Time to panic, word is there's currently a freeze on agents doing Non Imm O extensions

[Celsius]

The PURGE has BEGUN 

[rattlesnake]

7 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

It would be impossible to offer evidence for a policy that might be implemented at any time in the future, upon edict. 

That's the way dictatorships work. 😉

 

Correction, that's the way online forum BS works.

Kind of like the "smarter" people here who were adamant three years ago that one couldn't extend their visa if one wasn't vaxxed.

[rattlesnake]

2 minutes ago, Celsius said:

The PURGE has BEGUN 

 

The purge of what?

[kinyara]

I wish " Leaver " was still here. 😂

[Celsius]

9 minutes ago, rattlesnake said:

 

The purge of what?

 

BROKE and OLD undesirables

[bkk6060]

Many people come to Pattaya for this because of the ease and quick turn over.

But, many other province offices, even smaller ones have agents they deal with.

I would not shock me, but I would be surprised because it is a lot of money being spread throughout the system.

Maybe some of these agents were not sharing the funds properly? Who knows, I am sure we will find out soon.

[redwood1]

This thread is garbage...

[rattlesnake]

4 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

BROKE and OLD undesirables

 

If that is really the political goal, I fail to see its relevance. Even low-income retirees still get 40k per month, which is more than the 20k per month of the YouTubers currently flooding the country on short-term visas.

[Gecko123]

54 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Start packing your bags

Am I wrong in speculating that "change in banking policy" means  that agents can no longer open up dummy accounts in the name of the visa holder? Does anyone else have any insight into the  banking mechanics when using an agent and you don't have sufficient funds in the bank? Always been mystified how this works.

[Centigrade32]

59 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Start packing your bags

 

Note that they state that they are hoping for a quick resolution and will inform ASAP. That's gives an idea that it's unlikely to be a permanent thing.

[Centigrade32]

4 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Am I wrong in speculating that "change in banking policy" means  that agents can no longer open up dummy accounts in the name of the visa holder? Does anyone else have any insight into the  banking mechanics when using an agent and you don't have sufficient funds in the bank? Always been mystified how this works.

 

Why do you need to know? You don't.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

3 minutes ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

Why do you need to know? You don't.

 

Classless comment; why do you need to be rude to someone that is asking a perfectly reasonable question in a polite way ?

 

And you have no idea whether or not he needs to know.

 

 

[scubascuba3]

25 minutes ago, kinyara said:

I wish " Leaver " was still here. 😂

Probably is, Liverpool Lou

[Centigrade32]

Just now, Eloquent pilgrim said:

 

Classless comment; why do you need to be rude to someone that is asking a perfectly reasonable question in a polite way ?

 

And you have no idea whether or not he needs to know.

 

 

 

 

Yours of course is High Class. Which public school did you attend? I don't think you know anything about class.

[Moonlover]

Well folks, it would appear that this not just a rumour. (I wish the O/P had been a little clearer!)

 

From the Pattaya Mail:

 

 'Well-connected and popular agencies, such as Tik Tok based in Jomtien, have advised on social media that they will be unable to assist with opening bank accounts for foreign customers until further notice'. (Link to the full article below)

 

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/foreign-applicants-for-thai-bank-accounts-facing-new-crackdown-490881

 

Please don't have a go at me, I'm just the messenger with no vested interest in this topic.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

12 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Am I wrong in speculating that "change in banking policy" means  that agents can no longer open up dummy accounts in the name of the visa holder? Does anyone else have any insight into the  banking mechanics when using an agent and you don't have sufficient funds in the bank? Always been mystified how this works.

 

Well, the agents and the immigration officers certainly won’t want this lucrative sideline to be interrupted in any way; so I think it must be the bank(s)  wanting to stop these dummy accounts, after all, they are of no benefit to the bank, and almost certainly make then culpable in enabling corrupt practices.

 

 

[Gecko123]

13 minutes ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

Why do you need to know? You don't.

 

Well, an answer would be beneficial in terms of determining whether this "change of policy" was specific to a given bank who had a specific arrangement with a visa agent(s) which it no longer wants to continue or a regulatory change which will affect all banks.

 

I can understand why someone whose visa might be jeopardized by this news not wanting to discuss the mechanics openly on social media, but my guess is that immigration already knows full well the ins and outs of how this works and its only been brown envelopes which have kept it from being shut down long ago.

[Centigrade32]

1 minute ago, Gecko123 said:

 

Well an answer would be beneficial in terms of determining whether this change of policy was specific to a given bank who had a specific relationship with an agent which it no longer wants to continue or a regulatory change which will affect all banks. I can understand why someone whose visa might be jeopardized by this news not wanting to discuss the mechanics openly on social media, but my guess is that immigration already knows full well the ins and outs of how this works and its only been brown envelopes which have kept it from being shut down long ago.

 

A lot of words, but my initial reply still stands.

[nightfox]

I'm a bit confused. Aren't visa agents money fixers as last time I used one was 6 years ago and all they did was transfer the 400K into my account and bypassing the 2 month seasoning requirement for a Non O based om marriage extension. Since when do they need to open a dummy account or is this strictly for retirement extensions? 

[Lacessit]

14 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Am I wrong in speculating that "change in banking policy" means  that agents can no longer open up dummy accounts in the name of the visa holder? Does anyone else have any insight into the  banking mechanics when using an agent and you don't have sufficient funds in the bank? Always been mystified how this works.

AFAIK the agent opens an account in the foreigner's name for a nominal balance, then tips in 800K baht before getting the visa or extension. The 800K is then withdrawn a day or so afterwards.

 

The corrupt IO gets a substantial bribe to overlook the fact the money has none of the seasoning requirements, I am guessing 10-15K baht.

[Gecko123]

1 minute ago, Centigrade32 said:

 

A lot of words, but my initial reply still stands.

 

Fine. Can anyone else besides Mr Fahrenheit 451 answer my question?

[CallumWK]

9 minutes ago, Eloquent pilgrim said:

I think it must be the bank(s)  wanting to stop these dummy accounts,

 

I rather think it is the bank of Thailand that has closed the loophole Bangkok bank is using to open the mule accounts

[redwood1]

Visas and closing down mule accounts have zero to do with each other except in the OP mind...

[redwood1]

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

 

I rather think it is the bank of Thailand that has closed the loophole Bangkok bank is using to open the mule accounts

Bankok bank does not open mule account knowingly or any other bank for that matter..

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, redwood1 said:

Visas and closing down mule accounts have zero to do with each other except in the OP mind...

 

Really, how would opening a fake account to get a visa extension, and closing it the day after, not be related to each other?

[redwood1]

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

 

Really, how would opening a fake account to get a visa extension, and closing it the day after, not be related to each other?

Because fake account have nothing to do with it..

[Lacessit]

6 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

 

Fine. Can anyone else besides Mr Fahrenheit 451 answer my question?

You get my monthly award for the best retort on ASEAN. Brilliant.

[CallumWK]

2 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Because fake account have nothing to do with it..

 

Thanks for telling us that fake accounts are all legal.

[sandyf]

2 hours ago, billd766 said:

And that makes it real and correct?

The heading is misleading Bill, the main point made by the agents was not being able to open bank accounts for those on visa exempt and tourist visa. The reference made to Non O's said "in some cases" , which I suspect means those with insufficient funds.

Like many other countries, the bank account situation for non residents is going to get more and more difficult.

Time will reveal all,  it usually does.

[scubascuba3]

5 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Really, how would opening a fake account to get a visa extension, and closing it the day after, not be related to each other?

it seems you haven't got a clue how it works, bank accounts aren't closed for the non imm O, they are in the foreigners name