Papadragon

Is it good news ? Only for those that can't go back to their own country.

Or those who, for many reasons, can't or won't apply to legally stay in Thailand

People who apply for extensions based on marriage or retirement, pay the fees and deposit funds won't benefit at all.

It's bad news for the airlines as many more visa runners will go by road.

It's bad news too for the bus companies and minivan drivers - more runners but half the trips.

and the people who were going to stay up to 15 days anyway - they won't benefit at all either.

So tell me - Where's the Good News ?

Please extract your head and take a look around you sometime. Not many people have 4/800,000 Baht and most of those that do have more sense than to leave it lying around in a Thai bank account. So most people who live here come up against this at some point and will benefit.

I'll ignore your opening sentence which should have been noted by a Global Moderator as Flame and removed.

For your information you don't need 4/800.000 Baht although it's an option which, I agree with you, is a pretty daft thing to do.

You just have to pay the fees and prove 40,000/65,000 pm income either from legimate earnings or a pension.

You can draw your own conclusions as to why anyone would choose the 30 day visa run route, I know I have !

However it seems to me that these people are the only ones who will benefit from this new initiative apart from the Immigration officers' who's workload stamping passports will be reduced !

The doss houses and bars in Chulia Street Penang will suffer as well as the Thai minibus services in Hat Yai - their business will halve overnight

Notice! he only talks about loosing money, Greed and corruption. The only creed these people think about.

Loosing ? I think you got too many O's in there the word is LOSING !

Notice! he only talks about loosing money, Greed and corruption. The only creed these people think about.

Bahtism NOT Buddhism is the official creed of Thailand

Is it good news ? Only for those that can't go back to their own country.

Or those who, for many reasons, can't or won't apply to legally stay in Thailand
People who apply for extensions based on marriage or retirement, pay the fees and deposit funds won't benefit at all.

It's bad news for the airlines as many more visa runners will go by road.
It's bad news too for the bus companies and minivan drivers - more runners but half the trips.

and the people who were going to stay up to 15 days anyway - they won't benefit at all either.

So tell me - Where's the Good News ?

One of the reasons we gave up out condo in Penang was the minibus journey between Penang and Hat Yai

In a 5+ year period I did it 22 times and my wife 70 times

There were a few good older drivers who we got to know quite well however the majority were young and showed absolutely NO consideration for their passengers !

One driver had actually fitted a small rally type steering wheel and was obviously intent on breaking the record for Hat Yai to Penang - we gave him a miss !

On another occassion a driver saw another van coming towards him - he swung over into the wrong lane and they went eye ball to eye ball till at the last minute he pulled back with the passengers screaming !

On several other occassions the driver was asked politely to slow down - a request which he laughed at and proceeded to go even faster - another pulled over, stopped and threw the passenger who complained, off the bus !

I nearly always booked the seat next to the driver with the safety belt and on one occassion had to keep nudging the driver to stop him falling asleep over the wheel.

I became increasingly concerned, not only for my own safety but for my wife's safety, she was risking her life twice a month with these Thai maniacs.

Travelling by any means in Thailand is dangerous but the minivans have to be the most dangerous of all !

In addition to the above there's a noticeable difference to the way they drive in each country - in Malaysia they slow down and attract as little attention as possible.

However when they are in their own country anything goes - they are Gods and they know there's no chance they will ever be stopped and/or punished for their crazy dangerous driving.

After all everyone else on the Thai roads is doing exactly the same !

One of the reasons we gave up out condo in Penang was the minibus journey between Penang and Hat Yai
In a 5+ year period I did it 22 times and my wife 70 times
There were a few good older drivers who we got to know quite well however the majority were young and showed absolutely NO consideration for their passengers !

One driver had actually fitted a small rally type steering wheel and was obviously intent on breaking the record for Hat Yai to Penang - we gave him a miss !

