Raindancer

Best friend Visa.  Big C wat Don Chan.  3000 baht and great service.  Tel 0882944459

As you approach big C, turn right at first roundabout and they are on the right.

Used them a couple of years ago, when immigration was not as good as today.  Now I use my online booking.

1 hour ago, DocTom said:

Mahseer.   Thanks for the reply.  However my local Thai Immigration office is in Mae Sod, not an airport branch.  But it still requires a long car drive.  So before I go, please can you comment further - will the same conditions apply as at the airport branch?  Do I have to go now, or is it permissible to wait until my August visit when I go for my one year visa extension?

Thanks again,  DocTom.

Hi

If you are uncertain regarding the mae sod office; and you have a copy of your online vfs appt application or an email confirming appt, and/ or also a copy of payment to VFS; that might help if your local immigration office get a little awkward.

Doesn't hurt to take them with you if you have them.  But as Maheer said, it really should not present a problem without any letter.

6 minutes ago, Mahseer said:

Letter no longer required. Head to immigration airport branch and fill out the appropriate form and provide copies of the following:

 

Info page old & new passport.

All pages with Thai stamps.

TM30 & 90 day.

 

Go straight to counter number 3.

@Mahseer  Thank you for great update.  I'm sure it will be of help to many on this site.

23 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said:

Mine has my address in English and Thai written on the back.

I presume that this is normal for driving licenses issued to foreigners. 

Many thanks

14 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

The VFS office is located  more or less opposite the Maya shopping mall, which is easy to find on Google maps.

 

It is located on the top floor of an office building. They do have lifts so you don't have to worry about stairs. They have their own car park and when I went earlier this year there was plenty of spaces available.

 

I applied in March and I booked an appointment via email. I believe that they are only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I was quoted a 13 week delivery time.

 

For payment you have to download and to fill in the payment form from the UK government website.

I paid with a UK debit card. You can also download the application forms from the same site.

For renewals you don't need someone fill in countersignature section, at least that's what they told me after I went searching for someone to do it!

 

You need official proof of your Thai address in written in English.

I used my Thai driving license. You can't apply using a UK address.

You will also need colour photo copies of every page of your old passport. 

 

 

How did you manage to use your Thai driving licence as proof of address, if they need it in English?

Thai driving licence has Thai language address.

29 minutes ago, bg53 said:

 

Jeepers. Did anyone do it at Cen Fest recently? CM stamps

Did mine at Airport Immigration a month ago, same as last time, cos Central said they dont do them there last month.

Might be different again next week.  Never sure when they are going to introduce new requirements or change the services they offer in Central.

And just to clarify:  my original visa was done in bkk on my old passport.  Subsequent extensions were all done in CM.  So, my old passport was given a visa in Bkk.  Then all new extensions done in CM.   And new passport 10 years ago was visa/extension transfer stamp was done in CM.

7 minutes ago, JimmyJ said:

I called up ~ 2 months ago, and was told "That depends. What office gave you the stamps?", then said they only do it if they did the stamps on old passport.

Posy deleted by user.

Last August their website showed " transfer of visa from old to new passport"

I went there a month ago and they said they don't do it.   I showed them the website info, and they said it was outdated.

Here is the latest website image.  You will notice that the icon on the image second from last has been left blank, where the previous image showed " transfer of visas to new passport".

Therefore I am uncertain of what the up to date situation is.

So, it is all somewhat confusing.   Perhaps better to phone beforehand to possibly save you a journey.

Try Stremio.  Excellent app.  But do not use it to watch streams without a vpn.

If you have Debrid, and you watch a debrid stream, then vpn in not necessary.

3 hours ago, amexpat said:

They/their customers, pay for the privilege. Yes, annoying. 

Agreed.  But the main thrust

of my post was to give a heads up as things are today when visiting immigration.  And mainly for those who had considered going today and the possible waiting time they might encounter. 

I have to say that this is a far cry from the old office and particularly the days of promenade.  We'll done immigration.

Many of those I chatted with today, were returning from many hours wait yesterday.    And told to return the following day.

35 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

0940.  Still waiting.  Ist in the queue.  But stuck behind all the agents.

 

No big deal.  Still within my appt time.   ????

Final update. 0950 all done.

Still plenty of people, but mainly seated.  No queue.

44 minutes ago, Raindancer said:

Good post.

 

I am at immigration right now.

 

It's like a zoo.  Have an appt for 0930.  Arrived at 0810.  The tent was packed and the queue at the front door just kept growing.   So, I ignored the tent and went straight to online booking queue.

 

Lady checked my paperwork.  Didn't ask for bank statements.   Handed back bank books and only a cursory glance at the bank book copies.

 

Very annoying for those in the queues to see the agents walk right to the front with copious applications and get dealt with before others. 

 

Mine took about 5 minutes.  Now at counter 8 waiting for my passport.  Somewhat early, but it's only once a year.

 

So far so good.

 

It's packed now.  

0940.  Still waiting.  Ist in the queue.  But stuck behind all the agents.

No big deal.  Still within my appt time.   ????

