Hi everyone,
I’m a EU citizen (czech) and I’ll be travelling around Asia, visiting around 5 countries, with Thailand being one of the stops.
I’m aware of the 20 000 THB proof of funds requirement, but I’m wondering how often this is actually checked in practice, especially for EU citizens.
I have enough money in my bank account and can easily show my bank balance if needed. I also have my flights and accommodation booked. What I don’t really like is withdrawing around 20 000 THB in cash just for the possibility that an immigration officer might ask for it. Since I’m travelling through several countries, carrying that much cash also feels like an unnecessary risk of losing it or having it stolen.
For those who have entered Thailand recently,

Have you actually been asked to show the money?
How often would you say this happens?
If you were asked, did they accept a bank statement/banking app, or did they specifically require physical cash?

Thanks!

I am from the UK and this is my second time in Thailand (Phuket).

The way people drive here is absolutely crazy, and no one seems to care about their own safety or the safety of fellow drivers.

Today, my Bolt motorbike taxi was driving down a busy highway and messaging several people on Facebook Messanger whilst driving 50-60 miles per hour.

This is dangerous enough in a car, but on a motorbike - absolutely insane.

Do Thai people realise that we only live once?

Why do they drive like life is a video game and if you crash, you just re-start the game?

Numerous times I have seen motorbikes with entire families on - literally babies 2 or 3 years old clinging on for life. If this happened in the UK, social services would take you to court and your kids would be taken into care.

Thai people are, on the whole, very nice people. But when it comes to road safety, they are the most ignorant people I have ever encountered in my life.

Hi everyone! We’re considering living in Phuket long-term for around a year. We’d like to rent a spacious 2-bedroom condo or a small villa somewhat at good areas, eat occasionally at Western-style cafés and restaurants, buy groceries, lease a car, have comprehensive health insurance, and occasionally travel to neighbouring islands.
No parties, no alcohol, just average western style life.

Our total budget would be around $4,000 USD per month for two people. Based on your experience, would this be enough to live comfortably, or would we need to make some trade-offs?

I realize it’s peak high season but this kind of price of ฿20,000 a night is pretty consistent through throughout the whole year even in low season

I’ve stayed in this hotel because we got a very special deal with the half half…… yes it was nice The breakfast was great. …but the beach is nothing spectacular

These prices are above honeymoon suits etc in the Maldives and rival first class suites in western countries

You can rent a high end villa for a month with these types of prices etc etc

​

Hi everyone,

We're asking for your help to find Michael, 33 years old, who was last seen in the Chalong area of Phuket.

Michael is currently believed to be experiencing cannabis-induced psychosis and may be confused, disoriented, or not acting like himself. His family is extremely worried and is trying to locate him as soon as possible to ensure he is safe.

If you have seen Michael recently or have any information about his whereabouts, please comment below or send me a private message immediately.

Please do not approach him aggressively if you see him. If possible, stay with him from a safe distance and contact us so his family can reach him.

Any information, no matter how small, could make a huge difference.

Thank you for helping.

Basically, I rented a house with a year upfront payment, and when I tried to enter it a few days later, there was another family living inside, who also signed a contract but just a couple of days before me.

Though one year upfront payment sounds sus, I had all the required documents from the agent, such as his ID, signed agreement, photos of the money, him holding the money, us together, his contract with the house owner, specifying he can actually represent her. Even his Facebook page. I also transferred the second half of the money to his bank account. So technically, I have all the proofs of the deal and whatnot.

I went to the tourist police and they recommended to hire a lawyer to deal with that stuff, because they weren't sure how to deal with that (I don't know if they even filed a report. The scammer ditched his old number, so they couldn't contact him either).

They also shared a contact with a foreigner volunteer, who told me that lawyers won't really help you, cuz even if you win the case, the scammer can just ignore the court decision, but I would end up paying the lawyer fee anyway.

Then she offered her own mediation services for 20-30% of the remaining debt, and at this point I just don't know if she's lying to sell me her service or if she's telling the truth (or both).

Important note: of 160k, the scammer paid me back around 50k, but then he just decided to ignore me for more than 1.5 months, so he cannot go to jail. At least that's what the police told me.

Ya boy's fat and can't afford the branded ones. Any legit seller or clinics?

Hi, I'm (29 SEA transwoman) visiting Phuket with my gf next week and we wanted to go to Bangla street to grab drinks and have a girls' night out.

I just read a bunch of Reddit posts (although a year old) that I might be rejected entry to clubs and might even risk altercations with locals (cis and trans) if they think I'm in the sex trade.

Is this true? Should I not go to such areas?

UPDATE So I went out for a night along Bangla street proudly as a transwoman! Unfortunately, I do not pass nearly as well as the transwomen here but I did it anyway. I got lots of stares and someone shouted 'Ladyboy' at me. but other than that, I got drunk and managed to get into Illuzion (probably because it was early and there was free entry).

