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

[scubascuba3]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:31 AM, redwood1 said:

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

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You're in a muddle, panicking maybe, mule accounts weren't mentioned in the op

[redwood1]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:38 AM, CallumWK said:

 

Thanks for telling us that fake accounts are all legal.

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Sir the mouth is moving but you have no idea what you are talking about.

[CallumWK]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:39 AM, scubascuba3 said:

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

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Indeed I have no clue/experience with this, because I don't use illegal services, I only comment on what I read on the forums

[CallumWK]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:39 AM, scubascuba3 said:

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

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And how does that work for the foreigners that have no funds?

[Dmaxdan]

  On 2/16/2025 at 7:29 AM, SiSePuede419 said:

No, it's real.  Getting ready to pay online in March.  Fortunately I don't bring 100% of my money into Thailand and I manage to get by on a modest amount, ahem.

Compared to what it would cost me for a similar lifestyle back in the Old Country with their wagons and ponys and glittery lifestyle of homeless people doing fen on a sidewalk. 🤑

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Not according to my local tax office. I was told only foreigners who work here or invest huge sums of money have to file tax returns. And for the record, this was only last week.

They didn't even want to view my last year's bank statement which I'd paid 200 baht for!

[ronnie50]

Remember a lot of what is going on right now (Thai Gov) is in support of their bid to become an OECD member. With that in mind, it wouldn't be a surprise that the Bank of Thailand is tightening rules on proof of account ownership and deposits, with an eye on money laundering, etc. Why they didn't clamp down long ago on the dodgy agent's scam must have meant people in high places were making a cut from it. But now it's become a smallish obstacle to bigger aspirations.

 

The newish BOT rules have been drip feeding in for a couple of years now. Thai ID cards for transfers over 50k, face ID, etc.. I mean you can't even use your Big C points for a discount without showing your passport at the cashier, and I'm sure that's not Big C's rule! Then there's the whole tax thing that's been discussed ad nauseam.  

[Lacessit]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:44 AM, CallumWK said:

 

And how does that work for the foreigners that have no funds?

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That's where the agent comes in, to provide the funds temporarily.

 

An agent is unnecessary if the foreigner has the 400/800K baht to begin with.

 

I don't know why there is a freeze in Pattaya on agents doing Non Imm O extensions. However, IMO it does create a considerable problem for those foreigners with insufficient funds.

[Tropicalevo]

Do not panic.

The article that I read said that the stop was on new bank accounts for new DTV's (or whatever it is called) and new retirements. Not on extensions.

However, I would not be surprised if the agents decided to keep a low profile until the rules are finalised.

Mind you, the press are not always accurate in their reporting.

[Slowhand225]

  On 2/16/2025 at 8:42 AM, proton said:

Never a facilitator of corrupt practices to get an extension. If you don't have the funds or don't want to park a measly 400-800k in a bank here you probably should not be welcome here. 

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Those are the same people that cry when the baht goes up in value against their home currency even 1/10 of a %

[Centigrade32]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:29 AM, Gecko123 said:

 

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

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What kind of brain dead individual would expect to discuss this here?

[Stewart12]

  On 2/16/2025 at 8:35 AM, Lacessit said:

I won't be paying any tax, as I have about 5-6 years' worth of pre-2024 savings to draw on.

 

You have evidence Immigration is asking for proof of tax payments when foreigners renew their visas?

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Agreed! I refuse to pay tax in Thailand because I don't get anything from it - no social benefits, security or even permission to stay.

 

However, if they change the rules and simply require a completed and paid tax form for over 400k a year, I'd pay taxes because I'm getting something in return; permission to stay.

 

They are going to have to change something as they can't expect foreigners to have a bank account with 40k+ deposits over 12 months/ 400/800k over 3 months if you literally can't open a bank account.

[redwood1]

  On 2/16/2025 at 10:04 AM, Stewart12 said:

 

Agreed! I refuse to pay tax in Thailand because I don't get anything from it - no social benefits, security or even permission to stay.

 

However, if they change the rules and simply require a completed and paid tax form for over 400k a year, I'd pay taxes because I'm getting something in return; permission to stay.

 

They are going to have to change something as they can't expect foreigners to have a bank account with 40k+ deposits over 12 months/ 400/800k over 3 months if you literally can't open a bank account.

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This bank crackdown thing as been going on for a looog time now at least 10 years.....Some times its hot then its forgotten about for long stretches of time, then the subject gets hot again...Over and over.....And guess what farangs have always been able to open bank accounts through every crackdown if they try a few banks... 

 

Banks will NEVER ban frangs from opening bank accounts....That would be the end of the condo market..

[ronnie50]

  On 2/16/2025 at 10:04 AM, Stewart12 said:

They are going to have to change something as they can't expect foreigners to have a bank account with 40k+ deposits over 12 months/ 400/800k over 3 months if you literally can't open a bank account.

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Well, on one hand they don't really want foreign riff-raff here on such low incomes anyway. That's why they came up with the 800k rule in the first place (farang riff raff in Thai is know as farang kee nok - farang bird sh!t). Then they eased the rule to the 400k plus income. They do of course (as you say) want foreign currency even if it's not huge.

