soisanuk

On 6/28/2025 at 12:34 AM, Jingthing said:

I didn't know that they wanted the original bank book to show along with the copies and they almost made me go away for that. But I did a little beg dance saying I just didn't know about that, and they let it go.

As far as this show chanote thing it wasn't on the PCEC site the last time I checked. 

If you're in that club and it still isn't, get them to update.

I contacted the person in the PCEC who handles their webpages on Immigration issues.  He noted that although not specifically mentioned in their checklists for Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration, their main webpage for Extending a stay showed  

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It is customary to place your original signature on photocopies. In Thailand this is considered a certification as to the accurate depiction of the original.  The original document  should be available for examination in case the Immigration Officer asks to see it.

He said he has seen this thread and as a result has moved the above into a more prominate posirion on that page and has now included similar notation on other pages including their checklists.

 Jingthing also wrote: 

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In case anyone missed, apparently Jomtien immigration is now doing HOME VISITS for retirement extensions.

I have only seen one report by someone that said he was told to expect such a visit and have not seen any follow-up confirming such a visit actually took place.  I will be renewing my own retirement extension next week and if a new requirement, will, I am sure, also be told to expect it. 

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

How long is a piece of string? They have accident policies that might be only 5-10,000, but also carry full medical policies which head towards 80,000+ for older people and depending on coverage! 

From some articles and reports I saw a few years ago, Bangkok Bank staff were pushing for the purchase of an accident insurance policy when opening an account.  The annual fee was around 3,000 baht as I recall.  Someone I know that pays for an annual accident policy pays his insurance broker a fee of around 2,400 baht for the policy.

The Pattaya City Expats Club has a webpage on obtaining a Residency Certificate from Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration office - Jomtien Beach Road Soi 5 - https://pcec.club/ResidencyCertificate 

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There was previously a Merck brand, Circadin,

I get it regularly from a Pattaya pharmacy.

37 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Agree - Immigration has now for several years required only sufficient time on the passport to cover the period of stay for entry. Thus there should be should be no problem in the airline allowing boarding.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if applying at a Thai Embassy/Consulate for a Visa still requires the passport to have 6 months validity.   

The Pattaya City Expats Club has a checklist which is usually up to date.

https://pcec.club/CHECKLISTS-Extensions-of-Stay

The Pattaya City Expats Club has the following on their website which has a link and instructions for doing the report - https://pcec.club/online-90-day/

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Although the time frame when doing the report in person is 15 days in advance or up to 7 days after the due date, this is not the case with online reporting which can be done 15 days in advance but not after the due date.

 

The online system will reject the application under the following conditions. Submitting the report:

        For the first time after entering or reentering Thailand
       More than 15 days before the due date.
       After the due date.
       After leaving & returning to Thailand – upon reentering, the 90 day period restarts

It also notes that it may not always work even when it should:
 

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We continue to receive conflicting reports about successfully filing the TM.47 online. For unknown reasons, the online system may accept the first report (and even subsequent reports) but then reject a report although it contains correct information and is being timely filed.  In such cases, the message will usually  tell you to visit your Immigration Office immediately.  The reports we have received is that inquiry with the Immigration Officer when making the report in person, they will not know the reason.

3 hours ago, flexomike said:

So instead of being a smart azz why didn't you just correct him another words 15-7 days before due date. 

Correct for reporting in person.  For online reporting, it is 15 day up to due date (I usually do before the due date, but once let it almost slip by me and did it on the due date - it was accepted.

59 minutes ago, CMBob said:

The system is working.  Filed online the 16th although rejected the 17th.  No reason given for the rejection although the rejection email said I needed to go to Immigration "immediately."  I'm guessing the rejection is because I re-entered the country at the end of January and they are requiring the first application to be done in person after re-entering the country.  No problem, my "immediately" will be handled via the CM drive-through window in a few days.

That would be the case.  If you leave Thailand and return, the next 90 day report cannot be made using the online system.

When I received my new passport in March 2024, I did the report at Immigration when I had the stamps transferred from my old passport.  I did my next and subsequent online 90 day reports with no problems. I received my latest approval just before Songkran.

19 hours ago, NativeBob said:

I've been told by senior manager at Bangkok Bank (Silom, BKK. HQ?) that no chance to open an account on tourist visa. Well, that would be quite rude to ask him "Says who?" 

However I think it is a good idea, as there were gazzilion accounts opened on ghosts. 

That may be Bangkok Bank's (or that particular location) policy, but that doesn't make it the policy of all Thai banks, or even other Bangkok Bank branches.  

The advice often given to foreigners, even those visa exempt or tourist visa, is to keep trying the different branches until you find one that will open an account.  Likewise, several agencies offer assistance in opening a Thai bank account.

