Thaiquila

Yes, I assumed if asking for this you wouldn't enter the visa number on the entry form. In my case, I have a clean passport with the one Thai visa so no hiding it! It did occur to me that it might be immigration policy to effect all visas no matter what, so thats why I am asking.

Lopburi seems to indicate there is a fair chance of success, so perhaps one can assume it is acceptable for the officer to do this (if he wants to be nice).

OK, I imagine this question is not that unique, but here goes.

Lets say you have a real tourist visa or a non-immigrant visa but for whatever reason (and I have a good one) you want your initial entry into Thailand to be stamped in as a 30 day stamp, and you want to save the unused visa for a later entry (assuming the visa will still be valid, of course).

Is this a request immigration will honor without balking?

I would imagine if you don't aggressively try to stop them, they will try to "use" any unused visa you have right away as a matter of habit. But is this a matter of policy, or can you legitimately ask them not to touch it?

Any reports of experiences, problems, etc. with this?

For an example of why you might want this.

Lets say you have a single entry tourist visa, but you first want to fly into Thailand for a week, then off to Bali for two weeks, and then back to Thailand for two months. Obviously, if they used your tourist visa on the first entry, you would be visa-less when entering for the second time, when you really NEED IT. Yes, I know, another way would be to just initially come in on a double entry tourist visa, that's not the question though ...

Just another one of my clarification type of questions.

Normally, when people go in for extensions based on retirement, they go in about 30 days BEFORE the actual expiry date of their current permission to stay in Thailand.

So, this new police rule says that if qualifying based on bank account, you need to show that there is at least 800K baht for the "latest 3 months." Sounds clear enough ... but is it?

If you are coming in 30 days before expiry, do they mean the money has to be there

(1) 3 months BEFORE the date you come in for the renewal

(0R)

(2) 3 months BEFORE the actual date of the expiry of the permission to stay, which in effect would translate to approximately 2 months before the date of application for extension, if coming in about a month before expiry?

If it is (1), then the real life requirement is to have the money NOT 3 months, but more like 4 months BEFORE expiry of the permission to stay, again if applying one month before expiry.

If it is (2), well that is awfully non-intuitive.

Of course I am asking because in the slim chance that the answer is (2), I would be in better shape for my particular issue discussed on another thread. In any case, I think the exact interpretation of this rule is of interest to many. Cheers.

http://www.lawyer.th.com/National_Police_O...er_Oct_2006.pdf

Having the records of saving

money in the latest 3 months of

account book of any Bank in

Thailand not less than 800,000

Baht ...

What do you think will happen with this scenario in the near future:

No previous O visa or retirement extension (first timer).

Enter with single entry non-immigrant O visa obtained from OUTSIDE Thailand.

After two months, apply for retirement one year extension based on bank account, with the money being in the Thai bank account for only about 60 days, NOT 90 days.

Thanks for your help. I am kind of freaking out about this. Best laid plans and all that ...

Is there any reason for you not transferring the funds (from overseas of course) 30 days earlier?

If there is, then I would suggest applying for a multiple Non-Immigrant 'O' and if asked why, simply explain the new rule as you understand it, and hence your concerns.

If your basis is for application is legit, I doubt you will have much of a problem.

The reason that I didn't transfer my funds 30 days earlier is that these rules are so new I couldn't have possibly known about them when I made my plans! I could have easily transferred the money in earlier and/or gotten a multi-entry O visa, but again, the rules appeared after I had made all my plans (travel tickets, financial, visas) and it is now too late.

The plans I made were 100 percent reasonable and legit and within the rules at the TIME I made them, but having a psychic ability about sudden changes in the rules after I have made my arrangements is a gift I sadly lack!

When you say YES I do see you mean they will enforce the 90 days,

Yes they will enforce the 90 day rule.

but assuming that, do you think they will grant an under review stamp to keep my single entry O visa alive until the money is seasoned the full 90 days?

The rule is quite clear. 90 days. The only exception has been with old applicants before Oct 1st.

7.21

(4) Having the records of saving money in the latest 3 months of account book of any Bank in Thailand not less than 800,000 Baht.

If you can't get the multi-entry and have the single entry already. The best advice is don't use the single 90 day visa then at all. Arrive on the 30 day stamp. Then do the change of the visa in Thailand. You'll get the 90 day stamp( before Nov 15th) and then the extension of stay after the 90 days.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Thanks again, Sunbelt.

I am still confused.

What I think you suggested is this:

1) Arrive with my single entry 90 day visa at the airport

2) Do not write the visa number on my entry card, and talk to the immigration guy and make sure he understands that I don't want him to use that visa for that entry; instead I want a 30 day stamp

3) Go to immigration before Nov 15th and apply for CHANGE of the 30 day stamp to a NEW 90 day O visa

4) Would I also apply for the extension of stay at the same time (before Nov 15) or would that be done after 60 days in Thailand on that visa? My qualifying funds would not be seasoned 90 days before Nov 15.

