51 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

Amen!!!  And the mine field laid by some immigration offices will vary due to their interpretation of the new monthly income rule especially for 2019.   One person's report on how he safely navigated through the Nakhon Nowhere immigration Office monthly income minefield might not work at the Nakhon SomeWhereElse Immigration Office minefield.   

Totally agree, but nothing new IMO. Standard operating procedures in Thailand. This one does, that one doesn't, another used to but now don't know. Inconsistency at it's finest here! ????

23 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Seems regulations 101 is needed for all locations to be on the same page. 

Why would they start now??? Inconsistency been their M. O. since...forever. This type of inconsistency and confusion is NOT new. 

 

The first question the Mods and others have always asked when presented with the most basic of questions is...'to which IO are you referring?' 

Edited January 20, 20197 yr by Skeptic7

Per usual, the Somchai on the left doesn’t know what the Somchai on the right is doing.

 

 

4 hours ago, dcnx said:

Per usual, the Somchai on the left doesn’t know what the Somchai on the right is doing.

 

 

True. Most locals, including immigration and my wife and stepdaughter work as per the chaos theory. I'm still working on my Philippines contingency plan.

9 hours ago, JackThompson said:

They are supposed to be flexible in the 1st year - so start transfers now. 

They might also ask for 2ndary documentation (pension-statements, etc), as they do sometimes already, for those using embassy-letters.

My extension renewal is early May,  I wonder if 4 or 5 transfers satisfy them,  unfortunately we can't be sure,  so I may have to go with 800k option to be sure...!  

13 hours ago, cleopatra2 said:

...The supporting documentation as revised 

Income of 65k transferred into bank

Letter from bank showing 800k...

This applies only to applicants using the income method who cannot get the so-called embassy letter.

 

The method using the embassy letter has not been revised; it remains available without any changes.

8 hours ago, Agusts said:

My extension renewal is early May,  I wonder if 4 or 5 transfers satisfy them,  unfortunately we can't be sure,  so I may have to go with 800k option to be sure...!  

As the amendment is written, yes it should. Problem is nobody can be sure until the waters have been tested. There is always the regional variation to be concerned about. 

You obviously need to set up the 800k by early February. If your monthly expenses exceed 65k you can always look to drawing the 800k down in the future (for next year) or consider a way to repatriate it. 

8 hours ago, Agusts said:

My extension renewal is early May,  I wonder if 4 or 5 transfers satisfy them,  unfortunately we can't be sure,  so I may have to go with 800k option to be sure...!  

Had better get it in the seasoning pot soon! 

9 hours ago, Maestro said:

This applies only to applicants using the income method who cannot get the so-called embassy letter.

 

The method using the embassy letter has not been revised; it remains available without any changes.

Is the issue of this thread not pertaining to persons who cannot get embassy letter.

Can you state what supporting documentation is to be provided for proof of annual earnings for the combination method, for persons unable to obtain embassy letter from section 2.22.

If you're British, good info here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-embassy-bangkok-to-stop-certification-of-income-letters

7 minutes ago, Rugon said:

If you're British, good info here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-embassy-bangkok-to-stop-certification-of-income-letters

 Thanks.  ...   Good broad info for everyone... but still doesn’t clarify the two main queries.  Combo and transfer method acceptable

5 minutes ago, Olmate said:

 Thanks.  ...   Good broad info for everyone... but still doesn’t clarify the two main queries.  Combo and transfer method acceptable

If someone is using the combo method, it wouldn't take much to top it up to 800k. It's only to be there for 3 months. Those who can't do this, really shouldn't be living in a foreign country, IMHO. 

7 minutes ago, Rugon said:

Those who can't do this, really shouldn't be living in a foreign country, IMHO. 

I live here since 2000, pratically no money in the bank.

I transfer monthly the equivalent of 75000 ThB and spend it.

I consider myself as doing rather well.

