Thailand Visas - More strict and possible dream come true - READ THESE

[Gaybutton]

Read both articles:

According to the first article, now the requirement is tourists must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves while in Thailand. Unless I am misunderstanding something, you have to prove you have at least the equivalent of 20,000 baht available.

HUH?

How long do they think a tourist can support himself in Thailand on 20,000 baht? Maybe a night or two?

And what about boys coming in on tourist visas from Lao, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc? Many of them are lucky if they have 200 baht, let alone 20,000.

Oh well, just another item for my "I Don't Get It" list . . .
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Thailand Implements Financial Requirements for Tourist Visas in 2025

by CharlieH

May 19, 2025

Thailand has reintroduced the requirement to show financial proof for tourist visa applicants, alongside launching a mandatory Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for all travelers. With potential changes to visa-free stay durations also under review, here’s a detailed guide to navigating Thailand’s updated travel rules in 2025.

As of May 2025, Thailand has reinstated the requirement to show financial proof for tourist visa applicants. This move comes after the requirement was temporarily dropped in November 2023 to ease travel post-pandemic.

Now, all applicants for a Thailand tourist visa, regardless of nationality, must submit financial documents confirming they can support themselves during their stay.

Minimum Financial Proof Required

According to Thailand’s official e-Visa portal, applicants must now provide “Financial evidence: an amount of no less than 20,000 THB (e.g., bank statements for the last three months, sponsorship letter).” This translates to approximately USD 550 or EUR 510, though exchange rates may vary.

Travellers must demonstrate at least 20,000 THB (~USD 550) in available funds.


Acceptable documents include:

* Bank statements from the last three months
* A sponsorship letter, if someone else is supporting your travel
* This requirement is now clearly listed on Thailand’s official e-Visa website and is being enforced by Thai embassies worldwide, including those in the United States, France, and Norway.


Complete List of Tourist Visa Requirements

In addition to financial documentation, tourist visa applicants must provide the following:

Passport Valid for at least 6 months
Photo Recent passport-sized photo
Proof of Residence Utility bills, rental agreements, or official documents
Round-trip ticket Confirmation of entry and exit
Accommodation Hotel booking or host details
Financial evidence Minimum 20,000 THB in funds or sponsor letter

These documents are required for single-entry tourist visa applications, typically allowing stays of up to 60 days.

Visa-Free Entry Still Available, But Changes May Be Coming

Currently, passport holders from 93 countries can enter Thailand visa-free for a stay of up to 60 days. However, this generous policy is under review.

What Might Change?

* Thai authorities are considering reducing the visa-free stay to 30 days
* The potential change follows concerns over visa misuse
* No official announcement has been made yet, but updates are expected in the coming months

This shift could affect travellers who rely on visa exemptions for extended stays, so it’s wise to monitor government advisories if you’re planning a trip later in 2025.


Financial Proof Requirement for Visa on Arrival Travellers!

While the reinstated financial proof requirement is officially tied to tourist visa applications, travellers using Visa on Arrival (VoA) should be aware that Thai immigration officers may still request proof of sufficient funds at the point of entry.

Even though this is not always enforced, officers have the authority to ask for documentation, and in the absence of proof, entry can be denied.

Visa on Arrival Requirements:

To be eligible for a Thailand VoA, you’ll need:

* A valid passport (with at least 30 days’ validity)
* A completed VoA application form
* A passport-sized photo
* Proof of accommodation in Thailand
* A confirmed return or onward ticket
* Proof of sufficient funds:
-Minimum 10,000 THB per person
-Or 20,000 THB per family

Thailand continues to evolve its entry rules to balance tourism with border control. While the reinstatement of financial proof might be a hurdle for some, it’s part of a broader strategy to ensure responsible travel. Combine that with the TDAC digital form, and it’s clear that Thailand is focused on improving efficiency without compromising on safety and regulation.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1360995-thai ... s-in-2025/
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Here is the potential dream come true. If this comes to be, I would imagine it would apply to us expats - assuming the financial requirements are reasonable. After all, who is a tourist for 10 years? Are we finally looking at least at the possibility of long term visas available for expats?
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Thailand Plans 10-Year Tourist Visa and 99-Year Land Lease to Boost Economy

May 19, 2025

Thailand is gearing up to inject a fresh lease of life into its faltering economy with bold policy proposals. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced intentions to introduce a 10-year tourist visa, allowing foreigners extended stays and work opportunities in the Land of Smiles.

