Fountainhall:
I am told by the Immigration lawyer who helps me that a fixed account does not satisfy Bangkok Immigration. It has to be a savings account. Friends have confirmed this is what they have also been told. But I can not swear to it as I have never tried any method other than the savings account route.
As mentioned in a later posting, the money can be in an account offering greater interest if held in the account for a specific term. But, there can be no restriction on withdrawal of funds from the account at any time (penalty is loss of higher interest rate). These type of accounts are also satisfactory for Pattaya Immigration. However, if there is a restriction that does not allow withdrawal at anytime, they will not be accepted.
GB:
GB: I see. Ok, then welcome to the next addition to my "I Don't Get It" list. When you update your passbook, it shows exactly how much is in your bank account at the time of the update and also will show whether you've had the required 800,000 baht for 3 months. I don't understand why withdrawing or depositing 100 baht or so would make the slightest bit of difference, but as I said, either do it their way or no retirement visa.
I wish I could make sense out of it. I can't.
I wouldn't have the guts to do it, but I would love for somebody to walk into immigration with a passbook that shows 799,999 baht has been in the account for 3 months, and then see if they deny the visa. My guess is that's exactly what they would do.
As mentioned in my previous post, the PCEC's Immigration Update about the account having to have recent activity, the reports may be reporting on the requirements of one Immigration Officer and, thus not a specific policy followed by the other Officers. As to reason, I agree it doesn't make sense, but what is required to prove you meet the rules is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer - thus the various differences between Immigration Offices on specific documents they require and even among Officers within the same office. The PCEC update notes this, but provides the information so that retirees are aware that it has happened and could happen to them. As GB notes, if you don't do it their way, then no retirement extension.
As GB surmises, if your passbook shows 799,999 for 3 months, they would deny the extension. Right! I was talking with someone about a month ago who had the 800,000 in their account for almost the full 3 months, but let it drop to slightly below that when they used their debit card for a purchase. They immediately thereafter went to their bank and deposited the funds necessary to bring it above 800k. Immigration said "No" to granting an extension - so they had to leave Thailand and return on 30 day visa exempt and immediately apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa that gave them 90 days when it was issued - after 60 days had elapsed, they could then apply for the one year extension (since it was a "new" application rather than a renewal, they only had to have the funds in the bank 2 months).