pgrahmm

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Who does your visa? My lawyer chsrges 10k per year.

 

Info sent to you.....

 

Do they do your visa for you?

 

Surely not for 1000 baht a year.

 

They don't pay the fine as they are 'friends' of one of the immigration officers. 

 

 Don't want to give you 90 more nervous days but aren't these services illegal?

 

They are perfectly within their rights to give you a stern look

 

 

Yes - they handle my once a year visa for me.....I posted 3 scenarios about the possible fine of which any could apply.....they run the 90 day reports for 1000 baht a year.....when I lived way out of town the diesel cost that much.....

 

No - these services are not illegal - the nervous days I created myself - didn't need your help for that - it was more about taking 3 days when it usually takes 1/2 to 1 day.....yep - every once in awhile a stern look is in order.....

 

(I was worried about being 120+ days...the form and photocopies are easy - CM immigration is like a 6 hour chaotic free for all starting with 4AM risings to fight for a place in line to grab a number when they open the door)

 

 

 

I've been in Chiang Mai for 3 years and on a retirement visa for 2 years. Have never spent more than 15 minutes at Chiang Mai Immigration doing 90-day report. And I always go at 1 P.M.

 

 

 

Glad you found a system - now you might have harpooned it.....some swear that 3:30 is the best time......many early rising mornings invested and the pulled numbers didn't come up until after the lunch break .....some afternoons were tried and ended up having to drive back in the following day.....a few years ago I was lucky to make some of the appointments online but those are booked many months in advance.....I've found it easier this way for me.......per people I've spoken with immigration actually prefers when a service handles it as the paperwork (visa, 90 day, other) is streamlined, sorted, and correct, it allows an officer to process many in a short time over the ebb and flow, emotions, poor manners, demands, and chaos that is the CM office....I've always felt badly for the counter people - by afternoon it's clear the day has taken a heavy toll....maybe it's better now that they've split off some of their services.....

Who does your visa? My lawyer chsrges 10k per year.

 

Info sent to you.....

Reminder = that was my 1st question to them, it's usually sent out in an email which I chose as sometimes at the house there is signal drop at the phone and I have missed calls from time to time....they went to a computer and found that the email came back as undelivered....apparently they enter the address each time sent - not a chain - and had erred.....remember I went into the office thinking I was on time....

 

As to the fine - 3 things, immigration at one time gave an August date (120 days) maybe that was in their big books and they checked history and decided everything was OK ..... It's is possible because of the "lost face" thing on the email reminder the visa office took care of it ........It is also possible they paid it and will charge/bill me for it and I'm fine with that although I thought it would have happened when I picked up the pp - it's one of the few places I've found that it's OK if any money is due it can take place at any time during the transaction instead of up front.....

 

No matter which.....glad it's done.....

Bit hard to follow the wiring on the photo. So something to try. First go have a look at your meter and should see something spinning/moving.

Switch off your main incomer circuit breaker at your switchboard, then check the meter. If meter is still spinning/moving you have a freeloader between the meter and your switchboard. If this is the case it is something you can report to the supplier and they should understand if told in Thai.

Cheers

If you have a water pump make sure you shut that breaker off too...if the pump is losing prime it can run longer and it will show on your bill but be a hidden source of electrical draw that might be unheard/not noticed.....

Okay, but we don't have a water pump. However, the 2 air cons and the hot water heater have large black switches.

Could they be on different breakers?

Normally they'd be covered by the main circuit breaker.. don't leave the main off for extended time - need for fridge....

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Last week we were going into the CM Airport mall....there was a guy older than me with a nice looking gal in her 20's walking out......he stopped me and asked if I knew where he could get a suit to wear for one day to get married in stating that they were all too small and he didn't want to spend money to have a suit made (I'm 6'4" 240#) he was about 6'2" and portly.....I got the distinct impression he wished to borrow a suit from me to get married in......

I wished them good luck and we continued on our way......

I couldn't help but feel badly for the gal - a big day in her life and the guy wanted to borrow a suit from a stranger instead of pay 2000-5000B to look good on "their" special day......

It kind of gave me a glimce of their (her) future.....

Well. If you had thought more about it and possible asked your wife. She may have been able to tell the guy to go to the local wedding shop and hire one for 1,500b or so.

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks CB - I did not know they have such a thing here....my wife didn't either - I guess the poor guy just picked the wrong people to ask.....when approached or asked - regardless of by who I try to give an earnest answer....he specifically mentioned he didn't want to spend around 2000B so maybe he had the answer all along to his question.....

I guess we live a sheltered life.....

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Moral of the story should be "keep your business to yourself"  It's an indexed public forum that Thai officials are welcome to read and crack down upon.

I agree.....I posted to hopefully be of benefit to others to double check.....just in case....

 

Dude, I think you suffer from catastrophic thinking.

 

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-the-face-adversity/201103/catastrophic-thinking

 

I can recommend a good therapist if you want.

 

 

Nope - but thanks for the offer.....when reading of the litany of regulation/visa/border/enforcements/enhancements/explanations and resulting fears voiced/penned by others I sat back nice and smug thinking - OK - everything's covered. Got the timing right for the next year while everything settles into place - or at least a more certain position/understanding/permanent/settled state.....