On another occassion a driver saw another van coming towards him - he swung over into the wrong lane and they went eye ball to eye ball till at the last minute he pulled back with the passengers screaming !
On several other occassions the driver was asked politely to slow down - a request which he laughed at and proceeded to go even faster - another pulled over, stopped and threw the passenger who complained, off the bus !
I nearly always booked the seat next to the driver with the safety belt and on one occassion had to keep nudging the driver to stop him falling asleep over the wheel.

I became increasingly concerned, not only for my own safety but for my wife's safety, she was risking her life twice a month with these Thai maniacs.
Travelling by any means in Thailand is dangerous but the minivans have to be the most dangerous of all !

Some people have law enforcement waiting when they get of the plane.

I think that applies to many Aliens in Thailand getting OFF the plane in their own country

One Million baht divided by 14 years divided by 365 days = less than TB200 a day
To put in realistic terms a couple of beers !

Walk away - forget it - I did when I left my condo in Penang

Is this OP a wind up ?

Once again dress smartly - dirty jeans, trainers, a sweaty T-shirt and flip flops impress no one !

Just walk into any bank with a wad of notes (any currency) and a passport.

They will fall over themselves to open an account and issue your with an ATM card (and charge you TB400 for privilege)

Tell them you wish to transfer more money from whereever and ask for their SWIFT number.

This will be their HO in Bangkok who will exchange your currency into US$ before converting it into Baht for onward transmission to your branch.

I've been coming and going here for 17 years and have NEVER known a Thai bank to turn money away

You are uninformed. There is a government crackdown at the moment. They will not "fall over themselves to open an account and issue your with an ATM card". They probably have more money than most people trying t open an account and are not impressed. But again, the government has cracked down under pressure from the USA and EU.

We opened one yesterday for visiting client.

Took 20 mins, no docs required and no problem.

Bangkok Bank.

Location please...

Me too with the Kasikorn

My previous account lapsed in 2007 when I left Thailand and went to live in Penang

I returned on 6th July 2013 on a Non-Immigrant O 90 day visa and opened a new account on the 15th July with a TB1,000 initial deposit plus TB400 for my ATM Visa card. It was done and dusted in 30 minutes flat

My Non-Immigrant O 90 day visa was extended by One Year in September to 3rd October 2014

My balance at the time was TB46,000 !

Is this OP a wind up ?
Once again dress smartly - dirty jeans, trainers, a sweaty T-shirt and flip flops impress no one !
Just walk into any bank with a wad of notes (any currency) and a passport.
They will fall over themselves to open an account and issue your with an ATM card (and charge you TB400 for privilege)
Tell them you wish to transfer more money from whereever and ask for their SWIFT number.
This will be their HO in Bangkok who will exchange your currency into US$ before converting it into Baht for onward transmission to your branch.
I've been coming and going here for 17 years and have NEVER known a Thai bank to turn money away

A permanent woman for life, not a bar girl

There are plenty of good women thaat worked in bars, funny, I have never been ripped off by a bargirl, at least with a bargirl you can talk to them, study them, find out if she is the one - what made you think for one minute some chick that posts on the Internet she is looking for a man was telling the truth...........you need to get out more like another posted recommends, learn to speak Thai, get a life.

and a sense of humour too ! plus remember the good old Nat King Cole song ? It's All In The Game !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqUImQmqQ7s

The OP should thank his lucky stars his Thai girlfriend was a "No Show
Just take a look at some of the sorry tales here including my own.
TB5,800 is nothing compared to the millions me and others have been ripped off by these evil female scammers.
Is it any wonder that "balcony jumping" is Thailand's most popular late night activity for distraught farangs

I too would like to report that I have been scammed out of millions of baht - about 20 million I reckon at the last count !

I came to Thailand in 1996 and met a beautiful talented capable Thai lady - she conned me into falling in love with her and then has proceeded to extract money from me for the next 17 years !

She conned me into an engagement ring, a marriage visa to the UK where she conned me into a wedding ring and marriage !

