London Boy

Exactly the same thing happened to me in October and this is the thread from my report, although the excuse the IO gave me for the bank statement was she wanted to check I wasn't working. https://aseannow.com/topic/1375566-change-in-policy-at-chaeng-wattana/

The embassy letter use to afford me the flexibility of transferring funds as and when I needed them, especially at times when the Bhatt was weaker. Now, after this experience, i won't bother and will just go down the income/bank statement route.

From my own experience I would end send my Tax Computation (SA302) from the UK. All my income comes from rental properties in London.

I wanted to update you all on my above dilemma. I managed to get another appointment (this morning at 9am, thanks to a cancellation). I was at the document checking station at 8:45am. I got an IO officer this time and tick off all my documents without bringing up the bank statements. I quietly breathed a sign of relief and then took them to the next station for the extension stamp, and as I put down my bundle at the IO's desk the long arm of the big girl came out of nowhere, picked them up and she said I need to check them all. I did explain they'd already been checked but it fell on deaf ears. After a 10 minute wait, I was absolutely dumbfounded that she remembered me from two weeks ago and said "I told you I need to see your bank statement". Fortunately I had obtained one from my local branch on the 17th, and then she meticulously went through all 46 pages. I suspected she was checking if I had been working and where my transfers had come from. After a very nervous 15 minutes wait, she came outside and told me she'll do it for me this time, but I need to transfer ฿65,000 every month from my home country next year. And made me write on the TM7 promising to do that next year, and signing my statement. I asked her why since I had a income affidavit and she said it was to do with a line within the income affidavit that read "This letter is written at the request of London Boy". The big girl said other embassy's don't include that line so she had to check my income. I've since checked previous years Affidavits and the wording of the NZ affidavit hasn't changed in the 5 years I've been using it. Hardly seems worth using the affidavit next year and I'll just go down the income route, and save myself ฿2000. Hope the above helps, expect the unexpected at CW.

Barclays started closing down accounts with overseas address back in 2023, including mine and other chums in Thailand. Like others have said, keep quiet about being abroad. I opened a chase account in July, that doesn't have foreign exchange rate fees, but they still would only send the debit card to a U.k address (luckily i was on my annual visit to intercept it)

Thanks for the tip. I'll try to get an appointment early tmrw morning. I've got until the 31st October so still a bit of time. My wife works at Bangkok Bank head office in China Town, and said her colleague can organize the letter for me FOC,

You're right. I should of, but my anger got the better of me. I just checked the Immigration website and didn't see any spare appointments. I will go back week after next with a bank statement, just in case. Hopefully it will be on a day where the big girl has her day off.

You are correct, but it was my understanding you need to present your bank book (to Bangkok Bank) for them to issue the 12 month Bank Statement. Am I wrong in this assumption?

Place was pandemonium and I was seriously angry. As my Mrs actually works for Bangkok Bank I knew they wouldn't issue me a bank statement without my bank book so didn't want to waste time hanging around trying to meet her unreasonable demands.

Its a good point, its just I've never been asked for the 12 month bank statement letter. The whole point of the Income Affidavit is not to be constrained with clockwork money transfers but as and when I need money.

Yes she was a very large lady. So you've had experience with her before? I do do monthly transfers, but there not uniform as in the same amount at the same time every month. Also sometimes I do a deal with a mate who is working here and needs to send money to the UK and i buy Bhatt off him so we both save on transfer fees. Do you think this will be a problem? Whats the point of an income affidavit if it isn't to buy that expereince. I can get a bank letter with my name on it.

I attended CW earlier today to renew my Non O based on retirement (my 5th year in a row). I'm traveling on a New Zealand passport so had a income affidavit that I got from the Embassy last week. I'd an appointment booked at CW, so no waiting around and at the first stage L1, a document checker called me in to check all my documents. She said I needed a bank statement to 'guarantee the income on my income affidavit. I explained that this is not necessary with a NZ passport hence why we pay ฿2,000 for an income affidavit, and I've never needed it before. She kept repeating 'need bank guarantee, and 'this is Thailand'. Was she just incompetent, and new to the job or is this a genuine rule change? I must emphasize she was a document check in civilian clothes and not actually a IO officer. Anyway I drove home as there was a massive queue in Bangkok Bank downstairs and I didn't have my bank book with me, so wasn't sure they would give me the printout. Has anyone else experienced this. Ive got until the 30th to renew my visa so will try again next week and hope I get someone else who knows what there doing, but I'll get the printout just in case. Please let me know if anyone else has had this experience..

