just returned from Bangkok.One of my dilemnas was that last year the Bangkok Immigration took my original ''income statement'' and I was not sure if they would accept a ''copy '' this year.If not ,I could go to the embassy in Bangkok,get another ''original'',bring it back to Nong Khai,where it has been reported that showing the original and submitting a copy was acceptable!

I am happy to report that BKK Immigration accepted a copy this year,therefore alleviating the need for me to go to the embassy I submitted the letter from the bank showing a balance of 66,088 baht and the bankbook stating the exact same balance.The financial responsibilities for getting the extention were completely satisfied

I personally did have a small fright!My''friend'',the immigration officer,personally called me over to her workstation although my number was 981 and they were calling 955.After wrinkling up my number and throwing it into the trash,she happily put my ''package together. All of a sudden,her demeanor changes She says,''you don't show 800,000 baht in the bank,can not can not,you must have 800,000 in the bank''!! ''Huh,you said my letter was ok''!No No,I said you must have 800,000 in the bank'' as she is riffling through my papers again.

I'm dying in the chair,flabberghasted!All of a sudden ,she sees my income statement in the packet and folds it to show a flap while stating''Oh,you have this''!Stamps everything and says take it to that guy.Signed by him and back to her desk I go.''Anything else?'''No,see you next year''.
I left there thinking about ''our relationship''!It has been very very friendly over 10 years of extentions.Couple of times ,talking about possibly dating etc.I had never seen that side of her!I was thinking if something weird ever happened and she could assist me,she would.The thought disappeared today

I still don't know if NK immigration will accept a copy if I can't show them the original.I have very friendly relations with a low ranking officer there.So I will bring the subject up at our next family dinner or visit!

Thank you for relating your experience Stan. That is very useful to me, as I have the required monthly income, but not a bank balance of 800K, which I always understood to be an alternative requirement. Your experience reassures me that they aren't trying to impose both.

arjay wrote: Your experience reassures me that they aren't trying to impose both.

Think that will depend on where you go, who you get, and what day it is! Most times they seem to make up the rules for the day on their trip into work!

Think that will depend on where you go, who you get, and what day it is! Most times they seem to make up the rules for the day on their trip into work!

Yes, I had got that same impression.

The guy I spoke to in AEK a week or so back was certainly inferring that I had to have BOTH the monthly income and transfers in totalling 800K over a full year. He pointed to items 2 AND 3 on the handout he gave me, yet when I got home and re-read it carefully, it used the word OR and said 2 OR 3 (i.e. not both)!

just a couple of extra tips courtasy of a gentleman in pattaya,a copy of his letter posted in pattaya last week......not connected with Udon imm/department i know but some usefull tips anyway from Arthur Lee Gordon.


Three chaiyos to the Immigration Department

Dear Sirs,
This is in response to widespread whining from expats who visit the Pattaya (Jomtien) Immigration Department.

First, three chaiyos to the Immigration Department for the very courteous and professional treatment of me on my 4 August visit. Simply great.
Now, for the whiners, here are some tips based on my own experience of 15 years in Thailand and some observations of other Farangs

Good advise from pattaya, by the fcuk some of those yobbo's down there need it. I don't go as far as wearing a suit but pressed jeans and polo shirt with polished black shoes, TW also wears silks on the important annual visa extension visit.
I don't see it too often in Nong Khai but there are the occasions where some overaged, over weight farang, dressed like he just got out of the sack, enters the office shooting his mouth off with some thing dressed like she just came out of a go go bar hanging on to him.
Spare me days!

I am sure that the advice given about Pattaya will never hurt the process!But ,I have found that if you are clean ,polite,patient and have all the necessary documents,there is never a problem.I wear long shorts,various shirts including T shirts and sandals.Of course there is not a gal with short dress,gold ornaments and tatoos accompanying me either!
If you spent an hour ,in Immigration,observing the people,you would note that what I have stated is more than sufficient!