Caspersfriend

This morning my girlfriend`s niece phoned immigration to try and confirm whether my 90 day mail in has been recorded because I have not received a new 90 day date receipt. She was told that my 90 day has been recorded into the system. Then my niece asked for a reference number so I can try to find a receipt online and print out a copy. She was told no more reference numbers because the online 90 day system has been discontinued and so has the mail in option. The officer said I could visit immigration and they would issue me a receipt but would not give her name.

I can only go by what we were told by a nameless officer and not able to clarify this is correct or not. Other people may have been told differently.

This morning I submitted my 90-day report via the link provided by Tywais.

I mostly use Google Chrome but [as that throws up a 'your connection is not private' response' switched to the IE alternative available at the far right of the url bar.

Followed 'the bouncing ball' and making sure to get every answer correct in every last detail: You do need to focus and pay attention to detail as the slightest variance will cause problems.

Submitted just after 11am and approved within two hours; they even sent an email to let me know it had been approved.

Online reporting works, but only if your input is 100% correct and relates to your record in the Immigration central file.

Is this a scoop? I don't see any media outlet talking about levitating cinematic theatres.

Maybe they got confused and were doing a late report on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yesIbcDkry4

I just noted yesterday that I was sure I'd booked our trip to UK by this time last year and was waiting for this promo. Very odd timing.

srilankan.com, up to 40% off worldwide. They aren't lying, again. A smidge higher than last year, but I'm not complaining at these prices.

I've just put dummy dates in leaving 29 May returning 29 June, economy 26,775 baht, business 51,840 baht - we usually pick the overnight option on the return leg and they give us a very, very nice hotel with meals and return transport, get you back into BKK in nice time for lunch so onward flights are good. Early morning flight from BKK so if you're not already there you have to overnight. Highly recommend the business class, it really is great AND Oneworld points. And limo up to 75 miles in London (we've never used it as we pick up a hire car at the airport).

Travel is Feb 1 to 30 June, book now to 29 Jan so get your skates on.

I can see the immediate price attraction but [June 1 - 22] going would mean an overnight in BKK to catch the 09:10 flight or a 28 hour duration flight with the evening option. Coming back the options are a 26 or 32 hour duration; if I am reading it right.

For the same price as Srilankan Business [one stop] I could go Eva Elite [direct] which I have been well-satisfied with to date and means about 12 hour duration. Leaving BKK at 12:50 out [meaning I could get an early flight from CNX ] arriving LHR 19:15 and so getting to destination in UK before midnight. Returning 21:35 from LHR [make the most of the last day] arriving BKK 15:05, with plenty of time to get back to CNX same day.

What suits me doesn't necessarily suit you but am I missing something?

That one's a bit easier - supply and demand. A lot of people living in UK want to go to Thailand for a holiday. Lots of competition = cheaper prices. A tiny percentage of Thai's have the funds for an overseas holiday, particularly somewhere as expensive as Europe. Virtually no competition = no reason to offer cheap prices. Same with the cost of fares UK to Australia - a lot more Australians want to go to Europe for a holiday than Europeans want to go to Aus for a holiday, so it's relatively cheaper. A lot depends on which season you're flying into, and whether it's school holidays in your home country when you fly out, but mostly it's about how many people are flying outbound A to B against how many flying outbound B to A.

Thai is very expensive, but they often have cheap flights for people coming here for holidays. It could always beat Qantas, BA and the other EU airlines on pricing back in the days when other airlines used BKK as a hub, yet as we know it's crazy expensive if we want to book them to pretty much anywhere.

The games they play: The reality of course is that a very high proportion of those increased number looking for a competitive flight to Thailand are, as you say, holiday makers and so will be returning on those same flights that those leaving from BKK in the other direction; who are also probably on holiday and so will be .................>>>>> On my last trip there were maybe 25-30% empty seats in both directions. I never travel on any 'holidays' unless there is an urgent need.

And, of course the airlines also claw more profit from those travelling one way; in some cases charging circa the price of a return ticket. Except for Thai Airways who don't appear to comprehend that opportunity.

Thanks for that. I myself don't understand why you want to avoid "Swampy" but I purposely did not ask that, instead I offered an alternative that may be better, even if the total travel time is longer.

