May 21 renewal. Went to immigration in CM today. 800K in the bank since March 5th. Needs to be three months, not two. Suggested I leave the country to start over. 

 

Any other options, (other than overstay)?

 

Should I go to Pattaya and can I do it there with 2.5 months in the bank instead of three. I live in CM.

 

If not where is a good out of country choice? All of my paperwork is in order but would prefer not to do a health check.

 

 

The new rules state 2 months before and all immigration offices should be using that rule now. Perhaps the officer that did not accept your application was not aware of the new rules. I suggest you go back and ask them about it and request to talk to a supervisor.

 

You would have to formally changes your address to do your extension at another office.

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Perhaps the officer that did not accept your application was not aware of the new rules.

If so, the officer should be removed to inactive duty ASAP.

Where might I find these "new rules"?

You on your own trying to make them follow the rules will most likely not end well...

 

I would go into the visa agent that is located across the street from immigration (along with the a copy of the new police order)... And let them politely try to process your extension... If the first agent says no try Assist Thai Visa... 

28 minutes ago, niebla said:

Where might I find these "new rules"?

 

 

29 minutes ago, niebla said:

Where might I find these "new rules"?

Here they are.

Police Order 35/2562 Changing 327/2557 Clause 2.22  Changing requirements for an extension based upon retirement.

Police Oder 35/2562 Changing 327/2557 Clause 2.22 Thai text.

 

84 year old down our way, just used an agent.....

 

Zero palava - done and dusted in 48 hours.....

2 hours ago, sfokevin said:

You on your own trying to make them follow the rules will most likely not end well...

 

I would go into the visa agent that is located across the street from immigration (along with the a copy of the new police order)... And let them politely try to process your extension... If the first agent says no try Assist Thai Visa... 

Which is EXACTLY what the immigration officer wants him to do, and why he rejected his application in the first place.  cha-ching.    

You can't make this shit stuff up!  

What a total retirement hell Thailand has turned into. 

1 hour ago, Leaver said:

Which is EXACTLY what the immigration officer wants him to do, and why he rejected his application in the first place.  cha-ching.    

He was rejected because the staff at ALL Immigration offices have not been given clear instructions as to what the new law is and are just winging it...

43 minutes ago, sfokevin said:

He was rejected because the staff at ALL Immigration offices have not been given clear instructions as to what the new law is and are just winging it...

I disagree.

 

I gave them that latitude for a while after the new laws came in, now, it appears it's all about pushing as many as they can onto agents, for every little discrepancy they can find, and that's because it's so lucrative to do so.  

 

 

11 minutes ago, Leaver said:

I disagree.

 

I gave them that latitude for a while after the new laws came in, now, it appears it's all about pushing as many as they can onto agents, for every little discrepancy they can find, and that's because it's so lucrative to do so.  

 

 

How lucrative is it, too many people keep pushing this refram without any proof what so ever, just their imagination

14 minutes ago, moe666 said:

How lucrative is it, too many people keep pushing this refram without any proof what so ever, just their imagination

There are several accounts on TV of prices from 20k to 30k.  I will be in the market in the future, and will make a decision when the time comes.  At this stage, they seem to be operating with impunity.  What does that tell you? 

 

You deny they have been in existence for years, and are still offering their services?

3 minutes ago, Leaver said:

At this stage, they seem to be operating with impunity.  What does that tell you? 

To be prepared for eventually changes. 

It had always been 3 months seasoning before the “new” rules came into effect. Why would the OP suddenly (and foolishly, sorry to say) change to just 2 months?


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3 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

To be prepared for eventually changes. 

The new laws were supposed to be the change.

 

Hypothetically, if they were to stop accepting all embassy letters tomorrow, and raise the 800k/400k to 1 million / 600k, that's a lot more people going to agents.

 

How does any of the new laws designed to stop the agents, unless corruption is addressed inside each immigration office?  It creates more business for them, and more corruption money for immigration.  If not this, then tell me why they are still allowed to operate. 

Wait & See, but be prepared for anything, even the unexpected. 

3 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

Wait & See, but be prepared for anything, even the unexpected. 

Well, that's very cryptic, but I can see the day where all embassy letters will not be accepted, and the 800k will be raised to 1 million. 

 

What I can't see, is anything being done to shut down the agents, because if that was what the new laws were designed to do, then it would have happened already, but they are still plying their trade.  

3 minutes ago, Leaver said:

but they are still plying their trade

So far, so good. 

7 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

So far, so good. 

And no end in sight. 

6 hours ago, Vacuum said:

If so, the officer should be removed to inactive duty ASAP.

Who is going to do that? 

12 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

It had always been 3 months seasoning before the “new” rules came into effect. Why would the OP suddenly (and foolishly, sorry to say) change to just 2 months?

People who ask for advice on this forum are told two months.

A good thing for many these agents. 

 

But there is a saying, that all good things must come to an end. 

4 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

A good thing for many these agents. 

 

But there is a saying, that all good things must come to an end. 

Corruption is part of Thai culture. 

 

I wouldn't be holding my breath for it to end any time soon. 

^

Time will tell. 

2 minutes ago, luckyluke said:

^

Time will tell. 

How long do you give it?  It's already been several months now. 

No idea, one can be sure of nothing here. 

4 hours ago, Leaver said:

There are several accounts on TV of prices from 20k to 30k

That is generally for people who do not meet the current rules and are bypassing them with bribes, an example would be not having the funds in the bank or the 65k a month transfers

 

Since the OP does in fact meet the "new" requirements he can still use an agent (as many do) for about 4k baht simply to avoid doing the application themselves 

 

I find it quite shocking that a major IO such as CM do not know or understand the now implemented (since 1st March) new laws, maybe a call to the Immigration help/complaints line to report this might be a good idea

4 hours ago, Leaver said:

What I can't see, is anything being done to shut down the agents, because if that was what the new laws were designed to do, then it would have happened already, but they are still plying their trade.

the agents might take your money now (why not) and get you a 12 month extension - but these new rules are applied "post" extension - the 3 month 800k after and the (at least) 400k minimum for 12 months - lets see where you are at in 12 months time when you try to renew again - your agent might say - no can do, and as we don't know what penalties will be applied - maybe a 3 year ban - what then ?