Geeky retirement extension banking question

[Jingthing]

OK, I have heard it confirmed a number of times over the years that Thai immigration is OK with multiple Thai bank accounts being used to bank funds qualify for retirement extensions.

However, here's another wrinkle on using multiple bank accounts for this.

Suppose you foreign import your funds into one Thai bank and then transfer the funds online to another Thai bank, using that one Thai bank account for your extension qualification?

The issue/question I have here is that the funds in the bank book you show will include funds transferred there IN Thailand with no indication of foreign import. While technically my understanding is that foreign import isn't required (at least for subsequent, not first extensions) do you think this would really be OK? Of course the other Thai bank book (the one not being used for extension qualification) could be on hand to show as well, if asked for.

Edited April 7, 2014 by Jingthing

[manarak]

I bet the guy who wrote the regulations didn't think about that one!

[ubonjoe]

I have never heard of immigration wanting to see proof that the money came from abroad other than for doing a conversion to a nonimmigrant visa. I think they do that for them because there is no seasoning required.

If for some reason they did that you could show the bank book the money came into. It would also show the transfer to the other account.

[noodle]

Isn't this a non issue?

Immigration does not care where the funds shown in the bank document/passbook originate for the first or any other extension.

[Jingthing]

Thanks for the feedback about the core of my question which was of course about the need for the funds to be coming from abroad. I probably could have made that more clear.

I am of course fully aware of MONEY SEASONING requirements for the 800K baht method (two months for the first extension and three months for later ones) and also the need for a bank letter.

I was concerned that the officer seeing a bank book topped off with in Thailand transfers rather than coming from abroad would be suspicious of illegal working or even denying as the funds weren't foreign sourced.

I know that technically there is no official written requirement about this need for foreign funds import, but taking that literally isn't always a fool proof way of avoiding problems at immigration.

I agree if questioned being able to show the other Thai bank book showing the original import would be good proof for a reasonable officer, if questioned. Unless he really got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning, that is.