What are the requirements for obtaining a bank letter for retirement or marriage visa applications in Prachuap Khiri Khan?

Oct 6, 2024
2 months ago
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m planning on living in Prachuap Khiri Khan with either a retirement or marriage visa. My question is about the required letter from the bank stating that 800/400K Baht was deposited via international transfer and has been in the account for at least 2 months dated the day of applying for the retirement/marriage visa. If I have to open a Bangkok Bank account in a ‘easy’ branch, say Pattaya, can I get the letter from the PKK branch or does it have to be obtained from the branch where I opened the account? If so, can I transfer the account to the PKK branch?

Does anybody know if the Hua Hin immigration office (the one I’ll be using) requires this letter or are happy with bank statements?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The query concerns obtaining a bank letter needed for a retirement or marriage visa application in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Users shared insights indicating that the bank letter can be acquired at any Bangkok Bank branch, not necessarily the one where the account was opened. Some advised opening an account where you currently reside and transferring the necessary funds (800K or 400K Baht) for the visa application. Additionally, a few reminders about the importance of keeping track of immigration reporting and requirements were mentioned.
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Ian *********
im with siam bank and found it easy to move from 1 branch to another .
Tony *********
As others have said you can get the letter from any branch it's not a problem.

I am also with Bangkok Bank and tried to transfer my account. It's impossible. I was told that I would have to open a new account if I wanted one elsewhere and then you have to jump through the hoops to do that. They only accept certain documents one is a house registration in YOUR name and a residence certificate from Immigration. That's not entirely easy to get either as you will need evidence of where you are living so that will depend on that. If you are renting a copy of the rental agreement will surfice.

In terms of what you are trying to do for now just get an account opened where you are now as quickly as possible so you can get the 800k in the account. Later when you have moved and once married I understand you can get a yellow house book which will be OK to open a new account where you are living. Don't over complicate things at the moment just getting your one year extension should be your only focus and what you need to achieve that.

If you marry after your 1 year extension (probably best because I doubt you will also be able to cope with all that as well as the other things you need to do)...you can change your visa later to on basis of marriage and I would suggest you go see Immigration and ask for their requirements list about 2 months before renewal. You should go to Immigration as soon as possible and get the list too from Hua-Hin Immigration office every office does it's own thing.

I have been on your journey it's all time consuming and a little stressful but also a learning curve.

One last bit of advice is quickly get into a habit of recording everything and keeping your records. One very important thing to do is the 90 day reports and TM30. I got a 2000 baht fine recently because I forgot to do the 90 day report despite the fact I had a calendar note to do both TM30 AND 90 day report at the same time. I did the TM30 but not the more important one 90 day report which cost me big time. It won't happen again! Oh this is also extremely important and you may not be aware of...if you ever pop over the border or take a holiday outside of Thailand you absolutely MUST first get a re-entry permit. Oh another new rule change...when you get around to doing 90 day reporting online (your 1st must be in person) you have a 15 day window before the report date where you can apply...however you can only now do it successfully with the first 7 days of that 15 day window! After that you must report in person.

As you can see it's a lot of rules so I wouldn't worry too much about the local bank account once you are living there you can sort that out. Good luck 🤞🏼🍀
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
Many thanks. Already married, 24 years now.
Tony *********
@John ******
- arrh OK so you have a choice but I would still keep it simple. Have you been living outside Thailand bit confused now 555
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
Vist most years for 3 months, avoiding winter in the UK. Retired now and planning on staying long time. Probably in 2026. Will get the bank account when I'm back in January on a 90 day non-o visa and transfer the 400K (99% sure I'll go for a Marriage extension) over 2025 so avoiding any 180 day tax liability, if that ever becomes a thing.
Tony *********
@John ******
- you must be counting the days 555.

Well I hope it goes well for you when you do manage to come over. Thailand as you know is a truly wonderful country...I didn't make it until I was 62 permanently and so wished I had spent most of my life here.

Yeah the marriage visa is definitely the way to go if you don't mind that extra scrutiny. Iive in hope one day they will leave us alone lol...this whole 90 day reporting is ridiculous...oh well still beats being in the UK 🙄😂
Steve *******
Get it from any branch
John **********
I'd try and open one where you live. Getting a residence certificate from immigration may help. The 800k/400k doesn't need seasoned for the initial 90 day Non-O visa but does for the following 12 months extension of stay
Bob **********
If you have the non-o it’s easy to open anywhere if not you’ll probably need an agent in pattaya and the 400k doesn’t need to be a foreign transfer
Stuart ***********
You will need the bank letter for the extension in Hua Hin.

I opened my account in HUa Hin and for my extension a year ago,I did it at Sriracha immigration and the bkk bank did the letter there without any questions asked. I would say if they refuse, tell them you want to transfer your account, but they will not want to do this.
Tony **********
I don't think money has to be seasoned for application. It does for the 1yr extension. And I don't believe that money needs to show as international transfer, just that it's there. I can't answer about the bank branch because so many times here, when I try to use logic, I'm wrong! 😁
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