20 minutes ago, Rugon said:

If someone is using the combo method, it wouldn't take much to top it up to 800k. It's only to be there for 3 months. Those who can't do this, really shouldn't be living in a foreign country, IMHO. 

Can you explain the combo method you will be using now then please.

I live here since 2000, pratically no money in the bank.
I transfer monthly the equivalent of 75000 ThB and spend it.
I consider myself as doing rather well.

You are doing rather well, the sum is more than enough.
If anyone can not do that then they they must subtract what they can transfer from the stipulated amount, multiply the remainder by twelve and deposit that amount into a fixed deposit account. It may even be possible to keep that deposit for only three months prior to renewal.


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10 minutes ago, tgeezer said:

You are doing rather well, the sum is more than enough.
If anyone can not do that then they they must subtract what they can transfer from the stipulated amount, multiply the remainder by twelve and deposit that amount into a fixed deposit account. It may even be possible to keep that deposit for only three months prior to renewal.


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I believe there is one member applying for extension combo method today, hopefully that will be succesful and indicate the way fwd for those using that approach.

^

Being Belgian I can rely on a L.o.I..

Being 70, I still want to enjoy my time here.

Spending the 75000 is a nice way ( at least for me ).

 

Sorry to be out of the combo discussion, just wanted to mention one can be perfectly happy here without the 800000 in the bank.

 

Edited January 21, 20197 yr by luckyluke

1 hour ago, Rugon said:

If someone is using the combo method, it wouldn't take much to top it up to 800k. It's only to be there for 3 months. Those who can't do this, really shouldn't be living in a foreign country, IMHO. 

'wouldn't take much to top it up to 800K'.

What do you suggest?, go out and rob a few 7/11's.

Jeez where do these folk come from.

29 minutes ago, phutoie2 said:

'wouldn't take much to top it up to 800K'.

What do you suggest?, go out and rob a few 7/11's.

Jeez where do these folk come from.

I mean it would only be about $5-10,000. Hardly a lot to live for a year in Thailand. Hardly a lot for someone's life savings.

^
Being Belgian I can rely on a L.o.I..
Being 70, I still want to enjoy my time here.
Spending the 75000 is a nice way ( at least for me ).
 
Sorry to be out of the combo discussion, just wanted to mention one can be perfectly happy here without the 800000 in the bank.
 

The 800,000 in the bank means that financial checks are short and sweet, a bank letter and bank book plus copies, it doesn’t affect my standard of living. I think that I live on about 1000 a day and I could cut back by a third by giving up golf.
I understand the frustration of people who can live here equally well but are forced to prove more than twice that. The authorities are stuck with the problem that ‘corruption’ is fine in society but where foreigners are involved it gets ugly. Fora like this are bad for us because we blab so much with the result that Immigration feels that it has to treat everyone equally.


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1 hour ago, Rugon said:

I mean it would only be about $5-10,000. Hardly a lot to live for a year in Thailand. Hardly a lot for someone's life savings.

  OMG,

 

800.000 THB divided by the T/T KTB-exchange rate of 31,62 for 1 US$ ( by the moment ) „is only“ 25.300 US $.

 

And when you die the Thai banksters will die for I

 

 

Edited January 21, 20197 yr by puck2

I went to the Phuket IO to transfer my extension to new passport which I did with no issue (no embassy letter was needed as I entered the country with my new pass),  then asked about my problem not being able to get letter from Brit embassy any more ,  they first said no other way, put 800k for 3 months in the bank,  two of them insisted the only way...!  When I went to get the completed passport,  I asked again,  the boss inside who said no other option before saw me saying there is a new rule etc. ,  said okay,  if you show 12xmonthly transfers of 65k that works.  I said but the rule came out a few weeks ago,  I can do 5 transfers,  he said no,  that's not enough... 

So 800k will be, after all it's not worth the hassle,  if I'm not here all year around that 12x65k money will accumulate to the same after a while anyway... 

I will use a £ account,  so at least not exchange in this current climate....

