Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Visas for IETF 103 in Thailand

["Deen, Glenn (NBCUniversal)" <[e-mail]>]

In line....[GD]

On 8/15/18, 12:53 PM, "Michael Richardson" <[e-mail]> wrote:

    
    Deen, Glenn (NBCUniversal) <[e-mail]> wrote:
        Carsten> Yes, it would need to be qualified as “not legal advice”, “subject to
        Carsten> change”, “void where prohibited”, etc.  It would help if it contains
        Carsten> pointers to authoritative information I can look up myself.  And,
        Carsten> ultimately, it is my decision (or that of my organization) how to
        Carsten> handle this information, but the IETF could do most of the legwork
        Carsten> here.  Regularly, as a routine component of venue selection and
        Carsten> preparing for a meeting.
    
        > Hi Carsten,
    
        > As Chair of the IAOC let me say that no information is being withheld
        > on Thailand visas.  We are simply reminding everyone to do what you
        > already do when visiting a new country - learn what the entry
        > requirements for your personal situation are, such as reading on the
        > web, asking your travel agent, or consulting a visa service.
    
    Glenn, what Carsten is asking is that we get a list of what the IAOC
    found to be *authoritative* information sources.  Yes, we can Google, but
    there is a motive for the non-authortative sources (particularly those with
    a service to sell) to do better SEO, so they are going to show up earlier,
    and there may be language issues that keep us from finding the real site.

    I am surprised that https://www.businesseventsthailand.com is authoritative
    as I'd expect to find it at something.go.th...

[GD]  The site John Levine cited (https://www.businesseventsthailand.com/plan-your-events/general-travel-information/visa-requirements/) is run by the a government agency and it links to  (http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908)  which is the Kingdom's Ministry of Foreign affairs page which has visa info and Q&A.   So far in my own reading those seem to be the two most authoritative sites and are both published by the Kingdom.  The second site is a .th domain. There two are where I started reading.

    
        > I personally spent about 20 minutes with google search and some reading
        > to understand how it applies to my own situation.  One thing that
        > caught my eye was in the Questions and Answers on Thai Visa section on
        > the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand website
        > (http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15380-Questions-&-Answers-on-Thai-Visa.html),
        > which stated a financial support requirement for tourists from the US
        > and 41 other countries that don't require a visa for tourist travel up
        > to 30 days, do need to have "adequate finances equivalent to at least
        > 10,000 Baht per person or 20,000 Baht per family".  5,000 Bhat is as of
        > today's exchange rate around $150 US.  In other words - if I visit as a
        > tourist, I need to have at least $150 US in my wallet when entering.
        > That's a something I didn't know until I read about it.
    
    This is useful to know. (How did 10000 Baht become 5000 = 150US?, btw?)
    Is a valid credit card "finances equivalent to"?  Or do I really need $150US?
    How about 150EU? Or 150CDN?


[GD] My mistake - I should have said 10,000 Baht which is about $300 US.  Some sites say you don't literally need $300 as major credit cards will be accepted by inspectors.  However, this isn't clearly stated on either of the sites I mention above.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Q&A says "adequate finances equivalent to ..." which could be interpreted a couple ways in by own reading of it - either cash in pocket, or credit cards, or I guess gold bars if you like carrying them around.   

    
-glenn