I follow a few visa service providers on Facebook and came across a post from one of them stating that they can no longer assist with certain services. Does anyone know why this is the case?

 

" Breaking News For Retirement Visa Holders in Pattaya.

Due to new changes in banking policy it is not currently possible to open new Bank Accounts for tourist visa or entry on arrival stamps.

Also we are not able to assist you to make New Non O Retirement Visas or renew current Non O or Non OA visas in some cases.

We are hoping for a quick resolution to this problem.

We will notify you immediately when this changes.

Mots Services are still providing Driving Licence services, 30 & 60 Day Tourist Visa Extensions and other immigration services.

Be Legal - Be Safe "

 

Facebook LINK

 

 

Maybe something to do with this.

 

Pattaya Mail

 

Authorities are investigating over 200,000 suspected mule accounts and have prosecuted 820 cases linked to illicit financial activities. More than 20 government agencies are involved in the nationwide operation, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, provincial administrations, immigration authorities, customs offices, and the Royal Thai Police.

 

Item 1 is no surprise, it was a only a matter of time.

In Item 2, I suspect "in some cases" means those with insufficient funds.

 

Bit annoying when sitting at immigration and person in front has a bundle of passports and applications.

Item 1. Compliance by banks is an international issue so I also am not surprised that opening an account for somebody else may become problematic.

 

Item 2. This is a Thai issue. It is just musical chairs. Different levels of seniority get moved around and connections will be broken and will have to be rewired.

17 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Item 2. This is a Thai issue. It is just musical chairs. Different levels of seniority get moved around and connections will be broken and will have to be rewired.

... or else they just have to find a new 'clean' mule.

This is regarding an agent in Pattaya.

Specifically opening a bank account.

This has occurred previously.

Siam Legal also stopped this service at one point. 

No big deal. 

55 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

This is regarding an agent in Pattaya.

Specifically opening a bank account.

This has occurred previously.

Siam Legal also stopped this service at one point. 

No big deal. 

So it's still business as usual for visa services to help with New Non O Retirement Visas, renew current Non O or Non OA visas?

 

If the answer is yes then you can close this thread.

10 minutes ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

So it's still business as usual for visa services to help with New Non O Retirement Visas, renew current Non O or Non OA visas?

 

If the answer is yes then you can close this thread.

Yes it's specific to opening bank account. 

Just for general information: there is basically nothing in it for agent.

The charge ~ 4k depending on age of client, goes on "accident insurance", ATM card and minimum deposit into the account (say 500baht) 

2 hours ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

So it's still business as usual for visa services to help with New Non O Retirement Visas, renew current Non O or Non OA visas?

 

If the answer is yes then you can close this thread.

 

I'm not so sure. The announcement you've posted is from one of Pattaya's more popular agents and it's likely that other agents (at least in Pattaya) are affected by this change as well.

 

Also note that it's not just about opening bank accounts for those who don't have one, but also about applications for visas and extensions whereas the agent takes care of the financials. Apparently the underlying issue is that Bangkok Bank is under scrutiny for opening accounts for people who don't (or shouldn't) qualify.

 

If, when and how this will be resolved is anyone's guess.

5 hours ago, sandyf said:

 

 

Bit annoying when sitting at immigration and person in front has a bundle of passports and applications.

 

 

 

Only if there is just one person at that particular desk

1 hour ago, Caldera said:

Also note that it's not just about opening bank accounts for those who don't have one, but also about applications for visas and extensions whereas the agent takes care of the financials.

The same agent (Tik Tok)  you are referring to goes on to say on their Facebook page that other services such as....."obtaining renewal of extension" etc business as usual.

38 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The same agent (Tik Tok)  you are referring to goes on to say on their Facebook page that other services such as....."obtaining renewal of extension" etc business as usual.

 

I was referring to Mot's announcement that the OP posted. Interestingly, it says "in some cases" as far as visa applications and extensions are concerned, so where exactly the line is at this point is anyone's guess.

 

Feel free to remove if I shouldn't post this screenshot here.

 

 

14 hours ago, Caldera said:

I was referring to Mot's announcement that the OP posted.

Glad thread wasn't closed  as was not aware of that info you attached.

Watch this space. 

Here is Tik Tok Facebook 

 

6 hours ago, sandyf said:

Item 1 is no surprise, it was a only a matter of time.

In Item 2, I suspect "in some cases" means those with insufficient funds.

 

Bit annoying when sitting at immigration and person in front has a bundle of passports and applications.

They are not always agents, some are from schools or companies who like to do as many teachers/employees in one go. 

Usually agents are fast tracked, there is no sitting down and waiting, the passports/envelopes are handed over the counter. Don't ask me how I know.

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Glad thread wasn't closed as was not aware of that info you attached.

Watch this space. 

