1 minute ago, Celsius said:

They will just tell them to deposit in 2 different accounts.

That is more speculation than I care to deal with right now.

2 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

The financial requirement has clearly NOT been met. A 5 minute deposit is not the same as 5 months 800k and 7 months 400k. The IO is being paid a bribe to look the other way.

I never said that the financial requirement had been met.

What I asked was: "Do the agents not provide documents showing the financial requirement has been met?"

Satisfying a requirement and providing documents showing that a requirement has been met are not the same.

Had the financial requirement actually been met, then there would be nothing illegal about using an agent. When I was working, we occasionally used an agent for immigration, it was legal, and I think it costed B500.

I know nothing about how the agents that cheat are able to cheat

4 minutes ago, Celsius said:

They will just tell them to deposit in 2 different accounts.

I think it would have to be two different institutions

Using an agent is totally illegal. Bank balance is forged or disregarded. Fee i s split between Immigration police and agent, so crackdown will NEVER happen. Also, once you have hired an agent, the renewal rate is close to 100%.

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I know nothing about how the agents that cheat are able to cheat

The operative words in the Visa Forum are "hand-holding" and "cover". The first you have the money in the bank and the second you don't.

On 8/28/2026 at 9:27 AM, JerryM said:

The last revision (2019) of the retirement extension provision in the Police Order did not amend the 800K/65K baht requirements which have been there since (at least 2006).

The 800K came into effect in 1998. It was 200K. If you were here before that date you were grandfathered in. I suspect if the amounts were raised those of us already here would be grandfathered in.

9 minutes ago, statman78 said:

The 800K came into effect in 1998. It was 200K. If you were here before that date you were grandfathered in. I suspect if the amounts were raised those of us already here would be grandfathered in.

So if they they decide to change the 800K/65K they can also just -- if they choose -- swap out the date and numbers in 2.22(6) without even changing the verbiage.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by JerryM

22 hours ago, Jingthing said:

If Thailand raises to 100k usd / 3 million in bank they'll murder their program.

That will not happen.

“they'll murder their program.”

Only for those who can’t afford to pay.

1 minute ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

“they'll murder their program.”

Only for those who can’t afford to pay.

Over 90 percent.

I get it that, you're rich but you don’t need to be an A hole about it.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by Jingthing

21 hours ago, KhunLA said:

@HolmesEquivelant Depends what year, exchange rate one picks.

When I got here, 2000, 800k / 65k in USD was $20k / $1650

couple years later and cost $18k / $1477

couple years later and cost $27.5k / $2240

now ... $24.2k / $1971

So already back at the top end of what OP stated ... $1000 - $2000 monthly income.

2k usd a month. I spend more than that on my GF alone.

I’m blessed.

3 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

2k usd a month. I spend more than that on my GF alone.

I’m blessed.

Another USD multi millionaire slumming it in TH ... hmm 🤣

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Over 90 percent.

I get it that, you're rich but you don’t need to be an A hole about it.

I think your 90% assumption is a bit of an exaggeration.

How was I being an A hole? Just stating facts.

By being a have vs have not? Every have not I’ve encountered has been envious of the haves. At times rather vicious.

I’m not rich like Trump, George Soros , Bill Gates rich but comfortable.

As a fellow American you had the same opportunity. What happened? Was it someone else’s fault?

14 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Another USD multi millionaire slumming it in TH ... hmm 🤣

Not multi. 1.5 mil plus 400k baht monthly in various income streams. Definitely not rich like Trump, Soros but comfortable for ME. That’s what matters.

I’ve been known to slum it in various “dens of inequality”.

35 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

I think your 90% assumption is a bit of an exaggeration.

How was I being an A hole? Just stating facts.

By being a have vs have not? Every have not I’ve encountered has been envious of the haves. At times rather vicious.

I’m not rich like Trump, George Soros , Bill Gates rich but comfortable.

As a fellow American you had the same opportunity. What happened? Was it someone else’s fault?

You're wrong.

Look what happened in Malaysia.

Thailand could do what you.suggest of course but it would be an own goal.

Also high wealth people have many other options in countries that offer permanent residence.

Sure for some people they only want Thailand or nothing but many look at other options.

