Madgee

I've witnessed this insane phenomena in Roi-Et.

When I asked my GF why I got a very simple answer; sun protection.

A lot of research and debate was done on another forum not long ago about this dilemma a short time ago.

The basic consensus resulted in the simple fact of 'Westerners' tend to book their flights well in advance using the so-called discounts available from many airlines who then can manage their bums on seats more efficiently, where as in Asia, travellers tend to book flights with short notice or at the last minute.

In fact, many international flights that originate from an Asian destination are hard to book satisfactorily several months ahead because itineraries frequently get changed, especially China Southern!

JMO, supply and demand will always have some influence on pricing policies.

I'm sure there are common sense approaches to ATM use which reduces your of skimming (i.e. using ATM inside well lit buildings, shopping centres etc and taking note of the condition of the card entry point etc... )...

I would like to have the Chip and Pin option in Thailand. This option has been available in the UK for nearly a decade. Customer / consumer protection is not high on the list of priorities for Banks in Thailand. At least not until the customer starts to care about this.

I had a large amount in my SCB account (which I've had for 15 years or so). When I asked to open a second account and explained that I want one which is card free to keep most of the money in it and another with a small 'user-balance' with a card I was told that I couldn't open a second account without a work permit (I'm now working overseas).

SCB recognised the risk, they even agreed it was a good idea to have a second account. But couldn't help me due to red tape.

Thus: Reading threads on similar subjects before it might be worthwhile roaming a few Bangkok Bank Branches until one accepts to provide me with an account and ATM.

I am new to Thailand and had no problems opening two accounts with Bangkok Bank.

With security the key issue, I opened one with an ATM card for daily use and one without to hold the main balance with both accounts linked using internet banking to transfer funds. Easy Peasey!

Macro has it also

I've only been in Roi-Et for 3 weeks and was amazed to find raw beetroot in Macro today.

I know it's not Chiang Mai but it must have a Macro?

Yesterday (Tues) I transferred enough GBP to satisfy the regulations concerning a visa extension on the grounds of retirement.

Nationwide International - Bangkok Bank.

I was amazed it showed up as a deposit this morning (Wed), less than 24hrs.

After all fees I got 46.7baht per £1

Could have been better but I'm reasonably happy with that.

A personal experience two weeks ago

I read much about this subject on TV and Thai Consulate websites that issue a warning about one-way flights.

http://www.thaiconsul-uk.com/download.aspx?id=20130520184044

I was flying from China (NNG-CAN-BBK-KKN).

As advised, I checked with the Thai Consulate in Nanning who said they prefer to issue visas with a outward flight confirmed. (non-imm 'O' single entry)

I also checked with China Southern Airways who said I would need a confirmed outward flight to board in Guangzhou.

To be safe, I booked the cheapest outward flight I could find : BKK - HAN fully refundable.

I was never asked at any time for onward travel arrangements or outbound flight details by immigration or the airline.

I also read this on a feed from the Press Association :

"Expats, who currently face paying for care if they live permanently overseas, are set to be given guaranteed access to free NHS healthcare, but only once they have paid 10 years of national insurance contributions."

Fantastic news and about time!

I hope I never have cause to use the NHS services in the future but it's assuring to know I can, if needs dictate.

Just shows that each licencing centre is different.

I arrived in RoiEt last Saturday on a non imm 0 visa and checked what I needed with the licencing centre on Monday. I have the old style paper UK licence for a car but no motorbike.

Apart from the usual documents:

Medical certificate (obtained from a local clinic) 50bht

Residence Certificate (obtained from the local police station) Free Why go to immigration?

On Tuesday morning 8.30am I went to the centre.

My old UK licence was accepted without question for a car TDL.

For the motorbike licence:

The usual eye and reaction test.

Speech about road safety followed by an hour long video in Thai. I was told if I didn't understand Thai it would be ok for me to go and get something to eat and they'll come and get me when it was time for the theory!

Computerised multi-choice theory test of 30 questions (75% to pass) I got 19 first time ....26 on re-test.

