bikerlou47

I (the boyfriend) lives here in LOS. Every year I go back home alone to visit family this year I thought it would be nice to show my girl America so we applied for a tourist visa.

Here were the facts:

She had bank account for 3 years with money going in and out nit much of a balance.

She has been self employed running a small gas station in a village no proof of income.

She has 2 children and complete family.

She owns a house.

She owns a car.

She has been to Europe.

We followed the directions carefully and when everything was completed made the appointment.

THE BIG DAY!

During the appointment when she stands at a window and talks to Embassy employee (American girl speaking Thai) behind a window, she never asked fore any of the documentation that we had brought. She was only interested in two things.

1. Her Passport....... she wanted to see those stamps that verified she had left the country before and returned

2. She wanted to talk to me and verify that I live here in LOS what kind of visa I had (retirement) and we were only going for a visit.

The interview was less than 5 minutes.

NOTE: The Embassy employee spoke Thai but not good Thai. My girl speaks good English, but was afraid to ask her to speak English so there was some confusion for a few minutes. But they got everything right and there was no problem.

The people at the Embassy were nice and respectful , and as I sadi there was no problem about me being there durin ghte interview process.

Bottom line is this if your girl has been out of the country and returned and if you live here I think you will have no problem.

If one of those things are true she may be fine.

BUT if neither are true it may be difficult!

Hope this helps someone!

Grateful for any help, suggestions etc.

3-bdrm, 2-storey house in a mubaan with a normal sized yard in a Chiang Mai suburb, rented for the past 2+ years, first year on annual contract, then switched to month-to-month. Initial deposit was 30k Baht = 3 months rent.

I live in this house with my wife (Thai). No kids.

Landlord is a Thai lady with a farang (German) husband. The contract was made entirely with the Thai as the husband was abroad at the time.

I want to leave -- can I get my deposit back? No problem with a 30-day notice. What are my rights?

Reasons for leaving? recent events -- will spell them out if necessary.

There is neither structural nor internal damage -- just minor repairs to 3 partially broken chairs and a few odds and ends -- a thorough house cleaning is a given. The paint job still looks OK to me but the landlady said recently that sometimes it costs 35-40k to repaint internal walls. This does not seem right and is yet another indication of anticipated traffic.

Perspective on the larger picture regarding my 7 years in Thailand -- I like living in this country; it is superior to any place I've been to thus far. There are 60 million Thais and only one of them is on a collision course with me and even that I believe can be circumvented.

Thanks for your help

Here is what I did:

Went to Lawyer told him the story.

Got his card gave it to the landlord and told here she can talk to my lawyer, she chose not to be bothered, and I got my deposit back.

NO CHARGE for Lawyers time.

When does the representative from the U.S. embassy come to Pattaya for general administration. I need something notarized and hate to drive to Bangkok just for that. I have heard anywhere from once every month to once a year. Does anyone know?

Thanks

Jimmy

Usualy every 3 months if you go to their site they will give you a date.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/wwc/recent.htm

The last one was April so maybe July.

Man your electric is cheap pal.

Yes it is and it got a lot cheaper when I got a real meter! I have rented in places where the landlord would double my electric bill.

I think it was because he did had his own meter? I am not sure, all I know it is quite common for a landlord to double the bill and he will let you know and not hide this fact.

You have also to budget for visa fees (all in that involves for visa-run)

Wiley Coyote

This budget is for a retiree, the visa fee per year is 1900 baht. No visa runs.

Is Thailand Really an Inexpensive Place to Live?

Many people from around the world consider moving to Thailand some come here looking for work others come here to retire, since I have retired here I will limit this discussion to the expenses I have experienced during my 30 month stay. I will use baht through out this document leaving the conversion to you.

Cost of Housing

Rent

I found rent can range from very little to very expensive depending on your location for a nice place in the Pattaya area I paid about 25,000 baht. But it is possible to find a place for 3000 baht a month and you would get what you paid for a very sub standard living condition. Also keep in mind rents can go up and they certainly will go up if the baht gains strength and your home currency weakens as the case of the USD.

Buy

After living in Pattaya for 6 months it became apparent that this was not the place for me and I began to search for a new location. I found a very nice place about 2 hours north east of Bangkok and rented there about 3 months to make sure it was to my liking during this time I paid 20,000 baht a month for a substandard house in a very nice development

At the end of these 3 months a 3 year old house came up for sale and I purchased it for 3.4 million baht which included furnishings.

There are advantages to buying in Thailand as there are in many countries, but in addition there are no property taxes in Thailand.

