3 hours ago, SanSaiExPat said:

Does anyone definitively know where the 800,000 Baht (25,000 USD) requirement came from?  Did Thai immigration just pull this number out of thin air or was there some logical rationale?   What average expat has $25,000 that they can afford to just "park" in a Thai bank year after year as long as they intend to stay?   Is there any hope of this number or requirement being reviewed and changed to a lesser amount or eliminated?    This being the last year Thai Immigration will accept the USA Income Verification letter in lieu of the 800,000 baht deposit, I dare say there will be allot of expat Americans going home or moving to Vietnam.

There are 4 Aussies I know personally that are likely to return to Aus when their current retirement visa expires and I suspect many more, still about 12 months before they sort it out for some, the family may help?.  Similar I suspect for other countries.  You know the rules have not changed about this issue in 15 or more years just a new Immigration Minister.

7 minutes ago, Suradit69 said:

But it's not limited to "western" countries as you originally stated. I got my O-A from the Thai consulate in the UAE where I was living and working and I know it was available in Pakistan.

I mentioned Western Countries because that is what I am familiar with and banking requirements are mostly clear-cut...sorry UAR.  We know that in some countries you have been able to obtain a bank statement for a price good for a day or 2 that will state that you have equal to Bt800,000 in that bank for the previous 2 or 3 months. Never heard of such things in any Western County, others places I'm not sure about.

15 hours ago, onera1961 said:

It is same at all countries. 

"nationals of Afghanistan, Iraqi, North Korean and other nationalilty-unspecified Passport or Travel Document Holders, visa processing time may take up to 1.5 - 2 months as the Embassy must seek the approval from the authorities concerned in Thailand before visa can be issued"

   It appears there are exceptions ...it is not the same for ALL countries.

4 minutes ago, elviajero said:

2. There is no strict rule so they should accept the funds in two accounts. But, if applying outside Bangkok, it would be worth checking with your local office for a definitive answer.

If you wish you can obtain your retirement in your home country if you have the Bt800,000 in a bank account or in a recognized retirement fund as I do from the Thai Embassy in Canberra and arrive in Thailand with everything in order, just walk through Custom.  It's a one -year multi-entry visa which can be extended for up to two years.  The only thing required is that the surrender value is above the required Bt800,000 here is a link to Thai Embassy, it's the same at most western countries.  Cost Aus $275 plus medical and police report cost to your local dept....

 http://canberra.thaiembassy.org/Home/visa

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Most ridiculous post of the week?

Yes but's it calling a "spade a spade."

On 10/26/2018 at 4:22 PM, balo said:

Its no problem to live on 15k if you live in a shared room , like paying 2000 baht in rent. A lot of younger people live that way , also westerners. 

 

So when the rent has been paid and utility bills , you still would have 12k left to live on food and clothes. And maybe pay a doctor 1000 baht now and then . But if no insurance you're in trouble. 

 

 

The only thing about living on Bt15 a month life would be so boring that you need to buy your condoms in bulk.  Apart from food, and sharing a small room with another person you would need these items in great quantities, what else TIT...5555.

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

FBAR is seriously easy. I do it online within 10 minutes.

 

Transferwise might be an alternative to ACH for banks that don't have it.

If you have the required Bt 800,000 in your currency in a  US bank or a bit more you can apply and receive a Multi entry "O" retirement visa in your own country and not have any money in any bank account in Thailand ( as I do).  A few hoops to go through costs Aus $275 = UD$ or whatever currency.  You need a bit of paper work,  A police report, a medical certificate it takes about 10 days.  It's the same in in most western countries.  That's how I get my Retirement Visa.  The Thai web site shows you how to go about it and is very good.  In Aus you do it through the Thai Embassy.  When you get to Thailand you just waltz through with everything in order.  The visa you get is multi entry only for the 1st year.  If you leave and return before the 1st year expires and you can do that as many times as you want you will get an extension to stay for another year each time you enter.  So Multi entry "O" is good for one day short of 2 years from you 1st arrival.  If you leave after the 1st year the visa will lapse you cannot get an extension on top of an extension (TIT).  The extension bit is not available after the 1 st year.  You must get the extension before the 1st year concludes.  One day is enough.  If you visa is dated till a certain date it will lapse the day before.  TIT 

2 hours ago, Just Weird said:

What's a "tame Thai lawyer", exactly?

