BREAKING NEWS British Embassy statement on income letters: Officials knew about problems in May and say that US nationals will also be affected

[soalbundy]

3 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

So many disbelievers yesterday calling a Chiang Mai poster a troll

 

Fortunately no mention yet about Germany.

A friend even uses the honorary consul in Pattaya.

He says he always has documents/proof with him.

But the "verification" done by an assistant with little interest to look at.

I wrote to the German embassy and got an Email back saying that my Email landed by the German embassy in Kigali / Ruanda, I must have opened the wrong website, ha!! I asked them to reroute it. I checked the Bangkok website and see that they are still offering the PDF form to fill out for the confirmation and no news concerning any change so I guess it's business as usual thank God, who needs more problems

[simoh1490]

2 minutes ago, dufusdonald said:

 

haha. And it appears to go back down to one million in 2020. Why would that be?  Plus, I could not read what the fine print might say. 

 

3 minutes ago, dufusdonald said:

 

haha. And it appears to go back down to one million in 2020. Why would that be?  Plus, I could not read what the fine print might say. 

The DPA has threatened to reduce the amounts of coverage for the past ten years, at the last moment they always leave the amounts as is. But hey, I'm sorry to interrupt your Thai bashing with some facts, that was rude, please continue.

[stanleycoin]

1 hour ago, Megasin1 said:

The British embassy are a bunch of useless retarded numpties, not that it has anything particular to do with this thread, it's just that generally they are.

+1 

[lamyai3]

1 minute ago, blackhorse said:

4 minutes ago, vinegarbase said:

 

We are all here or at least came here for the girls. How does that stack up in Panama?

They roll the cigars on their thighs. 

[garyk]

4 minutes ago, vinegarbase said:

The screws just keep tightening here. 90 day check in's, address registrations, more involved and complicated process. I have to come to Thailand on business and have no choice in the matter but I am happy to recommend Panama to people who are fed up with what Thailand is becoming. You can still get your residency in Panama with just a pension or social security of $1000 USD/month and a one time cost of $7-8k USD for the residency program. I did mine years ago and love the fact that I can own land and a home as well as enjoy permanent residency and never have to worry about immigration or a check in every again. This is the company I used if anyone is interested https://www.joyful-feet.com

Even for you guys that aren't retired regardless of age I think it is about $8k USD for permanent residency. 

Yea, Thailand is turning into a really crummy place to retire no doubt. 

I have a home in Texas and go down into Southern Mexico often. Merida and the coastal towns.

0 paperwork other than going to the Mexico border crossing and paying my fee to drive my truck into Mexico. 6 months with no hassles at all.

I have been thinking of Panama, never been. 

Thanks for the post I will look into it.

 

[fforest1]

20 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Each have their respective merits and disadvantages. I doubt if many considering the latest news as the final straw for leaving Thailand will want to shoulder the costs of renting (or buying) an apartment in Hong Kong. Somewhat on the higher side. Even Sheung Wan. However, UK citizens entering HK do not need a visa and are immediately given a 180 stamp to stay. None of the Thai problems. So that's a plus.

Hong Kong is a big bore....

[blackhorse]

They roll the cigars on their thighs. 

I'm in

[marcusarelus]

40 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

1. Thai banks' consumer protections, not only for expats but especially for expats, are exceptionally weak compared to U.S. and other country banking systems. Which becomes a bigger issue if you're talking about large amounts on deposit here.

 

2. Thai bank interest rates are much lower than current U.S. rates. Someone above mentioned 1.9%. But I'm getting 3-4% on my fully insured U.S. bank deposits, so why would I want to park any of that money in Thailand for 1.3%?

 

3. I don't need or spend 65,000 baht in Thai cash every month, so I have absolutely no reason to be transferring that amount of money every month from the U.S. and paying not insignificant bank fees to do so.

So you are getting $50 more by keeping your 800,000 baht deposits in the USA.  Most Americans have money in Bank of Bangkok.  What weak protections are you talking about? 

 

Frankly if you are worried about 50 bucks a year I wouldn't travel. 

 

Also there are reasons that Thai banks pay the interest that they do and same with America.  Money will flow where it gets the best deal with the exchange figured in.  Why is Australia paying the interest that they pay?

[jimn]

or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand for a retirement visa.

 

No mention at all on how long 65,000 THB needs to be transferred into a Thai bank account for prior to the Visa application. Is it 1, 2, 3 months 6 months or 12 months. Pointless making the statement above without that information.

 

[smedly]

simple solution to all of this 

 

Thai Immigration regard "income" as what you transfer to your Thai Bank account in any given 12 month period - simple, and if it doesn't equal 800k baht a year then keep a running balance in your account 3 months prior to your 12 month extension application date that then adds up to 800k combined - no Embassy letters - no affidavits - no declarations, just a simple deposit balance total

 

Solved

[Ebumbu]

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, we might.

But according to a report here the U.S. has already changed the language on the letter reflecting complete lack of accountability for the information provided by the applicant and Thailand at this point in time is still both accepting and requiring these letters. But backup evidence may be required. But that has ALWAYS been the case!

