The Indian Embassy in Bangkok issued a fresh travel advisory on 2 July 2026 that could catch unprepared holiday-makers off guard. Indian nationals entering Thailand visa-free or on Visa on Arrival must be ready to show THB 20,000 (≈ ₹58,000) in cash, a confirmed return or onward ticket, hotel bookings and—new for 2026—a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) filed online within 72 hours before landing. While Thai immigration officers have long had discretion to request proof of funds, the embassy’s explicit cash requirement signals stricter enforcement during Thailand’s high-season visa-exemption experiment. Families should note that the amount applies per traveller; a four-person group may need to carry THB 80,000 in separate envelopes to avoid secondary inspection. The TDAC replaces the paper TM6 card and feeds passenger data into Thailand’s Advance Passenger Processing system. Travellers who skip the form may be diverted to manual counters, negating the benefit of Thailand’s recently expanded e-gates. Airlines, too, can deny boarding if the QR-coded TDAC is missing. Corporate travel managers should update checklist apps and pre-trip briefings for employees transiting Bangkok en route to ASEAN meetings. The advisory also warns against entering on tourist status to take up work—a practice that can trigger deportation and multi-year bans. Employers sending staff for short client visits should obtain a business visa or ensure the activities clearly fall within Thailand’s visa-exempt “urgent work” carve-out.
Source: VisaVerge
