At my agent today to renew retirement visa. Gave them all the docs and sat back while they went thru them. Seems that I haven't met the 65k a month requirement. Some months well in excess but others nothing, overall total more than double the required amount.   Big problem. Must be 65k a month, every month. What can I do?   15k will sort it I'm told. 

So now, I aint paying. It'll probably cost me more in the long run but I'm not putting up with this. Gonna get 60 days and squeeze it, take the bike to Laos for a couple of weeks and see what happens.   I'll swim the ruddy Mekong if I have to.

Right, rant over. Anyone got any bright ideas, dont say pay the money cos it aint happening.

All informed suggestions welcome.

Cheers

 

The rules state you must have 12 months of transfers that are at least 65k baht every month. There is no averaging of it allowed.

If you could put 800k baht in the bank now and have it there for 2 months before the 60 day extension ends you could apply then.

5 minutes ago, deadbeat said:

Right, rant over. Anyone got any bright ideas, dont say pay the money cos it aint happening.

Why rant. You are the one that did not meet the requirements. Some will talk about "average income". Personally I don't buy that. Ultimately it's your immigration office that will accept or reject.

You can stop stamping feet and use agent to cover your error

Why go to agent if u don't want to pay. Agent must receive something for their work.

 

Pay it. You know you will.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Pay it. You know you will.

I tend to ramble. You have summed it up in 6 words. OP take note!

how is this an 'immigration shake down'? pure bs..

The title of your thread is a bit off really... The requirements are certainly a bother, but in fairness, you do admit that you don't qualify, so it can't be called a shakedown - it's an offer to overlook your mistakes. Let's call it an admin fee!

10 minutes ago, Longreach said:

Why go to agent if u don't want to pay. Agent must receive something for their work.

 

The OP has illuminated the fact that there are two types of people that use agents.

1 - Those that have the funds to qualify but can't be bothered faffing around and use an agent to check the paperwork and do the legwork for a nominal fee.

2 - Those that are unable to meet the financial requirements and use an agent to have that overlooked along with checking the paperwork and doing the legwork for a larger, nominal fee.

WRT the OP, the rules regarding 65k / month on or about the same time each and every month for twelve months is set in stone. Has been since pre-Covid times so I am surprised that the OP is surprised. The 15k  fee to take care of HIS mistake this year seems to be infinitely more acceptable than throwing all the toys out of the raft while sneaking across the Mekhong to Laos.

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

WRT the OP, the rules regarding 65k / month on or about the same time each and every month for twelve months is set in stone.

There is no rule that states that the transfers have to be on or about the same day every month.

7 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Those that are unable to meet the financial requirements and use an agent to have that overlooked

lol, is this 'expat speak' for offering a bribe? 

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no rule that states that the transfers have to be on or about the same day every month.

Is it not once every CALENDAR month, so you could actually do 65k on 31st and another on 1st.

The title of the OP has been edited to something more appropriate as there was no "shakedown" and to suggest such is incorrect and overly negative.

It's only a shakedown if that kind of fee is demanded after all the legal requirements have been met. IMO 15K is a reasonable fee for sorting out the aftermath of neglecting to get the ducks in a row.

As for swimming the Mekong, I have heard of several people who have crossed borders illegally, via the jungle or a river. It doesn't end well when the absence of valid stamps denoting entry or exit is noted when attempting to leave or enter on an airline, a quick trip to the hoosegow.

42 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no rule that states that the transfers have to be on or about the same day every month.

Yes. There's also no rule that stops an immigration officer objecting to a variance greater than 10 days or questioning why there are differing amounts each month. There have been posts by some members who have encountered these ad-hoc objections.

44 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

lol, is this 'expat speak' for offering a bribe? 

Totally different. A bribe is typically offered AFTER one has gotten into trouble whereas these agents fees are simply to preclude getting into trouble.

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

There's also no rule that stops an immigration officer objecting to a variance greater than 10 days or questioning why there are differing amounts each month. There have been posts by some members who have encountered these ad-hoc objections.

They can object but they cannot rightfully deny the application for it.

Not hard for them to understand why it would be different amounts when the exchange rates are not the same every month.

How do you swim the Mekong with a bike?

In all seriousness though, land borders remain closed and this income issue is clearly of the OP's own making, so instead of ranting, taking the offer or finding another workaround would be more sensible.

