soisanuk

As mentioned by Dr Jack 54, a dependent spouse or child must have entered Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Visa in order to be granted an extension of stay based on your having a retirement extension.  It is my understanding that the dependent cannot apply for the Non Immigrant Visa within Thailand.

10 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

and TurboTax will inform you that there is no need to file a FUBAR report if total assets abroad are less than $50,000.

I use Turbo Tax and, as mentioned, they advised me I needed to file a FBAR report when I answered "yes" to having had more than the US$10,000 threshold for such reports.

However, when I answered "no" to having foreign financial assets of more than US$50,000 they said no report was necessary - that threshold applies to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) - a different law from the one that requires the FBAR report - the $50k is the lowest of several thresholds that vary depending on filing status and how long you have been outside the USA during the calendar year. 

The FBAR report is done online and filed with Fincen (a part of the Dept of Treasury, but separate from the IRS).  If required to report under FATCA, it is done on a form included with the Form 1040 income tax report, which I presume would be incorporated into the Turbo Tax filing.

On 3/12/2023 at 4:27 AM, BritTim said:

As others have pointed out, you will need to change to a permission to stay that allows work in the first place. Once that is done, it is probably true that the work permit is possible with only the two to one ratio if you are supporting a Thai national. In the end, it will depend on interpretation of the law by the local labour office. I suggest you discuss the issue with them.

As others have mentioned, if extension is based on retirement, work is not permitted - thus no work permit.  As to the American Treaty of Amity, there are special rules.  I know one person who obtained a work permit under its terms and didn't have any Thai employees.  He did need a Thai lawyer to assist in setting everything up as he said the rules were a bit complicated, but it can be done.

On 3/11/2023 at 1:15 PM, rutteketuut said:

 

I didn't do the tm30 when I entered Thailand last year in august. I had a reentry stamp and stay at the same address. So no need for it I guess.

Someone I know that is usually knowledgeable about Jomtien Immigration requirements a few weeks ago told me they were going to start requiring a map from those getting retirement extensions.  HOWEVER, a friend of mine went to renew his retirement extensions a few days later and said no map was required - I have not received or seen any reports of a map being required when renewing a retirement extension.

  As to TM.30, I have seen at least 3 recent reports, but none were firsthand experiences, saying they are now requiring a new one even if returning to the same address.

They now have 3 desks outside - to the right of the parking lot entry gate for (1) retirement extensions, (2) 90 day address reporting, and (3) TM.30 address reporting.

If going for any of those services, you can avoid the long lines to the entry door.   So, you should be able to check at the TM.30 desk to see if a new one is required before going to the retirement extension desk next to it.

12 hours ago, billd766 said:

I am 78.

 

If you see a doctor you get maybe 10 minutes with him but if you can get to your pc you can check out some of the possible causes for hours, and save them in your own time.

 

 

 

Several reasons why people have a shortness of breath.

 

1   They drink too much. I have one alcoholic drink on NYE a year as I quit drinking about 3 years ago.

 

2   Low blood pressure, which is what I have. About a month ago I went up to the kitchen some 25 metres away and sat for a couple of minutes.

 

I must have stood up too quickly and blacked out. The postman found me and called my neighbour, (my wife was elsewhere), who in turn called an ambulance which took me to hospital where I woke up next day without a clue as to where I was, or what had happened.

 

 I was kept in for 3 days and my wife was there all the time (I think). I was sleeping about 20 hours a day.

 

I can still shuffle/walk around the house but apart from one trip to the hospital I have not been out of the house for about 3 weeks.

 

This week I shall be buying a zimmer frame from Lazada and I hope that helps my daily shuffle.

 

https://www.lazada.co.th//products/i4188229717-s16476050367.html?spm=a2o4m.cart.0.0.3c146108Eks0nJ&urlFlag=true

 

I have the urge to sit outside in the sun sometimes. 

 

I can keep my balance to get to the toilet and have a shower and also shuffle around the house but it is hard work at times.

 

Fortunately I am lucky to have a wonderful wife who feeds me and changes my Pampers when I needed them, but I am back to normal underwear and shorts now.

 

I have great sympathy for all the posters here who are affected as I now now what they are going through.

 

 

About 8 years ago, I bought a rollator through lazada and it still works fine.  The advantages to a rollator is that unlike a walker, it has a seat where you can sit if you get too tired when walking with it. 

