Some Bangkok Embassies to stop Certification of Income Letters

[RCer]

It's confirmed. Just stopped in Immigration in Pathum Thani.

As of 1 Jan 2019. Only way to renew a retirement visa is to have 800,000 in a Thai bank for 3 month in a single (your name only) account. If joint account with spouse, the amount doubles.

No monthly pay records or other documentation will suffice.

[Big Boy]

Is that officially in writing, or an opinion of an Immigration Officer in Pathum Thani?

[centermid7]

It's confirmed. Just stopped in Immigration in Pathum Thani.

As of 1 Jan 2019. Only way to renew a retirement visa is to have 800,000 in a Thai bank for 3 month in a single (your name only) account. If joint account with spouse, the amount doubles.

No monthly pay records or other documentation will suffice.

That is hardly "confirmation".

[RCer]

It's verbal from the head visa person in Pathum Thani.

I showed her all my paperwork including monthly retirement statements from the US government.

She said they will be no good next year.

Good enough for me.

[RCer]

Personally, the concept of eliminating the fakes/frauds that are here is a good thing.

[caller]

Personally, the concept of eliminating the fakes/frauds that are here is a good thing.

The trouble is, that as it stands, many genuine and legitimate expats can be affected by any abandonment of the 40/65k monthly rule, as if stated by the you, only 400/800k in the bank is acceptable. And that's neither right nor fair.

[handdrummer]

Personally, the concept of eliminating the fakes/frauds that are here is a good thing.

Then it becomes a baby/bathwater thing. There are those who can transfer in 65,000BHT a month but can't supply 800,000 at one time.

If I were a single person I could certainly live on less than 65,000 a month. The whole thing is ridiculous. As long as the person is not a financial burden to the state & does nothing illegal, who cares how much money they have?

[T.O.M.]

Personally, the concept of eliminating the fakes/frauds that are here is a good thing.

Then it becomes a baby/bathwater thing. There are those who can transfer in 65,000BHT a month but can't supply 800,000 at one time.

If I were a single person I could certainly live on less than 65,000 a month. The whole thing is ridiculous. As long as the person is not a financial burden to the state & does nothing illegal, who cares how much money they have?

Yeah sure....Open boarders are the solution....Coming from an American...
In general it is very easy to obtain a long stay visa here....Easier than in most countries.
If you are over 50 and plan to spend the rest of your life here, I think that the requirements of 400/800k are both reasonable and fair.
I you by that age haven't managed to save that smallish amount, then of course the Thai immigration will presume, that you are uninsured, and might end up being a financial burden to Thailand.
Stop whining and start saving...

[centermid7]

It's verbal from the head visa person in Pathum Thani.

I showed her all my paperwork including monthly retirement statements from the US government.

She said they will be no good next year.

Good enough for me.

How childlike. Good luck out there . . .

[handdrummer]

Personally, the concept of eliminating the fakes/frauds that are here is a good thing.

Then it becomes a baby/bathwater thing. There are those who can transfer in 65,000BHT a month but can't supply 800,000 at one time.

If I were a single person I could certainly live on less than 65,000 a month. The whole thing is ridiculous. As long as the person is not a financial burden to the state & does nothing illegal, who cares how much money they have?

Yeah sure....Open boarders are the solution....Coming from an American...
In general it is very easy to obtain a long stay visa here....Easier than in most countries.
If you are over 50 and plan to spend the rest of your life here, I think that the requirements of 400/800k are both reasonable and fair.
I you by that age haven't managed to save that smallish amount, then of course the Thai immigration will presume, that you are uninsured, and might end up being a financial burden to Thailand.
Stop whining and start saving...

I didn't and don't advocate open borders. I'm talking about the absurdity of Thai immigration laws regarding finances. Reasonable and fair for one is not the same for all. Anyone can end up being a financial burden. money today doesn't equal money in x number of years. What's smallish for one isn't always smallish for another. I'm sorry if you can't distinguish a comment from a whine, but that's your problem. You don't know me or anything about me or my finances so don't make assumptions and act smug and self-righteous. And finally, All Americans are neither for nor against open borders any more than all Brits are for or against Brexit.

[RCer]

From an attorney.

The new procedure/rule is as I have written it.

[laphanphon]

Best to plan for the negative, 400 or 800k IN THE BANK, and assures approval of visa / extension.

How or why anything else would be verified and or accepted is a roll of the dice. A document in English from a suspect source....very unlikely.

Do you feel lucky ???

[StevePIraq]

Just why some people are behaving like Ostriches with their head in the sand is beyond me.

You are not going to get a personal letter addressed to you from Thai immigration so just get on with life and put the cash in the bank.

[Big Boy]

No, we are not going to get a personalised letter. However, I still have 9 months validity on my visa.

I'm not going to rush anything, but wait until either Immigration make an announcement, or react to reality, starting with how our Danish cousins are dealt with.

There are many, many opinions out there, and many bar room lawyers. Yes, your opinion will work. I have many doubts regarding other 'fixes'. I will react when I need to react, I certainly don't have my head in the sand.

The new rules could see many Farangs having to leave Thailand, leaving their families behind destitute. I don't think the reality of the Thai demands have hit home yet - they'll still be expecting embassies to jump through their hoops. OK most Thai Generals don't have a heart, but public pressure may prevail - especially with an election looming (maybe).

[StevePIraq]

What public pressure from whom, Expats? we count for nothing in Thailand that is why you can buy a house and car but can only get a one year visa. They don't give a sh@# what opinions foreigners have. I doubt there will ever be a formal announcement by immigration,

Yes many foreigners ( I will not use the derogatory term Farang) may have to leave but then they leave behind the house for the Thai to keep, foolish them for buying here.