THIS brings up another idea I had which I like better; can you please tell me if you think this would work? It sounds cleaner to me, and is a variation of your suggestion:

1) Arrive with my single entry 90 day visa at the airport

2) Do not write the visa number on my entry card, and talk to the immigration guy and make sure he understands that I don't want him to use that visa for that entry; instead I want a 30 day stamp

3) Exit Thailand before 30 days and take a nice one week trip in a neighboring country

4) Arrive back in Thailand and at that time USE my original single entry O visa. It will be still be valid (assuming the original immigration guy didn't cancel it).

5) In this scenario, by the time I apply for the one year extension, my funds would be seasoned over 90 days.

Sunbelt, too late for me to apply for a multi entry O visa as I am flying soon, so what I do have is a SINGLE entry O visa.

When you say YES I do see you mean they will enforce the 90 days, but assuming that, do you think they will grant an under review stamp to keep my single entry O visa alive until the money is seasoned the full 90 days?

Failing that, do you think if I can show the money to Penang, will I have any problem getting another single O visa in Penang?

I was under the previous impression that immigration was showing some discretion in cases where the person couldn't have possibly known about the rule (90 day money seasoning) in time to comply with it. Such as, be sure to have it in there early NEXT year. So you are saying, no such chance?

Question: If going for a one year extension based on retirement for the FIRST TIME with a Non-immigrant O visa in Thailand using the 800K bank account, is it still required that the money be there for 90 days BEFORE?

Yes. However not if you are changing from another visa/ stamp to a non-O. This will change around Nov. 15th to include the change of visa to a non-o requiring the 800K for three months.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Thanks, but still confused.

What do you think will happen with this scenario in the near future:

No previous O visa or retirement extension (first timer).

Enter with single entry non-immigrant O visa obtained from OUTSIDE Thailand.

After two months, apply for retirement one year extension based on bank account, with the money being in the Thai bank account for only about 60 days, NOT 90 days.

Will the 90 day rule be followed in such a case? If so, do you think they will grant 30 day under review stamps until the money is seasoned over 90 days, or will I have to leave Thailand and get another O visa in Penang (if possible)?

Thanks for your help. I am kind of freaking out about this. Best laid plans and all that ...

Cars are not "overpriced" in Thailand that is the price that the market with all its quirks and restrictions allows. You can't import cars and compete because of protectionist duties.

If you go to any poorer country ypou will find that cars keep their value USA cars are so cheap that anyone coming here gets a surprise but this is just the market and (the government) working.

You can still buy and sell and make money even expensive doesn't mean no money to be made......and the great thing is that when you come to sell your car you get a great deal more of your money back.

I see your point from a market purist point of view, but the prices are still a shock. In the US, a plate of pad Thai is 400 baht. That seems overpriced to me too ...

I also have had some good experiences with the Dental cafe, using the head male dentist. Had a crown done which I felt was done quite competently. Moderate to high prices for the local market. Another thing about this place. I sincerely think they do not oversell their services as some dentists do. In other words, they won't push you to do something you don't need (other than whitening of course).

Some embassies/consulates do this. It happened to me. Issue multi-entry tourist visas but specify that ALL entries must be used within the SAME 90 days. It can work with a double entry, but absurd with a triple entry.

If you are trying to figure out if your tourist visa entries are like this, have a look at the visa. If there is only one expiry date shown (in your case it would be 90 days from visa issuance), I think that applies to all the entries. I had a double entry tourist visa like this and confirmed this with an officer at the airport.

It is true many embassies/consulates operate in a world unto themselves.

I came to Austria (my homecountry) and hoped to get a 3 month tourist visa valid for 1 year. But they gave me just 2 month (can get one more in Bangkok) but it can only be used once so not 3+3+3+3 months...

Is that normal?

Alternative would have been single entry marriage visa.

Maybe wrong embassy, any other embassy better?

Sounds totally normal.

A tourist visa is good for a 60 day stay in Thailand and is valid to begin to be used for 90 days from date of issue.

You probably should have asked for a double or triple entry tourist visa, or maybe you did, but asking for a single entry 3 month tourist visa good to be used for one year is basically NOT POSSIBLE.

Just to clarify, if you go for a single re-entry permit, you do NOT have to state exactly when you will return to Thailand, correct?

Obviously, you wouldn't go for it if you planned to return AFTER the validity of the visa you are paying to keep valid.

As stated before, you can renew every year, and if you are successful in doing so, you don't need to ever leave Thailand ... but you will probably want to at least occasionally.

Regarding coping with future rules changes at least for retirement, the simple answer is: if you are "rich" no worries, if you are middle level wealth you better worry, if you are poor, forget about it.

When you get your retirement visa you can apply for a multi-entry visa at the same time. Cost is 3,800 baht and then you can come and go as often as you want.

Or, if you only plan a few trips that year, you can get a reentry permit for 1,000 baht a shot before each trip.

Thanks for that.

