jphasia

ok, I understand. So, in the case of he need to register in any other blue book in Bangkok (you might know that to be eligible to access some university, you must be register in the university district), then he will be "de-register" from Phuket house. As he is the main household in Phuket, and no-one else is register in this blue book (I am foreigner), then there will be no-one anymore on this blue book? Is that affect the ownership of this house? His name is also on the tittle deed (chanote?) of this house.

Can a Thai be registered in 2 different blue book? For example, my son is registered a main household in Phuket. In few years, he will go study in Bangkok and will probably rent or purchase another house there. Can he then register in Bangkok and keep his registration in Phuket. He is actually the owner of the house in Phuket

Yes, at least for me that's how it worked. I inquired both immigration officers (Thailand and Myanmar) when I passed immigration few months ago. They both confirmed no need to visit to immigration office, just present both passports at the immigration and that's it. After passing immigration in Bangkok airport yesterday morning, I passed the immigration in Yangon showing also both passports (in regards to my 1 year multi Myanmar) and they just stamped the new entry in the new passport). It seems to be common procedure for them. I will fly back to Thailand end of this week again

Just done it earlier this morning in Suvanaburni Airport. I have a non o 1 year multi entries and 1 year business multi entries for Myanmar. I got new passport last week in Thailand as the previous one is full (but still valid till 2021). The immigration in airport just transfered the last entry stamp to the new passport and stamped the exit on the new passport. Took few minutes. As i am in and out every week, the officer told me to just show both passports when back as the visa o is on the old passport. No problem at all

While choosing the option of TE require you to have 1 time 500k and you are clear for 5 years, even if the bank account balance remain a zero during these 5 years ( imaginary of course). Am I correct for the principle or I missed something?

This is correct, you just pay the fee and there are no additional requirements at all, you can stay for 5 years without leaving if you want to.

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The "elite" card is not a visa but a private thing and although right now it is allowed.....there is no certainty it will still be around if the government changes between now and 5 years from now.

With Thailand's history in the last 10 or so years you just can't be certain.

If you have a spare 500K to toss on the Craps table...... just throw your money down there. and grab the dice.

You might get lucky or you might just roll Craps... you can't really be sure.

People like me on a retirement pension monthly just can't throw wage 500K Thai Baht on one roll of the dice.

I also agree with you that nothing is sure about changes in the coming years with government changes but we can't be sure about nothing in this case. If I choose to block hundreds tousands of bahts in Thai account, how can i be sure that the political situation or whatever might one day confisticate your funds in the bank or things like this?

of course, the can be also be on positve side and decide one day that as long as...you are married, or a have a child or retired, no more financial evidence wiĺl be required or at least this need of having this funds in the bank if they can't show a regular income.It goes the same as for properties in Thailand, if you want to own a piece of land with a house on it, as foreigner, even having a Thai wife or kid, what guaranty you have that one day, due to change of laws, your initial funds that you put to acquire the property will not be all gone?

Looking at a Thailand history for the last 10 years as you said, what have been changes for those who took the risk of getting these elite visa's? And what major changes for those who choose the other way? I am just talking about the visa itself, no the privileges coming with the cards such limousine, golf or whatever?

I have been in Thailand since 1991 on different type of visa's. I never heard about this Elite plans before. Actually I never investigated much before on the visa options.

Please also understand that i am not here trying to say that the option you choose is not a good option and the Elite card is the way to go. I am just trying understand and compare.

Way I see Yes The TE is nice if you want to spend that kind of money But if this online reporting comes about then Retirement extension becomes the best option at cheaper price thus giving you more cash to pay for a limo ride if that floats your boat. I find airport link line to my liking semi quick to airport or 90 baht and there in 15 minutes without any stops. As far as tags who cares. It is like flying business class verses First class you arrive at the same time But in business you have several thousand more dollars in your pocket.

Personally I would prefer the business class vs economy class comparison. The retirement option being economy. The Thailand Elite option being business class because, even with TE, there is still room for improvement.

The difference between the Thailand Elite way and the retirement way is that with the retirement way you are still among a huge crowd and have to queue (as in economy class). And you have to queue every year, with the needed paperwork and requirements, the immigration questioning, etc...

Of course, you end up with some extra money in your pocket, in the case this is of some importance to you.

The Thailand Elite way is ok for 5 years, no queue, no questions, some convenient perks, ... but it comes at a price, indeed.

The choice is yours...

