SteveSamui6262

So much for a near-term influx of Chinese tourists.

The following is a snippet from “Required Documents” needed for when applying for the 1-Year Visa:

4.   Bank statement or evidence of adequate finance showing
      – a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht; or
      – an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht; or 
      – a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht. 
      – In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank
        (an original copy) is required.

Please note the forth line from the top.  It reads “or a deposit account PLUS a monthly income of not less then 800,000 baht”.

I already purchased my airfare for travel late December.  I intend to submit my application soon with all required supporting documentation.  My interpretation of these instructions indicates if I provide a copy of my Retirement Statement showing my monthly income and then combine this amount with my Siam Commercial Bank Statement balance adding up to an annual total in excess of 800,000 baht, it would comply with the income requirement for them to facilitate the approval of my Retirement Visa.  I also plan to immediately begin having my monthly retirement distributions transferred directly to my Siam Commercial Bank account.

I would like to ask any fellow Americans if they agree with my interpretation or if they experienced any problem with their applications regarding this.

I appreciate all your comments.  Thanks for your professionalism and for conveying your experiences.

Samui Steve

Thank you gentleman!

”Required Documents - Item 4”

Issue solved

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Hi folks,  I am planning to apply for the Non O-A Retirement Visa using a combined income totaling the required 800,000 Baht.  Part of the funds will be a cash transfer and the remainder will be my 2023 Social Security distribution statement.
 

I noticed recently that Siam Commercial Bank either froze or closed my accounts (I had 3 with them).  I left Thailand over 5 years ago but kept the accounts active by transferring funds between the accounts using my online access.  I overlooked making transfers for over 6 months this year and eventually noticed my balances zeroed out (no big deal).  I intend to contact SCB to see if they would reactivate one of those accounts so I can make the transfer.   
 

i do understand my funds will need to be held by SCB for 2 months before the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles would consider processing my visa application.

My main question is as follows:  If at the 10 month point after my arrival I still have a balance in my SCB account, in order to qualify for a 1-year extension, can I just “top off” the SCB account with U.S. issued Traveler’s Cheques I bring along with me,  in addition to a newly issued Social Security distribution statement for 2024 reflecting I would meet the 800,000 baht visa requirement?   
 

I appreciate your opinions and or guidance.. 

Loy Krathong, my favorite Thai holiday is also X-ed off he holiday calendar this year.  Thailand is the worst place to spend Christmas unless you enjoy sweating your ass off.

12 inches.  But actually, if there was chemistry it would have worked out long ago.

I wouldn't tell her even if I were the late Charles Bronson.

Hi Ubon Joe....  I got one small stamp " Non-O-Retirement" with admitted date and until date.  It looks like they gave me another stamp too, but everything is in Thai.  My girl said the stamp is not alarming.  Thanks for your review!

Thank you Jingthing.  You & Phuket Man are right.  I just reviewed my passport.  I was issued a "Non-O-Retirement" stamp.  My current waiting period before returning to immigration is about 90 days, and yes, I will need to submit the same form as used for 90 day tourist visas + another fee when I return to their offices.

My Thai bank book balances are extremely low and therefore I didn't want to offer information which could cause me more red tape, or even worse, a red flag.

Thank you Phuket Man.  That's the way it appeared during my interaction with the IO.

It seemed the information and documentation I provided was acceptable.  I just do not understand the 2+ month delay in finalizing my 12 month extension.

I submitted my retirement visa application at CW, paid the fee and was told to return in a couple months,  and I was told I would receive my 12 month retirement visa at that time.  My financials were based on monthly retirement income, as documented by an official affidavit issued from my embassy.

Has anyone ever been called for not providing their Thai bank account information on a retirement visa application?

Thai law?  Really?  In this area with maybe few exceptions, expats are in the dark.  If seek law and order, you're in the wrong country.

OP, you did the right thing.  This Pattaya cafe owner probably equals an expat who's business investment is slowly screwing itself into the ground.  Gathering from the situations you expressed, I would wager the son's eyes are focused on mom's elderly age financial status.  Luckily, the plan of imprisioning her here in Pattaya for the purpose of his future enrichment was poorly executed on his part.  

So so glad she was able to get back home safely.  I wish she could read these blogs.

For a good loking guy in his mid 30s, you sound quite lonely and desperate.  My advice to you is to achieve success with a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship in your home country.  Thai females with chew you up and spit you out.  If your are not financially well to do, once she knows it, which won't take long, you will will be history.

Prestburypark said it best.  I'll add this girl is hoping to take a giant s***t on you.

Surely you must have even a little common sense.

If all else goes well, don't overlook that you would legally be responsible for paying income tax on any rental income.

Simple.  Immigration advised me I only need to do my 90 day report of residents, regardless of any domestic travel.  Traveling away from your residents does not need to be reported.  If you decide to relocate, then report your new residents at your NEXT 90 day report interview, not before. 

I went through 100,000 b per month here for years.  That began 15 years ago.  Your friend will eventually crash hard and burn.  It is impossible to resist the goods & services here.  You start out telling yourself "not everyday".  Before he knows it, he will become accustomed to a very comfortabe lifestyle, and it is expensive.  Add in the companionship, who take an inch at a time, sometimes a yard.  Expensive rental housing (western style in Bangkok will average 30,000 baht or more monthly).  Health care.  