 

The original US Embassy affidavit language already reflected total lack of accountability. Nothing needs to change. I suspect that the UK Embassy was speculating. From the US Embassy website: 
 

Quote

An affidavit is a sworn statement of facts, made voluntarily, and confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the person making it.  Please note that the Embassy and Consulate assume no responsibility for the truth or falsity of the representations that appear in the affidavit. Only the identity of the individual making the statement is validated.

And the current language: 

 

 

Quote

I also affirm that I receive a monthly income of $____________________ from sources in the United States. I am applying for a Thai visa/extension of a current Thai visa, and any assistance you can provide in this request will be greatly appreciated. The U.S. Embassy does not guarantee the contents of my own sworn statement. Under penalty of perjury, I assume full and complete responsibility for the veracity of the claims herein."

 

Nothing has yet been changed for US citizens. 

 

[Kalasin Jo]

It doesn't sound to me as if anything has actually changed on the Thai side, so it's just a British Embassy cop out. British Embassies worldwide are becoming less and less helpful for British Citizens , only there to rub shoulders with the so called great and good to further trade, not interested in ordinary folk. Anyway if you produce letters from pension providers, be they state or private what verification is required? I would have thought a couple of phone calls to those providers. GRRR! If not then perhaps the Thais should do it. As I've said elsewhere not everyone on monthly pension payments can just rustle up a lump sum to sit in a Thai bank account for 3 months ( or indeed forever) unusable. Not everyone wants or can pay all of their monthly pension payments in to a Thai bank account either, just as needed. And as I understand it, the Thai rules do not require that, or have I got that wrong? 

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, jayboy said:

I am not affected but it's a fatuous and slightly dishonest response from the Embassy. There is simply an annoying repetition of the Thai rules which presumably all applicants are already aware of. Nobody has seriously suggested that the British Embassy should genuinely verify the sources of income and indeed it would be fine if they added a clause to the effect that this was the information with which they had been provided but could not verify - or any legal get out they wanted. It's just a bit of Thai bureaucracy to be satisfied.

 

The true answer of course is the Embassy just can't be bothered. It's too much hassle already given the paperwork and they know the Brits concerned are pretty much unrepresented - no pesky lobbying group like the British Chamber of Commerce to bother with.

 

Grab a senior diplomat to plead these pensioners' case and he will make sympathetic remarks and shrug his shoulders.Very unfortunate old boy but you know how it is - these consular fellows have a mind of their own etc ( but inwardly will mumble - when will these tattooed old fatties stop complaining. It's bad enough one has to rub shoulders with them once a year at the Ploenchit Fair). 

2

 

And The British Embassy clearly has no interest in spending its time satisfying Thai bureaucracy. Why should they? If the Thais want the info let them find it.  As they say, Thai Immigration is able to verify the income in a Thai bank account. What the Thai government demands really has nothing to do with the British Embassy.

[Jingthing]

Just now, Bangkok Barry said:

 

And The British Embassy clearly has no interest in spending its time satisfying Thai bureaucracy. Why should they? If the Thais want the info let them find it.  As they say, Thai Immigration is able to verify the income in a Thai bank account. What the Thai government demands really has nothing to do with the British Embassy.

Which is why they should continue to issue the letters and pass the pound to Thai immigration. 

[smedly]

2 minutes ago, jimn said:

or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand for a retirement visa.

 

No mention at all on how long 65,000 THB needs to be transferred into a Thai bank account for prior to the Visa application. Is it 1, 2, 3 months 6 months or 12 months. Pointless making the statement above without that information.

 

and pointless even asking until Thai Immigration makes an announcement. 

[PEE TEE]

2 minutes ago, jimn said:

or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand for a retirement visa.

 

No mention at all on how long 65,000 THB needs to be transferred into a Thai bank account for prior to the Visa application. Is it 1, 2, 3 months 6 months or 12 months. Pointless making the statement above without that information.

 

I believe its 3 month statements 

[richiejom]

2 hours ago, crazykopite said:

800,000 for me because I chose to marry a Brit instead of a Thai , what does pi$$ me off is the double standards if your married to a Thai you need much less yet all my mates who have Thai wives are always moaning about their wives spend spend culture . It’s time immigration set a figure regardless who your married to.

Get off (Is this a troll post?) marriage extensions have its own issues with Kor Ror forms and photos showing you living together with your wife...  we have family in Thailand and committed to the country. My wifes not a big spender

 

You can leave with your wife if you wish to we do not have the luxury of upping sticks as we have hassles taking our wives back and (possibly kids?)

[dufusdonald]

5 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

 

The DPA has threatened to reduce the amounts of coverage for the past ten years, at the last moment they always leave the amounts as is. But hey, I'm sorry to interrupt your Thai bashing with some facts, that was rude, please continue.

If stating facts is "Thai bashing" my sincere apologies.  You might wanna read some of the real Thai bashing posts here. The website you gave me states the "facts" which you conveniently left out.

