Question about obtaining bank letter from BBL

[paulbrow]

I'm getting ready to apply for my first retirement extension of stay and the only point that concerns me is obtaining the letter from the bank, Bangkok Bank, substantiating my 800k balance for the year. When do I request this letter from the bank? The day before I go to CW, a week before, a month before? It needs to cover a full year. Money was there, no problem, I've maintained the full 800k in the account for simplicity purposes and account is in only my name. Can I do this at my branch in Bangkok, or do I have to go to the main office and can I do this in one day. Sorry if this is repetitive, but I couldn't find anything specific about this. Thanks in advance for your kind help.

[DrJack54]

What you are after is 12 month bank statement from BBL. (not bank letter) 

Bangkok Bank (unfortunately take few days to provide that. 

Apply early and submit it on day of application for extension. 

It has a validity of 7 days. 

The bank Letter can also be obtained early. 

It's simply a statement that you are account owner and balance on day of issue. 

200 and 100b respectively

[howerde]

I am with Bangkok Bank, last month when i asked, i was told for the year statement you have to order it 3-5 days before you need it, and i have to go to the bank to collect it, they also said it can be ordered from any branch, well that was the rule last month. CW will accept the statement and bank letter up to 7 days old

[Upnotover]

Your first extension?  In that case you don't need a 12 month statement, 3 months will be fine.  And update the book on the day you apply, with a transaction showing on the day itself.

[paulbrow]

5 minutes ago, howerde said:

I am with Bangkok Bank, last month when i asked, i was told for the year statement you have to order it 3-5 days before you need it, and i have to go to the bank to collect it, they also said it can be ordered from any branch, well that was the rule last month. CW will accept the statement and bank letter up to 7 days old

thanks, that helps a bunch!

[paulbrow]

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Your first extension?  In that case you don't need a 12 month statement, 3 months will be fine.  And update the book on the day you apply, with a transaction showing on the day itself.

 

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

Your first extension?  In that case you don't need a 12 month statement, 3 months will be fine.  And update the book on the day you apply, with a transaction showing on the day itself.

I got the retirement extension last year. Now need to do annual extension. Sorry for the confusion.

[paulbrow]

31 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What you are after is 12 month bank statement from BBL. (not bank letter) 

Bangkok Bank (unfortunately take few days to provide that. 

Apply early and submit it on day of application for extension. 

It has a validity of 7 days. 

The bank Letter can also be obtained early. 

It's simply a statement that you are account owner and balance on day of issue. 

200 and 100b respectively

Thanks Dr. Jack.

[DrJack54]

Just now, paulbrow said:

Thanks Dr. Jack.

For income method (not you) 

A suggestion recently from expert poster that you request the 12 month statement in Thai. 

 

This does not concern you as you do not need to show funds from abroad using "money in bank method" 

For those using "income method".. Need to show transfers from abroad. 

 

 

 

 

[paulbrow]

40 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

For income method (not you) 

A suggestion recently from expert poster that you request the 12 month statement in Thai. 

 

This does not concern you as you do not need to show funds from abroad using "money in bank method" 

For those using "income method".. Need to show transfers from abroad. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again .

[1DegreeN]

My branch of BBL can generate statements for up to 6 months on the spot but anything longer has to be requested from head office and can take up to a couple of weeks before it is sent back to the branch (7 working days they say). What I do is request a 12 month statement 1 month before I apply for extension and then on the day go to BBL for the letter and a 1 month statement to current date. If you get your 12 month statement a few days before the day you go to immigration then I think you will also need another statement on the day to cover the last few days, otherwise immigration may argue that there's no proof that the balance was above the required minimum for the whole duration.

[J Branche]

Chonburi Jomtien accepted the pdf version from app, (More Services, Request Account Statement)  print it out, usually arrives in email in less than an hour.

 

Still had to get account balance verification letter at the branch.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, J Branche said:

Chonburi Jomtien accepted the pdf version from app, (More Services, Request Account Statement)  print it out, usually arrives in email in less than an hour.

Yes some offices are accepting DIY print outs. 

Silly really. They shouldn't be accepted. 

 

The 12 month bank statement and bank letter can be obtained prior to application for extension. 

