Thanks for your comment, and, yes, in my case one of the main reasons why I left. The Proof of income Letter from The British Embassy, no matter how much was the total income quoted from my 3 UK pensions, was essential for MY local Thai visa agency, the local Immigration Office itself! As a Thai Tourist Police Volunteer I had friendly contacts in the Immigration Office just across a parade ground, which provided a hassle free "service" for several years. When Bangkok introduced new Draconian rules for a retirment visa, and being single, I simply crossed the border into Cambodia to join my Khmer friends in Siem Reap where I live happily to this day and get an annual Khmer retirement visa without any hassle - so simple!