There are many choices with low to high price.  The one I bought, link below, was a more expensive kind but had the features I wanted - higher weight capacity for sitting, large wheels for using outside, and lockable hand brakes.  It was worth the price as it has held up well - it also folds to a more compact size for transporting. 

  https://www.lazada.co.th/products/0-10-wheelchair-rollator-circlife-2-in-1-alp3300-1-bcosmo-the-pharmacy-i173724234-s217577069.html?clickTrackInfo=query%3Arollator%3Bnid%3A173724234%3Bsrc%3ALazadaMainSrp%3Brn%3A77327aed2e477d53a9f98a21c888952a%3Bregion%3Ath%3Bsku%3AAL676HBABMNLVVANTH%3Bprice%3A11190%3Bclient%3Adesktop%3Bsupplier_id%3A100049194%3Basc_category_id%3A4794%3Bitem_id%3A173724234%3Bsku_id%3A217577069%3Bshop_id%3A5737&fastshipping=0&freeshipping=1&fs_ab=1&fuse_fs=1&lang=th&location=กรุงเทพมหานคร&price=1.119E 4&priceCompare=&ratingscore=3.0&request_id=77327aed2e477d53a9f98a21c888952a&review=1&sale=12&search=1&source=search&spm=a2o4m.searchlist.list.i120.2f452c9a4n4ghC&stock=1

4 hours ago, roobaa01 said:

Good morning

 

I m looking for advice about bangkok bank. Which pattaya branch is easy goin to have foreigners open a saving bank-account. I have got a 12 months valid extension married to a thai and a certificate of residence.

 

Thk u for yr advice

Roobaa01

With those documents, you shouldn't have a problem at any of the Bangkok Bank branches.  For convenience, you may want to open the account at one close to where you live OR the Branch on Jomtien 2 Road near Soi 5 which would be convenient near to Pattaya Immigration. 

If you are renewing your retirement extension at Jomtien, you do not have to join the queue.  They now have a desk outside - to the right of the entry gate - where you can obtain a queue number for Desk 8 then bypass line to enter when number is called.  Apparently you have to look for it as the sign is small. I have had a couple of folks tell me they were not aware of it, but they just went to the exit door and told the Immigration person they were there for retirement extension and were admitted.  

Jomtien Immigration also has an outside desk for 90 day & TM.30 reporting where you turn in your passport, get a claim number,  and wait while an Immigration Officer takes them inside for processing and brings them back.  There are chairs available to sit in while you wait.

The Pattaya City Expat has posted the following on their website:

Quote

We received the following report on January 18, 2023 about a new system at Chonburi Immigration Office on Jomtien Soi 5:

 

Today I noted a NEW system being used by Jomtien immigration vis-a-vis annual extension based on Retirement.

 

 

 

There is an area (with chairs) opposite the nominal serpentine line and adjacent to the 90 Day report area ….which is now being used for Retirement extensions.  There are small “Retirement” signs - but they are not informative. 

 

 I was in the normal line ….when at about 08:10 a staffer start calling for “Retirement” visa folks.  I went over and she indicated I should sit - if seeking annual Retirement extension.  Several minutes later I was handed a queue ticket for Desk #8.  A tv monitor shows number being served  - you only go on the building when your number is called.

 

 Except for the confusion about a totally new system - the system seems an improvement.  A big advantage = chairs while you wait!

The Pattaya City Expats Club website notes the requirements for the first (initial) report requires the following documents at Jomtien Immigration:

Quote

Initial Filing

You present your passport with the Form TM.47

Documents Required: a signed photocopy of evidence of your address, e.g., telephone bill in your name, rent receipt showing address, copy of lease, etc. The Immigration Officer will enter the information into the computer database and print out a receipt showing the due date for your next report, and staple it into your passport. The receipt will have a "bar code"

For subsequent reports, all you need is your passport and the receipt with bar code.  You can also use online reporting - the PCEC page describing the online reporting is at: https://pcec.club/online-90-day

Quote

Their reasoning is the b/s 2000baht fine is nothing compared to having to go to the immigration office 4 times a year and file a 90 day report.

Now that the latest online reporting appears to be working fine, there is no need to go to Immigration at all.  I have now been using the online system for my past 3 reports.  With this latest system, they send me an email reminder when the next report is due.

Each Immigration office may have different documentary requirements for the extension. Also, sometimes it may depend on the IO processing the extension.

At Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration, they require some form of proof of residence.  I use my lease, but I know some that have used their Thai driving license (showed their current address on the reverse side). 

