opporna

Indeed, nothing is for sure--even 800,000 in an ordinary savings account--nor have I claimed any guarantees. What I have given is my experience this account works at Jomtien immigration. Actual experiences are more valuable to me than speculation.

I thought I would update this thread with the latest development. Summary: I was able this year to use my SCB Easy 1.5% interest account to deposit my 800,000 and use that for this year's extension of stay at Jomtien immigration--so it IS possible to use this type of account even though it has no passbook. Details: Last year, about a week after getting my extension, I moved my money to the SCB Easy account as I wanted to get the higher interest. I had a backup as I had no direct confirmation that this would be ok, but it turned out I didn't need it. I always do my extension as early as possible, about 30 days before it expires to give myself wiggle room to deal with any glitches. I went to the branch of SCB on Soi 11? in Jomtien at 10:30 ish in the morning to get my letter and bank statment, which was 200 baht. The lady who helped me actually said to me that she didn't know this kind of account could be used for retirement extensions. I assured her that they had told me it could be used when I opened the account and that I was 98% sure that it could. I had to wait about 45 minutes in the queue, so I didn't arrive at Jomtien immigration until after 11:30 am and assumed I would have to wait for 1 pm as I hadn't yet had my picture taken, done copies, nor filled out the form. I did all that at the copy place next to the bathroom inside immigration, and went to the counter about 11:50 where they were turning people away and telling them to come back at 1 pm. I showed the guy my paper and he gave me a queue number! Nice, so I went to the counter and the extension guy looked at my queue number, then his watch and decided to help me. He went through the papers and everything was good but then he looked at the bank statement and said it was no good because no bank book. He was amazingly helpful and patient. He explained that because there was no bank book, the STATEMENT had to go back ONE YEAR FROM THE DAY I APPLIED FOR THE EXTENSION and the one they had given me only went back a couple months. He then made a note on my package that would allow me to come back at 1 pm and skip the queue. I was so grateful, what a nice guy. Another detail: as I had moved the money a week after getting my extension last year, the money had not been in SCB for a full year yet. I explained that to the guy, and he said that I could give copies of the bank book I transferred the funds from (it was a Bangkok Bank term deposit account with a passbook). I asked if I needed a letter from Bangkok Bank and he said no. The other option we discussed was waiting a week or so and using just the SCB account, but he said the letter from SCB was only good for 3 days, so that would require another 200 baht fee. I rushed home to get the old Bkk Bank passbook, rushed to the bank where I got a more senior bank employee who knew the ins and outs better. She said I need to pay 200 baht extra for a one-year statement as they only give up to 3 months statements for free, so IN TOTAL I gave 400 baht for letter and one-year statement. She also copied my Bkk Bank passbook for me. That went very quick and I was back at immigration just before one--I was let in after a close examination by the door guy, bypassing a long queue. Phew. After that it was quick and easy. A couple minutes tops, a few more signatures and 1900 baht, and I had my number to pick up my passport the next day, which I did. Now I'm good to go for another year. I hope this will be helpful to others.

Apparently you have to be very careful--different offices have different criteria, which is why I'm asking for information specific to Kalasin.

I have a friend who is not that internet savvy, and he has his 800,000 retirement funds in a regular Kasikorn account. I would like to try to get him a higher interest rate, but I'm afraid that Kalasin would mess him up, so I'm looking for others with experience in this specific office. When he renews, he must show monthly money going in and out, for example, so that worries me about getting a CD or time deposit. Also, I know SCB is best for their 1.5% e-account, but I'm worried Kalasin would not accept an account with no passbook. Any help with this would be highly appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time, I really appreciate it. I actually wouldn't mind if the tree was removed completely. It would save having to trim it periodically. It would also open up the back to more light. Perhaps in future a replacement with a species of tree more suited to the situation would be possible.

@drtreelove Thanks for your reply. It's not easy to take pictures, but I've tried. This is in the back of the house which doesn't have road access. The owner of the land the tree is on would of course be responsible in my home country, but I think that is a pipe dream here. From the front of the house, it looks like this: Thanks in advance for any help.

I still haven't found anyone, and I'm hoping someone has a good lead. Thanks in advance.

I have various jobs that need doing, including a bit a painting, a fan and water heater put in the bathroom, some awnings put up, and other small jobs. I'm looking for someone reliable and local to help. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The outside of my house is brick and painting by hand in the cracks would be tedious. I saw there are some relatively inexpensive painting systems on Lazada and wonder if anyone knows a good, hopefully inexpensive system. Thanks in advance.

