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Answered9 months ago

What are the benefits of depositing 800,000 THB versus transferring 65,000 THB monthly for a Thai visa?

Beautifu********
asked Jan 18, 2026
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Hi curious on benefits of the 800,000 deposit Vs 65,000 bht per month 🤔

Given you get little to no interest while the money is tied up compared to 7-8% ( what I currently get in my Aus Super investments ) why would you put that much in a Thai account rather that transfer the 65,000 p/m ?

Is there an advantage ? ( keen to learn )

Bb
Answer summary
The post discusses the benefits and drawbacks of depositing 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account versus transferring 65,000 THB monthly for visa requirements (specifically for retirees). It highlights that while the deposit provides peace of mind and simplicity (as it requires no monthly transfers), the monthly transfer option might be more financially beneficial given potential interest from investments back home. Commenters note that keeping the funds in a Thai bank for the first year is often necessary for initial visa applications, while 12 months of transfers allows for flexibility in subsequent years. Key considerations include bank interest rates, ease of managing funds, and the possibility of account freezes.
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Steve **********
Steve **********
Tell her Mayo Clinic injects DMSO in veins of people undergoing stem cell transplant. It preserves the stem cells from damaged while frozen.
Simon *******
Simon *******
This is why an agent can be useful,leave the money at home earning interest, use the agents money noy yours ,yes the first time is expensive but the interest far out weighs the cost every year after the interest more than covers the agent renewing it
Chris **********
Chris **********
I have the visa required lump sum deposit. My Embassy doesn't supply income statement of funds. I don't use wise, I use remitly for monthly deposits with the hope of switching from lump sum to monthly requirement. How can I supply immigration with proof of international transfer?
Russ *****
Russ *****
Not so sure western banks are safer than thai in the future. I don't mind having money spread around
Dave *********
Dave *********
I believe you need to show a history of the monthly deposits before you can use that route.
Todd ********
Todd ********
If you have to count every baht to retire here. Rethink your retirement location
Yaroslav ************
Yaroslav ************
No difference 🤣
Dragan **********
Dragan **********
Never put big money in a Thai account .

One day it’s there .

Next day your account is blocked .

Many foreigners accounts are blocked .

Don’t listen to anyone on here .