On 8/28/2026 at 6:51 AM, Jingthing said:

Just for fun (and also to bump) I will place a FIVE YEAR time limit on my prediction of no change though the arguments behind it really last much longer than that.

Look, in general this forum gives you space to open "discussions?" In many ways and subjects.

So, for me , I like sharing thoughts instead of bashing, insults, offends, opinion leadership.

Thanks for your post

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

You're wrong.

Look what happened in Malaysia.

Thailand could do what you.suggest of course but it would be an own goal.

Also high wealth people have many other options in countries that offer permanent residence.

Sure for some people they only want Thailand or nothing but many look at other options.

Permanent residence is generally only attractive to high wealth people if they can avoid taxes.

If I were high wealth I would maintain several homes and move with the seasons.

On 8/28/2026 at 8:07 AM, Wingate said:

I could see something like $100K per year income or 3 million baht in a Thai bank. That isn't so high as to eliminate everyone, but it's high enough that it would suggest an ability to add more economic value to the Thai economy. A retiree living on 50K baht a month doesn't really add much value on his own, and I doubt the argument that an infinite number of 50K/month retirees adds up washes with Anutin. Plus, agents could still make money helping retirees to pretend they've plopped 3 million baht in a Thai bank.

Could they do this? Of course, but it would not at all be good for the Thai economy, as most expat retirees in Thailand would be unable to show the income or unwilling to deposit such a sum into a Thai bank. If they wanted to clear the country of retired expats, that would be a good way to do it.

People on retirement visas or extensions of stay are not allowed to work. So they're hardly taking any jobs away from Thai people. And, no matter what their income level, they all have one thing in common: they all remit money into Thailand and they all spend money in Thailand. They rent condos that might otherwise sit empty. They support local businesses. Anyway, it's not as if there isn't room for them.

16 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Could they do this? Of course, but it would not at all be good for the Thai economy, as most expat retirees in Thailand would be unable to show the income or unwilling to deposit such a sum into a Thai bank. If they wanted to clear the country of retired expats, that would be a good way to do it.

People on retirement visas or extensions of stay are not allowed to work. So they're hardly taking any jobs away from Thai people. And, no matter what their income level, they all have one thing in common: they all remit money into Thailand and they all spend money in Thailand. They rent condos that might otherwise sit empty. They support local businesses. Anyway, it's not as if there isn't room for them.

But I don't think there are enough of us to make a significant negative impact the economically, except in a few small areas.

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

But I don't think there are enough of us to make a significant negative impact the economically, except in a few small areas.

In the grand scheme of things, you may be right, but in that case, why bother changing a system the seems to be working for those small areas? What would be the benefit for Thailand?

12 minutes ago, jas007 said:

If they wanted to clear the country of retired expats, that would be a good way to do it.

If they wanted to get rid of us poor expats, then just eliminate the present non 0 immigrant visas we all have, for marriage & retirement. Only offer the high end financial required visas. Simple enough.

We really don't contribute that much to the GDP worth noting. Seriously, we represent less than 1 week of tourist arrivals, and that a week during off season. Some tourist during high season spend more than most of us, in 2 weeks or a month, than we spend all year.

Most expats in Krung Thep, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai, Patts area, rent and don't even own cars. Not like a big influx of income, purchaseing being done to keep Thais employed.

WE ARE INSIGNIFICANT ... just accept it.

Thai officials may be more concerned about other countries, recipricating, and not allowing Thais (possibly about 1M) living overseas and sending money to family in Thailand. Seems more beneficial to the Thai ecomony and families.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by KhunLA

Just now, jas007 said:

In the grand scheme of things, you may be right, but in that case, why bother changing a system the seems to be working for those small areas? What would be the benefit for Thailand?

Public sentiment.

I am not saying the visa situation is going to change significantly, I do not think it will, but thinking we have significant economic power might be a bit silly. Tourism? Sure. Retirees? Not so much.

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I am not saying the visa situation is going to change significantly, I do not think it will, but thinking we have significant economic power might be a bit silly. Tourism? Sure. Retirees? Not so much.

Tourism is down 7%, and trending down.

A good way to get funds back into Thailand is raise the 800k / 65k. Use expats to give a capital injection into Thai banks.

A stoke of pen in Bangkok, and no grandfathering.

Money Number One.

57 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're wrong.

Look what happened in Malaysia.

