BREAKING NEWS British Embassy Bangkok to Stop Certification of Income Letters

[Thaidream]

7 minutes ago, DRG said:

nder English law, Solicitors are also Commissioners for Oaths. I wonder if the same is true of Thai Lawyers in Thailand. I recently used a local lawyer to do my Proof of Life certificate for my UK state pension. I presented my passport and my completed proof of life form. She added her identification as a lawyer, countersigned my signature and added her Company Seal. It seemed like a Stat Dec to me. She speaks and writes excellent English.

If no one has tried before, perhaps we should ask a few lawyers to approach Immigration and see if they could take over from the BE. I imagine that the extra customers and income would be welcome.

From my understanding and looking at Thai Lawyer Websites- some advertise that there are British Lawyers working with them.  Certainly, they could draw up a stat letter and countersign it and give an Oath. Would Thai Imm accept it? 

 

Would the British Embassy be prepared to  issue their own letter in English/Thai for Thai Imm indicating that Law Firms in Thailand can now do this type of Letter or a Letter?  The BE in Bangkok appears to have ceased doing any  Notarials  and are referring citizens to the legal offices approved by the BE . Why are other BE in adjacent countries like Vietnam and Cambodia doing statutory decs when their British population is lower than Thailand???  Lot's of whys- questions need to be asked and answers given.

[White Tiger]

The petition is now live https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120 

[fforest1]

11 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

From my understanding and looking at Thai Lawyer Websites- some advertise that there are British Lawyers working with them.  Certainly, they could draw up a stat letter and countersign it and give an Oath. Would Thai Imm accept it? 

 

Would the British Embassy be prepared to  issue their own letter in English/Thai for Thai Imm indicating that Law Firms in Thailand can now do this type of Letter or a Letter?  The BE in Bangkok appears to have ceased doing any  Notarials  and are referring citizens to the legal offices approved by the BE . Why are other BE in adjacent countries like Vietnam and Cambodia doing statutory decs when their British population is lower than Thailand???  Lot's of whys- questions need to be asked and answers given.

Maybe go to Cambodia and get a income verification letter and use it in Thailand??

[Expattaff1308]

23 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

From my understanding and looking at Thai Lawyer Websites- some advertise that there are British Lawyers working with them.  Certainly, they could draw up a stat letter and countersign it and give an Oath. Would Thai Imm accept it? 

 

Would the British Embassy be prepared to  issue their own letter in English/Thai for Thai Imm indicating that Law Firms in Thailand can now do this type of Letter or a Letter?  The BE in Bangkok appears to have ceased doing any  Notarials  and are referring citizens to the legal offices approved by the BE . Why are other BE in adjacent countries like Vietnam and Cambodia doing statutory decs when their British population is lower than Thailand???  Lot's of whys- questions need to be asked and answers given.

Thats the question...will Immigration accept it?? One wonders why the BE havent explored this avenue instead of dumping us outright

[Thaidream]

9 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

Maybe go to Cambodia and get a income verification letter and use it in Thailand??

Someone would have to ask Thai imm if they would accept it.  Or better yet- why doesn't the BE continue the  letter until all other ideas; alternative solutions and comments from the British public have been researched and answered.  

[Joe Mcseismic]

The BE have seen there is an alternative, the 400k/800k route, so as far as they are concerned, that's the end of it.

Looks like it's up to Thai immigration to say where they stand with regard to British retirees wanting to go the income route.

[soalbundy]

3 minutes ago, Expattaff1308 said:

Thats the question...will Immigration accept it?? One wonders why the BE havent explored this avenue instead of dumping us outright

because they don't give a sh1t

[soalbundy]

4 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Someone would have to ask Thai imm if they would accept it.  Or better yet- why doesn't the BE continue the  letter until all other ideas; alternative solutions and comments from the British public have been researched and answered.  

see post 1772

[soalbundy]

2 minutes ago, Joe Mcseismic said:

The BE have seen there is an alternative, the 400k/800k route, so as far as they are concerned, that's the end of it.

Looks like it's up to Thai immigration to say where they stand with regard to British retirees wanting to go the income route.

Looks like it's the letter way or the highway

[Exploring Thailand]

15 minutes ago, fforest1 said:

Maybe go to Cambodia and get a income verification letter and use it in Thailand??

 

3 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Someone would have to ask Thai imm if they would accept it.  Or better yet- why doesn't the BE continue the  letter until all other ideas; alternative solutions and comments from the British public have been researched and answered.  

Thai immigration will accept a verification letter for a non-o visa from a foreign embassy, so one would hope they'd accept one for a retirement extension.

 

[doctormann]

Just received an email to say that our petition to reinstate the income letters has now been published.

Here's the link:  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120

We have a long way to go - only 30 signatures so far and we need at least 10,000!

Edited October 18, 2018 by doctormann
screwed up the link address

[spambot]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Most immigration offices will not ask to see any backup proof for the income letter. If asked for they would accept the printouts.

