19 hours ago, Khun Roberto said:

I intend to show a deposit of 810,000 THB that I’ve had in a fixed deposit, in Kasikorn bank for over a year, since May 2024.

Does using a fixed deposit account depend on the type of fixed deposit account? Only accounts that withdraws can be made immediately are acceptable I thought, tho could be wrong. I have a fixed dep account that is 12 months type so the money cannot be accessed until the year is up I thought, but could be wrong?

On 7/1/2025 at 4:34 AM, Equatorial said:

On 6/30/2025 at 1:23 PM, homemade514 said:

Bangkok bank saying that and not Immigration.

 

It is completely irrelevant what they have to say on this topic. It's the IO that enforces the immigration rules, not the bank. 

That maybe the case but if you have to use the bank to get a confirmation for the immigration then I guess they could put a spanner in the works - get it sorted well before renewal if you can.

1 minute ago, Digitalbanana said:

Only accounts that withdraws can be made immediately are acceptable I thought, tho could be wrong. I have a fixed dep account that is 12 months type so the money cannot be accessed until the year is up I thought, but could be wrong?

Think you will find that your funds in the FD account can be withdrawn however you will lose the interest that was due. 

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

 

You can't seriously believe that an agent will lend EACH OF THEIR CUSTOMERS 800,000 baht for 4 months to satisfy this requirement.

 

They'll find another way. If I had to guess, they'll omit or fake the bank paperwork outright and pay their immigration contact a bit more to overlook it. Cutting out the banks completely makes sense for both the agent and the IO.

 

Only people who have never used an agent would seriously believe that they are foisting great gobs of money on their clients for ANY amount of time.

19 hours ago, cgros said:

 

 

In cases of accounts being funded in the requisite amount for less than 4 months, will the bank letter explicitly state that that the account is to be frozen for 4 months? If so, that could surely prove problematical for IMM.

 

Just now, OJAS said:

 

In cases of accounts being funded in the requisite amount for less than 4 months, will the bank letter explicitly state that that the account is to be frozen for 4 months? If so, that could surely prove problematical for IMM.

 

The account won’t be frozen, they will just put a limit on it such that you can’t spend beyond the amount that they’ve put a hold on. 

Went to Maneerat today apparently if you want them to transfer the 800k to BBL account for your retirement extensions they now require proof of your pension income not sure in what form and something about it being verified at your embassy again a bit vague.No good if your embassy won't help I know many don't do embassy letters anymore like the UK.More details will doubtless follow.They seemed to think this might be temporary and change again before the end of 2025.

1 hour ago, SamSpade said:

The account won’t be frozen, they will just put a limit on it such that you can’t spend beyond the amount that they’ve put a hold on. 

You really mean they will put a limit, and can only spend money from the account which falls BEYOND that limit.

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

In cases of accounts being funded in the requisite amount for less than 4 months, will the bank letter explicitly state that that the account is to be frozen for 4 months? If so, that could surely prove problematical for IMM.

 

Probably not. The letter just verifies the amount that is in the bank account on that day. It’s a very simple letter. But without it, you cannot get your visa extension. In Chiang Rai you also need the previous two months bank statements and your bank book updates. 

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

You really mean they will put a limit, and can only spend money from the account which falls BEYOND that limit.

No, I mean you will not be able to spend below that limit. 

 

Have you ever looked into getting a credit card? (assuming you don't work in Thailad) 

As an adide, why has my forrum browsing experience suddenly gone dark & orange? 

 

Apologgies if I messd up & clicked on something wrong but how can I get it back again. 

 

15 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

Apologgies if I messd up & clicked on something wrong but how can I get it back again. 

Post any issue in "support forum" 

Last on list. 

6 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Bank fraud can get one in jail for a very long time.

No one has suggested defrauding banks and agents using the banks with their cooperation is not fraud.

20 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

As an adide, why has my forrum browsing experience suddenly gone dark & orange? 

 

Apologgies if I messd up & clicked on something wrong but how can I get it back again. 

