@Aless*****

I don't think it's a policy change. Just that immigration and the embassies are independent and each can do it whichever way they want. For that matter there isn't consistency between each immigration office / embassy, they each interpret the rules their own way.

@Luit ****************

Wise has a substantially lower risk of default then many banks in developing countries, some of which have been basic bank regulation and low or no deposit guarantee schemes.

@Re**

best rate is typically one of these fixed deposits. Bank of Thailand lists some here but there may also be special offers or other accounts not listed with higher rates, they don't seem to have this 2.4% which would be very good.

@Wil****

it's not that it's going to derail anything but if you can get 20k and the account is acceptable to immigration, why would you not take it? There's very specific rules as to when the money has to be there with the full balance needed for almost half the year.

Sounds easier and less stress to me to have a totally separate account for the 800k, earning interest, which you just leave alone.

Rather than moving money around and hoping you don't forget something or having an unexpected charge or direct debit bringing you down accidentally to 799,900 for 1 day (and yes they will reject for that).

@Gar****

you can if the money is withdrawable immediately. Most fixed deposits in Thailand are like this, you can remove the money at any time but you lose some months interest as a penalty. You can't use an account where the actual balance is fixed and inaccessible until the maturity.

@Jo**

it effectively functions as a bank account. You could have a bank account from a fat more dodgy regulatory jurisdiction which would be a "bank account" in that sense but higher chance of losing your money. A lot of nomads use it and this is a nomad visa. I understand the position, I'm just saying it doesn't make sense for the stated purpose of ensuring you have 500k liquid. I know a lot of Thai visa stuff makes no sense. Not arguing that.

@Jo**

I know embassies and each immigration office have their own rules but there's no logical or consistent reason for this. The money in Wise is immediately liquid and available, which you'd think would be enough. Don't see why there's a material difference from the likes of N26, Revolut, Bunq or Monzo. Being a bank means they can lend customer funds, why that matters to Thai immigration I don't know.

Like I said, I accept it's like this. But it doesn't make sense.

@Dany *******

these are generally KYC issues. Exact same thing can happen with a "real" bank account, many expats/retirees from places like the US or UK have had their real bank (or brokerage) accounts closed on them.

@Jo**

you'd think if it's accepted for the visa it would be accepted for the extension. It may be at other offices.

@Dany *******

EDIT: thank you to everyone for confirming True Money does support PromptPay.

OP (incorrect): I don't think TrueMoney supports PromptPay which is the general Thai bank QR system supported by basically everyone. Vendors have to support TrueMoney specifically. This typically means larger retailers like 7-11, Lotus, etc, while PromptPay is much more universally supported including by smaller vendors.