Thailand Lounge and Chat area

[QUOTE=RobJones;2247330]I'm assuming that cash in any currency equilivent to US $ 600 is sufficient? In almost 20 years traveling to Asia have I been asked for proof of funds and rarely for hotel name.[/QUOTE]That is correct. If you follow some other forums that are about visas etc, you will see that being turned away is happening with some frequency. I was having a beer next to a guy who had just arrived from London. All was in order, including the minimum cash topic. They pulled him aside and told him he could not get in. They were not specific as to why. It was a long drawn out process of going through every page of his passport. Then the "good cop" took him aside and said "I would let you in but my co-workers will be mad at me" (I have read this very same thing before) Ultimately they deported him after 10 or 12 hours in detention. The reason marked in his passport was insufficient funds. As he tries to understand what happened he thinks perhaps the "good cop" was indirectly asking for a bribe. Which would have been a bargain compared to booking another flight and all the BS. He entered with no drama the 2nd time.

[QUOTE=BananaBoi;2247329]Because this rule only came in to effect last year. As Nyezhov says, it has been enforced when the immigration officer wants it to be and there are actually many stories of people being turned away. Don't you have to bring at least 600 USD for your vacation anyways?[/QUOTE]I always have but it's on my VISA and MC. I'm just surprised NOW that this has been brought to my attention after all this time!. I honestly did not know.

[QUOTE=Nyezhov;2247265]Well if they ask you what are you going to do. And folks are getting asked and turned away. Especially frequent travelers.[/QUOTE]Well, after reading all the info about the requirements to enter Thailand, I guess I'll have too. Seems the issue is with frequent travelers as well as the 'begpackers' and illegals. I have been humbled on simply not knowing.

Thank you both for the heads up on this matter.

Speaking of visas, it was well reported that the U. K. Embassy will no longer issue notarized income verification forms for long stay/retirement visas. But note that, as of January 1, 2019, neither will the USA Embassy.

I have not yet read what one must bring to Thai Immigration in order to prove to them that you are receiving the minimum about of baht per month (65,000 as of this writing). But for those choosing the, I think, 800,000 baht deposited in a Thai bank option, I suppose showing up with your Thai bank passbook will suffice. Again, I have not yet read what documents do or do not need to be notarized or brought to Thai Immigration since this change has been made.

Anybody else read what needs to be done or shown to prove your income now? Tax reports? How far back? Notarized or not? Letters from USA?

[QUOTE=Crazy4Thai;2247349]That is correct. If you follow some other forums that are about visas etc, you will see that being turned away is happening with some frequency. I was having a beer next to a guy who had just arrived from London. All was in order, including the minimum cash topic. They pulled him aside and told him he could not get in. They were not specific as to why. It was a long drawn out process of going through every page of his passport. Then the "good cop" took him aside and said "I would let you in but my co-workers will be mad at me" (I have read this very same thing before) Ultimately they deported him after 10 or 12 hours in detention. The reason marked in his passport was insufficient funds. As he tries to understand what happened he thinks perhaps the "good cop" was indirectly asking for a bribe. Which would have been a bargain compared to booking another flight and all the BS. He entered with no drama the 2nd time.[/QUOTE]3rd visit in 12 months coming up in February. Probably not excessive but I will keep some $10 and $20 notes just in case a cop needs a "drink".

[QUOTE=EihTooms;2247376]

Anybody else read what needs to be done or shown to prove your income now? Tax reports? How far back? Notarized or not? Letters from USA?[/QUOTE]Got my one-year extension in March through an agency. Agency fee 12k including multiple entry. Only document needed was a letter from my thai bank stating I had had the 800k on my account for 2 months. Passbook didn't suffice as it might not be up to date. Bank letter had to be from the same day the application reached immigration.

Better for embassies not to be involved as it might put ideas into the head of the taxman in one's home country.

[QUOTE=Mogwai;2247091]I thought it was six times. Has this changed (once again)?[/QUOTE]Yes it has changed. Consulates in other countries are using the 2 free entries per year line. Obviously applies to flying since there is no other way from my consulate location. Previously I used to do 7 entries in a year no problem (all by air).

Then they started asking questions at BKK airport and suggesting I apply for a Visa in future, which I did. Got 6 month multi-entry VISAs which are unfortunately available only from the country of your passport.

Since my 6 month VISA expired and I did not want to go home, I have had 2 free entries. Consulate in Djakarta actually advised me not to apply for a VISA because takes them several days and they need proof of Hotel booking, money in bank etc. Stupid really since I did not know how many days would take them and when I would be able to fly back in. Had to take my chances with another freebie.

Technically there is no law to say we cannot get another free entry. Best to have evidence of outward flight inside the 30 days, hotel booking, 20000 Baht in cash. Should not be kicked out if all is in order.

Once in for 30 day, can apply for the extension to 60 days (cost 1900 baht), but must be done before 30 days expires and must be aware office is closed on govt official public holidays and weekends.

Official advise though is apply for VISAs (single entry 60 days extendable to 90), or multi-entry 6 month, or longer term, if want to come in more than 2 times per year. They want our money.

I am aware of a guy who says he keeps coming in again without a VISA from Laos, but carrying suitable evidence. He hasn't been stopped from entering as YET. However we get into areas of uncertainty.

I will probably apply for a new VISA for next entry, to be safe.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;2247405]Yes it has changed. Consulates in other countries are using the 2 free entries per year line. Obviously applies to flying since there is no other way from my consulate location. Previously I used to do 7 entries in a year no problem (all by air).[/QUOTE]I am already over the limit this year and I have not been questioned. I stayed only a few days each time which can be the difference.

