depe

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You cannot get a appointment now since immigrations website for them has been down since June 24th.

That is the reason they are wanting people do their extensions of stay application no more than 3 days early.

Thanks ubonjoe! I will wait then until it is 3 days. I rechecked my expiration day, and it is actually in the end of September. There is still plenty of time to change the rules (again), or possibly fix the online booking system...

I need to do my yearly Non-O (Family) visa extension in the beginning of September in Chaeng Wattana. Normally I would be going in the first half of August (so without his whole Covid-situation I would be going next week). 

Now I am a bit confused. Should I simply wait until it is 3 days to the expiry date? Or could I make a booking for next week (I have never used a possible booking system for Chaeng Wattana)? Or is it a combination of both (=booking 3 days before expiration)?

Does anyone have any recent experiences? Any recommendations?  

Is there a timer functionality? E.g. Can I set it to turn on daily 5 AM and turn off 8 PM etc.

I am about to apply for 1 year non-immigrant (type O, family) visa extension at Chaeng Wattana. I have done this already few times, so the procedure is familiar. Anyhow, I am going through the required documents, and I am having a small doubt. Before we were living in a rented house, so I needed to bring in the rent contract, copy of the owner's tabien baan, etc. Now we have moved to a new house owned by my wife.

What documents & copies do I need in this case? It seems that it would be enough to have wife's tabien baan (and copies of that) as a "proof of residence"? I am just wondering this, because my name is not mentioned in the tabien baan.  

Thanks everyone for answers. There were some really good points.

If your target house is not a flat roof but has an airspace above the top floor then cross-ventilation with an attic fan is a simple and very effective relief. You need openings on both ends for inflow and exit air, best use barred and screened cover to keep out vermin. Have a switch on top or bottom floor and just remember to turn it on and off, or put on timer. Check the fan for quiet running and mount with rubber blocks or washers to cut vibrations.

The search still continues, but the few houses we have been interested in had the "pyramid shape" roof, so there is airspace above the top floor. Not sure how to setup a ventilation for this kind of roof. Anyhow, first things first, I need to check whether the roof air space is actually hot in the afternoon/evening.

I've lived in a two story detached home for 8 years here in western Bangkok. Sure, the second story gets pretty warm due mid day to sundown, but we actually don't spend much time during the day in the second story during that period...the second story is all bedrooms (well I use one as an office that I don't use that much) and two baths. At night we just turn the room A/C on...cools down nicely within 10 minutes.

I expect the new houses you have been visiting only turn the A/C on just before you might get there or if a model home for show they don't set the A/C to cool purely because A/C eat a lot of electricity....and Thais usually can deal with higher heat better than most farangs. Or the new homes you are looking at don't even have room A/Cs installed yet? And for the most part, since by far Thais are the biggest buyers of homes in Thailand, they are generally much more use to/more comfortable in higher heat than most farangs. Heck, my Thai neighbors in the house right next to me have multiple A/Cs but they rarely any of them---even at this time of year when it's really HOT!! Yes, yes, I know many Thais like A/C also but all my Thai friends, neighbors, and family use A/Cs much less than I do (and my spoiled Thai wife who has got use to A/C 24/7). For most they just have windows open, fans running, and A/Cs turned off.

I also expect your townhouse was significantly smaller in size than the homes you are looking at and of course unless your townhouse was an end unit it effectively had shade on both sides from the other units....and a smaller roof size to suck up the sun than a detached home.

But yea, unless a detached home happened to have some shade trees around it or partially in the shadow of another home, that a detached home would generally get warmer than a townhouse/condo.

We have visited both the model/sample houses (with A/C on) and the empty ones without any furniture & non-existing A/C. I am now speaking about the empty houses that concern me. As I said, the situation is not realistic, since there are no curtains in windows, and most likely all the windows have been closed and the house has been heating up perhaps several days on row.

Yes, and you are right about the town homes I have lived in. They have not been the end unit, so the wall exposure to sun has been quite minimal. It is actually quite amazing how cool the 1st floor can be - even now during the hottest season.

There is actually quite a few nice threads about cooling houses in the "DIY & Housing" forum. I need to read those carefully. Basically I am just afraid if there could be some bad house design issues that could lead to major heat problem. And if there are, what kind of things I could check before doing any decisions. And of course it might be possible that even with the best possible design and by using all the possible tricks to make the house cooler, it will never be exactly cool compared to the homes I used to live.

We are planning to buy a new two floor detached single house in one of the “moo baans” in Bangkok. There are of course many things that concerns me, but the current issue is the heat. I would like to gather some experiences or recommendations from people who are living in this kind of two floor single houses. How hot does it get and what to do with it?

