For anyone who annually brings "top up" funds into Thailand from the UK you should make sure the UK bank is aware of your actions.

If you are regarded as elderly (over 70) in the UK you fall under the banks spotlight for "protection" and you could find your transaction frozen due to it being an unexpected transaction and therefore a suspect scam.

It may not be a problem for expats but I will be contacting my UK bank for reassurance.

 

1 hour ago, Muhendis said:

If you are regarded as elderly (over 70) in the UK you fall under the banks spotlight for "protection" and you could find your transaction frozen due to it being an unexpected transaction and therefore a suspect scam.

Must be a UK thing. 

Using my AU banking app there is never an issue. 

For a new payee the bank will send a OTP to my Thai # which I then enter into banking app. 

While on transfers... I keep seeing reports of lag time using WISE. 

Even a day. 

I just now did a 100k+ transfer from my Westpac bank to WISE wallet to Thai bank account. 

Instant. Not minutes. Instant. 

57 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Must be a UK thing. 

Yeah.

It's quite a recent thing like in the past month or so.

As you can imagine, it's kicking up quite a storm at the moment.

The banks now take it upon themselves to brand their elderly customers as non-cognizant in financial affairs.

2 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

The banks now take it upon themselves to brand their elderly customers as non-cognizant in financial affairs.

That's insulting. Back to your point that could cause issues. 

For example (as I posted).. I just now transferred 100k to my Thai bank as I do every #14 of the month. 

This is for immigration purposes (income method) and also our living expenses. The funds then transferred into my Thai partners a/c.

 

I don't want any curve balls in this process. 

I would be more than annoyed if Oz bank did as you outlined. 

On 8/10/2025 at 7:57 PM, JAS21 said:

CIMB are paying 1.45% at present ..instant access 

But not fir much longer! 

4 hours ago, Kenny Boy said:

 

For that price they satisfy the financial requirement, allowing you to circumvent the law? 

 

On 8/9/2025 at 2:14 PM, DrJack54 said:

As you would be aware... many using money in bank method for extensions retirement just maintain the 800k all year round in a dedicated "immigration bank account" 

Helps avoid stuff ups

Not entirely there was once a question by an Io as to why there are no transactions in the account made for living you can't win it's either that or why don't you use it either way they poke incoherent and childish questions at you

 

On 8/10/2025 at 7:25 PM, DrJack54 said:

Given recent events with BBL , personally I wouldn't use them.

 

I use Kasikorn and they also partner with WISE.

Also can produce 12 month bank statement on the spot.

Unlike BBL. 

You forgot to mention the fees

11 minutes ago, Seeall said:

Not entirely there was once a question by an Io as to why there are no transactions in the account made for living you can't win it's either that or why don't you use it either way they poke incoherent and childish questions at you

The io is an idiot. 

Obviously anyone using a dedicated bank account would have another account to transfer funds into for day to day banking ie living expenses. 

If you don't have transactions then a 12 month bank statement (for savings account) would be required to demonstrate financial compliance. 

 

15 minutes ago, Seeall said:

You forgot to mention the fees

Bank Letter is 100b and 12 month bank statement is 200b 

Note if using two accounts with same bank the bank letter will list both accounts and balances on day of issue. Still 100b total. 

On 8/13/2025 at 9:16 AM, DrJack54 said:

I obtain annual extensions retirement. 

Previously (many years) I just provided photocopies of bank book pages back till last extension. 

Now after CW games I just obtain 12 month bank statement. 200b.

Most banks can do this on the spot. 

Notable exception is BBL. 

The bank statement can be obtain prior to day of application. I do it day prior and also the Bank Letter. 

On day of application I deposit 100b into the account. 

This updates the bb and shows activity. 

 

Not sure what you mean. 

You either obtained Visa in home country or in Thailand. 

In home country you either obtained a Non O-A or a Non O 

If you obtained visa in Thailand then it would be a Non O. 

Note extensions are not Visas. 

Only extensions from a Non O-A require insurance. 

Please tell me you have/had a Non O 

 

 

Sorry, that was a bit confusing, my original visa was here in Thailand, Non O. 

 

sounds best to go to BBL Silom branch the day before and get both 12 month statement and the balance letter. 

 

 

22 minutes ago, mitebbots said:

 

sounds best to go to BBL Silom branch the day before and get both 12 month statement and the balance letter. 

BBL do not issue 12 month bank statement "on the spot" 

You would need to request statement few days (5-7) prior to application date. 

 

Yes your immigration office should accept Bank Letter + Bank Statement dated few days prior to application.

Which immigration office? 

27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

BBL do not issue 12 month bank statement "on the spot" 

You would need to request statement few days (5-7) prior to application date. 

 

Yes your immigration office should accept Bank Letter + Bank Statement dated few days prior to application.

Which immigration office? 

 

Bangkok CW

 

Just going by what my friend said, he gets the 12 month same day from main Silom branch, I will see. 

