Do Monthly Money Transfers to Thailand Count if Withdrawn from an ATM?

Dec 22, 2019
5 years ago
Jonathan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
i hope not off-topic but perhaps relevant, it could be to me:

does the money transferred to Thailand from abroad monthly have to be transferred into a Thai bank, or can it be withdrawn in CASH from an ATM in Thailand? Surely it depends on the wording of the law/ rule, if logic applies. The ATM slips are no evidence as the printing deteriorates but my sending bank documents in English the transfer, including the amount paid out in THB. The monthly transfers into my Thai bank are greater than 40k but less than 65k. With ATM withdrawals ( i am currently checking) the sum monthly could be greater than 65k every month, meaning the difference between an extension based on retirement and based on child dependent or wife. The former is easier, not involving pics, maps, home visit etc. I wonder, but am not optimistic. Is it the bank or immigration i have to convince? Never seen anything on this topic.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The money transferred from abroad to Thailand must be deposited directly into a Thai bank account in your name to qualify as an 'international transfer' for visa extension purposes. ATM withdrawals or non-international transfers will not meet the legal requirements, even if they exceed the necessary amounts. It's crucial to ensure that the funds are recognized as international transfers by your Thai bank to avoid complications.
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Tod *********
Well, I guess your fall back would be IF it doesn't fly you can always go to the thai consulates in Savannakhet Lao or HCMC Vietnam and get a year-long, multi-entry Non-O visa based on marriage where you don't show proof of funds and you just bounce out and in every 90 days.

Believe me you NEED to have a plan B, and you need to go apply for your extension as soon as you can so you don't burn it all down and then not be able to get it and have to bail out of the country on short notice to get a different visa
Robert *******
Ok, I made a person not feeling real happy on this sunny day, therefor:

Use a UK bank account to receive your UK pension and use internet Banking to send the money on monthly basis to your Thailand bank account or give the bank an automatic money transfer order.

This way it is always an International Transfer.

Make sure if you use the automatic money transfer order you do this in Thai Baht, otherwise the discussion start again that less money is received due to exchange rates.
Jonathan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
easier said than done, but thank you
Robert *******
Time to close it down. It all comes down to the same discussion we had a few days ago. The requirement is simple:

at least 12 months of a monthly foreign deposit into your Thai bank account.

I have monthly a foreign deposit into my bank for the last 7 years without any problem.

Using cheap cheap computer programs may not always be in your benefit, your choice, your game, your gamble. Save a few Thai Baht a year and visit every year Thai Consulates for a new visa and go over the same paper works again and again, or take your losses, sit back and relax and get your new Extension of Stay each year.
Tod *********
I was right there when this happened (actually I was the "voice" for this guy because he can't speak shit for thai) :O

I argued the point as far as I could push it, and believe me I'm just as much of an asshole in thai as I am in english. I don't take shit off thai officials and I pushed HARD. We even went up three ranks to the section head and argued the case, only to be knocked back.

While it was true he did have the right to file a written appeal, get a reason in writing why he was denied, get a sheet that told him how to correct the problem AND see if it would be overturned during the appeals process the section head (who is normally NOT downstairs) was the person I pushed it up the chain of command to and they review the appeals.

It was at that point I knew that I was pushing a rope :O
Jonathan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks a lot for the elaboration. I wonder if anyone ver tried with a competent lawyer? Rhetorical only :(
Robert *******
just to add: Be aware that all kind of cheap computer programs can be used to transfer to save a few hundred of Thai Baht a year. BUT if that deposit into your Thai bank is mentioned as National instead of International, it does not count as International Transfer.
Jonathan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
i'll let you know how it goes with the bank and with immigration
Robert *******
You need to show your Thai bank book, not a computer program or bahtnet uk
Jonathan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
that should be interesting when i present BAHTNET UK pension transfers documented on BKK bank credit advice forms :(
Tod *********
Transferred IN to your thai bank account in your name only from abroad.

I just had a guy TRY to use his receipts and he was knocked back. In fact he wasn't using an ATM, he went IN to the bank used his ATM card from his US bank and did a counter charge to withdrawal money from his account.

He had print outs of his US bank account showing the withdrawal of funds AND the counter service receipts showing he got the money in thailand and he used those to unsuccessfully argue that it constituted an "international transfer" :(
Jonathan *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
thank you, i always feared as much, thus the greater than 40k monthly transfers
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