My only concern is safety and security of Thai bank accounts , with all the corruption and scams here,  we are prime targets and a sitting duck with all this money locked up there, in practice,  for year around ...! ?

8 hours ago, Rugon said:

If you're British, good info here - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-embassy-bangkok-to-stop-certification-of-income-letters

GOOD info my a**se, it's BAD.   LOL

On 1/20/2019 at 1:24 PM, smedly said:

I do yearly (or 2x yearly) transfers in sterling to my sterling account in Bangkok Bank, I then do monthly transfers to my Thai baht account.

 

This does in fact tick the boxes for the requirements of income

 

- Foreign transfer from outside Thailand

- Monthly transfer to Thai Bank

 

Where these monthly transfers from a foreign source - yes, the money came from outside Thailand

Smedley my man, you have hit the nail right on the head, that is EXACTLY what I am going to see the IO about tomorrow.

35 minutes ago, Agusts said:

I went to the Phuket IO to transfer my extension to new passport which I did with no issue (no embassy letter was needed as I entered the country with my new pass),  then asked about my problem not being able to get letter from Brit embassy any more ,  they first said no other way, put 800k for 3 months in the bank,  two of them insisted the only way...!  When I went to get the completed passport,  I asked again,  the boss inside who said no other option before saw me saying there is a new rule etc. ,  said okay,  if you show 12xmonthly transfers of 65k that works.  I said but the rule came out a few weeks ago,  I can do 5 transfers,  he said no,  that's not enough... 

So 800k will be, after all it's not worth the hassle,  if I'm not here all year around that 12x65k money will accumulate to the same after a while anyway... 

I will use a £ account,  so at least not exchange in this current climate....

My only concern is safety and security of Thai bank accounts , with all the corruption and scams here,  we are prime targets and a sitting duck with all this money locked up there, in practice,  for year around ...! ?

Why do people persist with this urban myth? 

 

I have had accounts here for 15 years and never had a problem, even with online banking.  

56 minutes ago, Psimbo said:

Why do people persist with this urban myth? 

 

I have had accounts here for 15 years and never had a problem, even with online banking.  

You are absolutely right, I don't even have one example that I heard or read of something like this against Thai banks. But just saying it, considering the reputation of officials here (you can not deny that, I have paid off a few myself), if anybody has any evidence or examples would be useful to know - I have one or two of bank scams in other countries, with similar reputation of corruption, but not in LOS. (Also exclude all the ones who are scammed by their Thai wives and girlfriends, that doesn't quite count -:))

 

I was reading on FCA regulation you can authorise a third person to access your account ("after !" you opened it) !? Maybe this is their definition of joint account, but imagine how easy it would be for a corrupt bank staff to make a passport copy and a fake farang signature to get authorisation for someone, sure you can go to the police, would you get back your money though... !!!

 

 

1 hour ago, wgdanson said:

Smedley my man, you have hit the nail right on the head, that is EXACTLY what I am going to see the IO about tomorrow.

let us know how you get on

 

I think the bank letter is key to this, if it is worded to confirm monthly deposits and confirms that the money came from outside Thailand (both true) which the bank knows then who knows

1 hour ago, Agusts said:

My only concern is safety and security of Thai bank accounts , with all the corruption and scams here,  we are prime targets and a sitting duck with all this money locked up there, in practice,  for year around ...! ?

I would not worry about it unless maybe you have a partner/spouse that is really after your money more than they are after your love...or you have a hard time keeping your banking credentials secured.  Thailand made it thru the terrible Asian 1997 financial crisis without any bank failures...and their current economy is strong based on how the Thai baht continue to appreciate against western currencies.

 

The stories you hear in Thailand about people losing their money in the bank is usually stories about a person letting his banking credentials (ibanking logon, debit card PIN, etc) get compromised.....or the GF or spouse draining their bank account. Stuff like that happens in western countries also and when it's happens your money is still gone. 

