In the social networks and in the Thai press appear more and more reports, according to which some tourists were rejected despite valid tourist visa on the border to Thailand, because they could show no 20,000 baht in cash.
As Thai Visa reports, it is apparently at the discretion of the border guards, whether the entry willing tourists despite valid tourist visa at the border have to prove at least 20,000 baht in cash. A number of border checks across the country have targeted some tourists for carrying 20,000 baht in cash for their stay in Thailand.
Of course, the press reports, one understands the tightened border controls of foreign tourists, which probably only affects those people who believe that they are not real tourists and only use their visas to enter Thailand and here illegally to work.
Foreigners attempting to enter Thailand on a tourist visa will be subject to the same scrutiny as individuals wishing to enter the Kingdom on a so-called ED visa.
As the national press and social networks have become aware of the increase in checks on tourist visa holders, there are also increasing numbers of reports from foreigners who were unable to present 20,000 baht in cash at the border and therefore refused to enter the Kingdom has been.
A tourist reports in detail about his attempted entry and claims in the social networks that despite the proof of hotel bookings, the presentation of airline tickets and the showing of bank statements with the appropriate funds, the entry was still denied.
In addition, Thai Visa intends to have received further reports that immigration officers in Padang Besar on Friday pulled several tourist visa holders to their side. At a separate counter, immigration officials asked them to provide 20,000 baht in cash.
Those of the tourists, who could not provide this evidence directly on the spot, were taken aside by the officials and taken to another room for further questioning by the authorities.
Thai Visa further reports that a member of the newspaper was detained in an immigration detention center last week. He was allegedly denied entry on the grounds that he could also work illegally in Thailand.
In the same week, another member of Thai Visa, holding an ED visa, was held at Suvarnabhumi International Airport after being asked to provide the officials with the required 20,000 baht in cash.
The man told Thai Visa that he was only able to show 8,000 baht in cash when he arrived. The man further explained that he already had four tourist visas and a valid 30-day immigration stamp upon arrival in Thailand.
A British national in Hua Hin, who had three previous visa visa entries stamped in his passport, also told Thai Visa on Monday that he was also asked to show 20,000 baht in cash. The Briton wanted to enter the country via Don Mueang Airport on Wednesday, July 12th. He was also held by the officials and asked how he wants to finance his stay in Thailand. The officers at Don Mueang Airport also alleged that he intended to work illegally in Thailand.
Thai Visa is following the matter very closely and has met with an immigration officer at a local immigration office. The official, who did not want to give his name and spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity, stated that the immigration officers were not allowed to speak publicly about the affairs of the immigration office.
The officer was only able to confirm to Thai Visa that people entering Thailand on a tourist visa should be able to prove their financial status to officials in order to demonstrate that they can financially manage their stay in the Kingdom.
In principle, he added, however, the decision to enter Thailand is always at the discretion of the competent immigration officer.
If the immigration official suspects that the person can not be a real tourist, or he could work illegally in Thailand, or has some other doubts about his motives for entering Thailand, it is normal practice to ask the tourist accordingly to get more information about the incoming visitor.
Despite all the research, Thai Visa has not yet been able to find out whether the 20,000 baht in cash would be a national currency, this is a prerequisite at all border checkpoints or at the above-mentioned checkpoints.
Sources: thailandairport, Thai Visa, social Network, thailandtip