khwaibah

And I am sure that Prayuth has already compiled his media release and prepared a transcript of Daniel Russel's address from next Monday on how wonderful Thailand is and much the U.S supports the Junta, the coup and Martial law.

Thats why the US is sending a second rate flunky.

British friend just forwarded an email dated today with details from the horses mouth, so to speak: www.gov.uk: changes to our Services in Chiang Mai

To answer the question about what they will do at the consulate, seems like they are still recruiting

And look at their fees!

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/393073/FeesTable_Customer_Bt54_as_of_12_01_15.pdf

And people complain about the 500 baht fee at immigration. Unbelievable.

Continuously rising fees for government services are maddening but corruption is intolerable.

Welcome to Thailand.

British friend just forwarded an email dated today with details from the horses mouth, so to speak: www.gov.uk: changes to our Services in Chiang Mai

To answer the question about what they will do at the consulate, seems like they are still recruiting

And look at their fees!

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/393073/FeesTable_Customer_Bt54_as_of_12_01_15.pdf

And people complain about the 500 baht fee at immigration. Unbelievable.

That's weird, so they do have second hand bookstores etc. As I've never seen one, and had been under the impression, based on something I read ages ago but which my wife confirmed, that selling second hand books etc was illegal in Thailand, as apparently they believe it breaches the copyright or something.

Although the context might have been a little different, I'm not sure, as I can only vaguely remember the conversation (Primarily because I thought it sounded really weird, and I was pretty dubious about whether this was actually the case or not).

If you get to Chiang Mai check out https://www.facebook.com/GeckoBooksChiangMai

Rip out the rubber trees and plant palm trees..

Same attitude was expressed on converting visa exempt and tourist visa over to the first part of a retirement extension. Guess what happened?

Given the Thai law clearly offers the alternative (income or cash-in-the-bank), Nancy's comment is a bit more credible than your sky-is-falling prediction.

Khwaibah, I never expressed any confidence that CM Immigration would continue to be allowed to convert visa exempt and tourist visas to 90 day O visas as the first part of the retirement extension. I was very gratified that CM was able to continue the practice as it discontinued in other offices, but puzzled as to why the final OK was moved out of the local office and into the Region 5 office. That was the beginning of the end, actually. The handwriting was on the wall at that point and I think it may explain why the CM Immigration officials delayed the OK of the video of the 22 October meeting with the CM Expats Club. They've finally given their OK to post that video on-line -- but CEC has to edit the part about the two-step process.

We're working on that and hope to have it on the CEC website soon.

Nancy there is a serious back lash by immigration against less than honest retirement and yes marriage extensions. This started with Pattaya then Phuket and then Hua Hin. Their ability to issue a conversion from visa exempt and tourist visa to an O being revoked. Anyone in those areas have to go to Bangkok or out of country. This left only Chiang Mai as the last major harbor of expats. In fairness Chiang Mai has NOT been been known for an abundance of this practice but as a blushing bride in white it is not and certain things could and can be obtained in Chiang Mai. With the political climate that has been about for years between Bangkok and Chiang Mai it was just a matter of time and Bangkok is acting. Two major developments have and are going down in other immigration office in Thailand. Refusal for any 90 day reporting if your extension is from outside the area. Example if your on a retirement extension from Phuket and your in Korat the answer is a flat no. The second development is if you show up with just an embassy letter for income you will be required to show funds inside Thailand. I have seen numerous individual turned away (USA, UK Aussies , Norwegians). That proof of funds inside Thailand can be just a bank book, even with zero amount in it or an atm slip for a withdraw. Why have they come down on this embassy letter. Its been known for ever that a large portion of applicants lie and if a person wanted they could even get a dodgy letter for a price. These other two developments may not hit Chiang Mai then again they may.) Chiang Mai is not immune. Follow the threads on the "Thai visa, and work permit thread", there are numerous threads about the ongoing and individuals are screaming. Time will tell which way the winds will blow.

If someone is using the income method to show financial worth with a Consular letter, there is no requirement that someone have a Thai bank account. However, as mentioned the Immigration Officer processing the application always has the right to ask for "proof" of income and there is no published "standard of proof" For U.S. citizens, you could bring your latest IRS 1040 income tax filing with attached 1099 forms showing your annual pension income (that's what Hubby does, but he's never been asked to produce any proof). I have a 800,000 baht bank account that I never touch and, believe it or not, I was once asked "how do you live since you never use this money?", so I said "Husband's pension is large enough for both" and produced the passbook for our joint Bangkok Bank account which they never opened.

In the case of an elderly women living with her adult children, I really don't think they're going to ask for "proof" that she's bringing money into Thailand or has a local bank account. They know she isn't going to be a burden on Thai society since her adult children are caring for her.

Their big concern is in preventing retirees from working -- thus their question of me about why I never touched my 800,000 baht bank account -- and also their other concern is in preventing retirees from creating unpaid bills at the government hospitals -- thus asking for proof of financial worth from those who appear to be living on the edge.

