Minimum Cash Requirement to Enter Thailand

[Hondo]

I have recently read about foreigners being turned away from Thailand because they didn't have enough cash on their person. Bank and credit cards they had but not a lot of cash. Anybody heard anything about this? And if you do know anything about this, what would be a good amount of cash to bring for a 10 day stay? I also read not to change your money until you land in Thailand.The airports in Thailand are supposed to have the best exchange rates. Is that correct?

By the way, "Hello. I'm new to this forum".

[dan_calgary]

I have not heard that, but that doesn't mean it might be true,

I have only been twice, and both times I had $5 k USA on me,

I was asked how much money I was carrying, was no issue,

Yes changing at the airport is fine, and easy, (no id needed) you might save a couple peso (LOL) by going to a bank,

I find the airport had a better rate then the hotels I stayed,

But I would just do cash advance on your c/c at a bank machine, when available, the rate is not that bad at all,

just my $0.02

Have fun

[justvisiting2016]

I visit Thailand several times a year( not for ladyboy tourism, I have an GG girlfriend there and visit her several times a year and we go to vacation spots and small towns and so on).; never been asked about money on my person. I carry nothing other than my cards and just get cash at ATMs as I need it. That costs more than converting canadian cash, but if it is just daily spending money ,I prefer the convenience. I have only taken a wad of Canadian cash a couple of times when I was giving her money to buy some big ticket items for the condo in order to get favorable rates.

I am going again in 3 weeks, I haven't heard of any policy like this.

If I bring a wad of cash , I use Superrich for my exchange , their main location is about the best rate in Bangkok , and they have branches all over which are still very good. Everyone will have their "go there !" idea, but that is what I do. Unless I am planning on spending a lot of money, I just use credit cards and ATMS for convenience sake.

Don't ever buy Baht with your canadian cash anywhere but Thailand. They need and love foreign currency and so you get a better rate.

[Hondo]

Thanks for the good advice. Its much appreciated.

[merelypink]

let us know!!!!!!

[Locomotion]

I have recently read about foreigners being turned away from Thailand because they didn't have enough cash on their person. Bank and credit cards they had but not a lot of cash. Anybody heard anything about this? And if you do know anything about this, what would be a good amount of cash to bring for a 10 day stay? I also read not to change your money until you land in Thailand.The airports in Thailand are supposed to have the best exchange rates. Is that correct?

By the way, "Hello. I'm new to this forum".

I?ve read the same thing on the Thai Consulate website.

The reasoning is that they get a lot of young buskers backpacking into the country with little or no money, who then set up in a tourist area to perform for tips, illegally earning money in the country.

I think that they are probably targeting young college age pups looking to busk and backpack through the country with their earnings. Kids from Australia are their prime concern.

If you?re older with proof of a job or self-employment income in your home country, common sense will prevail with the border guards.

[Hondo]

I've never really met a border guard with a lot of sense though. A lot of attitude. But not a lot of sense.

[Rockheart]

Join theladyboyforums.com to keep up on Thai stuff.

https://theladyboyforums.com/asiaboa...0-baht-in-cash

It has widely been reported that immigration agents in Thailand have been asking for proof that travellers have at least 20,000 baht before they enter the country.
There is actually loosely applied laws that basically state this, but they are rarely enforced as it would slow down the queues.

The biggest reason that they have started this is there seem to be an increase of tourist coming to Thailand then becoming beggars or getting involved in crime. They have been embarrassed especially by western tourists that are found begging on the street.
Like this German dude who has elephantitis in his one leg. It is not crippling or painful or anything but when he goes to Thailand he will beg in Bangkok until he gets enough money to go to Pattaya and party with girls.
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/ger...rtyin-pattaya/

There has been a large increase in "Begpackers" in Thailand and they don't like it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/lif...hould-ashamed/
(Take note the people pictured in this article are not that young.)

Many people are showing up in Thailand with no money.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...fund-trip.html

While they are targeting younger people there is no limit as who they could ask.

