16 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I disagree.

A few reasons are:

The Thai economy is not doing so well.

Tourism is down 7%.

Thailand has record household debt.

There is a higher cost of living in 2026, and into the future.

Humans are living longer.

Why would they grandfather? They want / need the money.

And increasing the B800K/65K retirees bring in from negligible to a bit less negligible is going to change that? 😂😂😂😂

Just now, Jingthing said:

Pot kettle black.

What’s the dollar amount that Thailand has to raise the financial requirements to before you are forced to depart?

Is Malaysia an option? Or too expensive?

4 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I'm not "relying" on that way of looking at the issue. I just point it out as part of the obvious.

As for "factoring in" the retirees who have invested emotionally and financially in Thailand? Sure, some of those people may have a problem. I'm not denying that. I just think that, unfortunately for them, the problem is unnecessary.

Personally, I've never assumed my retirement extension of stay was anything other than a one year at a time deal. I don't have a wife here, I don't have kids here, and if I wanted, I could be on a plane in a day or so to somewhere else. All I'd lose would be a condo security deposit and some Ikea furniture.

Good post.

I am in similar circumstances as yourself.

This is why I don't really care what Thailand crackdowns on, what hoops they increase or invent, or what amount they change the 800k / 65k to.

If I don't like it, I'll leave.

Vietnam, my Plan B, will probably have a long stay visa by then anyway.

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

Try has hard as you like to say otherwise, but the immigration officer, by virtue of being the government's enforcer of the government's immigration laws, still has absolute and final discretion as to what documentation he or she deems is acceptable or otherwise.

Not forged documents

33 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I have never advocated that people use agents.

However, there has never been a crackdown on agents or customers and I personally think in the age of crackdowns on land nominees there would have been a crackdown by now related to that push, that leads me to the opinion it remains "safe" to use them.

Safe until it isnt. Why do you think bangkok bank has changed their position on providing statements for extension renewals and locking down accounts for 4 months? Hmmm

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

And increasing the B800K/65K retirees bring in from negligible to a bit less negligible is going to change that? 😂😂😂😂

I never said it would fix all of Thailand's economic problems and declining tourism industry.

In my opinion, the biggest single factor for the Thai government would be the loss of purchasing power of the 800k / 65k. On its own, this would be enough reason for them to raise the amounts.

The other minor consequences of raise the amounts would simple be a bonus.

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Try has hard as you like to say otherwise, but the immigration officer, by virtue of being the government's enforcer of the government's immigration laws, still has absolute and final discretion as to what documentation he or she deems is acceptable or otherwise.

That is also my understanding.

People yelling illegal and corruption are understandably projected from their rigid binary western perspective.

I felt the same way myself for a long time but was " converted" to seeing that the practice is probably quasi legal.

3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Good post.

I am in similar circumstances as yourself.

This is why I don't really care what Thailand crackdowns on, what hoops they increase or invent, or what amount they change the 800k / 65k to.

If I don't like it, I'll leave.

Vietnam, my Plan B, will probably have a long stay visa by then anyway.

Will you be able to ride/ship your scooter to Vietnam? If not, what will become of that investment? 😂😂😂😂

3 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Not forged documents

Safe until it isnt. Why do you think bangkok bank has changed their position on providing statements for extension renewals and locking down accounts for 4 months? Hmmm

They have, t, I still use bk bank and an agent, Hmmm.

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Maybe. Maybe not.

Anyway I sleep better NOT using agents.

MANY years ago I knew a Thai agent socially. I asked him if he was worried about a crackdown. He responded with full confidence that there never will a crackdown and I got the feeling that he believed what he was doing was legal in the Thai system.

Right or wrong I was impressed with his confidence about no crackdown which I would rate at 100 percent.

Agents aren't doing anything illegal.
There prepare your application taking copies of documents, and in the case where the financials aren't met, they'll deposit 800K in your bank account, obtain a statement, then withdraw the 800K. The extension stamp issued by the Immigration office is also legitimate.

It's the illicit and unauthorized process the IO follows in order to issue the extension stamp, which wouldn't otherwise occur without some form of financial reward.

