2022 Trip Report for Retirement Extension via Thai Bank Deposit at BKK CW

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Went out to BKK CW this morning to apply for my annual retirement extension based on the 800,000 baht deposit in a Thai bank account.

 

Arrived at 8 am, got number 168 in their pre-queue lineup list, got inside by 8:30 am, got my new retirement extension and then did the separate process of applying for a re-entry permit, and was able to escape just before noon time with both in hand.

 

The basic document requirements were pretty much unchanged from last year.... See my prior more detailed trip report from last year below, which also has PDF weblinks to the various misc statements that Immigration wants you to complete in addition to the basic TM7 extension of stay application form:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1232914-2021-trip-report-for-retirement-extension-with-thai-bank-deposit-at-bkk-cw/

 

There were a couple overall updates:

 

1. Although I had copies of my latest 90-day report receipt and TM-30 residence form stapled inside my passport just in case, the IO handling my retirement extension application didn't ask me for copies of either, unlike a past visit to BKK CW two years ago. But I'd bring them anyway, just in case.

 

2. Because I had one bankbook get filled during the past year and then was issued a new bankbook for the remainder of the year, the IO on my case and her supervisor had some problem with the way my bank handled the changeover, and kept insisting it looked like I had a "gap" in time between the end of the old and the start of the new books. Thus they required me to get an official bank statement, costing 200 baht, covering the period where they were worried about a gap... which in the end, satisfied them that I had maintained the proper bank balance as required. That ordeal set back completing the retirement extension part of the visit by about an extra hour all in all.

 

3. Elsewhere, unlike last year, this year, both the retirement extension officer and the re-entry permit officer both wanted to take new digital photos of me with the webcams on their desk, even though my appearance hadn't changed much at all from last year or the year prior... So the face mask had to come off each time for them to take their photos.

 

4. Speaking of face masks, of course, face masks continue to be required for entry into the Government Complex building where Immigration is located. Likewise, while you don't have to show any proof of COVID vaccination in order to enter, you DO have to fill out and sign a form where you're asked if you've had COVID lately, if you've been around other people with COVID lately, if you've traveled internationally lately, etc etc.... Dunno what happens if one ends up having to answer YES to any of those questions.

 

5. For the past two years when I went to BKK CW, there was no queue tickets system being used at the re-entry permits desk area C2. You just walked up and handed them your paperwork.  This year, of course, since nothing ever stays the same, the re-entry permits section was back to using the queue tickets system again, just like the L section for extensions of stay.

 

In terms of travel, I took the BTS Sukhumvit line from central BKK, leaving home at 7 am, heading for the Mochit Station, and then catching a taxi there to take the paid tollway out to Chaengwattana. The meter taxi cost about 110 baht, while the tollway fare was 80 baht. And no traffic whatsoever all the way out on the tollway. Arrived at BKK CW just before 8 am.

 

Ahh... PS to anyone having their bank deposits at yellow Krungsri Bank right now... for unknown reasons, their public passbook update machines are NOT working properly right now, and will fail to actually update your bankbook.... Meaning you can't use the update machines outside the branch downstairs at BKK CW earlier in the morning, and instead have to wait for the Krungsri branch to open at 8:30 am and then have the staff inside do the bankbook update on their machines, which delays the process a bit.

 

The regular public update machines outside the branch were nice, when they worked, because they were available prior to the 8:30 am opening of the branch (which is also the official opening time for Immigration). No ETA given of how long Krungsri's bankbook update machines are going to be on the fritz. It's not just a problem with the machines at that one branch, but supposedly, is a Krungsri-wide issue right now... so two different branches told me in the past two days.

 

Ahh... PPS - Since I had a new passport issued by my home country in the past month, I had been hoping on Tuesday to also do an early 90-day report while I was already at BKK CW for the day.... so that I'd be able to do online reporting with my new passport number for future reports....

 

But, the 90 day report staff were having none of it.... telling that because my next 90-day report isn't due until the end of October, it was too early for them to accept a 90-day report from me today... I explained to them that I just wanted them to update my record in their system with my new passport number so that I'd be able to do online reporting the next time out. One IO agreed to do that and started that, but then was countermanded by another officer, who insisted I'd have to physically travel out to BKK CW again toward the end of October, and they wouldn't/couldn't do anything today to allow me to avoid that.... Yeesh!

 

 

[TaoNow]

Greatly appreciate detailed trip reports like this. 

 

They are undoubtedly the most valuable threads on this section of the TV Forum.

