Hope someone can clarify this:

Quoting from the Retirement Visa Extension information sheet, issued by Pattaya Immigration, regarding the 'combination method, for bank money, as an alternative to having 800K in the bank for 2 months before and 3 months after any extension:

option one, 800K in the bank as above, option 2, 65,000 Baht Per month, totaling 800 K for the year. So far so good, that is clear enough, however it goes on to state:

A combination of both option one and two, the total must be must be at least 800,000 baht per year.

That could be interpreted in several different ways. One way is that the total in the bank must not go below 400K for the year and must total 800K by the time of the extension, or is it, that the total must be 800K, 2 months before the extension, made up of 400K deposit, plus regular payments of 65,000 per month to bring it up to 800K by the 2 month point. Its confusing.

Yes, I have asked an IO and I didn't really get an answer that made any sense. An agent I asked didn't know anything about it at all.

Can anyone throw any light on this?

All of this is just confusing and doesn't answer the question. It even states that the combination method requires 12 months of deposits when this is not on the Immigration information sheet and is not a 'combination' at all, it is, in fact, the monthly deposit method. .

22 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

is not a 'combination' at all, it is, in fact, the monthly deposit method. .

Income method (monthly deposits) requires 65k + per month for 12 months.

Combination method allows you to reduce the amount of the monthly transfers by also maintaining funds in bank.

If I opted for that I would have 400k in a dedicated FD account and also the monthly deposits.

eg 400k in bank account + monthly transfers of 35k+ per month.

What is confusing

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Income method (monthly deposits) requires 65k + per month for 12 months.

Combination method allows you to reduce the amount of the monthly transfers by also maintaining funds in bank.

If I opted for that I would have 400k in a dedicated FD account and also the monthly deposits.

eg 400k in bank account + monthly transfers of 35k+ per month.

What is confusing

That is not what the immigration information sheet states, that's the confusion, I repost the appropriate wording.

option one, 800K in the bank as above, option 2, 65,000 Baht Per month, totaling 800 K for the year. it goes on to state:

A combination of both option one and two, the total must be must be at least 800,000 baht per year.

The only figure mentioned is 65,000 Baht, no other figure is given.

I doubt that I am going to get any clarification here that will definitively hold up with immigration, so I guess I need to look elsewhere, Thanks for the response

29 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

The only figure mentioned is 65,000 Baht, no other figure is given.

I doubt that I am going to get any clarification here that will definitively hold up with immigration, so I guess I need to look elsewhere, Thanks for the response

Quite frankly unreal reply.

Combination method is a viable option.

Unrelated. Thinking most use that option due to embassy letter verifying less than 65k per month.

I use income method.

By all means look elsewhere.

You not understanding of simple option is surprising

Many many threads on this.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1376409-retirement-extension-split-income/

Note for others: combination method not possible for all imm offices for extension based on marriage

4 hours ago, Doctor Tom said:

That is not what the immigration information sheet states, that's the confusion, I repost the appropriate wording.

option one, 800K in the bank as above, option 2, 65,000 Baht Per month, totaling 800 K for the year. it goes on to state:

A combination of both option one and two, the total must be must be at least 800,000 baht per year.

The only figure mentioned is 65,000 Baht, no other figure is given.

I doubt that I am going to get any clarification here that will definitively hold up with immigration, so I guess I need to look elsewhere, Thanks for the response

Why do you ask for help and then literally ignore the correct information? If you already know the answer, then why bother asking? What DrJack told you is correct. That's the way the combination method works. And many immigration offices won't even accept it because it's a pain to verify and complicated. I'm not really sure what you don't understand.

Method 1 is DEPOSIT
Method 2 is TRANSFERS

Therefore using logic, a COMBINATION means BOTH deposit AND transfers. Look up the definition of combination.

11 hours ago, Doctor Tom said:

That is not what the immigration information sheet states, that's the confusion, I repost the appropriate wording.

option one, 800K in the bank as above, option 2, 65,000 Baht Per month, totaling 800 K for the year. it goes on to state:

A combination of both option one and two, the total must be must be at least 800,000 baht per year.

The only figure mentioned is 65,000 Baht, no other figure is given.