Having just spent 5 weeks in London, I'm very happy to live here. Definitely a 9.

I found I was too dependent on Wise so have just recently opened a HSBC Multi-Currency account and a Chase Bank account (no overseas transaction fees). I timed it on a trip back to London as they need to send the physical cards to a UK address. I'm still in London so cant give any feedback just yet, but I will feedback when I get back to Bangkok in late August.

The best bars, In my opinion, are the smaller ones, where you'rre close to the stage and less foot traffic. Billboard does nothing for me, its like the McDonald's on the Plaza. I prefer the Bunnys bars. Tycoon, On Top, Random2, Mandarin. You also tend to get more attention there as less foot traffic. but each to their own.

I was wondering if the experienced minds here I can help me? I left Auckland, New Zealand for Bangkok all the way back in February 2014. I left in a bit of a rush and was unsure of my long term plans back then. (I'm originally from London, U.K, but was living and working in NZ between 2007-2014) Over 10 years on, I'm still in Bangkok. I rented my house in Auckland fully furnished and left all my personal in Tea Chests in the garage. During COVID the demand for fully furnished rented accommodation dried up (unfurnished is the norm in Auckland) and had to move everything into storage (which was costing me $300 NZ a month). I've recently managed to sell all the furniture and household items and just have 5 tea chests and a box full of personal documents left. I want to ship those over to Bangkok and get rid of the cost of storage in Auckland. Can anyone recommend a reliable, cost effective shipping company from NZ to Thailand. There's no rush for these items, so sea mail is fine. I'm not going to ever live in Auckland again, although I'm keeping the house in case my daughter ever wants to attend Auckland Uni. Thanks in advance.

I agree with OntheLash. Having a child, and paying international school fees, dramatically increases costs. I spend around 200k a month atm and that's just with one child.

So may footballers have tattoos. I particularly like the arm sleeve. Since most of them are multi millionaires, perhaps the Thai women are just following the trend.

I used them them every month between 2014 and 2018 to transfer my monthly living expenses from UK to Thailand. Then I discovered TrasferWise which was much easier to use, and slightly better rates. I too have got the email with with the same closure date. Don't think its scam, maybe they have just fallen foul of some financial rule and being shut down?

I renewed my driving license just two weeks ago. I got a letter from the New Zealand, embassy confirming my address, for ฿1700, which was posted the next day. I know I could have got the resident certificate for ฿500 from CW, but once I factored in the time to go up there, cost of tolls, two week wait to be posted to me, I decided it was worth the convenience.

I posted my 90 day report on the 30th January (was due on the 16th February) and received it back on the 16th March. So that was 45 days!!

Don't worry about it mate. I missed mine back in May, left the country in July, came back in August. I did my 12 month extension at CW last week, and no one noticed.

It was grade 2/3. Even after trimming the meniscus I had 80% left, so in those circumstances well worth while. But more importantly, they way it has felt since I've recovered has definitely been the right choice.

Yes just one knee, but I'd add another 20k onto the costs for all the follow up, physio etc. It may reoccur or it may not, depending on lifestyle. I think mine occurred from playing football on hard surfaces for many, many years, so If I give that up, less chance of it reoccurring. I also had a friend in New Zealand have the same surgery, after years of running. Shes recovered and has gone back to running daily at 62. Everyone's knees are different, but remember a knee replacement is the end game, if you can delay that as long as possible, that would be my preference.

I actually had that exact surgery in June this year, 3 bone spurs removed in my right Knee as well as the medial and lateral meniscus trimmed. Surgery took an hour, and I was on crutches for 20 days. I would say the surgery was a complete success. My knee feels the best it has in at least 3 years. The pain I got going down the stairs is gone as well as the stiffness after sitting for long periods. Cost ฿265,000 at Bangkok hospital (Phetchaburi 47), worth every penny to the difference it made to me physically (and mentally). Much less involved then a knee replacement and a quicker recovery time. I would add adhering to the physio regime post surgery accounts for 40% of the overall success. They have worked me incorrectly hard in each hour long session but I've seen the benefits every week. Feel free to DM me for more details