Many agents also just handhold extension applications where the requirements are fully met which are perfectly legitimate.

As for an increase in the financial requirements, your purely speculating without any evidence.
Something you claim others have done for the last 15 years, so your just part of the club.

15 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

How many Inspectors of Immigration offices do you know that forward an application to the Commissioner that doesn't meet the full qualifications.

How would anyone here know the answer to that? Regardless, it's probably never for a lowly foreign pensioner or one with a Thai spouse.

But they probably do "forward" something to their superiors. That's how any side hustle it works, no? Sort of paying it forward but not in any way that's right or moral.

I just looked out the window and yes, I'm still here in Thailand.

3 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Agents aren't doing anything illegal.
There prepare your application taking copies of documents, and in the case where the financials aren't met, they'll deposit 800K in your bank account, obtain a statement, then withdraw the 800K. The extension stamp issued by the Immigration office is also legitimate.

It's the illicit and unauthorized process the IO follows in order to issue the extension stamp, which wouldn't otherwise occur without some form of financial reward.

Many agents also just handhold extension applications where the requirements are fully met which are perfectly legitimate.

As for an increase in the financial requirements, your purely speculating without any evidence.
Something you claim others have done for the last 15 years, so your just part of the club.

If agents are bribing immigration officers, they are doing something illegal.

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

If agents are bribing immigration officers, they are doing something illegal.

Call it a service charge. Sorted.

8 minutes ago, Olmate said:

They have, t, I still use bk bank and an agent, Hmmm.

Yes they have. You apparently dont follow the multiple reports from numerous expats posted on this and another forums that cant get the documents from bangkok bank without signing a commitment letter to lock the accounts for 4 months first. Do some research.

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Call it a service charge. Sorted.

Call it gefilte fish is you like, but it's not kosher

9 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

In my opinion, the biggest single factor for the Thai government would be the loss of purchasing power of the 800k / 65k. On its own, this would be enough reason for them to raise the amounts.

So, what would you have them raise it to? As it now stands, I think the monthly amount of 65K is OK. Not extravagant for an expat, but surely an OK amount for one person. I know I spend more than that, but it's not necessary by any means. Anyway, I don't keep any kind of budget. It's easier that way. And unless I stand on a street corner somewhere and hand out money, I'm OK.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Call it a service charge. Sorted.

You can call it anything you want. This is what Immigration calls it:

11 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Agents aren't doing anything illegal.
There prepare your application taking copies of documents, and in the case where the financials aren't met, they'll deposit 800K in your bank account, obtain a statement, then withdraw the 800K. The extension stamp issued by the Immigration office is also legitimate.

It's the illicit and unauthorized process the IO follows in order to issue the extension stamp, which wouldn't otherwise occur without some form of financial reward.

Many agents also just handhold extension applications where the requirements are fully met which are perfectly legitimate.

As for an increase in the financial requirements, your purely speculating without any evidence.
Something you claim others have done for the last 15 years, so your just part of the club.

if they provide the finances, both they and you are definitely doing something illegal as the financials dont belong to you and dont remain in the account per the regulation. if the sh!t hits the fan you will be the one holdng the bag. Dream on with excuses though

17 minutes ago, Dan O said:

Not forged documents

Safe until it isnt. Why do you think bangkok bank has changed their position on providing statements for extension renewals and locking down accounts for 4 months? Hmmm

What forged documents?

The change to Bangkok Bank's procedures weren't instigated due to foreign account holders using agents.

I'm with the OP on this, in that anything is possible here. However, what's being suggested with regard to an increase in financials is unlikely.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by NanLaew

22 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Agents aren't doing anything illegal.

Overview of Thai Penal Coded Section 143

Core Offense: Commonly referred to as passive trading in influence or a form of bribery solicitation. It targets any person who takes or agrees to take a bribe/benefit to influence an official, a member of the state legislature, a provincial council, or a municipal council.

