I went to the Pattaya Immigration office on Thursday and applied for a retirement extension of 12 months to my non-immigrant O visa using the income option. I thought I had all the requirements covered based on the advice here but I was asked for a bank letter and my passbook for a Thai bank account. No big deal - i just went to the K bank in South Pattaya and got a letter in 5 minutes and 100 baht fee.

When I went back to the Immigration office they then processed the application but the lady had a go at me for only having a small amount (700 baht) in the account and strongly suggested for my renewal there should be a lot more in it. She was also very insistent that I make sure I do the 90 day reporting before the due date as their is a 2,000 baht fine if you are late or forget.

In summary, if you are applying for the retirement option you need a letter from a Thai bank confirming account plus copies of all the transaction pages of your passbook.

Other than that it was a very painless exercise which probably took 20 minutes outside of the waiting time.

Some immigration offices want to see a bank book showing some activity of transfers and withdrawals. But they don't ask for the bank letter.

I think each Immigration Office creats their own rules

I renewed my retirement visa in BKK on Jan 27 and I only provided the "Verification of Pension" letter from the US Embassy. There was no mention of any bank balance certification. Good for another year

There is no requirement for a bank letter if applying with your Embassy Income Letter. As said some officers will have their own little quirks.

Also the 90 day reports can be done up to 7 days before and 7 days after the date due.

If you use Jomtien office all officers require bank letter and copy of two last transfers.

I use the Jomtien office using the 800K in the bank method.

This is my experience:

-- proof of transfers other than the codes in the passbook NOT NEEDED

-- I was doing an extension once and a man using the pension letter was given a very hard time for not having the bank letter for his bank account and rudely ordered to go get it right now, so as far I am concerned this is NOT new