Can I use my existing bank account in Thailand to meet the retirement extension financial requirements?

Question

Hi everyone, I need some advice regarding my first Retirement Extension (based on the 800k THB deposit).
I will be arriving in Thailand on a 90-day Non-Immigrant 'O' visa. I already have a long-standing Thai bank account (opened 15 years ago on a tourist visa). The balance has consistently stayed well above 1,000,000 THB for many years.
My questions are:
1. Can I use this existing account to prove my funds for the 1-year extension at the @Immigration office?
2. Most of the balance comes from cash deposits made during my many trips over the years, with very few international wire transfers (remittances). Does the 'source of funds' or 'international origin' matter for the 800k deposit method, or is the 2-month seasoning of the balance sufficient?
I’ve heard conflicting reports about whether the money must come from abroad for the initial extension. Thanks in advance!

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is seeking advice about obtaining a Retirement Extension in Thailand based on a bank deposit of 800,000 THB, questioning if an existing Thai bank account can be used to meet financial requirements and if the source of funds needs to be verified. Commenters generally confirm that as long as the required balance is held in the account, the source or origin of funds does not typically prompt questions during the extension process, particularly since the user already has a Non-O visa.

Alan ****** · Answer

You only need to print 12 months.

Deposit 100 baht on the day you go in , so it has the up to date, date.

They won't read each transaction over the 12 months, just the balance for the past 2 months.

Malcolm ********** · Answer

I have been doing my own retirement extension for 14 years, first in Pattaya and now in Khon Kaen and all they have ever wanted is the letter from the bank, a photocopy of the bank book and now a 12 month statement.  You need the bank book to be updated on the day you apply and the bank letter/statement issued the same day, just withdraw 100 Baht from the ATM as you go into the bank for the documents and get them to update the book & photocopy it as well.  I have never seen the need for using an agent that will cost (apparently) up to 20,000 Baht for something I can do in a few minutes for the 1,900 Baht fee at Immigration and about 200 Baht at the bank but it's up to you.

Jason ****** · Answer

I used an agent for my first extension, I didn't want any hassle and believe me it worked , no questions where My money come from in bank  , yeah It costs money for an agent  but they never asked a damm question, just took a photo , I jumped all the ques, and they are all friendly and lovely and touching me in friendly way, even got me a coffee . Yeah I know it's just cos of the money ,  one of the questions is draw a map of your location where you are staying , which I know for a fact immigration will check this location and make sure your there at the time of checking  and then maybe 3 to 5  days later you get your extension after they checking the map Is correct, well they never bothered cos 2.5 hours later I had my year extension already. Money talks in thailand I am afraid.  Next year I will do it on my own ( no agent )  , cos I now know how it all works.

James ********** · Answer

They just look at the balance and the history needed, they qont question  where the money came from

Tom ******** · Answer

The will certainly ask you to update your account as you can no longer have a Bank account on a tourist visa,

Stuart ********* · Answer

I don’t know the policy at Si Sa Ket but generally there is no “where the funds come from” when applying for an extension.

It could matter for a transfer from a tourist/exempt entry to a non O in country but if you already have the Non O it shouldn’t matter the source of funds only that you have them.

12 x 65k transfers need to be seen as overseas but a balance of 800k doesn’t.

Can I use my existing bank account in Thailand to meet the retirement extension financial requirements?

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