 

Go to the 3rd button and click it, then you can change stuff... (actually the 4th switched light and dark)

 

Have made a few visits to Maneerat lately, my impression is, for Pattaya/Jomtien

 

If you have had >800k for 2 months it is OK, you get a letter

 

No more letters from BKK bank with shorter time deposits

 

K-bank issues letter after shorter time deposit but BI may ask questions

 

BKK-bank in Festival said if I deposit 800k today and lock it for 4 months into the future, they can issue a letter today.

 

If I missed anything, please let me know. Is the "deposit 800K today and lock 4 mo ahead and get letter today" general practice? I use another BKK bank branch than the one that told me this.

 

6 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

Does using a fixed deposit account depend on the type of fixed deposit account? Only accounts that withdraws can be made immediately are acceptable I thought, tho could be wrong. I have a fixed dep account that is 12 months type so the money cannot be accessed until the year is up I thought, but could be wrong?

With an FTD account, the term and interest paid is subject to the agreement you signed.

You can withdraw funds at any time prior to that fixed term, but by breaching the agreement, the bank is not liable to pay the full interest.

On 7/1/2025 at 6:46 PM, DrJack54 said:

 No. 

For extensions funds not required to be from abroad

 

If I understand the above correctly and if using 800k deposited for retirement extension that money could with other words be transferred from my wife to me 2 months before application for extension (now 4 months following the rule change at Bangkok Bank) Is that correct?

Thanks 

Felt

11 minutes ago, Felt 35 said:

 

If I understand the above correctly and if using 800k deposited for retirement extension that money could with other words be transferred from my wife to me 2 months before application for extension (now 4 months following the rule change at Bangkok Bank) Is that correct?

Thanks 

Felt

Keep it simple.

The financial requirements using money in Bank method does not require proof that the funds came from abroad. 

 

Seems peehaps a tax angle to your question. 

On 7/1/2025 at 9:20 PM, DrJack54 said:

Indeed.... And your previous post.. 

"There is a much bigger picture to all of this if you've been reading and watching current news over the last 3 months." 

 

Is excellent point. Hopefully some folk using agents can update first hand experience. 

Hopefully not collateral damage. 

@ThaiVisaCentre any advice/comment? 

Sorry for the delay.

Yes, we can still assist with retirement visa extensions, and first-time applications.

We also can still assist with opening a bank accounts in Bangkok for those intending to apply for a Non-O visa based on retirement, even if you're currently on a tourist visa or visa-exempt entry.

Our 24/7 support team can be contacted by LINE ( https://tvc.co.th/line ), or EMAIL ( [email protected] ).

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Keep it simple.

The financial requirements using money in Bank method does not require proof that the funds came from abroad. 

 

Seems peehaps a tax angle to your question. 

 

Thanks for replying and yes but is that wrong? Btw, I already pay taxes here on around 8-900K annually and that is actually enough. However, I don't think about giving away the money 2-4 months before applying for a visa extension but already this year. In my home country there is no inheritance tax or gift tax on what is given to a spouse and from what I understand there is no tax on gifts under 10 or is it 20 million to a spouse in Thailand so the better half should not be taxed on the amount so if she gives me the money 5-6 months later then why should I as a spouse be taxed here. Or to put it differently I know that the better half before any transfer from me already has about Thb 4-500,000, - (we keep the finances separate) in savings as of today so, she could actually give me the money today and the rest I have on savings here already. Is a Thai taxed for giving his/her spouse a gift of money under a taxable certain amount as mentioned above?

 

Thanks

Felt

 

On 7/1/2025 at 7:52 PM, homemade514 said:

I think the big question here is how will they enforce the money being in the account after you’ve already applied for and gotten your visa extension? Are they going to freeze the account which they can’t do? 

Had lunch with a mate today who had also gotten caught by the "4 month before" trap, turns out he'd topped his account back up to 800K on the 25th March in rediness for doing his extension this week and Bangkok Bank refused to give him a letter until he signed the form agreeing to put a hold on the 800K until October. 

