1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The loss re opportunity cost you point out is correct.

What you have not acknowledged is that there is the option of using income method.

Using that method you are only transferring in what you require to live off.

In my own example that's way more than 65k so no funds are kept (necessarily) in a Thai bank..

Yeah that’s a fair point — the income method definitely works if you’re happy going down that route.

For me personally, it just comes down to convenience. I’d rather not deal with the extra immigration steps, paperwork, and back-and-forth if I can avoid it. Paying an agent to handle everything is worth it for the time and hassle saved.

Each to their own really — just depends whether you value minimizing cost or minimizing effort.

17 minutes ago, Nemises said:

For me personally, it just comes down to convenience. I’d rather not deal with the extra immigration steps, paperwork, and back-and-forth if I can avoid it. Paying an agent to handle everything is worth it for the time and hassle saved.

Yes and you said elsewhere: My agent’s brown paper bag is like a VIP pass

Like Dr. Jack I use the 65K+ per monthly and have a legit source of funds letter from the TPA.

I worked for many years in PRChina with Communist Party members and the notion of getting into any 'Brown paper bag' arrangement then or now gives me stomach nausea.

16 hours ago, rwilem said:

From my last extension visit to CW, I noticed it was the 'que number' on the printout which was flashed on the number board in front of the IO's booth, calling 'your turn' to the desk.

I had already given all the docs to the checking girl at the first L section booth, so I didn't have that number while I was waiting to be summoned. A quick check of the doc on the phone got it.

Good idea to make note of the number. It's a four-digit number, if recall correctly, whereas the other numbers for applicants are three-digit numbers. You want to 'spring into action' when you see your number flashed. Can't recall if it was even 'chimed'--maybe it was--but good to keep eyes on the desks in the middle. L32 is the desk that seems to be processing appointment applicants.

Yes I do have a 4 digit number, as well as "Counter number: 30". Is that counter likely to change?

Thanks for the tip.

5 hours ago, Nemises said:

I pay 15k a year, but I make that back many times over by keeping my 800k invested back home in blue chip stocks.

If you look at it properly, 800k invested 10 years ago at around 10% a year is now pushing 2 million baht — and that’s even after pulling out 15k each year to pay an agent.

To me it’s a no-brainer. That 800k is way better off in a fund back home earning decent returns instead of sitting in a Thai bank doing nothing… and arguably safer too.

A lot of guys only look at the 1,900 baht extension fee, but completely ignore the opportunity cost of parking 800k here.

And it’s not just the returns — you’ve also got governance, the economy, and the banking system to think about. I just transfer in what I need to live, nothing more.

No way I’m giving a Thai bank a cheap long-term loan just to tick a visa box, especially when there are agents everywhere who’ll sort it all out.

Feel a bit sorry for the non-agent crowd with 800k sitting there earning next to nothing, plus all the paperwork and queues they have to deal with.

Hope this helps. PM me if you would like my agent’s name. 

Like JerryM, I'm not keen on going down this route, just for my peace of mind really. I do intend changing to the 65k/month route for next year, though I haven't researched it at all yet.

Thanks for the help anyway.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

The loss re opportunity cost you point out is correct.

What you have not acknowledged is that there is the option of using income method.

Using that method you are only transferring in what you require to live off.

In my own example that's way more than 65k so no funds are kept (necessarily) in a Thai bank..

How do I change to this for next years extension? Do I need to start doing the monthly transfers straight away; do I need 12 months of previous transfers for next years extension?

39 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Your Non O visa was 'used' on entry. You're applying to extend your 90 day temporary permission of stay from the Non O for a further 365 days.

By proof of funds, you mean 800K (not 65K) ?

Your missing a few documents;

1. Proof of address - Signed copies of owners Tabien Baan and ID card.

2. 2. Non O e-visa.

3. Form STM 2. Acknowledgement of Criteria and Conditions for a temporary stay in the Kingdom.

4. Form STM 9. Acknowledgement of penalties for visa overstay.

5. Form STM 11. Consent form for fact checking and information verification approval for visa or change of visa type or extension of temporary stay in the Kingdom.

   Forms can be downloaded from here; https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/downloads_en/

If you intend to apply for a re-entry permit, you can also download Form TM 8 from the above site.

Thanks, I hadn't heard about any of those.

10 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Yes and you said elsewhere: My agent’s brown paper bag is like a VIP pass

Like Dr. Jack I use the 65K+ per monthly and have a legit source of funds letter from the TPA.

I worked for many years in PRChina with Communist Party members and the notion of getting into any 'Brown paper bag' arrangement then or now gives me stomach nausea.

Who are the TPA, and is this letter necessary?