Be safe with your money .
Yo***
Yo***
@Dragan *********
half agreed but not so extreme. I got my accounts frozen twice just for two or three months. It was weird and unpleasant. The bank staffs in bangkok bank treated me like criminals. That was totally unpleasant experience for me in my life time. n. But I just felt that they do not take your money. frozen account? yes, closed account? yes, but at least, they do not steal your money. It is luck in unlucks in Thailand. 😅
Jeffrey *********
Jeffrey *********
Bet5er marriaaat pattya no need deposit money
Jeffrey *********
Jeffrey *********
Yo***
Yo***
I would ask about international transfer, when using monthly method. I know that bangkok bank has surely international transfer from Wise, in the bank statement. Monthly method needs clear international transfer or foreign transfer or something like that the money is from overseas shows in official statement of the bank. In this regard, bangkok bank is very clear. International transfer with Wise. Other banks have unclear statements like Trade transfer or something like that. If you use monthly income method, and with bangkok bank, you just need bank statement where to show that your money is regularly in to the bank account with international transfer. so that is officially bank statement. Bangkok bank has to freeze the fund of immigration use, like 800,000 Thb, then they can issue the bank letter and balance certificate of this kind. Otherwise they refused to issue that docs. But how about if we use monthly income method in bangkok bank???The issue of bangkok bank is their policy to freeze funds to issue the certificates for immigration. But using monthly method in bangkok bank, there is no money left or do not need to keep it in the bank for time. just money is in and out. That is all in the bank statement. does the bangkok bank freeze this amount or does not issue bank statement stamped by bank? which is what immigration required?
Nick ************
Nick ************
Young i use Bangkok Bank to transfer monthly
*****
baht for extension purposes. I have obtained one extension this way and will go for another this week. 25 transfers all show as international transfer from Wise as I asked them to tag my account. As for freezing funds it is not possible if there are none there! My IO only required statements printed from the banking app and my UK statements that matched up. I required nothing from the bank itself although they did make a copy of my updated bank book on the day free of charge. This year I will also have the Wise transfer documents but I don't think I will need them. Check with your IO.
Yo***
Yo***
Nick Cartwright Oh great. They also check your home bank statement that matched your Thai bank statement that you really sent your money to Thailand? strange but Ok. Yes, it is not possible to freeze bangkok bank account with no money left there. And that does not need balance certificate that you have such money from when to now like that. This bank certificate required to freeze account for months after or before. But for monthly method user, do not need to worry about this. I also have K bank and Krungthai bank, but they do not show clearly, International transfer from Wise. That is why i asked about bangkok bank. One thing I like bangkok bank is only international transfer.
James ************
James ************
My visa got denied due to not being able to prove where my funds come from. Pay stubs and W2 were not sufficient. I dont have a work contract, as most people in America dont.
Yo***
Yo***
James Vanderwall what visa? retirement? actually, they do not ask about the money is from. They can ask if that is international transfer or not. Normally retirees have savings to cover this amount.
James ************
James ************
Young non o marriage. And just being international doesnt matter. You have to have proof of source if they ask.
Yo***
Yo***
James Vanderwall who asked? immigration or bank? or tax office? And, if they ask, you just can show where is your money from. That should be from your home bank account right?
James ************
James ************
Im currently just on non o guardian. As my kids are on Ed visa. Its just easier.
James ************
James ************
You have to have 12 full months of 65,000 deposited in to your account before you can choose that option. Plus you have to have proper paper trail to show where that money comes from. You're Australian, so I have no idea how you do that lol. In America you need social security statements, or work contract.
Nick ************
Nick ************
James Vanderwall my UK bank statements did the trick.
James ************
James ************
Nick Cartwright I had federatax papers. Not enough. Heard many had problems with this immigration woman before
Nick ************
Nick ************
One advantage of monthly payments is that you can do what you like with them. Send them back to home bank to send again next month if you like.
Yo***
Yo***
Nick Cartwright yes very true. total freedom to use my money. 😂
Yo***
Yo***
Definitely, for retirees, 65K THB way is better than putting 800K THB. Putting 800K thb can make peace in mind. Yes, sure. But, once a month, 65K Thb transfer is also not hassle at all if someone is retired. Thailand is a good country but one thing is missing. That is Thai banks. Even locals do not put a lot of money into Thai banks. But, as we are foreigners, we can get more problems or stress from Thai banks. some of people already experienced that kind of things from Thai bank. yes, Bangkok bank. I got my account frozen twice for two months in bangkok bank. Even, I think it will happen again. Just we do not know when. And also, I do not think that other Thai banks never will do this? And also, Thai baht is too strong for now or years. So maybe in soon future will go down slowly. And there are too many factors that can change situations. Furthermore, once your Thai bank account is frozen, even you have 800,000 THB or more? that is scary thing. Also if they closed your account? for no reason? or suddenly? like bangkok bank did or is doing now too? even you restored your account, immigration officer can see there is interruption to keep 800,000 Thb. and if account is frozen, no bank can issue required documents for immigration.
John ********
John ********
Depends what you spend too. I don’t spend anywhere near 65,000 baht a month.

So I’d either have reverse transfer costs to consider or a forever increasing cumulative surplus here in Thailand not earning me money.

I think for me the best long term strategy financially is parking the 800k.

Comparing fixed versus compounding losses.
Jake *****
Jake *****
Hassle-free
Anna *********
Anna *********
You have to doo the 800k the first year and then do 65k per month as weyfor the second year

A lot of people just find it easier to leave the 800 K they’re unforgettable about it and then they don’t have to worry
Kenneth *******
Kenneth *******
Or pay agent they do it all and what it cost in fee you get in interest from your Australian bank or superannuation
Alistair *************
Alistair *************
Before my Thai fiancée and I decided to get married, I was going to apply for a Retirement Visa. I am from Scotland and I spoke to the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

They said I did not require an income affidavit from the UK Embassy in Bangkok if I could provide bank statements for the past 12 months showing I had a monthly pension income greater than 65,000 THB.

