FredLee

If you are going to put up a permanent wall, I recommend that you go to the land office and make an appointment for a survey of the property boundaries. If a survey is later done, and it is found you encroached on someone's property, you will be required to tear down the wall.

When I was getting ready to put up the wall around my house, one neighbor complained that the boundaries were incorrect. I had to get a survey team to resurvey everything. Once they checked it, the land office required each neighbor that shared a boundary to sign a document that they agreed with the new survey, and had no objection to the wall being built.

I think the total cost was around 5,000 baht for the survey, but it was well worth it.

Does anyone have experience with the CDC Dental Clinic at Raumchok Plaza? My wife and I have had minor fillings and a cleaning done there, relatively cheaply with no complaints. I now think I need more serious work done, such as a root canal and crown, and not sure how they are with these types of procedures. The searching I have done seem to point towards Grace Dental clinic as a good clinic for this type of work.

For minor procedures, I have no problem recommending the CDC Dental Clinic to the OP. One filling was 800 baht, and I got four small fillings at one sitting for 2,800 baht. I have not been to any other dental clinics here, so don't know how these prices compare.

Thanks for the info. Additionally, the Mac OS is not supported either. Their IT staff must be people they just pull off the street.

Its too late this time for you David, but everyone should invest in a wall

calender,a big one, and put it where you see it everyday and mark the

days off.

On this calender mark down future dates of renewing visa"s, date of

doing your 90 day reporting,and on returning from doing a report

write down the next date,only takes a couple of minutes,but could save

you hours of wasted time,and expense if you go over the 90 days.

For a few hundred baht its the best investment you will make.

regards worgeordie

Or better yet, use the calendar on your computer. Most have them. Mine even allows me to set alerts, so I get a nice pop-up window with the notification.

If you check the system requirements on the FBAR treasury page, the MAC OS is not listed. I had the same problem last year trying to file online, and had to mail it in. Of course, that is not allowed this year. Here is a link to the requirements page.

http://bsaefiling.fincen.treas.gov/Why_use_BSA_004.html

Gazpa, while your post was pleasant to read you should know that in science - quite different from our daily language - a "theory" is about as good as it gets. This is a common argument used by Creationists to cast doubt where there is none. To make it more confusing, a "law" is of a lesser order than a "theory". More accurate definitions on the Web, I'm just telling you because using the "theory" fallacy destroys all the good arguments you may have.

Be that as it may, a theory is still just that, a theory not a fact. I am not saying the big bang (or as it is often referred to now the big expansion) theory is wrong. I just don't know if it is true, nor does anyone else. The same can be said of the theory of creation.

The prevailing theory of a majority of scientists is that there was nothing (the singularity), and from that nothing the universe spontaneously came into being.

The prevailing theory of a majority of Christians is that there was nothing, and from that nothing the universe was created by something or someone referred to as God.

To believe in the truthfulness of either theory seems to me to require a great deal of faith.

There is covered parking available in the market area, just down the road from the consulate on the opposite side. I don't know the cost of long term parking, but I have never paid more than 20 baht. I use this if I cannot find free parking on the road by the river.

I think the norm is that you have to let your 1 year license expire first, but there are exceptions as with most govt offices here. I got mine renewed to 5 years last August, 3 days before expiration. I knew from reading on TV that the rule was that the one year license had to expire first, but since I was in the area I dropped in. Below is the cut and paste from the post I previously made about it. This was at the Hang Dong area office.

"I renewed my license yesterday, three days before its expiration. I have the temporary 1 year license, and I received the 5 year license. I was told to keep my current license with me until it expires, as the new license does not go into effect until the day after that.

I did not have to take the reaction or the color blind test this time, although I did have to take the color blind test when I received my medical certificate.

I submitted my forms and copies, and was out with the new license in less than 20 minutes.

I believe you are correct that different offices have different sets of rules. I also was under the impression that the license had to expire before you could renew, but decided to stop in early because I would be in the area."

Went today and had a great time checking out all the different stalls. Got there about 9 a.m., so no problem with parking. The prices seemed pretty good to me. We bought 100 papaya trees at 10 baht each, and four ornamental trees (two with pink flowers, one with yellow, and one with white flowers) for 370 for the four. Had a very nice lunch, and left just as it was starting to get crowded. The people we dealt with today were willing to negotiate, maybe because the last day is tomorrow. For the four trees, the first price was 510 baht, but he came down to 370. Didn't ask for a discount on the papaya trees, they seemed cheap enough already.

I priced D-18's last year. Quite a big difference, and a very limited selection. So got one back in the US.

Was also in the market for a used strat. Big difference in prices here and a very poor selection. Obviously compared to the US or Europe.

Import taxes add a bit, low demand also adds a bit.

