madmen

I think you don't know how the Philippines are ticking. Sure, this law text exits. But who cares. All of my friends live since years and years on a tourist visa in Philippines. Including myself. You get one month, then you extend your free visa and after 3 months you will get 6 months. After 2 months you will even get a ACR-I (ID card for foreigners). This is very helpful in daily life. (Bank, renting, travel etc). With the tourist visa you are allowed to stay up to 3 years. Then you do a 1 or 2 trip to i.e. Hongkong. So to cut the story short, almost nobody I know bothers to apply for this expensive and complicated retriee visa. But up to you, keep staying in the Big Joke land. We for ourselves don't miss this land of FALSE SMILES and feel sorry for all of you.

 

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Maybe backpackers who could care less but this thread is about older singles and family's that may want to relocate.

And that nutter PM has made it legal for the public to kill drug dealers. Good luck if you upset your Filipino neighbour's.. [emoji24]

Most good agents do not offer a convenience service
they do not have the time to do so
they won't stand in line or hand hold for persons who can do it themselves but are too lazy . dumb or both to do it themselves
That is the domain of the bottom feeders

Good idea.
The urine stained cargo shorts and yellow Singha tank top with coffee and beer stains might be a precursor also.  [emoji846]
Overall appearance and an alert demeanor may assist one with not being a victim of these crimes.

Why?
Just put the 800 k in an account and forget about it until you leave this place.
Your Elite Visa money is gone for ever.
Talk about a bad investment....

No.
Thais usually count the change 2 or even 3 times before handing it back to you.  Then, I count it myself after I receive it takes about 5 seconds.
Anyone that claims it has happened "dozens of times" is either not telling the truth and making a Thais are thieves reference or they are being victimized for a reason.  Maybe lack of focus, attention, the odor of alcohol, etc.
 

How can they possible get rid of smog in all areas of Bangkok with only 50 drones?  1000 drones perhaps would help. 
 
 
 

no it won't 
they agent will simply deposit and show money in bank again and pay again for seasoning to be overlooked
this is a benefit to agents with 800,000 baht
use money twice, charge twice, and pay IO twice

Sounds almost impossible to be true but it does look like BJ is attempting to close the door on agents without actually going after corrupt IO'S and arresting them

This way the agents will just dissappear if a second trip to prove $ in your account is needed

You will show them next year.
They will not ask you to come back after 3 months for - maybe - cancel your extension !

Why double payment?
The verification will be made only when you will ask for a new extension,
so you still need only one trip to immigration per year.

Not necessarily. The IO could possibly apply a single waiver, covering seasoning before and after the issue of the visa extension. Also, I see nothing in the order to suggest that you will need to visit immigration between extensions. It's possible that they will ask to see evidence of your compliance when you make your next visa extension. Therefore, IO applies one big fat waiver every year. Agree that the price for the service will probably rise. How much? Depends how greedy the IO and his superiors are.
 
Don't forget, when you pay tea money, a percentage goes all the way to the top. Big Joke gets a cut and even those above him.

IO will waiver it just as he does for the need for it to be there for 3 months before the extension.

Same as it always has done. You give the agent 15k baht.  Agent puts 800k in a Thai bank account. Takes copy of bank book and letter from bank saying that you have 800k baht in your bank account. Promptly removes 800k from your account and toddles off to immigration with bank book and bank letter. Pays IO an unspecified sum and IO waivers any need for seasoning. IO grants visa extension. Agent gives you your passport containing 12 months visa extension, job done. No need for 800k baht or any visits to IO.

There are many countries that treat Thai citizens living in their country far better than Thai Immigration treat foreigners living in Thailand.  I really believe there will be a lot of foreigners leaving Thailand as their visas come up for renewal.  This exodus is already slowly starting.  
 
Every time a foreigner leaves Thailand, their apartment or condo becomes empty. The restaurants and coffee cafes end up with one less customer, as do other stores they shop at.  Once these people leave, it is doubtful of them ever returning.  In spite of what many Thai visa posters think, over time this foreign exodus will have a negative effect on the local Thai business's where these foreigners live.  
 
I read a fair amount of smug comments about these expats being unable or unwilling to abide by immigrations monetary requirements and are happy these people are being forced to leave.  Shame on the pompous and smug expats who make these comments.  I hope the fleas of a thousand Camels infest their nostrils.  As to the expats who are negatively affected by all this nonsense, I hope the best for you. [emoji846]
 
 

I originally planned on the "800k in a Thai bank" method. Then when the new rules on 65k baht income came out, I thought that I'd give that a try. Made my first transfer this month, always with having a backup of 800k baht method in mind.
 
Now, just praying that the 65k baht in a Thai bank method doesn't prove problematic. 800k baht method doesn't seem a very good option now.
 
Of course there's always the agency route as a backup......

Thais are Buddhists? Really, I thought their God was called Baht and their temple the Bangkok Bank.

I give the Thai's the respect that they are due - nothing more.
 
To do more would label me a mouse, a weakling and a man with no moral scruples. I am not that man but it appears that you are.
 
Respect is earned, not given and Thailand has not earned that respect and hasn't come close, nor will it, I suspect.
 
I am assuming that you can still pick your balls up at immigration if you ever leave.

Hmmm
 
So I have 800K in the bank and a valid retirement extension in my passport.
 
But I am fed up with Thai immigration and decide to move to Vietnam.
 
I therefore transfer my 800K back to my bank in my home country.
 
I then grab a taxi to the airport to leave Thailand once and for all.
 
But I am arrested for overstay at the airport and put in the IDC because my extension is no longer valid (Because I don't have 800K or even 400K in a Thai bank).
 
Am I missing something?

most here have a wife and kids, not to mention supporting the relatives as well......I see a lot of broken families and divorces as well