I’ve been living in Bangkok several years now, so the tropical heat is nothing new to me. Anyhow, we’ve been living in few different town homes with three floors. In those the first floor has been actually quite pleasant. You can easily spend time there with a strategically positioned floor fan and without AC. Even the second floor is not that bad, but I tend to use the AC, if I need to spend more time there (=during nights). The third floor gets quite hot during the day. The AC is almost a must at least now in the hot season. In general I just like that fact that the first/ground floor, where we spend most of the time, is not really hot at all and we don’t need to use the AC.

We have now visited many new houses, and it strikes me how HOT it is inside. I am speaking about the empty houses, not the furnished sample houses with ACs turned on. Of course there are no curtains, the windows have been closed etc. so it is not a realistic situation. Anyhow, the facts are that there is no third floor, where the hot air could “escape”, the houses are pretty much under direct sunlight (no big trees for shading), etc.

So, people living in this kind of single houses, what are you experiences? Can you compare the single houses and town homes? Any recommendations? Is there something to check, when visiting the houses to evaluate them with this angle? Just to be clear of course ACs will be installed in every room, but I would like to avoid using them as much as possible, and in general I don’t want to live in an oven.

I mean in general, that you have done 90 day reports with your current address.

Going prepared is always best, but only show what they ask you for.

Thanks Mario2008! Let's see how it goes. I will visit CW next week.

The main thing is that you do 90 day address reporting.

To be sure I would take some proof of address with you, should not be a problem if in wife's name. That is normal.

Do you mean that I should do the 90 days reporting at the same time / same visit? Or that I have in general done my 90 days reporting according to rules&regulations?

It seems that it is better to take all possible papers (they should still be in a folder that I had when we did the application for extension of stay).

Depe

Sure it was a colonoscopy and not a Sigmoidoscopy?

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003885.htm

Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest the rectum.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The sigmoidoscopy is done under light anesthesia and when I had one, yes, I rolled over to watch the screen while the doc pulled the tube out.

For the colonoscopy, I was fully knocked out.

Mac

Yes, I have always had a colonoscopy (entire colon). It was done for me so many times without sedation. As far as I understand the amount of pain and discomfort varies a lot between people - some people can do it with no problems and for some it is really painful.

To be honest the operation done at BKK was the best colonoscopy experience of my life due to the relatively strong sedation. Even the preparation part (emptying the colon previous day) was easy because they had somehow different meds for this than they do at my home country. If I can choose, I want my possible future colonoscopies done at Thailand.

I have had colonoscopy done multiple times at my home country without sedation. Few times they gave some mild sedative (or painkiller or whatever) during the operation because I was having a lot of discomfort and the doctor was not able to proceed.

I had a colonoscopy at BKK last year. This took place at Phyathai Nawamin (the hospital was called earlier Paolo Memorial, but the name was changed last year). They gave me two options - I don't remember how they called them, but the idea was basically 1) strong and 2) not so strong sedation. During that time I understood that the stronger (and recommended?) one was going to be a "full anesthesia" (I don't know the medical terms), and I did not want it because of the possible risks and because I've had the colonoscopy done many times even without any medication, so I knew I can manage it. Anyhow, even the second option was from my point of view actually quite strong. I have no memory of what happened during the operation - just the beginning and when the doctor said that he's done. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the doctor. I think there were (and most probably still are) two doctors at the gastroenterology department. The other one's name was Sirivan and the one who did the operation is the one whose name I don't remember. Actually I have no idea if the doctor was skilled or not, but at least I am still alive and didn't have any complications.

Thanks for quick answers.

Yes, my goal is to get the 1 year extension now. I should meet all the requirements. I am just going through the list of the required documents (which is exhausting), and this idea of applying for the 60 days extension came to my mind as a secondary option, if there will be something wrong with my application. (I assume the 60 days extension requirements are easier to fulfill.)

It's a pity that I didn't know about the possibility to extend the 90 days permit of stay (with the multi-entry visa). It would have saved me at least one unnecessary border run.

Google "bangkok kettlebells". I've bought kettlebells from them, and it seems that they (or he) have rings too. Or is this exactly the company you found?

You have the correct visa, why are you flapping? The checks on you were made when you applied for your non O already. When an immigration officer sees a non O visa its a green light for you. At Poipet a few months ago they stamped me in with 30 days when I have a non O too. I had to turn back and tell him I have a non O and its 90 days. Make sure he gave you your 90 days too.

We'll see how it will be. The main topic of this thread is that is it possible that also the visa holders are going to face problems in the future when the immigration possibly wants to see some evidence that you are NOT working illegally in the country (and how can you prove that?).