Unless I'm going blind, the D-18 in the Central Festival mall was selling for 38,000 baht. The D-28 was selling for 82,000 baht. VERY low prices... which is why I questioned their authenticity. Usually the only way to get low prices for Martin was to buy Sigma, the Martin-licensed and inspected guitars made outside the US, currently owned by a German firm and produced in China by Martin-trained luthiers. I have the Sigma DR-45, an exact copy of the Martin D-45 but made with newer woods. Solid Sitka spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck, Indian Rosewood fingerboard, bone nut and compensated saddle, Ebony bridge, Grover tuning machines... What's not to like? The balance of sound is not Martin, neither is the sustain, but for 1/3 the price, it comes pretty dam_n close! They were out of production since 2007, but back in biz last year after being sold by the Japanese firm.

"M.I.W. Guitars" on Changklan Rd in Chiang Mai has a good selection of Sigmas at great prices. I'm thinking about their 12-string as a Christmas present to myself!

That may have been the price for the case on the D-18, or else it is a knock-off. The going price for a D-18 in the US is about 1700 to 1900 US dollars, case included. The D-28 price sounds like a good price for Thailand. You do have to be careful of fakes though. About three years ago while on holiday prior to relocating here, I priced some Martin guitars at an upscale mall in Bangkok. They had one D-28 that was an obvious fake. The binding and tuners were wrong, and the craftsmanship was terrible. They did have a D-15 that I believe was the real thing. It was priced at a little over 1200 USD, while they were selling in the US for about 850 USD. The acoustic guitar players on here may already be aware of this, but the best way to get an estimate on the value of a new Martin guitar is to go to their website. Then take 40% off of their suggested retail price, and that should be pretty close to the retail price you pay at any guitar store in the US, case included. I agree that Sigmas are fine guitars. My uncle has one, and I sometimes play it when I am back home.

I was in a similar situation. My Thai wife and I had lived outside of Thailand for several years. When we moved here a little more than one year ago, we had one 20 foot shipping container of household items shipped. The shipment was in her name. It included four guitars, one electronic keyboard, and one medium size guitar amplifier. There were perhaps 150 to 200 cds, dvds. The moving company contracted with local movers at the origin and here in Thailand. The company here was excellent. There was some discussion about the number of guitars, but everything went very smoothly. We paid only 1,200 baht in fees. I ensured when moving that I complied with the recommendations on the Thai customs web site. We had no more than one of each type of electronic equipment, and no banned items or items that required special clearance. The one thing that did throw me off, is that prior to the move the company recommended that I not bring any fax or copier, as they would be considered office items, and not household items, and subject to an import fee that might exceed their actual worth. The shipment went through customs at Bangkok, but the company then delivered it by truck to our home. The local company here took care of everything. They came to our hotel to pick up my wife's documents, and then brought them back the next day. We never had to meet with anyone from customs. The main moving contractor was Graebel Relocations Services Worldwide, and the contractor here in Thailand that they used was Santa Fe Relocation Services. Hope this might be of some help to you.

I was at the Toyota dealership near the airport last week, pricing new vehicles. The sales lady informed me that since I was a non-citizen I would require a Thai guarantor if I needed to obtain financing. Of course, they might tell you something entirely different if you go there.

Here's a link to what I used last week to clean the mold and mildew from my wall. It does have some type of additive to soften the smell, but still did a good job. Just mixed 1 part bleach to 3 parts water, and cleaned using a soft bristled brush. Then rinsed with fresh water. I bought it at Big C, and also at market in the countryside near our house. I first stopped at a small Tesco, but did not see it there.

http://5623.th.all.biz/hygiene-bleach-color-bleach-g36554

Out of all the (thousands?) accounts I've read or heard of regarding renewal, stories of being sent to update a passbook which was updated a day or two before is miniscule and I doubt even these accounts....sorry. There is a lot of scare mongering that goes on here and I really cannot see anyone being told to go and update a book that was updated a day before, especially as immigration knows how early some people without appointments get there. Sorry, I don't think it happens and I wouldn't be scared, just update the book the day before, Bank are open in malls 7 days a week so it's not difficult. I don't like immigration, it's well documented. But having said that, In all the years I've been here I've never had a problem and no-one else will if all paperwork is in order.

1. Fret and stress about getting an update on the day

2. Get it done the day before and don't fret or stress.

Now bring forth all the posters who have been told to update the same day.

Why do you doubt my account of what happened? Is the concept of immigration requiring me to do something that is not exactly as they had you do it beyond your ability to comprehend? And, how can this be construed as scaremongering? There is nothing scary about it, at least to any reasonable person. The lady at immigration didn't yell at me, threaten me, or tell me to come back tomorrow or next week. She politely told me what needed to be done to continue processing my paperwork. I took the 3 to 4 minute walk to Central Plaza, made my small transaction, got my book updated and walked back. Didn't even have to wait in line, just went in and gave the lady my passbook. She even made the new copies for me.

