diggledunc

I went to Sakon Nakhon to have my extension transferred to my new passport in January/February. 

I have a TM30 in my passport from that time and dated one of those months. Sorry partners English not good enough to tell me which.

I did not exit the country and have not since 2017.

I can only assume that they put a new one in although they never said at the time.

I had the same experience on Tuesday when I went to IO.

Ubonjoe have a look at my previous thread on IOs only using income letter once.

Agree it seems like there is some confusion of old and new rules.

Ubonjoe

GOT IT

Today I went to IO and got the year's extension they refused before but along the way some things happened which I thought you might be interested in.

First I went to BKK Bank as it is on the way to IO. I asked for a letter and 12 months printout of statements from them. They said their computer had a block on and they could only provide 6 months. If I had wanted to get a year's statement which is needed under the new rules I would have to order and wait a week.

Second I went to IO. They did without question look at the copy of income letter from the embassy (I scan things like that so can always copy). No hesitation but once they had it they would only look at income. They would not consider the joint income and bank approach. Why this was I don't know but  can only think maybe they are mixing up the rules ie. old and new so maybe other IO will only accept income.

Even though I could show 6 months of income by the bank statement in excess of 65K they looked at this but would not use it.

Just to avoid confusion my income letter does not show the same figures as my bank statements which are much higher. I choose to transfer more each month.

Palms had to be crossed.

The other thing I thought was interesting concerned reporting. I had to report the last week in December. When I did the reporting on line I thought there was something wrong with the confirmation of 90 day reporting as the date of application was wrong and the time was wrong. I had left the old 90 day report in my passport and not put the new one in. IO saw this and was about to say overstay but I had a copy of the new 90 day confirmation in the car. He could not tell from his computer that I had reported on time and just said maybe system error but said use it and stapled it in my passport.

Hope this is of interest.

A very happy Diggledunc

Many thanks. Will try.

Apologies for tardy replies. Have to charge laptop.

Apologies tried to keep post short.

My account is with the Bangkok Bank which does show foreign transfers.

In the last 12 months I have had 9 which are over 65K and 3 below with the lowest at 62,753.

I did see the comment that they would try to be helpful this year.

Maybe I should walk in on my knees. It's an idea though.

Have been in contact with immigration twice and they have said nothing. They asked for copies of my income letter to be sent on Line both times.

If they are flexible I hope they will think this is ok and not need the letter.

Will try again. Maybe needs palms crossed.

Many thanks.

Good morning. Many thanks for your reply.

I had an extension of stay for retirement but only 4 months left on my passport. I got the extension to 7th Feb 2019 then applied for the new passport. It was when I went to IO to get the extension transferred to my new passport on 14 December (correction) from Feb this year that they said you could only use it once.

IO were given the income letter in October 2018 when I got a new extension. I thought as they had it they could refer to it even if they would not take a copy.

Apologies but there seems to be a divergence in your answers. 

I went to the local IO and got my extension stamps etc transferred to my new passport. No problem.

I also had a copy of my income letter which I used for the last extension and it expires 28th February 2019 ie. 6 months from issue.

IO holds the original.

They said I can only use it once.

Unfortunately I went to IO four days after the Dec 12 cut off date for applying to UK embassy so can't apply for another.

Anyone had this problem before. Try to keep up with things but this one slipped through the net so to speak.

Thanks

Good morning CNXBKKMAN

Thank you for the info. I will look up these sites. Just back from CNX yesterday.

I have tried to search for details on how to get access, best times to go, costs, etc. I can find very little.

Has anybody any personal experience of the course and how to get round the security etc and any other info.

Apologies for not replying to a question. He has come in a few times since 2011 think always visa exempt but not a lot.

I had never heard of this being a problem but asked the question because I am not an expert and as always with immigration it's what you don't know that catches you out.

Thanks very much for your replies

Thanks very much for your replies

My friend who has been to Thailand a few times before entered on a 30 day visa exempt entry expiring Jan4. He now wishes to extend this at immigration for a further days so that he can fly back to UK on Jan18 for two weeks before he comes again.

He has heard or been told that if he gets the 30 day extension he can't enter Thailand again for 60 days. I haven't heard of this but perhaps someone could confirm or debunk the advice given to him.

