PAWNEESE

7 minutes ago, PAWNEESE said:

 

Last year .. my 3 year old expensive (20k) Samsung smart phone went faulty. The ON/OFF switch went faulty. Well out of warranty ... of course.

I could not power it up.  

I had many photos on it so needed it fixed rather than purchase a new one. The official Samsung repair place near the Town Hall, had it 3 days (they needed to send it or get the part from Bangkok) and fitted a new switch and charged me ..... 54 baht. 

A pleasant surprise ... I was expecting a thousand or 2.  Samsung phones for me for forseeable future.. as I was well impressed with that. Virtually free.

Im a bit worried some of my "artistic" photos were copied though.????.  

I tried to renew my retirement visa today.  Jomtien.  Monthly income method. All was going smoothly ...they happy with everything ...  I was getting a warm glow of it being sorted for another year.

But then they said all good .. but where is your proof of the source of your UK income.  They assumed I had this in my folder.  Errrrrr no. 

Grrrrrr forgot that.  No check list I researched on t'internet, in last few days reminded me of that.  So this is a reminder ....in case others as daft as me and forget too.

No logic to them needing to know ... thats my excuse.

I will try again ..when IMO reopen on Monday.   I only got photo copies of photo copies of letters when my various pensions started years ago giving details. They accepted them last year.

But I printed out my UK bank money IN amounts last year as back up. Printer faulty now so not sure if I can do that this time. 

I guess my Thai bank letter will be a few days old by then and possibly may be rejected .... might be more hassle on Monday.  

But hey ho.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/pattaya-fireworks-festival-flashes-the-sky-of-fun-city-333658

For months I have been thinking to a big extent its gonna be a case of "use em, or lose em".

So I will do my bit ... but only when the reports of the situation get a bit brighter. 

Im in Pattaya and the few reports I have seen about the Go Go open said "sad".

And the same high prices for take outs. Less demand usually means prices lower.

Tongue in cheek light heartedness. I know bars/girls not had it easy.

I renew at Jomtien.

I always get from my bank the DAY BEFORE.

For my most recent one I ...

1) Got book updated .. withdrawing some money first that day to facilitate.

2) Got the required letter. Its in Thai but think it confirms the account is held by me (passport nr)

3) As I do monthly import of money method .. they print ALL my years transactions.

I go 'loom' and highlight my imports .. triple check the form etc. This is time consuming (point I'm trying to make ????) and Im stressed there will be a problem.

Bank visit on day would not suit me.

So for me always day before.

That used to confuse me too. Im glad Im not the only one. The form is not clear.

To be honest for a few renewals I put the original entry and I got the renewal no problem but I was doing it wrong.  

I was eventually told by a mate to use the date on latest entry ..which was far easier to look up.

Red Balcony Hotel looks open. Its on the sea front near Walking Street. I know it well .. cheap and cheerful and value for money. If they dont need swimming pool etc. Nice sea views if they get a front facing room.

I pass it every morning and the doors are always open and someone in reception. I get a wave from her sometimes as Im remembered. . I could enquire for you ... but its easy for you to phone them or email them via their website .... ask Mr Google.

But as bars etc etc etc are shut ... maybe a resort style complex better.

12 minutes ago, BigStar said:

Exactly. It's over, man. Move on. Have yourself a cool one. 

 

You couldn't possibly win that argument and were just found annoying. Yes, you had been annoyed, but that's just you. ???? Mistakes happen, yes.

 

Sometimes you can't be sure that the problem was explained to you clearly or that you understood it clearly. Maybe the problem was actually the letter not syncing w/ the bank book as the IO expected. When in sync, the letter was correct. That is, after all, one of their (silly) requirements. The bank lady got it right, good for her.

 

Prepare for unexpected delays at Thai gov't offices. Have book to read, music to listen to, games on your phone, whatever helps you pass time in reasonable comfort. You might practice your waiting skills at Thai public hospitals. That's where I refined mine.

 

The monthly income method is harder to bring off. You did it, congrats on your new extension. Let's try to enjoy our coming year in LOS . . . if the lockdown is ever lifted!

NO.

The problem was he was taking call after call on his mobile and not giving my paperwork much attention.  I took it all in good humour till I mentioned it in a suitable thread months later to attempt to amuse not whinge.

I took it all in good heart. Zero whinging or arquement. Told the story to give people a laugh.

