18 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

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.

I'm not sure about Big Macs without looking it up, but I did look up the supposed Thai inflation between 1998 and today. Just to account for that inflation, the retirement requirements would have to increase to 1.25 million baht per year or so, or, around 105.000 a month. Why that amount would really be necessary for Thailand is beyond me, but I'm pretty sure I spend that much today. It's really unnecessary, though.

15 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

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

We were taking how long it would take the Immigration Commissioner to approve the multiple daily applications, from multiple offices that didn't meet the requirements (if IO's followed their orders). I used extensions based on marriage as an example, which are far less, but still take 30 days to approve.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by Liquorice

On 8/28/2026 at 2:40 AM, JerryM said:

Resident expert: (IMM officers) are the ones who get to decide whether or not to issue a visa/extension and under what criteria. They can both add AND remove criteria at their discretion.

JerryM: Last time I heard an explanation like that it was for the Infallibility of the Pope.

Yeah but, no but... as the supreme authority of the Catholic Church, the Pope is able to waive any rule or requirement established by human ecclesiastical law (Canon Law). This formal act of exemption is known as a papal dispensation.

5 minutes ago, jas007 said:

I'm not sure about Big Macs without looking it up, but I did look up the supposed Thai inflation between 1998 and today. Just to account for that inflation, the retirement requirements would have to increase to 1.25 million baht per year or so, or, around 105.000 a month. Why that amount would really be necessary for Thailand is beyond me, but I'm pretty sure I spend that much today. It's really unnecessary, though.

When Thailand increased the financial requirement to 800K in 1998, it was way above any financial requirements to settle in Europe.
In terms of Thai salaries, it's still way ahead of the average Thai monthly wage.
Thailand's minimum daily wage ranges from 337 - 400 baht, depending on the province and industry sector.
Whilst the financial requirement of 800K equates to 2, 191 baht per day.

2 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

as the supreme authority of the Catholic Church,

The Immigration agent operating under a Ministerial Order is not the Supreme Authority.

I've come to the conclusion that it's impossible to predict this. You could argue that an increase has been long overdue, but you could also argue that the current amounts are in line with other countries' requirements and typical pensions (which haven't risen all that much if at all in many countries).

As long as retirees are seen as relatively low risk (compared with other groups of foreigners Thailand attracts) and a net benefit economically, the government might not see any need to act. It may be more likely that they make changes elsewhere, for example requiring health insurance for Non-O holders as well, same as with Non-OA holders.

Just increasing the financial requirements without ALSO cracking down on agents that can "cover" those financials at the same time would have a very limited effect, in any case.

The real question will be, do they intend to reduce the overall number of foreign retirees significantly, or not? If yes, they could just phase out the Non-O and Non-OA visas and extensions eventually, instead of increasing the requirements - they've already introduced the LTR visa, so they have a good idea how many people they can attract with that: not too many.

3 hours ago, jas007 said:

I'm not sure about Big Macs without looking it up, but I did look up the supposed Thai inflation between 1998 and today. Just to account for that inflation, the retirement requirements would have to increase to 1.25 million baht per year or so, or, around 105.000 a month. Why that amount would really be necessary for Thailand is beyond me, but I'm pretty sure I spend that much today. It's really unnecessary, though.

Yes, I have posted before that I would not be surprised if it increased to 1.2 million. If I had to put money on it, I would back 1.2 million, particularly as the amounts stay for years here, rather than be adjusted year on year. Any more than that means they have have something more in mind.

Realistically, it's not going to increase to 850k / 70k. The increase is going to be bigger.

The Big Mac index is mainly used to compare world currencies. It's quite well know, but is not relied upon for government policy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Mac_Index

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

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.

the bank statements for your extension are false, but ok you go with that.

3 hours ago, Caldera said:

I've come to the conclusion that it's impossible to predict this. You could argue that an increase has been long overdue, but you could also argue that the current amounts are in line with other countries' requirements and typical pensions (which haven't risen all that much if at all in many countries).

As long as retirees are seen as relatively low risk (compared with other groups of foreigners Thailand attracts) and a net benefit economically, the government might not see any need to act. It may be more likely that they make changes elsewhere, for example requiring health insurance for Non-O holders as well, same as with Non-OA holders.

