gnatman

My passport expires in Dec. 2017 and my retirement visa is due for extension in Feb. which means I would only have 10 months of validity at the time of extension.  I would prefer not to replace my passport until next year (I won't bore you with the reasons) so would like to know if:

(1)  Is it possible to apply for a retirement visa extension 2 months early when I would have the required 12 months of validity on my current passport? or

(2)  Will they process an extension at my normal time in Feb. when I only have 10 months left on my passport? or

(3)  Can I apply for an extension of less than 1 year, say 9 months?

Thanks in advance for any help.

The requirement for a marriage extension is quite a bit more complicated.  You need your marriage certificate, your wife's papers, proof of residence (which may include a hoe visit by an immigration official), and several more documents.  It also has to be sent to Bangkok for review and approval while a retirement extension is approved locally.  I had gone through 2 extensions via marriage when the immigration official at my local office suggested that I change it to retirement as it was much simpler.  The only thing your really get with a marriage extension over retirement is the ability to qualify for a work permit.  If that is not an issue, go for the retirement.  As far as the income statement goes, it is something you fill out and have notarized by the embassy.  Your drawing down from your investment accounts should qualify as income.  

From ABC http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-embassy-warns-terror-threat-bangkok-15352212

This article is from the MSNBC website. Has a little more info on the origin of the threat. http://on.msnbc.com/xC0RLj

I just checked with the Thai Consulate in Boston who in turn called their counterpart at the Thai Embassy in Washington and they have no knowledge of any visa fee waiver program.

I came up Sukhumvit from Asoke to Soi 93 late last night and there was no sign of water anywhere. Will be going out to Big C on OnNut later today and then back through the Sukhumvit - On Nut intersectionto Suk Soi 93 and will update if I see anything. Also, have friends who live off of On Nut Soi 44 and they have no water in their neighborhood that shouldn't be there.

In response to questions about Sukhumvit. Just spoke to a friend in the Soi 4 - Asoke area and it is dry. I personally just came from the airport to Sukhumvit 93 with no problem via Bang Na.

I'm traveling next Wednesday ( 9 November ) to Bangkok for 1 day and will be staying around Silom road close to Sala Deang BTS station.

Does anybody have information about the situation there ?

I don't know yet if I can take a taxi from the airport ( are the roads open ? ) or if I have to take the BTS train.

If the sh*t really hits the fan I can cancel my appointment and stay at the airport hotel and fly out again next day but I have to try to avoid this at any cost if possible.

I read all the replies but most of the districts mentioned don't really ring a bell for me about the actual location and proximity to the Silom area. ( sorry for this but I'm not really familiar with the Bangkok districts and roads.

GM Link I believe the area is dry and MIGHT stay that way through the 9th. Personally, depending on time-of-day (BTS is closed 00:00 to 06:00), fatigue factor and luggage load, I'd take the airport link to end-of-line at Phaya Thai BTS station and then BTS to Sala Daeng from there. Otherwise, there are buses. If you resort to a taxi, be sure to insist that the meter is used - not always possible, because it's a long, one-way trip. On my first (and only) taxi ride from the airport, my driver had to call the hotel for directions and it was just off Sukumvit, Soi 3. Not all taxi drivers really know Bangkok, but those that didn't, have been, in my experience, uncommon exceptions.

It's easy to use Google Maps to trace your route because the BTS rail and stations are clearly marked, as well as the airport line.

I have been using taxis from the airport for years and have never had a problem getting into the inner city. The taxi stands are on the lower level -- there are signs pointing you that way. The drivers using the official stands (not the freelancers upstairs) have to use the meter as long as it is within the Bangkok limits. Trips to Pattaya, Hua Hin, etc. can be a fixed price. To be safe, you should have the hotel's phone number for final directions -- the driver will almost surely know Sala Daeng (that is where Patpong is and every taxi driver should know Patpong). The fare on the meter should be about 400 baht and you will also be responsible for any tolls plus the 50 baht airport surcharge. Coming back to the airport, just use the hotel concierge and they will ensure you get a metered taxi and he knows where you are going. The dispatcher at the taxi stand will also give you a piece of paper with phone numbers if you have any problems. The taxi's license number is posted on the inside of the passenger doors -- if you have problems, copy it down. The other alternative, espcially if you are on business and the company is picking up the tab, is to take use the airport limo service (AOT). there will be an AOT counter just as you exit the customs area. It will run about 1000 baht, but the dispatcher will speak English and ensure the driver knows exactly where he is going.

