Calculation Dates, and How to Change Banks

[Wandr]

I need to confirm the duration that 800000 baht must stay in a bank account(s). Is the duration calculated from the date that I go to Immigration to renew the extension to stay, or is it calculated from the expiry date of the extension. This is for a retirement visa.

Also, what is the procedure to follow if I want to change banks? I asked an immigration officer once and he hemmed and hawed without giving a clear answer. If I close the account in one bank, and deposit the money in another bank the same day - is it acceptable to Immigration?

My third question is to try and establish which bank is the easiest to deal with for immigration purposes. I am with CIMB at the moment, and it really has been the pits. Now that they are closing branches it is time to exit and find a more stable organization.

[ubonjoe]

The 800k baht must be in the bank for 2 months on day you apply.

Changing banks during the 2 months before could result in immigration not accepting your application.

[Wandr]

Thanks.

What about AFTER obtaining a new extension? Aren't I supposed to keep money in the bank for some time.

Say, my extension expires on Feb 1, and I get a new one-year extension on Jan 1. 400000 baht can be taken out when?

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, Wandr said:

What about AFTER obtaining a new extension? Aren't I supposed to keep money in the bank for some time.

You have to keep the 800k in the bank for 3 months after the day you apply and then 400k baht until you top up your account for your next extension. You could  change banks during the 3 months or after unless there was long delay between the 2 banks showing the 800k baht balance

[yankyoakum]

not really knowing and being American I used BKK Bank, also when the day comes we decided to have our SS checks sent to Thailand what I read in 2019 seemed BKK Bank was the only one we could deposit our SS in directly.... Now my 800K baht gets chipped away 20 bt a month for maintenance fee... We were in Chiangmai and the Promenada Mall on top floor the ladies there at BKK Bank spoke good English and were familiar with the drill for retirement,  but now we are planted in Sattahip and so far have not had great interactions with the local branch here in Ban Chang but the one in Sattahip is very difficult to get to with an invalid and a wheel chair.. (crowded street) May have to try them again... Is there a BKK Bank branch in Pattaya thats retirement visa friendly and some staff speaks English...and hopefully there are not 40 steps to get into...

Someday we'll get this fingered out then they'll change the glove..

[khunPer]

On 11/6/2020 at 6:06 AM, Wandr said:

Also, what is the procedure to follow if I want to change banks?

I have changed bank several times. I withdraw and deposit on the same day, but as Ubonjoe says, don't do it during the maturing period, i.e. three month before application – I mention "three month", because even the maturing period has changed from three to two month before, you might still need to show a three month bank-statement together with the confirmation letter from the bank, when applying for extension of stay from 2nd year, so best not to confuse the immigration officer.

 

On 11/6/2020 at 6:06 AM, Wandr said:

My third question is to try and establish which bank is the easiest to deal with for immigration purposes.

It might be up to the local branch – and branch manager – how good service a bank branch is providing. I have tried three different banks, my best experience is Bangkok Bank.