gk10012001

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Unlimited....

However clearly back to back and ongoing will not work.

copy that.  I recall now some older posts where immigration official made some arbitrary decisions about 180 days total time in country.  Or as you intimated, too many back to backs.  Thanks

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes.

You can make 2 visa exempt entry via land twice per calendar year and obtain 30 day extension to each entry

how many visa exempt entiries and extensions can one make from airport arrivals into BKK?  Is it same same as land?

2 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Falling season starts earlier and earlier every year ???? Rip

no short balcony railing involved in this case. given that his ID, hotel key, monies etc were still on him, may be just a slip and fall, maybe a heart attack, a stroke, or some other natural cause.  Hot and humid heat stroke, etc.  No idea of his health history known etc.  Kind of sad to just be discarded and not found for a while though.

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Can't get into the crowded pen to put the trough down!

It has been talked of for so many years already.....

After all, casinos is not "gambling".  They love to call it "Gaming" as california calls it as do other casinos.  It is just for fun,  It just happens to cost a lot in the end

Just now, jacko45k said:

Can't get into the crowded pen to put the trough down!

It has been talked of for so many years already.....

yeah I know. I've been going there since 2004.  COVID and loss of monies into Thailand may drive things to happening.  Time will tell

not really sure what you are on about, but assuming you arrived on say a Visa exempt, or a basic tourist tourist visa, you can apply for the Non Imm O visa, you get one valid for a 90 day stamp.  Then you can apply for an extension,.. reason:  retirement good for one year.

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Poor chap, still at 74 dying while having a walk on the beach isn't the worst way to go. 

you never know.  He might have had a stroke, a heart attack and the fall was not really the proximal cause of death.  Maybe a quick ending.  But going out while on a walk is kind of how I want to go as I love walking.  Seeing nature one last time would be OK with me vs. lying in some sterile nursing home withering away, watching my fortune get spent instead of going to my heirs or friends

22 hours ago, SymS said:

I was thinking about upgrading my dwellings to something better, but no thanks. I'll just stay in my 4,500B/month two bedrooms house and ride a bicycle wearing T-shirts with a few holes here and there...

my style exactly.  I shop at walmart.  I buy no name t shirts and when polo shirts, those also are no name.  I shop at thrift stores.  They like to move merchandise so in my mind I am doing good.  I am a single millionaire and plan to stay that way as I retire soon and will and can live on my social security alone.  Everything else is extra and gravy

8 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

It is the visa you are going to have applied to your passport if your application to Thailand Elite is accepted and you complete payment. I think it stands for Privilege Entry.

OK.  I see the terminology now.  Elite card vs PE visa stamp thingy. Is it as pretty as the Cambodia Visa stamped paper they glue into your passport when you go there?

1 minute ago, Captain Monday said:

I know a little about it I had an easy Elite Membership access membership for 5 years

 

The Elite card is not a visa at all. The PE visa you are entitled to as a member

is perfectly legal and official. Yes it is valid to describe as a fancy tourist visa.

It is a great program I would have signed up again but had become of legal age for longstay visa and at a certain point in 2020, the PE visa had become somewhat of a hindrance to entry!, Because you needed another permission called a TEMQ  from the MoFA before you could get your Certificate of Entry from the Thai consulate!

sorry, but what is the PE you refer to?

Just now, gk10012001 said:

im 65.  paying in advance for 20 years while a nice discount, may give me something I will never use

The family elite for 800k good for 10 years is probably the better choice vs.  600k for 5 years.  I did contact them and confirm that a single person could get that option.  each long term elite is a pretty good deal.  just not the best for some

1 minute ago, Zaphod said:

The 5 year elite is 600k baht, and you can extend it another 15 years (20 total) for another 400k baht. 

 

There are a few good videos on YouTube about it all. 

Search JETT GUNTHER and look at the couple of videos he has on it. 

im 65.  paying in advance for 20 years while a nice discount, may give me something I will never use

Thank you

On 7/8/2022 at 8:38 PM, BritManToo said:

If you're over 55,

Arrive on an ordinary Visa (not tourist Visa) then extend for a year (almost any local travel agent will do it) retirement  Extension for $300. No paperwork or financial required. 

yes but I read that you can only do that if you arrive using an online evisa.  If you arrive and get the visa on arrival, you can not get the retirement extension.

On 7/8/2022 at 8:38 PM, BritManToo said:

If you're over 55,

Arrive on an ordinary Visa (not tourist Visa) then extend for a year (almost any local travel agent will do it) retirement  Extension for $300. No paperwork or financial required. 

hmmm.  boy that sounds easy.  Does it really work that way?

