2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

It's two sections, the second is "demanding or accepting bribes to perform or not perform a duty."

If something is unsolicited how can it be accepted?

Personally, I think they should stop pussy footing around and just put the tip jars back on their desks.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by NanLaew

7 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

That only applies if the letter is required or even issued. Maybe someone who actually uses an agent for a "full service" extension renewal has an insight on this?

Once again, maybe a member using this option can advise if anyone on either side was extorted or compelled, and if anything was demanded.

The competent IMMIGRATION officer has the right under the current Police Order to waive the 800K baht if he/she is given a 'legitimate reason'. The current Police Order is promulgated under Section 35 of the Immigration Act.

The fee for an extension by "discretion" or otherwise as per Section 35 of Immigration Act (1999) is 1900 baht (2000 max.)

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

If something is unsolicited how can it be accepted?

Happily

28 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

It's victimless in the same way that prostitution is victimless.

The, only victims of an increase in the retirement visa requirements, would, almost exclusively , be foreign retirees , and to be honest I would not expect any sympathy from any Thai government for foreigners. I'd say that is a forgone conclusion Other than for civil servants they don't treat their own retirees very well; I think the mother in law gets something like 800bt a month My brother in law is a police captain I believe his pension will be around 40,000 bt per month i might be wrong

It might be a bit different for those on marriage extensions, who are supporting their wives, often some illegitimate children, often the inlaws and to varying degrees their wives extended families . Whether the Thai authorities have any sympathy for what is no doubt a considerable number of Thai nationals, albeit predominantly from the lower echelons of society , remains to be seen

2 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

The, only victims of an increase in the retirement visa requirements, would, almost exclusively , be foreign retirees , and to be honest I would not expect any sympathy from any Thai government for foreigners. I'd say that is a forgone conclusion Other than for civil servants they don't treat their own retirees very well; I think the mother in law gets something like 800bt a month My brother in law is a police captain I believe his pension will be around 40,000 bt per month i might be wrong

It might be a bit different for those on marriage extensions, who are supporting their wives, often some illegitimate children, often the inlaws and to varying degrees their wives extended families . Whether the Thai authorities have any sympathy for what is no doubt a considerable number of Thai nationals, albeit predominantly from the lower echelons of society , remains to be seen

All of which has nothing to do with what I said.

Just now, Yellowtail said:

All of which has nothing to do with what I said.

Apologies , had a good lunch

16 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

If something is unsolicited how can it be accepted?

The solicitation is in Penal Code Sec. 143:

Action: Demanding, receiving, or agreeing to receive property or any other benefit for oneself or another person.

Purpose: To induce or having induced—by dishonest, unlawful means, or by using personal influence—a public official, state legislator, provincial council member, or municipal council member to perform or omit a duty (favoring or disfavoring someone)

Completion: The crime is complete upon demanding or accepting the benefit, even if no real influence was exerted or the official never actually changed their action.

20 minutes ago, JerryM said:

The solicitation is in Penal Code Sec. 143:

Action: Demanding, receiving, or agreeing to receive property or any other benefit for oneself or another person.

Purpose: To induce or having induced—by dishonest, unlawful means, or by using personal influence—a public official, state legislator, provincial council member, or municipal council member to perform or omit a duty (favoring or disfavoring someone)

Completion: The crime is complete upon demanding or accepting the benefit, even if no real influence was exerted or the official never actually changed their action.

Words. All a bit of a nothingburger really.

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

Words. All a bit of a nothingburger really.

You don't seem convinced

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Words. All a bit of a nothingburger really.

It is Thailand Criminal Statute language that was written in 1957 and, as far as describing the daily doings of "full service" reputable visa agents, it could have been written yesterday.

On 8/27/2026 at 7:30 PM, Jingthing said:

So I submit it is against the self interest of the government of Thailand to increase the financial requirements for the classic basic retirement path (OA or O).

You can submit anything.

But I submit the government will not listen to that which you submit.

4 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

You can submit anything.

But I submit the government will not listen to that which you submit.

I agree of course.

Up to them.