This plan coincides with proposals to offer 99-year lease rights on government land, poised to attract international interest and spur various economic sectors.

In the "Thailand’s Capital Market Forum 2025", Pichai outlined these ambitious measures as part of a broader strategy to counteract global economic issues, especially those triggered by US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs.

Scheduled for further discussion at the economic stimulus policy committee, chaired by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, these proposals aim to clarify responsible agencies and financial allocations necessary for implementation.

Tourism stands at the forefront of this economic revitalisation push. The proposed 10-year visa scheme intends to facilitate longer stays for foreigners, potentially transforming Thailand into a preferred hub for work and lifestyle.

Coupled with 99-year land leases under the "land use rights" framework, Thailand hopes to tap into the burgeoning demand for long-term international residency and business initiatives.

This isn't all; the Thai government is also focusing on long-term infrastructure and technological advancements. These include enhancing the digital economy, establishing Thailand as a regional data centre, boosting the electric vehicle industry, and expanding dual-track railway systems.

Moving towards a logistic powerhouse, the nation also plans the development of land bridges and essential water channels to drive agricultural productivity.

Pichai highlighted the fluctuating Thai stock market, which has dipped from 1,700 to 1,200 points over two years. He urged stability, noting the government's reluctance to introduce further capital market stimulus amidst existing, effective measures.

These strategic plans signify Thailand’s approach to tackling external economic pressures while revitalising internal growth, potentially reshaping the country's global economic position.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1361007-thai ... t-economy/

[Jun]

And what about boys coming in on tourist visas from Lao, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc? Many of them are lucky if they have 200 baht, let alone 20,000.

This proof of funds is for visa applications. No mention of all the visa exempt tourists.
I understand that the boys from Laos, Cambodia etc are visa exempt. I understand that some pay 1000~1500 tea money at Aranya Prathet. Bear in mind they might have a passport full of Thai entry stamps. So I suspect the tea money avoids the hideous queue & any questions about staying in Thailand almost permanently.

How long do they think a tourist can support himself in Thailand on 20,000 baht? Maybe a night or two?

An interesting question.
Tourists from many countries are visa exempt, including the cheap types from India.
So the only ones applying for visas will be from countries that require them, or for long stays. Proving you have 20,000 baht for or 90 day visa seems pointless.
The last time I applied for a 90 day visa, I had to show proof of funds & as I recall, they were looking for a lot more than 20,000 baht.

[Gaybutton]

I understand that the boys from Laos, Cambodia etc are visa exempt.

I don't know about the others, but I'm not so sure you are correct about Laos. Over the years I've had several Lao boys tell me they need to return home to get a new visa.

[Jun]

I don't know about the others, but I'm not so sure you are correct about Laos. Over the years I've had several Lao boys tell me they need to return home to get a new visa.

Actually, I should have said "the majority of the lads".

I have seen:
1 Boys with a passport full of stamps from all the border runs. These seem to be the majority.
2 Boys in Thailand illegally, either with overstay or via an illegal entry.
3 Boys with visas (rare). Including via agencies.

One lad I know of is banned from entering Thailand at present, after a previous infringement. Others are getting away with it.

The Lao boys I know either go to Cambodia for a visa run, or back to Laos to visit friends or family. Quite a few of them use a cheap Thai domestic flight to get to Udon Thani, Ubon, etc & then cross the border into Laos from there.

