Hummingbird

Yes I clarified. Thanks for your kind words. I guess what bothers me most is the inconsistency plus the demeaning attitude with a grin. Very disrespectful. I was always polite and professional but nobody cares. Just go back to America! And on a moment's notice. Oh, and don't worry about the expense and stress. Mind-boggling! 

1 hour ago, khastan said:

The problem is that when you go back with two month seasoning you could see a different officer who tells you three months or they could have changed the rules back to three, you just never know. When I first saw the new 2 months rule my first thoughts was this is an ideal opportunity to catch a lot of people out.

I tried that also with a new application because he stamped my photo. So there are at least two IOs at CM who are going by that old rule. 

46 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

Why would the IO tell you to go to America? Like telling you to leave the country. And, to be clear, they told you that you needed 3 mths seasoning, correct? Just asking.. 

That is exactly what happened. I asked him at least three times, "are you telling me to go out of the country"? He said yes, better for you to go to America. I told him I was 75 and not well. We politely went back forth several times and my Thai friend asked the same in Thai. Don't know what else to say. I'm packing at the moment. 

I was pre-warned by a friend who had a similar experience in CM. I anticipated that I might have a challenge therefore I wanted to be as prepared as possible. Thus I printed out the new law and had a friend as a second set of ears and if necessary, to argue my point. The IO kept smiling and told me better if I go to America. I politely questioned him several times. I wrote this simply to tell of my experience and that of a friend. 

Two months only. CM will accept two months only if first application for extension of stay. Any subsequent ones are three months. And to the poster who said there was a misunderstanding, I can assure you that ALL was understood, speaking both in English and Thai. I happen to speak Thai as well. 

Anyone in CM beware. I had 800,000 baht seasoned for two months plus all correct docs. I also had a Thai friend with me. This was my third extension. IO wouldn't budge. I had printed out copies of the new police order in both Thai and English and politely questioned him. NO. CM makes their own rules he said. BTW, I'm 75 and not well. On my way to the US tomorrow morning. Not a happy camper. Also talked to someone who works at CM Immigration and apparently there is a new manager... 

Does anyone have recent experience with Chiang Mai for retirement extension after March 1st using only two months seasoning? This is my 5th extension. I have been told 800,000 baht in bank 2 months prior and also 3 months prior. Hoping it is 2 months. 

Turmeric (kà-mîn ขมิ้น) is available at Pharma House Pharmacy next to CM Gate Market. It is a local Thai brand of herb - on the top shelf to the left as you walk in the front door - I think in a bottle of 100 capsules. As Cheesecraft mentioned, the bioavailability is greatly increased if taken along with Thai black pepper.

There is a new gym going up right now on Chiang Mai/Lampang Rd. called Chiang Mai Fight Fit. The Thai owner has a lot of expat friends who apparently gave him input as to what expats like in a good gym. I know nothing else other than the name and they do have a Facebook page showing the construction along with a map. Just search for the name on FB. Looks like the website is not up and running yet.

I went to AUA for several months to learn Thai, but never did get fluent and never learned reading or writing. Learn the Thai alphabet and the sounds each letter makes, then you can sound out any written Thai word and have the visual as well as the aural senses working, ....

AUA is an excellent way to improve your Thai. The classes usually consist of two teachers conversing with each other in a very animated way, using mime and gestures and drawings. You can get the gist of what they're saying from their actions, and they limit the vocabulary and sentence structures to just the right level; plus each lesson is focused on a single topic - so you get to learn a lot just from the context.

There is no need for you to write anything down, to learn/memorize anything, or to speak. It's supposed to be similar to how children learn their own language, initially just be listening before speaking and reading/writing.

HOWEVER, the "ALG" approach in its purist form is not particularly efficient (apologies to Dr Brown). It takes around 600 hours over six months to achieve a certain level of comprehension. And then another 600 hours to get to the next level. All in all, about three years (at 3,600 hours!) to achieve a decent level of everyday fluency. Who has so much time?

IMHO, the approach used at AUA is ideal for training your ear after you've already learnt to read and understand some basic Thai. At AUA, they will recommend that you join a class at slightly above your level of proficiency - so as to "stretch" your mind as you struggle to understand the conversation.

I recommend joining the class one or two levels lower than this, the idea being to simply enjoy being able to immerse yourself in a conversation and allow your ear to attune itself to real-speed spoken Thai.

Then, at home, read through colloquial texts around the topic of the class that you plan on attending, learn the vocabulary using Anki (spaced-repetition flashcards) and practice speaking the words and phrases out loud until you can do so fast and accurately.

No need to attend every AUA class, just a few each week will do - so long as you do the mental and physical preparation beforehand.

And then just go and enjoy yourself, the sheer pleasure of being able to listen in on a fun and entertaining Thai conversation and hear and understand most of it!

PS, I think only the AUA schools in Bangkok have these classes (with the two teachers and the ALG Method).

