tingtongtourist

If you are thinking about which option to do, you might consider:

option A

2 month + extension 

border run 

2 month + extension

border run (just before visa expiry then back in for another three months

option B

3 Border runs (just before each 2 month entry expires)  

for me its option A

only because of one less border run i have to do.

which are expensive,

extra space taken on passport from other country visa, 

time consuming,

stress with dealing with IMMs and scammers at the border and a hassle to travel to and from consulate.

the vans are convenient but more expensive.

cramped up in a tiny seat many hours.

the drivers can be maniacs 

and you can be seated next to some D'head farang chewing on your ear for hours!

all up, not much fun!

also i did tend to loose more days doing B method because cant always leave 1 day before visa expires due to the calender fall and other issues. 

but of course if you staying very close to a border the issues might be different

11 hours ago, Cabradelmar said:

You are delusional if you think this will not apply (soon) to those holding "retirement" visas or every other type of long stay status

and risking tourism $ ??

Let me as you about this bright idea..

It is reported that Thai reccomend a policy that covers no less than 400k baht.

So, if people have the minimum cover and need a big Op..say 2 million...

The hospital get back 400k and the big bad foriegner can then run away without paying the other 1.6 million.

But mandatory 400k insurance will solve all the problems??

lol

come on, they are not that stupid!

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I don't think it will apply as activating a 2nd year is still with the original OA visa. When the visa expires and you apply for a new one (the misnamed "renewal") in your home country you will insurance.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

As i understand you can exit before the first year is up and come back in through IMMs at a land border to start the second year.

Im asking how and when they will verify you have the insurance for a 2nd year?

when you go through that border?

How will some somchai at Cambodian border read/ identify French or whatever insurance policys?

11 hours ago, Pattaya46 said:

Why would you want Immigration Officers verify this insurance when you arrive in Thailand ?? 

No need. far easier to verify it in their foreign embassies or their local immigration offices.

yes but what about when O-A holders does a border run to come back in and stay for a second year?

Id say they will want to verify the insurance policy is still goes for 2nd year?

So will they check the paperwork at all borders?

or maybe they excuse us from doing the border runs and just show your paperwork at offices such as CW?

555

or everyone just end up getting 1 year of cover and thats it? 

25 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If you're over 55 you can get a VISA 1 month ($30) & 3 month ($100) single entries, with the 6 month ($150) and 12 month ($280) VISAs being multi entry and no financials, investments, insurance, address reporting or 90 day reporting BS. No need to ever visit immigration either, all done through high street agents.

 

The only catch, you have to enter on a $35 ordinary VISA to get the extensions.

The $30 tourist VISA and eVISA they won't allow long term extension.

thanks for that info.

Maybe an option: Get 1st multiple entry for Thailand from home country, nearly 8 months stay.

Then travel over border in Isaan for getting ME for Cambodia.

then back home for short stay, rinse and repeat

On 5/16/2019 at 12:42 PM, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yes you can get a second year ( permission to stay, using re entry permit to travel outside ) after your ME OA visa has expired ( 1 year after issue ).

Then after the second year you just extend for 1 year ( your permission to stay ) but of course have to show the Thai financial requirements. Yearly extensions then onwards.

An option ( which I was considering ) is to go back “ home “ to get another OA avoiding the money in Thai bank , of course this Health insurance malarkey has given me second thoughts.

I see what you mean.

Would only have to have the insurance for the first year and then convert into extension of stay

but yes, who wants to put 800k in a Thai bank at these exchange rates?

Maybe ED visa look like the best option? 

On 5/15/2019 at 2:24 PM, BritManToo said:

I avoided Cambodia for the last ten years because of everyone badmouthing it.

Then a pal moved there this year, I went to see him January in Siem Reap and loved the place.

Then I went to see him April in Phnom Penh again totally loved the place.

 

I can't believe I avoided it for 9 years .......... it was like Thailand when i first arrived ten years back.

Do you know about the visa options for Cambodia?

Do they do a multiple entry?

3 minutes ago, zydeco said:

The 400K is kept permanently, not just a few months. And if your 800K equivalent is not in a Thai bank, then maybe they want that money in a Thai bank. That's what happened with the letters of income. Income did not have to be deposited in a Thai bank. Now, it does.

we are talking about when you apply for visa in your own country.

The consulates there will except the proof in the currency of your country OR Thai baht, i dont think that will ever change.

IMO, This really is nothing to do with medical bills or they would also include it for all foriegners over 50y.o on extensions or whatever permit to stay they use.

No, they are clearly aim at the visa applicant who get a visa showing proof of funds in another country/currency.

Who is gonna get O-A visa from your own country if you gotta pay 50k baht for useless insurance?

of course people will now do it the way you suggested.. to get O visa for Thailand by showing 800k in thai bank. 

job done!

6 minutes ago, Ricebarnandrooms said:

Why dont you just apply for a non o visa from the Thai embassy, reason retirement. When you arrive you go to immigration within  a month, with letters from the bank. That way you are not getting a O-A but a normal one.

It was not for me, just answering another poster.

But im not sure if you can get non O, from an outside embassy? 

I think they offer O-A.

Anyway, your plan would work even if just come in on tourist visa then apply for O later, as you said.

But I think many would have a problem about putting 800k in a Thai bank because some exchange rates are now very poor.

I guess this is why people prefer the O-A from own country as you can show equal to 800k baht in your own country bank account currency.

Im sure now they will have nobody get this visa if you must pay a fortune for what is useless insurance cover.

The whole thing is a completely useless exercise anyway

some foriegner who didnt pay bills would have racked up millions in some cases..

but this insurance covers what? 400k? 

LOL

so the hospital is gauranteed to get back 400k frim insurance company, but what about if is a majour surgery that cost

3million? 

the foriegner is then ok to run away without paying the other 2,600,000?

  lol

14 hours ago, ianezy0 said:

Thanks for the reply.

i already had a Thai bank AC from when I was working over here so I transferred the 800k before my application. I printed off an online statement which was then signed by a JP in Cairns. 

I have put 800k into a FD account thinking I would need to show this when it came to renew. But, as you inform me, I will not be able to extend or renew the OA visa in Thailand. Do I understand you correctly? Cheers

I did think you can exit just before the O-A expires and come back in to get a second year, but after the second year you cannot do again, and must get another O-A from your own country again.

my opinion, others might clarify

16 hours ago, zydeco said:

There is no requirement for maintaining an account balance. As long as they get their 65K per month posted, they can withdraw it all the next day. That may be seen as a problem. 400,000 minimum maintained in a bank account permanently, as with the 800,000 retirees might be what they're thinking. 

As i understand, the O-A applicant must show equal to 800k in bank account in his own country.

many would probably be more cashed up than TV guys screaming about having to keep 400k in the bank a few months

8 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

So you quit your job to start a business without finding out what the regulations were that would affect the feasibility of that business first?

Sounds like Thai scamming 101.

The first thing to look out for is so-called Thai friends

who always saying "can do, can do mo proplem"

 and work permit "dont worry about that"

its all downhill from there.

6 hours ago, BertM said:

I don't need to ask my agent if he offers an 800k loan service because I have my own 800k+ in the bank. I do enjoy being picked up, dropped off at the front door of CW Immigration, escorted inside to take my pic and then taken back home, all for 15k.

 

I do know this is a big agency and they make loans to people who have condos or houses to use as collateral because a friend of mine have over 5MM invested with the agency on several properties. Nothing illegal about that though. He makes 12% per year on his investment.

15k????

and all it takes is a few hours of his time and 500baht driver???

 jesus is shaking his head weeping and saying "one is born every minute"!

i will give you a foot massage while you waiting at CW for that sort of money!!

18 hours ago, Leaver said:

Many people, including myself, thought these new laws were implemented for the purpose of stopping the agents. 

 

Here we are, some months after the policy came in, and agents are still in business, and probably busier, and in all likelihood, will be very busy in the future. 

 

Can you explain that?

 

You say they will make it more difficult 6 months from now, but unless immigration clean up their corruption issues, making it more difficult just means more people use agents, which means more corruption money.  

 

 

I get your point.

But is the same in my own country with crooks in general.

No matter what new security technology comes in, the crooks will find some way genius way of getting around it.

Imms have many offices and individual for sure there will be bent ones and

Thailand have more issues than other countries.

face, not making trouble for "superiors"  or questioning elders, not piรรing in someone elses rice bowl, knowing you can get sacked easy for just open the mouth a little.

It all make stamping out corruption an impossible or very slow task.

Also wages are incredibly low, and why the country is so competitive and baht is so high.

thats why its still cheap for us farangs.

Cant have it both ways, and for sure you will get people wanting to taking what they think they deserve. 

you would probably do it yourself if your a poor working XX hours a week for peanuts and watching others drivie around in new mercs

I believe there are people trying to stop corruption here, especially yhe younger ones.

But no, i dont believe the corruption is endorsed and/or planned by the immigration chiefs.

but sure i will cop flack from the

tin-haters. 

or tin-hatters that is.

555

On 5/3/2019 at 9:37 AM, bkk6060 said:

I like it. 

Proves you do not suffer from: wwms

 

Weak

Western 

Male

Syndrome 

 

Too many males here suffer from it.   They have and want a mommy who controls and directs their lives. 

 

Good for you.   Pop one even earlier remember, you are the boss. 

 

 

Im not sure if you are taking the P...

or not?

lol

but yes, many guys come here and already they are pussy-whipped from ugly fat girls in the west.

Actually many times here on TV, i advised.. "you have to train the Thai woman to your way of thinking"

which is really the best advices, but still you will get dickheads that flamed you saying this sort of thing!

RIchard-heads, is what i call them, and wait for the day soon, they are broke and have to go home.

Well for one, they dont make a huge fuss when you crack your first beer at 11am.

Only very silly wealthy foriegners will forfeit $15-30k just to live somewhere with these sort of standards.

and actually i never knew any very silly wealthy people.

When the ones living here are complaining about put 800k of their OWN money in a Thai bank, what does it tell you?

tho to fair, the ones barking the loudest probably dont have the dosh.

On 4/29/2019 at 11:35 PM, LongTang said:

I think you summed it up very nicely ????

Its really difficult to know which way the wind will blow (look at BJ as one example), though i doubt we will see a drastic relaxation of the rules..

Anyway, if you are really serious about staying here for a long time and are not near 50, get an elite visa and hopefully forget about this rollercoaster.

Up to him, but unless have a family/kids here (must stay fulltime) why anyone in their right mind would pay $32,0000 for 20 year visa? 

apart from obvious (you dont know what changes about life will happen even just after 5-10 years)

and Thailand give way to many question marks for me anyway.

I love it here also but that sort of money can buy serious time in parts of the west now.

and you actually get some quality and standards for your money not everything broken in no time.

certainly you can buy many trips back and forward for that money

id sooner buy a car, even a van or caravan (for temporary stay) back home before i give Thailand $30+k just to stay here. 

22 hours ago, JackThompson said:

Those are 2 different ways of qualifying. 

 

The "income method" now requires showing mo-deposits, where it used to only require an average per/mo over a year for the letter.

 

The "money in the bank" method now requires leaving the money untouched for 5 months, instead of 3, plus never touching the 400K.  Before, one only needed 800K + 3 months living-expenses to legally qualify.

 

And they often repeat - as you did -  the assertion that it's not so different - but it is, and will smash the long-term plans of many on the rocks.

 

Those who never had the "money in the bank" would have needed to use an agent to fake the money before, and can still do that today.  There is no change to the pro-agent / anti-honest-applicant policy at many immigration offices. 

 

Those who want the "Red Carpet Treatment" at Thai Immigration still receive that using agents, and do not have to bother with money in the bank or proving their income.  The rule-changes only affect honest-applicants.

So you believe the only reason they make these changes is to force people to using agents and so immigration can collect bribes?

 But you and many others say they been getting bribes for years, so why they not just leave it the way it was if it was such easy money?...

 But changing things (especially with BJ around at that time) could always run a risk of loosing any teamoney they were getting?

Oh, thats right- they wanted a bigger piece of pie. lol

I will wager it, in 6 months time... if/when Immigrations realise the agents are still doing the dirty work, they will make more difficult changes again to prove people actually have their own funds in their own bank.

If its a new IMMs boss making a name for himself, he will probably just get the sหits and ban all agents from even entering immigration offices.  

For sure, if he reads English and ThaiVisa he will probably just do it for fun. 555

28 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

So they have been changed! More difficult or easier?

 

The rest of your post seems to be an off-topic complaint about all the other TV members, which I struggle to comprehend.

I dont think any more difficult or easy, if you have money.

many will just deposit 800k in a bank account and forget, use another account for day to day expenditure.

then if the hammer come down on this kind of person, worse case scenario they can afford an Elite Visa so no problem them.

If you been a long term member here you know all the bellaching been going on for years,

complain about Thais and the conditions here.

run down and mouth off on people in authority.

I dont know if it affect me personally but i hold part of blame of the bad way things are going from what farangs been saying on this site for years, and ASSuming Thais dont read it.

one guy just negative EVERY post and goes on about "brown paper bags" and bags out people in power nearly constantly.

absolutely crazy, this is all recorded and can be bought back as a case against you if privacy laws here and on the net change. 

and then they will come after you like they do to certain other individuals they have heard enough of

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

And modifies the qualifying renewal requirements for those that are already retired there, without due regard for those unable to meet the new requirements. 

Really only new requirements is:

- amount of time you need to keep money in the the bank....

which provides proof that you do hold that money, instead of just some BS income letter

This has been pointed out SO many times but people still dont get it.

Of course if you NEVER had 800/400k baht to start with, but still (SOMEHOW)  managing to get many yearly extensions,

sure its gonna be a problem.

Funny, so many posters here

cry about PC,

crying to mods if someone challenge them,

report people,

invite to my ignore list (lol)

cite laws that others break,

Actually for years, these same guys take every chance to ask:

 "have he got a work permit for doing that"

(everytime someone is doing something to help themself or Thais)

Now many of these same posters been caught out and quite obviously been breaking a very BIG law for many years.

hmmm what goes around comes around hey?

maybe Thailand gonna invite you to their ignore list.

5555

2 minutes ago, Thailand Outcast said:

The only way Don, or anyone else in similar circumstances, could force the hand of the Thai authorities, is to overstay a few days, then ring all the media outlets and arrange for them to be there when he hands himself in and is detained.

 

With the right headline, a story like that will go global, and this may shame the Thai's into some change.

 

Problem is, at 90, Don probably would not survive detention. 

if it were me id just say "lets call the whole thing off"

and hope for the best

wouldnt need be travelling out of the country at that age

 depend on where he lives the authorities most probably wouldnt come after him and haul him away.

what are they gonna do? 

Put him in detention centre at 90y.o?

and its even a bigger PR and logistic problem to repatriate

probably if he was up nakon nowhere they would have turn the blind eye and nobody annoy him

but now hes gone public who knows