Bank Warning when changing banks

[Declan MacPherson]

Foreigner closes account at Bank A four months after last renewal of visa. Bank A does not have cash and issues a check.

Foreigner immediately goes next door to Bank B on the same day and opens an account with that check from Bank A along with several thousand baht in cash. Bank B accepts all for deposit.

Eight months later, foreigner goes to immigration to extend his stay Non Imm O visa. Application is rejected.

Bank B did NOT show the check being deposited on the same day as it was withdrawn from Bank A.

Instead, the passbook and statement don't show receipt of the check deposit until 2 days after it was deposited (when the check cleared).

Immigration says that the extension is rejected unless Bank B provides a letter stating that the check was received on the same day as withdrawn from Bank A.

Foreigner goes to Bank B. The bank branch admits the error. Branch manager calls main office about the error. The main office refused to issue the letter despite the fact that the branch employees admit the error.

No recourse. So now that foreigner is screwed.

Good luck to all.

[sometimewoodworker]

Is it surprising that a check takes time to clear?

Even if the check was listed as deposited on the day it was presented, for any check to clear takes time, often days or over a week.

Is it surprising that, as far as immigration is concerned, that foreigner dropped under the required 400k minimum threshold that must be maintained 24/7/365

That immigration was prepared to possibly allow that requirement to be waived for a very short time is generous.

No recourse. So now that foreigner is screwed.

Incorrect that foreigner’s not screwed, that foreigner has now to take advantage of the services of an agent and pay some significant multiple of the usual fee.

Ignorance of the rules does not excuse failing to follow them. Luckily there is a rather simple, though not cheap, workaround for the self created problem.


FWIW
Recently I changed banks, however I deposited the required funds into the new bank and maintained the 2 accounts for the minimum required time and until I had my application for my extension accepted. Had that foreigner done the same process it is unlikely that there would have been a problem.

[Declan MacPherson]

Is it surprising that a check takes time to clear?

Even if the check was listed as deposited on the day it was presented, for any check to clear takes time, often days or over a week.

Is it surprising that, as far as immigration is concerned, that foreigner dropped under the required 400k minimum threshold that must be maintained 24/7/365

A bank-to-bank check is viewed much differently than personal checks. Bank to bank in Thailand shouldn't take any longer than overnight. But that wasn't the issue.

Immigration correctly identified that it's not about when the check clears. It's when the check is deposited. Had the bank been willing to provide a letter stating same day deposit, it would have met the 400,000 baht requirement.

That immigration was prepared to possibly allow that requirement to be waived for a very short time is generous.

You got that wrong. Immigration was unwilling to waive anything if the bank would not provide a letter stating same day deposit. The problem was created by the bank by not listing the check as received on the date it was received, and they admitted it.

[anefarious1]

Poor planning. You learned something, hopefully. Worse things could happen. It's almost nothing really.

[tamada]

When some Thai banks still take over 24-hours to post a regular SWIFT, not Wise, overseas remittance, I'm not surprised that some Thai banks take their time clearing cashiers cheques.

In the OP's instance, is is indeed unfortunate that the bank was unwilling to provide a simple letter stating the facts but, there's always the perennial "depends who you talk with on any given day" caveat that applies to dealing with Thai bureaucracy. I can well imagine the OP getting that letter, only for some other immigration officer saying "cannot".