5 minutes ago, KIngsofisaan said:

You never know which government will be in charge at that point?

 

Of course things can change.

 

My concern is have a PM elected that doesn't want any farangs here.

 

Always a concern.

 

Never trust Thailand

yeah.  been going there since 2004.  15 trips.  you just convinced me on what to do.  Non Imm O, monthly transfers, extension reason retirement.  Has some inconveniences but less risk to me.  Being retired I can spend a few hours at immigration now and then, or paying some to an agent to help me process things.  Sabai dee

I have to say it is refreshing to hear from real "boots on the ground" as they say giving real world advice.  Good members

short to intermediate bond funds that keep replacing older bonds with newer bonds that payer higher interest rates.  Not necessarily an inflation hedge, but more of an interest rate hedge.  Bite the bullet on other stuff.  Pool resources. 

  One of the things I don't see much of in Thailand or Pattaya is people having house mates.  Over the years I have shared houses in the USA (just one other person) and it worked out great.  Saved me a ton.  was easy in easy out as I started and finished contract work in those areas for half a year or more.  Furnished mostly already.  No need to move things around or store things.   Rent a 2 bedroom condo and one good expat roomie.  Of course if you want your thai GF live in, well, that's a different situation

Just as a point of reference.  Here in the USA, I work in the defense industry.  Over 40 years I have been in the active Air Force, then worked for most of the big companies such as Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop, General Dynamics, not to mention several small firms.  The last few years every large company has stopped offering pension plans.  Sure they give you some more vacation days, and slightly increase their matching 401 k contributions, but no pension.  So many employees get tired and just don't see the reason to stay on.  The turnover rates these days are huge.  turnover always existed, but not like today's numbers.  with no pension carrot on a stick to strive for, staying long term is so much less attractive.

  Now for Thailand, looking ahead to the future sadly seems to be not a big thing in the Thai mentality, so I am not sure that even having some sort of longevity bonus or "pension" would even work, but you never know.  A few lunches and treats here and there are NOT going to pique their interest to stay.  Mai Sanook or not fun pops up in the Thai mentality pretty quick.

2 minutes ago, gk10012001 said:

The only bad news I ever heard was COVID.  You could not get into the country.  So many people had visas that expired or had years of use used up.  I have been going since 2004 and seen my share of coups, airport shut downs, curfews, etc.  And Im pretty sure some more things are in the cards for the future given the length of the current junta term. Some changes will happen

any ways, at mhy age, I would not do the 20 years, bargain though it may be as a visa

1 minute ago, Bobbie Davies said:

True 20 years down the road is a long time. But it is unlikely that they will invalidate it given the costs. Aaand you don’t have to deal with the ever changing, on a daily basis requirements for the visas. Any of them are good I would think.

The only bad news I ever heard was COVID.  You could not get into the country.  So many people had visas that expired or had years of use used up.  I have been going since 2004 and seen my share of coups, airport shut downs, curfews, etc.  And Im pretty sure some more things are in the cards for the future given the length of the current junta term. Some changes will happen

4 minutes ago, Bobbie Davies said:

The applicant can make payment only after receiving approval which usually takes about 1 to 3 months from the submission date. Once the application has been approved, the Thailand Elite will provide with bank account details for making a payment. The Thailand Elite Visa fee varies from THB 600,000 to THB 2 million depending on the Elite Visa type the applicant applied for. Payment must be made only directly to the Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd through the following methods:
• Wire transfer from an overseas bank account. (5 business days)
• Wire transfer from a local bank account. (2-3 business days)
• Online payment by credit card via the link provided. (1 business day)
Once payment has been made, the proof of payment will need to be submitted to Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd for confirmation

yeah.  I always raise an eyebrow when sending bucks

Just now, Bobbie Davies said:

54000 dollars is not much for 20 years of come and go when and how you want.

I thought of that too.  There is an intermediate visa called the Family that believe it or not an individual can get.  800k baht for 10 years, versus.  600k baht for 5 years.  Knowing Thailand as I do, not sure I would trust something 20 years out, or that I will live that long! 

6

  I am willing to pay for convenience so in a few months when this gig wraps up, I may go for one of them.  I am guaranteed to get called back next year when the lab is actually built and running because I did this job before on a different submarine version and few people have my experience.  So a 6 month holiday with no worries i looking very likely, then come back to the states for 6 months, dosh up some more, put more monies into the ROTH IRA, keep the brain active one more year before I throw away my engineering skills.  It's good to have options.  I have not been to Pats since June 2019.  Miss it so much.  Trip 16 since 2004 is really getting close.  Now Taiwan apparently has opened up the Taipei airport to transit passengers so that opens up a lot of flights