Many thanks

you have me wondering also....what kind of "90 day non-imm O" do you have, ESPECIALLY when you say about extensions....In the past I never had to,(sic) to make an appearance in the past ( 90 days)??

is you passport stamped " Under Consideration" ? Do you have paperwork that says report back 19 Nov?

EVERY Non-citizen must report their address every 90 days is the rule ( there is one exception ) you can report 5 days early

Since your "departure date is 20 OCT, I would be checking BEFORE the departure date what paperwork you have, and if you can stay until 19 Nov.

What reason did you give for your "extension" / what is your "extension" based on?

The time limit for reporting is not I think five days before.

I may be wrong and stand to be corrected but I think it is 14 days before and there may also be a time limit after perhaps 7 days. I have reported more than 5 days before so I know 5 is not correct.

I go to Sakon Nakhon and they have told me don't come do it online so if other areas say the same the old time limits are possibly now irrelevant to most people.

I did my extension the third one at Sakon Nakhon on Thursday October 12th. It was based on 800,000B at the bank. They did not require a visit and it was done on the spot in about 90 minutes. Whenever I have been there they have been brilliant. No problems at all.

I have many fond memories of that area from the past, old friends some now departed, made many new friends, wine, women and song and loads of laughs that was affordable. We were not sexpats, just a bunch of lads out for social. The whole area was heaving with farangs of all nationalities and ages at the time. The Spotlight used to be packed out on most nights plus some great shows on stage. Little did I know at the time that the scene would end up like this.

2 weeks ago I drove passed what used to be the Las Vegas bar. Now it`s just a derelict building with the fading Las Vegas sign still showing over the door. Many other of my old haunts went the same way. I think the beginning of the end was when they levelled all the little open bars close by where the Foxy Lady is located now and then planted trees in the area.

Sad, sad, sad.

Was in CM a couple of weeks ago after quite some time seeing some friends. On the Foxy Lady road Soi 1 I didn't see trees. Where the Peak Pool Bar and the climbing frame used to be there was just nothing just a concrete rubble strewn open place. The Meridian I think is on the site where the older small bars used to be next to what used to be the Chiang Inn before it was modernised and name changed. I did notice though that at the back of the Night Bazaar building quite a few of the units were being opened as bars but they seemed very quiet. Maybe partly because they are not obvious from the road. They don't seem to be the right size or shape for the traditional beer bars though and a bit soulless. Spotlight dead had same findings. The girls in Foxy weren't that good and after ten years plus of living in and knowing CM had my first look in Star Six, glad I left it 10 years and didn't waste time before. Don't remember the name Las Vegas.

Where I did find some life was in the first few bars off Loi Khro going down to the boxing ring. Beware the ladyboy bar. Zoom was particularly busy and had many expats who live there plus a few tourists. The bottom bars were dead though. End of LKR bars still reasonably busy.

Sad, sad, sad I echo your comments 200%.

Just curious, what is the benefit of having a credit card issued from Thailand versus a credit card from your home country? Is it simply the exchange rate conversion?

The issue arose because my friend's Barclaycard was shut down through no fault of his own and I suggested he pop down to the Kasikorn Bank he holds an account with and ask for a CC. (No, he doesn't have any other UK CCs as backup). He's not too keen putting down a deposit to cover CC usage, so I reckon he shoulld go for the Amex option as suggested above.

The other thing to mention is that for instance many financial service providers in UK will not post replacement debit/credit cards to Thailand, so they expire and that's it unless you go back.

It's much cheaper if you can use a credit card to book things like hotels and tickets online. No conversion fees as well.

Hi mate, the only course I know of in that area is 18hole course at Yang Talat near Kalasin, if you check the web at khonkaengolf.com ( all one word ) if will give you details of courses in the Khon Kaen area ( 4 x 18hole course which are as follows Singha Park . Dancoon . Ubolratana Dam and the Army base plus 9hole with 18 tees at the Agriculture ) hope that helps you out. cheers Ozkid53

I think where is a army course in Roi Et

Cheers, thanks very much. I keep thinking now in my retirement I should set up a website and keep adding the courses in Isan I find out about. Maybe one day when it's raining and golf is off the agenda.

KK seems the place to go and maybe stay for a few days. I was at KKUniversity a couple of years ago for some weeks and I never took to KK, didn't find it very farang friendly. Maybe after golf I'll be to knackered to go out.

Thanks again.

