Kopitiam

19 minutes ago, Myran said:

And why does the Non-O based on being married exclude people who aren't married? Don't immigration realize that being married is a state of mind? 

You can use Non-O for retirement not just being married.

1 hour ago, userabcd said:

Did not work like that for me. One time a few years ago I made this error and got fined 2000 baht for a late 90 day report.

Well, it works like that here in Phuket.  I can accept it that it doesn't work this way in other immigration offices.  Was only trying to help.  Good to know and all is well.

6 minutes ago, userabcd said:

Yes, immigration always send the reminder to my email address, the one they have always sent the reminders to. This is what prompts me to make the 90 day report.

 

I then make the 90 day online report and 1 or 2 days later it is returned approved. This time it was rejected and I can only think it is because at the end of Sept 2022 I have renewed my extension for 12 months and it was stamped in my passport on the 26th Sept 2022 valid until 26 Sept 2023. Now I think they want me to make a first in person report after receiving the latest extension.

 

Since my first successful online report a while back, immi have always sent a reminder to my email address to make the 90 day report.

Once you do an extension renewal, your 90-day reporting re-starts from the day of extension approval.  That is what happened to my retirement extension.

9 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Well I wasn't asking for the moon. I went in early to get my extension explaining that I needed to fly out in a month due to my work. In the past they would let me call in and if the extension was back from BKK they would let me come in and get it. Not this time, they set the time exactly one month after my year extension ended, four days after I needed to be back at work. I still called in two days before my flight, but they refused to look. You can take their side if you want but I still feel they could have worked with me.

Previously they "bent" the rules to accommodate your request.  Now they stick to the rules and you whine.

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Why should they.

Thailand has some of the most flexible options for retirement and marriage.

Pity it doesn't fit with some folks.

Perhaps a ME Non O marriage each year might be an option.

Yet another example of Thailand visa options.

Geez. 

Life in Thailand is "funny".  When the authority does not enforce rules, we complain (example: traffic police).  But when the authority enforce rules strictly, we complain they are not flexible.

I agree with DrJack45, "Thailand has some of the most flexible options for retirement and marriage".

16 hours ago, xylophone said:

Unfortunately Phuket has its own set of rules and charges Jim, just as others have found out, so I will make my decision in a couple of days.

Phuket Imm is not special to have it's own set of rules.  Every Immigration office around Thailand has their own interpretation of rules.  Some even have different interpretations by IOs in the same office.

You and your friends must have very bad luck when dealing with the IO at Phuket Imm.  I have dealt with Phuket Imm office since 2011 renewing my extension of stay from a initial Non-OA visa.  Never had any problem even with all the changes to money in the bank requirement on my own.  I just did my extension renewal in August.

I have also transferred extension of stay to a new passport twice and not a single baht was demanded.  I reckon we are dealing with the same IO in Room 103.  He sits on the right side in the office.  Strict guy but fair.

I find the Phuket Imm Office to be very progressive and service orientated.  In 2011, all extensions were done in one big office upstairs.  They have progressively divided the different types of extensions to different parts of the compound to reduce congestion.  They even have a drive-through for 90-day reporting without having to fill in any form.  In fact, for the convenience of expats and tourists, they have sub-offices in Patong and Laguna for 90-day reporting.  More recently, they have torn down a few buildings in their compound to create a bigger carpark for people attending immigration matters to park their cars..  This is what I call progressive and service oriented.

Yes, Phuket Imm, like every other Thai Imm office has their own interpretation of rules.  We just have to live with it as "guests" in Thailand.  This is their working culture, like it or not.  The most positive interpretation of rules by the Phuket Imm is the medical insurance requirement for extension of stay based on Non-OA visa.  Anyone came before 2018/9 on Non-OA visa does not require medical insurance for renewal of extension of stay.  Kudos to Phuket Imm.

Good luck to you in your renewal of extension of stay.

8 hours ago, paahlman said:

Believe it or not. Thailand’s broadband internet speed is ranking number 1

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2054991/thailand-tops-internet-speed-testing

The link is to an article dated 22 Jan 2021.  Maybe it has grown exponentially since then.