I have always got my 90 days (both from Suvarnaphumi and Poipet) and I always check the stamp immediately after the officer gives my passport back. I've read about similar experiences as you had - they only give you 30 days.

I posted this in the other non-o thread running, it applies here too:

One potential negative side of non-o multi is the border run - not only are they tiring and frustrating but as recent changes are showing it can be up to the border official whether he allows you smooth passage, unless he thinks you are working illegally - perhaps less so in the case of o-a but I predict married guys (not working) are going to be suspects too...

I worked in Malaysia recently and a non-o was fine as I hardly ever stayed in Thailand the full 90 days and never did out-in runs. Fast forward to last week where I did an out-in run and I had to show money, marriage cert and stand on one leg while whistling Amazing Grace through my rear - but I did get in. Visiting your wife is by no means a 'human right' in this part of the world - you are more than welcome to take her with you if you don't like it...

I would avoid out-in crossings for a while, it may be difficult to prove you are not working.

Thanks for this information. This is something I was expecting. Although people here are saying that these new regulations do not apply for visa holders, I wouldn't be so sure. The official message seems to be that they are after people who are working in Thailand without work permit. Non-immigrant visa holders might fit into this category of suspicious people. It just requires an immigration officer having a bad day, and you will be whistling songs from your rear to get in the country. I think it will be no more border runs for me - at least until things get clearer.

You are being emotional and paranoiac.

There people are not here to think, they are just here to apply the rules given from above, so they will let you go as many times as you want and if they are not happy you explain them how it works and then it will be fine !

I will never be a female in front of these exmployees.

Thanks for this valuable piece of guidance. If it was just me and my wife, I wouldn't care (just turn back at the border, go somewhere else, and call my wife to join me later). Now there is a possibility that I might not be able to go back to my child. I guess that brings out my "female emotional side"...

Dont expose yourself to these runs to the border...Why should you...??? Do as you were thinking!! get yourself a non immigrant O - 3 months validity, and during that last month of that VISA just go to your own immigration-office that you belong to and apply for an extension of stay based on marriage.

If you are over 50 years of age you can apply based on retirement instead which is 10 times easier alternative.... And by having an extension, you do not have to go through these stupid border-runs that you are doing now,,,

But you will have answers from people much better than me soon.. Good luck...

Glegolo

Thanks. I need to go through the whole "extension of stay" process - it is still a bit unclear stuff for me. Before I was thinking that I will never need to use that approach, but now I need to reconsider. At least then I would never have to do these quick border runs at Poipet, which are a bit suspicious. The problem might still be my other trips and when I return from them...

I am still on my 30s, so the extension of stay (or visa) based on retirement is not an option.

It is easy for you, just by something called RE ENTRY PERMITS single costs 1.000 baht and multiple costs 3,800 baht You need these when you have extension of stay otherwise that extension will be cancelled the minute you cross the border.... But it will be so much easier for you

Glegolo

Thanks again. Just reading through the extension of stay & re-entry permit information. Probably this is the correct (or at least easier) way to go. Before I didn't mind to do a possible border run at Poipet, since I could do it while vising my wife's family who is from area near the border. But perhaps the extension of stay will help also with the possible new stricter rules at immigration.

you have misunderstood the 'çrackdown'.

If you have a visa you will have no problem going to the border - it is the visa not required, 30 days at a time, that this is aimed at.

I have not misunderstood it. I know that it is aimed for the "visa exceptions" (=people entering the country without visa). When I heard these crackdown news, I wasn't worried a bit. Anyhow, there are few threads in which this issue is discussed - at least few people have had problems at immigration even they had a tourist visa. Maybe these are just exceptions, or maybe there was something suspicious with these guys, I don't know. Or maybe the problem is that they have had many tourist visas (=basically they are living in Thailand without a proper visa). I think we are living interesting times...

Dont expose yourself to these runs to the border...Why should you...??? Do as you were thinking!! get yourself a non immigrant O - 3 months validity, and during that last month of that VISA just go to your own immigration-office that you belong to and apply for an extension of stay based on marriage.

If you are over 50 years of age you can apply based on retirement instead which is 10 times easier alternative.... And by having an extension, you do not have to go through these stupid border-runs that you are doing now,,,

But you will have answers from people much better than me soon.. Good luck...

Glegolo

Thanks. I need to go through the whole "extension of stay" process - it is still a bit unclear stuff for me. Before I was thinking that I will never need to use that approach, but now I need to reconsider. At least then I would never have to do these quick border runs at Poipet, which are a bit suspicious. The problem might still be my other trips and when I return from them...

I am still on my 30s, so the extension of stay (or visa) based on retirement is not an option.

I decided to start this thread because I assume that also the non-immigrant visa holders might see interesting times after the new rules about visa exceptions (=no more border runs without a proper visa). Maybe people can share their experiences and discuss “what to do next” type of issues in this thread.