 

One question for OP:  It seems that you didn't use the appointment system. 

 

Is the system down or did you choose not to use it?  If the latter, why?

 

Thanks again, TGJB

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

6 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

Greatly appreciate detailed trip reports like this. 

 

They are undoubtedly the most valuable threads on this section of the TV Forum.

 

One question for OP:  It seems that you didn't use the appointment system. 

 

Is the system down or did you choose not to use it?  If the latter, why?

 

Thanks again, TGJB

Thanks!  Good question...

 

I have used the advance appointments system before at BKK CW.... but just chose not to mess with it or even check into its status this year (though I assume it's working because I did see some appointments people being called)....

 

As it turned out, I got inside queue ticket number of 12 for the L section where retirement extensions are handled. And was in to start my visit with the IO by 9:30 am or so... So not really much time that I could have saved.

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ThailandRyan]

@TallGuyJohninBKK as always your trip reports always line out what us who follow your visits end up using to ensure we have a smooth extension process.  It was unfortunate the I/O's did not like the bankbook issue you stated in your post above, but in the end it all worked out.  I am awaiting to hear back from the BOI LTR Unit by the end of this month, if it is not as I hope, then I will be following in your steps this next Month as October is when I always do my extension trips to CW.  Whatever the outcome is I will post my trip report into this OP as I have done for the past few years.  

 

These trip reports for extensions are one of the main reasons I started to view this Forum, back when it was TV and now AN, as it has a lot of useful information folks can follow and have no issues when the time comes.

 

As always thank you for leading the way. BTW did you make an online appointment through the website or was that not available for doing the extension like we have done in the past.

 

* I see you answered the above question in the post above.

Edited September 20, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

Is the system down or did you choose not to use it?  If the latter, why?

I made an appointment CW yesterday no problem.

https://www.immigration.go.th/?page_id=20131

 

OP, in regards to TM30 and 90 day report receipt I have never provided either for my extensions based on retirement at CW. 

Edited September 20, 2022 by DrJack54

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

12 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

It was unfortunate the I/O's did not like the bankbook issue you stated in your post above, but in the end it all worked out.

The weird and typically IO part of the bank books issue was....

 

I was out to BKK CW just last week to transfer my soon-to-expire  current extension stamp into my newly issued, month-old new passport... (I wanted to get the transfer done separately before heading back to do the new extension on a different day).

 

And as part of doing the stamps transfer process, as I've explained in other posts here lately, the IOs for that process are now carefully checking your bankbook and want photocopies of your pages as part of the stamp transferring process.

 

The IOs a week ago scrutinized my bankbook very carefully and went line by line through the books and the regular signed photocopies of my bankbook pages to make sure I had complied with the deposit requirements since my last extension a year ago. And, they were perfectly fine, no complaints or issues.

 

Today a week later, different IOs, and entirely different handling on exactly the same bank book paperwork.  ????

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

35 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, in regards to TM30 and 90 day report receipt I have never provided either for my extensions based on retirement at CW. 

 

I well know that.... ????  But that doesn't change the fact that Immigration had asked me for copies of those two years ago when I didn't have them in my submitted paperwork, and then accepted and didn't return the same from me last year ???? Just not today.   And I was fine with that!

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

The IOs a week ago scrutinized my bankbook very carefully and went line by line through the books and the photocopies statements to make sure I had complied with the deposit requirements since my last extension a year ago.

What do you mean by photocopies "statements" 

I just provide photocopies of bank book pages. 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I well know that.... ????  But that doesn't change the fact that Immigration had asked me for copies of those in the prior two renewal processes.:-)  Just not today.   And I was fine with that!

 

 

We had this discussion on your previous extension 12 months ago.

I suggest you provided them and the io accepted them. 

Never been required. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What do you mean by photocopies "statements" 

I just provide photocopies of bank book pages. 

Thanks! I corrected and changed my language above.... Their normal request is just for regular signed photocopies of the bankbook....

 

Only if there is some issue or complication, as occurred with me today, do they then resort to asking for the formal, bank-issued official account statement that you have to pay the bank to issue.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

We had this discussion on your previous extension 12 months ago.

I suggest you provided them and the io accepted them. 

Never been required. 

Previously, two years ago, I didn't provide them, and was asked for them, as were others who posted as much here at the time.

 

Last year I provided them without being asked, based on the prior year's experience. And the two pages were not returned/kicked back to me, but kept by the IO as part of my paperwork.

