Immigration and Banking

[Dodger]

When doing this posting, I also recommend folks use Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) checklists located on their website - they have one for retirees using the 800k & 65k methods as well as one for those married to a Thai (400k & 40k method). They usually keep it up to date for Jomtien Immigration based on their member and other Expat reports - https://pcec.club/CHECKLISTS-Extensions-of-Stay.

Thanks,

I created my own checklist years ago using the PCEC checklist as a model, although I found a few inaccuracies in the PCEC Checklist which I corrected for my own use:

Examples:

PCEC CHECKLIST STATEMENT:

"(**) If your bank will not provide a letter showing transfers, Immigration may accept certified bank statements. IF the passbook does not show the source of the money transfer is from outside of Thailand, obtain receipt (credit advice) for each deposit. Note: If your bank is a Pattaya Branch, both bank letters can only be obtained at that Branch. "

Inaccuracy #1 - The letter that the bank provides that shows transfers is in fact the "Bank Statement". So if your bank DOES NOT provide this Statement showing transfers- obtaining a Credit Advice should be recommended. This is the point I've been trying to make all along.

Inaccuracy #2 - Bank passbooks simply show foreign transfer codes (FTT, TPP) indicating that the money transfer comes from a foreign source, although Immigration also wants to know who the source is. That's where either the Bank Statement or Credit Advice come in as they both include these details.

2Lz2p...If a person is confident they can obtain Bank Statements (12 month history) at visa renewal time then a Credit Advice would never be needed. If by chance a person has concerns about there possibly being a problem obtaining these from their bank(s) at visa renewal time, then I strongly suggest they sign up for the free Credit Advice e:mail service at their bank(s).

I think it would serve everyone's best interest if the PCEC Checklist Model was clarified based on the above.

[Gaybutton]

I think it would serve everyone's best interest if the PCEC Checklist Model was clarified based on the above.

Also, to avoid any confusion, Dodger's post is for those who are using the 65,000 baht per month method.

I think most who use the 800,000 baht method are already well aware of those rules.

And once again, if you anticipate retiring or long term stays in Thailand, you must open a Thai bank account. And since it keeps getting more and more difficult, don't wait. You may have to use a visa service, assuming they still can open a Thai bank account for you.

[2lz2p]

Inaccuracy #1 - The letter that the bank provides that shows transfers is in fact the "Bank Statement". .

The bank letter is not a "bank statement" but a letter showing transactions from the bank statement. Bangkok Bank will provide certified bank statements for a fee, but for those that are more than 6 months old, they will order them from Bangkok HQ, which takes about 5 business days for them to receive. It is from those statements that my Bangkok Bank branch prepared the bank letter to Immigration showing the transfers. Kasikorn will provide bank statements by email in either English or Thai. It is my understanding Immigration will accept them without them being "certified" - since I plan to use the emailed bank statements from Kasikorn at my next extension renewal, if not accepted, I will then get certified statements from my Kasikorn branch.

Inaccuracy #2 - Bank passbooks simply show foreign transfer codes (FTT, TPP) indicating that the money transfer comes from a foreign source, although Immigration also wants to know who the source is. That's where either the Bank Statement or Credit Advice come in as they both include these details.

As I previously mentioned, Jomtien Immigration has approved my annual extension based on my bank statements and the bank letter showing each foreign transfer deposited to the account during the preceding 12 months. These documents did not show the source of the funds that were transferred only that they were from outside of Thailand. Immigration has never asked me for any additional documentation to show the source.

2Lz2p...If a person is confident they can obtain Bank Statements (12 month history) at visa renewal time then a Credit Advice would never be needed. If by chance a person has concerns about there possibly being a problem obtaining these from their bank(s) at visa renewal time, then I strongly suggest they sign up for the free Credit Advice e:mail service at their bank(s).

The checklist does note that if the bank will not provide bank statements, then a credit advice will be needed. As for signing up for the free Credit Advices to be sent by email, that option may not be available at all Thai banks. If you want credit advices from Bangkok Bank, they charge a fee for this service. Their online website does not offer obtaining credit advice by email as one of their services.

[Dodger]

If you want credit advices from Bangkok Bank, they charge a fee for this service. Their online website does not offer obtaining credit advice by email as one of their services.

Please see my comments regarding this in post 2932:

Yes, if you request Credit Advices directly from either Bangkok Bank or Kasikorn Bank they will charge you a fee for this service.

Alternatively, If you sign up for the Free Credit Advice Email Service that I've been recommending the credit advices will be generated by the bank's Global Services Payment Dept, thus bypassing your local bank branch. There is no fee for this service. You will receive a Credit Advice each month in your Email on the same day that the money transfer was processed.

To sign up for this service just visit your bank(s) and tell them you want to sign up for this service. They will give you a short form to complete and 2 minutes later you'll be done. It's that easy.

To be blunt: The reason they don't advertise this free service on their websites is probably because they'd rather have you pay THEM (the local branch) for the service. TIT

If you ever have questions regarding this, or any other Bank concerns that can't be addressed at you local branch, I suggest contacting their HQ Call Center. The number for Bangkok Bank is #1333 and just ask for Electronic Payment Support. They speak English and are very responsive.

I hope this helps.