Can I switch from the THB 800K modality to the THB 65K modality for my retirement extension in Thailand?

Apr 28, 2023
2 years ago
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dear members,

(Q1)if I secure a Non-O and subsequently a 12-months retirement extention based on the thb 800k modality, can I switch to the 12x thb 65,000/months modality for a sequent extention year?

And with an additional complication that - for some personal reasons, I arrange the first 15months and 800k via IO and agent in Bangkok, yet next year want to switch to IO Samui for the 65k modality.

(Q2) For the latter situation would I best leave the country, get new TR and start the Non-O and 12months cycles again yet via IO Samui? Or is there an easier way to move from 800K to 65k modality yet whilst staying in the Kingdom?

Much thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The inquiry addresses whether an individual can switch from the THB 800,000 modality to the THB 65,000/month modality for a retirement extension after initially securing a Non-O visa. The person seeks guidance on doing this while potentially changing the immigration office handling their application from Bangkok to Samui. Additional considerations include the implications of using an agent for managing financial requirements and possible steps needed if leaving the country to restart the process.
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Katika ***********
If you will do
*****
*12, make sure that it written as 'transferred​ from​ other​ countries'​
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Katika **********
yes, indeed. And because I will use WISE via USA, I will have to open an account with Bangkok Bank to enable this to recorded as such my (SCB doesn't).
Bob **********
Yes make sure it comes from abroad foreign transfer
John **********
@Max *******
it looks like you have a Dutch passport so you shouldn't be using monthly income at all. I believe your embassy issues income affidavits and where these are available you have to use that method as I understand it. Also begs the question why you went down the 800k route
Chris *******
@John *********
no you can use 800k or letter as you prefer.

I am Canadian and prefer the 800k method, clean simple.

The letter method requires doing it every year, with notarized documents etc.
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Of there is any former UN staff who succeeded starting his/her retirement visa, based on just the UN papers / pension certificate pls let me know
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
my Dutch Embassy will not issue affidavit for my UN Retirement fund (coming from the USA and outside Dutch tax system). I also tried to show IO my UN pensioen certificate as well as proof of the monthly payments already being done, but to no avail, the IO does not accept these here in Samui.
John **********
@Max *******
I guess the question you need to ask your local immigration office is whether they will allow you as a Dutch citizen to use the monthly income method
Brandon ************
@Max *******
there's not a single immigration office in Thailand that will accept any income letter from anywhere. The ONLY thing they will accept is a certification of income from an embassy, or proof of funds deposited from abroad for 12 months.
Terry **********
Worked for me, went from money in bank to monthly income for subsequent visa.
Brandon ************
@Terry *********
at Koh Samui?
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terry *********
excellent, that is what I prefer to do.
Brandon ************
Will you actually have the 800,000 in the bank for the 1 year extension in Bangkok, or will the agent take care of that?

If the agent is doing it you won't be able to get your own extension anywhere in Thailand by yourself the following year, you'd need to use the agent again because you can't show that you had 800,000 in your bank account for 3 months after you received your extension which they will check when you do your next extension. This locks you into always using an agent.
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Oops that is of course not what I want. Problem is that an informant of an agent in Samui told me that once I use the 800k option here with IO Samui, yet with my own funds, next year I would have to continue the 800k modality and that seems strange.
Kool *******
@Max *******
you use whichever location the TM30 is showing where you are currently. If you move to Samui then a new TM30 is filed within 24 hours, and the immigration office closest to that is the one you use. You could normally change over to the other means of meeting the financial requirement, but you used an agent as a loanshark to cover the money requirement, and this is where the problem lies. You won't be able to show immigration your bank book proving the balance never dropped below bt400,000 for the whole year. Even though you are changing over, you must still show you met the requirements for the lump sum option, meaning you've got to show with your bank book, and letters from your bank, that for three months after you got your stamp the bt800,000 was in your account, then that the balance never dropped below bt400,000 for the rest of the year. Your bank won't be able to do that because you used an agent loanshark, and they don't give those things out.
Chris *******
@Kool ******
also the 800k has to be in 2 mths before you apply for the next extension.

EVEN if you are going to switch methods, you must complete the entire year.
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
One last question on this matter of switching from 800k to 65k. If I would do that myself with an IO outside Samui (any recommended) yet my permanent address is on Samui. How would that work with 90-day reporting
Brandon ************
@Max *******
you can't shop around for immigration offices. You use the one where you live.
Brandon ************
@Max *******
an agent's only goal is to make a profit. They don't care if they give you good advice.

Most offices will allow you to switch from 800,000 to the 65,000 per month, but every office also has their own rules so the only people who could answer that for sure would be Samui immigration.

You just have to be very careful because you need to meet all the rules from the previous 1 year extension while also meeting the rules for next year.

So if they allow you to switch you would need to show that your bank account had 800,000 when you applied for your previous 1 year extension and that you kept the 800,000 in the bank for 3 months after your extension and then never let it drop below 400,000 the rest of the year. They will ask you for the full 12 months of bank statements to confirm this.

You'll also need to show proof that you transferred in 65,000 baht every single month from overseas for the 12 months before you apply for your next extension, which is what you'll need to show to prove you qualify. So you'll be meeting 2 different requirements at the same time to switch.
Max ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks Brandon, great guidance
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