Even BBL can produce 12 month statement in 3-5 days. 

The letter and statement valid for 7 days. 

[thongplay]

On 5/28/2025 at 9:27 AM, DrJack54 said:

What you are after is 12 month bank statement from BBL. (not bank letter) 

Bangkok Bank (unfortunately take few days to provide that. 

Apply early and submit it on day of application for extension. 

It has a validity of 7 days. 

The bank Letter can also be obtained early. 

It's simply a statement that you are account owner and balance on day of issue. 

200 and 100b respectively

I get my retirement visa extensions in Korat. IO insist on a bank letter dated the same date as the application. Won't accept a letter dated one day before. I know and I've tried it. Also the bank letter IS required.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, thongplay said:

I get my retirement visa extensions in Korat. IO insist on a bank letter dated the same date as the application.

There are always various immigration offices playing by their own made up rule book. 

Goes without saying

[Advocate]

I always get the letter from the Chaeng Wattana branch of BBL on the day of attending for visa renewal. Usually queue for IB entry number and when I receive the IB wait number for visa renewal, I go down to BBL and get the letter. Never had a problem for over 15 years.

[flexomike]

2 hours ago, 1DegreeN said:

My branch of BBL can generate statements for up to 6 months on the spot but anything longer has to be requested from head office and can take up to a couple of weeks before it is sent back to the branch (7 working days they say). What I do is request a 12 month statement 1 month before I apply for extension and then on the day go to BBL for the letter and a 1 month statement to current date. If you get your 12 month statement a few days before the day you go to immigration then I think you will also need another statement on the day to cover the last few days, otherwise immigration may argue that there's no proof that the balance was above the required minimum for the whole duration.

 

2 hours ago, 1DegreeN said:

My branch of BBL can generate statements for up to 6 months on the spot but anything longer has to be requested from head office and can take up to a couple of weeks before it is sent back to the branch (7 working days they say). What I do is request a 12 month statement 1 month before I apply for extension and then on the day go to BBL for the letter and a 1 month statement to current date. If you get your 12 month statement a few days before the day you go to immigration then I think you will also need another statement on the day to cover the last few days, otherwise immigration may argue that there's no proof that the balance was above the required minimum for the whole duration.

What I do is get one statement at six months and then another one on the day of extension for the second six months. No waiting involved.

[JaxxBKK]

If you are doing the banked cash method you only need a general letter of deposit 400k, 800k depending on O. I've always obtained mine day before and had zero issues. On the day I update my BBL book wife transfer b100 and I update in the printer at CW.

 

Take a picture of the letter and then next year when you go in and you can just show them the image and you don't have to try to explain to them precisely what sort of document that you need.

 

Imo the monthly transfer method is not worth the hassle. So many things can go wrong. My two satang.

[DrJack54]

28 minutes ago, JaxxBKK said:

If you are doing the banked cash method you only need a general letter of deposit 400k, 800k depending on O.

You need to provide 12 month bank statement or at very least bank book with photocopies back till previous extension in order to prove financial compliance. 

The "Bank Letter" is a different item. 

It's just a page statement showing you are owner of the account and balance on that day. 

32 minutes ago, JaxxBKK said:

Imo the monthly transfer method is not worth the hassle. So many things can go wrong

The income method has two big advantages. 

1. No need to tie up 800k and forgo far better investment options. 

2. You can maintain virtually zero in the account and in event of passing the money is not tied up in probate etc

[OJAS]

If using the 800k method for retirement extensions as per the OP, best to open a separate dedicated account for this purpose IMHO - but not one with BBL in view of the delay in obtaining 12-month statements, which all other banks AFAIK can (and do) issue on the spot.

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, OJAS said:

If using the 800k method for retirement extensions as per the OP, best to open a separate dedicated account for this purpose IMHO - but not one with BBL in view of the delay in obtaining 12-month statements, which all other banks AFAIK can (and do) issue on the spot.

Agree.

Just added note to folk looking to open a bank account be aware that for WISE transfers BBL, Kasikorn and SCB are the 3 banks that have higher transfer limit. 

BBL cannot do 12 month bank statement on the spot. 

SCB does not have a branch at CW. 

And the Winner is.....