Extensions Based On Retirement Using Banked 800k

[Jingthing]

OK, I am going to go out on a limb here and read the tea leaves about immigration's intention in requiring 2 months money seasoning for the first extension, and 3 months for subsequent extensions. The reason is most probably to crack down on people getting short term loans to qualify for the extensions just before the appointment dates. I think that is a reasonable assumption.

However, there is an unintended consequence about this policy. It in effect RAISES the money requirements for people using the bank account method only, from 800K to 800K PLUS what money is needed for 2 or 3 months. I seriously doubt the intention of the policy was to RAISE the money requirements for this one class of people.

So my modest proposal is this.

The requirements should be PRO-RATED.

For example, for subsequent extenders, it would be more fair to require 600K baht seasoned for the 3 months, and then the full top up to over 800K could be required just before the appointment.

As it is now, people typically top up to over 1 million baht (or whatever they need) in order to avoid having their account drop even one baht below the 800K during the seasoning period.

I hope my point is clear enough.

OK, I realize the chances of immigration listening to this are near nil, but there you have it.

[Guderian]

I can't get worked up about it any more, Jingthing. What's the choice? Earn zero interest on my money in a Thai bank account, or zero interest on it in a UK bank account. Heads I lose, tails I lose.

However - if Immigration read this sort of thing, and even take it into consideration, then why not also get rid of the 90-day address reporting, which wastes their time and ours for no useful purpose at all. Change the system to one in which you only have to report your address to Immigration when you move. To ensure that people do this, change the penalty system from the current trivial 2000 Baht fine for failing to make a 90 day report to, say, a whopping 100K Baht fine for failing to report a change of address within, say 10 or 20 days of actually moving.

[Jingthing]

Yeah, I am not worked up about it. Just putting it out there as I have not heard much discussion about how the money seasoning policy actually raises the money requirements practically speaking.

As far as reporting, I have another compromise idea that might please expats and also make money for immigration. How about when doing annual extensions, we could be given the option of registering for online 90 day reporting (annually) for an extra fee of for example 2000 baht per year. That way a free service is converted to a fee service and also leaves the option open for people who wish to report in person.

[Guderian]

Yeah, I am not worked up about it. Just putting it out there as I have not heard much discussion about how the money seasoning policy actually raises the money requirements practically speaking.

As far as reporting, I have another compromise idea that might please expats and also make money for immigration. How about when doing annual extensions, we could be given the option of registering for online 90 day reporting (annually) for an extra fee of for example 2000 baht per year. That way a free service is converted to a fee service and also leaves the option open for people who wish to report in person.

Sounds OK to me. There was talk a few months back about us long-stayers being issued with a sort of ID card by Immigration, wasn't there, allowing us to fast-track through Immigration at Swampy? So why not combine that with either removing the 90-day reporting requirement, or allowing us to do it online, in exchange for a fee? I'm sure other things could be added to it as well. Maybe such a card could be set up so as to do away with the need for a Residence Certificate when you want to buy a motorbike or car?