dick dasterdly

18 hours ago, Pib said:

Ditto....over 10 years with various Thai bank accounts, predominately Bangkok Bank, no problem.  No funds have gone missing, etc 

 

IMO most stories you hear from farangs in Thailand regarding money disappearing from their account are related to the individual's lax security of his ibanking and debit card credentials....debit card gets used for purchases...etc.  And of course "love you long time" girlfriends and estranged spouses.

And business employees that were employed as admin. staff, that had access to their bank account details.

Mind you, the one Westerner I knew that claimed this, turned out to be equally 'crooked'......

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

Notice how the guy standing at the overstay desk is dressed - in the sleeveless shirt.  Almost every time I was in that office, there was one of those at that desk.  Usually flip-flops, too. 

10 minutes ago, notamember said:

agreed there were 3 there this morning in wifebeaters

its a uniform i think 

It's certainly stupid to go to Immigration dressed this way.

Villa Market is very good insofar as it has many Western items (which are obviously expensive) and their Thai produce seems mostly reasonably priced compared to Tesco and the like - IMO.

The problem with Villa Market (again, IMO) is that they have too many Western food products that make me salivate - plus other items that are unobtainable locally - and so I never walk out with a bill less than a couple of thousand bht .....

"Yep - in the same boat.  Waiting to transfer and spend money, because I need to "parse it out" now, vs xfer it when I need something, like I always could before."

Annoying and extremely unfortunate for both myself and Thailand that I can no longer transfer large sums of money as and when needed - but I also realise that it has to be made easy for Immigration to see one 65k bht plus transfer p.m.

But wouldn't it be even easier (for banks and Immigration) to show 800k income transfers over the past 12 months?

Edit - Sorry, I'm a bit annoyed at having to wait another week or so to transfer another couple of thousand ponds over to my Thai bank account - as a result of 'timing' .
 

3 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

I haven't read the thread as 15 pages suddenly appeared in such a short space of time!  So I apologise if this has already been pointed out.

 

But it occurred to me this a.m. (yes, I can be a bit slow....) that those of us using the income method need to be a bit careful about when transferring our income to our Thai bank account.

 

e.g. I've had a very expensive month and my laptop is playing up, so I thought it might be a good idea to transfer money (using internet banking from my uk account) to my Thai bank account immediately - just in case my laptop gives up entirely.

 

BUT, then it occurred to me 'hang on a minute - you transferred money pretty recently.  If I transfer enough money to cover Feb. now, I may fall outside the future 'monthly' rules'....

 

So..... I updated my bankbook, and sure enough the last transfer was only a couple of weeks ago - so I need to wait until Feb. to transfer more money .

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're supposed to show 12 monthly international transfers from abroad into a Thai bank account with no transfer under 65K per month. First year, partial year will be OK. Shown with records from the Thai bank.  Does that answer your question?

Hence my post above.

I would like to transfer money immediately, but know that I need to leave it until Feb. - to avoid even more bank charges for swift transfers .

27 minutes ago, farangx said:

Even if there is a hundred transactions in a month for a bank account, it takes only a single keystroke to show all the foreign transactions in it with an accumulated total.

 

Not sure I agree with that.

When I went to SCB she produced one page for the one income point to which I pointed - and that took a few minutes - certainly not one keystroke!

14 minutes ago, farangx said:

Even if there is a hundred transactions in a month for a bank account, it takes only a single keystroke to show all the foreign transactions in it with an accumulated total.

 

I'll take your word for that as when I visited SCB to try to find out whether my 'income' is shown as international transfers - the lady didn't understand (or care) what I was talking about.

To be fair, when I tried to make it more obvious by pointing at my last 'income' - she printed out a page that did prove it to be a swift transfer from abroad.

Hopefully, the banks will over the coming months realise the new 'proof of income' regulations, that necessitate proving that the income comes from abroad, and it will be far easier.

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

Bangkok Bank

Not sure about SBC but other banks do not charge a fee for less than 6 months. Info is from the post.

 

If one has a Bangkok Bank account, it seems to be pretty easy - which is why I'm more interested in other banks' policies, as not all of us bank with Bangkok Bank.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

I will be asking the bank about a statement for a year and get one shortly before I apply if possible. I understand they have to be requested from Bangkok and there is small fee for it.

