Sakon Nakhon Immigration

[Isaanben]

I went there today for extension based on retirement, 61 years old. Permittet to stay until dec 29, based on Non-imm O visa.

I showed them the letter (2 months old) from my embassy showing a yearly incom of more than 1,3 million baht and copies of passport and dep.card, and photos. But the young man that I thought would help me hardly looked at the letter from the embassy and said I must have a bank account here with at least 80,000. I pointed out that for retirement it is only required 65,000/month income, but (of course) he would not listen to this. I got angry (I know, i should not have been, but I could not help myself) and walked away a little bit, but he continued to talk to my wife.

So he explained to her that I must have money in the bank (showing the book and letter from the bank office) AND a letter from poo yai baan and two other witnesses from our village which had to certify that we lived together.

Anyone had this experience?

Isaanben

[Mario2008]

With new offices opening up in the last 2 months there are alot of new immigration officers, who don't know the regulations. The officer is mixing up some regulations. However, it is never wise to get angry. Better to ask to speak with a superior.

I must say, the requirement to show a Thai bankaccount is not unique. Many immigration offices want you to show a Thai bank book with some money i it, to se that you actualy have money to spend in Thailand. The ammount required by this officer is very high. A bank letter is not necesary, if you go for an extension based on income. Some immigration offices accept ATM slips if you don't have a Thai bank account.

[Ayutthaya69]

i think its 800.000 baht on bank account not 80.000

[Isaanben]

No, I have asked my wife three times now, and she say he said 80,000 (paert meurn), with a book showing it and a letter from the bank. They must have made their own mix of regulations.

I can add that I was properly dressed (long black trousers, black shoes, light blue short sleeve shirt) and not impolite. (Before I got upset, then I said to my wife: I don´t think he wants me to stay in Thailand)

Isaanben

[monty]

And witnesses confirming you live together would only be required if applying for extension based on marriage.

A retirement extension allows you to stay here regardless the fact you are living with somebody or not!

Indeed an odd mix of requirements! The bank book has been asked before, but not with an amount that high, and no bank letter required either.

Indeed, politely insisting on speaking with a superior would have been the proper way out.

You will have to go back anyway if you really need the extension, as only the office responsible for the area you live in can give you that extension!

[Maestro]

I, too, think that this immigration officer must have misunderstood your application, perhaps because the Thai language does not have a word for “retirement”. On the immigration website, the English text calls it “spending the rest of your life”.

Suggestion: go back to the immigration office and speak to another officer. Check that on your application form you have written “retirement” on the line that asks about your reason for the application. If your wife helps you with the communication, paragraph 2.22 of Police Order 777/2551 will help her get familiar with the terminology regarding the retirement extension.

Thai text: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a70478-...-2551.pdf.html/

English text: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a70477-.html

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Maestro

[Lite Beer]

Agree. The officer did not know the regulations.

You will have to go back and sort it out.

Speak to a Senior Officer.

[Isaanben]

Thank you for your advice Yes, I will go back there again next week.

I sent them an e-mail yesterday where I asked for required paperwork for extension based on retirement. They have answered already (good service this time) and said showing proof of monthly income of not less than 65,000 or 800,000 in the bank, or a combination. So someone there apparantly knows the rules... It was written by someone named Jatuporn which I beleive must be a woman. I only met two men (the first one almost immediately handed over to an other) who tried to "help" me. There was one woman working there but she was occupied with another couple. I will try to talk to her next time. I will take a print of the answer with me too, to show an other officer if I can not meet her. (Do you think that would be a good idea)

If I will have the extension approved by her, do you think it`s a good idea to point out that maybe the staff need som education...

To help other farangs in the future, I mean...

Isaanben

[Mario2008]

I is a very good idea to just ask to speak with the person who answered your email. I would not advice you to go showing the email in someones face, just tell them you received the email if there are any problems and ask to speak to a superior because you are getting confused about the regulations.

[garyk]

And everyone calls me cheap. Because i will not buy my gf a house and put the car in her name. I have enough to do both easiy. But in my opinion Thailand is a place where any big ticket item is a crap shoot. Dont spend anymore than you are willing to loose. Because you are going to loose it eventually.

Having to deal with the government offices that do not know the rules and change the rules everytime some one new takes over.

I had the same experence with Kohn Kean. I went in to check about going home for a month. I already had a retirement visa here. All i wanted was a re-entry permit. The lady didn't even look at the retirement stamp. Said i was here illegally and called the police. Then said if i payed her 2000 baht she would help me.

WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It took two weeks .. Then another woman looked at it and checked the entry dates and looked at the visa and said nothing was wrong and come back in three months for my next report...

What a cluster fu_k. Personally after being here for three years i have no thoughts of spending any cash other than enjoying myself and having fun. I own a home in america and a new car there paid for and I kinda feel sorry for the lads that come here and sell everything . I know i will get some flack for this one but i think i am right. Never come here with the thought of really retiring here and if you put all of your eggs in that basket you are stupid.

Good luck to the OP. Hope everything turnes out.

[phetaroi]

Well, if your tone with Thai officials matches your tone in this message, then I can see why you have negative interactions with them.

[garyk]

I never get mad. She got mad because i would not pay the 2000 baht. I could care less wheather i get deported or not.

And i still say. If you come here for retirement. And put all of your money here and have nothing to go home too. You are crazy.

