1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

No it isn't ya dufus.

It's spelt 'doofus', but as you were educated in the US, I understand.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

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

There has? Where?

46 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

It's spelt 'doofus', but as you were educated in the US, I understand.

There has? Where?

51 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

It's spelt 'doofus', but as you were educated in the US, I understand.

There has? Where?

52 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

It's spelt 'doofus', but as you were educated in the US, I understand.

There has? Where?

Do you understand?

Define Dufus

Dufus is a term used to describe a foolish or incompetent person. It is often used as an insult to describe someone who is clumsy, awkward, or lacking in intelligence. The term originated in the United States in the early 20th century and has since become a popular insult.

On this forum. Duh.

4 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Yes, I have posted before that I would not be surprised if it increased to 1.2 million.

I get similar numbers.

Let's continue to hope that the ฿800,000 financial requirement for retirement-based permission to stay remains unchanged.

I compared the answer from a couple of AI bots (adjusting for inflation), and the interesting point is that if the ฿800,000 figure from 1998 were simply adjusted for Thai inflation, it would be approximately ฿1.3 million today in terms of purchasing power.

So:

1. ฿800,000 in 1998 ≈ ฿1.3 million today, based on CPI inflation.

2. Figures such as ฿1.5–2 million could be argued for if using other measures, such as wage growth, economic growth, or retirees' living costs — but those aren't strictly inflation-adjusted figures.

3. Therefore, purely on an inflation basis, ฿1.3 million is roughly the equivalent of the old ฿800,000.

So once again, let's hope there is no change to the ฿800,000 requirement.

Edited August 29Aug 29 by oldcpu

1 hour ago, oldcpu said:

I get similar numbers.

Let's continue to hope that the ฿800,000 financial requirement for retirement-based permission to stay remains unchanged.

I compared the answer from a couple of AI bots (adjusting for inflation), and the interesting point is that if the ฿800,000 figure from 1998 were simply adjusted for Thai inflation, it would be approximately ฿1.3 million today in terms of purchasing power.

So:

1. ฿800,000 in 1998 ≈ ฿1.3 million today, based on CPI inflation.

2. Figures such as ฿1.5–2 million could be argued for if using other measures, such as wage growth, economic growth, or retirees' living costs — but those aren't strictly inflation-adjusted figures.

3. Therefore, purely on an inflation basis, ฿1.3 million is roughly the equivalent of the old ฿800,000.

So once again, let's hope there is no change to the ฿800,000 requirement.

You have to consider, how much 800k THB was in USD, in 1998

... "In 1998, 800,000 Thai Baht (THB) was worth approximately $15,099 USD

Historical 1998 Exchange Rates

• January 1998 (Peak rate ~52.98 THB per USD): ~$15,099 USD" ,,,

1.3M to 800k is 1.625X more

$15k X 1.625 = $24,780

Now 800k = $24,132 USD

Edited August 29Aug 29 by KhunLA

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Define Dufus

Dufus is a term used to describe a foolish or incompetent person. It is often used as an insult to describe someone who is clumsy, awkward, or lacking in intelligence. The term originated in the United States in the early 20th century and has since become a popular insult.

No such word in the English dictionary.

doofus is an informal slang term for a foolish, silly, or slightly stupid person.

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

No such word in the English dictionary.

doofus is an informal slang term for a foolish, silly, or slightly stupid person.

Some American dictionaries do list dufus... but usually indicate it is an alternative spelling of doofus.

14 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.

That would be much worse than increasing the 800k. For guys like me over 70 i probably couldn't get health insurance, at any price. So basically it would deny me a visa to stay in Thailand. Now where's that map of Cambodia.

17 hours ago, Dan O said:

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.

Childish, can't u read, I just did agent extension to OA via that bank, no diff, same fee, no bank or IO visit, why do I need to research, your flaming as you do.

17 hours ago, Dan O said:

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.

I think you will find that this has only been an issue in Chonburi where the agents were using Bangkok Bank

17 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.

Sorry but the Bangkok Banks in Chonburi did change their policies because issues caused with dealing with agents.

17 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

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.

nothing stays the same forever, it is a fact of life

28 minutes ago, flexomike said:

Sorry but the Bangkok Banks in Chonburi did change their policies because issues caused with dealing with agents.

They changed their policy regarding accounts held by foreigners, but foreigners using immigration agents was not the reason why they changed them. That's just collateral damage.

43 minutes ago, flexomike said:

I think you will find that this has only been an issue in Chonburi where the agents were using Bangkok Bank

Bangkok Bank's revised policy regarding funds held in accounts owned by foreigners being used for immigration purposes is being applied nationwide.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by NanLaew

51 minutes ago, flexomike said:

I think you will find that this has only been an issue in Chonburi where the agents were using Bangkok Bank

It's also only an issue for guys using a normal savings account or haven't had the 800K in their account for at least 4 months.

I use the BBL Branch that was in the middle of all this & have no problems with getting the letter or threats to freeze the funds, BUT I use a Fixed Deposit Account which has had the 800K in there for years.

6 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

Some American dictionaries do list dufus... but usually indicate it is an alternative spelling of doofus.

Like spelled and spelt then.

1 hour ago, flexomike said:

I think you will find that this has only been an issue in Chonburi where the agents were using Bangkok Bank

Thats Chonburi, pattaya/jomtiem. 👌🤔 is home 4 me,

On 8/28/2026 at 7:22 AM, henryford1958 said:

Talking about the long standing level of 800K bank method OR 65K a month income method.