Just increasing the financial requirements without ALSO cracking down on agents that can "cover" those financials at the same time would have a very limited effect, in any case.

The real question will be, do they intend to reduce the overall number of foreign retirees significantly, or not? If yes, they could just phase out the Non-O and Non-OA visas and extensions eventually, instead of increasing the requirements - they've already introduced the LTR visa, so they have a good idea how many people they can attract with that: not too many.

No point changing the amounts without banning agents. The clock is ticking on agents. The whole thing is a joke, and I'm in on the joke as well.

It may not reduce the number of retired expats, just raise the financial standards of the retired expats here, which could have the effect of making Thailand a more desirable place to live for those soon choosing a retirement destination.

I disagree it's impossible to predict. It simply can not stay at 800k / 65k forever, so, it is with some certainty these amounts will rise at some point in the future.

The questions are, when, by how much, and why, and will there be grandfathering? This is what can not be predicted.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

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.

I have no grievance but you appear to have one with fact and information.

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

When Thailand increased the financial requirement to 800K in 1998, it was way above any financial requirements to settle in Europe.
In terms of Thai salaries, it's still way ahead of the average Thai monthly wage.
Thailand's minimum daily wage ranges from 337 - 400 baht, depending on the province and industry sector.
Whilst the financial requirement of 800K equates to 2, 191 baht per day.

A nice little capital injection for the Thai banks.

Of course, a Thai politician would never go and buy shares in a Thai bank/s with prior knowledge of the change in the amounts for a long stay visa, and the banning of agents. 😂 😂

19 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Basically, it can be a rather insignificant rise, in order to keep up with the higher cost of living these days,

Is there a government or a country that pays emoluments to their own population in order for them to keep abreast of the higher cost of living? A country that tops up their citizenry's bank accounts via some cost-of-living index?

The only time I've seen an increase being applied due to the latest revision of the cost-of-living was on my UK mobile phone bill.

3 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

Yeah but, no but... as the supreme authority of the Catholic Church, the Pope is able to waive any rule or requirement established by human ecclesiastical law (Canon Law). This formal act of exemption is known as a papal dispensation.

The Pope even lives in his own country - The Vatican City. 😂

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

Is there a government or a country that pays emoluments to their own population in order for them to keep abreast of the higher cost of living? A country that tops up their citizenry's bank accounts via some cost-of-living index?

The only time I've seen an increase being applied due to the latest revision of the cost-of-living was on my UK mobile phone bill.

Well, I am not on an Australian pension, I am self funded, but pensions in Australia are linked to the CPI. (Consumer Price Index) Basically, linked to inflation.

So, if the CPI is 3% for that year, the pension goes up 3%.

Not sure about other countries.

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

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

I disagree.

The 800k / 65k can not stay at these amounts forever. It's inevitable they will be raised at some point in the future.

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

It may not reduce the number of retired expats, just raise the financial standards of the retired expats here, which could have the effect of making Thailand a more desirable place to live for those soon choosing a retirement destination.

Are the retired expats that use agents showing obvious signs of not being up to "financial standards"? Is it a dress thing? Their public behavior maybe?

What undesirable traits of the agent-using expat will make Thailand more attractive toothers if they and their agents are shown the door?

3 hours ago, Liquorice said:

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

No it isn't ya dufus.

It's the exact opposite.

There has been a torrent of fear mongering predictions recently predicting the financial levels would be raised soon

I'm here to say that is BS and to explain why..

Of course I could be wrong ha ha.

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

Are the retired expats that use agents showing obvious signs of not being up to "financial standards"? Is it a dress thing? Their public behavior maybe?

What undesirable traits of the agent-using expat will make Thailand more attractive toothers if they and their agents are shown the door?

You completely missed the point.

For example, Thailand is no Monaco, but imagine banning agents and making the financials, say, 10 million baht in a Thai bank. No Muay Thai visas, no cooking visas. No other ridiculous visas.

Now, Thailand would not become a Monaco, but you get the idea. The financials would be the criteria for everyone, no loopholes.