Ahhh good - Thanks UbonIoe.

[Thaidream]

4 minutes ago, Exploring Thailand said:

hai immigration will accept a verification letter for a non-o visa from a foreign embassy, so one would hope they'd accept one for a retirement extension.

Yes, for a converesion situation but that person is just entering Thailand and could have their Embassy where they were living before  have issued the letter but it is certainly worth asking an Imm Officer that question. Would a letter from the BE in Hanoi or another BE be acceptable as  income.  Ceck out the BE website in Hanoi- they actually have templates to make a stat dec.

[anon537687643]

Just received an email to say that our petition to reinstate the income letters has now been published.
Here's the link:  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120
We have a long way to go - only 30 signatures so far and we need at least 10,000!

Signed


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[OJAS]

16 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 

IF my calculations are correct

 

IF the British Embassy does not climb down from it's decision (they won't), and...

 

IF Thai immigration will not accept proof of income or equivalent foreign transfers into a Thailand bank account (early indications say they won't), and insists on the 400,000/800,000 -seasoned- bank deposits...

 

Even IF Thai immigration continues to accept the British Embassy letters up to 6 months old (not guaranteed)...

 

...some of those retired or married Brits who use the "income" method (like me), and whose extensions are due after 12 June 2019 (like me) will have to deposit the lump sum into their (solo) Thai bank accounts before 12 March 2019.

 

We now have less than 5 months to make the arrangements. So, not much time for "let's see next year".

 

 

 

And what you (and those in a similar position to yours) must find particularly galling is that the Embassy have been dithering on this whole issue since last May. Had they chosen to announce their decision then you would have had double the amount of time available to make alternative financial arrangements for 2019!

[OJAS]

9 minutes ago, richiejom said:

Its Gone Live Folks, it took the 7 Days to Review...Get it out to Everyone who wants the Income Letter back!:

 

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120

 

 

Signed. Thankfully any attempt which the Embassy might have made to nobble this petition has proved unsuccessful!

[chickenslegs]

11 minutes ago, richiejom said:

Its Gone Live Folks, it took the 7 Days to Review...Get it out to Everyone who wants the Income Letter back!:

 

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120

 

 

I have signed and sent the link to friends and family in the UK. I hope everyone does the same. Even those Brits who are not directly affected can, surely, see the unfairness of the situation.

[OJAS]

8 hours ago, Expattaff1308 said:

A reply to my mail to the Embassy....

 

I am sorry to learn that you are unhappy with the announcement that we intend to withdraw from providing a Pension letter in Thailand from 1 January 2019.  I appreciate the difficulties that can accompany such a change in services.

 

Our British Embassy in Bangkok currently issues a pension letter as a supporting document for British nationals applying for a Thai retirement or marriage visa application.  The Thai authorities have confirmed that they want the British Embassy to verify the income of British nationals which they are unable to do.  They/We would refer such requests to the issuing authority.   Therefore, the current letter does not fulfil the Thai authorities requirements so we need to stop issuing it so it is not misinterpreted as verification.

 

We are unable to provide a Statutory Declaration  to fulfil these requirements as this is not a service which we provide. The services which are provided by the British Embassy can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/guidance/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand#services-we-provide-in-thailand

 

When withdrawing a service we do look at what other options are available to the customer to assist them in meeting the requirements of the receiving authority.  There is an alternative for customers to demonstrate that they meet the financial requirement for their retirement or marriage visa by holding a Thai bank account showing the minimum funds needed.   

 

To assist customers, our Embassy in Bangkok has published details on their website of the change in service and what option is available to customers and what those requirements are.  Further details can be found at:  

at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-embassy-bangkok-to-stop-certification-of-income-letters

 

Regards

 

Sarah Peth  Deputy Consul & Head of Operations

Good to hear that the Embassy are condescendingly "blessing" a few of us with replies to our emails at any rate!

 

And good also to learn that they may now be backtracking on their previous BS statements regarding the acceptability of bank statements in lieu of Embassy letters, now that it may finally have got into their thick skulls that the only alternative in the case of retirement extensions is 800k in the bank. All they need to do now is to correct the website link stated at the end of Ms Peth's reply by removing the what are clearly now in practice incorrect monthly income references. 

[chickenslegs]

Excerpt from the BE reply to expattaff1308's email.

Quote

Therefore, the current letter does not fulfil the Thai authorities requirements so we need to stop issuing it so it is not misinterpreted as verification.

I say this is complete bs.

The embassy letter typically states ...

 

"Mr XXX has stated he receives a monthly pension of £ xxx and has shown to us a document (P60, letter from pension company, etc.) stating that he receives pensions totalling £ xxxx per annum.

The Embassy would be grateful for any assistance you can provide to Mr XXX"

 

In what possible way could this be interpreted as verification of income? (rhetorical question).