8 minutes ago, eid_ said:

Who are the TPA, and is this letter necessary?

Third party administrator. Some not all IMM offices require a source-of-funds letter for monthly income.

A company may have a pension plan but hire a TPA to manage it and write the monthly checks.

13 minutes ago, eid_ said:

How do I change to this for next years extension? Do I need to start doing the monthly transfers straight away; do I need 12 months of previous transfers for next years extension?

Change from money in bank method to income method discussed in this attached thread.

It's very important to start the monthly transfers in first month of obtaining the 12 month extension.

Run both methods in concert for 12 months.

20 minutes ago, eid_ said:

I'm not keen on going down this route, just for my peace of mind really. I do intend changing to the 65k/month route for next year, though I haven't researched it at all yet.

Use of agent to cover funds can be not straight forward depending on which immigration office you deal with.

For some it means obtaining stamps via agent in another province.

You are planning on doing exactly what I have done.

Change to income method.

You deal with CW and fortunately that office (so far) has not insisted on proof of source of funds.

Some offices throw around the word pension without knowing that income is acceptable.

Good idea to make your transfers mid month and approx same amount each month.

An added bonus to income method is minimal funds are maintained in bank and concerns about having a WILL etc do not come into play.

Here is thread of my report of last extension changing from money in bank to income.

Disregard the parts about my accidental dip of 2k for two days.

18 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Some offices throw around the word pension without knowing that income is acceptable.

From the police order:

Must have evidence of having income of no less than Baht 65,000 per month.

Some offices say that evidence of income and deposits into an account are 2 different things

NB The separate documents required 138/2557:

3. Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends

10 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Some offices say that evidence of income and deposits into an account are 2 different things

Fortunately some offices eg CW just look at the 65k transfer per month.

Everyone needs to be aware of what their immigration office requires.

For me I went to the trouble of setting up an income stream from my Oz superannuation fund.

I didn't need or want to do that however if immigration ever demand "proof" of source of income then I have that covered.

As you say, some do some don't. I have been involved with 2 upcountry offices and both DO.

49 minutes ago, JerryM said:

As you say, some do some don't. I have been involved with 2 upcountry offices and both DO.

Goes without saying that for income method (along with most things) folk need to be aware of the quirks of their own imm office.

Discussed in this thread

https://aseannow.com/topic/1324907-65k-monthly-method-for-retirement-visa/?do=share

Why don't you just go to the migration Office?

To lazy-to far?

They have a list of all you need.

18 minutes ago, easydoor said:

Why don't you just go to the migration Office?

To lazy-to far?

They have a list of all you need.

The OP deals with CW immigration.

Firstly not all offices provide a list.

2 Even with a list offices routinely add/subtract items from list.

3 Guessing you have never been the CW aka The

Far better to ask for recent experiences on various platforms.

<Ignore this. I didn't read the thread linked, which answers exactly the question I asked.>

4 hours ago, JerryM said:

I worked for many years in PRChina with Communist Party members and the notion of getting into any 'Brown paper bag' arrangement then or now gives me stomach nausea.

Fair enough—everyone has their own comfort level with that stuff. But you might find Thailand runs a bit differently in practice. What looks like a ‘brown paper bag’ from the outside is often just how things get smoothed along here. If you’re expecting a completely paperwork-only, by-the-book experience every time… good luck 😄

2 hours ago, Nemises said:

Fair enough—everyone has their own comfort level with that stuff. But you might find Thailand runs a bit differently in practice. What looks like a ‘brown paper bag’ from the outside is often just how things get smoothed along here. If you’re expecting a completely paperwork-only, by-the-book experience every time… good luck 😄

20 years so far on retirement extension and I know quite well what a "brown paper bag" implies but the word is not allowed on this forum.

8 hours ago, eid_ said:

Yes I do have a 4 digit number, as well as "Counter number: 30". Is that counter likely to change?

Thanks for the tip.

After you've given your documents to the first L desk for checking if everything's fine they'll tell you to go sit and wait.

Get a seat, if you can in front of booth 30, or at least one where you can keep eyes on the number board in front of it, and booth 32 as well.

Wait for the four-digit number on the appointment printout to flash, you're up. Head on in, should go smooth.

8 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Goes without saying that for income method (along with most things) folk need to be aware of the quirks of their own imm office.

Discussed in this thread

https://aseannow.com/topic/1324907-65k-monthly-method-for-retirement-visa/

That last link seems to be dead, though the others were very helpful. Thanks.

2 hours ago, rwilem said:

After you've given your documents to the first L desk for checking if everything's fine they'll tell you to go sit and wait.

Get a seat, if you can in front of booth 30, or at least one where you can keep eyes on the number board in front of it, and booth 32 as well.

