The latest issue of Pattaya Today newsrag states quite clearly that their source at Jomtien immigration says that if using the 800K bank account method, the money does need to be seasoned 3 months if applying for the FIRST extension, but that there is no such 90 day money seasoning requirement for subsequent extensions.

Its seems to me that we have had recent reports stating the EXACT OPPOSITE (that you still need to season the money even for subsequent extensions) from posters in Bangkok, Phuket, and Jomtien.

So what is going on?????? What is the real rule?

Please note that I am not posting this because I like the phrase "season the money" even though it does evoke images of pouring sauces, salting, and grinding pepper on a large salad bowl overflowing with dirty greenbacks.

Something got "lost in translation" maybe? Like... accuracy?

I don't know what the real rule is but when I renewed my retirement visa for the fourth time last year I was told that the 800K had to be in the bank three months prior to the next renewal date and I also signed a form to that effect. That was in Chiang Mai BTW and I know of other ex pats who live there who have been told the same thing.

The rule is 3 months

(4) Having the records of saving

money in the latest 3 months of

account book of any Bank in

Thailand not less than 800,000

Baht or,

It was not strictly enforced for those in the system as many did not know about the change so would not have been able to show it - that is probably over, or about to be over, now that we approach the one year mark of the new police order.

Slightly off topic but I understand that if going the combo route, ie part income/part cash in bank, for retirement renewal then the 3 month requirement disappears

even though it does evoke images of pouring sauces, salting, and grinding pepper on a large salad bowl overflowing with dirty greenbacks

and then they eat it, or at least someone will

Can not speak in absolutes but in most cases the amount at time of application seems to be the only important factor.

The authorities were probably lenient last year as the rule had just come in.

Do not expect the same now though

Naka.

In this case, there is no requirement to show income via an embassy letter, provided the 800,000 baht was deposited not less than three months before the first application was made. There is no time constraint on subsequent applications.

http://www.pattaya2day.com/index.php?actio...ews&id=2484

OK, this article has now been posted on the net.

So people agree this is just not true?????

So people agree this is just not true?????

Nobody can say for certain what an individual immigration officer at a given immigration office will require tomorrow. However, I have read several first-hand reports by ThaiVisa members that for their first application for retirement extension based on money in the bank they were required to have the 800k in a Thai account for at least 3 months before the application date. I have also seen several first-hand reports that an applicant for a continuing application, ie not a first-time application, who did not meet the 3-month seasoning rule received an immediate approval but was informed that for his future applications this rule would apply to them. Some even had to sign a document to confirm that they understood this requirement for the future.

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Maestro