Try the local roving markets.

16 hours ago, Eddie45 said:

I am in contact with an office manager who's in charge of renting out Condo's. I am trying to rent a condo that has good internet. I know in Thailand it's not going to be good 100% of the time. The last Condo I stayed in Phuket the internet would stop working a few times a week, but this was a few years ago now so hopefully its improved. The office manager has said the internet service is from TOT and 3BB, are they in a partnership or is this incorrect info.

I live in a Condo that has a common internet connection for each apartment.  The connection was atrocious.  I decided to have my own internet connection with 3BB.  TOT and 3BB are separate ISPs.  It all depends on where the ISPs have their connection points to your Condo.

Yes, if the hotel you booked with has such a service (usually yes).  But the price will be the same as airport taxi if not more. There is a price list posted at the taxi booth outside the arrival hall.

Eddie45, for your further reference:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1263965-best-fiber-optic-internet-provider-package-value-in-phuket/

8 minutes ago, BonMot said:

I'm on a marriage visa. I've had two issues in ten years neither related to bank books or money. Niggling details.

But you are commenting on a retirement visa extension matter like a "know all".

37 minutes ago, BonMot said:

I bet you can spend it all down as long as you are good to go 3 months before you make your extension all topped up.

 

I think wives tales and fish stories get started here and people just run with it.

Do what you have betted on and come back to report a successful extension.  The forumers here will accord you bragging rights.

13 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Happy for you that you find it so convenient to keep your socks dry, wherever you go in Asia. 

 

But, more interestingly, what would you estimate the household ownership of clothes dryers in Thailand to be, perchance? 

 

And, for that matter, how many Bentley automobiles do you see rolling down the roads, on any given Sunday, in the countrysides of Thailand? 

I wonder why are you still living here?

Pick your choice (from cheap solution to expensive solution).

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=clothes+drying+machine&_keyori=ss&from=input&spm=a2o4m.home.search.go.11257f6dSOrjcJ

1 hour ago, placnx said:

But people in Taiwan increasingly identify as Taiwanese. When Chiang Kai Shek occupied Taiwan, a lot of local people were unhappy and had to be suppressed.

 

Taiwan was only ruled by Chinese at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1644) and then again after Chiang's defeat. Only after his death could democratization take hold by degrees as the Kuomintang mentality recedes.

This is from wikipedia:  Han Chinese (95 to 97%) are the predominating population of Taiwan July 2022.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Taiwan

9 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I think we all know the answer to that ????.

 

If America is so concerned, they should just offer citizenship to all Taiwanese. But of course they won’t. White supremacy and all that.

America knows Taiwanese are also Chinese.

36 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Knowing the Taiwanese, they will booby trap and destroyed TSMC facilities before handing them over to  CCP forces.

China is doing the world a favour for not taking Taiwan now.  Wait until America has built up their own semiconductor plants, will they still give a damn about Taiwan?

On 9/9/2022 at 6:38 AM, ezzra said:

Maybe communism has run it's course and time to re-think different way of governing, show me a one communist country in the world that is doing well and i'll show you people live in fear or running foul with the secrete police, even Russia is not doing well under the leadership of that tyrant Putin, stories of  stolen armed forces items, from a battle gear to heavy vehicles are being sold in an open markets and online...

I beg to differ.  Name me one G7 country that is doing well in this period of time.

Plenty available on Lazada.

https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=binoculars&_keyori=ss&from=input&spm=a2o4m.searchlist.search.go.723b167f0NzTIS

8 minutes ago, Knocker33 said:

Has anyone told China and India?

Why so biased?  Get your facts right first.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/092915/5-countries-produce-most-carbon-dioxide-co2.asp

China is producing 56% of what the USA is producing and India is only 10% of the USA. Russia, Germany, UK and Japan are producing more than India.

2 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

*It would be more understandable if moving into a house or condo, but this is just a monthly hotel/apartment and i'm likely to move again soon

If it is just staying at a hotel, get them to register you online.  If you are moving so often, why border? Unless you are doing an extension of stay.  Even when doing an extension of stay, the IO rarely ask you whether you are still staying in the same place once you have registered an address.