eppic

On 5/26/2020 at 7:41 AM, Peter Denis said:

The example you give is not possible.  You would be required to show proof of 800K (foreign origins proven) in your personal thai bank-account when you apply for the 90-day Non Imm O - retirement Visa.

In the last month of that 90 days you can apply for the 1-year extension of stay, so the 800K has stayed during those 2 months on your personal thai bank-account (thus meeting the 2-month seasoning requirement for the 1-year extension).

Also please note:

- Your present permission to stay is automatically extended till 31 July;

- Once the borders are open you can do a border-run and either return VisaExempt which will provide you a 30-day permission to stay (which can be extended with another 30 days), or you can apply for a 60-day SingleEntry Tourist Visa at a thai embassy/consulate in a neighboring country, and that 60-day permission to stay can also be extended with 30 days.

- You can then repeat that border-run scenario (2 VisaExempt entries per calendar year are allowed), so it would be no problem to stay till end November when doing 2 VisaExempt entries and extension, or even till end of January when applying twice for a Tourist Visa at a thai embassy/consulate in a neighboring country and extending those Tourist Visa.

- However, be aware that once the borders are open again, it is possible that you might be confronted with quarantaine measures or covid-insurance requirements when crossing the border of the neighboring country and Thailand.

-

Thanks for this, I have a follow-on question related to the two-step process from within Thailand.

Any firm information (or educated guesses) if it would still be possible to do a conversion from visa exempt to a non-O for purpose of retirement?  In theory, if the visa exemption has now been extended by decree until 31 July, I could do one or both of the following:

a) apply for a 30 day extension, since we did not extend previously (our entry exemption stamp was Apr 6), if this is still allowed.  This would extend us until 30 Aug.

b) before August 15 (or July 16 if no additional extension allowed), deposit 800k thb and apply for a conversion to a non-O for purpose of retirement.  This would give us another 90 days (or 75 depending on when the clock starts), for a total of 3-4 months additional time.  If we have no intention to apply for a 1-year extension, I believe I could quickly round trip the 800k baht into and back out of my Thailand bank account. Otherwise, we could keep the money in Thailand just in case we need to change our plans again.

Any obvious issues with this approach?  (again, I know we will need to rely on educated guesses).

8 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

There is no time requirement for obtaining conversion to non immigrant O visa and that allows a 90 day stay before it has to be extended which will require 2 months in account.

 

The requirement if using bank deposit for any one year extension of retirement is two months in account prior to extension and at least 3 months after at or above the 800k level - at other time at or above 400k

Just to confirm this, would it be possible to stay a total of 5 months before needing to deposit the bt 800k?

For example, 30 day exempt + 30 day extension + 90 day non-O conversion?

The reason I ask, we had intended to relocate to Philippines in March and I let my Thailand retirement extension lapse, but because of the Covid situation in Manila (and potential impact on schools) we may wish to delay our departure until the end of the year (after end of fall school semester).

So, again, in theory, assuming Chaengwattana paperwork, would the 5 months be possible? (I really don't want to move money into Thailand if it can be avoided).  

I can't comment on Chiang Mai but we managed to get this done in Bangkok in early April. I sold the car in March because we are leaving Thailand but we got stuck here (now wish hadn't sold so soon, we are renting a car until departure) and buyer at first couldn't register with less than 14 days left on my visa / permission to stay.

The buyer subsequently showed the extension decree of April 7 as evidence of valid visa, which was initially refused. However, he eventually managed to get it registered, so it may depend on location and DLT officer. It would be a risk for the buyer, no doubt. Probably worth asking local DLT in advance.

Deleted - issue resolved

Wow, so many negative nancies here attacking anyone that is just trying to help. Lots of very very sad and pathetic people in Thailand, I feel sorry for them.  Here is what is posted elsewhere on TV:

And on a news site (not sur e if this one is banned, I will know if post is deleted:

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/04/08/prayut-extends-foreigners-stay-to-april-30-due-to-coronavirus/

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday signed the plan to grant automatic visa extensions for foreigners residing in Thailand to April 30.

According to the announcement published this afternoon by the Ministry of Interior Affairs, foreigners who entered the kingdom with visas, visa on arrival, or through visa waiver programs will be granted an extended stay from March 26 to April 30.

The 90-day reporting is also suspended until April 30. Those who entered Thailand by border permits are allowed to stay in the country until the border checkpoints are reopened.

The order is set to come into effect when it’s published in the Royal Government Gazette.

