smokinfun

I was to take a job in Saudi Arabia - they are only accepting vaccines approved by the US FDA - Pfizer, Maderno and J&J.  The full cycle has to be done; jab(s) and wait time before allowed entry.  No Sinovac or even AZ is considered.

3 hours ago, faraday said:

He died in 1955; so what do you mean?

My thought exactly - the anti-vaccination people can raise the dead.  Maybe that's why they are anti-vaccination folks.

Ubonjoe,

Thanks for the reply - the job is located in Samutprakan, my address is in Bangkok.  It would be great if Samutprakan does it for me; I will inquire.  60 days is more than enough; is this the normal process?  I guess the 24 hours to leave the country was a scare tactic to give the employer power (it worked, I'm scared until finished).  Again, most appreciated.  I owe you a couple of drinks.....

Hi there,

What is the current situation with staying after your Non-B is finished?  I'm sure I'll get another job in a few weeks (already have one offer, but waiting to see others).  I was on about 8 different tourist visas for the year prior (for some reason got lucky) and then got a job and the Non-B is with Samutprakarn Immigration.  The job didn't work out so tomorrow I go to Sanutprakarn and they cancel my visa.  They told me to then go Bangkok Immigration and get an extension there.  I think they just want me out of their hair and I might get to Bangkok Immigration and I'll be screwed.

So does any of the infinite wisdom of the Thai Visa forum know of the current situation?  What paperwork should I have for Bangkok - Wattana Immigration?  Can I just fall back under the tourist covid-exception until the new job starts?  (I got an Embassy letter but dated Sept. 26 and the US Embassy isn't giving them out any more)  What is normal procedure when you are between jobs?  My employer told me with Samutprakan they give me 24 hours to leave the country; but they say Bangkok is 7 days (someone told me 60 days).  Can you go from Non-B to Tourist then back to Non-B?

Normally, I'd just hop a plane and enjoy a few days out of Thailand and come back when the job is ready.  Of course, in this covid world; things are different and changing daily.  Thanks so much for anyone's insight on the current situation.

I've met some Filipino teachers who are at the top of their game in math; while in the minority - one shouldn't judge all on the basis of a few.  While we farang are in Thailand for the foreseeable future (due to the inability to fly freely) why not give something back and teach?  The money is small but the rewards are great. 

Hello to the ThaiVisa masses - 'long time listener, first time caller' - I keep my primary residence in Thailand for the past 14 years, but most of the time I'm working outside Thailand for long stretches (I have been lucky enough to find work in Thailand a few years, and then had a work permit).  Left my job in June 2019 and basically been in and out of Thailand on Tourist visas.  I think I had 8 tourist visas in that time.  Current situation: American, 51 years old (don't have funds for retirement visa), currently on tourist 'covid' visa, waiting on my next job (I've actually been 'hired' and let go from projects during this pandemic).  What are my low cost options to continue to stay past July 31st??  Thanks so much to the ThaiVisa masses and taking your valuable time to help.

9 hours ago, Brigand said:

Yet more surveillance being slipped in under the cuddly guise of a mobile app for "security" reasons. People sit there using Google search on Chrome, Android, gmail, smart speakers in your front room they ask questions of and on and on ... go to Wiki and have a look at Google products, the list is endless. I stopped a while back using any of Google's products apart from Youtube (without signing in). I don't have a smart phone (although they can still ping it from a tower, I guess) just an old fashioned talk and text one and I use protonmail and duckduckgo for internet browsing in Firefox. Old saying, "If you can appease a man's conscience, then you can take away his freedom." That's what is slowly happening everywhere. It's very hard not to be online in some capacity but you can certainly lower your electronic/digital footprint.   

Agreed, and if they are taking freedom - then compensation is in order.  Google and Facebook are advertising firms - follow the money; we are giving our information away for free.  Hopefully someday we'll learn that data is valuable and the consumer shouldn't be the product.  Until then; I'm with the Protonmail, DuckDuckGo and Firefox.  Can't eliminate Google but shouldn't make it easy to profit off me.