 

I thought 1 day for the letter, either way, If I get on a Friday and submit on Monday. 

 

 

23 minutes ago, mitebbots said:

Bangkok CW

CW will accept Bank Letter + 12 months bank statement days prior to application.

While the stated limit is 7 days ....suggest day or two business days prior is best option.

 

On day of application CW want to see update on the day.

One option is to make small deposit.

Ask teller to make photocopy of last page showing the deposit. 

 

Did you make appointment for extension? 

 

Hearsay post removed 

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

CW will accept Bank Letter + 12 months bank statement days prior to application.

While the stated limit is 7 days ....suggest day or two business days prior is best option.

 

On day of application CW want to see update on the day.

One option is to make small deposit.

Ask teller to make photocopy of last page showing the deposit. 

 

Did you make appointment for extension? 

 

 

not yet, I didn't need to make a deposit last year, just made sure passbook was updated that day. 

11 minutes ago, mitebbots said:

 

not yet, I didn't need to make a deposit last year, just made sure passbook was updated that day. 

Do what you want. I suggested a deposit that acts as update + shows activity on the day. 

If you are confident on what's required why ask. 

BBL have update machine. 

Some banks not so 

50 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Do what you want. I suggested a deposit that acts as update + shows activity on the day. 

If you are confident on what's required why ask. 

BBL have update machine. 

Some banks not so 

If I may explain something about Bangkok bank, Jack.

Branches can only produce a 6 month statement, no different from what you can view yourself online.
They have to order a 12 month statement from the Head office, which can take up to 5 days to receive, however if you request the statement from the Head Office itself which is on Silom Road, then they can produce the 12 month statement on the spot, as @mitebbots explained.

 

Regarding updating passbooks, some banks can only update to the last transaction, hence you need to make a deposit or withdrawal to update to the current date, whereas Bangkok Bank can update to the current date without a deposit or withdrawal. It merely states the balance as of that day.

If updating through the ATMs, it will tend to consolidate transactions as it cannot automatically turn the pages of the book, using whatever space is left on the page.
However, if you go in branch they can update with every transaction since your last update as they can manually turn the pages.
I rarely update my Savings account passbook, (which I don't use for Immigration purposes) but when I do, they have printed every transaction for the past 5 months on 3/4 separate pages of the book.

 

Each bank has its positives and negatives.

I believe some update machines will update to the end of the page, eject the book, and tell you to turn the page. 

 

That BKK Bank updates without a transaction is the only thing I like about them. 

 

I have used both Krungsri and Kasikorn at CW. Both are great, but the line is usually shorter at Krunsri. 

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

If I may explain something about Bangkok bank, Jack.

Aware of everything you went on to outline. 

On 8/12/2025 at 2:14 PM, mogandave said:

I would not use an agent to circumvent the law just to save a bot of money. If I did not like having the money in an account here, I would do monthly transfers. 

"The Law" - in Thailand?  Lol!!  For context - the current "tougher regulations" or money-seasoning were written by a crook, who was forced-out of the police, due to his corruption hitting a politicized issue.

 

It's like Dorthy realizing she isn't in Kansas in the Wizard of Oz, when one realizes how things "work" here.  They can add "undocumented requirements" or ignore "documented requirements" or lie to your face at their whim without consequence.  They wipe their backsides with the written law.  Immigration's "decision at the moment" is effectively "the law" here - however disgusting we perceive this state-of-affairs. 

 

It is not only extensions affected; watch them wrecking repeat-tourist business with arbitrary denials of entry in direct contravention of the actual written-law, where limited, legal reasons to deny entry are specified in the Act - all to generate brown-envelope money via agent "Safe Entry" services. 

 

I do not use agents either - but I expect, at some point, they will force agent-use on me, through some corruption-driven move.  I prefer to be pleasantly surprised each year it hasn't happened yet, rather than unprepared.

 

On 8/12/2025 at 2:14 PM, mogandave said:

When I enquired about using an agent to avoid the financial requirements, it was significantly more than 20k, but that was some 5-7 years ago. 

 

And given the USD has lost 7.5% against the baht, that puts me ~฿40k to the good. 

 

Should be 15K or less.  Some agents charge more - maybe they do "home pickup," etc.  

I am glad central-banks' activities were in your favor, recently.  I moved a chunk of dollars over at ~36 baht/dollar, so also got lucky.  But, that could flip next month.  Only the "connected" (corrupt) know what they will do and when.

Trolling post removed

19 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

"The Law" - in Thailand?  Lol!!  For context - the current "tougher regulations" or money-seasoning were written by a crook, who was forced-out of the police, due to his corruption hitting a politicized issue.

 

It's like Dorthy realizing she isn't in Kansas in the Wizard of Oz, when one realizes how things "work" here.  They can add "undocumented requirements" or ignore "documented requirements" or lie to your face at their whim without consequence.  They wipe their backsides with the written law.  Immigration's "decision at the moment" is effectively "the law" here - however disgusting we perceive this state-of-affairs. 

