Khaeng Mak

Rhyming slang.  Immigration is now at war with us. So perhaps it is appropriate that we adopt a code for our communications with other expats. I enjoy a laugh as much as the next bloke. But this is no longer a laughing matter.  They are trying to tear me from my family...so the line has to drawn in the sand.

7 minutes ago, rumak said:

You belong to Facebook ?     now that is paranoia

No.  I have only just joined this forum. Is Facebook better? And can anyone join?

13 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

so you think the new IMO requirements were made because they were listening to us here..... are we still in Thailand or it's already colonized by China?

You do realize that is a rhetorical question?

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I disagree. I think the bigger picture is that word is going to get out all over the world that Thai immigration is MASSIVELY unfriendly to retired expats. It was going in that direction for a long time, but this seals the deal. 

Jing Thing.  For me it is more than that.  It is now clear we are viewed as the enemy. And in a war we have to do what is best to protect our families. That is why I just posted this:

I would welcome your comments as I can see you are a long term member on this forum and I have only just joined.

I'm sorry.  There are some people on this thread who are asking about further information on my particular circumstances. However, it is now clear that immigration view long stay expats like me (and you) as the enemy.  And so in that sort of environment, posting here on Thai Visa is now, in my view, counter productive at best, and dangerous at worst. Immigration obviously monitor our posts looking for ways they can create the next hammer blow to our lives, families and well being. So I will not be posting any more of my information on this thread.  Again sorry to those members who asked.

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

You had a valid Permission of Stay in your passport, it won't be revoked retroactively! How they will police you having the 400k minimum between months 3 to 6 is not clear yet. Best guess, only possible when you renew. 

What if immigration require the banks to report any account that falls below 400K?

1 minute ago, impulse said:

Or will they (God forbid) enlist the banks to rat out those whose accounts fall below the required amount at any time during the year? 

 

So they can show up unannounced at the poor souls house to arrest him for overstay.

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The new rules don't take effect until March 1, 2019.  So, if you've already received a new retirement extension for the year ahead now and its already stamped in your passport now, you shouldn't have anything to worry about -- until it's time to secure your Thai bank deposit ahead of next year's extension cycle.

 

No. Under the new rule you have to maintain 400K in your account after your get your extension. I have already broken this rule because my account has less than 400K in it.  But the rule only comes into effect on 1 march...So it is very unclear what my situation is.

1 hour ago, chang50 said:

My extension based on retirement 800 k in the bank date is Mar 5th but I always go earlier certainly before Mar 1st.If I am granted an extension before Mar 1st will these rule changes apply in my case?If not when will they kick in?Thanks.

Yes. I want some clarity on this point as well:

Ubon Joe

Just this week I obtained my retirement extension.  I did it 45 days early because I can here at my closest immigration office and I had a feeling some terrible changes were on the way.

I have already withdrawn most of the funds that I had in my account and transferred them back to my home country for investment.

When the new police order kicks in on 1 March, does that mean that my extension will be invalid because I do not have a the required minimum of 400K in my account?

3 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

 Having 400K in a Thai bank account is just like having enough in the checking account when the real estate taxes and insurance are due in January every year.

 

 

No it's not.  You will have to monitor your account balance every day.

8 minutes ago, impulse said:

If a change in the exchange rate is going to put you in that kind of a bind, I'd suggest you start looking for a place that offers a "quit working" visa instead of a retirement visa.  If anyone can't keep a liquid 10,000 GBP available for emergencies, health care issues, etc, they aren't really retired.  They just quit working. 

 

And anyone not willing to leave that dosh on deposit in the country that welcomes them as a retiree isn't showing enough dedication to the host country to deserve a retirement visa.

 

Agree with that, disagree with that...  It doesn't matter.  That's the way Thai Immigration apparently sees it.

 

No.  It is all about managing my money to get the best returns.  Which isn't sitting in a Thai bank by the way. It will just be another thing to worry about, calculating how much margin above the 400K I have to leave locked up.  And if I get that wrong...booyah...overstay gravy for immigration.

2 hours ago, MJKT2014 said:

How the heck can this law be changed with just one months notice? I will not be able to top up my Thai account above the 400k continuous limit until after 1-Mar, as I never needed to before.

 

When my extension renewal is due in Aug, presumably I be declined after 11 years of renewals because my 400k level wasn't maintained throughout with just one months notice given?? This cannot be right?

Not just declined. You will be arrested for overstay because your extension was invalid the moment you had less then 400K. if the period of overstay is more than 6 months you will be banned from Thailand for 6 years.

2 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

So you suddenly have a medical or family emergency which requires you to temporarily tap these funds, and your bank balance drops below 400K. You've got to go to immigration on your knees to beg for your visa to be renewed?

No the consequences are far worse than having to beg: