MichaelJohn

So now we're trying to justify corruption - I wonder how much was paid for the article to be written?

I also use Calibre which is excellent but...... if you have a kindle, you will have a kindle free email account? If you email the . doc document to yourself at your kindle account with "convert" in the subject field Amazon will convert it for you to .mobi and it will be in you free account (and available to download on your Kindle) in about 5 mins. Log on to Amazon and view Manage my Kindle for the exact details.

A lot fo good words of advice already....

I use an agent; they do everything and you can sleep easy - yes it costs a bit more (I pay 5% of rent) but worth it. They organise all services, repairs, credit checks etc, basically you don't need to do anything apart from tell them which bank to put the money in :-)

I'm registered as an Overseas Landlord which helps with tax too.

I get about 5% return p.a. but of course (hopefully) the house is still appreciating in value so that's something when you come to sell it. If you put the money in the bank you'll only get the 5% (if you're lucky), so short term the same, long term a big difference!.

Also, it's a place to fall back on if every you need, or an asset you can use.

Try changing your DNS settings to Google (if you don't know how Google it!) sometime helps the poor ISP find and load the Web pages

Thankfully never had to take my laptop for repair ......... if it will start in Safe Mode then 90% it's a driver issue. Most likely something new you've installed or a new updated driver (windows updates)?

So, start in Safe mode, type msconfig in start and this will open a system config box. One of the tabs is startup. I would suggest you un-tick everything and then restart. If it starts then this confirms it's a driver issue. If it doesn't hardware and you need a shop!

If it does start, go through the same process (msconfig) and put back one tick at a time and restart. Labourious I know, but you'll find the problem child eventually.

If you're not sure what each item is Google it (but of course you'd usually need a seconf computer for that).

I'm sure others can add to my suggestion but I hope that's of help?

Google "asiatique shopping bangkok" and you'll find all about it. Opens April 2012

There's a very good YouTube promotion too if you search for that.

I've used Sathorn Car Rent (on Sathorn Rama IV) several times - they always have availability and have never had any problems with them

I've also heard ThaiCarRent on Shukumvit is good too - my Aussie friend uses then regularly).

In terms of DL - get the Inernational one; it's so cheap you'd be a fool not too. It stops an hassle if you do get stopped because it's legal. (I've been stopped twice wilst driving on one and didn't even have to pay the officer!!!)

Thanks again - that makes sense

Sorry Lopburi3 , typo - extension is to 21/2.

I entered on Multi entry visa on 24/9 (approx) and was given 90 day stamp; hence needed to extend permission to stay before 24/12 latest. Went to Immigration with TM7 yesterday to extend by 1 year and they extended only 60 days (problem with money in wrong type of investment account) hence extended to 21/2.

So, if I leave to UK on 9/2 returning on 24th Feb that will be day 1 of new 90 day period - hence I presume I can ignore my previous reporting schedule stamped in passport of 12/3 and report (or rather extend by TM7) 90 days after arrival on 24/2?

Hope that sounds okay - for some reason things have got complicated!

Thanks again for your help

Thanks for your comments.

I have non Immigrant O as have Thai wife.

Originally obtained from UK a multi-entry (Non Imm O) visa which expires 3rd Feb 2012. Extended today (for only 60 days) with TM7 so permission to stay till 21/3.

Next 90 day reporting date in passport is 12/3.

I leave BKK to UK on 9th Feb returning 24th Feb and will be staying till Sept 2012 so return ticket is more than 30 days!

Can I re-enter on the extension I already have (valid to 21/3)?

If not, as I understand it, I can't re-enter on 30 day tourist visa as cannot extend to 12 month Non-Imm O? And airline probably won't allow it?

Do I have to report on 12/3 or is that cancelled by leaving the country?

My feeling is to get another 12 month Non-Imm O mult-entry whilst in the UK and the report after 90 days - unsure if that should be 12/3 as per original or 90 days after landing.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Went to Immigration Office toay at Chaengwattana Rd for extension to visa 5 hours! Apparently today was the first day they've moved all offices to this complex -so you can imagine.

Visa expires 21st March.

My next reporting date is 12th March.

I leave BKK soon returning 24 Feb; so presume will get 30 day stamp in passport on arrval till 24 March.

So, my question is - which day do I have to go back for my next 5 hours of fun - 12th March or 24th March? Any help much appreciated

I've been wondering the same thing - so, in the absence of any prompt replies found this on Immigration Web Site http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/intro1.html

Excellent idea

we came back a couple of days ago from Khao Yai/Pak Chong - roads were okay apart from Rangsit/Wang Noi but have got a lot worse since.Try this live Govt road maps - seems quite reliable http://maintenance.doh.go.th/test.html

I've bought a few diamonds at Jubilee on Silom (opposite Narai Hotel). I've found them to be competitive and trustworthy. I've had each valued in the UK on return and all have been much cheaper than UK and most importantly - have all been diamonds!!!

Of course if you go for over 1 carat you'll get an internationally recognised certificate too - which for a wonderful girl I'm sure thats the minimum you were thinking of?!

With the XR it's actually cheaper to buy on line in the UK now

I rent a 76 Sq/m apartment in Baan Satthorn for B15k/m ....... +B4k for elec/Internet/Water ................

I live in a condo by the river (75Sq M)) and the elec bill is usually 3k+ (air con 6 hours per day). My fellow ex pats who live in the same appartment block are paying 3-6k per month. Highest monthly bill nearly 10k!! (125 SqM).

Many people say it's high but I think it's normal for condo's.

Condo elec prices are higher - I don't think your bill is out of line.

Hi, I use 3CX SIP phone from BKK to UK. It works absolutely fine. If you consider internally in UK to be 10/10 then in BKK 9/10.

I live in Klongsan and have BBB 6Mb Internet.

I'm in the same boat (or plane). As the flights from LOS are so expensive I buy a 12 month return (in the UK) so my flights are always UK to Thai with a return (Thai to UK) within 12 months. Although the tickets are more expensive than standard UK fares they are still less than Thai fares.

I've just booked a 12 month return with Emirates for £580 - £75 to change the return date. A good deal?

You just have to keep your eyes and ears open and book in adavnce. The good fares are usually early ones.

Your understanding is completely wrong.

1. You can apply for a multi entry non immigrant O visa which allows 90 day stays for up to one year. Or if you plan to extend on basis of 400k in Thai bank for 2 months or 40k monthly income you can apply for a single entry non immigrant O visa. Both can be extended on a yearly basis if you meet the requirements. Under age 50 this will be for spouse.

2. You never need a re-entry permit for multi entry visas - only when you extend your stay are they required

3. You can never upgrade a visa. The non immigrant OA visa is only issued for retirement to those presenting police and medical paperwork as well as 800k or 65k proof in home country. It is never issued in Thailand.

4. After age 50 you may extend for retirement if you wish but will have to meet the 800k/65k requirement. Or you may continue to use spouse extensions of stay at the lower 400k/40k level.

Many thanks for your clarification. If I understand correctly, I can apply for non-immigrant O in the UK and then extend in Thailand for 12 months (It will still be a Non-Immigrant O Visa. The O-A name only refers to UK applications?).

I will be able to repeat this extension (hopefully), every year.

Is there any benefit to a retirement extension vs a spouse extension?

I am a 48 years old UK citizen. I have been married to a Thai for 10 years during which time we have lived in England. We are now moving to Thailand and have some visa questions and would be grateful for some help from people who've already been through this!

If I can check my understanding from reading various websites, blogs etc;

- I will need to apply in the UK for a Non-immigrant O Visa, on the basis of married to a Thai?

- As I have a Thai wife this would be a 12 month visa rather than the usual 90 days?

- If I apply for a Multiple Entry Visa would I still require a re-entry permit (TM8) to leave and re-enter during this 12 month period?

- Would I have to report every 90 days using form TM47?

- As I am legally supporting a Thai national I can apply to upgrade my Visa to an O-A visa (or wait until I'm 50 and do it then). This will allow me to renew my Visa every 12 months in Thailand without having to leave the country? (I could apply for an O-A Visa in the UK but I understand it's more difficult and I have a Police Caution which I gather doesn't help when applying in the UK).

- I will need either B800,000 in a Thai bank or an income of B40,000 per month to apply for an O-A visa?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can put me right!

Michael