Thailand could do what you.suggest of course but it would be an own goal.

Also high wealth people have many other options in countries that offer permanent residence.

Sure for some people they only want Thailand or nothing but many look at other options.

1. Wrong about what? You claim 90% of (assumed) expat types won’t be able to afford an increase in increase in the minimum funding requirements. I called BS to your unproven claims. If you can’t doesn’t mean everyone can’t.

2. Malaysia ? To use your own coveted words. OFF TOPIC. Nothing to do with Thailand. But, by all means tell us what happened in Malaysia and most importantly how it affected you in Thailand.

3. Permanent residency? As in the equivalent of a US green card holder? Completely different than a long term visa holder as O, OA or LTR. Vast majority of expats will never obtain real Thai Permanent Resident status. I have no ambition to be a Permanent Resident in Thailand. Visa’s work for me.

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

A good way to get funds back into Thailand is raise the 800k / 65k. Use expats to give a capital injection into Thai banks.

Only capital injection funds into the banks from expats too dumb not to use an agent.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by JerryM

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Tourism is down 7%, and trending down.

A good way to get funds back into Thailand is raise the 800k / 65k. Use expats to give a capital injection into Thai banks.

A stoke of pen in Bangkok, and no grandfathering.

Money Number One.

Just because they'd like to have more money into Thailand doesn't mean that raising the price of retirement will accomplish that. Imagine how silly that would be, from an economic perspective. Thailand does not have a monopoly. That much is obvious. There are alternatives. In economic terms, its pricing power is constrained. Thailand isn't the only retirement destination worth consideration.

Anyway, I can see how public sentiment might trump other considerations, including the consideration of what makes sense.

2 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

1. Wrong about what? You claim 90% of (assumed) expat types won’t be able to afford an increase in increase in the minimum funding requirements. I called BS to your unproven claims. If you can’t doesn’t mean everyone can’t.

2. Malaysia ? To use your own coveted words. OFF TOPIC. Nothing to do with Thailand. But, by all means tell us what happened in Malaysia and most importantly how it affected you in Thailand.

3. Permanent residency? As in the equivalent of a US green card holder? Completely different than a long term visa holder as O, OA or LTR. Vast majority of expats will never obtain real Thai Permanent Resident status. I have no ambition to be a Permanent Resident in Thailand. Visa’s work for me.

If you don't know what happened in Malaysia with their retirement program and you think its off topic to your dumb idea for Thailand you aren't worth talking to you about this.

16 minutes ago, HolmesEquivelant said:

Malaysia ? To use your own coveted words. OFF TOPIC. Nothing to do with Thailand. But, by all means tell us what happened in Malaysia and most importantly how it affected you in Thailand.

Actually, the situation in Malaysia is very much relevant to what transpires in Thailand in terms of expat retirees and their choices for a place to retire. Malaysia, like Thailand or Vietnam or Cambodia or the Philippines or Vietnam or Panama or any number of places, is a possible destination for expat retirees. Malaysia, like the others, is a viable choice. And not all considerations are strictly financial.

19 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Tourism is down 7%, and trending down.

A good way to get funds ba ck into Thailand is raise the 800k / 65k. Use expats to give a capital injection into Thai banks.

A stoke of pen in Bangkok, and no grandfathering.

Money Number One.

Why do you keep implying that the 800K/65K funds are significant to the Thai economy?

Double the numbers and it's still rounding error, 😂😂😂😂

16 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Only capital injection funds into the banks from expats too dumb to use an agent.

Those of us vested a wee bit more than a rental place to live, and rental for occasional companionship, tend do do things legally.

Remember, all those company nominee idiots who thought, everyone does it, so no prob, it's safe. If they ever crack down on Imm agents, I prefer to be on the legal side of that, and chuckle at the idiots, that thought ... "everyone does, they'll never crack down on that"

Convicted for fraud, subitting false document, and getting visa cancelled with 7 days to leave, is something I'd like to avoid.

Probably no need to long explanations and worrying: Last time they changed retirement extension deposit, it was "grandfathered" for existing retirees — i.e., if you started before 1998 and continue uninterrupted your original extensions of stay based on retirement, the original deposit value of 200,000 baht also continues — likely the same will appear if and when the present 800,000 baht deposit is raised.