Hans Lankari

Unfortunately I need to see how I spend my bahts so last eight years I and my family have been using only Banglamung hospital.

My experience speaks for a good health care and never any problems + VERY CHEAP. This 8 y. includes a cesarian delivery of our 2. child (5 days hospitalization of my wife) + one REAL emergency: everything very good health care.

They don't have fancy fountains outside and shiny aquariums at the entrance but I don't want to pay for those.

By observing my many friends, and comparing to our experiences, there is absolutely no doubt that BKK Pattaya Hospital keeps almost criminally high prices (IN THAI STANDARDS) and are NEVER that much better.

They rely on foreigners and their insurances and they DO try to maximise their profit without hesitation. This is no bad; business is business and they are free to charge what ever a Pattaya health care market is making possibile; but I repeat THEY ARE NOT THAT MUCH BETTER.

...my would be a whole day trip and maybe with hotel also.

Well, of course it would be easier to have thai banks in this century on this, and to have all branches of a same bank working together for the benefit of their clients but my experience is that these kind of visits to your OWN branch are needed very rarely. My experience; twice in these 7 years; 1. time to get a new passbook and 2. time to get a new ATM card. But then again I don't need any documents for immigration since I'm on NonImm "B" and many of use here DO need regularly these documents; once a year I suppose.

It's all about valuating your needs; is it too big hassle to travel yearly to your "own" branch or do the benefits of this hassle overcome the annoyance of it?

he has to travel to Pattaya extra for a bank statement when he need it "really" one time. Bangkok Bank can not issue bank statements from your account in other province (letter for immigration etc.)

That's my experience with Bangkok Bank!

But then again; it is still better to HAVE an account and travel some times for some document to another province than NOT to have an account, isn't it?

On my opionion, and in my situation; yes it is. (Even though I have the account at my own nearest branch. But to speak on the behalf of those of us who meet these difficulties.)

Went to Bangkok Bank and opened savings account

I have very recent experiences of helping my clients on this matter and:

-Bangkok Bank in south Pattaya opens an account and gives you Visa Electron card (small fee) without stupid questions. They need your passport. Nothing else.

(Though another client of mine reported me that BKK Bank in Korat didn't open him an account yesterday. So again proved is that every branch has their own policy.)

-Kasikorn Bank in south Pattaya; account opened on about 4 minutes. Passport needed. No hassle. Visa Electron with a small fee.

-Thai Military Bank on central Pattaya. Same same! No problems.

-Krung Thai Bank in south Pattaya. Same same. All like the above. No hassle.

All these cases I was there with my clients (as an interpreteur) and it was VERY easy and friendly from the personnel's part.

They all charge a bit for Visa Electron (300 - 500 baht as I recall) and they all require you deposit a small amount on your account. They give you passbook in a few minutes but most of them will prepare your Electron card in about 1-2 weeks.

It of course might be that here in Pattaya the bankshave more open minded policy towards gringos than their brances in Isaan and other provinces where it is more like an exception to see a farang as a client in a bank.

what i meant on the visa run part was that my non imm expires on the 31st this month. should i apply for the 12mth extension before then or do a visa run to give myself another 90 days and apply for the extension within that period?

does anyone have a rough idea of what the 12mth extensoin costs are?

thanks again 4 the assistance

danny

My situation is VERY similar to yours.

My personal experience backs up this (dealt with Pattaya immigration):

Applied for the extension 2 days before the last 30 days stay was expired (i.e. about 14 months and 28 days from the very first entry stamp of this Non-Imm B visa of mine).

Was granted 30 days "under consideration".

After which was granted another 30 days of "under consideration".

So as someone already told; apply for the extension any time before the visa expires.

Just my experience.

