Hi,

Yesterday I inadvertently took 1,000 baht out of my bank account used to show 400K for my married visa. The total dropped to 399,400. I have to renew my visa in three weeks and realise now that I have broken the rule of having the funds there, complete for 3 months. I immediately topped it back up to over 400K but was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this type of thing and could give any sugegestions.

Thanks,
Tony.

Just a suggestion, perhaps a letter from your bank stating that the money was properly seasoned before your faux pas. You can never predict what they may do at immigration but at least you can show you were aware of your mistake and tried to correct it the best way you could. Good luck.

Despite many comments that will occur to the contrary I have always found that a decent approach to Immigration Officers in Chiang Mai with a reasonable explanation why a mistake has been made will see you through such problems. However; what they will accept and what BKK will accept, as apparently that's where all the papers go before you are granted your extension, may be entirely different and is the unknown entity.

I think if this happened to me I would go there asap and explain it to one of the desk officers and see what they make of it. I'm sure this must have happened before so they must know the score.

Re the papers going to BKK; I've never been sure if they actually do or not. Could be just a delaying tactic whilst more senior officers make decisions locally. Unless we marry a Female Immigration Officer we are unlikely ever to find out !

Good luck with your problem.

Edited May 23, 201313 yr by trainman34014

Best you have your wife make an explanation to the officer processing your extension. Always at the discretion of the officer. Best of luck. For sure you will get a month extension ( still costs 1,900 baht) to give more time for seasoning.

If you replaced the funds immediately, then the daily balance should not have dipped below the 400,000 baht minimum. Be sure to bring your updated passbook to show them you replaced the funds -- hopefully the same day.

I realise that different area Immigration offices have their own way of dealing with issues.

Here is the experience of a Phuket member ---> http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/631851-400000-baht-rule-any-wiggle-room/#entry6430131

If you can prove some other income coming in monthly that should make up the difference if they want to get picky.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went straight away to the immigration office and very politely explained the situation to the lady that has processed my married visa for 5-6 years. She said it is a problem but she did give a little bit of wiggle room. Apparently if the money had been put back the same day it would have been ok, but I didn't realise my mistake until the next morning. Funds were rep[laced within 24 hours tho. Anyway got to get my bank book updated and go and show her on Monday, she said she will look at the book and then ask "upstairs" what can be done. I will update again on Monday.

Tony.

Thanks for the suggestions. I went straight away to the immigration office and very politely explained the situation to the lady that has processed my married visa for 5-6 years. She said it is a problem but she did give a little bit of wiggle room. Apparently if the money had been put back the same day it would have been ok, but I didn't realise my mistake until the next morning. Funds were rep[laced within 24 hours tho. Anyway got to get my bank book updated and go and show her on Monday, she said she will look at the book and then ask "upstairs" what can be done. I will update again on Monday.

Tony.

I believe the "upstairs" (which is actually the back office) officers have changed very recently. Those officers are the ones that have to be satisfied and actually sign the approvals. My opinion, which is absolutely worthless of course, is that the officers in the front are learning what the new officers in the back will accept. There is some room for lee way, just as there always was.

I was in recently in the office (this week) and told that my income verification letter was too old, but they would accept it this time. Next year it would have to be correct. Keeping in mind that things can change daily.

MSPain

I'm sure you'll be fine. If it were something like 100k for a week and the money were sent home, then you'd have a problem. Best to keep it somewhat above 400k for those 2/3 months.

Your 400,000 b had not accrued interest ?

Quick update. I fortunately had other funds in another account and the lady at immigration said 400k across the two accounts is ok. Phew!

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.

Tony.