I have had a non-o multientry visa (based on family – I have a Thai wife and we have one child) for about a year now. Since my visa was about to expire, I decided to make the last visa run at Aranyaprathet & Poipet border to get a 90 days "extension". I’ve done this type of border run few times before, so nothing special here. But I had read the recent news about the new rules of the visa exceptions and the discussions related to that, so that made me little bit worried (even though the new rules should apply only for visa exceptions, right?). Just before entering the border I read some more and found threads in which people who had proper visas (tourist visa) had had problems at immigration and they had been questioned why they are coming/staying in Thailand. That made me even more worried. What if they don’t let me to return to Thailand?

I went through the Thai immigration and Cambodian immigration, and made my quick visit at other side of the border (about 30 seconds to be precise) and came back to the Thai immigration. Now things were supposed to get interesting. While waiting in the queue I saw some drama and yelling by one of the immigration officers to few Western guys. I didn’t hear what was going on, but eventually the guys were not allowed to enter Thailand (or at least they walked back). Maybe this had nothing to do with the new rules, but this didn’t make me feel too confident. Anyway, when I finally got to the officer, he started to go through my passport. At this point I have to tell that my passport includes one used tourist visa, about 5 used Cambodian visas, and also few visa exception stamps. I guess that makes me a suspect of some illegal work activities (I am not working, so I don’t have a work permit). The officer didn’t even raise his eyebrows, he just put the stamps and was about to give the passport back to me. Just before giving the passport back to me he took a final look at my passport, and finally asked “What are you doing in Thailand?” (this has never happened to me before). I just said that I am taking care of my baby. The officer smiled and gave the passport back to me. Relief. End of the story.

Everything went smoothly this time. But to be honest, I don’t feel too confident about the future. Can I still continue using a non-o multi entry visa or should I choose a different approach? As I said, for the eyes of immigration, I don’t have a good reason to stay in Thailand, since I am not working here. Having a family here will probably not be good enough reason for some immigration officer who is not having a good day.

What should I do next? Few options:

- I am about to travel to my home country in few months. Before I was planning to get a similar non-o multi entry visa, and continue using that. Normally I travel outside of Thailand every three months (1-2 week trips), so the 90 days rule is not that big problem for me. If I need to stay longer than 90 days, then I just do a quick visa run at Poi Pet (like I did last week). The non-o multi entry visa is almost perfect for my situation. But maybe not anymore?

- Perhaps I should apply for extension of stay based on marriage/family? To be honest I still don’t know all the requirements for this, but I guess I should be able to meet them (400K baht at bank etc.). I am just thinking that what if I will face the same problems? I will still sometimes make short trips outside of Thailand. The same immigration officers will be welcoming me. And in addition to that, now I must make visits to the immigration office at BKK, because of my extension of stay (90 reports or whatever?).

- Go back home (or somewhere else)? This is something that I perhaps need to do at some point anyway (child’s education etc.), but I was still hoping to continue to be here for at least about one year.

- Something else? Am I worrying too much?

-depe

Thanks Mr. Crazy Bottle!

This was exactly what I was looking for. There seems to be different information at different sites/threads. Some sites claim that the border is closed at 5 PM, and some speak about 8 PM, etc.

4 PM (or even later) should be fine then.

PS. I've been few times at the border around mid date, and that's probably the worst time to go there, since the organized trips from Bangkok with full buses arrive around that time. => Horrible queues at least in weekends. Last time I decided to leave the queue and came back few hours later => very short queues.

Hello,

Does someone know the (real) opening times of the border crossing at Aranyaprathet? My plan is to get there late afternoon or early evening, cross the Thai border, get the Cambodia visa at the office at the border zone, then cross the border of Cambodia and then walk back to Thailand. I've done this quite many times (but always during the morning or day), so I know the procedure and how things work. I am just trying to find out some details of the opening times, for example:

-what time will the Thai border close?

-what time will the Cambodian visa office close?

-what time will they close the Cambodian border?

I am aiming for about 4 PM. I've read/heard that they would close the border at 6 PM (=the Cambodian people must return to Cambodia before that, etc.), so this would leave me plenty of time to cross the border. But if they close the visa office earlier (for example I saw a thread saying that it would be closed at 5 PM), or what if there are long queues just before the closing time, etc.? Any experiences would be most welcome.

Cheers,

Depe

PS. Well, after writing this, and knowing the "horrors" of the border crossing at Aranyaprathet, I might just try to change my schedule for earlier arrival... Unless someone has other recommendations...

EDIT: If someone can fix the mistake (Aranyaprather) in the threat title, that would be nice...