aisles.

Originally Posted by Wilsonandson

Originally Posted by Fluke

Seems like the IO is just using that rule to stop people entering Thailand whom they suspect of working , will not effect non suspected working bonafide tourists

How do you spot the difference?

Tell tell signs .
Doing visa runs sometimes overstaying by a few days , sometimes understaying by a few days and always doing visa runs at the week-ends .
Under 35 and been in Thailand a long time , facebook page showing them in school ,quite easy to spot

Originally Posted by Fluke

Tell tell signs .
Doing visa runs sometimes overstaying by a few days , sometimes understaying by a few days and always doing visa runs at the week-ends .

Hmmm...

Originally Posted by Fluke

That was a close one .
Looked at the date last night : 15 th
Looked at when my visa runs out :15 th !!!!!
Packed my bags , straight to the bus station , overnight bus to Kon Kaen , bus to Udon, Bus to Nong Khai and here I am now in Vientianne

Originally Posted by Fluke

My Visa usually expires about the 18 th and I thought that is was about the 12 th yesterday .
Nevermind, just a 500 Baht overstay fine

Originally Posted by Fluke

Well, getting a new passport and doing visa runs isnt done through choice , I do not really have a choice in whether to do it or not .

...the plot thins.

Flake's a sex-monger-TEFLer working illegally.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Slightly off topic but it the fast track worth the money? Seems a pretty reasonable fee for a bit more comfort to me.

A fee?

I assumed all you needed was a business class ticket?

Originally Posted by cyrille

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Slightly off topic but it the fast track worth the money? Seems a pretty reasonable fee for a bit more comfort to me.

A fee?

I assumed all you needed was a business class ticket?

Unfortunately they let the great unwashed in for a small consideration.

Just as an aside, maybe it's only me, but if you are working illegally, isn't it more likely that you could afford to have 20K about your person?

As opposed to the retirement Johnnies living on their pension that have to get together to raise the 800k for visa renewal once a year?

I assumed all you needed was a business class ticket?

last time I landed, I had a business class ticket, long que in the middle of the night, Somchai on the immigration desk would not let me through without the little priority card you are supposed to get on the plane. bastad

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Just as an aside, maybe it's only me, but if you are working illegally, isn't it more likely that you could afford to have 20K about your person?

That nearly a months wages for TEFLers