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

They obviously dont want you here

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

Even more so at the above mentioned office!

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!

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

Believe they used 32 = $ US today at Suan Phlu

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!

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