Thailand Lounge and Chat area

[Nyezhov]

The last 15 years I've been coming to Thailand, I have NEVER been required to carry that large amount of cash on me. That's 600 USD!.

Well if they ask you what are you going to do. And folks are getting asked and turned away. Especially frequent travelers.

[MeatMan]

I don't know anyone who has been asked this but technically you are supposed to be carrying 20,000 Thai baht on you when you enter Thailand. Showing money in a bank account is not proof enough if someone does not want you to enter Thailand.

The last 15 years I've been coming to Thailand, I have NEVER been required to carry that large amount of cash on me. That's 600 USD!.

[Nounce]

I thought it was six times. Has this changed (once again)?

The 2 times limit does not apply to entry by air.

[Nounce]

If you have round trip ticket flying into Bangkok, they will not ask you because it is round trip. My experience is that the airline will not let you board the plan if you don't have return ticket.

The arrival card has a question about where you are staying. I just put down something like "Hilton, Bangkok" and that is sufficient. There are usually a few ladies in front of the custom queue checking for this. One time, I only wrote down "Hilton" and the custom official asked which city.

[Mogwai]

I've never been asked to show proof of a flight leaving Thailand. Never been asked this either but you may need to show proof of where you are staying for at least the first night. If you have chosen to stay at an AirBNB be prepared to book a cheap hostel in the middle of nowhere for a night. There is free wifi at BKK. I don't know anyone who has been asked this but technically you are supposed to be carrying 20,000 Thai baht on you when you enter Thailand.

I've never been asked to show proof of where I'm staying. Be aware though, if it's your first time visiting Thailand, that you have to fill in the name and address of the (first) place where you're staying on the immigration form. So be sure you have that information somewhere (on your phone or printed out) as you enter the plane.

I've never been asked to show I'm carrying 20,000 baht either, or the equivalent of that in another currency.

[J A Karl]

I thought it was six times. Has this changed (once again)?

I sure hope it's still 6 times.

When I left Thailand about 8 or 10 days ago it was my 4th visit this year.

I'm going back next week for a shorter visit and then back again around Christmas.

When I arrive at Christmas it will be the 6th entry this year, but I plan to stay for 90 days so Visa is required.

[Mogwai]

Normally tourists get two free entries per year

I thought it was six times. Has this changed (once again)?

[Syzygies]

I've never been asked to show proof of a flight leaving Thailand. Never been asked this either but you may need to show proof of where you are staying for at least the first night. If you have chosen to stay at an AirBNB be prepared to book a cheap hostel in the middle of nowhere for a night. There is free wifi at BKK. I don't know anyone who has been asked this but technically you are supposed to be carrying 20,000 Thai baht on you when you enter Thailand. Showing money in a bank account is not proof enough if someone does not want you to enter Thailand. Be prepared to tell them an elaborate story like your cousin Monkeypaw does if you get hassled. If you are only staying a week I suggest getting a 399 baht prepaid travel SIM from AIS that is good for 8 days. Prebook your taxi if you are coming to Pattaya. RTFF if you have questions about taxis or buses. No need to ask on here again.

It is common place in the city you are flying to Thailand from, to need evidence that you have a return flight out of Thailand, if it is not on same ticket. Mine usually isn't on same ticket. Itinerary is usually good enough. Same at Bangkok airport. Their computer will show your return leg, unless its on a separate ticket.

Normally tourists get two free entries per year where no evidence of money, accommodation, or anything is required. However they could potentially want to see these things if you do far too many free 30 day entries per year. I am on my 3rd for the last year, also some Visa entries, but next time back home, will apply for a 6 month multi entry Visa, to be safer. What questions get asked depends a lot on luck of which person is encountered at the airport immigration check.

30 day entries can be extended to 60 at Immigration in Chaeng Wattana for 1900 Baht.

The real reason for crack down on number of free entries per year, is just to make us pay for a Visa.

For the land border crossings, the reasons for crackdown are maybe a little different.

[Banana Boi]

I show them my proof of onward travel (Would my flight itinerary suffice?) and he gives me a stamp on my passport.

Since I'm only staying for a week and American I don't have to worry about visa on arrival, health control, or showing my proof of income.

Is there anything I'm missing or that I have to do before arriving to Thailand?