I feel very lucky to have found this house in this development, because I have looked at other houses that are extremely expensive and you still would not have a home like you would find at home. For instance I looked at a place for over 11 million baht and it had no kitchen and no place to park your car! In general a Thai house is not what you would expect to find in your home country and yet you can easily pay much more!

When buying there is also an important issue it may be difficult to purchase a home in your name. Thailand has strict rules about foreign ownership of property.

Cost of Food

Thai food

Thai food for the most part is quite inexpensive especially if you are cooking at home and buying from a Thai market. I find this to be a very small part of my budget.

Foreign food

Buying food that you would find in your home country is a completely different story, food can be very expensive and most probably you will have very little choice. Also if you live in a remote area of Thailand as I do you will have to travel to get to a market that sells food from other countries. This part of your budget will be more than you will find in your home country.

Alcoholic Beverages

If you are like me and enjoy a good beer you will have a problem Thailand’s brewery families have such a control on this market that they have imposed a hefty tax on beer from other countries for instance you can easily pay 5 or 6 USD for a Budweiser in a grocery store if you can find it! So what are you left with? No real choices. Near where I live I can buy a German beer for 150 baht. Singha will cost about 70 baht. Buying the local beer is still expensive when compared to USA. Where it might be cheaper is when you go to a bar since there is very little markup in most places.

Wine can also be expensive it is difficult to find a decent bottle of wine for 600 baht.

Transportation Costs

Car

I bought a truck here and paid about 800,000 baht which may be lower than you would pay in the USA but there are factors to consider. I have no air bag on the passenger side, I have no seat belts in the rear seating area and who knows what other safety features are missing when compared to a car bought from a car in Europe or USA? As an example are the doors reinforced? I doubt it!

Used cars and trucks just don’t seem like a good option here because the resale value is very high, after making comparisons I found it a much better idea to buy new.

Car rental

You can rent a used pickup for about 20,000 a month.

Gas

It is more expensive here than in the USA by about 40 cents a gallon but it is cheaper here when compared to Europe. For high test it is about 30 baht a liter.

Train

You can go many places by train and it is very inexpensive.

Bus

The same is true for bus.

Safety Issues

In all modes of transportation you will be putting your life in more danger here than in a developed country. There may be safety standards but if there are they are not enforced. Drivers on the road have no training and for the most part anything goes. Truck drivers and bus drivers are probably the worst. So it may or may not be cheaper here for transportation but there are many traffic deaths!

Medical Care

Hospitals and Doctors

The cost of medical care in the USA is the highest in the world so of course it is cheaper here, so the real factor to consider is the quality of care received.

If you are in a hospital you may receive quality care but it is dependent on the hospital. The quality of care can differ greatly between a government hospital and a private hospital and the same is true for doctors.

There is the Bamrungrad hospital in Bangkok and I believe it is the only certified hospital in Thailand. People come to this hospital from all over the world for its excellent care and reasonable cost. There are other very good hospitals in Thailand but they are few and far apart.

A month ago I was visiting a friend at a government hospital and watched the rats playing in the water as it flowed from the washing machines.

Medical Insurance

This can cost about 40,000 baht a year and will cover many expenses incurred in Thailand and other countries with the exception of the USA.

Emergency services

For the most part there are none if you don’t have anyone to take you to a hospital chances are you are not going to get there unless you are extremely lucky. There is a 911 type service here 1669 but if your condition is critical you will probably die waiting for help!

Utilities

Electricity

We average about 1000 baht a month which is very cheap but this is with very little air conditioning, we use fans mostly. Asia in general uses many energy saving devices such as fluorescent bulbs and on demand hot water units.

Water

Very cheap just don’t drink it! You will have to purchase potable water and it is quite inexpensive when you buy it in 30 liter bottles it is about 20 baht.

TV

If you receive every option via SAT the price is 2100 baht, but the TV is not very good HBO and the other movie channels are all edited you can not receive and unedited version, words are changed and scenes are eliminated for sex and violence. For the same money TV is much better in USA

Internet

For 512k ADSL service you will pay 769 baht, and you will never receive 512k maybe average about 300k. So far this year we have lost internet service for several days on 3 different occasions, do not even think about asking for a prorated bill you will have to pay the full amount every month whether you received the service or not.

Police and Fire Protection

Almost non-existent, I have to relate this story to give you an idea of what you might expect for police protection. A few years ago they passed a helmet law for motorbikes and my girl made sure that everyday we put on our helmets. This one evening we went out and I put on my helmet and she asked why was I putting it on she said the “police don’t work in the night”. In most cases this is true unless you live in one of the tourists areas.

I have another friend who owns a bar and a fight broke out between some farangs the police were called and they did arrive but only watched, when my friend asked why they did not help to break up the fight they said they did not like to get involved when it comes to farangs!