 

It is not only extensions affected; watch them wrecking repeat-tourist business with arbitrary denials of entry in direct contravention of the actual written-law, where limited, legal reasons to deny entry are specified in the Act - all to generate brown-envelope money via agent "Safe Entry" services. 

 

I do not use agents either - but I expect, at some point, they will force agent-use on me, through some corruption-driven move.  I prefer to be pleasantly surprised each year it hasn't happened yet, rather than unprepared.

 

 

Should be 15K or less.  Some agents charge more - maybe they do "home pickup," etc.  

I am glad central-banks' activities were in your favor, recently.  I moved a chunk of dollars over at ~36 baht/dollar, so also got lucky.  But, that could flip next month.  Only the "connected" (corrupt) know what they will do and when.

What agent allows you to circumvent the financial requirements for less that 15k? 

On 8/10/2025 at 6:02 AM, DrJack54 said:

And no wonder some folk use agents.

Highway robbery that we are forced to lock up 800k at 1.45% which is also taxed.

My super fund in Oz long term average is 8% + 

But I'm stupid so keep the funds in Thai bank. 

However we all have option of income method.

Changing to that for next extension. 

I'm currently doing the monthly income method for extension. The cost for 12 monthly transfers to Thailand is around 10K baht, I'm contemplating the agent route.

 

Direct deposit from Social Security creates another layer of difficulty. Getting a credit Advice for transfer was not easy, still waiting.

Not a great exchange rate, but setting up an automatic monthly transfer from my US bank seems pretty easy.

2 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

The cost for 12 monthly transfers to Thailand is around 10K baht, I'm contemplating the agent route.

I'm also doing income method. 

I've actually never thought about what it costs me however it's approx $30aud per month. 

However need that to live off so not really an extension cost. 

5 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Direct deposit from Social Security creates another layer of difficulty. Getting a credit Advice for transfer was not easy, still waiting.

Dont know why you do it that way. 

You could have SS deposited into your bank in home country then do your own transfer to your Thai Bank. 

I do that using WISE. 

As for credit advice ask for 12 month bank statement (in Thai) from your 12 bank. 

The transfers should show as "funds from abroad

26 minutes ago, mogandave said:

What agent allows you to circumvent the financial requirements for less that 15k? 

To name one Maneerat. 12,500b

However that has increased in recent times. 

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm also doing income method. 

I've actually never thought about what it costs me however it's approx $30aud per month. 

However need that to live off so not really an extension cost. 

Dont know why you do it that way. 

You could have SS deposited into your bank in home country then do your own transfer to your Thai Bank. 

I do that using WISE. 

As for credit advice ask for 12 month bank statement (in Thai) from your 12 bank. 

The transfers should show as "funds from abroad

So, I started out at my bank asking for credit advice, she tells me she can't do it, i have to call the main office, they tell me they can't do it and I have to go to bank. I went back to bank and again tells me she can't do it. I told her the Main office left word for her to take care of it. She finally took care of it.

 

Now waiting for email "credit advice" We'll see.

 

Which is why after paying for monthly transfers, it won't cost much more just to have an agent handle it and be done.

6 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Which is why after paying for monthly transfers, it won't cost much more just to have an agent handle it and be done.

Don't follow. 

You will need to transfer funds to live off apart from any immigration requirement. 

Using an agent (say 15k) does not mean you won't need to transfer dosh. 

 

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

I'm currently doing the monthly income method for extension. The cost for 12 monthly transfers to Thailand is around 10K baht, I'm contemplating the agent route.

 

Direct deposit from Social Security creates another layer of difficulty. Getting a credit Advice for transfer was not easy, still waiting.

If using Bangkok Bank they can set the credit advices up so you automatically get one every time SS gets deposited into your account. No charge for doing that. Are you getting your SS on direct deposit? My charge for the monthly transfers is ten dollars from the NY branch and 100 baht from the local bank.

5 minutes ago, flexomike said:

If using Bangkok Bank they can set the credit advices up so you automatically get one every time SS gets deposited into your account. No charge for doing that. Are you getting your SS on direct deposit? My charge for the monthly transfers is ten dollars from the NY branch and 100 baht from the local bank.

Yes, Bangkok Bank in Jomtein. I switched direct deposit to my US bank already. I just need one credit advice for one month. Which has been a run around, and around.

 

I've already started monthly transfers from US credit union to Bangkok Bank. This way it goes into an account with an ATM card.

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Yes, Bangkok Bank in Jomtein. I switched direct deposit to my US bank already. I just need one credit advice for one month. Which has been a run around, and around.

 

I've already started monthly transfers from US credit union to Bangkok Bank. This way it goes into an account with an ATM card.

What does your credit union charge for transfers, you mentioned 10,000 baht a year, if you let SS do direct deposit it would only cost about 4,800 baht per year