Or to cause the official or politician to act or refrain from acting in their official capacity—either to favor or penalize someone.

https://www.nacc.go.th/tacc/upload/files/download_201803191021592.pdf

9 minutes ago, jas007 said:

So, what would you have them raise it to? As it now stands, I think the monthly amount of 65K is OK. Not extravagant for an expat, but surely an OK amount for one person. I know I spend more than that, but it's not necessary by any means. Anyway, I don't keep any kind of budget. It's easier that way. And unless I stand on a street corner somewhere and hand out money, I'm OK.

I addressed your question in another thread.

Basically, it can be a rather insignificant rise, in order to keep up with the higher cost of living these days, or, it could be a significant rise as part of a broader government policy to raise the financial standards of retired expats here, with the added bonus of a cash injection for Thai banks.

We'll have to wait and see which way they go, but it can't stay 800k / 65k forever.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by KhunHeineken

9 minutes ago, Dan O said:

if they provide the finances, both they and you are definitely doing something illegal as the financials dont belong to you and dont remain in the account per the regulation. if the sh!t hits the fan you will be the one holdng the bag. Dream on with excuses though

You sound like another member with an inordinate sense of grievance over things that other totally unknown strangers do, that neither concerns you nor impacts you. It's like some weird type of online proselytizing.

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

How would anyone here know the answer to that?

It takes 30 days to approve an extension based on Thai Family.
How many days do you think it would take the 'Commissioner' to consider and approve the multiple daily applications, from multiple Inspectors of various Immigration offices.

1 minute ago, Liquorice said:

It takes 30 days to approve an extension based on Thai Family.
How many days do you think it would take the 'Commissioner' to consider and approve the multiple daily applications, from multiple Inspectors of various Immigration offices.

But we're talking about retiree extensions, not marriage. I do not think agents generally handle marriage extensions.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I addressed you question in another thread.

Basically, it can be a rather insignificant rise, in order to keep up with the higher cost of living these day, or, it could be a significant rise as part of a broader government policy to raise the financial standards of retired expats here, with the added bonus of a cash injection for Thai banks.

We'll have to wait and see which way they go, but it can't stay 800k / 65k forever.

Yes, but it all should probably make some sense in terms of the Thai economy and the macroeconomic picture. Thailand doesn't exist in a vacuum. As for a cash injection for the Thai banks? De minimus.

I'll have to look up what the rate would be today, based on inflation since the last increase.

36 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That is also my understanding.

People yelling illegal and corruption are understandably projected from their rigid binary western perspective.

I felt the same way myself for a long time but was " converted" to seeing that the practice is probably quasi legal.

Converted by an agent?

They are complicit in the act, although they'll obviously claim it was a legitimate fee.

Quasi legal, isn't legal.

Are you really so gullible!

Edited August 29Aug 29 by Liquorice

1 minute ago, Liquorice said:

Converted by an agent?

They are complicit in the act, although they'll obviously claim it was a legitimate fee.

Are you really so gullible!

Not what I said so STRAW MAN GARBAGE

2 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Yes, but it all should probably make some sense in terms of the Thai economy and the macroeconomic picture. Thailand doesn't exist in a vacuum. As for a cash injection for the Thai banks? De minimus.

I'll have to look up what the rate would be today, based on inflation since the last increase.

Sure, the increase will have to be realistic.

Any cash injection is better than no cash injection. Like I said, just a added bonus.

That rate would have to include some historical data.

The Big Mac Index is used a lot for this type of comparison, basically because a Big Mac hasn't changed. Same product then, same product now.

Rise in increase, percent wise, of the price of a Big Mac back then, to a Big Mac now, then increase the 800k / 65k by the same amount. This will give a rough idea of the increase in pricing.

Of course, gasoline / energy prices effect the price of just about everything, and that's risen significantly due to factors beyond Thailand's control, but you get the idea.

10 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

But we're talking about retiree extensions, not marriage. I do not think agents generally handle marriage extensions.

Read the post to which I replied.

4 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Read the post to which I replied.

I read it, and we're talking about retiree extensions, not marriage. I do not think agents generally handle marriage extensions.

Your topic is just pure conjectural speculation, trying to add fuel to a non existent fire as usual.