bbi1

And in comes the stupid farang a few years later who marries the single mother bargirl and becomes the step-in father.

I should've been more specific. I meant without having to work illegally in Thailand, because they've already worked in their home country and saved enough to live on in Thailand, but can't get a retirement visa due to age discrimination.

I guess that's what you had to do when you can't afford the 1k for a private car to the airport and 1k for a journey back.

No, never had any experience with this. Just another reason to add to the list as to why to never own any property in Thailand. As I've always said, only idiots own property here, if you are a foreigner. Own property in your own country or other stable countries.

Looking at their age, in 30 years time it's 99.9999% guaranteed they won't be alive anymore, so it really doesn't matter.

Just apply for a SETV since you want 43 days. Why stuff around wasting a day or possibly 2 days doing extensions at immigration plus wasting immigration's time and other holiday makers time who need to get extensions? Do the correct thing and get a SETV. Saves everyone time and hassles.

If I'm going by air for a border bounce, I have to get a 4:30am car to the airport and arrive back around 10pm at night. Imagine the nightmare of trying to be cheap and spend a few extra hours waiting for a bus at Jomtien and at the airport on the way back. No way it could be done in a day stuffing around with the cheapo 150 baht bus both ways.

Good price. Is it a 6 seater van?

As I said earlier, I'd rather spend 1k for a comfy car to take me door-to-door without wasting hours just waiting to get on the Jomtien bus and sharing it with 30 other folks.

And you need to make your way to the bus terminal on Theppasit Rd, Jomtien to be able to take that bus. I'd rather not waste an extra few hours which includes going to the Jomtien bus terminal, buying a bus ticket then having to wait a few hours till the bus leaves due to so many other people also wanting to take the cheap bus. Then you need to do the same at the airport to come back to Pattaya and I've seen the queues for the bus line to buy a bus ticket to Pattaya at the airport. It's ridiculously so long. I'd rather just pay the 1k each way and get a comfy car to and from the airport door-to-door, without all the hassles, all the people and all the time wasted. That's what I keep doing each & every single time I need to make a trip to the airport or from the airport to Pattaya.

Makes no sense that the Norwegian Embassy would be holding her passport hostage. If so, yes, report it to the cops and go to all media to expose the Norwegian embassy.

Costs 1k to the airport & 1k back to Pattaya by a private taxi service. That's 2k spent. Add the cost of flights, visas for neighbouring countries, etc. and it's easily double a van trip. I know, I've done the flying trip a few times in the past.

Who says you need to be an old to retire? Plenty of younger folks who can retire without working.

The smart ones don't want to throw away their money for nothing, they'd rather keep their money and invest it wisely. If Thailand would allow the 800k to stay in a bank instead of being a fee paid to be wasted on an Elite visa, then it would make sense for younger folks. Otherwise the younger crowd will stick with METV and visa exempt entries, which really should only be used for the under 50s who can't qualify for a retirement visa due to age discrimination.

Somewhere with something to do and with people around. Anywhere where there are beaches or the city life.

Haven't been there, but I'd assume it's boring as <deleted>, same as Udon and anywhere else in Issan.

Jomtien

Too much info my friend. We don't need to know if you have a short one.

No, the Swiss only like to beat up women. I'm guessing they were probably America, the grafitti is all over the US.

You forgot the initial fly-in by air and 30 day extension, which gives you an extra 2 months at the beginning. So that would be 10 months.

Legit retired folks who bribe agents & IOs because they can't afford 800k in a bank lol. Thanks for the laugh. I was on a proper visa, a METV which has now expired and now looking at doing a 30 day exempt + 30 day extension. It's proper, legit and legal. I'm not an old fart who can get a retirement visa. They age discriminate against younger folks who are sooooooo far away from being an old fart, even though younger folks could be on a retirement visa legitimately without having to bribe agents & IOs like many on this forum. We could easily afford the 800k in the bank method without bribing, if they didn't age discriminate us. Maybe I'll just stick to doing my own border bounce via the Laos Friendship Bridge, even it if till cost me a whole day of travelling and double the cost of a van border bounce. I'll make a decision soon.

I wouldn't call it a positive mod, but for lots of Thai people they seem to like to take out their mirrors from the bike so they can't see anyone behind them.

Are you referring to myself? If so, nope, I'm still below the age of 40.

I think they OP would care, as he said his office is Jomtien.

It's 1,600 baht at Jomtien, always has been. I know, because a while ago I had to pay this fine, about a year ago. Unless they've started offering 50% off discounts recently.