My advice would be to always carry 20,000 baht when you enter Thailand always, just in case.
Thailand officials are unpredictable and can do anything at any time.
It is totally up to the individual how he processes his people at immigration and some could ask everyone if they feel like it. The people they are trying to stop are not restricted to young people, lots and lots of broke older people go to Thailand.

Some news articles report that they often will not accept bank statements, pay statments or care if you already paid for you hotel.
You don't want to take a chance of being put in the Airport immigration detention. Sometimes they forget about you for a while i've heard.

All you need to do is take 20,000 out of the ATM or exchange some cash before you go through immigration.

The other thing they have been picky about lately is having proper medical insurance.
There has been a rash of tourist that go to hospitals there and have no insurance or money.
So they are also asking for this as they see fit.

So I suggest carry the money and proof of medical insurance.
If you don't have your own travel insurance, you should buy some.
It is not expensive and most Canadian banks sell this, just ask any teller.

[Rockheart]

I have not heard that, but that doesn't mean it might be true,

I have only been twice, and both times I had $5 k USA on me,

I was asked how much money I was carrying, was no issue,

Yes changing at the airport is fine, and easy, (no id needed) you might save a couple peso (LOL) by going to a bank,

I find the airport had a better rate then the hotels I stayed,

But I would just do cash advance on your c/c at a bank machine, when available, the rate is not that bad at all,

just my $0.02

Have fun

The exchange rates anywhere in Thailand are better than any exchange rate in Canada.
Even the ATMS are cheaper than exchanging in Canada and usually you can take out up to 30,000 per transaction.

Unfortunately if you with draw money from an ATM you pay 200 baht transaction fee which is about $8.
Then Canadian banks charge you $5 international withdrawal fee.
So taking any amount out through the ATM will cost $13 in most cases for Canadians.
This is why to take out the maximum.

The exchange booths in the airport are as cheap as any bank.
In fact, most of the booths are the banks exchange counters anyway.
Changing some of your money at the airport is a good idea.

My suggestion would be bring some Canadian cash to exchange and leave some in the bank.
US cash does not give you any advantage in Thailand like it does in some other countries I have visited.
People Mexico and South America seem to love US cash, while people in Thailand only want baht.

Also I make sure I have several bank cards in case one gets cut off which happens often when going to Thailand.
Then if you have a problem you can just go online and transfer you money to another card.

Probably the cheapest is to open a Thai Bank account then wire a bunch of money there.
However you have to go to Thailand first to do this.

https://theladyboyforums.com/asiaboa...ransaction-fee

[ladyluv]

Been to Thailand many times. Often, I carried very little cash on me. Never ever had an issue entering the country.

Exchange rates, I would say is a bit better in Thailand, however, I personally don't like carrying huge amounts of cash, no matter which country I'm in. As Crag mentioned above, the bank fee for withdrawals is about $13.

In the end, my advice would be to just go and enjoy your trip. Whether you spend 2 or 200 hundred dollars on exchange rates and fees, won't matter at the end of the day. Just have fun.

[Hondo]

Thanks everyone for their words of wisdom. I'm going to take Craig's advice and bring a pocket full of cash.

[justvisiting2016]

I am going with no cash and cards like i usually do... will let you know what happens

[Rockheart]

In 25 trips I have probably entered Thailand over 30 times, only taken much cash maybe 4 or 5 times.
A couple times it was only because the condo gave better price for cash.

More recently I have tried to save a few bucks by starting out with some cash.
Last November I took about 1500 Canadian dollars and lived off that until it ran out, then I used cards.
That saved me a decent amout in fees and whatever from using ATMs.

In March I was there and entered with no money and there wasn't an issue.

[justvisiting2016]

^ I am curious if this will be an issue for me. I have never been asked what is on my person, and I go 3 - 4 times a year. Now, I am older' don't look like a busker, and do have an address there (the girls home address that I visit). So maybe that is why

I will see what happens next time Will report on here if anything weird happens.

[Rockheart]

I'm sure there will be no problem the next time I go.
However from now on I will always take money when I enter Thailand.

It is too unpredictable there and I am not taking any chances.
If they do decide to pick on me I don't want to end up detained.
It's a pretty simple thing for piece of mind.