Just my prediction with reasons

20 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

You don't seem convinced

I'm not convinced that knowing the laws and rules that apply to anything gives us any insight as to what may or may not be considered legal or otherwise, now or in the future.

20 minutes ago, JerryM said:

It is Thailand Criminal Statute language that was written in 1957 and, as far as describing the daily doings of "full service" reputable visa agents, it could have been written yesterday.

In the legal worlds that most of us were brought up in, there's the letter of the law, and then there's the spirit of the law. In Thailand, I believe there's an unnamed 'third way' of the law. The locals probably do have a Thai word for it though.

3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I'm not convinced that knowing the laws and rules that apply to anything gives us any insight as to what may or may not be considered legal or otherwise, now or in the future.

Indeed

Just now, NanLaew said:

In the legal worlds that most of us were brought up in, there's the letter of the law, and then there's the spirit of the law. In Thailand, I believe there's an unnamed 'third way' of the law. The locals probably do have a Thai word for it though.

Those are criminal statutes with possible severe penalties. Right now I would more accurately describe them as hibernating until some action or total quirk brings them to life.

And I've heard that Visa Agent Chamber of Commerce talking points third way endemic explanation multiple times before even from resident experts over on the Visa forum.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by JerryM

19 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

The locals probably do have a Thai word for it though.

Yes they do.

16 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

I like your thinking.

i was living here in Thailand in 1998, and i recall prior in 1997 and the financial crisis. 52.98 THB per USD did not last long - so with respect, its not a good average number for the entire year, much less subsequent years.

Still for those on retirement extensions on a Type-O/OA visa with 800THB in the bank, ... lets hope Thai authorities view this as you, and view using US$ at the peak ~52.98 THB/USD rate, and use the US$ as their basis, and not use Thai baht nor a less favourable other currency (nor another exchange rate where the peak ~52.98 highly unusual) as the comparison basis to 1998. And hope that confirms for them 800,000 THB as the right number to use, even today.

For as noted, i hope the 800,000 THB ( in the bank requirement for one-year extensions of one's permission to stay in Thailand on underlying Type-O/OA visas), stays in place. I have many friends here on a Type-O/OA for reason of retirement.

7 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

I like your thinking.

i was living here in Thailand in 1998, and i recall prior in 1997 and the financial crisis. 52.98 THB per USD ... did not last long ... - so with respect, its not a good average number for the entire year, much less subsequent years.

Still for those on retirement extensions on a Type-O/OA visa with 800THB in the bank, ... lets hope Thai authorities view this as you, and view using US$ at the peak ~52.98 THB/USD rate, and use the US$ as their basis, and not use Thai baht nor a less favourable other currency (nor another exchange rate where the peak ~52.98 highly unusual) as the comparison basis to 1998. And hope that confirms for them 800,000 THB as the right number to use, even today.

For as noted, i hope the 800,000 THB ( in the bank requirement for one-year extensions of one's permission to stay in Thailand on underlying Type-O/OA visas), stays in place. I have many friends here on a Type-O/OA for reason of retirement.

HEY ... don't be messing with my spin 🤣

How we post BS ... as by the end of the year, it lost ~30%

I posted before, got here in 2000

2000 ... ~฿40 / $1 USD

Few yrs later, hit 45 😁

then as low as 29 😪

33 works for me, just stay above 30, and it rarely gets above 35. So 30-35 has been the norm for almost 20 years. The 800k / 65k even longer.

They can 'what if' all they want, can't see 800k / 65k changing in my lifetime, and hope to squeeze out 10 more years.

People need to live life, and stop worrying about it.

Edited August 30Aug 30 by KhunLA

4 hours ago, JerryM said:

Here's a quirk of Thai law involving the 800K baht bank letter:

The bank letter says 800K because at the moment it was issued there was 800K in the account. The letter itself does not indicate that deposit lasted only 5 minutes.

But the legality of the letter under fraud and forgery statutes involves intent: Was the letter issued to fool someone into thinking that the 800K was a year long issue and have the letter recipient acted upon as if it was?

