British Embassy changes rules on retirement letter of income

[hhfarang]

Is this for real? Doesn't affect me but you U.K. expats may want to check this out.

The Bangkok-based British Embassy has announced that British nationals need no longer use its services to obtain an income verification letter in connection with their one-year visa applications at Thai immigration.

In an email communication, a spokesman said that British nationals, if they wish, may use any other embassy or consulate to obtain their income letter provided the alternative agency and the immigration bureau will accept the documentation. Bangkok consul Michael Hancock explained that the embassy was reducing its notarial work and concentrating on trying to assist British nationals in need. He added that the loss of income did not concern the embassy.

Since the closure of the British honorary consulate in Jomtien in October 2012, British nationals have travelled to Bangkok to obtain an income verification letter or applied by post or given their paperwork to a local visa agent to submit the documentation on their behalf. British nationals may continue to do this or, as an alternative, they may contact other consulates in Pattaya to produce the letter to show to immigration.

http://pattayatoday.net/news/latest-edi ... ent-rules/

[sargeant]

British nationals have travelled to Bangkok to obtain an income verification letter or applied by post or given their paperwork to a local visa agent to submit the documentation on their behalf. British nationals may continue to do this or, as an alternative, they may contact other consulates in Pattaya to produce the letter to show to immigration.

Just done mine 3 days ago no problem and no letter to say any different

[sand_dancer]

Just had a check of the Embassy website.....

No announcements to the effect that they have stopped any services.....

[lomuamart]

A weird article, particularly as the British Embassy was one who actually asked for proof of income rather than taking an applicant's word on oath for it. (See the comments from the article).
I'd also be interested to know if the American, Aussie, French, Liberian etc Embassies would let me into their compound as a Brit? Also, I can't see the other major Embassies wanting to deal with us by post. Why should they?
I'd take the article with a pinch of salt and bearing in mind the thrust of it comes from a consul in Pattaya who's out of a job, Well....
And it's stated that the Embassy still do the letters.