RANTAU PANJANG: The minimum cash requirement imposed by the Thai authorities has not deterred Malaysian travellers from visiting the kingdom.
Self-employed Zulkifli Abdullah said he went to the Sungai Golok sub-province to meet his Thai friends yesterday.
"I would normally go there during weekends to have lunch with them and return to Pasir Mas in the evening.
"As usual, l will not bring a lot of cash and was not checked by the Thai Immigration officers," said the 45-year-old.
Student Nik Nur Natasya Nik Ahmad said she and her friends brought less than RM200 cash when they went to Narathiwat on Friday.
"I have read the news about visitors entering Thailand being reminded to bring enough cash, but l was also told that the rule is not new.
"I have been travelling to Thailand since two years ago and so far, l've not been checked by its authorities or told to bring a certain amount of cash when visiting Thailand," said the 21-year-old who is from Melor.
The Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok recently advised tourists to ensure they carry enough cash for the duration of their stay in Thailand.
Malaysian top envoy in Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel, in responding to a claim by an Indonesian envoy, said all foreign tourists entering the country must carry a minimum of THB15,000 or approximately RM1,992 in cash.
He however said it was not a new requirement as Thailand had been imposing it on foreign visitors for the last decade.
He said it was important for tourists from Malaysia to have proof of accommodation, enough cash as well as travel insurance for the duration of their stay.
"The Thai authorities conduct random checks and have the right to refuse entry to tourists who cannot establish that they have enough money and a place of accommodation," he was reported as saying.
He said many Indonesians were denied entry to Thailand due to their inability to prove that they had sufficient funds for their stay.