Op you can only blame yourself for poor planning, the 65k every month thing has been discussed here for ages.

Follow the rules or pay an agent

OP - what is your nationality? If American, Australian or British then your practical options are limited to paying your agent 15k or depositing 800k in your bank account, as already said. However, if you are none of these 3 nationalities, you should still be able to seek an income confirmation letter or affidavit from your home country embassy in Bangkok.

 

15000 baht to Immigration will be cheaper than an agent. Take the deal. I will be curious where you have to deliver the money.

17 minutes ago, ripstanley said:

15000 baht to Immigration will be cheaper than an agent. Take the deal. I will be curious where you have to deliver the money.

My agent & many others are cheaper than that, my pal in Korat had to pay 20 k to the top person there as they refused to divide one of his pensions paid quarterly by 3, go figure, he's  back on a marriage Visa extension now.

 

I believe you are taken to a quiet, out of sight office to complete the transaction, fruit & BBQd chicken are optional extras ????

Op you don't meet the requirements.

Someone is offering to sort it with a bribe.

Up to you.

How much will this vacation across the border cost you?

OK geniuses,

Here is the deal, agent wants 7k, which is what I usually pay. Well worth it, no waiting in line, in and out in less than 5 mins. The brownshirts want 15k to overlook my non compliance. Total 22k so nice little earner for them.   Methinks there is another way to skin this cat by going for 60 day then extra 30 day which takes me into June,  I would like to be outa here anyway for the wet season,  so maybe a little trip somewhere close,  then when things have some semblance of normality and Thaiairways is back in action hightail it and return Oct ish.

I had hoped that I would have had more positive replies and maybe some ideas to mull over but true to form only negative responses that take delight in pointing out the error of my ways. 

They aint getting the money, I'd rather give it to the dogs home.

Hope you all have a nice day.

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Op you can only blame yourself for poor planning, the 65k every month thing has been discussed here for ages.

Follow the rules or pay an agent

This is not always going to be the persons fault, my pension pays on the 1st of every month, except when the 1st falls on a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday, when they pay early. In the last year 4 months had double payments, therefore 4 months had no payments, therefore through no fault of mine, I would also have fallen foul of "the every month" rule. Luckily I am on the "money in bank" route, but how long I can maintain it I don't know.

6 hours ago, foreverlomsak said:

This is not always going to be the persons fault, my pension pays on the 1st of every month, except when the 1st falls on a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday, when they pay early. In the last year 4 months had double payments, therefore 4 months had no payments, therefore through no fault of mine, I would also have fallen foul of "the every month" rule. Luckily I am on the "money in bank" route, but how long I can maintain it I don't know.

Debatable, could have received the pension\s in your home currency then transferred to Thailand in one go on a date of your choosing

7 hours ago, deadbeat said:

OK geniuses,

Here is the deal, agent wants 7k, which is what I usually pay. Well worth it, no waiting in line, in and out in less than 5 mins. The brownshirts want 15k to overlook my non compliance. Total 22k so nice little earner for them.   Methinks there is another way to skin this cat by going for 60 day then extra 30 day which takes me into June,  I would like to be outa here anyway for the wet season,  so maybe a little trip somewhere close,  then when things have some semblance of normality and Thaiairways is back in action hightail it and return Oct ish.

I had hoped that I would have had more positive replies and maybe some ideas to mull over but true to form only negative responses that take delight in pointing out the error of my ways. 

They aint getting the money, I'd rather give it to the dogs home.

Hope you all have a nice day.

 

 

 

 

 

How about quarantine costs? Proof of insurance? Covid test results?

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Debatable, could have received the pension\s in your home currency then transferred to Thailand in one go on a date of your choosing

No bank account in home country, when I moved to Thailand 15 years ago my bank closed my accounts, as no UK address and TransferWise did not exist.

12 hours ago, deadbeat said:

I had hoped that I would have had more positive replies and maybe some ideas to mull over but true to form only negative responses that take delight in pointing out the error of my ways. 

Well, that's gratitude for you! Unfortunately none of us on Thaivisa have the gift to change Thailand's immigration laws - although I would be more than happy to have a go for you if only I could lay my hands on a magic wand to wave. Kindly let me know from where I can purchase a suitable wand for this purpose since Lazada don't appear to sell any.

And I note that you have, for your own inscrutable reasons, decided to studiously ignore answering the question which I posed to you regarding your nationality!