The thing to always keep in mind is the extreme autonomy of the individual Thai immigration officer.

In the west we are taught to expect fairness and equal application of the law to all. In theory, any way.

No such theory exists here. Each immigration officer has wide latitude and tremendous freedom to do as he or she sees fit, with very little value placed on "consistency."

@Beverley ******

Because that's just the way of the world. If you think Thai immigration is fierce, you should attempt to visit the USA.

The realities of the 21st century are often bleak, irrational, unfair and unkind.

You can complain and stomp your foot in annoyance, but this is serious sh*t going on. Better to keep your wits, keep your eye on the ball and protect yourself as best you can against what is quickly becoming a very cruel world.

@Eric ******

Yeah, but the visa situation in Vietnam currently adds a lot of expenses for the "marginally-incomed."

Cambodia's one-year visa availability with no need for border runs is pretty compelling. I also think the rock-bottom cost of living there is a bit cheaper than Vietnam.

But I think you are right, Vietnam IS an option worth considering, depending on an individual's circumstances.

@John *************

On a thousand quid a month? How does that work, exactly?

I've been retired in Thailand for 6 years now.

Honestly, I can't imagine trying to subsist here on 40k baht/month. I would consider twice that amount to be adequate for very frugal living.

On the other hand, if that's what you've got and the alternative is living in the UK. . .well I suppose broke in Asia COULD be a preferable level of hell (from your perspective) than back home.

A lot of people giving black and white responses. And how dare you impose yourself on the people here. You have no right to live in poverty here. Be gone. Etc.

Fair enough - looks like you did some bad planning, and that's on you. But what are you supposed to do NOW? Suicide? Live on the street back home?

So SE Asia may be the only choice for you, despite you being more or less unwelcome. A very modest perhaps non-aircon room, frugal eating, no dating, no vices of any sort, and you could barely survive.

Probably easier to do this in Cambodia than Thailand.

One thing you must sort or at least come to terms with - health care. No NHS for you here, and insurance is not cheap. If you get ill or injured, you MUST pay yourself. There are few bleeker places on earth to be penniless AND presented with a crushing medical bill. Truly. So, while some illnesses or accidents may be recoverable conditions for the wealthier, you may need to accept the fact that for you, these things may have to be faced without doctors or hospitals.

Realistically, you will probably need some form of work to survive. Likely (but not necessarily) illegal and prohibited. But I'm not going to suggest it is better for you to just suicide; you must do what you must to survive, provided you harm no one. Many see no difference between illegal and criminal activity. Nice to have enough wealth to be so upright. But for you, that sort of high morality may not be an option.

Very little is black and white in SE Asia. There are ways to get almost anything done, if you are determined and resourceful. And the advice you receive from people who were better planners, luckier, whatever will often be a bit unsympathetic and self-serving.

So. . .tough choices ahead for you. If you choose to live in SE Asia, I strongly recommend Cambodia over Thailand as being slightly cheaper and having a less aggressive immigration team discouraging/targetting subsistence-level foreigners.

And like the poor anywhere, you can expect the better-off to look down on you and wish you to simply disappear from their world. You're gonna need a thick skin, a functioning brain, above all self-control and some luck.

@Peter ****************

The question is, do these other banks (krungthai and kasikorn) plan to follow in Bangkok Bank's footsteps soon and institute similar policies??

I am in the process of opening a new Thai bank account. Too much turbulence with Bangkok Bank.

@Thom *********

Well it is true that if you are unable or unwilling to meet Thailand's arguably complicated visa requirements, there are other choices.

Chief of which might be Cambodia. Visa is $290/year, no financial requirements to be met, no 90 day reporting, and they even throw in a multiple reentry permit.

Is it as nice a place as Thailand? Reasonable people can disagree. But it IS livable, inexpensive compared to the west, and a viable option.

@Ken *******

It's a simple difference in perspective. You want to make sure that if or when you face a major medical calamity, you'll be able to pay for good care.

But others consider their quality of life during the weeks, months, years or decades before that calamity occurs as more important.

Both reasonable. We're all wired differently.

I know people who, when diagnosed with cancer, say, treatment? No thank you. When I die, I die.

Others want the best oncologist, at the best hospital with every possible treatment employed. Who is to say which is "right?"

It would be great if every human had the resources to live their life out with dignity, comfort and fiscal responsibility.

But millions don't have that option.

@Danny ******

I understand the situation, I think perfectly.

What I cannot understand why you feel obligated to be such a moralistic crusader on the subject? What IS the matter with you? Where does this JD Vance-like fury come from?

In a part of the world with all the frankly horrific problems people struggle with on a daily basis, THIS is what you fasten on as an evil that you must personally stamp out?

What exactly is it about your perception of visa agents that makes you so doggedly obsessive?

I can't walk 100 meters from my home without seeing real tragedy, real injustice. What would make you pick THIS subject to attack like you're some sort of junior Donald Trump?

It's none of your business. The end.

@Danny ******

What's the matter with you?