 

This year, I didn't provide them, and wasn't asked for them.

 

YMMV

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TaoNow]

Coincidentally, I am about to renew my passport as well, which contains an extension based on retirement.  I report to Immo/CW.

 

TGJB - are you saying that you were asked for photocopies of an updated 800K+ bank book as a requirement for transferring Immo stamps to a new PP? 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

21 minutes ago, TaoNow said:

Coincidentally, I am about to renew my passport as well, which contains an extension based on retirement.  I report to Immo/CW.

 

TGJB - are you saying that you were asked for photocopies of an updated 800K+ bank book as a requirement for transferring Immo stamps to a new PP? 

In short, YES!  Not asked... demanded at BKK CW right now. Told by my IO and confirmed by her supervisor in English last week.

 

Assuming you have at least retirement extension based on a Thai bank deposit (I dunno if the same is being applied to extension people doing monthly foreign bank xfers)...  as part of transferring your stamp to a new passport:

 

Immigration at BKK CW told me they are now requiring in addition to the various items on their official list of required documents:

 

1. that you bring the Thai bankbook associated with your deposit and do a printed balance update in the book on the day of your Immigration visit.

 

2. that you also provide them with signed photocopies of your bankbook pages covering the period from the start of your current extension up through the date of your Immigration visit to request the stamp transfer to the new passport.

 

They're going to look through those carefully to make sure that your bank balance never dipped below the required amount from the time of your last extension up through the date you're requesting the transfer of your stamp to a new passport.

 

I'm guessing, but can't say for certain, that the same requirement is going to be applied to marriage extension holders who rely on Thai bank deposits...

 

Because, what the IO supervisor actually told me in English was, ANYTIME you're coming to the L section to transact any business there, they're going to be demanding to see your Thai deposit bank book and set of signed bankbook photocopies.

 

Edited September 20, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[MikaQ5]

@TGJB - I am hoping to do my first 1 year extension at CM this week and found this very informative ,thanks 

 

Does the Thai bank deposit confirmation letter have to come from a bank in the same province as where you are applying for the extension ?

And the amount ( in the bank letter ) doesn’t have to match up exactly to the passbook balance On the day of application ( ie a 100b difference is allowed as long as both amounts are over 800k ) 

 

it would suit me to get a bank letter in Phuket ( Bangkok Bank) and do small withdrawal and update the passbook in CM (as I have an early flight and would be in CM immigration much earlier ) 

 

thanks 

[Pib]

 

Quote

Ahh... PS to anyone having their bank deposits at yellow Krungsri Bank right now... for unknown reasons, their public passbook update machines are NOT working properly right now, and will fail to actually update your bankbook.... Meaning you can't use the update machines outside the branch downstairs at BKK CW earlier in the morning, and instead have to wait for the Krungsri branch to open at 8:30 am and then have the staff inside do the bankbook update on their machines, which delays the process a bit.

Ditto for me last year about this same date....that is, the Krungsri Passbook Update Machine in the CW immigration building would not read my passbook.  So, a person needs to have the bank teller update the passbook where the machines they have at their counters/desks work just fine to read the passbook....makes a person think the passbook is fine and it's just the passbook update machine having a less capable reader.   

 

A few hours later after getting my extension renewed I went back to the branch to talk the issue with my passbook as another passbook update machine in another location couldn't read the passbook either so I figure maybe it's the passbook versus the machine....specifically the magnetic strip on the back of the passbook being corrupted/weak.  During my first visit that day I didn't have time to talk the issue at the branch as I needed to get to immigration ASAP.

 

So, I talk the problem with the branch, they spend a few minutes on their computer system and swipe the book thru a machine on their desk several times like maybe they are rewriting the magnet strip and then they say it should work now.  This process took about 5 minutes.   I then go withdraw Bt100 from the ATM and then try the passbook update machine to see if it can now update the passbook....and the machine now reads/updates my passbook fine.  So, it was "not" the update machine but the passbook.

 

But a few months later the problem returned.  So, I demanded a "new" passbook, got a new book issued, and the problem hasn't returned after 11 months (knock on wood...my head).   I think the core problem was a "weak" magnetic strip on the old passbook which couldn't retain the info long term. The passbook lives in the darkness of my home safe where all my other passbooks live (other passbooks which never presented this problem).

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Pib said:

Passbook Update Machine in the CW immigration building would not read my passbook.

Geez. You are allowed to enter bank and make small transaction. 