Then got couch potato'd.

I didnt arque. I informed him and we moved on. It was light hearted banter. I was just relieved the problem was sorted.

What was I supposed to do ....not even point out his error. Do hours of worrying and confusion and ... bite my lip entirely. !!!!!??????

Interesting concept.  Your obviously a <deleted> saint. Im not.

I thought it might give one or two a smile / laugh. Was not expecting a flamer.

Why was it foolish !!!!!??

Go back to your couch to insult others.

Im glad to read about the smooth visa renewals at Jomtien.

Mine went ok but I had a bit of drama.  A young guy in civvies on the customer side of the desk checked all my paperwork. I was going for the 65k monthly income method.

He said I needed a letter from my bank aswell as the account printout. I had one .. from Kasikorn bank .. in Thai obviously .. that the bank supplied. I could not read it. He rejected it. 

A uniformed Officer sat nearby told me I need not go to my normal branch .. the Kasikorn bank in Jomtien will give you a letter.

Off I went. Found the bank .. had to wait a long long time ..l saw a help desk lady. I showed her my letter and said they wont accept it. Can you give me suitable letter.  She could not understand the problem but she guessed they wanted my bank book updated that day. It was updated the day before. Thats not what the IO had said but I had no idea what was happening.

They advised me to put in 1,000 baht and then withdraw 1,000.  Crazy way to get updated.  Add or withdraw not both. Got a photocopy of latest page in bank book.

It took me 2 hours .. and got me in a tizzy.

I went back. Saw the same young man .. he took the new photocopy of bank book.  With it was the original letter he had rejected.  He said .. yes thats the one I want .........l !!??!&$#!!!

i explained "its the same letter you rejected 2 hours ago". Grrrrrrrrr.

He said no .. I said yes. He got all defensive. I decided to be the bigger man and say dont worry about it. 

Typing this on my tablet ..  keyboard taking up half the screen (as its meant to) and with that <deleted> advert taking up much of the remaining screen is hard  ....and its ... <deleted> annoying. 

Embezzling equivalent to 25 million baht and then go hide out in Pattaya ... it must have been thought such a good plan. Cashed up in Pattaya ... party time.???????????????? ... on other peoples hard earnt money. Grrrrrrr.

Getting addicted to Pattaya sometimes turns out very bad.  

He is gonna find out how bad in IDC or some other suitable establishment till flights resume. Might be a long time. The people he conned must be feeling soooooo pleased. Im not too upset 'meself' ... if he is guilty.

I used to work with someone for years ..  who later in life scammed huge sums off lots of people. I cant remember exact details but it was time share of off plan holiday apartments in Spain. He disappeared with their money. Never ever been seen again as far as I know. 

He was previously treasurer of our office recreation club and bar and fiddled that ... we found after he left us ..  going on to much bigger crimes.

I very often fantasize I see him in Pattaya and shop him.  Id so love that.

7 minutes ago, JHolmesJr said:

Just imagine...a city full of nonalcoholics....how refreshing.

A alcoholic without alcohol ... instantly becomes a nonalcholic ?? 

Maybe your jesting.

Your driving me to need drink though ...

11 hours ago, Gracas said:

Try watching the wife / gf taking a shower.

Its free and always good.

Any video ??? for those with no wife.

I love 'me' documentaries.  The best documentary series by far,  Ive seen for years is 'Sunderland Till I Die", on Netflix.  2 series of I think 10 episodes each series. I guess you need a smart TV unless you ok watching on a computer.

I ignored it for ages .. but eventually gave it a try.  Behind the scenes look at a soccer team in sporting and financial turmoil. 

It starts with the team in top league (average wages £60,000 a week) fighting relegation. A year later they in 3rd layer league on average £1,000 a week. But it not just about the players dramas .. its the various owners, back staff and spectators anquish. Blood, sweat and tears galore.

Damn   .. Ive revealed how it pans out..  Ignore the above. 

The episode where they play a final at Wembley (in a lower division competition) was a very emotional roller coaster. Got to me .. I dont even support that team. Would'nt you know it .. it went to a penalty shoot out. You couldnt make it up.

Haunting opening music gets into your head .. be warned !$#@!!!???

Im not from Sunderland. Im a Southern Softeeeee. ($miley)

23 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

You can always try the mobile app. It works for me on Android (Android 9). The website also works for me when using my phone. 