Having made enquiries to eight hire companies in the UK I would advise the following from the replies I received:-

1. Some companies and I could dig out the names said they won't accept it.

2. Some that said they would accept it also wanted an IDP which is easy to get at Chaeng Wattana but not many other places if any.

I suggest checking with a company before you go. I know many TVers have hired in the UK but although I have asked the question previously they never quoted the companies.

The legality of driving is as above but if you need to hire then you also need to consider the hirers requirements or rules.

I was told by Kendall car rental (ash) that I didn't need an IDP (but got one anyway) on hiring they weren't interested in it. I got the IDP at my local transport office in Nakhon Pathom. I have the newer license that has English script and a photo. I also no longer have a UK license (expired)

Thanks for the name, never heard of them but will look them up.

Having made enquiries to eight hire companies in the UK I would advise the following from the replies I received:-

1. Some companies and I could dig out the names said they won't accept it.

2. Some that said they would accept it also wanted an IDP which is easy to get at Chaeng Wattana but not many other places if any.

I suggest checking with a company before you go. I know many TVers have hired in the UK but although I have asked the question previously they never quoted the companies.

The legality of driving is as above but if you need to hire then you also need to consider the hirers requirements or rules.

It's very difficult to find information re golf courses in Isan. Eg I was travelling to Udon and Sakon Nakhon to play and it was only after 9 years I found out about one in Wanon Niwat about 50k away.

I understand there may be three courses in Roi Et, not sure about the other places. Is there anybody local who could give me some names of courses, directions or any other info which may help - score cards.

Also interested to hear about any others north or south of road 22 the main Udon to Sakon road. I know Udon, Sakon and Victory Park. There's one near centre Nong Khai that intrigues me.

Thanks for any info you can give.

I live about 90 kilos from UDT and go regularly. It has been transformed in the last few years. Shopping is great and the restaurant scene is getting better all the time. Full of Lao shoppers at weekends.

Lived in Khon Kaen and UDT is much better and more farang friendly.

Easy to walk round the centre and markets and in the week the traffic is not too busy.

Seriously this is no dustbowl but of course there will be better places. For the size of it UDT has very good facilities and many new hotels. If you haven't tried it don't knock it. Everybody has different tastes but it's worth a stay if you're in the north and of course the airport has great BKK connections. Very good if you are en route to Vientiane.

Need to be clear about which exchange you're referring to GBP/THB or USD/THB - both GBP and THB have weakened against USD.

I agree it's not about QE but about the outflows, I believe the big money has already gone, what's left is ebb and flow stuff, can't see any more large scale outflows unless the West raises rates unexpectedly and by some degree.

Growing concern in the UK that GBP is too strong (my thoughts exactly for the past four months) - next UK GDP announcement will show downwards because of the bad weather, perhaps expect a further weakening of GBP as a result? Dunno.

The down lines on the BBC chart: broker/institutional trades perhaps? Dunno again.

Some other observations here: http://www.poundsterlingforecast.com/

Been having a few laptop problems so been very quiet for a few weeks.

Thanks for a very interesting hyperlink.

When I am looking at GPB/Thai B rate I look at how many baht for the US dollar then how many US dollars for the £ as there is a correlation between this. Even with the Baht moving little against the $ the £ has gone up against the baht virtually in line with its improvement against the US $.

Big drop in US $ v B yesterday hence with weakening of £ to $ as well even bigger drop in UK£ v Bhat exchange rate.

After Mark Carney's words about interest rates seems the £ may weaken as rates may not rise as soon as anticipated by the markets.

After all we have seen just recently:-

-Yingluck removed from office

-Further charges which could lead to impeachment

-Yingluck being declared as the candidate for PM at elections

-Threats of disruption on July 20

-More deaths and shootings in BKK

-Reductions in GDP forecast

-Credit rating agency warnings, was it last week and there must be more

I am very surprised that the baht hasn't weakened further but doesn't seem to be able to break out of a tight range.

Whatever it is I still think there must be interference from somewhere in the market. This being Thailand perhaps it is the ghosts of 1997!!!!!!

Was just wondering what you views are today, in light of current events and your earlier comments?

Good afternoon from a very hot Isan, hope my laptop survives my post.

Don't know if you have heard of Linda Yueh, she does work for the BBC and I think was on Bloomberg. She wrote an interesting article on Thailand in which she opined that as Thailand had had many coups it might not have the same effect as it would have in other countries. I like her because she can talk about something quite technical but put it in plain English.