If I was Thai immigration I wouldn't trust any Thai lawyer.  They openly  advertise their corrupt immigration services on line and the competition is fierce.  About Bt25,000 for a retirement visa and all will fall into place.  You don't need any money in a Thai bank account.  Well maybe for one day and well sort that out.  Shop around you may be able to get you retirement visa for Bt 18,000 it's all a joke.  Perhaps the current situation in Thailand is the start of fixing things but don't hold your breath.

43 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

Good point....The card I have for BKK bank is only good for ATM withdrawls here - not in the US.....But, it is the only bank you can tie in a with a deposit from the US......

Damned if you do, damned if you don't......

Yes you don't have to bring money to Thailand.  I have a Citi debit card and an ING debit card both when downloading the ticket shows the Bt220 fee but in both cases it is credited back to my account when the transaction appears (only min).  I also have a debit card from ANZ bank in Aus they charge like wounded bulls for every transaction.  I have to have it as my ANZ pension fund is paid into it.  I just transfer the payment to Citibank and the transaction in Thailand are free.  So is ING Bank free.  The exchange rate is the internationally published rate for that day.  I don't know about the hidden charges, probably are some.  We know in Australia under the present Royal Commission into banking there has found to be many fees for no services charged for by banks.  They have to be paid back by the banks (Maybe).

5 minutes ago, pagallim said:

The 65,000 baht question.

Thailand expects that people coming to live there will have Bt65,000 a month to live on.  Seems quite reasonable to me.  Malaysia requires much more.  Most other countries require more a lot more.  Some require less.  That is what Thailand has been expecting to happen, but TIT.  They may have to look in their own backyard to see how to fix things up. 

7 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

They exist to promote trade between the countries and 'spying' functions - as far as I can make out.

 

Many/most have no interest at all in their citizens in the country - as has been made even more clear recently....

Well one thing the BE consul told us all at the Chaing Mia expats meeting a few years ago was that BE has about 130 staff.  About half of all their time is spent sorting matter is in relation to Brits dying in Thailand many without a will.  There about 68,000 Brits in Thailand, many come knowing they don't have long to live and Thailand is their last port of call.  As far as I know the BE is busy busy busy all day long there are very few slackers in that job.  Giving advice to people wishing to do trade with Thailand, issuing new passports.  If you have ever lost a passport in a foreign country you will know how much time that can take.  The Embassy staff have to be good at handling distraught people who may have had every thing stolen and ready to shoot themselves.  My wife lost her passport in Bali, while sorting this out with the Aus Consul (our turn) a man and wife with 4 kids came lost everything all stolen passport money, credit cards, the lot etc etc.  Then a young girl came in she had lost everything also pass port etc..  It was unbelievable emotion.  We had to help the Consul with the emotion, he did a magnificent job.   For my wife It took a week to sort her replacement passport out.  Much the same for all the other Legations world wide, not a holiday.  Very entertaining and informative Consul in Chaing Mia.  Real nice bloke.  Flat out all day long.

2 hours ago, certacito said:

How long until the Australian embassy's news flash ?

You could apply for your Retirement visa in Australia at the Thai Embassy in Canberra as I do or your home country for most expats.  You need proof that you have the required funds ( real proof no BS at the Thai Embassy), a police report, a doctors certificate and the usual application forms and passport pics and $275.00 and you arrive in Thailand with everything in order, walk straight through and to boot you get a multi entry "O" visa so that with a quick trip across the boarder just before the 1st year ends you get a 1 year extension free, it is good for 2 days short of 2 years. (Nong Khai, you walk over and back). You can come and go from Thailand as many times as you like in the 1st year.  It's really suppose to be the same applying for one in Thailand, but well TIT you know???  