[mahtin]

Never come here with the thought of really retiring here and if you put all of your eggs in that basket you are stupid.

That may well be the case if you met your Khon Kaen gf in Pattaya a few months ago.

Others in long-term relationships may find your stereotype unwelcome.

[rgs2001uk]

Never come here with the thought of really retiring here and if you put all of your eggs in that basket you are stupid.

That may well be the case if you met your Khon Kaen gf in Pattaya a few months ago.

Others in long-term relationships may find your stereotype unwelcome.

I actually agree with this observation, always leave yourself an exit strategy.

It has nothing to do with either the woman or where you met her, its to do with the ever changing rules and regulations, that judging from some of the posts that have been posted on this subject on other threads, many would appear to be having financial difficulty in meeting.

I know of one case where an elderly gentleman had been living with his wife and met the 200,000 baht in the bank option to apply for an extension based on marriage, and was able to eek out his pittance of a pension.

Fast forward, wife dies, husband has to apply for an extension based on regulations for a single man going for a retirement extension, he wasnt able just to pluck the extra 600,000 baht out of thin air.

Ok a bit of an extreme case, but something he had no control over.

Yes Thailand is allright for those with money, if you are sailing close to the wind, hang on you may well be in for a rough ride.

How many could actually answer the question, where would I go and what would I do if the shit hit the fan and I was no longer able to meet the financial requirements?

[lopburi3]

It is not that hard to obtain visa entry and stay (if they want to do so) - thousands are doing it. For those old enough to retire non immigrant O visas are available without the need for 800k in a bank account. Not as nice as extensions of stay but for most an alternative.

What people should do, if able, is apply for PR as that does provide a bit more security. A bit difficult for many but if you only desire to stay in Thailand likely worth the effort.

[garyk]

Actually my gf is from KK. But i met her on the internet. She has never been with a farang before me. And i have been to pattaya two times. One day each and with her. I wanted to see it for my self.

I love thialand, I have a retirement visa here .

It still doesn't change things. Before i decided to retire here i set up a good exit for me. I have a good frined here that went thur pure hel_l. Because he did not have a place to go. Sold his home and possetions to come here and live the life of milk and honey.

I think if you have been here for a while you know some one like my friend. It is sad. But a reallity.

If things go bad you can go home broken hearted and eventually the heart will heal. But with old age it is very hard to recover from poverty. And i can see the stress in my friends eyes when the one year renewal comes up for the retirement visa. He prays for an easy time of it and prays they do not change the rules or have a new guy or gal that does not give a shit. And wants to cause problems. With only enough money to survive here not back home.

It gives me a piece of mind. If things go wrong or god forbids my gf dies or leaves me I can go home and be comfortable until i decide which way is up.

The OP. I hope straightens things up. And I agree with the others that say being nice and maybe even showing some green helps here. Everytime i go to the police station for something i give them at least one hundred baht. Now when i go they rush to assist me and are very nice. I think i will start doing the same at immigration.

But in Thailand you never friging know what will happen. Great place to spend my years and have fun though. And my fun is traveling and hiking and seeing the country.. I love the nature here. Heading to the mountains this week for a few weeks of R&R......

[mahtin]

Sorry I read you wrong.

All the best.

[Isaanben]

Yesterday I was back in Sakon Nakhon. I happened to meet the man who answered my email and showed him the same papers as the first time. He seemed satisfied but handed over to the same guy I met the first time. He wanted to see a bank statement too (I had already shown the bank book with about 150,000). He saw I had the yellow book so he wanted to see that too.

Then he was satisfied and I could have my one year extension! So now I am relieved... I could do the 90 day report too, though it remains 14 days until I have been here 90 days. I was told I could do that by post in the future.

Isaanben

[Mario2008]

Good to hear every worked out fine this time.

[Jezz]

Good to hear every worked out fine this time.

Here's an update on Sakhon Nakhon immigration. I applied for my first extension based on marriage on 23rd Feb. We had all the required documents and pictures along with extra stuff to help. The process took 2 hours with extensive questions to both my wife and I about our relationship history, then everything said was typed out. I got the usual "under consideration" stamp and an appointment to return for completion on 21st April - two months time as I still had 29 days left on original visa. This morning (2nd March) at 9 am the immigration people phoned to say they were coming to our house at 10 am. The official stayed for more than an hour writing reports, and because the head man (VIP) was in a meeting at the Ampur, we had to bring a neighbour in to confirm that my wife and I do actually live together. He had to produce his tambien ban and ID card. Finally, the official got another neighbour to take pictures of us with the official outside the house. He said next year he won't need to visit us. It was because this is our first application.It was all very civil and polite. Well, you can't say they're skipping on details!

[Mario2008]

seems business as usual. Indeed they only visit your house the first time you do this extension. All the rest is the same every year. Never worry about the under consideration, that is just a formality.

[Jezz]

seems business as usual. Indeed they only visit your house the first time you do this extension. All the rest is the same every year. Never worry about the under consideration, that is just a formality.

Cheers. Just thought I'd report because a lot of guys have been asking about this new office.

[sanuk21]

I, too, think that this immigration officer must have misunderstood your application, perhaps because the Thai language does not have a word for "retirement". On the immigration website, the English text calls it "spending the rest of your life".

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Maestro

Hmmm sorry Maestro but I hate to rain on your parade here but the thai word for retirement is :

ความเกษียณ khwaam ga siian

http://www.thai-language.com/id/141071

Sanuk