I doubt that I am going to get any clarification here that will definitively hold up with immigration, so I guess I need to look elsewhere, Thanks for the response

Nothing to stop you toddling along to Jomtien and seeking any definitive clarification which you might deem necessary verbally from the horse's mouth, is there?

Edited June 14Jun 14 by OJAS

13 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Nothing to stop you toddling along to Jomtien and seeking any definitive clarification which you might deem necessary verbally from the horse's mouth, is there?

Best policy is check with your immigration office.

A common formulae is 400k min balance + 35k per month transfers.

Would 350k bank + 40k per month be acceptable.

Most likely but you would check with imm office.

And don't be shocked if they say "no combination"

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Quite frankly unreal reply.

Combination method is a viable option.

Unrelated. Thinking most use that option due to embassy letter verifying less than 65k per month.

I use income method.

By all means look elsewhere.

You not understanding of simple option is surprising

Just to show how confusing this so called 'combination' is, a reply on another forum completely contradicts your explanation above and neither explanation agree with the sketchy information given on the sheet issued by Pattaya Immigration at the Information Desk. . I think that we can occlude that the 'Combination Method' is not a viable option for an extension and, indeed, I have never heard one case reported of it working for anyone.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Best policy is check with your immigration office.

A common formulae is 400k min balance + 35k per month transfers.

Would 350k bank + 40k per month be acceptable.

Most likely but you would check with imm office.

And don't be shocked if they say "no combination"

I did ask and the IO looked blank and did not reply.

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

Nothing to stop you toddling along to Jomtien and seeking any definitive clarification which you might deem necessary verbally from the horse's mouth, is there?

As I said, I did just that and got a blank look and no reply from the IO. My view, the combination method does not exist, at least at the Pattaya Office

10 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Why do you ask for help and then literally ignore the correct information?

Because the information given on this and other forums does not appear to be correct. Each explanation tends to contradict the other ones. That's why. I would have thought that was blindingly obvious from the replies

Okay, thanks to those who have helpfully replied , however, unless I hear from someone who has actually, successfully used the 'combination method', I think I can safely assume that, at least in Pattaya IO, it does not exist.

29 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Okay, thanks to those who have helpfully replied , however, unless I hear from someone who has actually, successfully used the 'combination method', I think I can safely assume that, at least in Pattaya IO, it does not exist.

Sometimes it's better to ask a specific question such as; has anyone used the combination method at Pattaya IM, and if so, what was the breakdown of the amount of money in the bank vs. monthly transfers?

Good luck to you...

Edited June 14Jun 14 by JohnnyBD

1 hour ago, Doctor Tom said:

I think that we can occlude that the 'Combination Method' is not a viable option for an extension and, indeed, I have never heard one case reported of it working for anyone.

Perhaps not possible at Jomtien immigration.

Can assure you it's widely used at many immigration offices.

Here is random quote from a poster in facebook group. ....

"At Korat, I show over 400,000 baht, in a fixed account and 12 months bank statements , with over 40,000 baht a month, for a retirement visa"

Pattaya expats club has combination method as an option.

http://pcec.club/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPMjc1MjU0NjkyNTk4Mjc5AAEepgNSWlHQMjVAJkUfYWsneoKFIJURXNyz-6yh72CmRn1lelKMNxCKG2pEr2U_aem_Y7LKlR5gSG3HQKMeeniJAw

I will test out the combination method with the Buriram office after I return to Thailand, on a new Non-Imm 'O' next month.

When I go to submit a new TM30 I will ask them which they prefer........an extension based on retirement (evidencing over 400k plus over 40k each month) on the combination method - or an extension based on marriage (evidenced with 400k+ in the bank)

I am easy either way, they may prefer the simplicity of approving a retirement based extension.

8 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

I will test out the combination method with the Buriram office after I return to Thailand, on a new Non-Imm 'O' next month.

With a new Non O your extension will need to be funds in bank method.

If your embassy issues "income letter" you may be able to use income method.

My guess is if you ask immigration they will try and steer you away from Combination option or even state that don't have that as an option.

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

With a new Non O your extension will need to be funds in bank method.

If your embassy issues "income letter" you may be able to use income method.