 

And Thai bank accounts are currently insured up to Bt10M...but that goes to Bt5M 11 Aug 19 and then finally to  Bt1M 11 Aug 20.  This insurance would cover your Bt800K if the Thai bank expectantly went belly-up.  Or split your money among several different banks (not branches of the same bank, but different banks like Bkk Bk, SCB, K-bank, etc.) to get higher coverage.

 

Now I'm not going to argue that banking consumer protection in western countries is better than Thailand bank consumer protection.   But just because Thailand banking consumer protection may not be as good as western countries does not mean Thailand banking consumer protection is bad...it just means it's not as good.

 

A lot of people who can put Bt800K in a Thai bank account but simply don't want to for various reasons like don't trust Thai banks, well, that's their choice as its their money.   But they might want to have a serious discussion with themselves one day regarding what are my truly "valid" reason(s) for not wanting to put Bt800K in a Thai bank....are my reasons based on fact, perceptions,  rumor/incomplete stories of the GF/wife draining their bank account, etc.   

 

One thing for sure if a person is able, the Bt800K in a Thai bank is the no fuss, no muss method to get your annual extension of stay.

 

8 hours ago, Rugon said:

I mean it would only be about $5-10,000. Hardly a lot to live for a year in Thailand. Hardly a lot for someone's life savings.

You're missing the point, as are a few others on here. The thing is that people have been using the income method for many years and wish to continue to do so, but the refusal of some embassies to stop issuing verification letters means that they have to use bank statements as proof. The problem is that all the banks except Bangkok Bank don't show transfers as coming from abroad. This is the hurdle that we hope we can find a solution to. Smug replies like yours don't help.

 

Edited January 21, 20197 yr by jesimps

3 minutes ago, Pib said:

I would not worry about it unless maybe you have a partner/spouse that is really after your money more than they are after your love...or you have a hard time keeping your banking credentials secured.  Thailand made it thru the terrible Asian 1997 financial crisis without any bank failures...and their current economy is strong based on how the Thai baht continue to appreciate against western currencies.

 

The stories you hear in Thailand about people losing their money in the bank is usually stories about a person letting his banking credentials (ibanking logon, debit card PIN, etc) get compromised.....or the GF or spouse draining their bank account. Stuff like that happens in western countries also and when it's happens your money is still gone. 

 

And Thai bank accounts are currently insured up to Bt10M...but that goes to Bt5M 11 Aug 19 and then finally to  Bt1M 11 Aug 20.  This insurance would cover your Bt800K if the Thai bank expectantly went belly-up.  Or split your money among several different banks (not branches of the same bank, but different banks like Bkk Bk, SCB, K-bank, etc.) to get higher coverage.

 

Now I'm not going to argue that banking consumer protection in western countries is better than Thailand bank consumer protection.   But just because Thailand banking consumer protection may not be as good as western countries does not mean Thailand banking consumer protection is bad...it just means it's not as good.

 

A lot of people who can put Bt800K in a Thai bank account but simply don't want to for various reasons like don't trust Thai banks, well, that's their choice as its their money.   But they might want to have a serious discussion with themselves one day regarding what are my truly "valid" reason(s) for not wanting to put Bt800K in a Thai bank....are my reasons based on fact, perceptions,  rumor/incomplete stories of the GF/wife draining their bank account, etc.   

 

One thing for sure if a person is able, the Bt800K in a Thai bank is the no fuss, no muss method to get your annual extension of stay.

 

"One thing for sure if a person is able, the Bt800K in a Thai bank is the no fuss, no muss method to get your annual extension of stay."

 

So was the monthly income method until recently, I've been using it legally (with genuine proof of pension letters) for 12 years without a problem. I bet most people using this method have the 800,000 to deposit if necessary, but in the meantime, we prefer to try to sort out this Thai bank statement problem. If necessary, I'll reluctantly switch to the deposit method just before the 3 month seasoning is due.