Very useful info  .. many thanks.  I will seek out that there App closer to my report time ....if its still chaos there at Immigration offices. 

It might be different versions of operating systems vary if work or not.

Android 9 good .. useful to know. Thanks.

I think when posters say they can or cannot do online 90 day reporting .. they should state what browser they are using.

Im not trying to be smart <deleted> .. just helpful.  IOS might be working. Chrome not. Or the opposite.

Not long ago I could not order tickets on line for an event in Dubai.  Drove me nuts.  I phoned them .. they did not take phone or email orders .. but told me Chrome (the installed browser on Android (like Samsung) never ever works. Incompatible !!!!! I installed Firefox on my Samsung tablet and it worked. I bet my Windows laptop would have worked.

You'd think their site would say Chrome not work or fix the problem. Its a very very common browser. Jeeeeeeezzzzzzz. And they would have a much more sophisticated computerised system than Thai immigration.

Since I have had a similar problem with my Thai internet banking .. only worked using one browser not another.

Im not saying Im right .. just suspect it may be the reason.  No point in the .. Yes it works / No it dont circular arquement.  Your both right .....  for your set up / browser.

My 90 day not due for 2 months but I will be trying mucho browsers .. I bet Windows / Microsoft is most likely to work and will dust off the laptop when I find it.

3 hours ago, Dazinoz said:

I had a child with a Myanmar lady in Thailand. We were not, and still not married. Her and my names are on the birth certificate but because she was from Myanmar, me Australia and baby born in Thailand the birth certificate listed him as no nationality. He chocked on his milk at 6 weeks, died on the way to the hospital, revived but suffered brain damage from being without oxygen for so long. As he was stateless I applied for him to become Australian Citizen by Descent. This took about 7 months but finally happened then I got his Australian passport. In that time his mother started neglecting him (we were not living together by her choice) so I went into discussions with Queensland state adoption. Now he is in the care of a wonderful foster carer in Australia.

 

I guess what I am saying is not married but still managed to get all this done as his father.

Wow  .. what a nice person you are. Well done.

I always give the exact correct money.  We all know how much it is ..and when we are going ... not so much to avoid not getting change but to make it easy for everybody at a chaotic imm. office.  

Guess you being told 2,000 strange though  and you unlucky.

At Jomtien IOs dont handle cash really .. any change due is returned with your passport on collection.  I guess all payments goes via a single cashier.

Next time you will have 1,900 me thinks.

I guess its not unusual.

Just to make conversation on trip back to my condo I often ask if they got children and ask if the child(ren) with mamma and pappa in Issaan.  I dont feel comfortable with awkward silences. Actually I think I am also probing if they have no child .. my preference.  ????????.

Occasionally their child is being looked after by said grandparents locally and 3 times over the years they tell me their husband take care while she goes out to earn the money. The girls not stay out too late ( no "long time") as they have to get some sleep to look after kids daytime I guess.

I bet most would not admit they married as they think rightly we prefer single girls on our part time staff.  No husband or Thai boyfriend thankyou !

Currently I know of a newly wed Thai couple. He earns 8,000 a month and his wife works in a Go Go in Walking Street.  She did not go with men for a few months after the marriage but family finances became such she had to resume doing so and now is a every night occurence (sometimes with a friend of mine and thats why I know .. I have been out to bars with them .. and pull her leg about it).

As I say mostly I think they would not say they have husband or boyfriend .. not that it matters to me really. I only want a girlfriend for the evening.  

I would consider marriage/long term gf if I could find one with the same interests as me.

A) TV sport B) Bars C) Lusting after girls.

Still looking.

"talking about security how much did the Uk spend on Assange, that was a total waste of money"

I dont wanna digress from the topic but ...

You or I are confused.  The Police presence for the years/months Assange was holed up in that there embassy ... was not to protect him but to arrest him if he ventured out. It was not security it was to hunt him so to speak to arrest him. Its not a waste of money to try and apprehend a fleeing criminal ... well someone wanted anyway.

But sorry if Im missing something.  

"There was one goofball with his own cloth bag in the 7 this afternoon. Looked like he hadn't shaved, taken a shower or changed his clothes since long before he bought that cloth bag. I wonder which one of you plastic hysterics it was???"

That was me ... whats a goofball ? I not shower too often to save the planet.