The practical test just involved riding on a 9" raised red line for about 30', followed by a ride around the test centre and finally a zigzag between a few cones. Total time of the motorbike practical test was about 2 minutes.

About 10 minutes later I went to the licence issuing desk for my 'mug shots' and was duly presented with my car and motorbike licences valid for 1 year. Total cost was 350bht.

If I had a motorbike licence from the UK as well I was told that all I had to do was the eye and reaction test. They did ask if I had an IDP as that would have been accepted as well. All in all, a pleasant experience from very helpful and polite staff and I walked away with a smile and my licences.

It's been a while ... apologies.

Things have moved a little quicker than I anticipated, so much so that I'm arriving next week.

If all goes well, I'm intending on going down the line of extension of stay on my non-imm 'O' visa with the view of retirement.

I know this question should probably be in a different section but I'd like a local response as it seems every immigration office has different requirements.

How can I prove my residential abode when I will be living with my GF in her house?

She does own it outright and has the documentation to prove it. I must admit, it looks a beautiful little modern home with a small garden front and rear.

Also, I'm a big football fan and I've been told by her daughter that RoiEt has a decent football team; where about do they play and when?

I'd like to find the pitch on a map to see if it's within walking distance.

I do hope I can meet up with some guys once I've settled in.

Cheers!

I've just applied for a non-immigrant O visa from a Thai Embassy in China.

They would only consider a 90 day single entry.

I had to show available funds in a non-Thai bank account equivalent to 800k baht.

Flight tickets etc.

This does not mean I have to initially deposit the funds in Thailand. If I decide to stay longer then I must deposit the funds into a Thai bank acct within 1 month to allow it to be 'seasoned' and then apply for a visa extension of a further 9 months based on retirement.

The diplomat I dealt with was very helpful and explained the process extremely well.

I hope he is right!

I'm in China at present and the Aussies do tend to be at the forefront of any disputes in a bar or restaurant; this is normally down to the copious amounts of alcohol consumed! It normally ends with the verbal diarrhoea being washed away with more beer and laughter or a quick slap by a local to remind them where they are.

Never a dull moment with an Aussie around.

Cheers!

As a lifelong 'Gunner' fan, I hope to be there ... anyone else going?

Vietnam vs Arsenal

Wed 17th Jul 19.00 My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi

Much thanks for the information so far.

Cheers.

No work is allowed on a retirement visa.

Thanks harry.

What I should have said is; if I find an offer of work then can I relinquish the retirement visa and obtain a work visa and permit from the employer?

Another option might be if / when I eventually get married then apply for marriage visa which allows employment?

Just a thought.

Hi Guys,

For the last few days I’ve been reading this forum and many others to gather information about LOS, visas and the culture etc. In a few weeks I hope to re-locate to RoiEt from China, where I’ve been working for the last 4 years as an educational advisor. Why RoiEt? The usual story about meeting a woman! (Another fool I hear you say.) I plan to come over on a 90 day visa issued in China and hope to change this to a retirement visa shortly afterwards. I’m not a wealthy guy and got a long way to go before I can claim my UK pension and funds are limited, so I hope to find some sort of work
in the teaching field if possible.

I've read the horror stories about guys being ripped off and the scams; it's no different China, in fact I think it's worse! There's good and bad in all societies so I'm well aware of what goes on. By living in S-China for 4 years, where the culture is not all that different from LOS, I've seen many guys parting with their hard earned money in the name of 'love' and family commitments; if they're happy to do so it's their choice.

Basically I’m after some info on RoiEt and what goes on there; work opportunities, other ex-pats, sport facilities, entertainment etc. I’ve asked my girlfriend but her English is limited and she does lead a fairly sheltered life .... I think.

I read somewhere that RoiEt has an immigration ‘post’ at the RoiEt hotel; is that correct?

Any info and help would be appreciated and I’m sure there will many other questions crop up over the next few weeks , so a big thank you in advance.