5 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Retirement Extension yesterday with changes , 3 weeks ago I made a booking for 

an appointment to extend retirement visa yesterday at 4.00 , even had an Email

reminder that morning , 

 

The first time I had done it this way , and was worried the 4.00 maybe a bit late,

thinking may not have enough time , so went early , arriving at 3.15 , paperwork

checked outside, handed in the window inside , and this is where a change was made,

they handed back the bank books (old new)  as 12 month statement spanned both ,

plus they gave back all copies of bank book , and the 12 month statement ,the only

financial thing they kept was bank letter ..

 

In the past they have gone over all statements ,bank books , with a fine tooth comb ,

seemed the most important thing for them , going through them 3-4 times , and 

yesterday they don't need them  , strange , I did not ask them why they don't need

them now, as I am hard of hearing ,with Tinnitus , but if this is the future it's a great

improvement ,  If I was you I would still take statements and copies until its confirmed

they don't need them.

 

So arrived at 3.15 , and was out the door at 4 .05 , with extension , the officers were all

pleasant and helpful ,  I don't get it with those that criticize immigration been difficult,

harder than ever,  the hard times were The black hole of Calcutta ,at the old immigration

packed in , you had to be there early , with the great unwashed ,in hot weather you could

cut the air with a knife , then getting  up at 4.00 in the morning to get to offices in Promenade

only to find 6 Burmese sitters already there  , to me things have only gotten much easier ,plus

90 days online , but they even done that for me while I was there ,   thanks Chiang Mai Immigration,

 

regards worgeordie

 

 

Good post.

I am at immigration right now.

It's like a zoo.  Have an appt for 0930.  Arrived at 0810.  The tent was packed and the queue at the front door just kept growing.   So, I ignored the tent and went straight to online booking queue.

Lady checked my paperwork.  Didn't ask for bank statements.   Handed back bank books and only a cursory glance at the bank book copies.

Very annoying for those in the queues to see the agents walk right to the front with copious applications and get dealt with before others. 

Mine took about 5 minutes.  Now at counter 8 waiting for my passport.  Somewhat early, but it's only once a year.

So far so good.

It's packed now.  

9 minutes ago, lexilis said:

What is the name of Dr. Tawatchai's clinic on Loi Kroh? Thanks.

Hi

It is called Loi Khro Medical Clinic.  It is on the right hand side, adjacent to the Wat.

Just now, nigelforbes said:

What you have written is also my past experience although I have yet to visit Dr Tawatchai, I have heard very good things about him repeatedly over the years.

 

 

Thank you.  I have to say that he has never misdiagnosed anything I have visited him for. 

In fact he diagnosed me correctly on several occasions when so called specialists in their field got it completely wrong.

Furthermore, as we get older and some issues crop up, he actually explains why this is with the human body, and reassures you that your worries are unfounded and how to deal with it.

He is extremely likeable and his English is impeccable.

11 minutes ago, ericthai said:

This is Thailand and just because something worked for one person doesn't mean it will be the same for you. Almost every office in Thailand (doesn't matter govt or non-govt) make up their own rules and what is followed today doesn't mean it will be the same next time. 

Fair comment.

15 minutes ago, DickThrust said:

many thanks Guys, lots of useful information. what is the document from the amphur? Do I take the will to them? TIA.

Pm sent

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

According to chap you quoted you wasted money on lawyer and will.

Just take letter to bank and all sorted....????????

Thankfully this forum has the feature to turn off replies from people like you. Won't have to read your sarcastic all knowing replies to so many posters any more.

8 minutes ago, Aforek said:

I have a will made by Isaan Lawyers , no Amphur letter :   doest il work, too ? normally the lawyer does the job 

Pm sent to avoid sardonic replies from certain posters

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Settle Petal, read BritTim post earlier.

I have also read reports where it was not simple for wife even with will in place 

 

OP, here is a thread discussing having wife as signatory.

 

 

 

Oh!!! You have read reports!!

Have a nice Sunday.

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Certainly a will is a good idea.

 

Also it's possible if married to have your wife as a silent signatory on the account.

A will does not guarantee instant access to funds. 

In some cases that's necessary. 

 

Yes, silent signatory is a good idea.

But I am not going to get into a discussion about your statement that a will does not guarantee access to funds.

So, what you are saying is, that my friends wifes experience is not true.  And my own will discussed with my bank and their confirmation of my wife accessing my funds with the Amphur authoritative  documentation is also make believe.  So now I am a liar?   All based upon your contradiction of my post.

Just now, DrJack54 said:

The OP mentioned "other half" .

Did not specifically state wife. 

 

I mentioned that in my first post and OP did not clarify. 

I don't think it really matters whether wife or other half, when making a will for the remaining wife/ other half, male or female to receive access to the deceaseds bank account.   As long as the remaining partner/ wife/ other half, receive the authoritative  documentation to that effect from the Amphur, things should be OK.

The info is there, should the OP decide a course of action.