Today I obtained another 12 months retirement extension using income method without any problem. Apparently, I should have highlighted all the pension income foreign transfers and totalled them for each month. However, the IO painstakingly did it all for me laughing and joking with me as she did it. I have never had a problem with this office, but I have noticed a distinctly positive change in staff attitude at Khon Kaen over my last few visits and a far more relaxed atmosphere pervades. Thank you Khon Kaen Immigration staff.

 

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 Be interested to know how you did your monthly transfers, who you used and how much they looked, if any, into bank codes etc for international transfers.

Also which bank letters you took with you.

 

Thanks. 

Edited October 4, 20196 yr by Kadilo

A troll post and the expected replies to it  have been removed.

In Chiangmai too!

We’re in Khon Kaen and have only had excellent experiences with them there. The staff are always helpful and polite. If there are any queries they do try to help you sort them out. Glad you got your extension.


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 Be interested to know how you did your monthly transfers, who you used and how much they looked, if any, into bank codes etc for international transfers.
Also which bank letters you took with you.
 
Thanks. 

For the past 7 years, I have had an account with Bangkok Bank. I have always transferred my pensions, one 4 weekly (State Pension) and the other on the last day of each month from my UK Lloyds Bank account by SWIFT transfer, sending as GBP, costing £9.50 each time. It usually arrives the following day, and my BKB account always shows it as FTT. The IO checked each entry on my statement, so presumably checked the coding. I was not asked as to the source of funding but could have shown that it was all from pensions. The bank letter, which cost 100 baht, was in Thai, but presumably stated they my account was legit. The 12 month bank statement, cost 200 baht, and took 4 working days for the bank to prepare, as it had to come from Head Office in Bangkok! Don't ask me why! I find this odd that the main BKB branch in Khon Kaen does not have access to my transactions older than 6 months, when I could print off ten years worth of statements if I wished from my UK bank account!


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20 minutes ago, graemeaylward said:

The bank letter, which cost 100 baht, was in Thai, but presumably stated they my account was legit.

Good info that they did not the redundant letter from the bank showing all your transfers for past year.

All they want is the standard bank letter that confirms you account and the balance on the date it was written.

I had the same experience at immigration here in Ubon.

We live in Khon Kaen. Initially I was doing marriage extension but for the last 4 years it’s been retirement and just keep the funds in my account all year. Like the OP my experience has been nothing but excellent and quite swift. Staff are friendly and very helpful. We travel regularly so my wife always does my TM30 when we get back. She’s in and out in 10-15 minutes. The IO said no need if we are away for only a few days but my wife does it anyway. She says that way if they change staff anytime we are all in compliance. 

Only once had a very minor problem at Khon Kaen. Won’t go into detail as that officer is no longer there. Other than that I have always had good service since the office opened. 

1 hour ago, graemeaylward said:

For the past 7 years, I have had an account with Bangkok Bank. I have always transferred my pensions, one 4 weekly (State Pension) and the other on the last day of each month from my UK Lloyds Bank account by SWIFT transfer, sending as GBP, costing £9.50 each time. It usually arrives the following day, and my BKB account always shows it as FTT. The IO checked each entry on my statement, so presumably checked the coding. I was not asked as to the source of funding but could have shown that it was all from pensions. The bank letter, which cost 100 baht, was in Thai, but presumably stated they my account was legit. The 12 month bank statement, cost 200 baht, and took 4 working days for the bank to prepare, as it had to come from Head Office in Bangkok! Don't ask me why! I find this odd that the main BKB branch in Khon Kaen does not have access to my transactions older than 6 months, when I could print off ten years worth of statements if I wished from my UK bank account!


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Excellent info thanks 

Just to clarify and follow up from Ubonjoe post, did they ask to see the 12 month statement from you or did you just take that anyhow? 

2 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

 The 12 month bank statement, cost 200 baht, and took 4 working days for the bank to prepare, as it had to come from Head Office in Bangkok! Don't ask me why! I find this odd that the main BKB branch in Khon Kaen does not have access to my transactions older than 6 months, when I could print off ten years worth of statements if I wished from my UK bank account!
 

