55Jay

14 minutes ago, Falconator said:

Have any Farang (non-Asian) husbands been invited to join the Thai only line with their Thai wives?

 

I was wondering if my case is more of an anomaly, or if it's normal.

We flew in to Swampy last week.  Long queues to the left, and it had been a year or so since our last return, so the wife asked the young guy minding the approach to the hall if I could go through the Thai passport line with her.  He smiled, yes of course, and herded us forward and slightly to the right where we had only 3 or 4 people ahead of us.  

Apart from one entry a number of years ago when I was told "No, can not", I've always stayed with the wife through Immigration.  Same when we arrive at Los Angeles.

Horray, glad that's coming but too late for my Mrs., who, like many I'm sure, haul around expired Thai passports with US Visas in them.

9 minutes ago, RLAretired said:

Maybe so.  How do you determine the quality ???

Due diligence before purchase of a specific item.  My thinking (and brief segway) was related to brand name recognition, and that these days, that might not be something to rely on. 

I consider Toyota a quality brand.  However, the brand new Toyota SUV we bought here, assembled in Rayong, Thailand, doesn't feel the same build and assembly quality as the ones we drive in the US, or even ones I've owned in the Middle East.  So, it's a Toyota, but it's not quite up to snuff, IMO.

With that, I'm out.  Good luck on your quality thread. ///

1 minute ago, wgdanson said:

Even good old British quality 'Stanley' tools are now made in China. As are iPhones, most electronic musical instruments, almost everything.

I don't know for sure, maybe you or somebody does, but I recall reading that products made in low wage labor countries aren't always the same standard.  Believe the example I was reading referred to hard drives/electronics gear made in the Seagate factory up in Korat, and that products intended for US/EU markets have a higher QC/QA standard, while the same product, same name, sold on a shelf in Thailand, might not.

If there's truth to that, wonder if it holds true for these long standing "good" brand names, like Stanley, despite being made by slaves in China.  Apple seems to sell their stuff for a premium.

3 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

Ironically, every trip to the USA I bring back USB cellphone chargers and cables, sunglasses, wallets, shoes, underwear. 

Us too.  All manner of clothes, removable/portable hard drives, thumbdrives - bought a new laptop this last trip for a great price.  Wife gets to add 1 or 2 new higher end handbags/purses to her collection for far less than buying here, with less concern about counterfeits.

3 minutes ago, phka said:

So if I check out of the hotel at 12 noon on Monday I have to file a tm 30 by 12 noon on Tuesday correct? 

Hope the bus font break down on the way home

See post 15 from Jackdd.

I'm looking into this App/on-line function next.

6 minutes ago, jackdd said:

This picture is about TM27, TM28 and TM47, not about TM30, it's partially wrong and TM27 / TM28 are not enforced anyway.

Thanks, I got it from a post in another TM30 thread, suggesting a shift in the time to report, and I thought, "great!", that's progress.

So there is no change to the 24-hour rule on TM30 reporting.

A helpful cartoon from Immigration to post on the fridge door.  Unless you live in a sanctuary city within ____________ province, then you might be able to disregard the National Law, which will put your personal sa-tafety, life and property at risk, apparently. 

I know I feel more safe and secure after the wife filed her TM30 yesterday.

Welcome to the Clown Show.  ????

12 hours ago, Handsome Gardener said:

OK but after the extension (which I would have thought by default would wind up the IO even more) you have to leave. Infact when the London Embassy last issued mine as she handed it over she said to me remember you have to leave Thailand every 90 days.

 

When you are doing a Myanmar out/in, you don't even see an immigration officer let alone prove you meet any requirements.

 

Ps presumably you can't do an extension after each 90 period right ?

Shrug might suggest a rank and file Immigration Officer has no idea why, at whatever point in the past, Thai government deciders decided on 90 days as the permission to stay period.  Could have been 120, or 45..... but 90 days with option to extend if certain, elevated conditions are met, with periodic re-screening, felt right to them.  An intermediate length of time between baseline tourist and the tightly held holy grail - permanent residency. 

There's no book of knowledge from an all knowing entity.  It's just people, sat around a conference table coming up with this stuff, forwarding for higher review and approval, then reduced to writing to become "The Law" and/or current policy.  John Q civil servant at the border isn't privy to the deliberation, and may not even care - it is what it is 'cause it says so in black and white right there <points to page>.   Some might salute the flag every morning and feel proud to be soldiers on the front lines of their country's national security.  Some might not be so high-minded, and simply punch the time clock for a government pension in their distant future.  As always, there's a middle ground. 

About the same with government employees/police/military folks in my country. 

Cool thread.  ????

I was into Palapon (Palaphol) in the early 2000s, memorized a few of his karaoke vid songs in Thai - wife now, then my g/f, was diggin' I could sing them front to back but I had no idea what the hell I was saying.  Ha ha.  Reckon he's a bit "old school" these days though. 