 

Then I head in for my 90 day and find out I'm 30+ days over - over half of which I'd been on the road away from "home ground" CM.....so it came as an unpleasant surprise as I try to be a good guest here.

 

Wife aside - all I can ever be in LOS is a good guest and do the things that are required and do them correctly.....so, yes, as a matter of fact - it was a shock to discover otherwise.....

 

In my mind I knew everything should be OK - but when the passport did not come back the 1st or the 2nd day it did cause me to pause and second guess the possible reasons.....

 

As more than a few people have noted it only takes one person in the wrong mood at the wrong time to create a whole bunch of trouble.....especially when they are as uncertain as we lately....

 

Luckily all was OK.......

Last week we were going into the CM Airport mall....there was a guy older than me with a nice looking gal in her 20's walking out......he stopped me and asked if I knew where he could get a suit to wear for one day to get married in stating that they were all too small and he didn't want to spend money to have a suit made (I'm 6'4" 240#) he was about 6'2" and portly.....I got the distinct impression he wished to borrow a suit from me to get married in......

I wished them good luck and we continued on our way......

I couldn't help but feel badly for the gal - a big day in her life and the guy wanted to borrow a suit from a stranger instead of pay 2000-5000B to look good on "their" special day......

It kind of gave me a glimce of their (her) future.....

Bit hard to follow the wiring on the photo. So something to try. First go have a look at your meter and should see something spinning/moving.

Switch off your main incomer circuit breaker at your switchboard, then check the meter. If meter is still spinning/moving you have a freeloader between the meter and your switchboard. If this is the case it is something you can report to the supplier and they should understand if told in Thai.

Cheers

If you have a water pump make sure you shut that breaker off too...if the pump is losing prime it can run longer and it will show on your bill but be a hidden source of electrical draw that might be unheard/not noticed.....

Get on it and let everyone know how it goes.....many titilating possiblities.....

Moral of the story should be "keep your business to yourself"  It's an indexed public forum that Thai officials are welcome to read and crack down upon.

I agree.....I posted to hopefully be of benefit to others to double check.....just in case....

I can't work out what the big deal is. You missed your report date by about 30 days. You go in, they fine you 2000B, no problem, unless you make a habit of doing it, this is all that ever happens. This is what I did - completely painless.

 

The extension of the period you are permitted to stay on your visa, and all the conditions of your  stay are completely unaffected by whether you have done your 90-day reports or not.  

 

What were you afraid might happen?

 

 

 

I wasn't sure since I'd never miss-stepped - but it didn't cost 1B......zip - nada.....

Glad it worked out for you but cant understand why the service, if its only a 90 day report, 1 form/photocopies, post it and done. How hard is that ?

 

I was worried about being 120+ days...the form and photocopies are easy - CM immigration is like a 6 hour chaotic free for all starting with 4AM risings to fight for a place in line to grab a number when they open the door....for 1000B per year they handle it all & all I have to do is drop off/pick up the passport.....

 

I have not tried the posting thus far - I started this before it was available...on this time around I'd missed the reporting date - thus worried.....

I don't expect any comment on my own OP's because they are devoid of point - meaningful content - wandering - pandering - genuine feelings or  - without humor or poignant rejoinder towards others and their useless viewpoints - wordy - passionate about nothing - filled with poor punctuation and grandma - generally destined to put most thinking people to sleep......

 

That's how I know that they'll be accepted by the mods and read by the TVF hoards without recrimination and rancor - let alone a valid opinion.....

 

OK - now back to your regularly schedule reprogramming.........

Tha t would be my vote - watched someone walk through a market - sample everything - buy nothing & walk out.....happy as a lark.....

Went in to my visa service place here in CM (excellent) to drop off my passport for my 90 day check in.....usually I drop it off and get it back the same day - however this time I'd made an error and I was a month + overdue........

 

I am here on a retirement visa which runs May to May.....I always have this place take care of it because their service has been outstanding/cost manageable/trouble free and I've referred friends there that have had some difficulties and they've come through for everyone -  every time.....now I guess it was my "turn".....

 

My last check in was in January due to some international travel, (you can see where this is going).....the time before I'd checked in in and when I received my passport back they'd cleared me until my retirement visa was due in May (120 days).....not knowing whether this was a courtesy or a mistake I had them check me in at the 90 day interval In April rather than chance it......

 

Fast forward now - renewed the visa in May thinking May to August = 90 days.....oops - was due the 2nd of July.....I trudge on into the agent and they point out I'm 30+ past my check in.....I leave my passport with them but I'm a little uneasy knowing I'd unwittingly done the wrong thing (90 days past visa/120+ past check in)......

 

Usually I get my passport back same day......Wednesday goes  - Thursday goes & Friday rolls around and no word - nervous now.....I call in and told "your passport is at immigration, we'll call you when it's ready" - - - does not make me feel better.

 

Finally - at 3PM I get the call - come in and get your passport........all is OK........ ..... .....  

