Jack2326

There is a rumour going around Nongkhai that the TM-8 form that used to be a necessary requirement for a re entry permit, is no longer needed. Does anyone have concrete information about exactly what is needed now?

Thanks, Jack.

Is it true that the tm-8 reentry form is no longer needed to obtain the permit. Does anyone know?

Hello. Moved yesterday in Nongkhai. Was under the impression that it was up to my landlady to go to immigration and inform them of this move. Now, a neighbour has told me that I also have to go, to change some paperwork that must be up to date in my passport. I’m somewhat lost as what to do and the immigration building is quite a hike away. Is anyone sure of the proper requirements? Please tell this old fool what needs to be done...thanks jack.

Hello, got to do my retirement visa extension soon, and I was told that I needed another photo of my landlord and I, together in front of my apartment. Last year I sent it to the nongkhai office email address. However, I've misplaced the damn address. Does anyone have the correct address and save me a long trip out there....thanks Jack.

Hello, l've lived in Nongkhai for more than 4 years now and today I went down to the immigration office here to ask some questions about getting a passport, when I visit Canada in about 6 weeks. I was told that I needed a letter from the Canadian embassy (there is no Canadian embassy in Canada) that would prove that I am the same person on both of these passports (old and new). I'm a little mystified by this request. My neighbor, a Englishman, told me that he too was asked to get one on these authenticity letters. He said he spent time and money in London only to be told that the British government did not issue any letters like this (I didn't ask him which office he got this info from). When he returned to this immigration office to have his visa transfered from the old passport to the new one, he told them what he had learned about the letter in London. Apparently, nothing else was said and no letter was needed in his case. Can anyone clarify this situation, do I need this letter and if I do where would I acquire it from? Thanks

I've been living in Thailand for over 3 years now and it's just about time for a Canadian passport renewal. I have a retirement visa (A/O) in my existing passport. I'll be going back to Canada in a couple of months and I thought I could renew my passport while home, however it will be necessary for my retirement visa to be transplanted to the new passport as well as the re entry visa. Does anyone know if this can be accomplished by the Canadian passport people? Or, is it wiser to apply for a Canadian passport from the embassy in Bangkok? Any ideas... Thanks Jack

Recently, I moved into a house just outside of nongkhai, great little place and I'm happy with it except for one thing. Unfortunately, I didn't take the time to really examine the area because just in behind me are Thai neighbours that keep loud roosters. I mean loud! These birds, I'm sure are in competition with each other, and scream nearly all day long. I'm being driven slowly mad. Is there any recourse I have to quiet these birds down. I met one of guys who keeps the roosters and thought about voicing my concern about his loud birds, as friendly as possible, but there's no way to communicate with him. Maybe lodging a complaint with the police, or is this just showing my naivety? Any ideas? Thanks, jack.

Hi, last August I went to Kasikorn bank to open an account and to get a corresponding debit card. Now, I'm not a particularly gullible person, so I when in to the bank I was determined to get a savings account with a simple no frills ATM card. Easy right, well apparently not. I remember asking the bank clerk at least twice what the fees and charges were for this particular debit card he was suggesting, both times he replied that there weren't any fees. I was a happy camper until just recently, nearly a year later, when I discovered that there is an 800 baht annual fee attached to the card. I was pretty upset! The clerk spoke English, there was no communication problem yet he lied to me twice.

So I thought I'd post this for it might prove to be educational to other westerners applying for debit cards with kasikorn bank. Remember there are cheaper debit cards available at kasikornbank, for a 200 baht annual fee, which will give you all the basic services. More importantly maybe, is do your homework before going to this bank, because they were not honest with me and probably won't be to you, either. Good luck!

This makes a lot of sense and lessens the stress involved as well. Appreciate your help, Jack.

Hi, just getting to work on a extension for a retirement visa and I have a question. To me it seems strange that you should go to immigration, to apply for an extension, on the last day of your visa. This doesn't leave any time should I encounter problems with the application. I think some wiggle room is needed here. Any problem with me going a week prior to the visa ending? Any experiences out there? Thanks...

Hi, getting prepared for my retirement visa renewal and as we all know you must have 800k in a thai bank, that I'm aware of, but can you have the money in different accounts. Ofcourse the reason for splitting the money up would be to take advantage of better interest rates for longer term accounts. Also, and probably more importantly, is the problem that faces the account holder when asked to get an updated acct. bank book, which seems to be required by immigration. To get a savings acct. updated wouldn't be a problem, but for a locked in term acct. this presents a problem. How can you update an acct. that is basically locked in, no debts no credits. Any ideas, thanks...jack.

Thanks joe, kinda thought I was okay for another 90 days, just wanted to be reassured. Saves me a big trip.

Hello everyone, today I got back from a month's stay in Cambodia and just now have realized that I'm scheduled for my 90 day check in with NongKhai immigration this coming Monday. Now, I'm I still expected to go into immigration, as an expat with a retirement visa, or because the bangkok immigration stamped my passport, I'll be considered checked in. Really don't want to do this immigration thing twice, if I don't have to...anybody with any experience on this matter? Greatly appreciated.

Yeah, I know guys like this, who run around with 1000 baht bills falling out of their pockets, never asking what the cost of anything is, just slamming the money down. Guys like that make it hard for the rest of us to get a fair shake at the market when the Thais paint all farangs with the same brush. It seems to me that, the majority of those guys are the silver spoon types, never had to struggle for their money because it came so easy all wrapped up in a trust fund from daddy!

Hi, I'm applying for a thai drivers' license here in nong khai and I've been informed that I'll need a confirmation of residency from the immigration department. Some people are telling me that there is a 500 baht fee for this procedure and others are saying that in nong khai there isn't a charge at all. Does anyone have any personal experience on this matter? Appreciate the help, thanks.

First of all, thanks for all the feedback, it's been a godsend for me especially after dealing with the language barrier problems (and attitude) at the nong khai immigration office.

I understand now that I will get another year on my o-a visa if I leave thailand and then re enter before October 31 (and that's without acquiring a re entry permit). I've been lead to believe this is a one time deal, and since I'm expecting to stay for a few more years, I'm wondering if I can apply for a o-a extension after being in thailand for two years? The first year from my o-a visa and the second year from re entering the country (visa run). Is this a possibility?

I have the required 800k baht in a thai bank but will not have the required three months nesting period before my visa expires, so this why I'm searching for an alternative way to stay a few more years.

Again, thanks so much...

Thanks for info, greatly appreciated. Still not quite sure about the re entry permit, don't I have to have one before leaving the country?

As suggested here is my visa.

Hi, I've been living in thailand for nearly a year so I went down to the nong khai immigration office to ask about getting an extension. While there a officer suggested to me that it might be easier if I got a re entry permit, left the country and upon my return my passport would be stamped for another full year. I found this information a little hard to believe so I pushed him on it and he reiterated that I would get another entire year on my o-a visa. Still I'm having doubts. Does anyone have any experience on this kind of thing? Is it possible? Thanks.