ljerams

I think so. Not an official rule though.

Possibly a new brush sweeps clean result. That's why I said I await my Lawyer, or her Senior Thai Partner to try to persuade them to return to their original unofficial rules.

Failing that the KL Visa is becoming more attractive, releases tied up Bank money and is not a lot more expensive than existing Bank, Embassy and Legal fees.

Before I received a Work Permit, I did Visa runs and since retiring I have had absolutely no issues regarding Annual Visa renewal until today.

I have all the necessary documents and the Baht 100,000 is a better solution than Baht 400,000 being tied up by Immigration Regulations. My wife just jokingly said that I'll have to eat Mama everyday if I can't touch my money for four months

Ah well, we will just have to wait and see.

From Police Order 2008

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

Thanks but I know the rules having been here for more than twenty years. However, my understanding and it was very clearly stated by the Immigration previously, that official changes to the rules apply to new Applicants only and people who first applied before the 2008 revisions were published must comply with the rules that were applicable at the time of their first application.. I have never seen any changes to that requirement

Just to complicate matters, I have also been talking up thread about an unofficial Immigration rule that has been acceptable until we went there today.. I think they made the rule, for when Expats use professional assistance,Their Boss,apparently does not allow it anymore.

This should clarify my point.

Thanks again. The KL idea plus freeing up some money from my Bank account is becoming more attractive.

So the rules had been changed but I have never seen any information on that. Also, I am supposed to comply with rules that existed when I made my first Application which I don't think have been changed?

Anyway many thanks for your input. I am still very confused as to why neither the Lawyer or her Staff didn't know about it. Only 5 hours ago she was still telling me the rules had not changed. I suggested to her that a Senior Thai Partner should have a little talk with the Immigration to see if they could help.

I have also noticed a rumour on a another Thread that they may reduce the Bank amount to 250,000.- I wonder!?

For a multiple entry non-O from KL you will need to show at least 100,000 in the bank. You cannot obtain a 1 year visa without having to do a border run every 90 days.

Only when you have either an income of 40,000 a month (can be from abroad) or 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand in your name can you get a 1 year extension.

Note that you can get a 60 day extension from immigration based on your marriage. Can't you just transfer the 400,000 to a bank account in your name only, ask for the 60 day extension and at the end apply for the 1 year extension of stay?

I won't comment on your lawyer, but the rules changed on November 25th 2008 and you an easily do an extension of stay based on marriage yourself.

Thanks Mario. I have had no problems for the last 4 years or more but today I think we got the wrong Officer even though the Lawyers Employee was with us. She said the rules had been changed by her big boss and wouldn't risk any problems by approving our Application. It would still of course have to go upstairs for final approval anyway.

Hence, I am looking at other options should my Lawyer fail to get them to re-apply their own rules which have been satisfactory for some years.

As to the KL possibility, do you know what a 1 year multiple entry Visa will cost and how long it takes to issue? I'm trying to do a costing comparison at the moment. So far on some temporary figures it seems that the KL idea plus three Visa runs isn't a lot more expensive than the hassle of needing Baht 400,000 in the Bank and paying the Embassy, Bank and Lawyer all the various fees. Including the time wasted and petrol costs in obtaining those required Documents. If I could fly to KL one day and come back the next day, life would be much easier I have already confirmed the Visa runs take about 9 hours and are Baht 2,000 per trip including a packed meal.

KL is the best choice as you know the rules - 100k in a bank account and the normal paperwork should get a one year visa. Can you meet the 400k or 40k requirements for extension of stay inside Thailand? That is the best option for most people if they can.

thanx for the post

yes I can meet the 400k in Thai account, BUT.....I do some part time work (no W/P) and as you have to draw map to your house I don't like the Idea of "them" turning up when I'm in a shirt and tie or me not being there and the neighbours saying he's "at work"

I feel it's "safer" to get a non o outside Thailand and do a border run every 90 days.

For KL will you kindly advise what Documents have to be produced for a Visa Extension based upon a Thai wife. Can one obtain a one year Visa without 90 day Visa runs? Previously I have been doing my 90 day reporting at Bangkok.