Atom is some new-ish stuff I like in the past year or so.  Mostly same same, Package "A" video storyline crap, but the sound is kinda cool.  IMO. 

11 minutes ago, BertM said:

He will take care of the TM28 when he does my 90-day reporting next week. And, he's not random. I used him last year. He was only trying to make sure they did the TM30, if not he would take care of. And, I do trust him that I don't have to report to anyone every time I spend a night away from residence. Like I said, we will see what happens next year. Anyway, it would be cheaper to pay the 800b than make a 6 trips to CW to report in or pay agency to do, or fight with the Leasing company to do and follow up to make sure they did it. Good luck to you too.

FWIW, when I filed my extension (retirement) this year, March 2019, I got pulled up for not having reported my return from a trip abroad the year before - February 2018.  Also had the wife complete a TM30 to report she had a foreigner (me) staying at her house.

9 hours ago, JaiLai said:

They got shut down
Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Doh!  Forgot about that. 

55 minutes ago, JaiLai said:

I tried to use them last sunday night on arrival, got off the plane - no one there.'

 

Called the number while walking to immingration spoke to a horrible lady and gave her my confirmation number, she said she never had it on record and would call me back.

 

She called me back and said she'd found the booking but by that time i was almost through immigration so i politely told her to poke it. 

 

1200 baht was refunded the next day when i sent my bank details.

 

This is the second time i've tried to use this service, both unsucessful. Previously i'd used BFS who were very reliable.

Why did you not use BFS?  Price difference?

Dunno, I've only used BFS outbound for lounge if not on J class, never tried any inbound services.

3 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

I could not recommend currently. Mostly due to the inconsistency we here depending on which person at which Thai Immigration Office you ask, inconsistency between the written requirements and the enforcement of the same, toying with the requirement for medical insurance ... and if the smoke is as bad next year in the North, then that would be a definite health hazard. IMHO is based on my being a retired educator in Chiang Mai for 8 years, being 72 and having “pre-existing” health conditions which would make insurance unavailable or prohibitive in cost, and having funds invested so that I will not be parking a lump sum in a Thai bank.

That's it for me as well.  Not necessarily the recent policy shifts, it's the unknown inconsistency factor dealing with random officials, bank employees, etc.  Often times, you are loaded for bear after reading TVF, and then it goes smooth as silk, an anti-climax.  Sometimes it doesn't.

I've voted down Thailand for some folks I know back in the West as I just "know" they wouldn't deal well with the language barrier and how different it is here compared to their world.   Even if you learn a bit of Thai, can still be a struggle to get basic chores done, at least until you get some muscle memory going.  And then anything off-script can get difficult; for the Thai and the foreigner alike.  Life isn't easy anywhere but for a Newb in Thailand, wouldn't be my idea of a relaxing, enjoyable retirement. 

Meh, always adds "commentary" rationale to response options, so you want to say "no" but not for the reason he adds on.  It's more about him broadcasting his own thoughts, rather than any real interest in what others think. 

49 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You can immediately withdraw and use the 400K after the extension is granted on marriage.

Just need to put 400K in again 2 months prior to next application submission.

I know, that's the irony.

I've used Lazada a few times here over the years, and appreciate the COD option when available.

Did try to buy a very small item 2 weeks ago, only offered by Chinese vendors, and I was surprised they offered just one packet, so I was mentally prepared for disappointment.   

Paid via the linked Krungsi bank transfer option, it was only 84 Baht + shipping, total 103 Baht.  Got a confirmation pop up/reference number and Krungsi took their 20 Baht payment processing fee.  But the 103 Baht was never deducted from my account.  Eventually logged in to Lazada and saw the order had been cancelled because it wasn't paid for in time. 

I get it.  Not worth shipping only 1 small item.  However the vendor should be clear about only wanting a larger minimum quantity order. 

Forget the proper name of it but your bank should create an inbound transfer information document showing the funds came in from abroad.  Nothing to do with Immigration requirements but if you want to send the funds back offshore in the future, apparently this document is useful to that process, so good to obtain and file in a safe place.

Just something I've remembered reading about on TVF over the years. 

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Correct. We are visitors, and unless it's someone we know, or a farang don't get involved. It's up to Thais to sort their problems out, not us.

I was in a van from Bkk to Pattaya and we saw a truck crash on the center median. The driver didn't stop to help, just called on his phone.

I equate LOS with Saudi when it comes to accidents. On our orientation in Saudi we were told that if we see an accident walk the other way, as it would be our fault if we did.

The only exception, IMO, would be if it was something simple like stopping serious bleeding, and no one else was even trying.

 

That may seem hard, but life isn't fair, and good deeds never go unpunished.