My bank book is updated every month at the bank when I transfer my funds to a another account after it comes in. I have to do it that way since it is a direct deposit account set up for my SS payments. No printing errors in it.

"I will be asking the bank about a statement for a year and get one shortly before I apply if possible."

Which Thai bank do you use?

The lady I spoke to at SCB kept going on about coming into the bank to get 3 month statements, but she clearly had no idea of the problems to which I was referring - and even less interest.....

But when I kept asking 'are 6 month statements possible?' - I left with no idea as to whether or not they are possible (????) - but she did say that statements would cost 200 bht.  So presumably that is for a 6 month statement?

4 hours ago, keithet said:

This week I did my first transfer from my US bank to Kbank using swift. 

My Kbank statement says recieved domestic transfer. I tried asking why and I guess it bounces from a middle bank then to my account. 

My US bank statement says international transfer sent but Kbank statement says domestic transfer recieved. 

Not sure what to do for my 12 deposits if they are going to say domestic? 

I thought it might be worthwhile re-posting this comment on this thread, as it hopefully provides some reassurance re. proving that the income paid into a Thai bank comes from abroad - when using swift.

"I went to SCB this a.m. to find out about obtaining bank statements, ask whether income is shown as an International transfer etc.

The lady I spoke to didn't really understand the possible problem re. being able to prove that incoming money was coming from abroad (and didn't really care much either.....), BUT - I pointed to one of my incoming transfers to ask whether they were able to confirm that it was an international transfer, and she printed out a page headed 'Advice for customer - inward transfer'.

The page shows that the remittance was in GBP, 'Details of Payment' shows 'Transfer from NatWest' and 'Remittance Type' shows 'Inward Swift'.  All of which seems to be enough to prove that it was an International transfer to SCB.

Of course the latest arrangements re. providing proof of income for Immigration is very new at the moment, but I'm sure that over the next few months banks will find out what is required by Immigration and be able to come up with the necessary documentation as required by Immigration."

26 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

I use a taxi driver.  Just tell him to hand the paperwork in and wait in the cab.  Costs 100 baht.

Then you are lucky, as I doubt (but admittedly could be wrong) that Immigration would be happy to accept paperwork from an unknown taxi driver only paying 100 bht to 'fast track'.

Let alone a taxi driver being happy to provide this service for nothing - or 100 bht. (assuming he has to stand in line for ages without paying anything to Immigration for a 'fast track' service)?

Edit - not to mention the cost of a taxi to drive to Immigration and back, whilst you are waiting in the taxi!  It used to cost me 1200 bht for a taxi to Immigration and back, whilst HE waits in the car!

35 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

Seems unlikely, that agents will be banned as it provides money to many people connected to Immigration.

 

Plus, (personally) I hope this doesn't happen as even though I could do it myself (as I meet the retirement extension criteria and give my agent the necessary proof) - I have no desire to deal with the hassle and stress anymore.....

 

The agent doesn't have to (presumably) jump through the same hoops as individual applicants (need more copies of this that and the other/have to hang around for ages, even for a 90 day report. ☹️) 

 

Using an agent (here on Phuket) costs a small fortune, but I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford it and just grateful that I can avoid the associated stress.

13 minutes ago, sumrit said:

That still doesn't make it right. 

 

Some of us have always played by the immigration rules and we're now restricted by the tightening of those rules while 'many squillions' (Take squillions to mean a great many!????) who don't qualify are still able to break the law to stay here because of the way the agents are allowed to operate.

Which is precisely why xylophone should have quoted my entire post, rather than a snippet.

Not that it's important, as I've quoted my entire post above - which points out that some of us using agents qualify within the rules, but use agents because it makes life so much easier and stress-free.

52 minutes ago, sumrit said:

Until the use of an agent is banned and you have to do it all yourself................ 

Seems unlikely, that agents will be banned as it provides money to many people connected to Immigration.

Plus, (personally) I hope this doesn't happen as even though I could do it myself (as I meet the retirement extension criteria and give my agent the necessary proof) - I have no desire to deal with the hassle and stress anymore.....

The agent doesn't have to (presumably) jump through the same hoops as individual applicants (need more copies of this that and the other/have to hang around for ages, even for a 90 day report. ☹️) 

Using an agent (here on Phuket) costs a small fortune, but I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford it and just grateful that I can avoid the associated stress.