The Pattaya City Expats Club has this comment on their webpages about banking in Thailand:

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Many foreigners report difficulty in opening a bank account at a particular branch of a bank, only to be approved at another branch of the same bank.  Thus, if turned down at one, try another or a different bank - it may take a few tries, but eventually one will usually open an account.

bravo19
 

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For a Non-OA visa you don't need a Thai bank account. And for a Non-O visa you can show your monthly financial income.

To obtain an OA visa, you must apply at a Thai Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence, it is not available from Thai Immigration.  To obtain a Non-O from Thai Immigration, you need to show you have 800k baht in a Thai bank OR, if using monthly income, a Monthly Income verification from your Embassy (such verification is not available for holders of passports from Australia, UK, USA, & now Canada).   Once you have a Non-O Visa, you can use Thai bank passbook/statements to show monthly deposits from a foreign source of at least 65k baht to get an annual extension of the permission to stay.

1 hour ago, bravo19 said:

Also with a agent it is not possible anymore to open a bank account with a tourist visa.

That may depend on location and the agent. Currently an agent in Pattaya that assists in opening bank accounts notes the following on their website:

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Banking Regulations have changed since March 2023.  If you are a tourist, you must now have a minimum of 30 days left on your visa to open a Bank Account. Mots Services can assist you to extend your visa if you need to do this to have the correct amount of time to a open Bank Account. To open the  account we need your  Passport, 2 passport photos, Valid TM30 Certificate (or proof of address in Pattaya) and you will need either a valid home country driving licence or a Thai driving licence, National ID Card or Birth Certificate for secondary ID for banking regulations.

If in Pattaya, MOTS is an agent that many use to assist in opening bank accounts as well a getting a Thai driving license.

oldcpu

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or alternatively exit Thailand back to their home country, obtain a Type-O visa, and return to Thailand, and open an account then as soon as they arrive in Thailand.

A Non-Immigrant O Visa for purpose of retirement may be available at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in a neighboring country by showing one meets the financial requirements, i.e. equivalent of 800k baht (in a foreign bank is usually acceptable) or evidence of a monthly income equivalent to or greater than 65k baht.   Probably less expensive than returning to their home country.

JoseThailand

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Get a retirement visa first, then open as many bank accounts as you want

To get a Non-Immigrant O Visa for retirement at Thai Immigration, you need to have already opened a Thai Bank account to deposit the required 800k baht.

On 3/20/2025 at 7:49 AM, JoseThailand said:

 

With a week's supply of water and food?

That is what I do.  Stock up with bottled water (I wouldn't dare drink tap water and neither do my Thai friends) and food.  I manage to stay occupied with book reading and  watching movies and shows on the TV.  My Thai companions, of course, go out usually each day to Enjoy!  Delivery services are generally available except on the 18th & 19th in Pattaya - especially the 19th - bumper to bumper traffic on all the main roads - and lots of splashing.

Applurinol and Colchocin are the two tablet medications I take and have done so now for many years (originally prescribed by a Dr at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya recommended them as a preventative).

And yes, the Dr also recommended eating less chicken - but that was and is my main staple. I also eat beef fairly often.  I haven't had gout since taking these medications.

16 hours ago, Merrill said:

I am moving to Thailand this year lock stock and barrel do I need to pay tax on the money I have for the purchase of a House in my son's name he is a Thai citizen. second do I pay tax on my UK pension? Cheers for any advice

If money transferred was in savings for income or pension earned before Jan 1 2024, then it is not assessable income and no tax filing is required.  Another thing you may want to consider is, if your son is of age and has a bank account of his own, you could transfer the money as a "gift" - the threshold is quite high -  Gifts to Parents or Children: Gifts valued under THB 20 million per tax year to parents or children are generally exempt from tax. Source: https://www.expattaxthailand.com/gift-tax-2024/

The Pattaya City Expats Club has the following on their Expat Recommended Health Providers web page:

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Dr. Preecha Paijitrochana, DDS

Smile Time Dental Clinic

Jomtien

082-207-9691

Remarks: The Expat recommending commented ‘Everyone I send to him is delighted and never goes to another dentist.’ Great English. In Jomtien, but friends go out from other parts of Pattaya to see him. Close to the golden ‘monkey’ statue.

9 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Pupen in Jomtien is very good. Not posh, just regular, but nice spot and the seafood is fantastic. Was there a few weeks ago on a Saturday and there was an electronic queueing system in place as it does get very busy. Not sure if they take advance bookings but maybe call them. But it's not fine dining - it is regular Thai style.

 

https://www.tourismthailand.org/Restaurant/pupen-seafood-pattaya

 

Agree, Pupen's is very good. I do believe they take bookings, but not for weekends including Friday.  Also, agree with post regarding Bang Saray - you will need transport, but better atmosphere. The one I have gone to (forget the name) is on a pier out over the water, so a nice view. 