Simply that over the years I have already spent too much time there: The going is not so much a problem, but coming back the immigration queue at CM is way shorter due to much lower volumes and at the end of 24+hrs of travelling I would simply like to feel that when I reach Thailand I am home, not needing to await a holdover that doesn't allow time to do much else other than read a book; did all that on the 11/12 hours from LHR. One day there might be a single stop out of CM into London with decent airlines --- maybe. Happy to pay a bit extra for the priviledge

Not sure if you realise that if you come back into Swampy and are going onward to CNX with Bangkok Air and check your bags all the way through, you get to go through the special international - domestic immigration where I've never seen any queues worth talking about. It can take a bit of arranging if you do your bookings online yourself - you need to have the eticket number from the Bangkok Air flight and give this to the international airline telling them that you want to check through to CNX on the return journey. Assume that they won't do anything about this no matter what they tell you, and have that number in your hand when you check in at Heathrow. Tell the check in chick that you want your bags checked through to CNX and here is the eticket number. If you don't do this, you'll have to go through ordinary immigration at Swampy and pick up your bags there and recheck them in domestic. Your eticket number is not your booking number, it is a 13 digit number and you may have to ask where to find it once you have made the booking with Bangkok Air.

If you really must avoid Swampy, Singapore would probably offer the most choice of direct and one stop flights to England followed by Hong Kong or KL. India would probably be cheapest. Singapore seems to have more competitive travel agents with an internet presence than the others, I were determined to do this I would choose it over anywhere else, although I have to say I've never looked at how many flights there are between CNX and SIN, and the cheapest flights or the ones with best connections may leave Singapore early morning which could mean overnighting there. Coming back, there always seems to be better choices of getting to Chaing Mai.

Please take note of what Ricardo said about airport taxes; the reason it is so expensive travelling from UK is the long haul tax they brought in a few years ago where your departure tax depended on how far you were travelling - it took the cost of flying UK to Australia to ridiculous levels, it was enough to put a lot of people living in Aus and NZ off visiting family back in UK as being the furthest point it was the highest cost - it literally added a couple of hundred pounds. Going through any other EU (shortest trip/least tax) airport would likely be cheaper, but then you have to make the arrangements, get off the plane and recheck yourself and your bags, and importantly, as Ricardo pointed out, it would have to be two separate bookings for it to work. Even with the extra baggage and credit card and convenience fees charged by Ryan Air and the like, it could be cheaper, but is it really worth it? And because there are a lot more flights out of Heathrow than pretty much anywhere in the world, the competition is greatest and prices lowest, so that saving may not be as big as it initially seems. The government has, fortunately, seen the folly of it's ways and the distance based higher charges are to be either scrapped or greatly reduced, I think the same way it was introduced so in stages rather than all at once, and this may have already started as I haven't checked lately, because to me it just isn't worth it.

Thanks for that comprehensive and informative post Konini:

Last time I did check my bag through to CNX but was unaware of "the special international - domestic immigration".

I take note of your other comments. Next time it may still be CNX-BKK-LHR again but it has been very helpful gaining direct input from yourself, Riccardo and others.

My Thai friends [especially] find it hard to believe that the cost of BKK-LHR round trip is dearer than LHR-BKK round trip. Considering [simplistic example] that the minimum hourly wage in the UK is higher than the minimum daily wage in Thailand. Just a quick check on Skyscanner - economy/direct/out Feb in March = EVA is 13% up and everyone's favourite [!] Thai is 47% up. Just sayin'.

^ Hmmm... the immigration queue in Chiang Mai can definitely be horrendous if you get a couple international flights in at the same time. Over the New Year period we had some Chinese people arriving, and it took them forever to get through the queue. (More than an hour)

Plus all your luggage gets X-Rayed.. So Chiang Mai customs is only really an option for very vanilla trips.

I take your point but I never travel on 'the holidays' and have always found CM to be quiet. Whereas I doubt Swampy is ever quiet.

Last trip back [via BKK] my bags were forwarded as the domestic flight was an alliance partner, and yes they did x-ray all the hold baggage. Mine was 90% power tools but I was lucky as it appeared they were after bulk cosmetics on that day! Bit like the police check points on the roads, if they after those with no tax et al they are not interested in any other violation.

Thanks for that. I myself don't understand why you want to avoid "Swampy" but I purposely did not ask that, instead I offered an alternative that may be better, even if the total travel time is longer.

Simply that over the years I have already spent too much time there: The going is not so much a problem, but coming back the immigration queue at CM is way shorter due to much lower volumes and at the end of 24+hrs of travelling I would simply like to feel that when I reach Thailand I am home, not needing to await a holdover that doesn't allow time to do much else other than read a book; did all that on the 11/12 hours from LHR. One day there might be a single stop out of CM into London with decent airlines --- maybe. Happy to pay a bit extra for the priviledge

As far as I am concerned this topic has reached its conclusion and to all those who have made helpful suggestions I express my thanks.

Unfortunately on just about every topic you read there are a few small-minded folk who have nothing meaningful to say -- but say it anyway! To those who felt their less than helpful, and downright presumptive and rude comments would be of value to anybody <deleted>

Thanks for the replies so far. I did forget to say that I would prefer not to make the journey longer by going the wrong direction before the right direction.

