Groundpounder

I went today to Chaeng Wattana to do my 90-day report, and was told I had to go to the Temporary Visa Extension Center near the Impact Arena.  They gave me an incomprehensible map that was refused by two taxi drivers, but the third one was happy to take me.  Luckily, the map has a QR code that gives the Google Map location.  BUT, the route Google calculates is incorrect since final legs are closed off.  The correct routing is given in the attached map (follow the green line).  BTW, I had missed the 31 August deadline for reporting, but nothing was said, and no fine was levied.  It could be that Immigration figured out that the 31 August deadline for 90-day reporting was insufficiently well publicized, and so are waiving any penalties - at least for now.

I worked with Max at Mae Moh during the mid 1980s, but lost touch with him around 15 years ago.

By an incredible coincidence, I found an old (20 years) business card for Max today and on an offchance, Googled his name, and found your sad post. What were the circumstances of his death? (if it's something that you can report on an open forum). Otherwise, I wouldn't mind receiving a PM.

RIP Max

I want to base myself in Thailand, setting up a home here, while I do freelance work outside the country. My plan is to eventually retire here, but not for another decade.

Can I ship in a 20 ft container of personal effects (books, furniture, computer etc.) without having any residency rights in Thailand?

I’m a 52-year-old geological engineer with dual Canadian and British nationality. I’ve just completed a 4-year contract in Taiwan, and my personal effects (papers, books, furniture, electrical goods etc.) are packed away in a 20-foot container awaiting a shipping address.

However, one of the two overseas (i.e. outside Thailand) job prospects that I was hoping for has just fallen through, and the other one is by no means guaranteed.

I’m no stranger to Thailand, having worked here in the mid 1980’s, and visited frequently ever since, albeit for stays of a week or two. But last year, I purchased some land in Chiangmai through a lifelong Thai friend, and intend to build a retirement home on it, though I have no intention of retiring for at least another decade.

However, should my second job prospect drop through, I would like to base myself in Thailand, ship in my personal effects, and establish a home here. I would then freelance overseas within my profession, using Thailand as my base, but not working here unless a bona fide opportunity presented itself here (Hey – I can dream!)

My question is: How do I go about getting Thai customs to clear my shipment when (a) I am not marrying a Thai, ( am not starting work here, and © am nowhere near ready to retire. Any advice on what visa to obtain, and how to go about this operation would be most appreciated. (I’m currently here on an entry permit, but appreciate that I would probably need a visa to expedite this.)