[Lacessit]

33 minutes ago, dufusdonald said:

The US Consulate still provides the letter BUT Immigration requires proof.  So the letter means nothing in reality. Another epic scam.  And it used to be you could simply show your Social Security being deposited in a US bank.  Now, not so sure.  

 

You could even have a million bucks cash in a US bank and be refused renewal. Even God cannot understand why he did what he did.  lol

 

I suspect the Thais want the 800000 baht (27K US) in their banks cause they need the dough. I also suspect they must get a cut from the Consulate for the 1500 baht fee (I heard now it is 2000 baht but not confirmed).

I don't know how many retirees are going via the 800K route; however, it's very good business for the Thai banks. Even if the money's only there for three months, they are paying 1% interest and lending the money out at 6 - 7%. Would like that kind of business myself.

[mok199]

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Earlier this week the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok confirmed no change to its current process..."

 

Great to be Canadian, eh?

 

My sympathies to the Brits and the Yanks...

 

 

I am a Canadian... I was at my embassy in bkk 2weeks ago for my letter of income,which was issued to me as before,but,i was told ,even before this story broke ,to prepare for a change in policy in regards to the letter of income...time will tell but I tend to believe her ...

[smedly]

6 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

I wrote to the German embassy and got an Email back saying that my Email landed by the German embassy in Kigali / Ruanda, I must have opened the wrong website, ha!! I asked them to reroute it. I checked the Bangkok website and see that they are still offering the PDF form to fill out for the confirmation and no news concerning any change so I guess it's business as usual thank God, who needs more problems

you are not getting it are you, it is not what your Embassy is willing to do anymore - it is what Thai Immigration will accept as proof of your income regardless of any letters you get

[simoh1490]

1 minute ago, dufusdonald said:

 The website you gave me states the "facts" which you conveniently left out.

 

Do share, we'd love to hear them.

[smedly]

16 minutes ago, bipper said:

Except it's an expensive transfer compared to Transferwise and the rate you get when you exchange it to baht is God awful too. I wouldn't consider this an option.

I will repeat it again - TransferWise for a 10,000GBP transfer is almost 60GBP

 

No Thanks

[dufusdonald]

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

I don't know how many retirees are going via the 800K route; however, it's very good business for the Thai banks. Even if the money's only there for three months, they are paying 1% interest and lending the money out at 6 - 7%. Would like that kind of business myself.

Right, so just my theory they want the money and contrary to what another poster said about the Thai economy not losing out I totally disagree. I have bought a car, two motor bikes and thousands of dollars in furniture as well as spent thousands fixing up the house I rent. They are gonna be impacted big time if all this continues plus all the massage parlors will go out of business as well which means the police will be pissed as well as the military which protects all that.

[Leatherneck]

2 hours ago, Genericnic said:

Have searched the U.S. Consulate website and found no mention of an intent to discontinue the income certifications. Anyone have any firm evidence of an intent to do so?

 

David

 

Going into the US Consulate here in Chiang Mai tomorrow morning to get an income cert for my visa extension next week. Definitely plan to ask that question...but fully expect a government bureaucratic answer.

[simoh1490]

4 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Do share, we'd love to hear them.

Bump

[Peterw42]

1 minute ago, sgoodes said:

I use Transferwise to transfer funds from my Aussie account to my Kasikorn account and it costs me $7.00 each time. They are really cheap and it's done in 24 hours.

The fees for tranferwise are variable depending in the amount you send, the more you send the higher the fee

[fforest1]

4 minutes ago, dufusdonald said:

Right, so just my theory they want the money and contrary to what another poster said about the Thai economy not losing out I totally disagree. I have bought a car, two motor bikes and thousands of dollars in furniture as well as spent thousands fixing up the house I rent. They are gonna be impacted big time if all this continues plus all the massage parlors will go out of business as well which means the police will be pissed as well as the military which protects all that.

And dont forget the pissed-off mia noys..

[stanleycoin]

38 minutes ago, smew said:

So retirees without 800k, or verified letter will be kicked out. Hence removing huge amount of money out of Thai business circulation and Thais profits. Say one million total retirees, possibly 20% get kicked out: 200k out, spending approximately 60k baht per month total: 120000000000 baht not spent in this country per month: HUGE 

does Thai immigration understand the economic impact of their silly enforcement when everything was moving on smoothly before?!

 I'm sure the Visa agents and bent immigration officers.

will be having a fantastic,  bumper New year.   win, win. 

 

Ps. Uk government, are a bunch of spiteful tossers to there Ex pats.

 

[dufusdonald]

5 minutes ago, simoh1490 said:

Do share, we'd love to hear them.

I already did. It goes back down to 1 million in 2020.  So why would anyone deposit 25 million now only to have to send it all back?  So, the bottom line is why would they change it and really you would rather keep your money in a Thai bank than a US bank?  I have to assume you are Thai then which is fine.  

 

I have an automatic monthly transfer set up with a Thai bank here for my rent. Just today the landlord sent me an sms where is last month's rent? I was traveling. I was not aware. What happened? Who knows. I had to redo it.  I have had many problems with airlines not accepting the Bangkok Bank Credit card as well. Just saying.