They advised me not to deposit 800,000 THB. They said this was only necessary if I did not have bank statements for one year showing I had monthly pension income of 65,000 THB or more.
John **********
John **********
@Alistair ************
that 65k baht per month must be in a Thai bank. Won't work if it's a UK bank
Alistair *************
Alistair *************
@John *********
I was told by the Royal Thai Embassy in London that I must demonstrate for the previous year that I had a pension income of at least 65,000 THB and show that moving forward that income would be paid in to a Thai bank account.

My private company pension funds and the UK State pension people have said they can all pay directly in to a Thai bank account.

Now that I am getting married I need to show I have a monthly income of 40,000 THB in the same manner.
Alistair *************
Alistair *************
@John *********
thanks for the clarification, much appreciated
John **********
John **********
@Alistair ************
it really doesn't matter what the Thai embassy in London told you. You can use money in a UK bank to apply for the initial 90 day Non-O visa anywhere but in Thailand. If you want to apply for it inside Thailand then you need money in a Thai bank. If you want to apply for a 12 month extension of stay then you must have the appropriate funds in a Thai bank, 800k baht for retirement or 400k baht for marriage. In the second year you can use 12 months of transfers of a minimum of 65k baht from overseas for the retirement extension and you might be able to use 12 months of 40k for a marriage extension but the latter is immigration office specific
Liam ***********
Liam ***********
Alistair John Grant I think you still have to do the 800 k route if you cannot affidavit your pension but I could be wrong

After year one they can see the 65 k going into your account then you can take out your 800k
Paul ************
Paul ************
Liam O'connell so no way to go 65 k route for first extension even I can get affidavit from my embassy?
Beautifu********
Beautifu********
OP
Alistair John Grant I’ll be on a plane back over as soon as I start getting my super pension ( counting the days now 🤦‍♂️)
Phil ******
Phil ******
Its only 38k ozzie that what 3k intrest? Think of it as an investment in other ways 👌
Martin ***************
Martin ***************
Phil Rees you won’t get 3k interest on 38k in an Aussie high interest account . Max you will get is around 4%- which would be around $1500.
Beautifu********
Beautifu********
OP
Phil Rees that’s $3k per year , that’s also $30k after 10 years 😉possibly more factoring in compound
Jim *********
Jim *********
BeautifulBee8997 do you pay tax on deposit interest in your country
Phil ******
Phil ******
BeautifulBee8997 yea but its only for the first year
Keith ************
Keith ************
Transferring money is not free. But it's more than offset by the interest you'll earn. You can't just use any transfer service to bring the 65k/month in. It must be coded as an international transfer by your Thai bank.