My reason for asking is that Bangkok Immigration have allegedly stopped the combined income plus Bank balance method to exceed Baht 400,000.- This basis has been acceptable by the Immigration for at least 4 years in my case. My Lawyer is now trying to solve this problem but I need to know what other options exist?

Even today my Lawyer didn't know the rules had changed a year ago? and they must deal with hundreds of Expats annually.

Anyone recommend a shop to buy a good quality snooker cue, preferably not too far from Sukhumvit.

Thanks.

central world , super sports,i just bought one in just 3000/- baht.

MasterCue in the Lardprao area, has a small Snooker Hall. The Boss makes some lovely cues at roughly Baht 5,000 to 10,000.

I bought mine about 6 years ago and it is still true as a die and nicely balanced. His workmen will also adjust the cue you choose to your required balance.

Strongly recommended by me.

Google for MasterCue

thank you lopburi3 that answers all my questions. much appreciated.

I did this in January. very easy after a long wait at Immigration. Please note that for your new British Passport Application it should be supported and signed by some Professional who has known you for at least three years if my memory is correct plus a correctly taken Passport photo.

I got mine at Bangkok Bank. It was hilarious. They told me I needed a work permit, so I invoked the ever popular "My friend said it's O.K." Worked like a charm. Got a cup of coffee and a piece of cake too!!

this is cool. i will go bangkok bank then and tell them that many of my Farang friends in bangkok said its ok can open.. let me try this..

Try a few Banks. Bangkok Bank tend to ask for a larger initial deposit. Previously I found Thai Farmers Bank needed less money but for Farangs HSBC are more with it.

I have never been asked for a Work Permit in 20 years.

And what about retired people? They don't have a Work Permit.

I do recall a Mobile Phone Shop once requiring a Work Permit so I went to another Shop.

QUOTE

My Question:-

Has it actually been confirmed to you that a combination sum of, for example, a confirmed pension income plus a bank balance for the remainder will usually be accepted?

Sunbelt reply:-

Nothing has changed on that front for old applicants

Sorry to labour this point. You state that nothing has changed for old applicants, however two years ago the immigration stated to me that a combination of my pension plus money in the Bank was no longer acceptable. They required a Bank balance of at least Baht 400,000.-

If they are now accepting a combination again this is indeed a welcome change back to the rule they applied three years ago.

Kindly clarify this as it is rather important. It means that it is easier to achieve and doesn't tie up money that could be better spent elsewhere.

Billd766,

My specific question was "can a pension plus some money in the Bank make up the required Baht 400,000.- for a marriage visa?"

You satisfied them on the minimum Baht 40,000 pension income which is quite different to my question?. It seems that they took into account the new rules which presumably they knew were about to be issued.

Sunbelt, earlier you stated I think that a combination of money in the Bank and an income/pension could satisfy the Baht 400,000.- requirement for a Marriage Visa.

This rule used to apply about 3 years ago and was stopped. For the last 2 years I have had to prove that over Baht 400,000.- was in the Bank.

I think you said that it was now at the Officer's discretion?

Has it actually been confirmed to you that a combination sum of, for example, a confirmed pension income plus a bank balance for the remainder will usually be accepted?

Sorry to labour this matter.

I already have Linux installed on a dual boot system so Microshaft is already on it's way out.

As a retired person, I applied recently for and obtained an extension to my marriage Visa at Bangkok.

The Immigration Officer confirmed that the rules from July ? last year are that you must have at least Baht 400,000.- in a Thai Bank Account OR a Pension of Baht 40,000 per month which has to be confirmed by your Embassy. A mixture of bank cash and pension is no longer acceptable.

New letters are only required from the Bank each year if you are using the Bank Account as the basis for your application. If your Pension has changed, this will require a new Embassy letter.

Copies of the other documents, passport etc are also required to be signed by you if they are your documents and by the wife if they are her documents.

I also took the original house registration, marriage certificate etc but they never asked to see them.