I'm just not going to go any further.  

By the time he realizes he blew the wad, he will have nowhere to go and be too old to find employment.

Falongs are always going to be outsiders here.  The deck is stacked against us.

Thailand has very weak laws, so forget about any real law & order.

If a child was offered the opportunity to move to Disneyland, do you think the kid would survive  in the long run?  $467,000 USD is pretty much crap in California.  It's not enough cash now to purchase a good middle class home in a good location.  Just 15 years ago it was more than enough!  

Please advise your friend to avoid temptation and to rationally look far ahead.  I advise he doesn't bet against himself (heathwise).

I went through 100,000 b per month here for years.  That began 15 years ago.  Your friend will eventually crash hard and burn.  It is impossible to avoid the goods & services here.  You start out telling yourself "not everyday".  Before he knows it, he will become accustomed to a very comfortabe lifestyle, and it is expensive.  Add in the companionship, who take an inch at a time, sometimes a yard.  Expensive rental housing (western style in Bangkok will average 30,000 baht or more monthly).  Health care.  

I'm just not going to go any further.  

By the time he realizes he blew the wad, he will have nowhere to go and be too old to find employment.

Falongs are always going to be outsiders here.  The deck is stacked against us.

Thailand has very weak laws, so forget about any real law & order.

If a child was offered the opportunity to move to Disneyland, do you think the kid would survive  in the long run?  $467,000 USD is pretty much crap in California.  It's not enough cash now to purchase a good middle class home in a good location.  Just 15 years ago it was more than enough!  

Please advise your friend to avoid temptation and to rationally look far ahead.  I advise he doesn't bet against himself (heathwise).

I am experiencing problems with the rental office where I live in Bangkok with regard to them providing me some type/any type of document showing live here.  15 years ago my girlfriend and I rented the apartment.  I had her sign the contract because I felt it could later be in her best interest in case she wanted to move out when I was abroad.  However, because I was moving in with her, I did provide the rental office a copy of my passport, and they have that copy to this date in their file.  I also provided them with a copy of my new passport.  

The rental office is damn aware that I have been living here for the past year, but they are dragging their lazy ass feet regarding my simple request for them to provide me any type of confirmation of this.  I did advise them it's needed for the purpose of providing it to Thai Immigration.

I have been documenting my (same) BKK address on several TVs applications over the past year.  Additionally, by law, the rental office must provide detailed information of any foreigner(s) living in their housing.  I'll bet they skipped that step. 

My question is if the office downstairs does not provide me with some type of document before I have to apply for my retirement visa, how might I handle this issue with the iO?

Thank you for any wise advice you can convey. 

50 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

police

Thanks for the additional info ubonjoe, and for helping put my mind at ease.

Cheers!

2 hours ago, phetphet said:

retirement

Thank you phetphet

I didn't know I could apply for a non-immigrant O single entry.  That sounds good to me.  I'll get my income statement + a couple color copies and head over to BKK immigration.  I've been stressing about the difficulty, expense, and even the (road) risk of making any more border runs.  I'm getting older and its been difficult dealing with that hassle.  Your help is truly appreciated!

Thank you dddave!  You have made the process sound pretty simple.  I will follow your advice and search Retirement Extension on this forum.  Enjoy your day!!

Thank you dddave so much for the very helpful informative.

When you say I would need to apply at least 21 days prior to the expiration date remaining on my tv, do you know if those 21 days can be utilized from the remaining 30 day extension?  Can you recall experiencing any difficulty during the process with the io?   And lastly, being a U.S. Citizen, do you think the income statement is the only document I will be required to present.  I know when applying for the retirement visa from the U.S., you also have to get a TB blood test and a criminal background clearance from the local police department.

I wish to break a one year cycle of 60-day tourist visas/runs by applying for an O-A Retirement Visa.  I've been here for one year plus and have only about 5 blank pages left in my U.S. Passport.  I intend to obtain a U.S. Embassy certified affidavit showing sufficient monthly income to obtain the retirement visa.

My question: Can I bring a U.S. Embassy certified affidavit reflecting my monthly pension income to the Immigration office in Bangkok and request a retirement visa there, or would I have to take the affidavit to a Thai Consulate in Laos or Cambodia to apply?  I sure don't want to travel all the way back to the U.S. to apply.  Otherwise, please advise how I might be able to get a one year visa (I am not interested in an educational visa).

You thoughts, suggestions, and firsthand knowledge is very much appreciated!

Thanks Ubonjoe

I am sure I read on the Bangkok Thai Immigration website that their office can, at their discretion issue a retirement visa.  However, you seem to know what you are talking about.  

I currently have what was a brand new U.S. passport last year, which is now filled with 60 day tourist visas and stamps.  Only 6 blank pages are left.  I need to request a 30 day extension on my last tv next week.  

If I understand you correctly, I would first go to the U.S. Embassy and get the affadivit showing sufficient monthly income.  

Then would I need to go to Thai Immigration in Bangkok or to a Thai Consulate in Laos or Cambodia to request a 90 day non immigrant visa?  

Then 30 days before the the non immigrant visa expires, I would apply for an extension of stay.  How long would the extension of say be valid?  I assume this has nothing to do with a retirement visa.

Thank you very much for your imput.