After that she conned me into getting her Indefinite Right to Stay in the UK as well as visas to visit America, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Malta, Dubai and Egypt for all expenses paid holidays in 5* hotels and resorts.

As if this wasn't enough she conned me into seeding her brother's business and I paid her other brother to build a house here in Thailand.

Furthermore she conned me into a year's beauticians course and a stay in Bangkok and then into providing the start up capital for her own beauty parlour.

To add insult to injury she conned me into selling up in the UK and moving to Thailand where she keeps me prisoner in her luxurious palace which is the envy of all the neighbours !

In return for my board and lodgings I am obliged to pay all the bills electricity, gas, internet and CTH TV plus all the food to feed us, her ageing mother, anyone who happens to drop by and the lazy fat monk who stands out front with his bespoke vacuum flask and begging bowl every morning.

The final con trick she's trying to pull is not satisfied with the Honda 125 I bought her she now wants to upgrade to a Honda City car.

I'm thinking of taking the advice here from those that know better and reporting her to the Royal Thai Police.

She has to be one of the top scam artists in Thailand

Yeah, being married can be a bitch can't it!

I nearly forgot the Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, Mexico, the Cayman islands and Jamaica ?

I've lost count of the my friend's got so I must have the "up to the minute" mobile phones and the two computers in recent years.

Did I mention the "I haven't got a thing to wear" shopping trips, the 50 pairs of shoes and all the anniversary presents !

The gold from the souk in Dubai and the Nile cruise, the black pearls from Florence and the Rado watch.

Not to mention all the household stuff like beds, fans, AC, TV sets, washing machines, kitchen equipment etc etc.

I didn't realise it before but I must be one of the biggest suckers on the planet !

Thanks OP for opening my eyes to this massive scam !

I'm calling the Royal Thai Police as soon as she goes to sleep and gets off the phone

I'm surprised all of you haven't heard the latest news ?
The word GULLIBLE has been taken OUT of the dictionary

The translation of Police Order 777/2551 for the 65K baht In Case of Retirement 2.22 (3) says: "Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month; or..."

In 2.18 (6) it says: "In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or ..."

So for retirement purposes one must have evidence of an income but for extension based upon marriage it uses the word 'earn'.

Being the beneficiary of a trust certainly is income but one might say that one does not EARN such income noting that the translation on the Immigration website was prepared by the law firm Tillike & Gibbins.

I cannot see how anyone can possibly argue with the above !

Clearly the Thai Immigration officer is absolutely correct in NOT granting an extension based on marriage to an alien under 50 who's income is clearly not "earnt" as defined in this translation.

Any appeal would be a total waste of time and money because there is no doubt that it would fail.

End of discussion

Papadragon, you and I get it !!! back to sleep me thinks !!!

Agreed - zzzzzzzzzzzz

The problem here is the expectation that one Thai will overule another in favour of an Alien - forget it !

They have a lot to learn about the Thai mentality Thai Rak Thai

I know that the OP was a joke, but:-

Just get used to it.

It is the way it is here..

This pricing is based on the assumption that farangs get a better hourly wage than thai people.

And rightly so....

but wouldnt that be called racism in any western country?

My daughter, a British citizen, is at university. She has a friend there who is a foreign student.

My daughter pays one set of tuition fees and gets an interest free loan from the government to pay them.

Her friend has to pay much higher tuition fees and fund them from his own resources.

Do you consider that racist?

There's no such thing as racism in Thailand - you're either Thai or you're an Alien

Race doesn't come into it

Just get used to it.

It is the way it is here..

This pricing is based on the assumption that farangs get a better hourly wage than thai people.

And rightly so....

Too right - you come from a place where the minimum wage is TB300 an hour to a place where the minimum wage is TB300 a day !

Therefore there's nothing wrong with you paying 8 times the Thai rate

Everything in Thailand is cheap by comparison - the only expensive item is the airfare here and back !