Overall, it was nervewrecking yet exciting to go out into the world as a transwoman and being widely accepted here. The only reason why I didn't have fun was because I was just too overwhelmed by the bars and smoking and shouting but other than that. great time!

​

Need some quick reality checks and advice from people who know Phuket well.

I’m heading to Phuket right at the tail end of November (peak season chaos starting to kick in) and booked a stay at a Wyndham property. Looking closer at the map, I just realized it’s sitting roughly 14–15 km away from patong Beach.

Since it's peak season, I’m worried about getting stranded, dealing with inflated taxi costs, or wasting half my vacation stuck in traffic just trying to get to the coast or nearby hubs (like Boat Avenue/Bang Tao area).

If you've been in a similar spot or know the area:

* How much should I realistically expect to budget for taxis/transfers getting from that side of the island to Layan/surrounding hotspots during peak season? (Are apps like Grab/Bolt usable, or am I at the mercy of local fixed-rate taxis?)

* What can I do to salvage the location? Should I rent a scooter (though I know traffic in peak season can be wild), rely on hotel shuttles, or is there a smarter workaround?

* Any hidden gems, decent spots, or local tips nearby so I don't feel entirely isolated from the beach vibe?

Appreciate any advice before my trip rolls around! Cheers.

Edit: hotel is Ramada Plaza By Wyndham Chao Fah

Hey everyone,

Traveling to Phuket with my wife and two young daughters (ages 4 and 6) in a couple of weeks, staying at a private pool villa for about 10 nights.

I asked the host about insects and lizards inside the villa and they were honest — said lizards will definitely enter inside. I totally get it’s a tropical island and I’m not expecting a sterile environment, but I just want to mentally prepare my family.

A few specific questions:

1.  How common is it to find geckos/lizards actually inside the bedroom?  
2.  Is there any real risk of them falling on you while sleeping?  
3.  Any tips to keep them out of the bedrooms specifically?

1. How did your kids react when they first saw one? 😅

We’re genuinely excited for the trip and not looking to cancel — just want honest first-hand experiences so we can manage expectations with the girls.

Thanks in advance 🙏

Hey, like the title says they allow smoking on the balcony, i asked them through booking, if that also includes cannabis, they replied that it is cigarettes only, that’s unfortunate.

Is there a way around this since now I cannot smoke in public of course and not even in my hotel’s balcony it’s getting kind of frustrating because I don’t know why it matters if smoking is allowed, I thought to just do %80 tobacco %20 weed to mask the smell a little, or is there any other solution?

Hello, I'm the first time in Thailand and I am travelling with my wife and daughter of two and to be honest I am kind of disappointment with the places I've been to by now. Starting in Bangkok which was way too troublesome and hectic, no real vacation feeling, then arriving ban wong li for a short transfer and now I am in Karon Village. The beach here is okay, but I think everywhere I go I have one of four kinds of places which I've seen a hundred times now, and we are always in a rush to go from place A to B. Does anyone have a recommendation for a calm, more natural place which is not so expensive and close to a nice beach? And also for vegetarian food? I found it a bit of a nightmare to find okay vegie fast food in the tourist places I've been so far. Thailand was recommended by so many friends of mine and after 9 days being here I am feeling a bit depressed...

I've coming from a Metropolitan city as well so I'm used to hectic, but the Thai hectic is quite different. I was hoping to find something a bit chill like Zanzibar, but got loads of noises

I came to Phuket to train Muay Thai at Bang Tao Gym for about a month, and I’ve found that pretty much everything here costs modern (Western) prices.

For example:

• Cab ride from the airport: 650 baht

• Thai restaurant meal (bit-fancy): 1,000 baht

• Shin pads (from the gym, so I don’t really mind): 2,500 baht

To top it off, I walked into a regular store to buy some Muay Thai gear, and the prices were basically Western as well: 600–900 baht for shorts and around 2,000 baht for gloves.

Am I just looking in the wrong places, or did I choose the wrong location to train? I originally wanted to go to Chiang Mai, but due to the smoky season that didn’t really feel like an option.

At this point, I’m mainly looking for somewhere around (preferably) Bang Tao where I can live a bit more cheaply.

I am a student looking to start a project that could potentially help solve some issues on the island. I've lived here all my life but id like to know from different perspectives. Other then what's obvious like the environment, over tourism etc... I would like to know some that are often over looked. In fact it needn't be a huge problem but like something that could better the island in general. It be a huge help to get more then my perspective.

In Phuket it is all the same, shirtless fucking 20-30 years old driving a big bike weaving traffics like if they fail to get to their destination the world would collapse. And it is always the same. Why? I swear they are all French. European for sure, maybe Italian, but im betting of France. Can someone explain to me, is it normal in France? It's never Indian, it's never a British person, or an American it's the same fucking French (maybe Italian) asshole.

Why are they treating Thailand like Need for Speed?