28 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If your child is under 15 years old they can skip the extension application. They are not fined for overstays or banned from entering the country until the age of 18 if caught with an overstay.

 

Unfortunately I would also need an extension for my wife and we have no one to take care of our child -- random babysitters are obviously not an option.

Do you know if the extension would be in jeopardy if we overstay a couple of days? or would it just be a fine?  I don't really care about the money, but I don't want to risk bigger problems.

6 hours ago, allencraig said:

I entered on a VOA stamp before March 1, and had already received an extension. I extended again yesterday. Here's what I learned:

 

1. Anyone who ENTERED Thailand on or after March 1 gets an automatic extension. NO NEED to go to immigration or do anything.

 

 

If true, this would be great news for my family and me and is consistent with what was announced by the MFA spokesman a few days ago.

HOWEVER, without anything in writing it still qualifies as hearsay and thus exposes us (my family and anyone else entering after March 1st) to potential overstay fines and apprehension.  If it were only myself, I'd probably just go to the immigration office on Tuesday, but given that I will also need extensions for my wife and child it creates a real quandary.  I would REALLY like to avoid going to that place with my family -- several hours in heat and crowds is obviously not ideal for a small child. 

Maybe we risk a day or two of overstay in the hopes of clarity.  Ubonjoe (or anyone else qualified), would a couple of days overstay cause issues (other than fines of 3x500 per day) if we ultimately need to extend at immigration?

4 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

@Finlaco and @cauchy, thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

I echo this sentiment, very much appreciated. 

8 hours ago, Finlaco said:

Monday is a public holiday and immigration will be closed

Ouch, didn't know this.   We delayed getting an extension after seeing the bogus MFA announcement that specifically tells people arriving after March 1st "no need to queue for extension".  WRONG.  Our exemption stamp expires Monday, so it appears our family will be on overstay (not to mention especially massive queues because of the 3 day weekend) when applying Tuesday and subject to fine of 3x500.  Hopefully, won't affect the actual extension.

Thanks for the report, I hope you can answer a couple of quick questions:

1.  Did you see a carpark area for those that are driving?  (we will have a car)

2.  How large were the queues by opening time (8:00 am).  We must bring our 4-yr old boy (for his own extension) and going at 5:00 am is not feasible.

3. To your knowledge were the "emergency" extensions queuing in the same line as the regular extensions?  We only need a regular.

Appreciate any response from the OP or anyone else that has been to the temp office in that last day or two.  We had hoped to avoid this mess after the announcement from MFA indicating automatic extensions, but alas this seems to be fake news so we have no option but to go by Monday.

20 minutes ago, notyouraveragefarang said:

Going at 5am is for nebies.  Late afternoon is my deal and its worked for me everytime.  Go a day early just in case. 

Under normal situations I would agree and we have never personally gone early -- the IO's magically work much faster right before quittin' time so we found after lunch was best -- you usually finish in the afternoon regardless of arrival time. Only problem with afternoon visits to CW has been the horrendous traffic leaving the complex at same time as all the government employees.

But these are not normal times.  Those arriving in the afternoon at the new processing center have been sent home. Plus, who wants to wait outside in the afternoon sun at the new office? 

1 minute ago, edwardandtubs said:

Those who came in on a visa exempt after the 1st of March will just now be looking for extensions so if they don't need to come in that will reduce the queues. The people queuing last week and not going to be the same as the people queuing next week.

Entering on March 1st would require extension no later than Monday (two days ago).  Many would not wait until the last day, so would come a few days earlier.  For certain there have been regular extensions amongst the crowds -- we were planning to go today but waited in case of possible changes.  In Bangkok AFAIK all extensions are treated exactly the same, second "emergency" extension or not. Same queue, just different paperwork.

13 minutes ago, jackdd said:

If you want to discuss something you should at least read a bit about this topic first. The procedures are not the same.

To obtain a regular tourist extension you have to go to immigration one time, and then walk away with your 30 day extension.

To get 30 days from an embassy letter you are required to go to immigration two times, first you get an under consideration stamp and on the second visit you get the actual extension stamp.

?

My family and I arrived on March 8th. Our only reason for the visit was to clear out our condo for our relocation to the Philippines, but Manila locked down while we were in BKK and all flights canceled.

We would need an extension by Monday, so are you saying we (including my 4-yr old boy) would not need to go to some God-forsaken hellhole at 5 am and queue with hordes of others? Would it take less time for us? Could we avoid the crowds and hot sun? NO!  Plus, in theory, people that have already extended once should have had plenty of time to leave the country -- why the first extension?  Lockdowns were not in full force to most countries a month ago. So there is logic to the plan, even if you don't like it. It will absolutely reduce the queues.  