I have just returned from visiting friends in the UK, Canada and the USA - I was shocked at the prices !

I know where I'd rather live especially with a Siberian winter approaching !

Hi Steve. I've extended several years now based on marriage. Each year the runaround gets worse. More paperwork, more nit-picking and requests for something extra. (Forget what the websites says - officers can and do interpret the rules how they want). Then the 30 stamp, then go back. Each year the officers always ask why I don't do the retirement visa. It's so much simpler. So I've put the money there and will change at the next extension.

There is always a possibility that financial thresholds will be increased. If they are, the current retirement 800k could be grandfathered, which would be a good future benefit too.

Having done 6 extensions the only new document they have ever wanted was last year when they wanted the Kor Ror 2 for the first time.

Who cares - I let my wife of 15+ years do the running around

She's perfectly capable of dealing with her own country's petty officialdom and speaks the language too

If she wants to keep her personal ATM (which is all we are to the Thais) then she can do all the work !

There is no doubt in my mind that Thai Immigration gets a commission off every TB400,000/800,000 that's deposited.The officer probably gets a bonus too and it's also a great deal less work

I would never even consider having more than TB50,000 in a Thai bank, the problem is NOT paying it in - the problem is getting it out if and when the S-H-I-T hits the fan

I keep my money in the UK and my Will is with my UK solicitor with a codicil that if I die under suspicious circumstances (like falling off a balcony) NO money comes to Thailand.

Always be worth more alive than dead is not a bad principle to work on here

The translation of Police Order 777/2551 for the 65K baht In Case of Retirement 2.22 (3) says: "Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month; or..."

In 2.18 (6) it says: "In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must earn an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or ..."

So for retirement purposes one must have evidence of an income but for extension based upon marriage it uses the word 'earn'.

Being the beneficiary of a trust certainly is income but one might say that one does not EARN such income noting that the translation on the Immigration website was prepared by the law firm Tillike & Gibbins.

I cannot see how anyone can possibly argue with the above !
Clearly the Thai Immigration officer is absolutely correct in NOT granting an extension based on marriage to an alien under 50 who's income is clearly not "earnt" as defined in this translation.
Any appeal would be a total waste of time and money because there is no doubt that it would fail.
End of discussion

Speaking for all other idiot-replies and headless roosters - arrogance like this that gets you nowhere in Thailand

"I've been in Thailand for almost 9 years, 4 of them being married. I can understand Thai almost perfectly and speak it quite well, too I know everything about Thai customs" says the knowitall 35 year old.

Well If you know so much you certainly didn't know how to handle this situation !

It seems that something in your manner, attitude, personal demeanor and the way you spoke made this Officer look for ANY excuse NOT to give you an extension and he found it

The interpretation of Income for a Marriage extension as having to be EARNT if you're under 50

Unlike your previous extensions which were done by female Officers, no doubt overwhelmed by your personal charm, good looks and charisma, this male Officer clearly sees UNEARNT income from a trust fund as being suspect and unreliable.

Hence the requirement that you show TB400,000 in the bank.

You finally insulted him by questioning his authority and calling for his Supervisor who, if you know anything about Thais, was bound to endorse his decision. Thai Rak Thai !

Hence his retaliation comment to you regarding your wife finding a husband who did fulfill the requirements.

That's a fairly mild response from a Thai who's face you just ripped off - you're lucky he didn't box your young ears and chase you out of the office waving a samurai sword

Maybe you should check out the definition of "Earn".

earn 1 (ûrn)

tr.v. earned, earn·ing, earns

1. To gain especially for the performance of service, labor, or work: earned money by mowing lawns.

2. To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action: She earned a reputation as a hard worker.

3. To yield as return or profit: a savings account that earns interest on deposited funds.

Try that on a busy Thai Immigration officer and see how far you get

Salaries and wages are EARNT by working in the present - pensions are EARNT by working in the past

By the sound of it this applicant has never worked in his life yet receives TB80,000 pm from a trust fund.