If I understand clearly these different options of "long stay" visa, the options based on your specific situation are whatever type "O" visa (either marriage, child, retired...) which such visa's are for maximum 1 year and will required certains funds between 400k or 800k for the yearly extensions. Means, basically, you need to secure those amounts, 400k or 800k and get it stuck in an account all time to present bank statment to ensure an eventual new extension (As I understand that the funds must in the bank xx months before and after the application).

While choosing the option of TE require you to have 1 time 500k and you are clear for 5 years, even if the bank account balance remain a zero during these 5 years ( imaginary of course). Am I correct for the principle or I missed something?

Thanks both for quick replies. So this is applicable only for extension and not requested when applying for a non o based on child (in any embassy or consulate). I am actually on this situation, divorced with one Thai child. I never applied for extension of stay but always applying for non o 1 year multi entries. I got many from various embassies and I never been asked about my marital status or if my child is living with me. I basically only present the Thai birth certificate of my son with my application. I am actually now officialy divorced from his mother through the amphur and it is specify on the divorce certificate that i have full custody of the child. But i never present this document and never been asked about it.

If you wish to pursue the 1-time extension I, myself, got it smoothily by providing the Thai birth certificate, the divorce certificate attaching the paper mentioning sole custody, the Thai eyewitness, and other usual evidences. That's it.

Thanks. Good to know. I never proceeded the extension because i travelling a lot and can't find the time to stay long enough in Thailand for the extension process. But good to know for the future. Yes, that's exactly what I have. My son Thai Birth Certificate, Divorce certificate and a document attached for the sole custody.

Thanks both for quick replies. So this is applicable only for extension and not requested when applying for a non o based on child (in any embassy or consulate). I am actually on this situation, divorced with one Thai child. I never applied for extension of stay but always applying for non o 1 year multi entries. I got many from various embassies and I never been asked about my marital status or if my child is living with me. I basically only present the Thai birth certificate of my son with my application. I am actually now officialy divorced from his mother through the amphur and it is specify on the divorce certificate that i have full custody of the child. But i never present this document and never been asked about it.

Just a question here regarding the latest post: how do show that the child is living with you, and not with his mother? I mean are they requesting a specific document for that will certified that the child live with you ( the foreigner)?

Thanks. Interesting. I will have a close look on internet. Is it available in Phuket or Thailand?

If you mean Nano Station, yes in Phuket, there's a computer shop just after Chalong circle going towards Phuket Town that has a few models of them, they aren't easy to setup though.

It's on the right side of Chao Fah east about 200-300m after the circle, (NOT on the Villa Market Chao Fah, the other one), Light Blue signs.

Good luck but before you buy, read up on them before, there's ton of reading materials out there on Nano stations.

The store can probably order the model that suits your needs the best.

Almost forgot, I still use the 3BB fiber router, but I have turned off the WIFI on it and only use my Nano Station M2 for WIFI.

Most probably you won't get faster Internet, but more reliable and and cover longer distances from the M2 and also have faster LAN between computers in my office and home.

Also, penetrates obstacles, like walls, ceiling etc. A LOT better than any non pro router.

Thanks a lot for all the informations. Yes, I will study and get advises from from the store according to my needs. But your informations give me a good start to investigate and find a solution that suit me.

Thanks. Interesting. I will have a close look on internet. Is it available in Phuket or Thailand?

My friend is visiting in early April and booked his room on Expedia at exactly one half the price on Agoda. Same room, same rack price, just half the cost. Google is your friend.

Not mean it can't happen, but if it really happened, the hotel has voluntary or involuntary entered the wrong prices in one of the website.

It happened to me one time when I received a booking through one of the website and found out that the rate was not according to the usual rate for the period. I them checked through my extranet access and found out that i wrongly entered some rates for one of the website

I believe it's really depend on the hotel strategy. As mentionned in earlier posts, hotels have the entire responsabilities to put the prices, descriptions, amendities on the OTA's (Online Travel Agencies) such as Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia, AsiaRooms... Once you contract them, you sign a contract including a parity agreement (you have to provide the same rates to all competitors). You are provided with a username and passport for their extranet and you entering the room rates yourself, as well as promotion, type of rooms, description... you are also suppose to use the same rates on your own website and on direct sales (walk in) but of course it is more difficult for them to control. Also, believe me, they are very regurlarly comparing your room rates through their competitors websites and send you regular emails to show the discrepciencies. More especially the biggest suppliers such as Agoda, Booking.com or Expedia. When I say "you", i of course mean hotels as I own an hotel myself.