   PS it's really only bad for those that do not have the Bt800.000.  In Aus you need at least Bt30,000,000 even just to apply.   Thailand cheap as chips.  The under cover retirement agents will be licking their lips over this.  My god how the money rolls in.

 A Rai  what is it

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_(unit)

On 9/11/2017 at 5:57 PM, bazza73 said:

I've been assured by my visa agent all I need ( Australian ) is a Statutory Declaration witnessed by an Australian Consulate officer stating my monthly income in dollars - Immigration does the baht conversion.

The Consulate didn't even ask to see supporting documentation - in my case last year's tax return.

Yes people from many countries including Australia applying for a Thai Retirement Visa simply have to make a declaration under oath that the information you provide is true  e.g  "I have $40,000 Aus in an Australian bank account and converted to Thai Baht is Bt 920,000  "I make this declaration ,bla,bla,bla etc etc under oath and you can put me in gaol for up to 4 years if I'm not telling the truth. Bla, bla, bla.  Then signed by a Embassy official to witness YOUR DECLARATION.  Yes you are making the declaration not the Embassy.

  Clearly many of these UK applicants cannot provide the require evidence, perhaps it is there and is very complicated to present.  It's unlikely you will have to prove it unless you are audited.  Some may not have the money at all Hmmm?  Well simplicity is the name of the game when you are entering another country to live long term.  The Statutory Declaration method has been widely accepted by the Thais now for many years for other countries but not BE, but maybe yes soon (fingers crossed).  It seems to me that the Brits should do as other countries do.  And stop all the stuffing around as it could lead to changes by Thai officials that may impact on other countries applicants.   

42 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm 62, and don't care if I'm dead tomorrow ............. why wait until 70?

It has been long established that you are not of sound mind if you are as I mentioned,  quote, "If you lack that quality to strive to achieve self preservation. That's called insanity"  In almost any court in the world.

On 10/21/2018 at 1:14 PM, watcharacters said:

 

STOP looking at it MaTE!

 

SAVE yourself trouble  AND relax in your village

 

Nothing to look at here..

You can call me a big BS if you like.  I've put quite a lot of posts on ThaiVisa, <deleted>  There is one thing that is consistent and that is just about everything I say is part of my own personal experiences.  I believe the objective of this site is for all to gain information by sharing experiences about how to travel to and get to live in Thailand, red tape and all.  Most people who would like to think about living in Thailand when 1st starting out find it difficult to get all the information required to get the show on the road, it can be mind boggling....I think when someone said "Gods...this thread has been going on forever'  Some people can be a bit slow because in all the time I've been contributing I really did think that's is what it's all about. It will likely go on forever. 

6 hours ago, RasiMike said:

Now more than ever, my Thai family believe they are regarded as nothing despite being born and bred in Thailand.  ????

I must admit even though it's 24 years since this event took place for the Aussie Rules? Football Grand Final in Melbourne in 1994, as a forth generation Aussie It still gives me heart a flutter to watch it, the game and the singers...  Oh and by the way they didn't give the Eagles much of a plug during the warm up shots they were all about Geelong.  The Eagles did win the game....

23 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

No, I had encountered them earlier during my trip to the Philippines. It was not the first time I was offered or the last. I mean, some things do stay the same in Thailand apart from price. That was a lifetime ago but I will admit, it changed my perspective on a lot of things.

 I suppose I could be accused of being a real cretin for a while.  If a woman does not have the ability to provide support love and excitement for a any man in her life she does not have much going for her. That is her greatest asset.  Some can make a few bucks selling fantasies, most enjoy and provide these essentials for men and join in, most are pretty good at it.  A few haven't got a clue  That's the way it has been since time began...you remember Adam and Eve. 