FYI, AUA schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai have totally different curricula. The school in BKK teaches the ALG method (observing but not participating) and Chiang Mai has textbooks and teaches in levels. One can go online and watch a huge amount of the ALG videos on YouTube for free. They are great for picking up the rhythm of the language plus vocabulary and are quite fun to watch. I thoroughly enjoy them. They are progressive so you can start from day one and spend hours and hours listening. In Chiang Mai, there is one teacher for a class and they use their own materials but are similar to any other school in Chiang Mai. Participation is required and there is homework. Classes are for five days a week and are intense. The OP is an older learner. So am I. For me, it was too much information, too fast. It is luck of the draw on which teacher you end up with. Some are good and some are not. You do not know until after you pay your money and the class begins as to who your instructor is. I think one really needs to do their homework researching schools if they are going to invest a lot of time (and money) in learning. Most of the Chiang Mai schools will let you sit in on part of a class prior to committing. If they don't, I would be sceptical. I'm assuming the OP is from Chiang Mai since that is the forum that this was posted in.

I am older than you. Thai is a difficult language but if you want to learn it is very possible. I found a wonderful school that is not expensive. The teachers are awesome and the classes are fun. Easy Study Thai, 3rd floor, Pantip Plaza. Each class runs for a month and you meet some very interesting students as well. I first started with the speaking only classes so I could learn the rhythm of the language plus some vocabulary and basic grammar. After several months I started the two month reading and writing course. At that point I had some familiarity with the language - understood sounds and tones and basic vocabulary. You have a choice with the textbooks to learn speaking using only Thai script or phonetics or both. I chose phonetics as I felt that everything all at once would be too much for me to remember. Am glad I did it that way. If I was younger I would have started with Thai script only but now I would have been overwhelmed and discouraged, simply because the brain is slower. I watched students who began school in the reading/writing class (aged 40-50+), who had no Thai, and it was more difficult for them. Since it takes a little longer to learn and retain as we age, I would suggest learning to speak a little first. I asked several students who started with just reading and they said they wished they would have taken a few classes in speaking first. Switch over to learning to read and write as soon as you're comfortable as it will help you with your pronunciation immensely. I am very happy with the school and the teachers. Three days a week for two hours each. That way you have time on your own to study and practice. They also give private lessons which are very reasonably priced. I went to several schools in Chiang Mai and this is the best for me by far. Don't be afraid to get out with the locals and say just a few words. Most Thai are very receptive and will try to help.

Paiboon has some really good apps if you have an IPod of IPhone. I bought an inexpensive used IPod just for my language learning and apps. Their dictionary is the best even though it is a little expensive. Well worth the investment. They just released a new app that is awesome - Talking Thai Phrasebook. Well worth the money also. The more you practice the better your self confidence. Plus it is just fun! Good luck!

Instead of trip to CM Immigration, couldn't I just do a border run prior to my first 90 days? I would imagine it would get corrected upon reentry - yes?

I did not have to show proof of anything. I however did write a letter to the consulate explaining the circumstances. Just wondering what happens if I didn't do a border run and left in late April as planned. It is clearly one year.

Non 0. It is not retirement. Purpose is to care for Thai friend with cancer. The officer even wrote on top of the departure card Non 0 and then circled it.

This is the third year I have received a 1 yr. multiple entry Non O in America prior to coming to Thailand. The first two years immigration in BKK stamped 90 days on both my passport and departure card upon entry. This year I entered Thailand in CNX and the date stamped on both passport and departure card is 1 year from the date of entry. I even questioned the immigration officer and he smiled and said yes. I am assuming that he made a mistake and that I must exit the country and reenter prior to 90 days. Not sure what to do as the date stamped is clearly one year.

I was told that this does not mean "rak mak mak". It sounded like "rak noi noi nan nan" or "noi noi nang nang" or "noi noi ?? ??. From one female to another who have known each other for several years. I'm guessing it has to do with love growing over time.

It actually keeps changing from 3G to H to H+. Before it was always E. I have a Samsung Galaxy S2, the DTAC version, although I read a thread here that there isn't a difference as its quad band.

Going to be a sad day when the E comes back!

I don't think "E" will come back. At the end of your current package, simply buy a 3g package.

If it's going 3g/h/h+ only means you're on the "edge" (no pun intended) of the service area of whatever tower you're locked onto. In which case you might find it's more stable on H+ in some parts of the house than the other...

The S2 is a quadband phone btw - GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS 850/900/1900/2100. About the only place it won't work is in the US TMobile's 1700MHz network...

I have my S2 on H+ on True-H, but my Blackberry's on DTAC. Haven't seen it go from edge to 3g yet (except when it roamed onto beeline in Lao) but I'm out in the sticks so I'm not holding my breath for them to upgrade this tower...

If the quadband won't work in the US on TMobile's 1700MHz network, do you know if I can get a sim card for any network in the US if I purchase the phone here? Was hoping to be able to use it in both countries.