Before you open a bank account, search this forum about that subject. Some banks have more issues with this than others.
Beautifu********
Beautifu********
OP
Keith Livingston 🙏
Jeff ***********
Jeff ***********
Keith Livingston... Yes.. Like Bangkok Bank for starters.
สก็อต *********
สก็อต *********
Im not keeping any of my money in a Thai bank account 75k every month and what ever I don't spend can stay in the account . Wise transfer every month for the renewal . I will keep my money in my other accounts
Robert **********
Robert **********
สก็อต อัลการ์ As long as you can prove the monthly amount comes from a pension, social security or similar not a problem.
Jonny *********
Jonny *********
Robert Woolford you only need to "prove" the money came from abroad. Nobody ask you where you get those money from.
Robert **********
Robert **********
Jonny Larsson Try it and post back here how you get on. Better still, go to immigration and ask them directly and post the requirements on here. 😉👍🏻
สก็อต *********
สก็อต *********
Robert Woolford at 52 whos got a state pension nobody . You can get a lump sum at 55 in the UK from your private pension
Yo***
Yo***
Robert Woolford someone does not have pension yet or social security or similar? only savings? can not do this monthly method?
Beautifu********
Beautifu********
OP
สก็อต อัลการ์ that’s what I was planning easy enough to do a wise transfer every month
Nigel ********
Nigel ********
BeautifulBee8997 be careful i use wise every month. One month it sent it to the yellow bank first, then onto Bangkok bank. So you have to go and get a statement from that bank to prove. It was an international transfer carefully check it every month
สก็อต *********
สก็อต *********
BeautifulBee8997 yes in my opinion you get hammered by both banks if you send from your bank to Thai bank plus the rate is shite . Pay the transfer fee to wise and get a better rate anyway . No brainer
Heinz ***********
Heinz ***********
Definitely do the 65k!
Beautifu********
Beautifu********
OP
I should have mentioned will for retirement visa , thanks I’ll put in 800,000 and 65,000 p/m then withdraw the 800,000 after 12 months and reinvest it. Awesome replies thank you 🙏
Dick ********
Dick ********
BeautifulBee8997 don’t withdraw it until you get the extension based on 65k per month, tho!
Dave *****
Dave *****
BeautifulBee8997 my issue is after you leave 800k in thailand for 2 years, how easy is it to take it out and send back to your account in your original country? also about the 65k per month, can you withdraw from it to pay your monthly expense inside thailand or does it stay there untouched for 12 months consecutively (build up)?
Nick ************
Nick ************
Dave Loc no issue doing Swift transfer from Bangkok Bank to UK bank. I moved £
*****
last Summer cist about £60.
Stuart ***********
Stuart ***********
You can use the 65,000 after it has been deposited. I have not tried transferring money out of Thailand, but it is possible.
John **********
John **********
@Dave ****
there should be no problem transferring the 800k back out of Thailand once it is no longer required. The 65k baht per month can be spent as soon as it shows up in your account
Dave *****
Dave *****
@John *********
thank you.
Mike *********
Mike *********
Safety. You miss a monthly payment, it gets misclassified, you forget. Whatever. Miss a payment and maybe your renewal is declined. You just need to be disciplined and check every transaction immediately.