41 minutes ago, catch104 said:

Criticize when it should, but also approve when needed. And as the picture shows he applies the health recommendations that everyone should follow, to himself,. This is a sharp contrast comparing to a particular self declared "stable genius", leader also of self declared Free World.... 

Give credit where due - leading by example is very admirable.  As for 'stable genius' - being that I'm from such country; I will follow by example - so where's my porn star and/or playmate to boink?  And now the greetings with females will be a grab to their crotch.

During curfew the police/authorities have broad powers to search and it could be up to the arriving officers how to handle.  Of course, this isn't really the time for 'house-party'.  As usual, you should try to put yourself in their shoes - be it the party goers or police, and just try to be nice during these stressful times.

The US Embassy also provided me with a letter - in less than 24 hours; all by email.  Now if I could just get Thai Immigration to be so obliging. 

All,  anyone recently had a 30 day extension on a 60 day tourist visa?  I understand immigration can change rules daily (hourly?); but if this recent covid fear-mongering has lead the Thai gov't to limit or eliminate the extension.  Also, if I change my visa to retirement during the 30 day extension; will I have to leave the country to do that?  Leaving the country could cause issues with the covid scare.  Any other advice for extending my stay other than tourist visa? Thanks so much for collective experience and wisdom (??) of the ThaiVisa participants.

Hello All,

The US Version (model A2094) of the Apple Watch has the ECG/EKG function turned on; but operates on the 1800, 2100, and 850 MHz frequency for cell service.  While the Model A2156 (overseas) version has 1800, 2100 and 900 MHz frequencies, but does not have the ECG function turned on (will require gov’t approval and then a software update - which could be a long time in Thailand).  AIS operates in 1800, 2100 and 900MHz - so if I buy the US version it will only service 2 of the 3 AIS supported frequencies.  (watch frequency details - https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular/)  Any idea on how this would effect the operation of a watch (or any cellular device)?

Thanks for your time!

20 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

They might not have but 3 wire is easily available in Thailand.  Now you know why Thailand has been ahead of the curve in buying RCCB (ground fault cut offs) - they work without ground and have been locally made here since at least 1978 (when I bought).  

Yes, but the RCCB (that is the Safe-t-cut?) works when the Amps spike; but didn't seem to help the 'buzz'.  I'm sure the 'buzz' can't be good for electronics and having you act as the ground even with a Safe-t-cut is a bit concerning.  Why doesn't everywhere else use the Thai electrical system?  2 vs. 3 wires would save a pile of money on a large scale.  Again, thanks for the information.  And the ground wire has eliminated the buzz from my USB and computer.

HI there, popped the electrical outlet and sure enough my ground wire is missing.  (guess should have checked that first)  Funny thing is the 'electrician' had to do extra work to remove my ground wire instead of just leaving it in the conduit.  So now a trip to get yellow wire and run it from the box to the outlet.  Went to HomePro and asked for 3 wire cable; but seems in Thailand they only have 2 wire.  Thanks so much for all the comments; seems to be very common to lack a ground in Thailand.  Wonder how many times a grandma kicks the bucket taking the laundry out of a machine.   Safety is a personal responsibility, thanks again for the education that makes that possible.

Hi All,

Live in an old apartment that didn't have much for electrical safety.  So added a saf-t-cut and grounded my box to a pipe; and everything was fine.  Go to work for a few months and upon my return; seems that something changed.  Now my Macbook gives me a 'buzz' when you touch it.  The USB cables plugged into a charger will also give you 'buzz' if you touch one.  Something changed - probably a building electrician did some work.  The question is how do the ThaiVisa knowledge base propose to repair this situation?  Okay with electricial systems - can use a multi-tester.  But what could have changed?  Where should I start to look?  The grounding connection is behind a wall; so that would be difficult to check.  On the 7th floor so running a ground to earth is impossible.  And to get the owner up to code isn't going to happen.  (and I'm not moving)  Thanks for all in sharing your experience!!

