thainet

2 minutes ago, WA Tiger said:

I am not in Australia, I live in Thailand, I just need to get back under my Retirement Visa as many others do. I understand what is going on in the world that's not what this is about. It is about trying to see what avenues other may believe they know to raise awareness to the Thai government through numbers and voice. 

Not understand--you say you live in Thailand, but need to get back!!!

So which is it--you are here or you're not.

Also there is absolutely nothing people on this forum, or any foreigners/expats in Thailand that can influence the Government on these matters.

Even with the apparent opening up of the air border to people with Marriage/family extensions, the restrictions associated with this exercise will probably take months to achieve, which leaves retirees many months away from being able to travel to Thailand.

6 hours ago, Pib said:

At the bottom is a partial quote from a Pattaya Expats Club 2013 meeting where a Bangkok Bank rep gave a Q&A session.  The quote is talking adding a "signatory" to your acct.   

 

Basically you and your signatory go to your home branch and complete/sign a couple of simple forms...one is actually a power of attorney type form where you are authorizing a person the authority to withdraw funds from your account on your behalf.  Since this a power of attorney type form there is a govt Bt30 stamp fee.   

 

The bank will create a new passbook for you which still only reflects your name as the acct owner in the very back of the book where you sign the book during the passbook creation both you and your signatory will sign the passbook (signatures that can only be seen under a black light after the passbook creation). The paperwork you completed is used to update the bank IT system to show the signatory has the withdrawal authority (bank will probably tell you it may take about a week for the system to update fully) and as mentioned the new passbook will also show the signatory's signature which bank reps look for when going to the bank to accomplish a withdrawal....that is, putting the passbook signature page under the black light.

 

Exact same process at Krungsri Bank I can confirm from my personal experience...probably a standardized process at all/most Thai banks.

 

http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/BangkokBankservicesReport.pdf

Yes exactly correct information. I have recently done it at Bangkok Bank.

18 hours ago, asiacurious said:

Serious question here....

 

Why do people keep calling what the Thai government did last April an Amnesty, and not an extension?  I have only ever seen it called an extension by the Thai government.  It seems like the whole "it's not an extension, it's an amnesty" meme started with people like Richard Barrow.  But what is the evidence/rationale for this?

 

For example, this comes from the Thialand Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (link below):

 

 

You can download here: http://www.mfa.go.th/protocol/contents/files/news-20200430-212528-840791.pdf

 

Then there is this....

 

 

Put Immigration Bureau, it says that there's no need to extend the visa, do 90 day reporting, pay any fee, or submit any documents, and that the, "Immigration Bureau will process the abovementioned steps automatically".

 

That sure seems to say that they are processing an automatic visa extension, which would clearly not be a visa.

 

Can someone (anyone?) actually point to anything other than comments by tweeters, in these forums, and elsewhere online that this is an amnesty and not an extension?

 

Thanks! 

Its just semantics mate.  Whether it's an extension or an amnesty (and really it is not important either way) doesn't change the fact, that at this time, the 31st of July looks an ominous date for many (unless the Govt decides otherwise).

9 minutes ago, Mama Noodle said:

Don't know.  All I know is that my service personnel informed me that all eight of my air conditioners, which I bought six years ago cannot be recharged after another five years.

That will be R22, which is being phased out for R32 which is much more efficient and better cooling.  Older units will probably be on sale using R22, but better to buy newer types using R32 gas.

I believe all inverter type aircons use R32 (Daikin for sure, which I have 18 of).

1 hour ago, oobar said:

Make sure no one sells you an air conditioner that requires the refrigerant that will no longer be allowed in about five years.

And what is that...at this time there is R22 (old), R32 (new) and another used is 410???

6 hours ago, Kurtf said:

What a ridiculous reply this was. Paraphrased it says just be a little sheep and go along to get along. Don't make waves regardless of what they do. You and your child don't mean a thing in the grand scheme of things. Just shut up and go along with whatever. Must have been written by a leftist, socialist, democrap.

Actually this is a more than ridiculous reply from you.

It is not about anyone's politics, it is about protecting your child from the workings of the Thai school system (which you obviously are ignorant about).

No matter what the Ministry say, or what rules are written, school head's and teachers do whatever they see fit. If children do not comply there is corporal punishment, forced hair cutting in front of the other pupils, rampant bullying, and many other punishments. Of course this is not everywhere, but definitely in the majority.

So why would any father want to put your own child through humiliation like this, and sometimes complaining can make it worse (which is why many kids with foreign fathers are sent to international/or private schools).

If you are a father who would put their child through this, then I feel sad for your child, not having a protective parent.

5 minutes ago, Leaver said:

The thing is, as the current generation of expats come to pass, they currently are not / will not be replaced.  

 

Interesting times ahead for hospitality establishments catering for western expats, and the local property market.   

Actually that's a very good analogy.. hadn't thought about that.

14 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Actually he had and has a lot of poor and middle class Thai folk who really love him and would probably take a bullet for him. His shenanigans actually went against a different higher mold of Thai. He crossed  couple of lines that made some biggies really upset. The powers that be today are no better than him at all. In comparison could be a few steps below, and I am not a Thaskin fan..

I am not a Thaksin fan..

Wow, could of fooled me!!

4 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

And yet another Thaskin idea and program to be stolen and used by this government. Every single idea was stolen from Thaskin.

Well from your post it seems you believe he had some good ideas, just a pity that he got so corrupt that these ideas never came to fruition.