Yes Google is indeed my good friend, and I have flicked through the portals [skyscanner etc] and as yet haven't found a route that heads west[ish] out of Chiang Mai. They all add time and it takes long enough as it is.

Which "China" airport are you referring to MaeJoMTB?

Let me say at the outset that although I love flying these days I don't much like airports, nor the bit between take off and landing if it's over a couple of hours. Obviously neither of these can be avoided when flying to the UK but I would love to be able to avoid Swampy. Previously on my trips to the UK, through lack of options, I have gone CNX to BKK and then Eva Air directly into LHR. Last time it proved to be cheaper to fly into Amsterdam and then take Easy Jet into Luton. On the plus side that avoided Heathrow but on the minus side with Easy Jet I felt like those pigs the Thais ship around crushed into the back of an inadequately-sized truck; in both directions they were late [the return not totally their fault as the French air controllers strike messed up the schedules] I also picked up a nasty flu-like bug which stayed with me the whole trip.

And so: No Swampy and just one stop into any London UK airport --- possible? --- at a comparable cost?

Australian, American and Canadian friends can all avoid Swampy but, unless new routes have been opened, we don't appear to have that option.

Subjects such as this seem to draw those that are so shallow they could [or maybe should] be subterranean.

Agreed that she deserves no more sympathy for being a 'celebrity' but I suggest no less.

The fact that you dismiss her tragedy out of hand says a lot about you.

Consider that many Thais' first experience of driving was sitting in front of their father/mother on a motorbike. Usually with no helmets. They grow up with little or no concept of what most of us consider to be dangerous. Would you climb high up a tree with no ladder just to get a coconut? Would you walk around the roof of a building wearing a t-shirt and flip-flops welding the steel structure; with sunglasses to 'protect' you from the rays? We see around us many other examples.

"You pays your money and you takes your chance"

Do Your Own Research and then cross your fingers.

Even those on here who say they only spend what they can afford to lose, don't want to lose; and maybe feel they need to live their life with a risk aversion strategy.

If it feels right it often is, your gut instinct often being your best advisor.

PLEASE IGNORE THIS TOPIC AND DO NOT RESPOND

Maybe I should start one entitled 'How do you prevent your would-be hacker son invading your accounts?'

I have been behind a number of internet-based and internet-access operations on the global market - and yet I don't profess to be proficient in the 'nuts and bolts'

&lt;deleted&gt; is currently happening with access here in the land of occasional frowns?

I won't [can't] get into the technicalities but without doubt something is going on behind the scenes.

For example: An FO link via 3BB 30Mb where an Ookla speedtest suggests a current download of circa 200Mbps and an upload of 250Mbps makes no sense: when latency suggests any apparent advantage is negated.

I would be pleased to here some qualified responses .....................

Much ado about nothing?

In my younger years I enjoyed/endured many a festival and similar gathering. In every case there was a proverbial mountain of trash left behind. In these days of terrorist activity the last thing organisers would be providing is bins in which a 'device' could be deposited; and be unlikely to be noticed. The clear-up process is part and parcel of the event and, as demonstrated in previous posts, is well catered for in the event on Koh Phangan. I have over the years visited cinema/movie theatres on many continents and trash/garbage/rubbish bins are few and far between; even if everyone took their litter with them a clean-up team would still be required before the next showing. As is the case for tourist beaches; and those who want to continue to attract tourist revenue should be catering for this.

The fact that this is even considered to be 'newsworthy' is the only aspect that registers with me.

Note: The most noteworthy fact is that [thankfully] this was not taken as an opportunity for those terrorist organisations that have been threatening action in Thailand to demonstrate their intent.

The picture 8z a file picture. It has been used a number of times.

Just wondering how you believe that should influence this discussion: If it were indeed true; where else other than here http://news.kapook.com/ ?

It appears that a number of people, who qualify for a marriage extension, do a retirement extension for the sake of simplicity, and if I were married; I would be one of them.

The [variable] requirements for renewal of a marriage extension here can be ludicrous in the extreme. Good pal of mine has been married to his Thai wife for 27 years. They lived in Thailand, then his home country, then back to Thailand now for ten years+. One daughter who has dual nationality and very well educated.

Most of us will appreciate that there are many 'arranged marriages' in this country; and many others. Such arranged marriages can and are simply a route for 'undesirable persons' to sneak in under the wire. However, the laws/rules/local interpretation should really take account of the historical records of those who have proven themselves to be a benefit to the country and not a threat - should they not? He is one of the many who will switch to a retirement extension next time; as will several other friends as it appears that 'single' people are not much threat at all. Duh!

This country is possibly no more corrupt than the countries many of us come from. They could be simply less able to express themselves with the eloquence we are used to. In time they may learn ............

