Your embassy is obviously a lot more thorough than the British one monk.
It would appear that their official is a "notary public" able to legally validate what you are saying. whereas the Brits are just acting as clerks who provide the letter. On the application form they even say that they will not check if what you are saying is true

Brits dont need the Embassy letter legalized as the Embassy Seal is enough for Thai Immigration.
Its the same for Irish nationals over here.In fact I've hardly ever heard of people needing to go to get their Letter of Income legalized.
So stattointhailand,I think you have been in Thailand for many years ? Are you saying every year you go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok to get your Embassy letter legalized ?
What a waste of money ? Airfare 1500 baht,Stamp from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 500 baht ?? x how many years 10 ?
Thats at least 20,000 baht down the toilet my friend ! :-&

Tony

Oh ST read my post it is clear they are not acting as clerks you numpty, they can and have in my case anyway and I suspect in others verified the letter and then issued a letter showing what you said is true .
When I came here 15 years ago I dio not get anything verified or even legalized from their Ministry the only thing I ever had legalized was their marriage certificate and that was for the UK not for Thailand.
Generally it is accepted by the Immigration office that a British letter with the accompanying seal ( red ) is legal enough for them, to obtain this you MUST have proof of income which they can check should they wish to do so, and they did for mine once, never again. How do I know they told me.

I've only done it once Tony, (last year) .... previous years diff visa. But I shall check later with IO to confirm. I thought it a pain last year, but was told by Immigration office that what was in their leaflet was the CURRENT situation, so when it said I had to get it done ...... I did it. :-& I would have thought that there would be something to confirm that you didn't need to get it legalized somewhere on the net, but I can't find anything

To the best of my knowledge over 20 years, immigration has treated the embassy letter equally, whether issued by the British Embassy or American Embassy. Seems the only people who care are Brits who have to show proof of their income, versus the Americans who swear that the information they enter is correct.

Aussies can do a statutory declaration at the Embassy I believe

Quick update before the thread slips into "History".

After the comments from Zid KP & others, I visited IO this morning and asked if the requirement to visit Chaeng Wattana Road and get the Embassy letter "legalized" was still in force .......... blank look

Please talk with my boss (pointed out). Went to desk where boss was sitting and asked him same thing ....... blank look.
Got asked how much a month I got, how much in bank what visa I needed
I explained again that all I wanted to know was if I still had to visit Thai Ministry of Foreign affairs dept to get my Embassy letter legalised. He looked at the leaflet and I pointed out where it said you needed the additional stamp to which he agreed that you do need it ........ I then pointed out that several long time residents have indicated that it was not the case, and that they had been issued extensions at Udon and NK for many years WITHOUT any additional legalization. He seemed to think for a bit then said wait a minute and speak with lady on desk 3. Five or so mins later she became available and we managed to replicate all the previous conversations including the fact that it said you needed the extra stamp. I again pointed out that others do not seem to visit Bangkok each year for this stamp and are still given their extension without it.
At this point a youngish guy in a white shirt appeared and she and I both explained the question again He asked a simple question marriage or retirement? ....... He then produced a photocopy of an American doc with the official stamp and said English doc have same as this (pointing to the seal) ..... yes I said in RED. OK not need extra.

So in the end of the day I and 3 extra IO staff members are now aware that what is written in the leaflet is not in fact the case. I have now managed to save a trip down to the smoke and avoid the need for a couple of nights on .... the ....town 'ang about

seriously though, Thanks guys for your help .... I would never have had any reason to query their leaflet if it hadn't been for your comments =D> =D> =D>

The original poster says he is coming in October with a Non-immigrant 'O' visa, but didn't say exactly what length of time his visa was valid for ....

If he intends going for the extension he only needs originally the single entry 3 month Non-immigrant 'O' (assuming he is not leaving Thailand during those 3 months) and normally you apply for your extension during the last month of your visa - but best not to leave it to the last few days in case of unplanned complications. So probably apply during December (before Xmas best). For the income letter, allow 14 days to receive by post from UK embassy (form online from embassy website). Make sure you have the relevant documents with you in Thailand to get this letter ..... get some passport size photos before going to immigration and do your photocopying. If you don't have all the photocopies required, immigration can do them for you -small payment or tip required. You will probably get a 30 days under consideration stamp so don't plan on leaving Thailand in the next 30 days after applying. Exit/re-entry visas can be obtained whenever you need them from immigration, just need a photo and money.

Finally, be aware of holidays affecting opening of immigration or UK embassy - I have been caught out before.

Hi Rick
Thanks for that
I have 3 mth O & won't be leaving during that time
I've done this in Pattaya a few years ago so pleased that you didn't mention the " Legalization" of my uk embassy pension letter I never needed that or health or criminal record for Pattaya Immigration Evidence
As to pension letter I have bank statements , DWP Pension letter & P60's for private pension
Can you advise best method of sending application to UK embassyto & can you track it to check it gets to Bangkok
Can you track the return as well?
Really appreciate reply & look forward to another ( hope you don't think I'm being a nuisance)
Thanks again

Hi stattointhailand
Many thanks for clarification of " Legalization

vidmaster wrote: Can you advise best method of sending application to UK embassyto & can you track it to check it gets to Bangkok
Can you track the return as well?
Really appreciate reply & look forward to another ( hope you don't think I'm being a nuisance)
Thanks again

You send your application to the UK Embassy by EMS from the Post Office and the delivery is given a reference number which you can check online until it reaches the Embassy in Bangkok.
As for the return,included in the fee to the Embassy is the cost of an EMS delivery back to your address in Thailand.
I'm not sure if you can trace the return but the Embassy say they will send your income letter within 10 working days of receipt by them.
If its not been received after that date you can always call the Consular Section in the Embassy to check but I've been doing it by post for around 8 years and never had a problem......so I wouldn't worry too much.
PS: Don't forget to give the Embassy your phone number with your application so they can call you if there is a problem.

Hi Zidane
Many thanks for info & telephone No tip

the-monk wrote:Parrot asked << Has anyone gotten their first retirement visa without getting the MOFA stamp? >>
Yes i did 2 weeks ago.
I went to my embassy in BKK and asked for an income letter in order to obtain my retirement visa from the Thai Immigration. I provided the embassy with MY original income tax receipt from the government. They would certainly not doubt their own documents. Must be done in person .. NOT BY MAIL
Before they hand you the docs, you must swear that the info you have given is true. The embassy gave me 2 originals.( aSignature in blue ink and with Official red embassy seal on both letters. ) I went to UD immigration and no question asked they simply checked the baht equivalent of my declared income.
BTW i m not British.

Thanks. Yet another immigration 'dilemma' solved.