The thing here is: Everyone in the chain in this instance who might receive and act upon and/or use the letter KNOWS that it is phony as to the year long deposit.

Your close but your not actually correct on the legal issues and interpretation of the laws (there are several) which is very specific on fraudulent use of documents and statements.

You also are missing the aspect of by apply for the permission to stay extension you are confirming documents submitted are factual which not only are they not but the regulatory requirements on financials during the year are not being met.

Thats why its extremely difficult if not impossible to stop using an agent and just start doing them yourself. You need to leave and start over if you stop using an agent because you cant produce the annual statements required.

Some here are just ignorant of facts or think they are above them but thats on them.

6 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Most people ? or just a few over sensitive souls who are still crying about his throw away comments regarding some foreigners not showering as often as Thais.

If that's what he says on a microphone, I wonder what he really thinks of foreigners here. 😂 😂

6 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Anything is possible under any administration here , as an example the legalisation of cannabis happened whilst Prayut was PM who would have expected that ?

True. Nothing surprises me in Thailand.

6 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Do you have a plan B ?

Certainly do, Vietnam.

6 hours ago, JerryM said:

The competent IMMIGRATION officer has the right under the current Police Order to waive the 800K baht if he/she is given a 'legitimate reason'. The current Police Order is promulgated under Section 35 of the Immigration Act.

The fee for an extension by "discretion" or otherwise as per Section 35 of Immigration Act (1999) is 1900 baht (2000 max.)

Agents sometimes do not have officer contacts who engage in this corruption, so send the passports upcountry to get an extensions from a province the ex pats does not live in. There is nothing in law which permits that.

1 minute ago, visalady said:

Agents sometimes do not have officer contacts who engage in this corruption, so send the passports upcountry to get an extensions from a province the ex pats does not live in. There is nothing in law which permits that.

So how does that work for address reports?

40 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

So how does that work for address reports?

I imagine the agent covers that as well. I asked an agent once about this extension with no money in the bank scam and they offered an extension from Nan or Khon Kaen, I lived in Bangkok.

22 minutes ago, visalady said:

I imagine the agent covers that as well. I asked an agent once about this extension with no money in the bank scam and they offered an extension from Nan or Khon Kaen, I lived in Bangkok.

Sounds really dodgy.

17 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.

Yeah ! that would for me also the reason to never extend , as making the 800K higher would not be a problem as it stays anyway our own money we could withdraw...

But not that ridiculous amount for insurance ....which you loose year after year on a high age .....

Better keep it as reserve for self insurance , or for a Ticket to fly home country for treatment or final return

And as i now plan use to stay under the 179 days , and coming in 2X times Non O 90 days e-visa ( as i get so each coming 3 months free covered by my Country health insurance ...( limited however in 1 stroke each time to only 3 month travel ) cost of double flying saves me a paid insurance in Thailand and no need for the 800K keeping on Thai bank (only needed on Home Country bank for to become the Non O2 E-visa by 3 months ) .

Fits me .... until they would close that gap 😉

7 hours ago, Dan O said:

Your close but your not actually correct on the legal issues and interpretation of the laws (there are several) which is very specific on fraudulent use of documents and statements.

You also are missing the aspect of by apply for the permission to stay extension you are confirming documents submitted are factual which not only are they not but the regulatory requirements on financials during the year are not being met.

It terms of what may actually proven I am closer than you are.

2 hours ago, JerryM said:

It terms of what may actually proven I am closer than you are.

So your position is if your not caught its not illegal? Nope its either legal or illegal, there is no almost but nice try

6 minutes ago, Dan O said:

So your position is if your not caught its not illegal? Nope its either legal or illegal, there is no almost but nice try

Nobody has been caught using a practice that has been openly advertised for decades which begs the question whether Thai authorities consider it illegal.

Or it could be just another matter of non enforcement.

Who the hell knows for sure?

19 minutes ago, Dan O said:

So your position is if your not caught its not illegal? Nope its either legal or illegal, there is no almost but nice try

No my position is it IS illegal and on what basis might it be caught or disrupted.

Edited August 31Aug 31 by JerryM