My guess is if you ask immigration they will try and steer you away from Combination option or even state that don't have that as an option.

I am quite happy to test the water with them.

Then we will know whether we can add Buriram to the list of those offices that do the combination method.

I don't enjoy the luxury of an embassy letter.

8 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

I don't enjoy the luxury of an embassy letter.

So your first extension will be using money in bank method (800k)

BTW with Oz pp I also cannot obtain embassy letter however currently doing extensions using Income Method.

25 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

So your first extension will be using money in bank method (800k)

BTW with Oz pp I also cannot obtain embassy letter however currently doing extensions using Income Method.

No. It will be marriage based with 400k................I shall enquire about the combination method during that visit (actually, the visit before that to do a TM30 ++)

16 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

It will be marriage based with 400k................I shall enquire about the combination method during that visit

Don't waste your time. They will not accept extension based on marriage using combination method.

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't waste your time. They will not accept extension based on marriage using combination method.

You misunderstood my post, I suggest you re-read it,

Whilst visiting for TM30 purposes I shall enquire about their position on the combination method - is that clear?

4 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

You misunderstood my post, I suggest you re-read it,

Perhaps be clear in first place.

You posted....

"I will test out the combination method with the Buriram office after I return to Thailand, on a new Non-Imm 'O' next month"

Then later post the Non O is based on marriage.

By all means do your research for combo based on Retirement.

Only 75 more immigration offices to complete advice.

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Perhaps be clear in first place.

You posted....

"I will test out the combination method with the Buriram office after I return to Thailand, on a new Non-Imm 'O' next month"

Then later post the Non O is based on marriage.

By all means do your research for combo based on Retirement.

Only 75 more immigration offices to complete advice.

I was very clear and you failed to understand. You compounded that by committing the cardinal sin of of not quoting all my post - in an attempt to cover up your faungs.

Had you added the second paragraph readers would understand exactly what I was going to do.

"When I go to submit a new TM30 I will ask them which they prefer........an extension based on retirement (evidencing over 400k plus over 40k each month) on the combination method - or an extension based on marriage (evidenced with 400k+ in the bank)"

On 6/14/2026 at 9:25 AM, DrJack54 said:

Best policy is check with your immigration office.

A common formulae is 400k min balance + 35k per month transfers.

Would 350k bank + 40k per month be acceptable.

Most likely but you would check with imm office.

And don't be shocked if they say "no combination"

Agree totally with DrJack54- if you have ANY further questions on these methods, you should go to YOUR immigration office and query the top dog there as they will be the ones to approve or disapprove your extension based on whatever method you use as we have all learned here, each and every immigration office interprets the laws differently at times. Best of luck whichever method you do use and advise success or failure so others can see first hand what might be.

Hopefully Dr Jack (or anyone else with similar experience) can answer this question because I believe he has moved from money in the bank method to monthly transfers.

My situation is somewhat similar. I have been using a combination method at Hua hin Immigration Office using 400k baht in the bank and bringing over monthly transfers of 40k baht. Since renewal of my last extension (Oct 2025) I have been bringing over transfers of 65k baht per month. At my next extension renewal (Oct 2026) I will request to use the 65k baht monthly transfer method. Assuming that this is accepted at Hua hin Immigration (I see no reason why not) when can I remove the 400k baht in my bank account?

Thank you

5 minutes ago, bilbo52 said:

when can I remove the 400k baht in my bank account?

You are correct my last extension was using income method having previously been using money in bank method.

You would continue for the current year satisfying both money in bank method and at same time 65k per month.

I think some suggest maintain the 800k after previous extension for 3 months then you can drop it to 400k.

At next extension Oct 26 you would show the 12 monthly transfers (from abroad) together with compliance with money in bank method.

Some suggest that for the two months prior to next extension you only need 400k. Not required to take it back up to 800k.

I choose to keep it at 800k + so if any issue with income method then I had fallback option.

Tip: ask for 12 month statement in Thai language and also small highlight of each transfer on the statement.

15 minutes ago, bilbo52 said:

when can I remove the 400k baht in my bank account?

You'll need to maintain it until you go for the next extension otherwise you will have failed to meet the requirements for the current year. Should be fine to spend it thereafter (doubtless they will confirm that).