Basically, attract foreigners who can, and will, spend money, and ship the others out.

The way it is now, Thailand's basically become like Cambodia, taking anyone and everyone, because the use of agents has got out of control.

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Well, I am not on an Australian pension, I am self funded, but pensions in Australia are linked to the CPI. (Consumer Price Index) Basically, linked to inflation.

So, if the CPI is 3% for that year, the pension goes up 3%.

Not sure about other countries.

I'm not on a UK pension, which has several other factors other than the CPI involved in its annual adjustments, but if I was, I would be all for claiming a 2.4% reduction this year since it's frozen for retirees in Thailand, and has been forever.

3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

The way it is now, Thailand's basically become like Cambodia, taking anyone and everyone, because the use of agents has got out of control.

You have it arse about tit. Cambodia takes the unfortunates who can't afford to live anywhere else. Nobody's escaping Cambodia for a more affordable retirement in Thailand.

With regards to retirement extensions, how is the use of agents in Thailand "out of control" specifically?

Edited August 29Aug 29 by NanLaew

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

No it isn't ya dufus.

It's the exact opposite.

There has been a torrent of fear mongering predictions recently predicting the financial levels would be raised soon

I'm here to say that is BS and to explain why..

Of course I could be wrong ha ha.

I have only ever posted that it can't stay at 800k / 65k forever. Posted that many times. Only a fool would disagree.

I have never suggested the amount would be raised "soon." However, I have suggested they could raise the amount to simply reflect the higher cost of living, or raise the amount significantly as part of a broader government plan. They certainly have the PM to do it.

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

You have it arse about tit. Cambodia takes the unfortunates who can't afford to live anywhere else. Nobody's escaping Cambodia for a more affordable retirement in Thailand.

You have it the wrong way around.

The use of agents means people from all around the world who haven't even got 800k / 65k can come and live here.

I gave the example of the Australian aged pension not even being 65k a month, yet plenty of them here.

Ban agents, they go elsewhere.

12 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I'm not on a UK pension, which has several other factors other than the CPI involved in its annual adjustments, but if I was, I would be all for claiming a 2.4% reduction this year since it's frozen for retirees in Thailand, and has been forever.

I can only speak for the Australian aged pension, which I do no0t receive, but have knowledge of, and it is increased with CPI every year.

One day will be over the 65k per month. 😂 😂

30 minutes ago, Dan O said:

I have no grievance but you appear to have one with fact and information.

But you obviously do have a grievance.

With your earlier comment about "false" bank statements, I consider you are the one bereft of "fact and information" when it comes to agent-assisted extensions. Don't worry, you're not alone on this thread, posting in ignorance.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by NanLaew

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I can only speak for the Australian aged pension, which I do no0t receive, but have knowledge of, and it is increased with CPI every year.

One day will be over the 65k per month. 😂 😂

Thanks for confirming your cluelessness lack of worldliness. We all get it now.

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

Thanks for confirming your cluelessness lack of worldliness. We all get it now.

I know the UK pension is frozen if a Brit pensioner lives abroad. Merely posting that is not the case with the Australian pension.

I thought someone with so much worldliness as yourself would know this.

Happy to educate you.

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

You have it arse about tit. Cambodia takes the unfortunates who can't afford to live anywhere else. Nobody's escaping Cambodia for a more affordable retirement in

36 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I have only ever posted that it can't stay at 800k / 65k forever. Posted that many times. Only a fool would disagree.

I have never suggested the amount would be raised "soon." However, I have suggested they could raise the amount to simply reflect the higher cost of living, or raise the amount significantly as part of a broader government plan. They certainly have the PM to do it.

Not only you and you contradicted yourself by mentioning Anutin.

Saying it will go up sometime in the future is like saying a banana will fall on the floor if you drop it

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Not only you and you contradicted yourself by mentioning Anutin.

Saying it will go up sometime in the future is like saying a banana will fall on the floor if you drop it

And if the Thai economy tanks it could go down

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

And if the Thai economy tanks it could go down

The number will never go down but the cost could go down based on exchange rates.

Just now, Jingthing said:

The number will never go down but the cost could go down based on exchange rates.

That's what I meant