GB:
I think ACS getting flooded with Emails might be helpful, but bear in mind that the embassy has no control over Thai immigration policies.
Correct, but they can exert influence especially if several of the embassies act in concert as they did a few years ago when Immigration put a 30 day time limit for the validity period of the income letter then cut it to 14 days. Apparently the embassies were flooded with emails/telephone calls from their citizens. They then approached Immigration on why it was a big problem and Immigration HQ then sent out instructions that the letter was good for 6 months. See
http://www.pcecnews.com/PCEC-NOTICE-THA ... JUNE-6.pdf for instructions - contains Thai version and English translation.
The USA and British Embassy are telling their citizens that Thai Immigration will accept bank statements (and in the case of USA saying in their FAQ that they would help resolve issues with regional Immigration Offices and in their Fact sheet (last item) that
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General will work closely with Thai immigration officials during the transition period to minimize any confusion.
, is good reason to contact them when regional Immigration Offices are saying you can't use bank statements. The US Fact sheet also says:
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate General are not required by Thai law to provide an income affidavit template for U.S. citizens to use for Thai visa applications. The periodic acceptance of the affidavit in lieu of actual income evidence has been a matter of informal practice rather than regulation.
In that regard, the regulation Paragraph 2-22 (3) of Police Immigration Orders 327-2557 (requirements) and 138-2557 (documents); effective on August 29, 2014, sets forth requirements for 65k monthly income (order 327-2557) and supporting documents (order 138-2557) do not mention Embassy letters as supporting documents.
In 138-2557, for (3) it states the following for supporting documents:
Evidence of income such as a retirement pension, interest or dividends; and/or 4.Funds deposit certificate issued by a bank in Thailand and a copy of a bankbook. "4." is also requirement for 800k.
Police Order 327-2557 English translation:
http://www.pcecnews.com/permNL/Immigrat ... s%20en.pdf
Police Order 138-2557 English Translation
http://www.pcecnews.com/permNL/Immigrat ... s%20en.pdf
Thai version at:
http://www.pcecnews.com/permNL/Immigrat ... s%20th.pdf and
http://www.pcecnews.com/permNL/Immigrat ... s%20th.pdf , respectively.
For marriage to a Thai, the financial see Paragraph 2.19 (6) in both Police Orders.
--------------------
So, bringing the problems encountered to the attention of the Embassy and suggesting they ask Thai Immigration HQ to provide instructions to Regional Immigration Offices to confirm what they were told by Thai Immigration which is that bank statements are acceptable in lieu of the Embassy letters may be helpful in getting them to actually do that, especially if many affected expats contact them.