I think the limit is designed to limit visa runs. It does not make sense to limit the number of entries for people who just want to spend the weekends. Plenty of Japanese and Koreans are doing it this way.

[QUOTE=Nounce;2247439]I am already over the limit this year and I have not been questioned. I stayed only a few days each time which can be the difference.

I think the limit is designed to limit visa runs. It does not make sense to limit the number of entries for people who just want to spend the weekends. Plenty of Japanese and Koreans are doing it this way.[/QUOTE]Yes I agree. Very short stays maybe be scarcely counted, especially brief transit stopovers. Others are staying 60 days at a time. Coming in on a return ticket helps as others mentioned.

My understanding is the government wants to make some VISA money out of us types that stay for long periods (in total), and prevent any foreigners who have no visible means of support other than by criminal activities. Not everything the military govt. Does, has to really make sense.

I heard that Lao persons here whose passport ran out (very common), can go to the Laos embassy and get (same day) a permit to exit back to Laos. Supposedly extremely busy despite charging 5000 Baht for it, and then they have to pay police extra on both sides of the border. So Laos embassy is ripping off their own people.

A lot of illegal Laos workers here, Cambodian, Myanmar, etc. Some legal ones too. My Hotel seemed to be hiring Cambodians to clean the rooms.

Just read that G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) countries can get 30 days free on entry by land or sea, or air. Some other countries only get 30 days by air and 15 by land.

I believe I read about a limit to land crossings per year, before will be deemed excessive "Visa Runs", and then future entry banned. Therefore recommend all Visa Runs or re-entries be by air. This is probably to keep out rif raf with no visible means of support likely to be working illegally. Maybe be possible to avoid these difficulties with bribes for border police.

Bernie Sanders says if he's elected president he will decriminalize sex work in the US. Who's for Bernie? That will have a significant effect on the tourism industry in third world countries, especially Thailand. Think of Thailand without US mongers. Imagine publicly advertised and widely available brothels in every town and city in the US. Imagine a concomitant significantly reduced price per hour due to competition (US $100 per hour?). Can the good old days return?

[QUOTE=Turgid;2345059]Bernie Sanders says if he's elected president he will decriminalize sex work in the US. Who's for Bernie? That will have a significant effect on the tourism industry in third world countries, especially Thailand. Think of Thailand without US mongers. Imagine publicly advertised and widely available brothels in every town and city in the US. Imagine a concomitant significantly reduced price per hour due to competition (US $100 per hour?). Can the good old days return?[/QUOTE]My tax bracket in the US is 28% right now with Trump. With Bernie, it would likely jump to over 50%. Sorry, but money saved on paying less tax is more important to me than something trivial like legalized brothels in the USA. Sex work in Australia is legal. Have you ever been to an Aussie brothel? Sucks. It would suck in the USA as well. I do believe that sex work should be decriminalized in the USA, but it's not worth voting for Bernie or any Democrat (or socialist, or democratic socialist) in order to get it. And it would still be better to use the money you save on taxes to fly to Thailand than to utilize the services of a brothel in the USA or Australia. You haven't noticed a lack of Aussies visiting Thailand for sex have you?

[QUOTE=Smoothy;2345070]My tax bracket in the US is 28% right now with Trump. With Bernie, it would likely jump to over 50%. Sorry, but money saved on paying less tax is more important to me than something trivial like legalized brothels in the USA. Sex work in Australia is legal. Have you ever been to an Aussie brothel? Sucks. It would suck in the USA as well. I do believe that sex work should be decriminalized in the USA, but it's not worth voting for Bernie or any Democrat (or socialist, or democratic socialist) in order to get it. And it would still be better to use the money you save on taxes to fly to Thailand than to utilize the services of a brothel in the USA or Australia. You haven't noticed a lack of Aussies visiting Thailand for sex have you?[/QUOTE]Your tax bracket is irrelevant, It is what is your standard of living that is important. Believe it or not people in many countries have no desire to live in the US because they have standards of living that are equal to or higher or even lower without the crime, social inequality and downright pettiness of US politics.

[QUOTE=GDreams;2345140]Your tax bracket is irrelevant, It is what is your standard of living that is important. Believe it or not people in many countries have no desire to live in the US because they have standards of living that are equal to or higher or even lower without the crime, social inequality and downright pettiness of US politics.[/QUOTE]Please name one of these countries. And keep in mind they need to have a population of at least close to 300 million like the USA and as diverse a population as the USA. Small countries, and countries with little diversification in their population have far less issues to deal with.

There is no better country in the world to live right now than the USA under the Trump administration. The economy is rocking! I took an extra trip to Thailand this year with my tax break.

I agree with you about disliking the pettiness of US politics, but at the moment, almost all of the pettiness is on the Democrat side of things.

[QUOTE=Smoothy;2345200]Please name one of these countries. And keep in mind they need to have a population of at least close to 300 million like the USA and as diverse a population as the USA. Small countries, and countries with little diversification in their population have far less issues to deal with.

There is no better country in the world to live right now than the USA under the Trump administration. The economy is rocking! I took an extra trip to Thailand this year with my tax break.

I agree with you about disliking the pettiness of US politics, but at the moment, almost all of the pettiness is on the Democrat side of things.[/QUOTE]Right on, Smoothy!

[QUOTE=Smoothy;2345211]Well, I do agree with that.

To stay on topic, here's a girl I had sex with recently in Thailand with my tax refund.[/QUOTE]I feel ya. Thanks to the Trump economy, my Investment advisor tells me I can do a Penthouse if I want when I show up for the staying-in-Thailand-season. The exchange rate sucks but hey, its the good with the bad.