4 hours ago, animalmagic said:

Brilliant comment on the US Economy!*
 

Dr. Marc Faber, the investment guru, concluded his monthly bulletin with the following comments! :

 

*The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate.*
 

*If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China.*

*If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs.*

*If we buy software, it will go to India.*

*If we purchase fruits and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.*

*If we purchase a good car, it will go to Germany and Japan.*

*If we purchase useless crap, it will go to Taiwan or Korea.*

*In short, none of it will help the American economy.*
 

*The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on Guns, Prostitutes, and Beer, since these are the only products still produced in the US.*

 

The blonde buffoon did say he would make America great again!

Actually beer is owned by non-American company (even Budweiser!), guns are mostly made by Europeans (the American manufacturers are close to bankruptcy) and the finest prostitutes are Asian (or Eastern European).  Nothing is left in America - maybe Facebook and Apple.

3 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

 

I assume that report only considers investors from the U.S., who are protected by an antiquated "friendship law" dating back to the Vietnam war and which allows U.S. citizens to actually own 100% of their business. 

 

As for the rest of us: Yes, it's perhaps easy to start a business with a sackful of money to invest - and lose once your 51% Thai partner smells the profits and saws you off like a dead tree branch; or because your greasy Thai lawyer failed to inform you that as a non-U.S. foreigner you were actually not legally permitted to engage in that sort of business in the first place.

 

I assume that report only considers investors from the U.S. 

I'd like to hear more about this 'friendship law' - I think you maybe talking about the tax agreement; but don't think it applies to business ownership.  (Being an American) there maybe hope.  Also have learned (twice) how to make a small fortune in Thailand.......start with a large one.  If you have anymore information on this law - it would be great.  IM me.

I think chilli42 has the proper crystal ball; don't like it - but if their is a line on the outcome; I'd bet the house on that one.

Thanks ubonjoe - I went to this link http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=90days  but don't see anywhere to do it on-line.  Am I correct that I need this is the page for "90 day report" or notification?  Then the re-entry permit; - is that also done 15 days prior up to time of departure?  And 3000 is a one-time fee good until my visa expires?  Thanks so much for your expert advice; I owe you a drink or three - so PM me if ever in Bangkok.

All - appreciate the help.  I had a job that I resigned from but I'm allowed to keep my visa that expires in Aug 2017.  My old employer must have handled it all; because I never did a 90 day report (but I also flew in and out of the country routinely).  According to the paperwork, my next "Date of notification' is Dec. 14.  I'm leaving out of country on Dec. 15th.  So what do I do to keep my visa active?  I think I have to get some kind of pre-departure permission (of course at a cost from immigration); but that is about all I know.  I don't want to ask for any assistance with my visa - because me keeping the visa is on the 'down low'; upper management probably wouldn't like it.  So want to do everything on my own.  I don't have the work permit in my possession.  The visa is stamped in my passport.  I'm located in Bangkok.

Sorry, I would go anywhere - but I heard that Laos is currently better than Cambodia. So the 6100 baht all inclusive is a good deal. Thanks so much for your reply. The cancellation is done and stamped in my passport. Good advice to bring all my paperwork. My passport is from USA.

Now what about switching from tourist to work visa? Will that require another trip out of the country?

Thanks in advance for your assistance:

I was fired from a multi-national corporation and had my work permit and visa cancelled. All my possessions are currently in Thailand; and I have three days until last day of work. I have to be out of the country on that day, correct? The 7 day extension seems like a waste of money.

I can hire someone for a visa run at a cost of 6100 baht (bus, hotel and visa costs); get a 60 day visa (I assume tourist), then I'll apply for a 30 day extension. Gives me 90 days to find a new job.

Is this cost appropriate? Or is there a cheaper alternative? And all of this is on the "up and up"?

Last time I stayed long time, I took a teaching job, only to find out upon departure I had no visa and had been here illegally the entire time. 20,000 baht fixed it at airport immigration; but could have been big trouble. I'll probably look for any work; even teaching (only chemistry or physics - no English) because I am a bit of a work-aholic. Any issue with changing from tourist visa to work visa??

Thanks so much for your time with this and I'm sure others will benefit.

Here's a picture of the subpanel in my room. The yellow wire is not a 'ground' - I noticed that they only have 2 strand romex; so got some yellow and when the 'electrician' went to work I told him to add ground to fixture - he did from fixture to subpanel but there it ends.