About the walk in prices, again it's again up to the strategy of the hotels. It's also probably depends on the type of hotel, high class, mid budget or low budget, if it's an hotel group or chain such as Accor or a self owned / managed property. For example, as for myself, I own a mid budget 35 rooms in a busy area of Phuket. When I started, i of course tried to avoid OTA's commission and preferred to sell my rooms myself. But these companies selling on internet have huge marketing presence and they are doing the advertising for you and selling your rooms. They are paid with commissions. As also mentioned in earlier posts, there is a minimum commission per suppliers (i.e 15% booking.com, 20% Agoda...) and it's up to the hotel to increase the commission or not. More you increase, more you will be higher on the rank and more you will be advertise. Also, you can increase or decrease the commission any time. Same as your room rates or promotion. It can be change anytime as only hotels access to the room rates or even allotments (number of room available).

Note also that using these websites, hotel is free to setup their own cancellation /modification policies. For example, I might refuse to negotiate the room rate with a walk in or by direct email and if he is showing the rate available on Agoda or whatever, i will advise him to use these websites. I will have a secure booking with these websites in case of no-show or cancellation.

My hotel is listed on at least 15 OTA's including Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, Asiaroom, HotelBed, AsiaTravel, Orbitz, Wotif, and more

As others have said wireless sucks and the router given by 3bb is not great (i put it in bridge mode and replaced it) But even with a high end router (think 10k bt) wireless is still less as cable. This is a normal thing.

I get 30in and if using newgroups.. internationally because you bundle a lot of connections.

Not the greatest is a understatement! Next time dont let them leave until you get 30 via LAN. Mine works really good.

I replaced it with a professional one for my needs.. its 10 times faster and more stable with many other advantages. Its all about what your willing to spend on something.

Hi, which wifi router would you recommend? I have just switched to a fttx 3BB 30mbps connection in my house in Phuket. Just been connected and so far seems ok but i heard that the wifi router they provided might be an issue. Trying to get a good internet solution by paying 1,200b / month for 30mbps, i would not mind to spend addionnal money in very good system to get a better wifi solution...

Yes, that's also why I wrote in my previous post that I am also considering Thailand Elite visa. I can understand from the replied above that it should not be an issue for me to get visa to permanently stay in Thailand (or to not be cut from my adopted country, my family, my house...) with extension of stay for child, marriage or retired....and also as mentioned, the money is not a problem. What I especially mean by money is not an issue, is that whatever I choose to go for child, marriage or retirement, I will need to ensure 400k or 800k in the bank every year, mean basically keeping the funds blocked in the bank for the purpose of presenting a bank statement every year to the immigration. And will need to do this process of extension every year. And as mentioned by "Lite beer" above, if my statement show 800k, they will go for the retirement visa whatever I want or not. For now, I am not bothering much; I have considered the Thai Elite this year but as I am not doing any extension, just re-applying for a new Non O every year in Thai embassy in a country where I am currently working, it cost me only a visit to the embassy one time a year and a fee of 200 USD (6,000b) for 1 year multi entry.

But when I will turn 50, and wish to stay permanently at home in Thailand, paying 500,000b for 5 year for TE and not bothering about extension, paperwork, immigration...instead of having 400,000 or 800,000 stuck in a bank account for xxx years, it's need to be seriously considered.

You might need to hire a family lawyer but for me I didn't. I am not expert about visa's, just my experience according to my situation.

My son was born in Bangkok and both of his mother name and my name were put in the Thai Birth Certificate. My son also using my Family name, not his mother family name. When I divorce few years later, it is written on the divorce certificate issued by the Amphur that I have 100% of the legal right for my son. I used a lawyer for the divorce and asked him to make sure that I have the legal right for my son.

As for the visa Non O based on child, as I mentioned in my previous post, it seems to really depends on each Thai Embassies. The first time I applied for such visa, I prepared a nice introduction letter to the attention of the Honorable Consul, explaining my situation and that I would be ready to present any justification needed. They just asked me to provide a copy of the Thai Birth certificate of my son and they will issue the visa. Another consulate was asking me to present the original Thai Birth certificate while I was presenting only a copy. In Yangon, when I called the Thai Embassy and inquired about this visa, they told me that they were issuing only 6 months visa. After explaining that I got in the past several 1 year multi entries from other embassies, and that I am currently based in Myanmar with a Myanmar 1 year business visa multi, then they issued a 1 year multi Non O based on child for me.

Thanks.