Any definitive word on whether the MEDICAL form is required for FIRST TIME applicants IN Thailand?

The only change for retirement that we are aware of is that the medical certificate no longer seems to be required; and the three month account balance if using that method.

Question: If going for a one year extension based on retirement for the FIRST TIME with a Non-immigrant O visa in Thailand using the 800K bank account, is it still required that the money be there for 90 days BEFORE?

The retirement extension of stay is not based on living expense but is an amount the government sets for those who want to live here with no valid reason for doing so. I believe most countries will have this high or higher requirements - if it is possible at all.

This is very true, some countries are higher, and some countries are lower, and many countries don't allow a retirement visa at all. Some examples of countries with much lower pension requirements: Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. Mexico halfs the requirement if you buy a home.

My personal opinion is that the Thailand's level is higher than it has to be, but of course, they can set it at any level they want.

The important term in OP is "sit tight" --- if (and that's a big IF), there's some sort of panic on the verge ... sit tight and watch what doors the panickers are rushing at ... then you can stroll peacefully down to one of those exits, the panickers didn't think of in their panic.

I just had a chat with one of the senior tellers from my Bangkok Bank branch (Soi 43 on Sukhumvit) regarding tranfering 800,000K baht equivalent to Thailand for retirement, and they were very nice and happy to cooperate in helping me do all the forms for transfer. They even told me that if my U.S. bank gave me any problems about tranferring that as a lump sum, I should please contact them and they would then contact my U.S. bank on official Bangkok Bank letterhead explaing the procedure and why it was required by Thai law. They couldn't have been more helpful.

This doesn't make any sense to me at all.

Why would you need any form from your Thai bank to do a transfer from a US bank?

You need to have a previous arrangement with your US bank. Usually the Thai bank has nothing to do with the initiation of a transfer INTO Thailand (except perhaps supplying the SWIFT code and branch address).

Romania is a hel_l hole and most people would probably hate it. I, however, really like the place and if I weren't working here, I would move there in a moment.

why is it a hel_l hole?

and if it is so bad, why would you move there?

cheers

What are the visa options there?

I noticed alot of illegal Romanians when I visited Hungary. Apparantly, Romania is a very poor country. For those whose friends and relatives think they are crazy to move to Thailand, you can up the ante when you move to Romania!

I think it is fair to say that if you arriving at an airport and you don't look like a homeless waif, there won't be any questions about solvency.

Some consulates are asking for proof of 500 dollars to grant visas though.

Often, loving a country or not is a matter of taste and temperament.

My original attraction to Thailand was based on the "exoticness" of a culture without a Christian/European tradition. You can't say that about the Filipinos, and their men do often have a lot of the macho baggage of Latin cultures. My one and only trip there (including Manila and around Cebu) gave me the impression that the country is a hopeless basket case with a completely unsolvable poverty problem, but that they are awful friendly to Americans, matching their generally awful cuisine.

i wonder who's the number cruncher in all this

ie who decided that 800K PA or 65K PM is a nice amount for foreigners to live on

If we look at the basic Thai PM income of 5K then the foreigner is spending 13 times what the thai is spending - so what public servant worked this one out as, if you are retired here then you know local prices and so would not be spending 13 times what the thai spends.

Perhaps this is why for the married to a thai person you only need 400K PA as mrs thai knows where to shop better than farang does - how absurd -most foreigners are better hagglers than Thais

Plus most people retiring here would buy a retirement property - so no need to pay rent.

Therefore we now need to change the equation as the thai would pay approx 2K PM for rent leaving 3K - whereas the foreigner doesn't pay rent (but maintenance fee -)

So the foreigner is spending approx 21.6 times PM what the thai spends PM

God no wonder thais think weez rich. Oh here comes farang charge him more as he can afford it.

I certainly dont spend 65K per month and I am sending money to the in laws and paying for College schooling for 2 others

Perhaps the Thai IMmigration Authorities can check their figures as I certainly cant work them out

Bottom line if you own somewhere to live then you dont need to bring in 800K.

Is the next step in this big plan to front to Immigration every 90 days and show that you have spent your 195K (with receipts) = just kidding

I love Thailand until I have to do something

I think you make an excellent point!

The government of Mexico has a totally different financial requirment for foreign retirees who OWN THEIR HOME versus those who don't. Also, buying a home (OK all we can securely buy are condos) is a sign of stability and commitment as well, and certainly eliminates the need to pay rent.

But looking for "logic" is a bit of an unreasonable demand, as many have learned.

My experience with US bank transfers is that generally they DO NOT ask for a reason, even at higher amounts. However, if you wish to enter a reason, that can be added in the memo field. In other words, there isn't even a dedicated field on the form (again, in my experiences with about four banks).

A fish head. Nice touch.

I think a mini-aquarium (in a brandy tumbler) in the center of the plate with some small swimming fishies would add a certain a certain je ne c'est quoi.

Cheney is bush's insurance policy.