I've never been asked to show proof of a flight leaving Thailand. Never been asked this either but you may need to show proof of where you are staying for at least the first night. If you have chosen to stay at an AirBNB be prepared to book a cheap hostel in the middle of nowhere for a night. There is free wifi at BKK. I don't know anyone who has been asked this but technically you are supposed to be carrying 20,000 Thai baht on you when you enter Thailand. Showing money in a bank account is not proof enough if someone does not want you to enter Thailand. Be prepared to tell them an elaborate story like your cousin Monkeypaw does if you get hassled. If you are only staying a week I suggest getting a 399 baht prepaid travel SIM from AIS that is good for 8 days. Prebook your taxi if you are coming to Pattaya. RTFF if you have questions about taxis or buses. No need to ask on here again.

[PonkeyMaw]

Only a week left before I go to Thailand. Is the following airport arrival process correct?

BTW I'm American flying roundtrip form JFK to BKK on airchina for a weeks duration.

Before I land I'm given a immigration form that I fill out.

Plane disembarks, I walk to immigration show them my passport and form.

I show them my proof of onward travel (Would my flight itinerary suffice?) and he gives me a stamp on my passport.

Since I'm only staying for a week and American I don't have to worry about visa on arrival, health control, or showing my proof of income.

Then I go find my luggage and buy a sim card.

Is there anything I'm missing or that I have to do before arriving to Thailand?

[Nyezhov]

However, they do these things in semi "private" under cover of darkness or in a taxi, not for their co workers or neighbours to see what they are doing. Thais can change from prim and proper to raunchy, especially after consuming a few drinks. Alcohol can transform Thai girls to completely different character.

25 years ago, Thai women dressed modestly and behaved very modestly in public, with Pattaya being the wayward place. Things are clearly changing with modern dress being quite sexy to show off the figure. You will still find plenty of Thai girls act rather shyly out on the street though.

Also many Thai girls are shy to take their clothes off with you watching them with lights on. Some are known to undress in the toilet, or wrap a towel around them before taking off bra and panties. They were trained to do this from childhood.

I still remember a showgirl years ago I took who did the lesbian show, back in the room, lights off and towel on LOL.

[Syzygies]

I have found the main concern with Thai girls (dating site or regular, non P4P girls) about your wife being Thai or not is fear that the wife will show up unexpectedly and incite violence. Once I assure them she lives in another part of Bangkok, never comes around without my inviting her over and in fact we almost never see each other for any reason, the new Thai girl relaxes and becomes indifferent about the issue.

Absolutely! Gik is scared my Thai GF will show up. I explain GF is in another province and cannot possibly come here. She is scared in case GF knows where I am staying, and will make the long trip to catch me. She is not scared about her BF showing up since she does not think about the possibility of being followed by a hired dectective. That is actually the more likely scenario, relatively speaking.

I think Thai girls are considered more scary than Farangs though, whether warranted or not.

[Chacal60]

I just tell them she's European (true) and they say "good".

I have found the main concern with Thai girls (dating site or regular, non P4P girls) about your wife being Thai or not is fear that the wife will show up unexpectedly and incite violence. Once I assure them she lives in another part of Bangkok, never comes around without my inviting her over and in fact we almost never see each other for any reason, the new Thai girl relaxes and becomes indifferent about the issue.

[EihTooms]

Agree, they still like to respect the world around them. On TF the girls don't seem to mind if you are married as long as the wife isn't Thai. My semi-regular girl from CM will always overnight with me in Bangkok but never wants to leave the room for fear of being judged. My minibar and room service bill is always high when I see her.

I.

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I have found the main concern with Thai girls (dating site or regular, non P4P girls) about your wife being Thai or not is fear that the wife will show up unexpectedly and incite violence. Once I assure them she lives in another part of Bangkok, never comes around without my inviting her over and in fact we almost never see each other for any reason, the new Thai girl relaxes and becomes indifferent about the issue.

[Chacal60]

Agree, they still like to respect the world around them. On TF the girls don't seem to mind if you are married as long as the wife isn't Thai. My semi-regular girl from CM will always overnight with me in Bangkok but never wants to leave the room for fear of being judged. My minibar and room service bill is always high when I see her.

I.

However, they do these things in semi "private" under cover of darkness or in a taxi, not for their co workers or neighbours to see what they are doing. Thais can change from prim and proper to raunchy, especially after consuming a few drinks. Alcohol can transform Thai girls to completely different character.

25 years ago, Thai women dressed modestly and behaved very modestly in public, with Pattaya being the wayward place. Things are clearly changing with modern dress being quite sexy to show off the figure. You will still find plenty of Thai girls act rather shyly out on the street though.

Also many Thai girls are shy to take their clothes off with you watching them with lights on. Some are known to undress in the toilet, or wrap a towel around them before taking off bra and panties. They were trained to do this from childhood.

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