If they are not competent enough to deal with other translations they have a list of recognised and acceptable translators in Bangkok who are cerified by MFA. You may wish to e-mail to see if you get a sensible answer. Just google mfa and go to legalisation division, or pick a photograph of someone you think will give you a sensible answer

Now an interesting subject arose:

A couple of months ago I investigated this actual matter; WHO is a registered or "official" translator and this was the answer from MoFA:

Translation in Thailand

Case 1 - a document from a foreign country wanting to be used in Thailand. Must take the document to the respective embassy in Thailand with the Thai version for notarization by the embassy official. Then take the original and the notarized Thai version to be certified at the Legalization Division. After that, the document can become legally acceptable.

Case 2 - a Thai document from Thailand wanting to be used in English language or to be used in another country. Must take the document (in Thai) and the translation to the Legalization Division (the only office in Thailand that is authorized to do this) to be certified.

Translation to/from a foreign country can be done by anyone, as long as the owner of the document is liable for the content of the translation. Therefore, there is NO such thing as an official translation

Legalization Division , 3rd floor

Department of Consular Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

123 Chaeng Watthana Road

Bangkok 10210

Tel : 0-2575-1056-59 Fax : 0-2575-1054

Service hours : 08.30 - 14.30 hrs. (Closed on Saturday - Sunday and Public Holidays)

Email : [email protected]

Now, from this my conclusio was that an "official" translator is anyone who decides to be so. Am I wrong?

The only thing that needs doing is an official translation (in one of the numerous offices in Bangkok), and certification by the MFA in Bangkok. This certification is only a confirmation of translation similar to those you get when you get married. The Amphur does not need to get involved unless you are making a "public will", ( only in thai) which you complete and certify in front of officers there. There is no registration!

It would probably be easier to get the translation company to do it all for you

Yes, I did brought a stamped translation to MoFA:

MoFA told me that they do not legalize this translation since they only legalize the documents they are familiar with; i.e. marriage certificate, birth certificate, id-card, house registration, etc etc. NO other documentation.

And yes; I explained (and they uderstood also:-) that I only ask them to act for the correctness of the translation; nothing about the contents itself.

They specificaly told that only authority that could have anything to do with this is district office (amphoo) IF I want it registered.

Hans, please post what you find out.

Where is the MoFA exactly?

My "finding-outs" are still at the same level as previously but I have a noble intention to sort this out next week...

Will keep you all informed as soon as I have some news.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

http://www.mfa.go.th/web/143.php

Bringing this topic alive again and hoping someone can comment with some firm info...

Done the writing and all the the paper-work attached; headed to MoFA for legalization/registration: "No, cannot. Mr. you must go to amphoo".

Went to my amphoo (district office) and there about 15 officers eye-balled the document (yes, I showed them both; the thai and english version so they understood what it was about) and then the mama-san of the place asked if I should go to MoFA...

No, they couldn't tell me where the registration should be done and yes; MoFA is 100% sure I have to do it at amphoo.

Any ideas anyone?

(A lawyer told me amphoo is the place but he wants 15 000 out of it. And since I am this far already I would very much like to finish this whole thing myself. Even if it was only 1000 baht to the lawyer. After all it is only this last step away from finishing this. BTW: The same lawyer also told that it is not even necessary to register it in amphoo. "Up to you..." But I would feel more comfortable doing it all the way to the end.)

You mentioned that you as a foreigner own property(Chanote), hmmm... how can that be? Surely the property is in your Thai partner's name.

I don't know if you have missed something very important but yes, as a foreigner I AM entitled to own property: a condominium unit. And it IS my name printed (in thai) on the back of the chanoot.

So this is why I am writing a will. Mostly all the rest of my ownings (here in Thailand) is nothing much of value.

And naturally everything outside of Thailand will be another story then. Already thought of that.

BTW: No, never been to Norway. Nationality finnish, home-country; Italy.

I intend to write the will concerning all my property here in Thailand: money in bank, some vehicles and a condo. Nothing outside of Thailand in this will.

Now, my idea was to do as it goes in some European countries; to write a will myself where I clearly state who inherits and what, attach the relative documentation (chanoot etc.) to it, get it witnessed by a lawyer/solicitor, get it translated in thai and legalize the whole thing in MFA in BKK.