5 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

It nearly borders on delusional or insanity.

 

Most people might make these sort these comment when they turn 50 y/o They say "I don't care if I'm dead when I'm 70 y/o bla, bla, bla.". They nearly all change their minds when they reach 69 y/o.  If you lack that quality to strive to achieve self preservation. That's called insanity.  That is one of the most common terms used by investigators when people take their own lives.  I'm 76, life is a bit slower now but it's also great.  I'm getting ready for my telegram from the Queen or maybe the King of England.  Only 24 years to go.  My mum used to say "Aim for the stars and be thankful if you hit the treetops"

21 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I guess if you are still wanted in OZ you will have to decide if you can still

afford LOS, or head for one of those other nearly paradise places, at least

OZ is not Canada, and your Winters are only rainy. Oops am I assuming again?

Geezer

I have friends from Australia who have gone to live in Ecuador, after spending 6 years travelling the world including Thailand looking for the ideal place to live.  The language bit in Thailand put a stop to living there, that was their second choice.  You must be able to speak Spanish to get permanent residency in Ecuador.  His partner is French she fluent in Spanish and English as well, he's getting there (slowly).  They have a bought 40 acres of farmland and happy.  If you buy farm land in Ecuador you must produce a commercial crop within about 3 years or you loose it...they don't have their own money in Ecuador they use US dollars.  US citz can just come and go with their bags of money.

1 hour ago, HAKAPALITA said:

All  this objectivity is beyond me.I just sit and shiver on an average Summers Day back home.

I'm talking mostly about Queensland which is bigger by far then all Thailand.  Mostly they only have 2 types of weather Hot and F...ing hot.  All though I do remember camping out near Blackall which rimes with F...all out beyond the black stump and that's a long way west from the coast.  In the middle of winter we had to crack the ice on top of the water bucket in the early morning to make a cup of tea.  Such is life.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

You take their explanation literally. That is cute.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

The British Embassy would only use their diplomatic immunity under extreme cases, they could put anything in a letter for you with complete immunity.  That is the sort of thing people are asking the BE to do.  I just saw a flock of polar bears fly over.

 It's time to stop commenting on this site for me it can only be a joke from now on...thank you for reading my comments, by, by.

39 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Ah yes- but the main point is that the Aussie Stat dec also includes a statement hat what is singing if false incurs a criminal or civil liability.

 

The US Affidavit includes an Oath and a statement hat oneis signing unfer penalty of perjury.

 

Very few Embassies will ever be able to  absolutely  guarantee the applicant is completely truthful- but they do state if the person lies there is an offense -criminal or civil. Thai Imm can have a person sign a similar statement and  randomly check added docs as they do in CM for some Americans.  

 

BE is simply refusing to play ball- and shutting down their system rather than working with everyone to find a solution. At least the Aussies and Americans are indicating to the Thais- if you find a lie- prosecute and notify  us and we can put you on the FBI or Australian Federal Police.

 

The BE i can do what they want but don't expect the Thais to change their system-  BE is throwing down the gauntlet saying our way  or the highway.  Can your imagine a Thai applying for a British Visa and when the BE asks for a certain document the Thai says- can't provide it- Thai government won't give it.  

An affidavit in Australia is a document which you present to a court as sworn evidence to which you are required to give or wish to give.  It is evidence usually given under order of a court and under oath if you cannot attend for what ever reason.  You may be in hospital and not able to attend It maybe different in the US?  A statutory Declaration (Stat Dec) is similar a bit less complicated it is mostly provided by an individual under oath and penalty, (you can buy a blank form at most papershops or download one) it states that you are making a declaration that the information contained there-in is true.  It can in some case also be evidence in a court case.  Often used when you are having a sickie from work but are really going to the horse races and a few drinks after and fun, as one does from time to time.  God help you if the boss sees you being poured into a taxi outside the race track drunk.   You could be arrested and spend up to 4 years in gaol.  Probably not but could be.