Bangkok Thailand - Do we really need 20,000 baht in cash to enter?

[oz_ally]

Next Friday my friend and I are flying to Bangkok and staying 15 nights. I've been doing lots of research on what I need to prepare for entry. I know since we booked the need for certain things like proof of vaccination is no longer required etc. I saw my friend this arv and she tells me she read that we need to prove we have 20,000 baht to enter. I've googled this but am coming up with old posts and some sites saying we do need it - it must be in cash while other places I've read it's 10,000. It's doing my head in.

I've got the $$$ no probs but I didn't see the need to get a specific card with baht on it - I'm with ING and get the 5 ATM fees refunded and unlimited international Transaction Fees rebated. I've already paid for accommodation so really only need money for spends - I will get some Thai cash from an ATM once there for times when I need it.

So yeah can anyone enlighten me about this supposed (perhaps it used to be a thing) need to turn up with the cash - or can I just show them my ING balance on the app. Thanks in advance for any info. Oh and while I'm here if anyone has any tips for me feel free to add them. I've never been to Thailand and haven't travelled internationally since winning a trip to London/Paris that I took in 2011.

 

[JohnK]

You'll be fine @oz_ally.

If you are entering Thailand on a visa exemption or tourist visa you need to show you have funds on you equivalent to 20,000 baht.

I have never been asked. I'm sure credit card would be sufficient or even AUD800 would be sufficient.

I don't have any advice but 15 days in Bangkok is a long time and can get very boring quickly unless you are going out each night or have a full itinerary of day tours.

 

[Charger73]

Fully agree with @JohnK @oz_ally, as an Aussie who's lived here for five years (four in Chiang Mai, one in coughet), have never been asked.

Agree as well 15 nights in Bangkok is way too long, 3 nights max is the go. Spread your wings by going down to Hua Hin, Koh Samui, coughet, or even hopping on the short flight up here to Chiang Mai.

 

[Happy Trails]

It's 20K, or foreign currency equivalent, if entering on a visa, but only 10K if visa exempt - and yes it does have to be in cash,
However it's virtually never checked or enforced.
AIUI, it's used very occasionally as a convenient device to exclude someone deemed undesirable for other reasons.

 

[Hvr]

As someone who's been to Thailand many times, latest in March this year, I have never been asked to show cash of any amount.

 

[oz_ally]

Thank you so much everyone. I feel much better now. Yes I don't need a visa. My friend needs to be there for that long for "top secret medical reasons" and I'm her support person. Apparently there are quite a few cat cafes in Bangkok so visiting some of these will keep me busy. We've already prepaid our accommodation and it's not refundable but I will definitely try to get out of Bangkok on day tours, etc - it looks like Hua Hin isn't too far to get to for a day trip maybe. I have heard of Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and coughet so I'll have to do some research. I just googled Koh Samui and found a page called

10 Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Trip to Thailand​

I realise it will be anecdotal info but I'm soaking up all info at this stage.

 

[drron]

Well after 50 + visits to Thailand I have never been asked how much cash I have on me. Though I would nearly always have the equivalent in cash.

And @JohnK we love Bangkok and at Christmas we will be spending 3 weeks there just to chill out and eat. Looking forward to it.
Plenty to do for a tourist with lots of gardens,parks, buidings temples etc plus day trips to the Burma Railway,Ayutthaya etc.

One thing we really enjoyed was Private Tours with Gift a wonderful tour guide. put together some really different places in Bangkok for us to visit.
Can contact her here. A bit more expensive than the usual tour but worth it.

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