Almost a nightmare today- I told the missus this morning that it had the potential to be a 'disaster day'.
Why?
Well, I have always done my Retirement extensions against an embassy income letter. However, this year I was in a position where I could use the bank letter method. This was because I had opened a Sterling FCD with Bangkok Bank and had shifted Pounds from the UK to that new account.I knew that FCD monies could be used for extension purposes. I took the precaution of checking with BKB, Buriram that a bank letter could be issued on demand.
An hour and a half in Bangkok Bank (excluding the 25 minutes we went out for a kwitiow).
I do like the staff in BKB they are generally friendly, smile a lot, look good and are basically helpful and Farang-friendly. What I don't like (from any service provider) is a stock answer of mai dai (or mai roo) when their own ignorance or lack of knowledge/experience does not extend to giving the RIGHT answer. The Thai culture/habit of giving the best answer they think is right does not help in these situations.
What I didn't know was that I was the FIRST person to request a bank letter for immigration , based on a FCD, at Buriram branch
Eventually, and after a 15 min power cut, the said letter was produced. Perfect. 100 Baht willingly handed over for the service. I had already updated my savings account book and noted that the FCD passbook was too wide to fit in the update machine. So I asked the manager? if she could update the passbook for me After much consultation it was deemed that it wasn't possible to update in the branch and only Bangkok could update it. She also produced an 'update letter' regarding the account. No problem, I thought, I also have 4 months' online bank statements evidencing that the balance had not fallen below 800,000 Baht equivalent.
Off I went to Immigration - a happy man with my bank letter in my hand.
Things improved even further when I arrived - only one person in front of me so I was immediately called up by the round-faced subordinate with the basin hair cut. He went through my forms, handed out the 'overstay letter' for signature and another letter that just looked like a request for an extension on which I wrote 'Retirement'. He thumbed through the bank paperwork and referred to the slightly younger guy in the middle (with a bit of chin growth). At this point I was told to sit down until said younger officer was free.
Five minutes later he was and I bounded over with my (already scrutinised) paperwork.
The bank paperwork was an issue. He said we have to check very carefully about the funds being in the bank - and for 3 months. I said that I fully appreciated that but surely the evidence was there with:-
The bank letter.
The bank 'update' letter.
My online statements for 4 months
"NO!" - the issue was that the passbook was not updated. I did invite him to speak to Phuket, Chonburi or Khon Kaen immigration offices where I knew that FCDs had been used successfully. ........ NO..... the passbook must be updated, even if it does have to go to Bangkok.
"OK", I said, but a couple of questions:-
One...... why do you even go to the bother of getting applicants to obtain a bank letter if you are only interested in the passbook as a source of reference? (he didn't answer that one!
)
Two...... if I get the passbook updated, via Bangkok, the date is not going to match the bank letter (which your rules state must be dated the same day as the extension application is submitted) ............. so are you saying I will need a new letter?
Fortunately, he softened here and said "No, this letter is OK. Just get the passbook updated and bring everything back to me,..... direct to me".
That should be OK then, as long as Bangkok Bank don't lose my passbook in the next 19 days !!
Lessons learned for next year:-
Retain a copy of the BKB FCD letter just in case they do no more in the next 12 months.
Request a passbook update 2 weeks before putting in the extension application.
Search Option
Recent Posts
Todays Birthdays