Currently in Patong and been taking some early morning walks. Came across this abandoned car im a paddock opposite the APK hotel and I'm genuinely curious, was this the cars finally resting place as a result of the Tsunami or just left there as junk? Anybody able to explain how far the Tsunami went inland from the beach in simple terms? Perhaps there's a building still standing that would be an indication.

Was anybody here during the Tsunami or just after it?

Any stories you are willing to share?

Hi, a family of three (wife, toddler, and I) is looking to visit Thailand for the first time in November. We found that Phuket would be a good choice for this time of year.

We are looking for a resort/hotel style stay, but with an option to go for a walk to get to know the culture, visit some good cafeterias, or have a nice dining experience.

Should we pick other regions? If yes, why?
Or if Phuket is fine, do you have any recommendations on what to visit or where to stay?

Budget is medium-high.

I heard that the Thai Ministry of Tourism decided to help those stranded in Thailand by giving hotels 2000 baht for accommodation and food. I need the names of those hotels that accept this offer because my current hotel doesn't accept it and I'm running out of money.

I was under the impression that when I get a multiple entry visa with duration of 6 months with condition of each trip being under 60 days, I can stay for 55 days, go out of the country for one week and come back.

This is what I did for 2 cycles and on my second time coming back, the immigration officer was not happy and basically almost denied entry (I was lucky my Thai girlfriend was there and kinda vouched for me)

But realistically if they gave me this visa and I’m already within the rules they set, why are they unhappy with me following their rules. I don’t think I’m gaming their system. I’m simply on a long holiday why is that a problem?

Full disclosure:
I applied for DTV when I was in Indonesia, my documents was absolutely complete I triple checked everything with claude and I did the interview at Jakarta embassy but for no stated reason they gave me the multiple entry tourist visa rather than the DTV, and they didn’t even refund the difference in the fees (DTV is much more expensive).
What I’m trying to say is I already tried this path and I hate to say that I don’t see any reason of them rejecting me except for my weak passport.

I’ve stayed in my condo 2 years , always paid on time , hardly bothered the landlord for anything

Lease is up in October , and I asked for another 1 year contract and the landlord has asked an increase in price from 10k to 12k

Visa exempt just got reduced and DTV so it’s pretty insane to me he’s asking for an increase after 2 years

The greed from the landlord immediately wants me to leave the condo anyway now

I am suprised at condo rent prices still,

thousands of condo units have come online since COVID, and are coming online this year

condo rent prices have doubled post covid yet tourist numbers are actually down vs pre COVID,

I can understand there was an insane high season 2023 post COVID but most things have quieted down since flight prices keep raising

Landlords are surely pushing their luck

Hey,

I’m currently staying in the Patong area and needed two medicines:

1. Otrivin Nasal Spray (1%)
2. Crystaline 600 mg (10 tablets)

I had a rough idea of the prices, but the pharmacy attendant charged me 600 baht for both. Since I needed them for a blocked nose and sore throat, I bought them without thinking too much about it.

Later, I noticed that neither medicine has an MRP (Maximum Retail Price) or any similar price printed on the packaging.

I came back to the hotel and also checked a box of paracetamol that I bought for 100 baht. That also doesn’t have any MRP or retail price printed on it, although it does show the manufacturing and expiry dates.

After Googling the price of Crystaline 600 mg (10 tablets), it seems like it should cost no more than around 150 baht.

Is this some kind of scam or tourist overcharging?

When I asked the pharmacy attendant about the missing price, she told me that medicine boxes don’t have prices printed on them and that this is how they come from the manufacturer. That sounds a bit strange to me, if true.

Are pharmacies around Beach Road in Patong generally overpriced or tourist traps? From what I can tell, these two medicines together shouldn’t cost more than around 300 baht, rather than 600.

Has anyone else experienced something similar?

Hey everyone. I'm a 30-year-old solo male looking to stay in Phuket for about 3 or 4 nights in November to eat, drink, and chill out. I like going to beach clubs that stay open till late, but I've been seeing that due to the crackdown on illegal structures, there aren't that many beach clubs to go to anymore.

Has anyone been recently? If it's a no-go, where else do you recommend? Thanks for your help.

I drive around the island quite a bit, so I literally see them stopping only tourists and taking money from them every day. I don't know the exact amount, but I think I heard about 1000 baht, so that's quite a lot considering how many illegal drivers there are.

I'm back in Phuket for a year after having previously lived here for a 1-2 years. In that time I've had a few friends come and go, but I was never able to establish a stable social circle or find a group activity that easily brought together Westerners.

To be fair to the place this was largely my fault - I am on an extended hiatus while desperately hammering away at side gigs before runway ends, and as a programmer, this is a lonely and hard road. I could not force myself to do the things necessary to have a social life at the time.

I am trying to do this year differently, as I have come to understand that having a social life is non negotiable. I will be signing up to a Thai language school and I am hoping to entrench myself into regular Muay Thai sessions for good this time.

This is a start, but I want to hear other people's stories - how have you managed to establish and maintain a friend group on the island? If it’s of any relevance, I am a male in the 30-35 age range.