 

 

[Pib]

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Geez. You are allowed to enter bank and make small transaction. 

 

 

I was at immigration "before" the branch opened....trying to get the same day passbook update before the branch opens at 8:30am.  I already had my bank letter from the day before.

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Pib said:

I was at immigration "before" the branch opened....trying to get the same day passbook update before the branch opens at 8:30am.  I already had my bank letter from the day before.

I never understand these posts regarding CW, given most banks have branch there notable exception SCB.

 

I booked my appointment yesterday for extension retirement.....10.30 am.

Will arrive approx 9am and attend bank.

Make small deposit at same time as obtaining bank letter.

Ask clerk to kindly photocopy last page of bankbook to show "activity" and balance match letter. 

[Pib]

An additional complication to my renewal last year is the IO manning the issue of queue tickets would not issue me a ticket without a same day passbook update.  Before issuing a queue ticket the IO wanted to see the bank letter and same day passbook update.   

 

Now I didn't have that same day update yet at IO opening time because the passbook update machine couldn't read my passbook and the bank branch was not open yet.

 

In over a dozen years of doing extensions that was the first time the queue IO had looked closely at my package before issuing a queue ticket....normally they just look for a bundle of paper.   I figured it might be due to too many applicants not having a passbook update when their queue number got called to set down with the IO that processes the application.

[DrJack54]

22 minutes ago, Pib said:

An additional complication to my renewal last year is the IO manning the issue of queue tickets would not issue me a ticket without a same day passbook update.  Before issuing a queue ticket the IO wanted to see the bank letter and same day passbook update.   

 

Now I didn't have that same day update yet at IO opening time because the passbook update machine couldn't read my passbook and the bank branch was not open yet.

 

In over a dozen years of doing extensions that was the first time the queue IO had looked closely at my package before issuing a queue ticket....normally they just look for a bundle of paper.   I figured it might be due to too many applicants not having a passbook update when their queue number got called to set down with the IO that processes the application.

Read my post above.

CW like to see "activity" meaning deposit/withdrawal on day of application.

Not difficult. 

[Lorry]

6 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Thanks!  Good question...

 

I have used the advance appointments system before at BKK CW.... but just chose not to mess with it or even check into its status this year (though I assume it's working because I did see some appointments people being called)....

 

As it turned out, I got inside queue ticket number of 12 for the L section where retirement extensions are handled. And was in to start my visit with the IO by 9:30 am or so... So not really much time that I could have saved.

 

You were lucky. 

A friend was there one day earlier.  For retirement extension with 800000 at Krungsri bank (he didn't have the problem with the new bank book), arrived same time as you.

He had to wait for ages,  was thoroughly pis.ed off that at lunch break he didn't have the extension yet, arrived home in the  late afternoon without re-entry.

He had to go again today for the re-entry.

[MikaQ5]

6 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

In short, YES!  Not asked... demanded at BKK CW right now. Told by my IO and confirmed by her supervisor in English last week.

 

Assuming you have at least retirement extension based on a Thai bank deposit (I dunno if the same is being applied to extension people doing monthly foreign bank xfers)...  as part of transferring your stamp to a new passport:

 

Immigration at BKK CW told me they are now requiring in addition to the various items on their official list of required documents:

 

1. that you bring the Thai bankbook associated with your deposit and do a printed balance update in the book on the day of your Immigration visit.

 

2. that you also provide them with signed photocopies of your bankbook pages covering the period from the start of your current extension up through the date of your Immigration visit to request the stamp transfer to the new passport.

 

They're going to look through those carefully to make sure that your bank balance never dipped below the required amount from the time of your last extension up through the date you're requesting the transfer of your stamp to a new passport.

 

I'm guessing, but can't say for certain, that the same requirement is going to be applied to marriage extension holders who rely on Thai bank deposits...

 

Because, what the IO supervisor actually told me in English was, ANYTIME you're coming to the L section to transact any business there, they're going to be demanding to see your Thai deposit bank book and set of signed bankbook photocopies.

 

I am hoping to do my first 1 year extension atCM this week and found this very informative ,thanks 

 

Does the Thai bank deposit confirmation letter haveto come from a bank in the same province as where you are applying for the extension ?

And the amount ( in the bank letter ) doesn’t have to match up exactly to the passbook balance On theday of application ( ie a 100b difference is allowed as long as both amounts are over 800k ) 

 

it would suit me to get a bank letter in Phuket ( Bangkok Bank) and do small withdrawal and update the passbook in CM (as I have an early flight andwould be in CM immigration much earlier ) 

 

thanks 

[MikaQ5]

Sorry I should clarified that CM is Chiang Mai ????

