Dont know what your visa situation is, married to Thai wife, do a one year visa extension.
Or a visa runner?

Why not just dump 400k into a Thai bank account and avoid the hassle?

My advice, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, strike while the iron is hot, and grab that visa now.

Today Superrich in Bkk 44.2.

I am not the great Dr Naams dog, I dont have crystal balls, as mentioned above, strike while the iron is hot, and grab that extension as soon as you can.

Do you do, one yearly extensions based on income, with no need to leave the country every 90 days?

If so grab that extension now, think you can do it up to 30 days early.

If not grab a 60 day extension, then when the pommie peso is at the correct rate, do a one year extension.

I usually have some idea but not this time! It's a Brexit/Dollar/inflation thingy - the Dollar is staying weak, inflation is headed lower and both those things are positive for the GBP exchange rate, but Brexit!!! This recent surge by the Pound was the result of Macron suggesting Britain could get a bespoke trade deal which may or may not simply evaporate. On the other side of the coin, THB keeps looking stronger because of a falling Dollar and exporters are starting to make ugly noises, I can't see BOT doing much at 31.5, not when they did nothing previously when it was 29! My THB buy price is 44.5 but I'm not expecting to see that level although it'll be a pleasant surprise if we do.

When it comes to currencies my advice is to put yourself in a position where your life won't be disrupted by changes in FX rates when they go against you.

So if you've an opportunity to guarantee your visa in some way go for that rather than take any risk.

Maybe not an option for this year, but as rgs says long term I'd look to the 400k in the bank option so you don't care where rates go. So would start building that for future years.

To get THB 40k from 893.47 needs a rate of 44.77, which really is borderline compared to the rate where we sit today.

My guess is there's marginally more chance of GBP continuing to strengthen vs THB than weakening in your time frame. But it really could go either way. So as you're borderline plan around the safest most certain option. Bird in the hand as rgs says.

Perhaps a bit better than 50/50 in your favour but I wouldn't want to rely on GBP not weakening. or some sort of shock coming up that dents the pound.

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BTW The retirement visa is 800k or 65k a month. For this you can use combined amounts of income and cash in bank.

In most cases marriage to a Thai will result in an easier route. Given your guaranteed 893.47 that is worth a brief thought. There might be some small bands where your guaranteed income results in an amount under 400k, but gives you more play in the exchange rate.

Not sure exactly how they calculate it, but if prorata,for example

340k in a bank account and income of 37,375 a month income, would give you an amount lower than the 400k hurdle, and more play in the exchange rate for your guaranteed 893.47

320k in bank and income of 39k etc...

I like the following website for quick looks at currencies, history, charts, trends etc

uk.investing.com/currencies/gbp-thb

also throws up buys/ sells under the technical section . take the technicals with a pinch of salt though

He sure is, making america great again.
Watched the business news this morning, LG are about to build a plant in Tennessee to avoid import taxes on foreign made goods.

Another mentioned about a weak dollar being good for america, thanks Don, means my next visit to America will be cheaper.

So this morning I logged on to my UK bank account to transfer funds to Thailand for use buying the odd cup of tea and perhaps a crumpet or scones at Harrods etc.....now I am in shock at the bank Visa exchange rate of 39.78 Baht to the pound.

I'll wait until midweek in the hope of a coup in Thailand.


Right now I need some