 

Moral/lesson of the story, I guess is, no matter how sure you are it's not a bad idea to double check (dates/calendar/paperwork) during these transitionary times..... (even if you are as cock sure as I was you were 100% on track) - I'd had visions of flying out and back in or other problems/hurdles/reset that might have/could have taken place in these uncertain times......

 

I've been textbook perfect and trouble free (no trouble or undo negative attention) up until now; and plan to remain so - gratefully, I still am.....

 

We can bitch/praise/complain/condemn/take things for granted/play on TVF because we are free to - but when you screw up you never know where/when/how the hammer can come down.....

 

Might not hurt to double check everything once in awhile.....just for drill.....

I think a big part of the problem is a lot of these people are not afraid to inconvenience anybody toward "their" ends...... manners and good behavior towards - and around others simply do not apply.......when they bull rush past eye contact or friendly demeanor hardly ever takes place as they sometimes waft by with many days unwashed coutenance.....

Might be some good folks - but you are judged by the company you keep and your behavior.... which makes you pre-judged by others when you come into contact with them based on others (public/shop keepers/vendors) prior behavior.......

Some simply might graduate/transition for the better with age and refinement.....others will never see their own boorish behavior......

BTW is your wife Thai?
workout?
reading a novel?
just curious...

Yes 100% Thai....also paints and does nice pencil sketches and portraits....likes inovative crafts and puzzles too - .along with the other more typical Thai stuff - flower & veggie gardening.....alot of the family is the same

They've all read the Beach and sit around with a bottle of water all day long. They bargain with street food vendors.

But what I *^*%%*%*% hate the most is they are always bumping you with their stupid backpacks.

+ 1.....

Really nothing straight up....but some are on shoestring and small spenders.....some comsidered unhygenic...unwashed...other as rastas or druggies seeing/financing the world through a slightly different perspective....any group that is viewed in a bad light usually

has earned it over time....their dressing habits don't help......the truth is somewhere in the middle... I've kind of envied their packing skills since I always seem to over pack....we actually use backpacks for our trips around Thailand...much easier to manage

than wheeled luggage for some of the resorts...our last trip was two + weeks

Sorry - will never carry a purse......or tote a tablet because that would require a purse....years ago when traveling for business when laptops needed I did have a bag with a shoulder strap - that got old and I wouldn't put it in the same catagory of carrying a purse.....

Take a close look at the ones that do.....especially around CM with those silly a**ed raggity cloth bags......... I know we are a diverse group - but some I've chatted with have me wondering if they're from the same planet.......

Only one......

 

Parents are no longer with us......

 

I raised one daughter from 3 months on by myself & she turned into a splendid person by all criteria....unfortunately was killed in a car crash at 26 in 2012 - just as the rewards of life were coming to fruition for all her hard work.....she was in essence my "2nd" family.....this one I miss every day.....

 

1st family ended in divorce and those kids ended up in other states - two sisters that really do not like each other and somehow I end up being put in the middle any time we're in close proximity of each other......we keep in touch through technology.....I suppose sometime I will have to go see them but 3 days is a LONG LONG time when in the middle of the storm.....one kept saying she wanted to pack up her her kids and move "close" to me in California - I knew what that meant.....

 

The rest were east coast family members and we were west coast (California) so mingling with them didn't happen much over the years - 2 west coast cousins are no longer around......most of the good time spent with them was playing ball together for many years then we sort of drifted to different areas of the state loosely communicating..... 

 

So yeah - the ones I miss are no longer around - the ones that are still around - I don't miss too much......

 

While there I did my best - and beyond the call for all concerned to the point of years without any kind of a down time/break/vacation - so now this is my time.....

 

Happy here....

Number 1 cause of road/driving fatalities.......

 

Although now I'm watching baseball in real time on mine as I follow one team.....also use as GPS......really handy to snap impromptu pics instead of lugging the Nikon around......it'll hold up to 200k images in the SD card...... Skype available instead of being chained down......there are some good things and many more than that I am sure....they've probably made libraries archaic...... 

 

The wife is always pointing out tables full of connected/disconnected people...in a world lacking recently of social skills like a sled to h*ll this has to be one of the greater reasons for it........

 

It hurts to see people on their motorbikes talking (cell phones) and riding - sometimes with umbrella held in the same hand - you know it's only a matter of time until they run out of luck.....

 

TV has been proven to take away creative skills and cause shortened attention spans along with myriad other problems - yes technology is not always moving us collectively forward.......

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Another possibility ..... you're in your 30'$.......no prospect for long time anything beyond the current situation unless you want to stay as a broke school teacher.... with the wrong crowd.... .beyond immediate $$$$$$$$$ there is no reason for long term interest in you......you might be worthy of genuine long term interest - just not from their point of view/wants/needs/or desires.....hope you find what you need..... .needs and wants seem to get confused around here.....

another offshore worker who thinks he is a philosopher?

 

 

 

Their's nothing wrong with being a broke teacher, take it easy

 

 

I didn't say that there was - if the gals are looking for cha-ching.....just not what would interest them.....