I went to SCB this a.m. to find out about obtaining bank statements, ask whether income is shown as an International transfer etc.

The lady I spoke to didn't really understand the possible problem re. being able to prove that incoming money was coming from abroad (and didn't really care much either.....), BUT - I pointed to one of my incoming transfers to ask whether they were able to confirm that it was an international transfer, and she printed out a page headed 'Advice for customer - inward transfer'.

The page shows that the remittance was in GBP, 'Details of Payment' shows 'Transfer from NatWest' and 'Remittance Type' shows 'Inward Swift'.  All of which seems to be enough to prove that it was an International transfer to SCB.

Of course the latest arrangements re. providing proof of income for Immigration is very new at the moment, but I'm sure that over the next few months banks will find out what is required by Immigration and be able to come up with the necessary documentation as required by Immigration.

1 hour ago, Tanoshi said:

Not really, it will greatly depend on your IO exactly what they will except.

For example, for 2.18 (marriage) it states an average of 40K per month, (480K per annum) which I interpret as could be 30K x 8 and 60K x 4, totalling 480K. Some expats receive quarterly pension payments.

For 2.22 (Retirement), the word 'average' isn't mentioned, it's 65K per month.

It also states a letter and passbook for acceptable documents, but then in 'procedures', it clearly states 'bank statements'.

 

Immigration have been discussing with the banks the form and details should be included in their Income letters.

"Immigration have been discussing with the banks the form and details should be included in their Income letters."

I hope you're right re. this!

13 hours ago, rumak said:

Now if everyone just STARTED each post with the words :  IT IS MY OPINION THAT.......... , and by some miracle could understand that everyone does not live or think the same..... or value the same things , maybe the name calling , etc would calm down a bit.(not saying you have done that) Just making a point.

 

in simpler terms:  different strokes for different folks  

"in simpler terms:  different strokes for different folks"

This sums it up for me.

Having moved from the UK to Phuket, I find it far cheaper in most respects.  Some things are certainly more expensive - but mainly luxuries - plus the infrastructure is far worse.  e.g. electrical standards/power cuts/undrinkable well water, rather than hot and cold (drinkable) water easily available from the tap etc. etc.

As I was working in the UK, I was able to afford a FAR more expensive 'lifestyle' - but now living on pensions, I didn't find it particularly difficult to adopt a simpler 'lifestyle' and give up the luxuries that I found 'necessary in the UK to make up for the life I wasn't enjoying.

I still have 'bad times' obviously, but nonetheless I'm pretty much living my 'dream' - something I could never have afforded in the UK, especially reliant on pensions.

e.g. Don't have to work/able to rent a nice house with a big garden right by the beach in a relatively secluded area/far better weather (albeit too hot at times).

So I'll finish where I started 'different strokes for different folks'.  It always depends on one's priorities in life.

1 minute ago, Jim7777 said:

Exactly it says transfer.  "Evidence of a pension. Letter of certification from a Thai bank supported by bank statements showing a pension being transferred to the pensioner’s bank account every month for at least 12 months."

 

"Evidence of annual income that equates to no less than B40,000 per month of alien father, mother or spouse such as."

 

I think people might be reading a little too much into it.  

I suspect, but obviously don't know, that the wording will remain the same - and it will be down to each Immigration office how they 'determine the rules'?

1 minute ago, animatic said:

I asked SCB to print my entire deposit history for a dozen years. I got it.

SCB also accepts transfers in dollars to a dollar account and automatically converts to your thai baht savings account. But will ask for you to agree to exchange rate for larger transfers. 65,000 baht would be automatically done.

I always transfer sterling to my Thai bank account, as I get a better exchange rate.  But it is routed via somewhere else (SCB main office?) and arrives in my Thai bank account in bht, but it doesn't show on my bank account as a foreign transfer.

Fortunately, I'm not particularly worried about this as I'm sure that they will come up with a method over the next year to provide a letter confirming that it came from abroad.

1 minute ago, Vermaric said:

" Presumably all Thai banks will set up a way to provide a letter and statements confirming the international transfers - although there's no way they'll be able to confirm it's pension income."

 

It's a nice thought and may I say a sensible idea, but if they do this I for one will be astounded!

They'll obviously charge for the service, in the same way they do for the '800k in bank' method.