12 minutes ago, mikebell said:

So, the answer, according to you, is to sell my property during a buyers' market and lose a million+ on the sale?  Purchase/rent a new property in the old country? Tell my Thai wife she must live in a cold climate forsaking her daughters, parents and siblings except for the occasional airfare alternate years for a visit?  Convince my former Government (UK) to grant her a residence visa?

 

All of the above will negate any saving on the exchange rate.  At 77 there's not enough years left to me to make up this lost sum.

So, the answer, according to you, is to sell my property during a buyers' market and lose a million+ on the sale?

Remember the selling price of a house is not what you think it should be. The true price is what people are willing to pay.

27 minutes ago, Mulambana said:

Not sure if any private car lots sell new cars.  

If you are buying new, then buy from dealer only.

 

It is almost tight but can be negotiated a few thousand bahts or may be some extras.

 

The car sales people have a certain amount of leeway on what they can offer. If the first Class Insurance is offered take it. Then they can give you some (up to your negotiating skills) extras and accessories. Just look through the catalog and tell them what you want. You'll always come up with a good compromise.

I would say right now with car sales really low, you may get some discounts even.

 

Includes everything including one year first class insurance.
When my GF bought her new car, the dealer (MG) was willing to make a trade for her Toyota Vios. However, my GF sold it to another private car lot for 10K more.

 

Some dealers have resale lots on the premises, but most don't. They will call a tent company to come and give you a price (which of course you can negotiate best you can) and if you accept, then that price is taken off the total sale price of the car. You can also keep using the car up to the day of your new car being ready--straight swap. Selling privately is probably better for price, but it might be hard to find buyers these days.

Hope this helps you.

4 hours ago, Bob A Kneale said:

Penophile?  How many comments found on forums are written with pens?    I type all mine on a keyboard, don't you?

How many comments on forums completely miss the point..(hint--see above)

1 hour ago, thainet said:

To follow up on the above post. Probably better to take Highway #2 from KK. Then perhaps 304 and then 317 down to the Chantaburi area. From there you can go left towards Trat, where there are some nice resorts (Centara is one), or even get the ferry over to Koh Chang island, which would probably fill your needs, as there are many many hotels/resorts right on the different beaches.   Or you can turn right and go to the Laem Mae Phim area where there are also many hotels with private beaches.

If you do go to Pattaya on the way back then yes there are some road works, but they don't inconvenience you that much, and in this case you would be better taking Highway #36. About 3hours drive from the Chantaburi area.

So these are my suggestions, so you need to research some hotels in all the areas that fit the family.  Good luck.

https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/

I just got a newsletter from them. They have very good promotions for all their hotels in that area (Trat, Koh Chang, Rayong etc). 

To follow up on the above post. Probably better to take Highway #2 from KK. Then perhaps 304 and then 317 down to the Chantaburi area. From there you can go left towards Trat, where there are some nice resorts (Centara is one), or even get the ferry over to Koh Chang island, which would probably fill your needs, as there are many many hotels/resorts right on the different beaches.   Or you can turn right and go to the Laem Mae Phim area where there are also many hotels with private beaches.

If you do go to Pattaya on the way back then yes there are some road works, but they don't inconvenience you that much, and in this case you would be better taking Highway #36. About 3hours drive from the Chantaburi area.

So these are my suggestions, so you need to research some hotels in all the areas that fit the family.  Good luck.

You are asking a lot of questions and you are getting a lot of different answers.

So if you don't mind, my idea would be to tell us if you are driving, how long you want the drive to be, and where from. How many days you want to stay and what is your budget, when you are planning on going, plus any other pertinent info.

Then people can give you proper info.

After one or two repayment incidents in the past, I will NOT lend any money, to anyone, anymore.

Saves a lot of grief (and sometimes lost friendships).

I still have memories of my 'Triumph Bonneville' about 1965. A real head turner in those days. 650cc I believe?.

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

How much per room? 

I would say about 1500 baht, but also have family rooms where you could probably fit the whole family.

14 minutes ago, bradiston said:

Your wife knows a thing or two then. I live on Koh Mak, an hour from Chantaburi, but much nearer to there is Laem Sing, greatly favoured by Thais and hardly known about by foreign toursts. And of course Chantaburi province is a hidden gem of hills, rivers and lakes.

Ditto on Laem Sing also. I have a small holiday house just back from the main beach road. Everything you need and yes quiet during the week. Just google around that area for a hotel/resort that fits your needs. Probably another 1 1/2 driving from Bang Chang area.

27 minutes ago, thainet said:

ditto on this...was there last week. they have different types of rooms inc breakfast.

great for kids as you can watch them in the pool and beach from your seaside facing room.

Food is decent also.

Actually the last 2 months or so, there have been excellent price reductions and promotions at most supermarkets. I like to do most of the home shopping as it gets me out of the house during these weird times.

Imagine getting excited over 2 bottles of shampoo for 89 baht, when before one bottle was 139 baht.  Now thats fun..haha.

4 hours ago, LennyW said:

lord Nelson hotel in Ban Chang, beach is open, restaurant and bar open, their small pool is open too.

https://lordnelsonthailand.com/

ditto on this...was there last week. they have different types of rooms inc breakfast.

My wife has a character in her name that is sometimes misspelt, which has caused problems  twice in the past. It is quite a rigmarole to get it corrected with whatever Government Dept made the mistake. 

So from my experience there is no way you can get this fixed from the UK.

I believe intermediaries (lawyer, friend, relative etc) cannot get this corrected for you, and will need to do this in person.

My 2 cents worth of experience.