Pattaya Immigration Baht Conversion Rate

[doctormann]

Hi

I'm just back from Pattaya / Jompthien Immigration, having done my third retirement visa extension. I happened to notice that when the official was converting my UK pension - UK Embassy certified - into Thai Baht, presumably to confirm that it met the income requirements, she used a rate of 56 Baht to the GBP. This is nothing near the current exchange rate - I'd get far more than that even with an off-shore transaction!

Now, I know that Immigration are a bit of a 'law unto themselves' but what are they playing at here? Luckily, for me, at the present time, this was not a problem but it could well be one for those whose income is a bit close to the limit. I might be being a bit cynical here but could this be a ploy to deviously raise the height of the bar for those extending on the basis of income, rather than 'money-in-the-bank'? Or are they maybe expecting the THB to strengthen substantially over the next year. Maybe they're just being cautious.

Any thoughts?

DM

[Forkinhades]

They obviously dont want you here

[monty]

I know that Immigration are a bit of a 'law unto themselves'

Even more so at the above mentioned office!

[anthonyu]

Hi

I'm just back from Pattaya / Jompthien Immigration, having done my third retirement visa extension. I happened to notice that when the official was converting my UK pension - UK Embassy certified - into Thai Baht, presumably to confirm that it met the income requirements, she used a rate of 56 Baht to the GBP. This is nothing near the current exchange rate - I'd get far more than that even with an off-shore transaction!

Now, I know that Immigration are a bit of a 'law unto themselves' but what are they playing at here? Luckily, for me, at the present time, this was not a problem but it could well be one for those whose income is a bit close to the limit. I might be being a bit cynical here but could this be a ploy to deviously raise the height of the bar for those extending on the basis of income, rather than 'money-in-the-bank'? Or are they maybe expecting the THB to strengthen substantially over the next year. Maybe they're just being cautious.

Any thoughts?

DM

More likely your immigration officer is dyslexic!

[doctormann]

They obviously dont want you here

I think that this could apply to virtually anyone that is not Thai

And yes, it could be dyslexia but I wouldn't count on it. I prefer a conspiracy theory type of explanation!

DM

[lopburi3]

Believe they used 32 = $ US today at Suan Phlu

[JohnC]

One point to note is that they also use the gross pension figure not the net so that works in your favour if you are a taxpayer in your home country. Interestingly when I renewed mine at the end of April she used 61 baht to the £ which was the exhange rate in the bank that day! Today it is 65.58!

[WilliamIV]

Years ago I was told at Suan Phlu that Immigration use their own rates.

I was trying to correct an Immiration Official (I was new then!) for the

exchange rate she had used for my Pension.

Late May this year - the Officer asked ME what the Bht / Sterling Pound rate was

I told her "60" and she used that !

Bill