sidleonard

My wife, a Thai national, and I (US citizen), after residing for 30 years in the US, will be moving to Thailand next year. I will apply for a Non-immigrant O visa in LA, and then, in Bangkok, apply for a visa extension based on marriage.

During our visit to Bangkok six years ago,we filed, at the district office ที่ทำการเขตบางแค the required paperwork needed regarding our marriage and opened a joint savings account at the Bangkok Bank. All the requirements for us to move to Thailand (passports, marriage registration, my wife's national ID card, Tabien Baan, etc., are now in order.

I have seen many comments here regarding the financial requirements pertaining to obtaining a visa extension, but none specifically obtaining same based on marriage; it is my hope that someone can confirm, based on personal experience, my understanding of this matter from the information below that I got from the website of the THAI IMMIGRATION BUREAU in Bangkok.

VISA EXTENSION - In the case of being a family member of a Thai national.

The alien husband must have no less than ฿400,000 in a bank account and must must attach a funds deposit certificate issued by a bank in Thailand and a copy of a bankbook, or must earn an average annual income of no less than ฿40,000 per month and must attach documents such as any particular individual income tax return together with payment receipt, evidence of receiving retirement pension, evidence of receiving interest from funds deposit, or evidence of having other funds issued by the relevant agency proving that he earns an average monthly income of no less than Baht 40,000 throughout the year.

My understanding is that I qualify as a husband who earns no less than ฿40,000 per month as a recipient in the Ohio State Teachers retirement system (actual monthly income is >฿140,000) which can be verified by an income verification letter from STRS as the required evidence of receiving a retirement pension.

I appreciate all the useful information I read on this site. Thank you, all.????

It is not true that the TM30 notification is the responsibility  of the House Master, or Owner of the Residence where you are staying (hotel or otherwise)? 

My wife, a Thai national, and I, a US citizen, after residing for many years in the US, will be moving to Thailand. I will enter Thailand with a Non-immigrant O visa and at the appropriate time apply for a 1-Year Extension of Stay Based on Marriage, popularly know as a Marriage Visa. The monetary requirement for doing so in the case of being a family member, spouse in my case, of a Thai national, according to the information on the website of the Royal Thai Consulate, Los Angeles, is as follows.

In the case of marriage to a Thai woman, the alien husband must have no less than ฿400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year and must attach a funds deposit certificate issued by a bank in Thailand and a copy of a bankbook, or must earn an average annual income of no less than ฿40,000 per month and must attach documents such as any particular individual income tax return together with payment receipt, evidence of receiving retirement pension, etc. proving that the alien husband earns an average monthly income of no less than ฿40,000 throughout the year,

If I understand correctly, based on the above, to meet the monetary requirement for said visa, all I need to do is provide an income verification statement from the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, which they provide routinely, verifying that I earn more than ฿40,000 per month; in fact, I earn more than ฿140,000 per month. It would be no problem to have said statement notarized, but I see no requirement to do so.

I would appreciate any comments which substantiate, or question, my understanding as detailed above.

I assume that a multi Reentry Permit must be renewed annually expiring on the expiration date of a visa extension.

My wife and I are moving permanently to Thailand. We will arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport in late March and it is our wish to convert our unlocked GSM iphones for use in Thailand by purchasing prepaid plans at the airport upon arrival so we can use them immediately to call family and friends in the USA and Thailand.

We hope to be able to purchase at the airport prepaid plans similar to the prepaid monthly plans we now have with AT&T here in the USA, which provides unlimited calling and texting with 4GB of data; actually, I am not sure we need that much data; now we use very little data since almost all our use is from our home WIFI, and I am sure this will also be the case in Thailand.  Where WIFI is not available, I will tether my laptop to my phone hotspot, but I am sure this will not be necessary often, if ever.

After comparing the various service providers, We have decided on DTAC due to its good customer service.

Will we be able to subscribe to the plan we want at the airport, and after subscribing to our plans at the airport and paying there for the first month with cash or debit card, will we subsequently be able to pay monthly by auto-debit to our Bangkok Bank savings account and  be able to change our plans

online if we wish?

Some time ago (I believe it was Samran), provided information regarding the showing of passports at the airports by a Thai national who possesses both a Thai and a U.S. passport when he/she travels to/from Thailand and the United States. He assured readers that there is no problem as dual citizenship is accepted in Thailand and the U.S..  My Thai wife (who has dual citizenship and passports for Thailand and U.S.) and I (on a retirement visa) will be moving permanently to Thailand soon.  I believe he stated that all my wife needs to do when traveling to/from Thailand and U.S. is show the airline check-in both passports to show that she has the legal right to enter the destination country without a visa, and said that immigration these days don't care if there isn't a "stamp trail" in passports.  My question: Should she show both passports at the airline check-in at the airports in both countries, or just in Thailand. 

I would greatly appreciate clarification of this matter.

Sid Leonard

I read recently, on another blog, that it is now possible to do the 90 day reporting online throughout the country, so I assume said reporting can be done for those living in Hua Hin. I would greatly appreciate Any information regarding this matter. Sid L.

I hope someone can help me with this problem. I have been unsuccessful with my internet searches. My wife and I are trying to find out what long term care facilities for Alzheimer’s patients are available in Thailand. We are assisting a 71 year old Thai lady friend who has early stage Alzheimer’s and will be returning to live permanently in Thailand, probably in the Bangkok area, and will eventually need long term care. Perhaps someone can direct me to a good source of information. – I thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Sid Leonard