Wait for the four-digit number on the appointment printout to flash, you're up. Head on in, should go smooth.

I think I'm about ready for it now. Nice to know where to go when I get there.

Thanks everyone for all the help.

21 minutes ago, eid_ said:

That last link seems to be dead, though the others were very helpful. Thanks.

Yep sorry about that.

Seems you are well prepared for first extension.

Look into income method after application for extension.

Start 65k+ transfers at same time as application for extension using money in bank method.

It's not a burden as you need monthly funds to live off

12 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Fortunately some offices eg CW just look at the 65k transfer per month.

Everyone needs to be aware of what their immigration office requires.

For me I went to the trouble of setting up an income stream from my Oz superannuation fund.

I didn't need or want to do that however if immigration ever demand "proof" of source of income then I have that covered.

Any idea if they will accept rental income with a supporting letter from my estate agent or does the income have to be related to retirement?

17 minutes ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

Any idea if they will accept rental income with a supporting letter from my estate agent or does the income have to be related to retirement?

If you're requested to provide the proof and source of the income, it tends to be statements from pension providers (retirement).
Immigration order 138/2557, section 2.22, clause 3 states; Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends;

Not all IO's request evidence of the source of income.

9 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

If you're requested to provide the proof and source of the income, it tends to be statements from pension providers (retirement).
Immigration order 138/2557, section 2.22, clause 3 states; Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends;

Not all IO's request evidence of the source of income.

Cheers. Sounds a bit hit and miss unfortunately. Maybe it's something an agent could help with if necessary?

3 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

Cheers. Sounds a bit hit and miss unfortunately. Maybe it's something an agent could help with if necessary?

Sure, an agent can help. But not the way you think. An agent isn't going to waste time trying to get them to accept whatever income you are trying to get to pass. They will just put 800,000 in your account for 5 minutes, get the bank statement and bank book updated, and then get the money back and use that as proof of finances. They don't really care what you're trying to do, they have their own way of doing it if it's not 800k in your Thai bank account.

5 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

Any idea if they will accept rental income with a supporting letter from my estate agent or does the income have to be related to retirement

You have two replies and both are correct. If you are stuck with a pedantic "source" of funds office then rents will not cut it.

You are referring to income method and they will argue that rents are subject to non reliance.

Which immigration office do you deal with?

Re agents... Reply from BrandonJT has covered that

38 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You have two replies and both are correct. If you are stuck with a pedantic "source" of funds office then rents will not cut it.

You are referring to income method and they will argue that rents are subject to non reliance.

Which immigration office do you deal with?

Re agents... Reply from BrandonJT has covered that

Korat. If they want pension incomes proof for both retirement and marriage extensions, then it looks like I'm stuck with money in the bank or an agent.

37 minutes ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

Korat. If they want pension incomes proof for both retirement and marriage extensions, then it looks like I'm stuck with money in the bank or an agent.

Unfortunately that would be the case.

I had to option of having a monthly income from my Oz superannuation fund (I don't qualify for pension)

I didn't want/need that as like you I have few rentals in Oz.

Fact is wanted to cover any change in policy in the future re source of income.

At CW they only want to see the 12 monthly transfers.

Korat may very well want proof of source.

Of course the other alternative is use of agent.

My mobility is shot so thinking agent is inevitable however I will still maintain financial compliance.

8 hours ago, Colonel_Mustard said:

Any idea if they will accept rental income with a supporting letter from my estate agent or does the income have to be related to retirement?

This would be my idea and maybe parallels what i do: Set up an account whereby all rental monies are received. Then get your estate agent to write a letter saying that we make a transfer to a Thai account every month that meets or exceeds the required 65K FTT deposit.

Or some variation to that as long as the rental agency is a verifiable entity.

1 hour ago, JerryM said:

This would be my idea and maybe parallels what i do: Set up an account whereby all rental monies are received. Then get your estate agent to write a letter saying that we make a transfer to a Thai account every month that meets or exceeds the required 65K FTT deposit.

Or some variation to that as long as the rental agency is a verifiable entity.

Unfortunately, should your Immigration office request the source of income, it's would be in the same form that you'd supply to an Embassy for a Income letter, if available.

Income from rentals is not a guaranteed monthly income, pensions are.

If immigration office wants proof of source of income then Rental income will not be acceptable.

A rental statement from eg real estate agent does not guarantee ongoing income.

If proof of source of income is required by a particular immigration office then an income stream would be required.

Obviously depends on office.

52 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Income from rentals is not a guaranteed monthly income, pensions are.

The suggestion is to get the income not from your rentals but from a third party entity who manages the account.

You need a bank statement for the whole year to show your funds never dropped below the minimum.