I've always found the staff at KK to be friendly and helpful.

 

On my recent extension visit at KK I got away with showing a statement for 6 months from the local Bangkok Bank but also submitted statements I had printed out for the previous 12 month using online banking. I had printed out the statements every 6 months to be sure to have 12 months. It really is a head scratcher why Bangkok Bank only gives access to 6 months of statements.

 

The head IO was firm about wanting 12 months for this year. That could be rough on some people.

 

The IO recommended going to Bangkok Bank every 6 months for a statement implying that would be acceptable documentation. Be sure to get it stamped and or signed at the bank.

Edited October 4, 20196 yr by KeeTua
edit

Did the bank have to list the transactions as in Jo's sample letters or did you use an on line print? Personally I am obtaining a credit advice for each transaction and will present them back to the bank for the annual list which is what I did in August.

3 hours ago, Riojasue said:

We’re in Khon Kaen and have only had excellent experiences with them there. The staff are always helpful and polite. If there are any queries they do try to help you sort them out. Glad you got your extension.


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Nice to hear that, but this sort of thing at Thai IOs should be normal, so here's hoping things are heading in the right direction.

May I say that I still believe Thailand treats us expats like criminals with all this reporting nonsense, but it is not the individual IOs and officers to blame as most of them are decent people only doing their jobs.

I was always lucky with Jomtien, apart from a few rogue offices, give immigration their dues......the amount of people they need to service with ever changing rules....they keep it together and get the job done...

42 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Did the bank have to list the transactions as in Jo's sample letters or did you use an on line print? Personally I am obtaining a credit advice for each transaction and will present them back to the bank for the annual list which is what I did in August.

Apparently he just got the standard bank letter. Not the one listing the transfers.

He used bank statements that showed all of his transfers came from abroad (Foreign T/T on Bangkok Bank statements). 

15 hours ago, graemeaylward said:

but I have noticed a distinctly positive change in staff attitude at Khon Kaen over my last few visits and a far more relaxed atmosphere pervades.

They are happy as they have nice  air conditioned offices, unlike when they were forced to sit outside during the hot season for not passing up the chain. 

There was a big fuss over their tip box, which the ex finance minister posted on his Facebook. They also charge 10 times the going rate for photo copies. 

 

No mention of a house visit or do they not do it in K K ?  as they do in Trat whatever extension you have.

38 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

No mention of a house visit or do they not do it in K K ?  as they do in Trat whatever extension you have.

I had a house visit only once around 5 years ago when doing my extension based on marriage. Never had one before that or since, I’ve now changed to retirement. 

Apparently he just got the standard bank letter. Not the one listing the transfers.
He used bank statements that showed all of his transfers came from abroad (Foreign T/T on Bangkok Bank statements). 

That is correct ubonjoe, that was all that I was asked to obtain by IO.


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No mention of a house visit or do they not do it in K K ?  as they do in Trat whatever extension you have.

No house visit required.


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No house visit ever (retirement extension with 800k+, easiest route).

Last extension done on Sep 10. No surprises whatever.

No asking to show bank book again in x months or so.

(maybe due to the fact that the money is in the account for long).

 

Friendly? Well the IO at counter 1, I would call him the "big silence".

Hardly opening his mouth, not responding to greeting.

But what do I care about?

 

No more tip box seen at the new location.

Just I (really) forgot the 100 Baht return from the two 1000 Baht notes

They didn't earn a single Baht on photocopies.

After a few years I have the complete pile ready.

Edited October 6, 20196 yr by KhunBENQ

My retirement extension is up at the end of Jan 2020. How soon before can I renew as we are planning a family holiday around that time?

7 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

My retirement extension is up at the end of Jan 2020. How soon before can I renew as we are planning a family holiday around that time?

You can apply up to 30 days early.

30 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

My retirement extension is up at the end of Jan 2020. How soon before can I renew as we are planning a family holiday around that time?

45 days early.