After a career in the military, most of it spent in the emergency/first responder field, I was severely conflicted the first time I was driven by a motorbike crash that had literally just happened on a hairpin turn going up the hill into Khao Yai.  Thai man and woman, probably in their 60s, had just wiped out; she was motionless, he was moving a bit.  No helmets on, none seen ejected in the area.  4 of us in the car, my mate driving, motored on by as I grabbed the door handle ready to get out.  "Stop!!".    "No, mate....."

That was REALLY HARD, messed with my head for a while.  Thankfully, Rangers at the campsite told us later they had been picked up, taken to clinic and would be OK. 

380 Baht sounds familiar but the wife has taken care of calling the delivery guy the past 2 years, so I don't pay much attention to it.

I used to take the empties and swap myself at the shop in the village until we moved to the city a couple years ago.  Seem to recall it was up to 410 at one point out there.

56 minutes ago, dpcjsr said:

The bank told me that transfers would no longer work after June 1, so you still have a couple of days to get in one more transfer. (if your bank allows transferring in the international format then there is no problem but I have yet to find a bank doing that). 

 

Come June 1 we need a new way to get money to Thailand. TransferWise has both good and bad reviews on the internet so I am not sure one way or another yet. 

 

My American bank, Charles Schwab, charges $25 for a wire transfer so I may do that a couple of times a year. Also my Schwab ATM cards works here and there are no fees for using it, so that is possible when I need smaller amounts quickly. I believe that Chase may have a similar arrangement.

I was reluctant to try Transferwise and put weight on the relative handful of negative/problematic reviews opposed to the vast majority of good ones.  Finally bit the bullet and set up a TW account; 4 months of transfers since then without any issues.  Actually, had one initially but in the end, chalked it up to operator error (me).

Yep, other options are still out there. 

- Good old max ATM pulls, ideally w/a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fee and reimburses the Thai banksters' ATM fee.... then physically deposit money into Thai bank acct.

- Over-the-Counter withdrawals using ATM/Debit card (if your Thai bank will do it).

- I've never tried it, but @Pib has posted a couple of times over the years about Over-the-Counter withdrawals (Cash Advance) using a US issued credit card, then dump US account funds on the card same day to cover the transaction.

- As you said, larger amount SWIFT wires a few times a year to spread the costs vs. more frequent/monthly transfers.

- Other money transfer outfits get mentions on here as well.  OFX, etc.... 

31 minutes ago, connda said:

I don't see where or how.  Via a Borderless account?  

It's an ACH "hard pull" from the US account you designate. 

Below is a screen shot showing the different options to fund the transfer.  After this step, they confirm the bank acct to pull it from, in my case a linked Schwab checking account, and then the transfer process begins. 

This was just a notional $1,000 transfer, which I cancelled after taking the screen shot.

2 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

A cynic might think they've hatched this money spinner to compensate for lost income after the last immigration boss introduced the "no tips" policy a few months ago... 

During the Income Affidavit fiasco late last year, I saw a passing reference in a news article to some kind of committee or think group within Thai Immigration, suggesting they were the source of a lot of these brain storm policy changes / tightening efforts targeting known soft spots and work arounds in existing Immigration policy and procedures.   They know what they are, not to mention they've been discussed and chortled about freely on the internet/social media, for years. 

It's been going on for a while, after the Junta got comfortable.  Immigration has been going down "The List" one by one, each like a grenade going off on the pages of TVF.

- Starting 2013 (approx) with another round of tightening on visa runners/border bouncers.

- Enhanced use of the "Black list", which brought a lot of serial Overstayers out of the wood work onto TVF to ask for advice on how to deal with it and/or get around it.

- Ed Visa abuse got a flurry of attention/crack down for a while.

- ID bracelets for tourists idea from the now ex-Minster of Tourism and Volleyball.

- Fake marriages and associated extensions of stay, got a look in.

- Farang surveys asking all sorts of invasive questions, social media tagging, etc.

* Efforts to track us better, revealed when some Immigration computer got hacked (Password 123) showing a map/geo locations of registered farang residences in some area of Thailand.

- Dress code/apparel when visiting Immigration offices. Hit and miss then mostly died.

- Long-stay visa centered around medical insurance; an appetizer for things to come, as we've seen recently, and likely more to come.

- Resurrection of TM30/28/24 hour report thing circa 1979.  Hot and heavy then faded.

- Then the Big Ugly Turd in the proverbial punch bowl-  Income Affidavits/Embassies.

- Associated effort ^ for Visa agents and fake "money in the bank".

- Retirees got smacked with associated effort ^ re: income on shore requirement, post-extension seasoning and 400k spending limit on 800k extensions. 

- Resurgent effort on TM30/24 hour reporting with continued, enthusiastic expansion across the country.

At a minimum, I was hoping the 24 hour "self report after return to LoS" requirement would go away.  I know my Immi Office virtually ignored it when it first came out a few years ago, but they are all over it this time around.  Of all the things they've done, this one annoys the s**t out of me, because it's so stupid, and redundant; at least for us glorified tourists on long-stay extensions, living at the same address for X number of years.   ????