As far as fire protection is concerned for the most part your house will burn to the ground and again forget any emergency services.

If you live in Bangkok, Pattaya or a tourist area you may find better police and fire protection.

Entertainment

This varies greatly depending on what you are looking for, we all know the reputation of Thailand when it comes to this subject and again when in Bangkok or a tourist area you will find that it will live up to the reputation. But when you are away from these areas it can be a completely different story.

Here are a few examples of G rated entertainment:

Movies- 200 baht -English sound tracks are only in tourist areas.

Tennis court rental – 50 baht an hour

Bowling - 80 baht a game

Horse Racing 10 baht minimum bet 20 baht admission

National Park entrance fees 400 baht (with Thai driver license 40 baht)

Zoo -100 baht admission

Horse Riding 500 baht an hour

Elephant Riding 400 baht for 30 minutes

Banks

I can not say enough bad things about the Thai banking system. If you are not at the exact bank location where you opened your account you are will not have complete access to your monies. Every time you use the ATM you will be charged 20 baht. And maybe there are some farangs that receive interest in their accounts but I know of no one.

In conclusion the answer to this question really depends on your life style, one can stay here for very little money if you want to live as a Thai person, your housing will be Thai style your food will be Thai food and your life will be as a Thai person would live.

If you come here as a retired person that means you are over 50 years old and as we know the older you get the more important it becomes that you have good medical care. The average life expectancy of a Thai male is about 68 which is shorter than most developed countries. The lack of emergency services and good medical care in most parts of the country can certainly have a detrimental effect on your length and quality of life.

As an example take a look at a conservative sample monthly budget of a retiree who does not keep a house or vehicle in his home country. If you travel back home once a year the cost of a roundtrip ticket could add about 5000 baht a month to the following budget.

Housing 20,000

Car- 20,000

Food – 15000

TV – 1700

Electricity -1000

Internet 650

Medical Insurance – 3000

This comes to over 60,000 a month does not include alcohol, clothes, entertainment, travel etc.

Thailand visa requirements state that you must show at least 65,000 baht a month income which translates to about 1800 USD a month. Can you live on this amount? The answer is probably you can, but will your life style be better than in your home country? When everything is considered including the lack of choices of food and drink, the lack of quality parks and public recreation, the lack of police and fire and emergency services, the dangerous road conditions you just may be better to stay home!

I have tried to limit this discussion to cost and money and you may get the impression that I am looking to leave Thailand and you could not be more wrong!

In the next article I will talk more about the affairs of heart and less about the wallet!

Since I had some bad luck with the last router I bought, what would you people recommend?

Many of the router brands here will do just fine, personally I use D-link, the important consideration is to eliminate the router provided by TTT (or who ever).

The reason is for troubleshooting purposes.

So when you purchase your wireless router make sure it is a DSL router so your phone line plugs directly into your wireless eliminating the TTT router. Now you will only have one device to troubleshoot when you have internet problems, and trust me for every router problem you have you will have 1000 provider problems.

I was told in Thailand you pay the high tax on the car not at the gas the pump. I tend to believe that only because gas is cheaper here than it was in the USA when I left. I was also told that the tax is so high on cars to keep people from being able to afford them very simply if you were to replace every motorbike with a car there be gridlock 24/7

Gas is actually a bit more expensive here than in the U.S after you do all the conversions it comes to more than 3 bucks a gallon.

I do transfer monies every month from Bank of America to Kasikorn with no problem.

One time I transfered over 20000 USD and I had to wait a few days but that was only because the bank manager was not very helpful.

If the transfer is over 20000 USd go to the bank manager after the transfer and let him know, you will have to sign a piece of paper then he will call Bangkok and the monies will be released.

I am not aware of any sister bank or an issue as you stated in your question.

To execute the transfer you neem the swift number, account number and address of bank.

Hi.

While I am getting the paperwork and applying for my driving license is it a good idea to drive a car in Khon Kaen for a couple of months with only a UK Licence.

I have been living in Samui and had no need for a car. When I move to Khon Kaen I will be getting one.

Has any one been stopped with only their national licence and what was the result.

Thanks.

Not to Worry, I have had a Thai license for two years but I never show it to the BIB. I tell them I forgot it at home pay my money and go on my way.

Insurance issues much more important your coverage is 0 if you do not have one.

Thai park fee is reduced to the Thai citizen rate if you have a Thai license.

No need for an international.

PLUS what if my extension is up this month or next month and as of now I don't have 800,000 in the bank.

will i be refused and given 7 days to sell my house, sell my car, pull my daughter out of international shcool, pack all my stuff and leave??

