Cheers Robert, So as long as the application lands on their desk before or on the 12th they will still issue...that clears that up. Thanks.

Interesting that 12th December is the date quoted as when the UK embassy stop issuing the income letter, and I do believe this was the official announcement? Why then I wonder did I get this email from them ?

British Embassy Bangkok to stop Certification of Income Letters

From 1 January 2019, the British Embassy Bangkok will no longer be providing British Nationals with letters confirming their income.

7:14am, 8 October 2018: First published.

You’re getting this email because you subscribed to ‘Thailand’ updates on GOV.​UK.

Back to topic: No one has really answered my original question of how long is the Income letter really valid for? (specifically in Krabi) No worries, I'll ask them at my next 90 day report early Nov but if anyone really knows the answer meantime it would be great to know and maybe benefit other members here?

No problem for me there Mary, I always take the 'evidence of income' with me to the immi office just in case anyway. Them asking for the 'proof' has always been a fact but I have a feeling this may be enforced more so in future.

Yep, thats certainly been my experience also. A p.s. and final note on my story. I returned the following year and was clearly advised that it was "either / or". I like to think that maybe I prompted them to 'double check' ?

Very true and understandable but it was the 'ferocity' and loudness of the chief IO's insistence of this requirement that got me when I calmly and politely explained what I had read on the Thai Gov website that it was either / or. Suffice to say I got nowhere, smiled and said a polite 'thank you', and left.

On the subject of the immi offices varying in their interpretations, I was firmly told by the head IO 12 yrs ago that the requirement was 800k AND 65k monthly income ...:-)

Yet again this shows how each immi office varies so prob best to clarify at your own local office as I intend to do here in Krabi.

I totally agree with you John, which is why I plan a 'belt & braces' approach this time by printing all my English bank statements and highlighting my monthly pension payments to date plus printing my Transferwise 'receipts' which clearly show my regular transfers to my Thai account. This is of course on top of copies of my Thai bank book & statements. Lots of paper but better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks Robert, although your link just sends me to the facebook login page (in Thai)??