Hi there, I have a tree that needs trimming as in the title on the darkside. Does anyone know a good service? Thanks in advance.

Grand Avenue condo behind The Avenue shopping mall in the heart of Pattaya had their garage flooded a year ago.

Yes, I'm aware of the issues. I have seen reports of Pattaya immigration accepting the accounts without passbook. Perhaps Phuket does not--but I'm guessing that they will because SCB is so well connected. If I were in the situation I would seek confirmation of that fact.

I am quite sure you can use the SCB at immigration in Jomtien, but I would verify with your bank that others are using it at your immigration office. Also realize that's the bank the king has a huge stake in, so one would hope immigration would accept it.

Just an update. I'm going with the SCB Easy E-account (with no physical passbook) for my 800,000 now. I went a while ago to do my 90-day after report and used a letter from SCB. The lady didn't even look at my papers. However, at the SCB branch in Jomtien they knew exactly what to do and that gave me confidence this account will be fine for my annual extension. The account pays 1.5% interest currently.

Thanks very much for the first-hand information. May I ask what kind of documentation of the account you provided them? I just opened an SCB EZ with my condo deed and retirement extension at Central Festival, a couple months ago soon after this thread started.

Got an AZ booster (first two were sinovac) a month or two ago at the Pattaya stadium, walked in, my first two jabs were in Bkk.

SCB has an account paying 1.5% interest, but it doesn't have a passbook. I fear Pattaya immigration won't allow people to use this for their retirement extensions. Does anyone have an experience with this? Edit: I should follow up. I got a Krunsri account paying 1% which includes a passbook, and I was able to transfer the 800,000 baht online, no need to walk the money across the mall.

I believe he means he can get more money by investing his money in (stocks, bonds, crypto, etc.) and therefore he would have more money if he did that--the money he didn't get is the expensive part.

Thanks, yes I have one and used it while opening the above accounts, but forgot to mention it. It's good to remind people that it's important.

Thanks to everyone in this thread. I've learned a lot here. From the information, I just opened a Mee Tae Dai account at Krungsri. I used my passport, driver's license and the Chanote from my condo in my name. (About 1% interest for those who haven't been following.) I received a bank book there. I also opened an SCB Easy account at 1.5% using the same ID. This account has no passbook, and I'm not sure if I could use it for retirement visa 800,000 baht purposes at immigration at Jomtien/Pattaya. They said I could at the bank but I'm skeptical. has anyone had any experience with this. I went to LH Bank at Terminal 21 and they said I can't open an account as I don't have a pink card nor am I on a yellow book (yet). They did imply I could if I got one (both?) of those things sorted. I'm also interested in the Kasikorn LIne BK option and I intend to spend more time checking that out and will report back (if I don't get too lazy). Am I missing any other good options? Given the protection of only a million baht per bank, it's nice to know all the possible good accounts avaiilable.

As many above have said the Mee Tae Dai savings also works, and has a higher interest. I will be moving my money when my Bangkok Bank Fixed deposit term comes up.

They actually gave me a letter--I just didn't realize it, and just found it in my papers when I was going to open another bank account (mentioned in another thread). ???? Oops.

Thanks a lot, nice to hear from someone with actual experience changing banks. I suspected that it was ok just as long as you transferred the money the same day. I've looked and Bangkok bank will let me transfer the full 800,000 online, no need to walk it (literally 50 meters from Bkk Bank to Krunsri). I've opened an account at Krungsri already--just needed 500 baht to do it. All is falling into place. Thanks to everyone for the input.

Yeah, I'll test the waters first. I'll be astonished though if there's a change. You'd be surprised how often large cash deposits are made in Thai banks with no one batting an eye.

It's done quite often in Thailand and is no problem. Getting mugged in the middle of Central Festival is not a huge worry to me. I might investigate how to do it online just for the fun of it, though. I'm guessing 800,000 will surpass any single day online transfer limits. Thanks for the input but the rates I've seen at Kasikorn aren't attractive to me. Thanks for this: How much does the letter cost at Krungsri? At Bangkok Bank it's 100 baht. Yeah, not a problem if you transfer the money right away by walking 100 meters with the cash in Central Festival. I've watched the guy going through my multiple fixed-term bankbooks, and he just makes sure the dates match and there was no day the money wasn't in a bank. I might be wrong, and if I am you'll see me at the agent's place crying and begging. I'll be transferring the money on Thursday at 2:30 pm, wearing green pants and a red shirt if anyone is interested. (Just kidding of course ???? )