Some Bangkok Embassies to stop Certification of Income Letters

[RCer]

As long as you can pay your bills it shouldn't make any difference how much money you have in the bank or receive as income. Some people don't like to keep their money in banks. Others prefer to pay for everything by credit card and use their bank acct. in there home country to pay their bills. The whole thing is about govt. control. Whether it's financial, moral or cultural the govt. wants to control it. Then there's the xenophobia that infects all people and in this day of illegal aliens forcing their way into many countries the fear is heightened and that leads to more govt. control over as many aspects of people's lives as they can stick their noses into.

The 800k in a Thai bank has been the rule since at least 2006.

Only difference now is they are actually going to enforce it.

[laphanphon]

I've used the income deposit route, 40k / 65k a month, bank statement in the past. No affidavit, just the bank statement verifying monthly deposits for respected extension.

At the time, didn't even need to be consistent, every month, though close, and was totaled up for the year and averaged. So if 35k one month, and 45k the next, they didn't care. Friendlier times I guess. This again, not HH, but UT and Nong Khai.

I didn't realize brokers or banks are, were forging such docs. Again, the few, screw the rest of us. So tightening and adjust the rules already on the books seems natural.

Certainly can't blame Imm for wanting honest guests. I like it, though sad some good folks may fall threw the cracks. But hey, better planning on their next retirement choice.

Everyone knew, knows the rules before coming here, simply follow them. Simply comply, like we wish immigrants in our home country to do.

[T.O.M.]

As long as you can pay your bills it shouldn't make any difference how much money you have in the bank or receive as income. Some people don't like to keep their money in banks. Others prefer to pay for everything by credit card and use their bank acct. in there home country to pay their bills. The whole thing is about govt. control. Whether it's financial, moral or cultural the govt. wants to control it. Then there's the xenophobia that infects all people and in this day of illegal aliens forcing their way into many countries the fear is heightened and that leads to more govt. control over as many aspects of people's lives as they can stick their noses into.

Blaming everyone but yourself.
So according to your 'logic'...the illegals in our home countries can stay as long a they pay their bills and don't burden social services and the healthcare system...
As for Big Brother.....Thailand is probably one of the most relaxed countries in the world, when it comes to controlling it's citizens...and expats alike.
In which other country can go to your bank and deposit 1 million baht cash...no questions asked.
In my 16 years here I have had 2 (two) visits from immigration, both caused by the late king returning to the palace here and immigration checked on the pesky foreigners living nearby.....Very polite and friendly officers, who didn't enter the gate before I invited them in.
Conclusion: Mind your own business and follow the law.....and local authorities will leave you alone.
You can hardly blame Thailand for that our home countries currencies have gone south...Actually Thailand has been very generous by keeping the 800k from at least 2002. Inflation meanwhile (Thailand) has been 44.76%, so if immigration had chosen, they could have adjusted the required 800k up with inflation....If they had done that, the amount today would have been 1158k baht.
So much for your xenophobia theory....
If you can't meet IMO very fair requirements...I feel sorry for you, but maybe you should have look at neighboring countries, where the financial requirements are lower...as far as I know

[caller]

Everyone knew, knows the rules before coming here, simply follow them. Simply comply, like we wish immigrants in our home country to do.

But that's what the vast majority do. As far as I am aware the rules have yet to change. But if they do and that effects many, then you can't blame the individuals who suffer as a consequence, as they have done nothing wrong, but are in effect, still being punished.

You will never stop some people cheating the system, as the immigration raid's prove. There always has to be a balance between the ease of securing a visa and the checks and balances in place needed to establish the applicant is genuine, same for ongoing checks. Too onerous and people won't bother applying and the cost of checks increases and the system becomes too unwieldy.

I hope they sort this matter out soon, as there must be many concerned farangs.

[laphanphon]

400k or 800k in a bank account, isn't exactly my choice, but it seems pretty easy.

That seriously can't be considered a lot of money for a married or retired person.

[Dannie Boy]

400k or 800k in a bank account, isn't exactly my choice, but it seems pretty easy.

That seriously can't be considered a lot of money for a married or retired person.

800k is just about £20000 these days so for some, that will be quite a bit of money to have sitting around doing nothing - one of the reasons why some people decided to live in Thailand was for the lower costs than their home country - they can easily manage day to day living costs here, but not all will have a spare 20 grand

[laphanphon]

Then I hope they have quality health insurance in case they get sick. So the hospital doesn't yet again, get stiffed by another foreigner.

Part of the reason Imm makes sure we can finance our stay as guest, completely finance our stay, including an oops or 2. Sh*t does happen.

If living check to check, month to month, then some expats should consider the safety net of their almost free universal healthcare coverage at home, if they can't manage getting £10k or £20k on short notice.

Not very good retirement planning if you ask me. Or Thai Imm.

[Chazz14]

laphanphon, I retired here 5 years ago using the (entirely legal) combination of approx. 50/50 bank balance + pension. Now, due to to the latest developments re: extensions (and not forgetting that the GBP/THB exchange rate is at 22 year low!) I find myself with a potentially serious problem. It is possible that I will have to return to the UK even though I have no home there. If I go, then my financial support to my partner and her 2 daughters can no longer continue...

I must say that I am finding that your daily posts (from behind the anonymity of the forum) are becoming tedious. You seem to be saying that anyone who has been using the combination method is inferior to people with B800K in the bank. I hope that is not what you intended to imply. I am having sleepless nights at present and I don't need that s**t, thank you...

It did occur tome that you could possibly be a Immigration troll... LOL well,you never know, TIT!