Edited October 18, 2018 by chickenslegs
typo

[Esso49]

7 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Excerpt from the BE reply to expattaff1308's email.

I say this is complete bs.

The embassy letter typically states ...

 

"Mr XXX has stated he receives a monthly pension of £ xxx and has shown to us a document (P60, letter from pension company, etc.) stating that he receives pensions totalling £ xxxx per annum.

The Embassy would be grateful for any assistance you can provide to Mr XXX"

 

In what possible way could this be interpreted as verification of income? (rhetorical question).

More behind this that the BE are not publicly admitting to I suspect. As soon as I get feedback from my FOI  request I will advise accordingly should this be the case.

[Jingthing]

Good to hear that the Embassy are condescendingly "blessing" a few of us with replies to our emails at any rate!

 

And good also to learn that they may now be backtracking on their previous BS statements regarding the acceptability of bank statements in lieu of Embassy letters, now that it may finally have got into their thick skulls that the only alternative in the case of retirement extensions is 800k in the bank. All they need to do now is to correct the website link stated at the end of Ms Peth's reply by removing the what are clearly now in practice incorrect monthly income references. 

Yes that was irresponsible to publish. The responsible guidance is to get the income letters as long as you can as they are good for 6 months and beyond that begin to fund a seasoned bank account to use via the bank account method. Nothing about income. Or if you can't of course plan to leave Thailand.

 

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

[Thaidream]

Anyone ever think of requesting a meet with the British Ambassador to Thailand or at least the person who is signing the emails.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

18 minutes ago, richiejom said:

I posted the petition on PA forum as well and asked them to pin it but they haven't replied yet... if people really care about this then they need to share with all friends.    I worked out if we got 50 signatures a day we'd reach 10K in 6 months which is the cut off date

 

I haven't seen or read the actual petition, so let me ask a question.  Is it fitting and appropriate for others (non-British citizens) who support the cause to sign it?  Or, is the format/setting of it such that it's only appropriate for British citizens to sign?

 

Also, can you provide a link as yet to the actual online petition?

 

[Pib]

5 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I haven't seen or read the actual petition, so let me ask a question.  Is it fitting and appropriate for others (non-British citizens) who support the cause to sign it?  Or, is the format/setting of it such that it's only appropriate for British citizens to sign?

 

Also, can you provide a link as yet to the actual online petition?

 

 

Link to the Petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120

 

And when you click sign petition it starts off with below:

[Shoeless Joe]

4 hours ago, White Tiger said:

The petition is now live https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120 

Thank you and signed...

 

Joe

[billd766]

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Most immigration offices will not ask to see any backup proof for the income letter. If asked for they would accept the printouts.

At Khampaeng Phet they also ask for original or copies of all my pensions and they check the Embassy letter to see if it is embossed or not.

 

At this point I don't have a problem until next August when my renewal is due again and I would sincerely hope that between now and then some sort of solution will appear.

 

I am starting my plan B which is registering my marriage at the local amphur and my UK marriage certificate has already been translated into Thai and accepted at Chiang Wattana.

 

I do have enough income to qualify (depending on the forex rate of the day) but I don't have 800,000 baht in the bank, nor do I at this point have a letter from the Embassy.

 

This is what the KPP office required in August 2018.

 

Copy 1 and 2 were simply my spares.

 

 

Tick box for retirement extension 2018.xls

Edited October 18, 2018 by billd766
added extra text

[chickenslegs]

4 hours ago, doctormann said:

Just received an email to say that our petition to reinstate the income letters has now been published.

Here's the link:  https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/230120

We have a long way to go - only 30 signatures so far and we need at least 10,000!

Thank you to the people who started this petition.

 

The number is up to 61 now, so it's doubled in the last 4 hours.

 

Any British citizen can sign - so contact friends and family and get them to pass the link to anyone they know.

[JusticeGB]

Just picked up my letter from my agent for this year's retirement renewal he has told me that the Embassy has been flooded with complaints from UK residents. Apparently they went to a Seminar organised by Immigration who advised them to carefully scrutinise the documents sent to them in support of income certification. They were not asked to verify the documents. Wait a while for a probable clarification from the Embassy/face saving move before the deadline.

[Anon999]

For confirmed bachelors getting married is nearer to doing a pole vault, sans pole, than a hurdle and that makes it an incredibly difficult thing for them so you have to have sympathy for those guys. Nigh impossible for the very old while quietly living out their days and then being confronted by this problem, that may be when arriving at immigration to renew their retirement extension. It may cause some to choose the ultimate solution, very sad!! :-( Another problem created by Thai immigration and the BE with no thought given to the elderly bachelor!

 

Maybe this topic will be raised with the relevant authority and hopefully given serious consideration as I'm sure nobody wants even a single person to commit suicide as a result of the proposed change.

[soalbundy]

I'm surprised that there is nothing in the Bangkok Post about this