Put 805k in the bank for the first year. Leave it alone. Lazy but safe.
Sean **********
Sean **********
Mike Timbers that is what I did. But I put plenty more in it to make sure it does not go under the 800k and use it until I get down to 1 million
Kenneth *******
Kenneth *******
Mike Timbers why not get agent to do all leave your money in your own bank get interest
Sean **********
Sean **********
Kenneth Owens how much are you paying for an agent? That is a cost
Mike *********
Mike *********
Kenneth Owens agent is getting your passport stamped thru illegal means. One day that agent might upset someone and get taken down and your visa investigated. It can happen. Not saying it will. But it could.
Andy *****
Andy *****
Kenneth Owens probably, on its own merits it’s not worth it as the agents fees would cost more than the interest earned. Gives more incentive to go down the agent route though …
Deepak *******
Deepak *******
I have earned more than a million baht using agents for the last 19 years. I invested the money in voo and gld
Deepak *******
Deepak *******
Mike Timbers Why 5K extra?
Sean **********
Sean **********
@Deepak ******
fees and taxes.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
Mike *********
Mike *********
@Deepak ******
bank charges. Be safe.
Raymond *********
Raymond *********
Easy, 800 000thb gives you place of mind but you have to immobilier that amount for 3-4 minths then you can use 50% of that amount. On the other hand, for the first year, if you cannot get your embassy to confirm your 65 000bht , it's not an option but it could be for the second year
John **********
John **********
If your embassy no longer provides income affidavits/certificates then to apply for your first extension of a Non-O visa obtained before you travel to Thailand you have no choice but to put 800k baht into a Thai bank account 2 full calendar months before applying for the extension, for 2nd and subsequent extensions you can show 12 full calendar months of a minimum of 65k baht per month transferred from overseas immediately prior to applying for the extension. An increasing number of embassies no longer supply an income affidavit including UK, US. Australia but check with yours
James ************
James ************
@John *********
absolutely correct. You have to be able to prove where the income comes from
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
There are no particular benefits, but you will need to deposit 800,000 baht for the first year before you are able to demonstrate twelve consecutive months of transfers. If you only stay part time in Thailand on a Non O/Extension of Stay, you don’t have to transfer 65,000 baht per month to a Thai bank while residing in your home country or elsewhere.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
I’m well aware of the practical differences between putting 800 K in the bank or 65K per month .I am trying to establish the fact that I only stay in Thailand for 5
***
months a year and if I do not have to contribute my 65,000 per month during the months that I am not here in Thailand, I would be very interested to know how that works. That’s what I am getting at. So please explain your comment if you forgot what you said reread your post.
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
@Wayne *******
You’re overcomplicating something that is actually very simple. If you choose the monthly income method, you must transfer 65,000 baht every single month, regardless of whether you are physically in Thailand or not. There is no pause button. If you choose the lump sum method, you don’t make monthly transfers at all and you don’t have to think about it while you’re outside Thailand, which is quite practical for a part time stay. That’s the entire point and the only practical benefit of the lump sum option. This is exactly what the OP’s question was about. If that distinction still isn’t clear, the problem isn’t the rules; it’s the interpretation.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
Jan Kenneth Nesland I like that, but I’ve never heard of that before. Where do you get that information please
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
@Wayne *******
There are only two ways to meet the financial requirement for an extension of stay if you do not have an affidavit letter from your embassy confirming income. Either you keep a lump sum in a Thai bank account, or you make monthly transfers. So it really comes down to what you are more comfortable with, -leaving the money parked in Thailand, or transferring part of your income to Thailand every single month, regardless of where you are physically located, in order to maintain the extension. There is no requirement to spend a minimum number of days in Thailand each year, as long as you return in time to apply for the next extension.
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
@Wayne *******
I’m not sure what you’re trying to establish here. The discussion was about the practical difference between using a lump sum versus monthly income to meet the financial requirement, not about redefining the rules. If that distinction is still unclear, the issue is not the rules, -it’s the reading.
Wayne ********
Wayne ********
Jan Kenneth Nesland I was referring to your comment. It says you do not have to put ฿65,000 into your account every month. if you reside part-time in Thailand and you are on a Non o Ext, YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRANSFER ฿65,000 PER MONTH TO THAI BANK WHILE RESIDING IN YOUR COUNTRY OR ELSEWHERE. That is a quote from your post and that is the part that I would like more information on. I was under the impression that it had to be 12 consecutive months of deposits, regardless of where you live to keep your Ext alive 
Dick ********
Dick ********
You should explain what you mean by only staying part time on a non o extension you don’t need to transfer 65k a month. I believe there is something illogical about that statement. Please elucidate.
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
Dick Greene If you maintain the 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account required, there is no obligation to transfer 65,000 baht per month into Thailand. The monthly income option is an alternative pathway, not an additional requirement. Keeping the lump sum satisfies the financial condition for the full year regardless of whether you stay full time or only part of the year. It is simply a question of which option you are more comfortable with.
Nick ************
Nick ************
Jan Kenneth Nesland I have just spent 6 months in the UK and made a payment to my Thai bank each of those months to qualify for the extension of stay.
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
Jan Bergermann Several people use wise, I’m not familiar with this but it has to be coded as an international transfer from a foreign source.
Jan ************
Jan ************
Jan Kenneth Nesland is transfer of
*****
per month by Wise ok?
Yo***
Yo***
Nick Cartwright if you want to extend your permit, while you are not in Thailand, you should send the money into your thai account regularly. Nothing changed.
Jan ******************
Jan ******************
Nick Cartwright Sorry if my wording was a bit imprecise. The point I was trying to make is that by keeping the required amount in the account, you don’t have to think about transferring income or pension to Thailand every single month. That can be impractical if, for example, you only stay in Thailand for six months a year. Of course, you must still meet the financial requirements for the extension at all times, even when you are not physically in Thailand, either by keeping the 800,000 baht on deposit or by transferring 65,000 baht every month throughout the entire year.
Nick ************
Nick ************
Jan Kenneth Nesland but you confused the issue by saying that you need not make transfers while you are not in Thailand inferring that you were on the monthly payment method of obtaining extension of stay. I don't believe that is correct.

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