Totally illegal

You are right illegal! Here illegal is a cash cow! 🤣

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You have to consider, how much 800k THB was in USD, in 1998

... "In 1998, 800,000 Thai Baht (THB) was worth approximately $15,099 USD

Historical 1998 Exchange Rates

• January 1998 (Peak rate ~52.98 THB per USD): ~$15,099 USD" ,,,

1.3M to 800k is 1.625X more

$15k X 1.625 = $24,780

Now 800k = $24,132 USD

Why USD? Better include the Ruble.

3 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

That would be much worse than increasing the 800k. For guys like me over 70 i probably couldn't get health insurance, at any price. So basically it would deny me a visa to stay in Thailand. Now where's that map of Cambodia.

Totally agree

I think the risk of that happening is significant and it would effectively push out many more expats than a modest increase in financial requirements.

Also they would not grandfather that change.

Some people ask why is not having residency security a problem

Duh.

I have no prediction about a health insurance change.

2 hours ago, flexomike said:

Sorry but the Bangkok Banks in Chonburi did change their policies because issues caused with dealing with agents.

It was the thousands of mule accounts laundering gains from criminal activity, I believe. Agents “issues” are a pittance, comparatively speaking.

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Totally agree

I think the risk of that happening is significant and it would effectively push out many more expats than a modest increase in financial requirements.

Also they would not grandfather that change.

Some people ask why is not having residency security a problem

Duh.

I have no prediction about a health insurance change.

Well, Mr. Beer will be here directly to say that a health insurance mandate is imminent, and that Vietnam is his plan B.

25 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Totally agree

I think the risk of that happening is significant and it would effectively push out many more expats than a modest increase in financial requirements.

Also they would not grandfather that change.

Some people ask why is not having residency security a problem

Duh.

I have no prediction about a health insurance change.

you "have no prediction about a health insurance change"? yet you wrote "I think the risk of that happening is significant" is that not a prediction? forgive my confusion

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Well, Mr. Beer will be here directly to say that a health insurance mandate is imminent, and that Vietnam is his plan B.

Since he's happy with his 15 minute farang ghetto, maybe, then VN might suit him or other ghetto dwellers.

But since foreigners can't even legally drive in VN, another big NO why I'd never base myself there. NO visa, NO DL, no freedom to expore without corrupt 'tolls' stops along the way ... NO THANKS

If there was a better place to retire than TH, then I'd be there. Only the USA would be better IMHO, which was great for 45 yrs.

TH is home now, with 'my' family, something I never had in USA. TH is just a location, as they say, 'home is where the heart is' ... that's TH for now.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by KhunLA

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

you "have no prediction about a health insurance change"? yet you wrote "I think the risk of that happening is significant" is that not a prediction? forgive my confusion

I have no predictions about my death, but the risk of it happening is significant.

8 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

you "have no prediction about a health insurance change"? yet you wrote "I think the risk of that happening is significant" is that not a prediction? forgive my confusion

No it is not

I don't know if and or when it will ever happen or not but the risk is evident because of the not grandfathered previous change to the OA.

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I have no predictions about my death, but the risk of it happening is significant.

Good one.

To amplify I am predicting that financial requirements will not go up in the next 5 years.

I have no prediction at all on whether or not they will require health insurance on the O based retirement in the next 5 years.

See the difference?

This isn't a court of law.

Its a discussion forum.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by Jingthing

21 hours 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.

They (the government) likely wont, because they don't want to lose all those retirees that spends in average 65,000 baht a month, but might leave, if they cannot raise their deposit. We don't seem to know the exact number, but one news article mentioned 80,000 persons as a part of the total number of retiree residents. If you take just that figure of 80,000 x 800,000 baht in average spendings, then it is 64 billion baht — might be more, some retirees use quite a lot of extra money when investing in car and home — and a similar amount in bank deposits if all use the deposit-method.

And by the way; tourism is up several hundred percent since the 800k baht deposit began, and the general economy has grown a lot after 1998. Thailand is actually doing quite well. Last time the retiree deposit raised four fold; so, when looking at the new type of LTR-retiree visas, in future a deposit could be equivalent to around the $100,000, which is also in level with the newer health insurance requirements of 3 million baht, which is close to four times 800,000.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

To amplify I am predicting that financial requirements will not go up in the next 5 years.

I have no prediction at all on whether or not they will require health insurance on the O based retirement in the next 5 years.

See the difference?

This isn't a court of law.

Its a discussion forum.

The 800k / 65k has been these amounts for nearly 30 years.

Difficult to predict what the Thai government will do. On one hand, after nearly 30 years, I would not be surprised if they were to announce a rise next week, and on the other hand, I would not be surprised if it's still 800k / 65k 10 years from now. TiT.

18 hours ago, NanLaew said:

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.

You seem to be butt hurt that im pointing out facts about agents that provide finances for visa approval are doing so illegally. They provide false documents and you also are. You arent meeting the regulations requirements.

While imm officers can approve extensions using their discretion falsely providing the documents to obtain that extension isnt part of the equation. Im done with explaining the issue with you. You have a great day.

10 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

The 800k / 65k has been these amounts for nearly 30 years.

Difficult to predict what the Thai government will do. On one hand, after nearly 30 years, I would not be surprised if they were to announce a rise next week, and on the other hand, I would not be surprised if it's still 800k / 65k 10 years from now. TiT.

My prediction has a 5 year window and I thought the topic was relevant because there has been chatter that a raise will happen soon because of the attitude of the current government. That's all. Nothing more.