[Dodger]

.......This isn't all; the Thai government is also focusing on long-term infrastructure and technological advancements. These include enhancing the digital economy, establishing Thailand as a regional data centre, boosting the electric vehicle industry, and expanding dual-track railway systems.

Moving towards a logistic powerhouse, the nation also plans the development of land bridges and essential water channels to drive agricultural productivity.

...They can't even figure out how to untangle the electric lines...

This has to be a joke!

[Jun]

Whist all the construction is mentioned, it would be nice if a topic on Visas stays on topic.

There's mention of a 10 year tourist visa. Now, if done properly, that could be a good idea. By properly, I mean:
1 Reasonable fees, such as 10,000 baht for 10 years.
2 No pointless BS such as reentry permits. Just apply for the visa once. Come & go as you please, since their computer systems ought to track that.
3 A sensible limit, such as 182 days per year. Taken however you like. [Anything more is surely a residency visa ?]
4 No ETAS needed.
5 Use of e-gates at immigration permitted.

That's the way to encourage regular tourists. Guess why I think it won't be like that ?

[Gaybutton]

Reasonable fees, such as 10,000 baht for 10 years.

It would be even better if they do away with requirements to go to immigration anyway every year, as is done with some of the other types of long term visas. And as long as you're doing something sensible, do away with those 90-day address reports too.

In my opinion it would be ideal if first you meet whatever the requirements would be, pay the fee, I'll let you know if my address changes, and other than that, see you in 10 years.

[Jun]

It would be even better if they do away with requirements to go to immigration anyway every year, as is done with some of the other types of long term visas. And as long as you're doing something sensible, do away with those 90-day address reports too.

As far as I could tell, the article was referring to tourist visas. I'm not aware of any requirement for tourists to do 90 day address reports, but on the other hand, I'm also not aware of any tourist visa that allows a stay of over 90 days.

To be honest, if they want to encourage "quality" tourists and "quality" expats, the principles are the same.
Define who is "quality" and make life as easy as possible for such people.
Absolutely no pointless stupidity such as 90 day address reports or re-entry permits.
Then honour the commitments.

The trouble is:
(i) They can't resist creating pointless immigration procedures & in some cases introducing deliberate obstructions. Such obstructions help generate tea money via agencies.

(ii) Where they have had expensive premium visas, Thailand has a recent history of not honouring them.

[Gaybutton]

As far as I could tell, the article was referring to tourist visas.

I get that, but I am talking about what they need to do for expats. I think calling it a tourist visa is the wrong term for it. How many tourists need a 10 year visa, but that is exactly what expats need.

If this goes through and goes through the way the article presents it, then why would expats continue with the retirement visa if they can be eligible for a 10 year visa, no matter what it's called?

Would this visa mean the tourist gets to stay in Thailand for 10 years or would the tourist still be limited to 180 days per year, but won't need to get another visa when he wants to return to Thailand?

We've got one article saying Thailand might offer a 10 year "tourist" visa and another article saying a tourist visa requires a round-trip air ticket. Somehow I doubt many airlines are going to sell a round trip ticket that the passenger won't be using for the return trip until 10 years later.

We'll just have to see how this plays out, if it ends up playing out at all.

[Jun]

How many tourists need a 10 year visa, but that is exactly what expats need?
Would this visa mean the tourist gets to stay in Thailand for 10 years or would the tourist still be limited to 180 days per year, but won't need to get another visa when he wants to return to Thailand?

I'd imagine several board members would like or would have liked a 10 year tourist visa which, hypothetically, would allow you to come and go as you please, for up to 180 days per year. Including 180 days continuous. I'd sign up & there are several others who stay, or have stayed for between 90 & 180 days.

As I see it, a retirement visa allows you to remain in Thailand for 365 days per year and a tourist visa would normally have a lower limit.

Let's see if it actually happens.

Then if they did a 10 year visa, they would cock it up in some shape or form, with unnecessary trips to immigration, as they can't keep their snouts out of the trough ฿฿฿.
That would be the same whether they did it for tourists or expats.