In another article in the last few days the BBC had a comment about bank intervention.

Looking at the BBC graph for intra-day trading it seems for days now the baht has hit a certain level of weakness and then strengthens. These points of weakness may be hit several times over a few hours and it strengthens again from the same point. Today's graph shows that it hit about 32.80 many times in the last 24 hours and then strengthened and these points form in a straight line. Why ever this is happening and I know some do not see intervention it just isn't normal.

I would suggest that we are not looking at normal market trading and therefore whoever is buying the baht to prevent it weakening is distorting the market.

In a situation like this if I am correct perhaps normal considerations of currency direction just go out of the window.

I see Gen Prayuth has paid the farmers and cancelled the rice and tablet schemes. Just perhaps removing Yingluck and her government by a coup has reduced uncertainty as I think if she or her cohorts had still been there we would have been looking at prolonged protests etc.

I am just waiting to see events now. Until the foreign money flows back surely the baht must weaken and we could be looking at recession if publicly financed infrastructure works are put on hold or cancelled. First quarter I think was -0.6 GDP. Interestingly Bloomberg published some research last week showing a US bank though the baht could fall to 37. Hope they're right.

How do you assess it.

I am in Sakon Nakhon province. I did the TEFL at Text and Talk with Steve Beachy. Very good he was too but I went down the private teaching route. I am now 60 and last year schools were interested but I turned them down.

I have two friends here, neither have TEFL or did any previous teaching of any description. One is 62 and at a technical college and the other 70 this year and in his second year at a Matayom school.

Perhaps it very much depends where you are and as another poster said what the competition is. Here even the big schools in towns have problems getting longer term rather than short contracted through agents native English speakers and in the area there are quite a few Philipino and Camaroonian teachers.

If my friends can get jobs there must be possibilities for other people.

The only office that I can recall that has an appointment system is Chiang Mai and from reports it is booked up months in advance.

You can do your extension within the last 30 days (45 at some offices) of your extension.

Does that mean within the last 30 days before the visa expires ( am currently on a visa , not an extension), or within the last 30 days of any entry

Within last 30 days of the expiration of the last 90 day permit to stay you get with the visa after a border run.

Personal example:-

My multi entry Non-O expired 15 Nov 2013

My last border run with this was 15 Aug 2013 and my new permitted to stay date was 12 Nov 2013

I went to immigration Sakon Nakhon 7 Oct 2013 for an extension for retirement and they gave me a stamp saying 'Extension of stay permitted up to 12 November 2014 and my reporting date on a slip stapled into the passport.

Good to go early and make sure you have all the necessary papers. As you can see from my dates going early made no difference to the Extension of stay date. If you go early and need more papers you will not enter the panic zone of days running out for you.

Don't forget about the Re-entry permits. If you go out and come back without a re-entry permit your extension is cancelled. Can get at same time as extension.

Good luck.

There arent many educational institutions in thailand that will higher the upper aged job seekers. They want younger more active teachers. It is however more possible to get a job if u r not in bkk. Demand for teachers in the rural areas is higher as pay and convenience of goods and activities is lower. And i must semi agree with the previous comment. Posting on a public forum looking for a teqching position in very poor and difficult form of english is not best way to get referals, recommendations, or any other response in ur favor here. Maybe a thought or two about writing ur post in a better fashion in terms of grammar and punctuation next time may leave a better taste in others readers' mouths when it comes to hoping for teaching opportunities.

This must be a troll post. Look at your grammar and punctuation. I hope you don't teach anywhere in Thailand. OP is looking for advice. Back on topic. There are many opportunities for people in your age bracket, especially in the rural areas. Good Luck!

There are many jobs available. A friend of mine was offered a job at Khon Kaen university last year at 70K and he's mid-50's. He turned it down because the conditions and schedule they wanted were too onerous.

I totally agree with mizzt and if you get to rural areas outside the big cities it just gets easier because I think many of the younger teachers don't want to stay there for a long time. Where I live in Sakon Nakhon province it is easy if you the connections. If you go somewhere rural try to find out who the English teachers are and try and get them to arrange a meeting at the local education office. Alternatively find out where the office is and just go in. I think with the OP's experience no problem.

Good luck to OP