Liquorice

I highly suspect that was a private hospital, Mike. I had a similar experience at a local private hospital, for a small surgical procedure, where they first asked if I had Insurance or a Thai bank account. I've always preferred to self Insure, but informed them I had a Thai bank account with sufficient funds. They then wanted to know how much in funds, at which point I walked away. I'm a volunteer at a local Government hospital, where it's a different story. No questions asked, they treat all in good faith, but foreigners do take advantage. Although not a tourist area, we do get a lot of foreign visitors, who due to falls, accidents, or minor surgery, require medical treatment and visit the local government hospital. Bills can vary from just a couple of thousand bahts to 25K, but quite a few don't have sufficient funds at hand, promising to return after a visit to an ATM. Many never return to settle their debt. By far the worst culprits are long term stayers, particularly those on long term visas, or extensions of stay based on retirement. Stroke, heart attack, road traffic accidents can leave patients in induced comas or in ICU, are incapacitated and unable to access any funds. I personally know of a number of cases where the patients deceased, leaving huge unpaid bills. In certain cases, the hospital can obtain a court order giving them access to any funds the foreigner may have in a Thai bank account, but that often doesn't cover the bill. The reasoning behind that was simple. You're at more of a risk of having an accident or requiring medical attention in a twelve-month period (the length of stay permitted on an O-A visa) than a tourist averaging a 3 week stay. There is also no requirement to have a Thai bank account with the O-A visa. If incapacitated or in the event of death, the hospital have no means of recovering the costs, hence they introduced a mandatory Health Insurance policy. Why do you think in 2019, Immigration changed the financial requirements regarding funds in the bank for retirees? Prior to 2019 the requirement was 800K for 2 months prior to the date of the very first application, and 3 months prior to the date of application thereafter. In 2019 Immigration issued a new order 548/2562, which now required retirees using the funds method to have 800K in the bank for 2 months prior to the date of application, then maintain that balance of 800K for 3 months after the extension was issued, at which point they could withdraw half the funds, but must maintain a balance of 400K thereafter. This was no fluke, it was to ensure as far as possible in the event of emergency, retirees at least had a certain amount of funds to cover bills. There are of course still loopholes in the system. I know of 2 foreigners cared for in ICU that eventually passed, but although they had a Thai bank account, there was little in either account. They obtained extensions by virtue of an Embassy Income letter and only transferred funds as required. In the course of a year this amounts to hundreds of thousand, even millions, owed to just one government hospital.

You need to order a 12-month bank statement at your local branch, which can only be issued by the HQ for proof of 12 x 65K overseas transfers. Takes 3-5 working days. Your local branch can only issue a 6-month statement. The standard letter for Immigration merely confirms the account name, number and the balance. You'll have to meet both the requirements for your current extension based on funds in the bank, and the requirements to switch to the monthly overseas transfers.

It's always been a requirement to file a TM30 for aliens. In your case, it should be the responsibility of the guest house to file it. Ask them for a copy of proof of filing. Without a TM30 on file, you may be refused services, such as a 30 day extension, which was probably the case with your friend. He should have requested the guest house filed one. Immigration Act. Section 38 : The house – master , the owner or the possessor of the residence , or the hotel manager where the alien , receiving permission to stay temporary in the Kingdom has stayed , must notify the competent official of the Immigration Office located in the same area with that hours , dwelling place or hotel, within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the alien concerned.

My experience is that of a government hospital, standard Thai prices, not inflated.

Both.

3 months ago, actually.

Well, you'd think so, but some mothers do ave em.

The card fees weren't collectable in the first instance. It's not the bank's fault they weren't used.

Ask their requirements. I once tried to open an account with Krungsri bank. It was obvious they were giving me the run around. I walked across the road to a Kasikorn branch, with Passport and Yellow Tabien Baan in hand, and they opened a Savings account without requesting anything else.

Talking debit cards for Savings accounts. Regular tourists often open a bank account to transfer funds. After a stay of several months, they return to their Country, withdrawing funds and leave just a few baht in the account. Whilst out of the Country, the annual card fee becomes due and there isn't sufficient funds in the account to cover it. Happened a lot during the Covid pandemic, where regular tourist didn't return for up to two years.

Off-topic, but absolutely true that many hospital bills go unpaid by foreigners. Obviously, but I stated when a debit card is issued, and most foreigner tourists opened a Savings account where a debit card was issued.

Bangkok bank 200 BHT per annum.

You've hit the nail on the head there. Speaking with my bank manager as to why it's now so difficult, particularly for regular tourists, to open a bank account, he stated because they leave not allowing sufficient funds to cover card fees. The banks will automatically close the account, but from their prospective are owed millions in unpaid charges.

If you have a debit card, annual card fees apply.

Copy of Blue Tabien Baan and wife's ID card. Copy of Chanote. Ensure you've filed a TM30 informing of your new address. Unless you have PR status, you cannot be entered in a Blue House book. You can apply for a Yellow house book (for foreigners) and a pink ID card.

That's the same requirements for the Non Imm O ME visa now, as for a 1-year extension of stay at Immigration.

I think our wires are crossed. Please reread what I stated, which is that almost all non nationals can apply in the Country they're residing for a TV for Thailand, subject to meeting the requirements. I think you've interpreted that as meaning tourists, which is not what I said. In the case of applying in Japan, as you've correctly pointed out, a non-Japanese national requires a 'residence card', not to be confused with 'permanent residency', to apply for a TV for Thailand. A residence card can be is issued to a person who stays in Japan over three months. (The person is called mid-to-long-term resident.) Therefore, a non-Japanese national can apply for a TV to Thailand without being a permanent resident, which is all I stated.

@steph83 We're going around in circles. Without 400K in a Thai bank account, you can neither apply for a 1-year extension of stay based on Thai spouse/family, or the Non Imm O ME visa from Savannahket. Your only option is the Non Imm O single entry visa based on Thai spouse from Savannahket, that doesn't require proof of funds. This allows a stay of 90 days on entry, which you can extend for a further 60 days at Immigration. Total = 150 days. Rinse and repeat.

There is no visa based on Thai child that grants a stay of 12 months. It's obvious he's referring to a 1-year extension of stay based on Thai child that will permit him to stay 12 months.

He's enquiring about a 1-year extension of his permission of stay, based on Thai child, not a visa.

In previous posts, the Op stated he's married to a Thai, but had a financial crisis, hence looking at alternatives to remain in Thailand. The Non Imm O ME was suggested, but they now require 400K in a bank at Savannakhet for that visa.

400K THB, same as a Thai spouse.

Which is why you should check the requirements of the appropriate Thai Embassy first. I'll repeat, many Thai Embassies can issue a Thai TV for non nationals, providing they meet the additional requirements. Just because you couldn't meet the requirements to apply in Japan, does not mean others cannot.

@Jack1988 The METV (multi entry Tourist visa) is valid to enter Thailand for 6 months. Each entry permits a stay of 60 days, which can be extended for a further 30 days at Immigration, before doing a border run for a further entry. It's possible to stay in Thailand for almost 270 days with the METV. You could then do a couple of further border runs and re-enter visa exempt, granting a further permitted stay of 30 days, which can be extended a further 30 days. That would bring you approx a year in Thailand. If you have deep pockets, you could also consider the multi entry Elite visa. Valid for 5 years, each entry permits a stay of 1 year. Knowing your nationality and age may determine options.

Just as well, I gave the wife's mobile number then. I also created and gave them a one-off e-mail address I only use for Immigration.