Thanks "Lite Beer". I will then come back to you in 3 years after tested it

To be on the save side, I might block in Thai bank account 800,000b.

1/ either they are not requesting any fund and that's fine

2/ either they are requesting the 400,000b and then I will present my bank statement

3/ either they are not accepting my application based on Thai child and then I will go for marriage visa

4/ either none of the above works and I will use my blocked fund to get Thai Elite visa...

Thanks. Then for me, over 50, and my son over 18, I rather keep 400k in a bank forever and apply for extension of stay every year based Thai child.

Well, Paz said until 21 and ubonjoe said no limit to the age your child can be? Non O based on child will required 400k in Thai bank. Based on marriage 800k? Retirement 800k? Talking about the extension of stay

Hello, I am 47 years old. European passport. Been based in Thailand since 1991. Married and divorced (10 years ago) with a Thai woman. Have a 15 years old son from my ex-wife. My son live with me in Thailand. He has double nationality (French / Thai) but never been to France. I have actually never been back to France for the last 20 years. My son has of course a Thai ID card. I am not married (or re-married) at the moment but it is planned for next year with a Thai woman who share my life for the last 7 years.

When I say that I am based in Thailand since 1991, I mean this is where I officially live, where is my house, my family...but i am travelling a lot for business, mainly in Asia. I am not working in Thailand. I get my incomes mostly from business outside Thailand and investments in Thailand. So you might understand that I have no plans to leave Thailand and I am expecting to stay there for the rest of my life.

Since 1991, I have been on several visa types: 30 days exemption, visa run, tourist visa, visa B and WP when i used to work in Thailand...and since the last few years on Non O multiple entries based on child. I never made any extension of this Non O just because I am travelling a lot and not enough time in Thailand for the extension process. I just then get a new non O every year from a Thai embassy in others countries.

Now my questions are:

I will turn 50 in 3 years and my son will turn 18. I understand that you can apply for a Non O based on child only if your child is not older than 18. Is it correct?

As I mentioned above, I will be most probably married(not for visa purpose!) when i turn 50. I should then be able to get a Non O based on marriage. Is that correct?

when I will turn 50, i should also be able to apply for a retirement visa. Is that correct?

What type of visa then would it be the most convenient for me?

I am also considering Elite program. budget is not an issue for me. I somehow understand the requirements of fund to apply / extension of marriage or retirement visa (400k or 800k...). I have seen a lot of pros and cons about Thai Elite program and don't want to hear much about speculations regarding this program in the future. As it's look for me at the moment, it is an easy solution to get rid of the visa questions for at least 5 years consecutive but this is my own opinion.

Sorry for this long story but I am trying to give as much as details about my profile in order to get the best advices.

Thanks.

Thanks for the prompt confirmation!

That's interesting and that a question i was about to ask. I have a 1 year non o multiple entry which is valid until Nov 2015 but because i travelling a lot, my passport has just few pages left. I will then get a new passport from Embassy in Bangkok. Last week, while i passed immigration in Don Muang, I asked the immigration officer how it will work for me with my current visa but with a new passport. He told me just present the 2 passports at immigration until the end of validity of your current visa o. You don't need to transfer your visa on the new passpprt. Is that correct?

No sure if that can help but i have a non O one year multiple entries based on child and i already had several same type of visa in the past few years. I am not married and my son was born in Bangkok from Thai mother. He is now 15 years old. I am also working sort of offshore, by contracts in different countries everytime. I got such visa then from different Thai consulate, depending where i was located for my work, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Russia...Note that I have a French passport. The last 2 non O 1 year multi entries i got was issued by the Thai consulate in Yangon as i am currently working in Myanmar.

To apply, i provide:

- introduction letter addressed to the Consul explaining my situation

- copy or original (depends on the consulate) Thai Birth certificate of my son

I always also prepare a copy of my working contract or bank statements ( Thai or not) anything that can show my regular incomes but it has never been required. Just in case...

Some consulates stated in their website or communication that they are not issuing 1 year visa or multi entries such as Yangon but when i told them that i got such visa in the past from others consulates, they then issued 1 year non o multiple entries.

1 year non o multiple entries cost me 200 USD

Thanks a lot for the quick reply. Yes, extension might require enough time in Thailand, which i don't have. I am only going back for week ends and if i can get some holidays, i prefer to spend it at home or on the beach than in administration offices... is there any limitation on the number of entry with such visa? I am usually going back at least 2 times a month but it happened to go back every week ends for some periods...

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