6 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

 

Note that the fee to send USD and have that converted to THB in Thailand is $55. Converting USD to THB at BBL NYC (at a lower rate) results in the fixed/sliding fee schedule.

 

The process looks fairly complicated - judging from the Application for Foreign Remittance.

 

I look forward to some here explaining how they use this transfer method. Do you snail-mail the application form? Or email it?

 

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Transfers/Transferring-Into-Thailand/Foreign-Remittance

 

 

 

It has been a few years ago that I used their Baht Remittance Service.  It took about 11 days from the time I sent money from my USA bank to Bangkok Bank's NY Branch and it arriving in my Bangkok Bank account in Thailand.  The process:

1 Downloaded the Application which is a pdf form, completed it, and emailed it to the NY Branch along with the Identity page from my passport.  [link for doing the download is on their webpage https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Transfers/Transferring-Into-Thailand/Foreign-Remittance

2. Using my USA bank on line banking, I ordered a check* payable to the NY Branch and had it sent by snail mail to the NY Branch's address.

3. The NY Branch after depositing the paper check, waited for it to clear.

4. The NY Branch then converted the dollars to baht** and transferred it to my Bangkok Bank account here in Thailand.

5. Although they remitted the money to me based on the emailed application, at the time I used the service, they required the original be sent to them by snail mail and if not sent, they would not not process any future transfers. [In looking at their current information, that appears to no longer be a requirement, but that may have been in info I received confirming approval of the application]

* Personal checks mailed to them are not acceptable, but they will accept it as a bank money order if sent by your bank [I confirmed by email with them beforehand that they would accept my USA bank's issued paper check] - see Item 11 under Terms and Conditions which are on the 2nd page of the Application Form.

** They will send US dollars if requested, but according to their website, the fee will be $55 [IMO unnecessary unless being sent to a US Dollar account rather than a baht account - when I did my transfer, unlike US banks, the exchange rate used by the NY Branch was the same as used by their HQ here in Thailand. 

When I set up a joint account with my Thai partner at Bangkok Bank several years ago, I was asked if I wanted it to require both of our signatures to withdraw funds or only one by either of us.  We chose either one of us and also not to have an ATM card, only the bank book.

It is my understanding that even if you have a will designating your beneficiary for all your bank accounts, for them to get access, the executor must still use an attorney to apply to the probate court for an order to be given to the bank allowing access.

Since I wasn't sure whether being a joint account that the joint owner would also be barred from taking the funds without the probate court order if I died, I advised my partner to quickly take the bank book to the bank and withdraw the funds before the bank was notified of my death. 

However, it was my partner that died first - being 26 years older, that was not anticipated.  We had needed the funds earlier for something else, so there wasn't much in the account.  It was a few months later that I was at the bank and informed them the joint account holder was deceased. They said I had to close the account, they had me withdraw the funds and they closed the account.  Nothing was said about needing a court order.  

16 hours ago, Everyman said:

It doesn’t work for ACH anymore only IAT and to my knowledge no retail US bank offers that. 

 

The guy with the the Vanguard account, are you sending IAT or Swift?

Correct! The NY Branch does have other methods for doing transfers referred to as: 

- International Automated Clearing House Transfers (IAT)

- Baht Remittance Service

- Domestic Wire Transfer

The Pattaya City Expats Club has a web page describing the change from domestic ACH to IAT and the 3 methods shown above - https://pcec.club/BangkokBankNY. The web page notes the Domestic Wire information is old and that one should check with the NY Branch to determine is they still accept Domestic Wire Transfers.

17 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I went down to Immigration this morning and the counter 9 (COR desk) officer was asking all COR driving licence supplicants if they wanted both licences. If the answer was in the affirmative, the price was 600 Baht.

 

I just got one COR. I don't really need a car licence. However I will try an original and a copy for both licences at the Transport Dept. If they won't accept it, I will just get a motorbike licence.

  This is posted on the Pattaya City Expats Club website:

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Although the Land Transport Office will accept one original and a photocopy of the Certificate if obtaining both an automobile and motorcycle license, the Immigration Office will tell you that you need an original Certificate for each if you indicate on the application form it is for both - if you indicate it is only for one or the other, you can  make a photocopy to give to the Land Transport Office with your documentation for the second license (motorcycle or automobile). 

3 hours ago, arick said:

It's not on my drop down I only have about seven options surely when you click long stay you need money for a long stay in Thailand surely that brings up the red flags on the international market when you're buying this exotic  currency.

The initial drop down window doesn't show it. You need to scroll down - it is the last item in the "purposes" on the list.

Earlier this year, after renewing my passport, I filed a new TM30 and later did the 90 day report in person.  For my next 90 day report, I did it online - no problem.  Next month, I am due to file another one which I plan to do using the online system.