Today we're going to resolve a contentious dispute that has been simmering on this group Brandon Thurkettle

My friend went to jomtien today to apply for his first one-year extension to his 90 day O visa based on 800k deposit, and it was approved. He then asked the staff about residual balance requirements and monthly transfers. He asked in English, then my wife asked in Thai.

Question: If I start sending monthly 65,000฿ international transfers today, what are the residual minimum balance requirements I must maintain in order to qualify for another extension next year based on 12 monthly international transfers.

Answer: 50,000 baht

Fifty thousand baht

NOT 800 thousand baht for three months

NOT 400 thousand baht for seven months

They will grant the extension next year as long as he has those 12 monthly transfers of 65k and his balance didn't go under 50k. They did say, however, that he has to send his first monthly transfer this month, in August.

So we now know, in jomtien at least, that you are not shackled to an agent forever and you can start sending 65k monthly transfers as soon as you get your one year extension.

In the future, let us all endeavor to temper our assertions with the caveat ... Ask your local immigration staff first. 😉