 

On the other hand, in many countries, including my own, a foreign tourist usually can't open a bank account. And in many western countries it's difficult to remain in those countries longer than that of a tourist, 

 

[Ben Zioner]

  On 2/16/2025 at 6:25 AM, scubascuba3 said:

i.e. no money in bank etc

 

Something kicking off tomorrow, bank of Thailand

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Was the Bank of Thailand issuing visas. 

 

But it would be about time they stopped these illegal visas.

[SiSePuede419]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:51 AM, Dmaxdan said:

Not according to my local tax office. I was told only foreigners who work here or invest huge sums of money have to file tax returns. And for the record, this was only last week.

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We went to the local Thai Revenue Office who told my wife in Thai to get the bank statement and file online.

only foreigners who work here

I lived here 6+months and worked in America 4 months.

Depends on how you define "work here". 

I worked in America while living here.

Next year I file for a credit on my 2025 Tax return in America for the tax paid in Thailand this year in March and if President Musk approves payment then my Thai tax will be zero.

Sun so hot, clouds so low eagles fill the sky.

 

🤔

[Seppius]

I saw the tiktok agent notice, the way I read it was no new bank accounts and NEW retirement visas, because of a crackdown on new bank accounts

 

Catch22 you can't get a RV with an agent if they can't open a Bangkok Bank account for you, in fact you can't even get your own RV even if you can deposit the B800,000 of your own money, without a bank account of any kind

 

[Lacessit]

  On 2/16/2025 at 10:12 AM, redwood1 said:

 

This bank crackdown thing as been going on for a looog time now at least 10 years.....Some times its hot then its forgotten about for long stretches of time, then the subject gets hot again...Over and over.....And guess what farangs have always been able to open bank accounts through every crackdown if they try a few banks... 

 

Banks will NEVER ban frangs from opening bank accounts....That would be the end of the condo market..

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I thought you had declared the thread closed a few posts ago.

 

Are your brain cells connected to your typing fingers?

[TheAppletons]

  On 2/16/2025 at 10:15 AM, Seppius said:

Catch22 you can't get a RV with an agent if they can't open a Bangkok Bank account for you, in fact you can't even get your own RV even if you can deposit the B800,000 of your own money, without a bank account of any kind

 

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  No problem.  I don't want to live in an RV anyway.  Way too cramped plus the hassle of waste disposal and electrical hook-ups.

[billd766]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:39 AM, sandyf said:

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.

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TBH Sandy, it is just 2 agents on FB only in Pattaya.

 

Nothing has been released (that I have seen or read  from Immigration and if I were to believe everything posted on FB I doubt if I would ever leave my house.

 

Instead of posting unsubstantiated rumours from FB, it is better as you say, to wait and see IF anything official pops up.

 

If there was an Olympic event called "Jumping to Conclusions" there are a few posters on AN who would be vying for first place.

[billd766]

  On 2/16/2025 at 6:49 AM, Upnotover said:

At least two Pattaya agents have posted on their FB pages about this, tik tok and MOTs.

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Do you believe everything that you read on FB?

[Harrisfan]

  On 2/16/2025 at 10:24 AM, Lacessit said:

I thought you had declared the thread closed a few posts ago.

 

Are your brain cells connected to your typing fingers?

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Do you always need to insult people? You call every 2nd person stupid.

[hotandsticky]

  On 2/16/2025 at 11:30 AM, Harrisfan said:

Do you always need to insult people? You call every 2nd person stupid.

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Then he is probably right 50% of the time.....

[hotandsticky]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:44 AM, CallumWK said:

 

And how does that work for the foreigners that have no funds?

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They can still have bank accounts....indeed, HAVE to have bank accounts; but the agents could arrange that as well.

[hotandsticky]

  On 2/16/2025 at 11:27 AM, billd766 said:

Do you believe everything that you read on FB?

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Often.

 

When there is enough common ground in the posts

[Joinaman]

  On 2/16/2025 at 9:28 AM, Lacessit said:

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.

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and what about the  people who already have an existing account for their agent to use ?

is this just for new accounts or ALL accounts ?

[hotandsticky]

  On 2/16/2025 at 11:52 AM, Joinaman said:

and what about the  people who already have an existing account for their agent to use ?

is this just for new accounts or ALL accounts ?

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That is the $64,000 question.

 

A few days ago I heard that it only applied to new applications and 'renewals' were OK. The jungle drums have gone quiet on that.

 

 

It will all become clear this week.

[billd766]

  On 2/16/2025 at 11:57 AM, hotandsticky said:

 

 

That is the $64,000 question.

 

A few days ago I heard that it only applied to new applications and 'renewals' were OK. The jungle drums have gone quiet on that.

 

 

It will all become clear this week.

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Or not.

[hotandsticky]

  On 2/16/2025 at 11:59 AM, billd766 said:

Or not.

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There is too much noise surrounding this - and not from the usual whiney corner. The Bank of Thailand probably need to be seen to be doing something.

 

I sense that something is happening that will cause, at least temporary, disruption to the 'no money' visa extensions.

 

 

If everything goes to form (as it usually does in Thailand) the disruption will be short-lived.

[connda]

The only one's panicking are those getting their extensions illegally.  They should panic. 

[DrJack54]

This thread almost from start is off topic regarding legality of agents.

Thread closed. 

 

This topic currently here...

https://aseannow.com/topic/1351851-visa-services-limited-now/