Just came back from a trip to Big On Nut (Sukhumvit end) and the good news is that they now had drinking water on the shelves. The bad news is that it was all Evian and the price for a small bottle (maybe .5L) was 37 baht.

OHCANUCK, I have also noticed a significant drop in internet speed over the last couple of days on my TOT ADSL line. Not quite to dial up speeds, but streaming video which was ok is now unwatchable. With the number of people who have left Bangkok, the speeds should have actually increased as more bandwidth should've been available tot he remaining users. But, then, this is Thailand. BTW, I am in the Sukhumvit 93 area.

I just read the artcile in the Post about people in Don Mueang breaking down a dike causing polluted flood water to flow into Klong Prapa which is the primary source for water for Bangkok water treatment plant. Even if we are not flooded in our particular neighborhood, we all could be affected by issues with the water supply. Like many other people, I have stored a supply tap water to be used for drinking if and when I run out of my bottled water and the shelves in stores are not resupplied. I found this video

regarding water purification techniques that some of you may find helpful. It is about 11 minutes long and the real discussion of techniques starts abou 1:50 into the video. Hope that you all remain safe and that this helps a little.

Sukhumvit 93 is still high and dry at 7:38AM on Saturday.

Sukhumvit 93 high and dry at 9 AM Friday.

Just wanted to share a link to the CCTV cameras around Bangkok.

They are a good source to see if a road is passable and maybe advance warning in your area.

I cannot post a link as I am a new member but i will try to make it visible

hermes.traffy

.in.th

/i/

index.php

hope it helps

http://hermes.traffy.in.th/i/

Thanks, great link!

Just returned from lunch at the Londoner (Sukhumvit Soi 31). Nothing but dry roads up to Sukhumvit 93.

I am due to fly out of Sydney on Sunday 30 Oct, at 1945 hrs with an ETA in BKK of approx 0100 hrs. Then I have an Air Asia flight booked about 0600 hrs to go to Chiangmai to see my thai GF and our son. I have 2 weeks break up my sleeve. I have not been back for more than a year. But if I was to get stuck in BKK for a prolonged period it could very quickly maul me quite badly financially (small beer compared to the suffering of many people in Thailand already I realize) However, what's the chance of Suvarnabhumi Airport being rendered inoperable this weekend, or in a fortnights time ? Anyone feel they can confidently speculate about the chances of this happening ? What, with the imminent tidal surge I hear about, possible power outages, road blockages and whatever else. Any sensible thoughts appreciated.

The odds of the airport being fully closed is probably very small as it is a high priorty location and there is a relatively new network of dikes and levees around it. Since you won't need to leave the airport, you don't need to worry about what surface roads in the city are open. Having said that, the official info is so unreliable here that it is hard to predict anything. The most accurate and up to date info I have seen so far has been this forum thread. I'd just keep monitoring it closely, get to Chiang Mai if at all possible as scheduled and worry about 2 weeks from now in about a week and a half.

Just went out shopping at Lotus (On Nut BTS). No sign of water anywhere except in the klong where it should be. Shelves were a little scarce--no water, obviously, but plenty of cokes and other sodas, canned potato chips, deli meats, bread, milk, juices. Dried noodle soups were low, but plenty of beer. Sukhumvit 93 was clear well into the Phung Mii area as was On Nut at the Sukhumvit end.

Sukhumvit 93 area is still high and dry at 7 AM on the 26th.