John7777

Thanks again.  I wonder if they would care if, instead of wiring in the money monthly, I wired it every three months (enough for three months)?  Like I said before, I was just going to wire in 800,000 baht and be done with it, but I could probably put that money to better use elsewhere.  

What about people who have been retired for a number of years, but are just now retiring in Thailand?  Or, what about people with income from other sources, such as stock dividends?

For example, I first retired and first started to receive a pension in 2006.  I first applied for a retirement extension in 2007.  I've been back and forth to Thailand since then, but always on a tourist visa.  So, even though I retired years ago, if I again apply for a retirement extension, there will have been no money sent to Thailand on a regular basis.  I wired some money to my account now and then, just to keep it active, but my monthly pension has been going to my US bank.  

Also, wiring money to a Thai bank on a monthly basis isn't cheap.  $40 each time. And, it won't show up as a "pension," just as money remitted.  

Thanks everyone.  I guess I won’t have a problem.  

My apologies if this issue has been dealt with in another thread somewhere.

On one other occasion (2007), I entered Thailand on a multiple entry tourist visa which was then converted, in Pattaya, to a retirement extension of stay.  I would like to do the same thing again, but will be leaving the USA in a few weeks, so my time here is limited.

I previously used the US Embassy letter to satisfy the monthly income requirement, although I had other proof of a monthly pension greater than 65,000 baht per month.  That's not the issue that I'm currently worried about, though.  Given the recent changes, my intent was to simply wire sufficient funds into my Thai bank account to satisfy the 800,000 baht requirement.  No problem. It only takes a few mouse clicks and simplifies the process.

However, I just saw a video on YouTube wherein it was suggested that it would no longer be possible to convert a tourist visa to a retirement extension of stay in Thailand, and that the regulations now require that an immigrant visa first be obtained in your home country and then converted to a retirement extension of stay once in Thailand.  Is this accurate?  Or can I still simply enter on a tourist visa and complete the necessary paperwork and fees to obtain the extension in Thailand? Any help would be very much appreciated.

From what I've seen, most YouTubers don't really make much money at all.  They may try for a while and then they give up.  Others are just documenting their vacations or their lives and the focus doesn't seem to be on making money.  All things considered, I can't imagine the endeavor being considered much of a "problem" by the authorities.  If anything, YouTube videos are probably a net positive, since they would tend to promote Thai tourism.  Free advertising for Thailand.

I check in on these threads once in a while. I take it that nothing has been clarified so far?  No official guidance on how those with the requisite monthly income can prove that to the satisfaction of Immigration? 

While I agree that 800,000 baht isn't all that much, I can see where those already living in Thailand on a fixed income might have some difficulty coming up with the lump sum in a short period of time. 

Lots of places in the world for retirees.  Taxes can play a big role.  Has ante lookpoed into Eastern Europe?

37 minutes ago, galt67 said:

Chase Bank does for 'Sapphire Banking' customers. Need to have $75k+ total, in checking/saving/brokerage. 'Private Banking' customers MIGHT(?) be the same.

Yes, both Chase Saphire and Chase private banking clients have the foreign ATM fees waived.  Also, I think they have some deal for military members and veterans.

800,000 in a Thai bank.  That’s not really much of a problem, is it?  I think what bothers people is the seemingly continual moving of the goal posts. Today the rules are one thing, but next year?  What about the year after that?  

Just reading through the thread.   I’m a little surprised about the special requirements for direct deposit accounts in certain countries. No ATM cards, etc.   There is no way I would have an account with those kind of restrictions. It’s an insult.  Anyway, whatever the solution, the simpler the better.  I could put 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, but why tie up my money that way?   I’ve been looking at Vietnam. It seems as though they would actually welcome an American ex-pat with money to spend. 

It’ll be interesting to see how this new change plays out.  I’m getting ready to return to SE Asia for retirement and will need to comply with whatever requirements they come up with.  I actually receive about 2x the required amount every month, not including investment income, so transferring the 65,000 baht per month wouldn’t be a problem, as I would normally spend more than that anyway.  Alternatively, I suppose I could just wire in the 800,000.  Anyway, for planning purposes it would be nice to have a clear and unambiguous set of rules.  

infeel sorry for all the people caught up in a mess.  Imagine having property and then having to leave. 

Whether I "believe" or not, I have made some really good profits on some of the cryptocurrencies.  I've kept some, but right now I've mostly cashed out.  If there's a big correction, I may reinvest.