Can someone of you tell me if for some reason this will not have any value after my death? Surely it must be of some importance since there should be no doubt that I didn't write it and I didn't want everything be dealt according to it.

Even thai court should not be something that works then AGAINST this very detailed and clear will.

Or is just easier to get lawyer and have a beer on the beach while he makes this in thai way?

Done the search but nothing that gives any firm answers.

What kind of last will have you guys done? Does it need to be in thai to be water-proof after my earthly excursion?

Can I write it myself in english and legalize it in my embassy OR ministry of foreign affairs in BKK?

Is there any discussion on this matter here on forum? (My search of "will" gives me just about everything written in future tense, "inheritance" or "heir" nothing that has anything to do with last will, etc.)

Yes, I can always talk to a lawyer but I prefer always to do my home-work and inform myself as much as possibile in advance. This makes me feel more comfortable with these kind of things and also saves a lot of time of my lawyer.

Tax on 60,000 Baht versus 32,000 Baht = Approx 3,500 Baht

Sorry guys, maybe a stupid question but could someone explain me this part or give a link to somewhere?

Pretty important thing for me to understand just about everything on this matter.

I'll answer myself to my initial question:

No, visa and WP DO NOT go "hand in hand".

What I got was another month of "under cons." to my visa and almost A YEAR to my WP. So the validity of a visa and WP have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Or very little at least.

So obviously NO-ONE has done it before. Or at least recently.

I'll feel some pioneering spirit by doing it in Penang. I'll give you guys then my experiences even before contacting the Guinnes' book.

Thank you anyway!

Could someone be so nice and share with me his/her recent experience of obtaining a non-imm B in any of the closest countries? Penang or some other embassy/consolate.

Please, PM me if you don't want to throw it on forum.

You can easily extend your work permit with a new B-visa obtained abroad, but you must renew the work permit before the blue book expires. Labour department doesn't care if you have a 90 days entry or an extension of stay.

Why not get the new B-visa in Penang? No need to travel to farangland for that purpose...

Thank you George!

You provided me some self-confidence and will to live

This is actually what I think: Labour officials are interested only that visa is valid.

I have been thinking of Penang yes, but I am not sure how hassle free it is.

I am now more and more of this possibility.

I am a bit suspicious going to Penang which I have no experience of. After all I know that in my country it is: "Good morning, need a B visa", "OK" Stamp, "Bye bye, see you next year."

I do have my company in order and more or less all documents. Only thing is that I have not paid taxes yet since I have just started to work. So for exmpl for my extension I had to give a letter of explanation on this. (This was not the reason of refusal btw. That was because they made 2 inspections of my office and I haven't had the time to make everything in order yet; 4 workers that is. Mostly the problem is that I had to fire 3 workers immediately because of dishonesty in work.)

Yes; I know I must renew my WP before it expires and that makes all the hurry in getting the new visa. Also that is the fact that speaks on the behalf of Penang.

What is making it clear you will not be approved for extension of stay? Are your papers suspect? It does take several months for most people to obtain extensions I believe.

Because the captain of immigration said so and I tend to believe his opinion on this.

Regarding your comment on visa ends and WP ends etc.: (Cannot figure out how to get many quotations on one posting.)

I am now under consideration. I need to report son and I know that they will not extend my non-imm B -visa. I will get some stamp stating refusal and provided 7 dd (or smthg) to leave the country.

My possibilities are (according to the said captain) to try apply again for extension and get again "under cons." -stamp. OR get a fresh new visa outside Thailand.

I am a bit frustrated anf fed up applying again, and see it much easier to not deal with this capt and get a new visa outside. And also knowing that getting non-imm B in my country is so easy.

Now my only doubt is that is my WP attached to THIS particular visa I hold at the moment or is it OK for labour officials if I present them a new B-visa and do they stamp me extension of WP as previously?

(No, I have not asked labour officials on this and neither I asked this captain. Yes; I might ask these officials also but just asked you guys first since I tend to trust your info more than their info...)