6 hours ago, Delight said:

As I understand it -immigration need to see evidence of 800000 Baht in the bank.

They do not specify how the money ended up in Thailand.

It just has to be there.

 

Monthly money is different.

The applicant has to prove it comes from outside Thailand-every month 65000 Baht.

If you use the SWIFT system -that is in itself is evidence enough.

Using Wise means you have to select -Long term stay in Thailand-option on the dropdown.

 

 

Using the Long term stay option works provided you are sending funds to a Bangkok Bank account (a Wise partner) so that Wise will send the funds through them rather than another partner bank - it is also my understanding if you have a Kasikorn Bank account (another partner) it will also be the same for their account holders. However, if you have an account at another Thai bank, it will not result in it being shown as international as the funds going to that account will be from one of their partner banks and be coded as a domestic transfer. 

On 10/29/2022 at 7:56 AM, sometimewoodworker said:

The problem with that page is that it strongly suggests that you can get an IDP if you hold a 2 year license. That is wrong. You must hold a 5 year license to qualify to get an IDP.

Based on this message, I contacted the PCEC and they have now updated the page to clearly show a 5 year Thai driving license is required.

15 hours ago, HarrySeaman said:

Like soisanuk said, the Pattaya City Expats Club.

 

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/

That link is supposed to automatically send you to their new website URL, which is: https://pcec.club/    The link for IDP information is: https://pcec.club/Thailand-IDP 

4 hours ago, K2938 said:

Is a particular visa/residence status required for this or can anybody get the vaccination as long as they pay?

For a booster, you will most likely need to have evidence of your previous vaccinations. If they were in Thailand, they should be shown on the Mor Prom app.  I obtained my 4th booster at Jomtien Hospital (it is part of the Bangkok Hospital Group) located on Sukhumvit Road.

When I order from Amazon and pay the shipping/customs fee added, I consider it to be the cost of the item without expectation of any return. I am satisfied that I will get delivery without any hassles regarding customs duties.

But sometimes Amazon notifies me of a refund because the duties were less than they collected.  The last time was a couple o months ago. Over the years, I have never had them come back to ask for more because they didn't collect enough.   

Go to www.pcec.club (Pattaya City Expats Club website), across the top hover your mouse over Thai Immigration topic - near the bottom of the drop down menu is "Checklists" - click on that and in the page that comes up, you can select their documents checklist for those obtaining a marriage visa at the Immigration Office in Jomtien.    It is based on reports they receive from expats doing their extension renewals at Jomtien Immigration and should be up to date.

I just did my 4th online report - no problems with approval email arriving within hours of getting "successful" message when sending the report.

For Wealthy Pensioner:

Quote

Retirees aged 50 years and older who have an annual pension or stable income

• Personal income of at least USD 80,000/year at the time of application

• In case of personal income below USD 80,000/year but no less than USD 40,000/year, applicants must invest at least USD 250,000 in Thai government bonds, foreign direct investment, or Thai property

• Health insurance with at least USD 50,000 coverage or social security benefits insuring treatment in Thailand or at least USD 100,000 deposit

In order to obtain an extension as a dependent of a retiree, she will need to enter Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Visa obtained from a Thai Embassy/Consulate outside of Thailand - it will not be granted if the spouse enters as Visa Exempt or using a Tourist Visa. 

You say "we" which implies you and your spouse.

If you are both 50+ years of age, then each should be able to apply for the Non-Immigrant O Visa provided that you both meet separately meet the financial requirements of having 800k in a Thai bank (have at least 2 x 800k = 1,600k).

If your spouse is under 50, then you can apply for the Non-Immigrant O in Thailand and they can use your retirement extension qualification to extend their stay  based on being your spouse - BUR, they will have to get their Non-Immigrant Visa from outside of Thailand.

Pattaya Immigration and maybe a couple of others are the only ones that have required the reporting back after 90 days to show proof that the 800k remained in the bank for the required 90 days. 

As mentioned, the requirement has always been a hit or miss situation.  Some are told to report back while others are not. 

That said, they do not have a tracking system so they do not know who has been told to report.  As mentioned, those that skip the return appointment have had not problems.  Those that have done the report say nothing is written down or recorded to show they have don so.

Like other Immigration Offices, when you go to renew your extension again, they will want to see your bank records the preceding 12 months as proof that the 800k was kept on deposit for the following 3 months and the 2 months prior to renewal application. Further that the balance never fell below the minimum requirement of 400k for the other months.