As for Udon Thani-style "regulations" coming to Chiang Mai -- i.e. the need to have BOTH a year-round bank account of 800,000 baht locally AND income of 65,000 baht/mon or someh such similar nonsense -- I just don't see it happening here. That's not the official regulation. I think the CM office would have their hands full just questioning a few more people to show evidence of 65,000 baht/month income because sadly, yes, there are those who think it's OK to lie when they swear an oath to a U.S. Federal Officer.

Same attitude was expressed on converting visa exempt and tourist visa over to the first part of a retirement extension. Guess what happened?

PATS!!!!!!!!!!!

YEA..Thunder Chickens vs Bean Spread.

UN Irish Pub, Mondays repeats.

6:00pm Green Bay @ Seattle

9:00pm Indianapolis @ New England

Thunder Chickens took the first game.

Corner Cafe in Surin has one. https://www.facebook.com/cornercafesurin and Starbeam Restaurant in Surin

https://www.facebook.com/STARBEAM.RESTAURANT Both have seconhand books. Take one leave one.

Thanks guys. I was planning on turning east well before Khon Kaen as seen on the map. Maybe I'll just stay over night in Khorat and then just drive more the 2nd day.

Actually I was going to drive back via Ubon and just on that road 24 that kwaibah mentioned about. So you are convinced that it's terrible? I hate trucks as they drive so senselessly and drop stones and waste behind all the time. If this is the case I will for sure avoid that road. How do they drive from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok then, maybe road 226 via Surin and Buriram?

Thanks!

Use locals that know this area avoid the 24 like the plaque this time of year advise you do also. Take the 226. Due not get on the 24 tell Nang Rong. Its two lane highway from Nang Rong to Ubon and the cane trucks rule. But if your into whole sell carnage be my guest.

Should immigration ever bring in a rule demanding to see evidence of income from US citizens, the ex pat population of CM will decrease significantly

Numerous Immigration offices threw out Thailand are now requiring back up documentation for ANY income letter from ANY embassey. And they are not just accepting a term account they want to see what your living on. Chiang Mai your on the hit list.

There is no legal requirement as yet to show that you spend one baht in Thailand, just the need to meet the income or cash requirements.

Immigration has always had the right to request more proof and legality by your definition has nothing to do with it. The man with the stamp has always had the power and when he says prove the income of this letter and you can not do then out you go. There are attest 12 immigration offices doing this. Coming to an immigration office near you.

To check the prison out its GPS -7.72696264103, 108.925744166 Shows up quite well on GE.

Should immigration ever bring in a rule demanding to see evidence of income from US citizens, the ex pat population of CM will decrease significantly

Numerous Immigration offices threw out Thailand are now requiring back up documentation for ANY income letter from ANY embassey. And they are not just accepting a term account they want to see what your living on. Chiang Mai your on the hit list.

I bought a mac air from the online store. it was pretty quick and no extra fees/taxes.

I also went threw the app on line store http://store.apple.com/th-en?afid=p238%7Csd6pkNCWx-dc_mtid_18707vxu38484_pcrid_52239988156_&cid=aos-th-kwg-brand and purchased a 21.5 i mac and other goodies. Nobody could match their price, saved 5000 baht. Placed an online order and it was here in 6 days. Shipped DHL and NO duty.

I know that's not the official definition of what this thing is called, but you know what I mean.

But that's the problem when you use the wrong term ... things get confused and the supposed rumor has nothing to do with visas or extensions of stay and is something already discussed in other threads regarding the conversion process.

What you get each year is an extension of stay, not a visa. And what your acquaintance was trying to get was conversion to a non-imm O, not a visa or an extension of stay (although the first step in eventually getting an extension of stay).

Real close but the single entry 90 day O-Visa is a visa. This is one of the few visa that can be obtained inside Thailand. Now available only from Bangkok immigration or you have to leave the country to obtain it for the two part step for retirement extension.

To give the op some hope. A five year Thai DL and a credit card is accepted in the US to hire a car. Not a one year as it says temporary across the top.

Whats has been explained to me by both Korat and Kap Choeng Immigration is they go by where your extension was issued and they actually said if its says Pattaya no. They will only do a 90 day report if the extension is issued by them.

That is nonsense. If that is true then how would somebody move to another part of the country.

I cannot see immigration making such a rule. If a person moves they cannot make a report to where they did their extension because they no longer have an address there to report.

I can see them doing that if a person is traveling around the country. But not it they move and present proof of residence in their area responsibility should do it.

Moving and using the TM 28 and TM 30 to reestablish is accepted. Short of that they are kicking it back and saying no.

That is what I have been saying but your post appeared to contradict that by implying it was in all cases you had to go where your extension was issued.

No contradiction Joe we are on the same wave link.

Whats has been explained to me by both Korat and Kap Choeng Immigration is they go by where your extension was issued and they actually said if its says Pattaya no. They will only do a 90 day report if the extension is issued by them.

That is nonsense. If that is true then how would somebody move to another part of the country.

I cannot see immigration making such a rule. If a person moves they cannot make a report to where they did their extension because they no longer have an address there to report.

I can see them doing that if a person is traveling around the country. But not it they move and present proof of residence in their area responsibility should do it.

Moving and using the TM 28 and TM 30 to reestablish is accepted. Short of that they are kicking it back and saying no.