Why does the Immigration Office in Saraburi require a bank account for a Non-Immigrant O Visa extension based on retirement?

@Mikael *********

I was trying to ask how you prove that to the embassy

@Mikael *********

I assume you also include tax returns or other proof of income, not just the declaration itself. The majority of the embassies that have stopped doing were just accepting a declaration without any proof so were encountering problems

@Steve *******

I believe there may have been variations between embassies regarding the basis on which they actually confirmed income, with some confirming income on far too weak a foundation. I also know that some immigration offices have refused to accept confirmations from certain countries for this reason. However, this is not the reason why the Norwegian embassy has chosen to stop issuing income confirmations; it is solely a matter of prioritizing the foreign service’s general worldwide operations, and it is politically directed from Norway. The Norwegian embassy only accepts your most recent tax assessment submitted to the Norwegian tax authorities, or the latest annual statement from your pension provider. They will not accept any income you simply declare yourself, and really, what more than documentation of the income you have actually paid tax on in your home country can reasonably be required as proof?

@Mikael *********

I see it a bit differently. I live in Norway and have at times kept significant amounts in a Thai bank account over the past twelve years. I still have not had any problems. But for many years, it has been far too easy to open a bank account in Thailand. In what other country could you open a bank account during just a 14-day holiday? Now the banking system has been abused by large groups involved in organized fraud and money laundering. It is really about time that a proper cleanup takes place. Of course, one can argue that things could have been handled differently and that better information could have been provided, but if you are on a long-term stay in Thailand and have everything in order regarding your finances, I also believe there is little reason for concern. No legal funds will disappear from your account.

@Mikael *********

You don't need a bank account for immigration purposes unless the immigration officer is aware that your ability to use an income affidavit is coming to an end, and is preparing you for the next extension in a year's time?

@John *********

Exactly. Breakdown in translation

@Steve *******

it's what he claimed was said

@John *********

I don't know what the immigration officer said. Were you there?

@Steve *******

but that's not what the immigration officer told him

@John *********

It's a breakdown in Google translator. It's "either - or". If you have an embassy affidavit you don't need the bank statement

@Steve *******

I understand the purpose of the 12 months statement but don't understand why its necessary if your income is verified by your embassy. I understand why they might ask to see the proof submitted to the embassy but this just seems odd

@John *********

Some bank branches still give the 12-month statement listing just the international transfers, so no, they are not interested in other transactions, only in the 12 monthly 65k transfers. Some people don't update their bank books frequently, so sometimes individual transfers are missed,hence the 12 month statement

@Ekkehard ******

it is in the stage of development, I know at least one guy over 50 whose application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa was rejected by the Munich consulate because he wasn't a pensioner, yet

@Ned ******

what passport are you living in Thailand on?