Madgee

Great photo ..... Now how about one of the dog?

This morning (25th Dec), a Canadian friend of mine successfully did his yearly retirement extension using the embassy letter method.
He had to redo the STM2 form as the form he downloaded from the immigration website had changed.
He had to redo the Overstay acknowledgement form as that had also changed.

On both forms, they now have an immigration signature box on the bottom left which was not there before, also some of the wording in both documents has been slightly altered. 

Also, he had to fill in a new form concerning his Thai bank details with how much he transfers to Thailand every month. I'm not sure if this is just our particular IO or if it's going to be a general thing.  

Interesting to see if it's just a local criteria. 
Roi-Et Immigration Office
 

I see the usual Brit haters are out in force ... Makes me giggle. Have they an inferiority complex I wonder? 
I have to admit, Brits do seem to whinge about things more than most other nationalities but there again, they understand more than others so have more to whinge about!

A guy from Tasmania once told me that New Zealanders are Australians with an education! 

I'm glad AN is back, even though it's got problems at present but I'm sure they'll get it sorted in time.

I lurked on a few other forums just to see what the general traffic was like and did notice the usual suspects from AN having to get their 'fix'.
My observations:

Bleak Bore. It's just a free-for-all slagging match between members. 
Thai Dreaming. I accidentally came across this one and noticed it has some of the ex-mods from Thaiger on it. Very little traffic from one day to the next. I thought it should be a dating site with a name like that!

Thaiger. I'm surprised it doesn't have more traffic than it does. So many news stories are put in the forum with no responses from members and totally plastered with ads. Still, it's not too bad for general news etc. but it lacks accurate info about daily life in Thailand. For me, it seems too political and serious but nonetheless, overall pretty decent.

I see a few members of AN moaning about the loading speed of this site, be patient guys, I'm sure it'll get sorted and the whole site will be back to usual in the near future. The trolls are back, the visa know-all with an attitude problem is back in fine form, and the EV kings are making a comeback. What's not to love?     

AN has probably more traffic than all the rest put together and certainly makes me giggle when reading some of the bickering while having my early-morning coffee fix. 

IMO, there is no substitute for AN although many would like to see its demise. as mentioned on other forums. 

Again, glad you're back! 

The new local CJMore store in my neck of the woods up in the boonies now stocks carabao beer, as does Lotus I discovered today. 

Had a bottle of dunkel in the fridge all day, now trying it and I've got to admit, I'm finding it very enjoyable for a change. A pleasant sort of taste, similar to a sweet stout like Murphy's but not as rich. I like it. 

Waiting to lay my hands on the IPA to try!

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

Just too many foreigners that live on white fluffy clouds. Burn all their bridges in home and have nothing to return to.

Yup ....Sums me up in a nutshell.
I enjoy my 'white fluffy clouds' as opposed to the 'dark clouds' I left behind 15 years ago. When I go to meet my maker I'll have a smile on my face knowing that I've enjoyed my later years and not been a slave to money ..... Unlike some who just keep spouting on about it.😁

I have an acquaintance who is totally dependent on his Sav. Visa (marriage) to remain in Thailand with his wife and 2 kiddies. Nothing will change for him, I'll put 400k in a bank account for him for a couple of days, no big deal. He has spent most of his savings providing for his family and ensuring a good education for his kids, I'm not going to see him split from his family. Before anyone comments about trust issues, easy enough to have a hidden dual signature on a bankbook with no cards or Internet banking attached!
 

I feel sorry for those who have used the Savannakhet route to live in Thailand. Many have families to support, have used their funds for this purpose and have no means of depositing 400k in a Thai bank. In the past, many have hoped that this would happen and knew it would cause family issues for those caught in the trap. Already I've received a message from a 'gloater', sad MF. 

Rules are rules, but to implement this new condition with no warning is unjust. 
 

11 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The writing was on the wall when they started to roll out the e-visa platform.

From the e-visa application form

 

10 . Bank statement, showing GBP10,000 minimum, with name & visible

Agree. It was inevitable that sooner rather than later, the Savannakhet loophole would be closed. 
 

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Which "cowboys" (why, "cowboys"?) are those that use an expression of which everyone knows the actual meaning?

I'm pretty sure (why, ''pretty''?) you are capable of doing research yourself. 
 

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Gawd.   Friend of a friend's friend of someone does not seem to be even vaguely plausible.

A lack of understanding humour have you? ..... Oh well, how sad, never mind. 

BTW, congratulations!  

According to my mate 'Google':

If there is a divorce your Non-Immigrant O Marriage Visa will become invalid and you will be required to leave Thailand immediately. In some cases, you may be allowed to remain in Thailand until the Thai Marriage Visa expires, but you must first check at a Thai Immigration Office.

All of the so-called legal firms seem to agree on this! Remember that many of these cowboys use the term 'visa' when they should be using the term 'extension of stay'.
IMO, it's doubtful that immigration would pick this up unless they were informed by a third party so as others have stated, you should be good to carry on until your extension expires. Your decision of course.

I did hear from a friend of a friends friend of someone who got reported to immigration by their ex-wife looking for revenge! 
A large overstay fine and immediate deportation with a 1-year blacklisting. How true it is I don't know but it does seem plausible.
 

^^ Ditto.
I've had my Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid GR Sport for about 3 months now and I'm extremely happy with it. 
My lady is going to order the Toyota Yaris Hybrid Premium this week. She really wants the GR Sport version (not available yet) but can't wait!

Just my opinion:
The MG brigade are really hypocritical as I going to bet most have never even sat in a Cross yet alone driven one and all they spout on about is how cheap MG's are and how much money you're going to save etc. The resale value of EV's is extremely poor, especially for Chinese models.
 

Cost was not a selling point to me, I tried out MG ZS and the EV option and I wasn't impressed, I don't like them!  Again, it's a personal thing, I don't feel comfortable in any EV and yes, I have been in a BYD Atto and the MG 4 which I think looks really cool. 

Op, the Yaris Cross Hybrid is well equipped and has a solid pedigree and dealership network. It's a nice motor!