Maybe that's what got up the hard working poorly paid Immigration officer's nose ?

In any event as one football manager once told me -

Never argue with the referee - he's NOT always right but he's ALWAYS the referee - his decision is final

I'm not arguing with the referee. I'm arguing with you. If the Immigration officer rejected the application because "it got up his nose", then he's clearly wrong, and the applicant should appeal.

Argue away or be true to your name WhyBother

If the OP takes your advice he'll be wasting a lot of time and money.

Not to mention the stress and toll it will take out of his private life and marriage.

He's best bet is to eat humble pie "bite the bullet' and do as he's told - although it probably goes against his natural instincts.

Re-apply with TB400,000 in the bank.

No big deal for someone with his income and the result is guaranteed.

He'll get the extension and will have learnt some valuable lessons in life along the way.

We've all had to do this at various times in our lives - it's called experience

Speaking for all other idiot-replies and headless roosters - arrogance like this that gets you nowhere in Thailand

"I've been in Thailand for almost 9 years, 4 of them being married. I can understand Thai almost perfectly and speak it quite well, too I know everything about Thai customs" says the knowitall 35 year old.

Well If you know so much you certainly didn't know how to handle this situation !

It seems that something in your manner, attitude, personal demeanor and the way you spoke made this Officer look for ANY excuse NOT to give you an extension and he found it

The interpretation of Income for a Marriage extension as having to be EARNT if you're under 50

Unlike your previous extensions which were done by female Officers, no doubt overwhelmed by your personal charm, good looks and charisma, this male Officer clearly sees UNEARNT income from a trust fund as being suspect and unreliable.

Hence the requirement that you show TB400,000 in the bank.

You finally insulted him by questioning his authority and calling for his Supervisor who, if you know anything about Thais, was bound to endorse his decision. Thai Rak Thai !

Hence his retaliation comment to you regarding your wife finding a husband who did fulfill the requirements.

That's a fairly mild response from a Thai who's face you just ripped off - you're lucky he didn't box your young ears and chase you out of the office waving a samurai sword

Maybe you should check out the definition of "Earn".

earn 1 (ûrn)

tr.v. earned, earn·ing, earns

1. To gain especially for the performance of service, labor, or work: earned money by mowing lawns.

2. To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action: She earned a reputation as a hard worker.

3. To yield as return or profit: a savings account that earns interest on deposited funds.

Maybe you should try that on a busy Thai Immigration officer and see how far you get

Salaries and wages are EARNT by working in the present - pensions are EARNT by working in the past

By the sound of it this applicant has never worked in his life yet receives TB80,000 pm from a trust fund.

Maybe that's what got up the hard working poorly paid Immigration officer's nose ?

In any event as one football manager once told me -

Never argue with the referee - he's NOT always right but he's ALWAYS the referee - his decision is final

Wow, this is crazy! I never in a million years expected 6 pages of replies.

I don't even know how to reply to each one of them, but I'll try in the next few hours to address at least a few of them.

The retirement visa option is out of question for me, as I'm in my mid-30's.

I never had any issues with Immigration in my last 4 extensions. What shocked me the most is that he refused to return my passport until after I signed the document that I would have 400,000 in the bank account on my next extension - and his supervisor was there when he did that, so she must have known about it. And also when he suggested to my wife that she should find another husband who had 400,000 in the bank if I didn't have enough. I wish I had a tape recording of that moment.

I'm beginning to get the picture now

Mid 30's and receiving TH80,000 pm from a trust fund and only TB260,000 in the bank

I have never found Thai Immigration Officers hard to deal with as long as you are decently presented, show respect, wei and bow slightly and ask them to help you.

If you treat them like subordinates and inferior to you they will take that as an insult - you should give them face - make them feel important.

Demanding to speak with his superior was the kiss of death - the ultimate insult - what did you expect after that ?