Here is Tik Tok Facebook 

 

 

In my first post, I highlighted MOT's Facebook. Sorry for hiding their details; I thought it was necessary 

7 minutes ago, BillyBobzTeeth said:

 

In my first post, I highlighted MOT's Facebook. Sorry for hiding their details; I thought it was necessary 

No problem.

Now we have two reports from Pattaya.

Appreciate the info.

Hopefully some clarification soon. 

 

 

On 2/15/2025 at 4:06 PM, hotandsticky said:

Only if there is just one person at that particular desk

Generally only one on marriage at my office, been the same woman for over 10 years as far as i know. Sometimes 2 if a few in the queue, makes little difference if the other desks are empty, probably lack of expertise. Very few Europeans, mainly Asian that are ill prepared and take  the best part of 2 hours.

Agents should be blocked from attending in the morning.

22 hours ago, BenCrew said:

They are not always agents, some are from schools or companies who like to do as many teachers/employees in one go. 

Apologies, should have been a bit more explicit, I am generally sat waiting for the marriage desk, where one application is unlikely to be less than 40 minutes. 

Those with a handful of passports can be sat at the desk most of the morning.

2 hours ago, sandyf said:

Generally only one on marriage at my office, been the same woman for over 10 years as far as i know. Sometimes 2 if a few in the queue, makes little difference if the other desks are empty, probably lack of expertise. Very few Europeans, mainly Asian that are ill prepared and take  the best part of 2 hours.

Agents should be blocked from attending in the morning.

 

 

Sorry @sandyf, which Immigration office is that?

@ThaiVisaCentre do you have any advice regarding this thread. 

Off topic post removed. 

On 2/15/2025 at 3:22 PM, Caldera said:

 

I'm not so sure. The announcement you've posted is from one of Pattaya's more popular agents and it's likely that other agents (at least in Pattaya) are affected by this change as well.

 

Also note that it's not just about opening bank accounts for those who don't have one, but also about applications for visas and extensions whereas the agent takes care of the financials. Apparently the underlying issue is that Bangkok Bank is under scrutiny for opening accounts for people who don't (or shouldn't) qualify.

 

If, when and how this will be resolved is anyone's guess.

The announcement refers to acquiring NEW Retirement Visas, but specifically states that renewing extensions of current Retirement Visas will still be processed.

20 minutes ago, Goethe said:

The announcement refers to acquiring NEW Retirement Visas, but specifically states that renewing extensions of current Retirement Visas will still be processed.

Correct. Seems to be a banking issue and specifically NEW bank accounts being opened.

 

Discussed also in News Forum.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1351977-foreigners-face-new-hurdles-in-opening-thai-bank-accounts/

 

My take ....

From Bangkok Post article.   About 6 weeks ago the government said they would be cracking down on mule accounts. The accounts were related to foreign entities running fake Thai businesses and property transactions. They bankroll a Thai person to, for example, start a motorbike rental agency. They make all the money, pay little or no tax because they rent to foreigners. No way to trace actual income.  The Thai makes a little, they're happy, the foreigner makes a bundle. The meat of the article was aimed at businesses in Bangkok. Restaurants, property rentals, realty agents, etc.  I think the immigration agencies are just being cautious for now. What they are doing isn't taking much away from the tax base because you make a bit of interest money having 800K in the bank. Furthermore, foreigners with embassies that give an income verification letter need not have 800K deposited. Being an American, my embassy is too lazy to help us.

On 2/15/2025 at 4:25 PM, DrJack54 said:

The same agent (Tik Tok)  you are referring to goes on to say on their Facebook page that other services such as....."obtaining renewal of extension" etc business as usual.

Available provided you have the800k.i checked this morning

2 minutes ago, MRMOUSE said:

Available provided you have the800k.i checked this morning

What's that mean. Checked with who?

One of the main reasons for using an agent is that you want the financial requirements covered 

23 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What's that mean. Checked with who?

One of the main reasons for using an agent is that you want the financial requirements covered 

I went to tiktok office this morning and asked the lady 

6 hours ago, Goethe said:

The announcement refers to acquiring NEW Retirement Visas, but specifically states that renewing extensions of current Retirement Visas will still be processed.

 

It specifically states that they cannot assist with renewals in some cases:

 

On 2/15/2025 at 10:36 AM, BillyBobzTeeth said:

Also we are not able to assist you to make New Non O Retirement Visas or renew current Non O or Non OA visas in some cases.

 

As clear as mud!

Just now, MRMOUSE said:

I went to tiktok office this morning and asked the lady 

They can assist with the paperwork but the 800k needs to be there,

If you have  the 800k I don't seethe need but some people do need the help.

6 hours ago, Goethe said:

The announcement refers to acquiring NEW Retirement Visas, but specifically states that renewing extensions of current Retirement Visas will still be processed.

Not according to MOTs

 

"Also we are not able to assist you to make New Non O Retirement Visas or renew current Non O or Non OA visas in some cases"