If this case had come before a court in the UK there would be a decision by jury; and perhaps the outcome might be different.

If the accused were found to be not guilty they would instantly become 'celebrities' and would feature on the many TV programmes: Different culture different ways.

There are [possibly] only two people who know whether those found to be guilty of the crimes were in fact guilty.

Sadly, for many and varied reasons, many die in Thailand on each and every day. At least some of us [other than those directly affected] spare a thought for these two.

I would submit that if the OP's "friend" was operating so close to the wire monetarily that a currency fluctuation caused his balance to be 2000 THB under the required amount, som naam naa on him.

He is one of many in Thailand who have being doing there best to support a Thai family, whilst not being rich by 'alien' standards. For ten years his pension has been sufficient to satisfy the extension requirement. This year, his native currency being dependant upon commodity prices, taking the income option for his extension due to marriage appeared at the start of the seasoning period to be sufficient but at the last minute did not work. Although he had substantial funds in Thai Baht [albeit not enough to meet the 400,000 requirement alone over the three months] you can't top up by combining as you can with a retirement extension; perhaps only Immigration know why this should be the case. Averaged over the three months his income was sufficient, but he was penalised because in the last few days forex fluctuations [combined with the exchange rate utilised by Immigration] his funds were marginally under on the day. He's a good guy, loving father and husband, and has an unblemished history of living in Thailand. He and his wife had to almost beg on their knees to get a reprieve and that shouldn't need to be the case for a shortfall of 2000 Baht - IMHO - simple as that.

Yes I know: It is what it is and either conform or ..........................................

I confess to having posted this topic in a bit of a hurry: However, I am surprised as the main point I was making only to be apparent to some. Whilst accepting that some do not bother to read the OP in detail, nor any later responses, I see little point in continuing and have asked UbonJoe to lock the topic when convenient.

The fundamental point was that at border control, if in their opinion the passport appears to be in order, I/O's have the authority to allow entrants to the country without the need to refer to a high-ranking officer for verification; if there appears to be a problem they will then refer to a higher authority. Whereas I/O's [of apparently similar rank] at regional offices [as I understand it] have to refer every single case to a high-ranking officer for approval; in the case of marriage extensions approval can only be given in Bangkok.

With the greatest respect to those who process visa extensions, the fact that someone's application for extension doesn't have the right colour background on the photo, or is 2000 Baht short on the money in the bank during the seasoning period [yes this happened to a good friend due to ever-fluctuating exchange rates]

Ever try applying for a new passport from your own country if the photo you supply doesn't comply EXACTLY with their stated requirements? I seriously doubt Thai immigrations would deny an application for an extension if the photo was improper. They'd send you out to get a new one and then return.

The money you have in a Thai bank for three months doesn't fluctuate because of exchange rates. If you mean the combination of money in the bank plus income affidavit don't meet the total required, most sensible people would plan on that possibility. The Baht 800,000 for a retirement extension is the minimum needed. Is the I/O officer being uncompromising because someone is Baht 2000 short or is the person making the application extraordinarily careless?

Many currency exchange rates have become more favorable to applicants this year. If your home currency has been sinking against the baht, that's hardly Thai immigrations fault and something you could easily have foreseen.

Conforming "EXACTLY with their stated requirements" should not be a problem for anyone who has been here [or anywhere] for a while - 15 years in his case. A TM47 form that shows a specific size of photo [with outline] and no further specification, but an officer who states that they now want a different size shot against a blue background and cannot process the application without it is what I classify as pedantic. Nowhere is this new requirement displayed; this may not apply to all regional offices; yet.

Many of those "sensible" people have some of those funds in an FCD account and do not wish any more than is necessary to be stagnating with negligible interest accruing. This friend [it is a friend not me] has been told on previous occasions as I have, that the seasoned money has to meet the requirement on the first and last day of the seasoning period but they understand that fluctuations may occur between those dates and it's not a problem; this time it was. When I completed my last extension the I/O noticed that an amount was debited from my Thai FCD account but the Thai Baht equivalent did not appear in my other account for three days. Even though the combined amount was still well in excess of the required amount and the three days was an extended Thai bank holiday weekend my application was denied until I went to the bank and obtained a print out showing that the transfer was in fact immediate. All other paperwork 100%, very respectful and well dressed - even had a haircut that very morning but that's just a coincidence.

Like anywhere else, you do not find high ranking I/Os manning Immigration booths. So, why should Thailand be any different.

Nor do you find them manning the desk in your local office when you attend for a visa extension. The point being that those at border control do not need to refer every single application to a senior officer for verification - for visa extensions they do; at least at the Chiang Mai office. Increasingly it is appearing that Chaing Mai is an exception to the general rule.