As I stated in my previous post, last year the bank letter and passbook update were both done 5 days prior to my visit to immigration, and it was not an issue. This year they were both done 2 days prior to my visit, but this was not acceptable to immigration this time.

It is through this forum that I have learned a lot about Thailand, its culture and customs, and things that affect expats. I have learned to expect the unexpected, and not to get too worked up when things don't go the way I anticipated, especially when dealing with government offices. I try to add what little I can to this process. You have made significant contributions to this forum, and I respect you for that, but I do resent being called a liar.

Bewildered, Bewildered...

You have no complaint

You are what your are and you ain't what you ain't

So listen up Buster, and listen up good

Stop wishing for bad luck and knocking on wood

So sayeth Mr. Prine. This one certainly goes back a long way! Thanks, brought a smile to my face this morning.

You can stick your bank book in an atm update machine the same day you go to immigration. Unless you put more money in or make a withdrawal the same day it wont print anything for that day. Ridiculous ruling.

Personally, I doubt that it is 'a ruling'

The OP says; " There was a slight change from last year that I can't recall seeing any posts for"

That's because there aren't any and whatever happened to the OP was probably a one off. I don't know why the officer picked on the OP, maybe there was a red flag.

Actually, the same thing happened to me last week. Last year, both the bank letter and bankbook update were dated 5 days before my trip to immigration, and there was no problem. Last week, they were both updated 2 days before my visit. The lady accepted the bank letter, she said that as long as it was within the last 5 days it is ok. She would not accept the bankbook. She told me to go to Central Plaza and get it updated. I explained I would have to make a small deposit or withdrawal to get it to update, and then it would not match the amount on the bank letter. She said that would not be a problem. So i hoofed it down to the BBK at Central Plaza and did as she said.

I just did mine. For the passport, I had to have two copies of the main ID page, the visa page, the TM6 departure card, the 90 day report slip, and all pages that had Thailand stamps.

As far as anything new this year: Last year I did not have to have personal photos of me and my wife at our house, or the hand drawn map. This year they were both required. Again, two copies of each. I pasted the photos on A4 paper.

When I did my first extension for marriage, the wife and I were informed that the immigration police would be visiting our house and talking to our neighbors to verify our residence and status. That same afternoon, my wife received a call stating that for a 1000 baht fee, we would be informed of when the immigration police would arrive so we could have our neighbors available. That didn't make sense to me, so I told my wife to decline the offer. A few days later, we received a letter from immigration telling us to report to the immigration police at a specified date and time, and to bring a neighbor (non relative) to verify our status and residence. We did so, and I received the extension about three weeks later. While at immigration, my wife asked why we were told to come in, and was told that it was too far for the immigration police to drive. At the time, we lived about a 15 minute drive from immigration.

Very well said - Amazing how those who like to ride in the back of trucks or without helmets on motorcycles quote freedom - yet the taxpayers quite often have to pay for their hospital care - which sadly is needed quite often.

Yes, it is amazing to me that taxpayers are required to pay for anyone's hospital care. People should have the freedom to be careless about their safety, as long as it does not create a hazard to others. Along with that freedom, they should have the responsibility for the consequences of their carelessness, not the taxpayer.

FredLee ... I can see your point, but, adapting that logic do we deny ...

Healthcare to smokers with cancer

Drinkers with liver failure

AIDS suffers

Rehab for drug takers

The list is near endless

I'm not unsympathetic to your argument ... but where is the line drawn in the sand?

David, I did not recommend or mention denying health care to anyone. I merely make the point that along with freedom comes personal responsibility. A lessening of either diminishes the other.

Go onto the Chiang Mai forum and do a search on residence certificate. There is a lot of good information on there from earlier this year.

Meechok plaza. The copy and print shop at the far end by all the motorcycle parking. 100 baht when I faxed to the U.S. (four pages)

Picked up my yellow house book this morning. The gentleman at the Amphur that handled all my paperwork told me that I was now eligible to get the Thai insurance card for use at the government hospitals. I have read conflicting posts on this before, but the overall consensus as I remember it is that the insurance is for Thai citizens only. I don't intend to try it as I already have adequate insurance, but it would certainly be a boon to those that for one reason or another have difficulty getting insurance here, if he is in fact correct.

You will own the rights to control the land for your lifetime and although the owner could sell the land, the new owner would be subject to the usufruct and could not occupy or otherwise control the use of the land during your lifetime.

Rubbish.

And exactly why is this rubbish?

I went this morning with my wife. I am not Buddhist, but I do enjoy going to the Temple with her. She and her sister spent several hours yesterday evening preparing traditional Northern Thai food to take today. We got there about 6:16 am, had the food blessed, and then I roamed the courtyard taking pictures and talking with people while she was inside praying. Afterwards she caught up on all the latest news from friends and family that were there. All in all a very nice way to spend the morning.