JLCrab

13 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

When the embassy-letters went-away for many, folks said, "Well, just put money in the bank - it's easy."  Almost immediately, a new set of rules were issued rendering the "money in the bank" useless-money.  I think I see a pattern, here.

Well just to say JaT that, as I may not be long for this world here on TV I am really tired of the discussion of "Well the new rules say you must do XYZ" and then the omnibus reply is "Well if you go to an agent you won't have to do XYZ".

It's been swell.

All I can say is that I am working on the next generation and they are doing just fine and will be able to carry-on quite well without me.

31 minutes ago, billsmart said:

A letter from your embassy verifying you receive a pension (not just any income) of a minimum of ฿65K per month. (As of 2020, this will be the ONLY acceptable proof of monthly income.), or…Embassy will say that you are who you say youare and nothing else.

A letter from the US Embassy will say that you are who you say you are and nothing else so that would mean US citizens are not eligible for extension based on monthly income. OK.

7 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

My goal is for my wife and her family to be better-off through sustainable projects, even if/when immigration boots me and my supporting-income out.  Given the trend, continuing over many years, the question would seem to be "when" rather than "if."

Great then your goal should also be that you spend as much time as possible with your loving wife and her family, and then, when the IMM folks kick you out, you can wire money from somewhere ex-Thailand into their bank accounts.

48 minutes ago, superal said:

Do the Thai authorities not realise the immense stress they have given to many families ?

Probably but I guess they haven chosen a reg that covers most general circumstances and not 127 exceptions and conditions to qualify or override such general circumstances.

7 hours ago, onera1961 said:

Then how did they enact smart visa act that does not require 90-day reporting and no work permit?

THAILAND INVESTMENT PROMOTION ACT (NO. 3)
(AS amended) B.E. 2544

Chapter 3
Rights and Benefits

Section 24. Subject to the law on immigration, only in so far as it is not otherwise provided herein, the Board (of Investment) shall have the power to grant permission to foreign nationals for entry into the Kingdom for the purpose of studying investment opportunities or performing any other act benefiting investment for such period of time to stay in the Kingdom as the Board may deem appropriate.

6 hours ago, onera1961 said:

Then how did they enact smart visa act that does not require 90-day reporting and no work permit?

BOI has the right to do so I guess for those qualifying for BOI.

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

So you are saying that this is 100% sure this applies to all and not just to new applicants, then why would a respected agency post to the contrary and have it endorsed by a well established expats club?

That was the agent's free advice version.

5 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

Can you please elaborate on this NGO thingy and declining Medicare Part B and still be able to enroll without penalty

Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Section 5115 as of February 28, 2006:

Waiver of part B late enrollment penalty for certain international volunteers.

Provides for the waiver of the Part B late enrollment penalty and establishment of a special enrollment period for beneficiaries who are volunteering outside of the U.S. through a 12 month or longer program sponsored by a tax-exempt organization defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and who have other health insurance coverage.

15 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

nothing special about immigration Act.

Other than it's been in place since 1979.

And all I said was that changing/modifying/abolishing an Act of HM the King is not the same as modifying/creating a new Police or Ministerial Order.

And if they start to modify the Section 37 90-day report requirements, they could at the same time modify/change/ eliminate the Section 35 smoke-&-mirrors provisions used to circumvent what is nominally required for extension of stay in the Kingdom.

4 minutes ago, onera1961 said:

Can't it be changed by another Immigration Act

The Immigration Act of 2022 was enacted by the late HM the King.

It is not trivial to change, amend, or replace.

5 minutes ago, wayned said:

I imagine that we will have to wait another 6 months while expats are subjected to the new policies to see how the new regulations will work

My near(est) term plan is that I will have 2 90-day in-office IMM reports before I have to decide what to actually do for my next extension. I will have at least 5 65K+ baht monthly FTT deposits to show first visit and will see how they react to "Is this going to cut it??"

26 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

So its business as usual via agents, the whole thing appears to be a pointless exercise.

At least for now.

Police and Ministerial Orders are one thing. To change the 90 day report requirement, as has been suggested,  would require an amendment to the Immigration Act of 2022 (1979). Once you open that Pandora's Box, who knows what else might be changed.

19 minutes ago, Spidey said:

Works closely with senior immigration officers. Unlike anyone on this forum.

I guess so.

2 hours ago, fforest1 said:

Whats funny is after all the so called riff-raff is cleaned out you rich guys and elite visa holders will have no one left to talk to but the Chinese and Indians...lol

That's OK -- even now all I prefer to talk to is young non-English speaking Thai females.

2 hours ago, fforest1 said:

I guess all you stress level #1 guys just are not getting that there is more visa trouble in the pipeline...

You first.

At the risk of seeming smug -- but I've already been called that so so what -- one of the factors in my moving to Thailand was the availability of medical insurance that was not available to me on an individual policy basis in the US except at exorbitant cost and maybe not even then. So I now have had full medical coverage for 15 years in Thailand and continue even though I am registered for Medicare but that is only good on American soil.

I can also decline Medicare Part B with no penalty on reinstatement by being in Thailand sponsored by an NGO which qualifies for a waiver so that pays for almost half my monthly insurance premiums.

So if insurance at some point becomes mandatory, not everybody will be scrambling -- and I don't see the OPD thing as being a deal breaker.
 

10 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Clearly, the "agent-system" is not just an arrangement between this or that "low level IO" and the agent, or big-name law-firms would not risk their reputations to be part of it.

That's bcz the fall-back is to say that they merely are lending the expat 800K baht for 3 months.

Big name law firms -- Tillike & Gibbins, Baker-McKenzie types huh?

32 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Probably same way u did

The post says 65,000 baht is a lot money. It certainly is if you don't have it.

So how has the gent above been maintaining his visa/extension of stay up until now?

5 minutes ago, wayned said:

I realize that but I have used the Affidavit fir at least 10 years. 

So have I but I guess I won't be using it next year.