[buksida]

I must say that I am finding that your daily posts (from behind the anonymity of the forum) are becoming tedious. You seem to be saying that anyone who has been using the combination method is inferior to people with B800K in the bank. I hope that is not what you intended to imply. I am having sleepless nights at present and I don't need that s**t, thank you...

It did occur tome that you could possibly be a Immigration troll... LOL well,you never know, TIT!

Well said.

I find the whole "if you don't have 800k you don't deserve to be here" attitude from the self-righteous brigade rather sickening, and with about as much compassion as a dried turd. This visa situ doesn't affect me one bit, but I hope some karma comes their way soon when they're on the wrong end some stupid bureaucratic crackdown or circumstances have changed through no fault of their own.

[HHTel]

To both Buksi and Chazz

[laphanphon]

I must say that I am finding that your daily posts (from behind the anonymity of the forum) are becoming tedious.

.....not that anonymous at all, if reading post and can research, could probably find pictures of myself, many actually of self and family, and or my exact location

You seem to be saying that anyone who has been using the combination method is inferior to people with B800K in the bank. I hope that is not what you intended to imply. I am having sleepless nights at present and I don't need that s**t, thank you...

.....Not inferior, per se, and not my intent, but your retirement planning not completely up to snuff

It did occur tome that you could possibly be a Immigration troll... LOL well,you never know, TIT!
....No..have to jump threw the same hoops as your fine self

I feel your pain, especially if needed to return, and hope family can go along with you, if possible.

Yes, it sucks, been here myself for a while, USD / THB @ $1 / ฿45 high - ฿29 low. So like yourselves, have 'lost' 33 % of my income, added to at least 100+ % inflation for the basics, and it's a hit on anyone's finances.

I did expect cost of living to be 100 % more within 10 years retiring, as no matter where one lives, that's a reality.


Didn't plan on the 33 % loss of income. Supplemented by taking pension early, and if living more than 18 more year (not crapping out before 73), then that turns into a bad idea.....LOL

I did plan for any major oops, and seems to be the only difference between myself and others, who are struggling to make financials. I'm even downgrading to marriage from retirement, as the extra 400k sitting in Thai bank, moving out of better return options, seems a bit silly. I mainly did the affidavit when I turned 50, to keep all saving working for me. Now it seems I'll need to bounce it around every 8 ish months or so, lessening any returns.

Wish you best ...

[RCer]

In my case having to save up 800k is putting a bit of a crunch on my monthly spending money. I've been using the affidavit the past 3 years.

But, on the bright side BKK bank did set me up with an account that pays 1.69% on 9mo term. Although the Government gets 15% of the interest earned.

Still a better interest rate than US banks offer.

I've tried my hand at investing (while still working and not on a fixed retirement income). Lost my shirt doing it too.

So am I happy about this new enforcement of an old rule? No. Can I continue to live in LOS? Yes.

I feel for the folks that have been doing the broker with the falsified bank letter. I hope only the brokers and bankers involved in these shady deals get to visit the Bangkok Hilton (which I doubt will ever happen).

Unfortunately these foreigners are now faced with hard decisions to make. I just hope they don't do the normal "I'll wait and see".

[dtaai-maai]

^^(EDIT: re laphanpon's post) That's a bit more like it!

I agree with Buksi et al that previous posts (not exclusively yours, by any means, Homer and T.O.M. also, from memory) come across as triumphal, arrogant, condescending and without any compassion or consideration for others.

There are so many perfectly valid reasons that people might be more seriously affected than you by (in my case) a 40% drop in the exchange rate (which will probably get worse). If I hadn't left 18 months ago, I'd definitely be on my way now.

Incidentally, if unpaid medical bills (by expats rather than tourists) is such a concern, why isn't adequate health insurance a condition of stay? Of course, that would be equally crippling for many, unless they had retired after teaching here and maintained the very reasonable govt health insurance payments.

Anyway, congratulations to all who are likely to survive the changes, serious commiserations to those who are going to have to pack their bags, especially those with dependents.

Personally, I'd rather see this thread focus on concrete changes and advice on what comes next, rather than pure speculation and unhelpful comments about what people should have done 10 or 20 years ago.

[laphanphon]

On mandatory insurance coverage as a condition to stay, I'm quite happy that has never been instituted.

I've never had, wanted or needed health insurance, and would hate to have to buy a product, that I'll never need, or be more expensive than the cost of simply paying myself, out of pocket, IF ever necessary. Surely a huge savings over 40 or 50 years of monthly premiums.

Besides, I think most retirees, wouldn't even be able to get coverage, and I believe if they are able, most policies drop you after a certain age, when you would probably need it most.

Insurance is one of my pet peeves, and one of the biggest scams out there. IMO

Personally, I'd rather see this thread focus on concrete changes and advice on what comes next, rather than pure speculation and unhelpful comments about what people should have done 10 or 20 years ago.

It's all a one big question mark, until after the new year. Wait and see, what they actually enforce, at each Imm office, and or any changes they come up with next year.

We're all obviously not expecting any assistance from our embassies...

Unfortunately, it's simply .... stay tuned for a few more weeks.

[Big Boy]

Personally, I'd rather see this thread focus on concrete changes and advice on what comes next, rather than pure speculation and unhelpful comments about what people should have done 10 or 20 years ago.

Agree 100% - too many putting their own spin on it, ignoring the facts i.e. Thailand haven't changed any of the requirements for remaining in the kingdom. Maybe regulations will change, but until they do, we have about 3 pages (probably less) of facts, and 25 pages of speculative BS.