[fritzgoss]

I just tried to schedule an appointment for later in October, but the only times given are 3 and 4 am and 9 pm and later. Does this mean there are no appointment times available, as I'm sure they aren't working that early or late.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, fritzgoss said:

I just tried to schedule an appointment for later in October

I made an appointment couple of days ago for mid October. 

All time slots were available. 

Try it again. 

 

[essex boys]

Thank you for your trip report, it’s very detailed and of great help, I’m in Khon Kaen so I wouldn’t go to CW but it’s still good to get an idea of what’s required, many thanks for taking the time and effort to detail it all.

[JimGant]

18 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Meaning you can't use the update machines outside the branch downstairs at BKK CW earlier in the morning, and instead have to wait for the Krungsri branch to open at 8:30 am and then have the staff inside do the bankbook update on their machines, which delays the process a bit.

I find that getting my bank letter in the morning -- and have the clerk update the passbook *plus* make a photocopy of the passbook's last page -- eliminates having to visit Immigration's photo copy center just to do a one page copy, which I'd have to do if I'd updated my passbook outside the bank. I learned this the hard way, last year at CM, when I forgot to have the bank clerk make the photocopy. As a result, for an early afternoon appointment, I had to stand in a huge queue at the photocopy center, as they, like Imm, close for lunch. Thus, maybe updating at an outside the bank machine has less utility than you think.....

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Read my post above.

CW like to see "activity" meaning deposit/withdrawal on day of application.

Not difficult. 

 

The advantage of being able to update one's bankbook, as required by Immigration, BEFORE the bank branch opens at 8:30 am is that you're then ready to be in the Immigration pre-queue before the Immigration office opens just before 8:30 am, and thus able to get a very low queue ticket number for the L section, meaning hopefully you'll be served and out more quickly.

 

Remember, the updating the bankbook process also involves two steps -- first getting the bankbook itself updated, and then heading down the row in the basement of the Govt. Complex building to get an updated photocopy of the newly updated final bankbook page...and then schlepping back to Immigration.

 

If a person already has a previously issued bank income letter and can do the bankbook update at the passbook update machine well prior to the 8:30 am openings of both the bank and Immigration, they'll best be able to get a low L section queue number...

 

And yes, that assumes they haven't used the online system to make a scheduled appointment time with Immigration for the L section.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

14 hours ago, Pib said:

 the passbook update machine couldn't read my passbook

Dunno what to say about what happened with your situation.

 

For me, I never had any problem last year with my old Krungsri bankbook.

 

I got a new Krungsri bankbook earlier this spring, and periodic machine updates since then had worked fine.

 

The first I encountered any failure for the machine to update my book was Monday when I went to get my income letter at my home branch.  And then same again Tuesday at Krungsri BKK CW.

 

All I know, is the bank staff at both branches claimed they're having some problem with their bankbook update machines system.

 

If it was a problem with the bankbooks themselves, then I'm hardpressed to explain how/why my new book updated without problem in their machines from March through August.... but then ceased working just lately....

 

And yet when the bank staff ran my book thru their desk machines inside the branch, both Monday and Tuesday, they were able to update it just fine.

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

23 minutes ago, JimGant said:

As a result, for an early afternoon appointment, I had to stand in a huge queue at the photocopy center,

When I was using the photocopy shop in the basement of BKK CW yesterday at various points between 8:30 am and 10 am, there was never any queue line of customers, and I was served immediately upon arrival. In and out within a minute or two,

 

Also, when I went the in-branch, day-of income  letter at the BKK CW branch two years ago, they made me wait 30+ minutes from the time I finished all the application paperwork and payment with them, until the time they actually issued the letter.

 

They claimed that was the time it took for them to clear the letter through their HQ branch for some reason. As a result of that unexpected delay, I was somewhat late for my scheduled L section appointment that year. And on that day, I was the very first person in line when the branch opened, so it's not like my request/paperwork for the letter was stuck behind others who had made prior requests.

 

This year, when I got my income letter at my home Krungsri branch in the Sukhumvit area on Monday, I had my income letter within 5 minutes of the time I signed the application request paperwork and paid the fee.

 

My general philosophy is to try to get as much of my business done as possible PRIOR to the 8:30 am opening of the BKK CW Immigration office.

 

Edited September 21, 2022 by TallGuyJohninBKK