 

When I asked how they did this he told me that when he goes into his account on the mobile app he can see his  "Ledger Balance" showing the correct amount, but his "Available" balance shows this minus the 800K.

 

Forgive my ignorance and slightly off topic but if you don’t have a bank account can these agents still obtain an extension for a 90 day Non Im O  ?

18 minutes ago, hullmonkey1 said:

Forgive my ignorance and slightly off topic but if you don’t have a bank account can these agents still obtain an extension for a 90 day Non Im O  ?

 

ThaiVisaCentre answered that above. 

So you have a Non O already? 

45 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

ThaiVisaCentre answered that above. 

So you have a Non O already? 

Hi Dr Jack. 

I will be staying in Jomtien so would prefer not to travel to BKK but obviously would be prepared to do so if that was my only option. For further info;

 

Yes, I have a 90-day non-O obtained in the UK. I also have an old K bank account that maybe I can reactivate. Not certain this can be done!

 

I will be staying in an Airbnb for my first month while I look for long term accommodation so not sure how this will play out with banks even if I obtain a COR.

 

I have just had an email back from one of the agents that has numerous recommendations on here informing me that they can’t help with bank account opening.

 

Maybe I am worrying too much but I am trying to plan a for worst case scenario wherein I don’t manage to open an account within a couple of weeks after my arrival (giving me time to season the funds for an extension).

Thanks

57 minutes ago, hullmonkey1 said:

I have just had an email back from one of the agents that has numerous recommendations on here informing me that they can’t help with bank account opening.

Thinking best to be very pro active with asking the agents in Pattaya/Jomtien. 

At a guess you may have contacted Maneerat.  There are lots of others. 

Skip the emails and ring them or use apps they offer such as Line, messenger etc. 

Fall back option would be to contact ThaiVisaCentre. 

Their contact details posted above. 

You also mention seasoning the funds. 

In other words doing the extension yourself. 

If that's the case them very first task is to check out that old K account. 

 

Note: the agents will only assist with the Bank account if you are also using them for the extension. 

 

 

I spoke to Maneerat a few days ago. I showed them the passbook from Bangkok Bank. They said the rule was 2 months before applying for the letter. Were they not updated?

2 minutes ago, thailandsgreat said:

I spoke to Maneerat a few days ago. I showed them the passbook from Bangkok Bank. They said the rule was 2 months before applying for the letter. Were they not updated?

That's the immigration rule.

2 minutes ago, thailandsgreat said:

I spoke to Maneerat a few days ago. I showed them the passbook from Bangkok Bank. They said the rule was 2 months before applying for the letter. Were they not updated?

By a “Few Days” do you mean this week or before Monday. 
 

I was in Maneerat Monday morning & it was all smiles, they were shocked when I came back & told them what I’d heard at BKK branch so I’m guessing it caught them on the hop also 

14 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

By a “Few Days” do you mean this week or before Monday. 
 

I was in Maneerat Monday morning & it was all smiles, they were shocked when I came back & told them what I’d heard at BKK branch so I’m guessing it caught them on the hop also 

It was after Monday morning, this week, I forgot which day. The first lady, Miss Nan.

 

I was with the Boonsampan office which was good but it closed and the Sukhumvit office has had long waiting times the few times I have been there. But I will have 2 mo matured money on July 27. 

 

I should maybe transfer money to K-bank and ask them to lock for 4 mo and write letter right away. Would they do that?

 

 

 

I went to Bangkok Bank Ayutthaya on Friday 27th to pick up my 12 month statement and get the bank letter.

The teller started to waffle on about immigration financial requirements, he seemed like a new guy so I didn’t pay much attention.

Afterwards a lady came out with the letter and proceeded to waffle on about “4 months” and “frozen accounts”, my partner tried to explain it but it didn’t make sense that the bank would be telling me about some new immigration rules !!

Anyway went and did my retirement extension with no problems or any new info so dismissed it as “ lost in translation “.

 

But now, with others reporting the same, seems legit !