Given the timing, I wouldn't expect that to be enforced to the letter. Also (I may be wrong) but I think that there is a certain amount of individual discretion on the part of the officials. So in some cases certain restrictions would be overlooked - or an appropriate extension would be given to allow one to meet the requirements.

I am getting confused over the 'retirement' visa. If you are receiving 65,000 per month pension, do you still need to show 800,000 in the Bank? or will the proof of income be enough. On extension If they check the bank and find it empty will they also accept the income of 65,000.

Forgive my confusion but it all seems bits and pieces to me.

The notorized letter from your embassy along with copies of every page of your bamk book and a letter from the bank where you opened your account replaces the need for 800,000 baht requirement.

They will examine you bank deposits to show that money is flowing into your account, it need not show a monthly deposit of 65,000 just the fact that you are living on the money that is being deposited into your account will suffice.

what level of pension do you need to negate the need for cash in bank ?

65,000 baht/month

THAI Ready for first flight from Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) is ready to begin commercial operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday.

“Everything is now ready to serve passengers,” said Mano Sapayanon, Director of THAI’s Ground Services Support Department.

The first commercial flight out of the new airport will be TG 8860, a Boeing 737-400, from Bangkok to Phitsanulok at 6.30 AM.

On Saturday, some of THAI’s flights between the capital and Chiangmai and Ubon Ratchathani will also begin operating at Suvarnabhumi. Passengers are advised to check their tickets in advance and plan accordingly.

An “NBK” code on a ticket means that the flight is at Suvarnabhumi Airport, while “BKK” is at Bangkok International Airport (Don Muang).

When arriving at the new airport, Mano said passengers should go to island number 2 at the west end of the departure hall where the airline’s domestic check-in counters are located. After receiving a boarding pass, passengers will proceed to either concourse A or B where the domestic departure gates are situated.

THAI will begin servicing six daily flights between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Phitsanulok, while low cost carrier Jetstar will operate six of their own flights between Bangkok and Singapore from the new airport.

To provide the best service to both domestic and international passengers, Airports of Thailand Plc. will assign staff to provide information at the terminal.

Inquiries can also be made at the airport’s Call Centre at (02) 132 – 1888, which will have 24-hour service starting Friday.

--TNA 2006-09-14

BKK is the new airport!

I don't see slowing the expansion of the Big Box stores as a shame .... in the USA theyhave been fighting this battle against WalMart for years!

However WalMart would move into some areas killing the little specialty stores <hardware, plumbing, etc etc> and after those stores were gone and their sales didn't meet projections they woul close the big box store ... leaving the community with nothing!

What you dont understand and the big difference between what is going on here and the Walmart analogy is the fact that you can buy any of the products that Walmart sells at the mom and pop places.

Many mom and pop stores here do not sell refrigerated meats and poultry personally I dont like to buy my beef off a table with a woman swinging a stick and a plastic bag......... as a result I drive 70 km to the nearest Lotus.

We have only one mom and pop place and they have plastered the community with signs urging people and goverenment to stop the building of a nearby Lotus. This mom and pop store treat most customers like crap never a smile very poor selection and pricing.

A nearby Lotus would do a lot to raise my family's standard of living.

My job is taking care of the dead and injured in Thailand. Here are some things may want to know. Around 70% of the dead and injured at night have alcohol in their blood.

Driving licences can be bought readily and easily for 500 Thai baht.

Even if a Thai owns a real licence, driving instuction and testing is not only sub-standard but bizzare at times.

Brides to police range from 100 to 300 Thai baht (for Thais).

Drivers are generally underpaid and overworked. "10 wheelers" as they are called here, are often in needless accidents because of driver error. Vans, because of sleep depravation.

Street lighting and vehicle lighting is inadequate and unmonitored. If there are ever campaigns to monitor this, bribes are used to escape more heafty fines.

Roads are sub-standard and down right dangerous! The BKK-Chon buri motorway is one of the worst in the whole country. Thaksin personally said no to a proposed upgrade of this road! This is from the Engineers mouth in charge of the proposal.

Actually more foreigners die on this road and in Pattaya than any other one place in Thailand. The amount of foreigners killed by rented motorcycles in and around Pattaya is scandelous too (no need to have a driving licence, just a passport will do).

Thais are generally nice people, but behind the wheel of a vehicle they become very aggressive and violent because of the stresses of driving in a crazy environment coupled with their inadequate driving skills. Not just aggressive driving, but actual road rage, and the use of weapons and hand-guns at the scenes of accidents is prevelant! Beware.

I love Thailand and thats why I stay and volunteer here but am so sad when the government doesn't accept its responsiblities for all the above!