The issue of need for embassy letter and other absurd requirements and only getting 7 or 15 days is totally different, but obviously needs to be addressed as well. At least this is a step in the right direction.

What they have done will help a lot of people, including my family of three (assuming "tourist visa" actually means exemption) who were here for legitimate reasons

I have one word for you:  Kodi

Get an android device (Shield, Firestick, android box, etc.) and you are good to go.  Google is your friend -- if you can read you can figure it out.  Dumped True right after they cut HBO and others, best decision ever.

5 minutes ago, Smooth said:

My experience getting a visa waiver extension was straightforward. I got there early with my wife and young son (to avoid traffic on the way, as well as to get an early number), but when I lined up to get a number, they would not give me one because they said those with young children are first to go in at 8:30. (Cool, but best to wait by the door a few minutes before--around 8:15.) A very pleasant surprise, indeed. Once they let you inside (before those with numbers go in), you walk through the first room to the next and get your number at the desk. Others have posted about the visa waiver exemption extension process in detail, but I never saw the "those with children" go first info posted. I realize this does not help avoid the virus, but being among the first in, can mean you're one of the first out (if you did your homework and filled out your forms correctly in advance, etc.--They have a team of helpers in front of the extension section who screen and review your application forms to make sure they are complete, and that you have all the necessary photocopies, pics, etc.). I was not asked about the TM30 or onward tickets. Hope it works out well for you.

Thanks a lot. We have a four-year-old boy and were hoping to avoid the chaos.  So it sounds like the child and spouse are required to come in person?

May I ask was this a recent experience? I took my son with my on previous occasions for non-O extensions but had no idea we could have had expedited entry (perhaps this is a new thing?)

I need a visa waiver extension for my family as we will be unable to depart for an unknown period (our situation is complicated -- US husband, British wife, dual citizen child - not sure we can easily enter any country and have nowhere else to stay).  We were in the process of relocating to Philippines but delayed because of full Manila lockdown and canceled flights.  We just gave up our non-O extension in Thailand with intention of moving - awful timing and big mistake in retrospect.

Anyway, I have never done a visa waiver extension. Will I need to drag my entire family into that virus-infested mess at Chaengwattana or am I allowed to do the extension for all of us?  Will I need proof of onward flight and/or TM30? (we are staying in a condo rental that we also had to extend, have not done a TM30 since a recent Manila trip).

Ubonjoe or anyone? TIA

Take it from me and many others, it's a complete waste of time to post cars here.  Make sure to list it on One2Car and similar sites if you want any actual response -- if priced aggressively it should sell.  Even my ad on One2Car in English got good response, just make sure to give a Line contact (once I did that mine sold very quickly) -- obviously even better if you can communicate in Thai

Yup, a complete waste of time.  I listed my car here, nary a peep despite mint condition, extremely low mileage, and very low price.  Listed on One2Car (in English), where probably 95% of Thais probably couldn't even read the ad, and still sold it very quickly for cash at full asking price (same price listed here).  

We are relocating overseas and are looking to sell our extreme low-mileage 2016 Honda HR-V E Limited:

Only 10.8k km (no kidding)

Original owner with service records

No accidents (some minor scratches, already fixed)

Located in central Bangkok, can easily be viewed next to Ratchadamri BTS or nearby malls such as Centralworld or Central Embassy (if prearranged)

Car is perfect, practical Bangkok car for a small family

-Full complement of airbags (front and back)

-Leather seats

-Push starter

-Lightly used, primarily short trips to malls our child's school

-Garaged at all times, not exposed to direct sun and heat

-Bangkok registered

-Insurance renewed 2/2020

-no loan, I have the blue book

Similar cars (but often base model with much higher mileage) listed on websites such as One2Car and Carmana for bt650-750k.

Will sell for bt 619k but must be cash offer -- we are relocating in late March.  Line ID "eppsing" or send me a PM for Whatsapp number

On 12/20/2019 at 9:22 AM, ubonjoe said:

You should be able to get a 30 day visa exempt entry instead of the 10 days allowed by your re-entry permits.

Leave the visa line on the TM6 blank. That might be enough if the officer does not notice the re-entry permit. Or they may ask which one you want to use. Normally they will do the visa exempt entry if the re-entry permit allows a shorter stay than the visa exempt entry.