Draw your own conclusions as to why this particular Officer reacted in this manner TV people - I have

Also when the Immigration Officer suggested to your wife that she should find a husband with TB400,000 in the bank did he speak English or Thai ?

Presumably he spoke in Thai since they are both Thais - do you speak Thai well enough to understand what he said ?

I doubt it ! So how can you be sure exactly what he said ? and if he did that's the ultimate Thai to Thai put down !

You must have really pissed him off

I only asked to speak to his supervisor AFTER he said that he could not extend my visa. It was the very last option I had, not the first thing I said after I sat down.

I've been in Thailand for almost 9 years, 4 of them being married. I can understand Thai almost perfectly and speak it quite well, too. I know everything about Thai customs.

He spoke in Thai almost the entire time and he was well aware that I understood every word. He basically said that there is no law that allows for monthly income from overseas unless I had a work permit. And then told my wife in Thai that I should put 400,000 in the bank account or that she should look for another husband.

He was also well aware that I understood it. I didn't need a translation.

Please don't blame me. Remember I've had extensions for the past 4 years without any problems, ever.

My sympathies. I think you would do best to ignore idiot-replies like the above. There is little need to pay attention to a headless rooster running around; better to just keep out of the way and let them die out.

Speaking for all other idiot-replies and headless roosters - arrogance like this that gets you nowhere in Thailand

"I've been in Thailand for almost 9 years, 4 of them being married. I can understand Thai almost perfectly and speak it quite well, too I know everything about Thai customs" says the knowitall 35 year old.

Well If you know so much you certainly didn't know how to handle this situation !

It seems that something in your manner, attitude, personal demeanor and the way you spoke made this Officer look for ANY excuse NOT to give you an extension and he found it

The interpretation of Income for a Marriage extension as having to be EARNT if you're under 50

Unlike your previous extensions which were done by female Officers, no doubt overwhelmed by your personal charm, good looks and charisma, this male Officer clearly sees UNEARNT income from a trust fund as being suspect and unreliable.

Hence the requirement that you show TB400,000 in the bank.

You finally insulted him by questioning his authority and calling for his Supervisor who, if you know anything about Thais, was bound to endorse his decision. Thai Rak Thai !

Hence his retaliation comment to you regarding your wife finding a husband who did fulfill the requirements.

That's a fairly mild response from a Thai who's face you just ripped off - you're lucky he didn't box your young ears and chase you out of the office waving a samurai sword

2Q==-1.jpeg

Sums all this up nicely.......load of balls !

ACDC have the biggest balls of them all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W-fIn2QZgg

For an elderly person in not the best of health and not familiar with the procedures and locations of Thai Immigration in BKK, it might be worthwhile to either find a friend who's well versed in the process to tag along, or even, just for the first here, hire one of the local law firms in BKK that specialize in assisting farangs with visa/extension of stay issues. That will cost some money in fees, but if you pick a capable firm, they'll make sure you get everything correct and guide you through the process, so hopefully you can do it yourself the next year with some confidence.

OP here. Yes, I totally agree. That was one of the main points of my post. I need help with this. I am willing to pay a reasonable fee, but which of the many firms advertising could be considered capable? I wish I could get some recommendation based on personal experience. I do need somebody to hep me. My health is not the best it has been and I am not able to stand in line for long periods of time. I do not want to make the long journey to Chaeng Wattana only to be turned away after waiting for hours because of something I have omitted to bring with me, and have to do it all over again another day.

Failing professional help, a complete and authoritative list of exactly what I must take with me would be enormously helpful. Despite a lot of searching I have not been able to find one.

Dear OP -

You'd be well advised to take the advice of the Global Moderators Lopburi, Mario and others with their zillions of posts and years of experience.

My advice is to ignore the often conflicting advice you'll see from other less experienced albeit well intentioned posters.

If you don't you'll finish up even more confused than you were when you started this thread