Excellent information that I already found reading these sites regarding my situation, but I’d need you guys just to tell me that I am right with my conclusion. Only then I can sleep my nights tranquilly.

It is now getting clear that I will not get the extension for my 1 year non-imm B visa, and later this month when I will report at the expiration of my under-consideration date, they will just refuse it. (BTW: How many days will I get before travelling out?)

Then, after this report date, my work permit is valid still 1 week.

In order NOT to need to apply AND PAY, for a new WP, can I:

-travel to my country immediately after the decision has been stamped on my passport (i.e.: next day or even the same day)?

-travel back to Thailand with a new non-imm B from my country and then renew my WP with that new visa?

This way it should only be the 750 or something baht to renew the WP and not 30K ++ baht to get a completely new WP.

This seems to be the easiest way for me. I also know that in my country getting non imm B is very simple thing. No hassle with any docs etc.

Of course it is the air-ticket that is nastily expensive this season but still this is the only solution now, and I can consider this as a holiday in snow:-)

After discussing with my lawyer (a thai) about "usufruct" the major disanvantage of this method of holding land is that:

"once you invested to that land and arranged it you are "married" with that arrangement for the rest of your life; no chance to sell it etc. So you must be pretty sure that you want to keep that piece of land 'till you die."

Company holding is more expensive but you are very free and able to change the land into cash fairly quickly if changes in your life occur.

(My situation is that I am in my early 30s so I'd think three times at least before involving myself with such an arrangement. Or at least I'd keep in mind that all investments put into that piece of land are easily a goodbye. Meaning that I cannot be sure if I'll still be here in a year's time.)

Why do you need to know Hans. Thinking which passport to use?

No; consider where to marry my next wife and trying to get her nationality to stay in Thailand as a tourist 90 days instead of just 30...

JOKING!

Seriously; writing an article to a certain publication directed to Scandinavian ex-pats and there is a part where I need to specify some things quite thoroughly.

Hope this clarifies a little bit.

Well... actually it didn't. On the contrary

But I intend to seek for the specific and clear answer from the regarding embassies as there seems to be at least 2 different kind of information on different thai goverment instances.

Thank you for your answer anyway!

http://www.thaivisa.com/479.0.html

...seems to have information that might be not correct.

Regarding nationals from Brazil, Chile, South-Korea and Peru there seems to be 90 days of permit to stay without visa instead of 30 as this board claims.

At least these 2 web sites claim on the behalf of 90 days:

http://www.thaiembdc.org/consular/visa/vis...ist%20no%20visa

http://www.bia.co.th/024.html

In case someone has EXCACT and CONFIRMED info, please let me know.

(Yes I have mailed to the embassies of these countries to specify the situation but I know they will not answer at least in 1 month's time and I need to confirm this quicker.)

We are WAY over protected in the West.

A few more shots of mangled US and Brit soldiers would show how futile George W's war in Iraq really is. Not going to happen though, is it?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ABSOLUTELY!!! Agree with you with every word.

In Europe you can die at 75 without EVER having seen a dead person. This I consider NOT normal; death is a part of life. Censoring doesn't make any good to anyone. It makes very effective lesson to see what can happen when drunken has put himself on the wheels.

No; I don't mind if my mangled body is shown on the TV, or my relatives', if it wakes up someone to slow down his driving or makes someone to think twice before driving drunk.

I've done some searching but couldn't find an answer to my problem:

Are there different classes of driving licence in Thailand other than just "car" and "motorcycle".

I'm a holder of EU driving licence and I have most the classes on my licence; I mean that I am permitted to drive a 60 ton full truck in Europe.

When I got my thai licence it only states that I can drive "a car". So is that car here anything between 1 and 60 ton?

Yes, I know that I can ask this from Land Transport Dep. and I will. Just wanted to ask you guys first if someone happens to know.

(No; I have NO intention to be a trucker in Thailand. Just for curiosity. You never know if some day I need to drive a truck here for some reason. And then I would prefer to be on the safe side.)