I just wanted to circle back just in case anyone else is leaving Thailand and has the same question. 

Bottom line, we put or trust in ubonjoe  and he was proved correct (hasn't steered me wrong yet).  We arrived on Feb 2nd with extensions expiring on Feb 10th.  We left the visa lines blank, the officer asked some incoherent questions (wearing a mask) and we were subsequently whisked off to to one of the tables for those in need of special processing (fines, etc.) where another officer voided our visas/REPs, gave us 30-day stamps, and escorted us through the immigration booths. Voila!  Done and done, so we are set for 30 days and I would assume we can just get a 30-day extension if we need a bit of extra time (to sell car and wrap up other issues before relocating).  Thanks to ubonjoe and others that replied.

On 1/23/2020 at 8:29 PM, asiaexpat said:

Used One2car and sold car in less than 30 days.

Thanks for the feedback, but I was actually asking about the auction service "One2CarBid" (not One2Car) that inspects the car then gets offers from a network of used car dealers.  Should be much faster and simpler than trying to retail to a Thai (no financing worries, etc.), albeit no doubt at a lower price. Speed and simplicity are my priorities...my last car in US was sold to CarMax (huge dealer network) and it would be nice if there was something similar here.

As I noted in another thread (sorry for the follow-on), I'm relocating and looking to sell my HRV quickly with least hassles.

One suggestion was One2Car, which apparently has a new auction service (One2CarBid) whereby used car dealers bid on the car (it's inspected first and a reserve price can be set).  Since speed and simplicity is more important to me than price, I am open to this, but would love to hear any feedback from someone that has actually tried it or any similar service.

Anyone? Bueller?

11 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Have you tried locating central world Ratchadamri on google maps, then click nearby and type in <car detailing services> 

 

WAC on Naratiwas looks OK but there are a couple of others. 

 

In a similar scenario I took my m/bike out of storage and took it for a service and asked them if they could clean it "as if i wanted to sell it". Miraculous. Even painted a few black bits and the side stand.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I looked up WAC and that's nearby, so maybe worth a look. SImply Shines in Centralworld is also on the google detailing list (this is where I get my car washed, great service), and they recently polished out most of the scratches but there are a couple that would require some actual touch-up painting, which they don't do.

The only place nearby that appears to have English capabilities is  paint/body shop TS Motor, which is heavily promoted to farangs (and "ladies" -- just a bit sexist) on google...The heavy promotions itself makes me a bit skeptical, but it's in Pathumwan not far away and I'll likely at least get an estimate there. Google reviews are mixed but generally positive.

Thanks for the replies, sounds like repairing is the best idea if I have time.  I had hoped for a specific shop recommendation in central BKK since English skills appear very hard to find (large local honda dealer has dozens of technicians but only one that speaks even basis English, and he's not there every day), but I'll do my best to figure it out.

We are leaving Bangkok for greener (OK, cleaner air) pastures and better schooling options in about six weeks.

We own a 2016 HRV in the standard, generic black color and with extremely low mileage (just hit 10k as we approach four years old).

We purchased it only as a necessity to ferry around our small child, got it on his 4-month birthday after it became clear Uber/Grab/taxis were not viable options.

The car is in good condition, but has a few minor scratches that were nearly all received by being sideswiped by motorbikes while stuck in traffic on the way to my son's preschool.  I kid you not, we were hit 8-10 times for certain (usually on Sarisin, a narrow-laned rd between Ratchadamri and Wireless), and the offenders always made sure to ride away as quickly as possible.

Anyway, although I believe my insurance would cover the scratches (IIRC the have a $50 deductible for such incidents), I have not gotten them fixed after being told I would be looking at a week in the shop.  Also, no one in our household speaks Thai, so we have a distinct disadvantage -- have found minimal English at Honda dealerships and repair shops.

So, my question:

(1)  should I have the scratches repaired before selling?  Would it likely increase value enough to be worth it? There is no collision damage, only scratches and maybe a door ding, have never been close to a collision with an actual car

(2) If I have it repaired, any suggestions on where to do so (specific, please)?  We live on Ratchadamri Rd near Centralworld, not sure if some of these detailing shops in the basements of malls could do it?

(3) Best way to proceed selling it? I have heard recommendations of bahtsold, but again we speak no Thai and will be at a distinct disadvantage.  I realize i could shop it at dealers and get a horrible price, and we may ultimately go that route, but wanted to at least make a token effort selling it directly. Are there any consignment shops in Bangkok?

Thanks in advance for any (non-sarcastic) replies