maderaroja

Rats are the source of the fleas that carry Bubonic Plague. if you go where the rats are located, you may be bitten by the fleas. Perhaps, that's okay with you. End of story.

Easy peasy.

You fill out a very short form stating your claimed income.

You are asked for no proof of this income.

Do not bring it. They don't want to see it and they're busy!

You sign the paper witnessed by embassy staff.

You swear you are being truthful to the embassy staffer.

Pay a fee. (Forget how much.)

Do this at the embassy in Bangkok, the consulate in Chiang Mai or during consular outreach visits to the provinces which are posted on the embassy website.

You need to make an online appointment if you do the income letter at the embassy or consulate.

You don't need an appointment if going to a consular outreach but you do need to show up on the correct day that they're there.

DO NOT LIE on the form because Thai immigration may (probably won't but MAY) ask you to provide some documentation to support your income claim when you apply for your annual extensions based on retirement.

The income letters obtained as above are good for SIX MONTHS at Thai immigration.

Next!

The embassy or consulate notary fee for affidavits is $50, U.S. credit card or Thai cash.

Ok, somebody living in CM tell us the truth - are the BIB up there any better than the rest of the country?

This guy describes them as ever-so-polite. Is he dreaming or not?

He probably met the only one that there is.

Thanks!

Would I find anyone in those churches that speaks English or should I bring a Thai speaker?

Taking a complete stranger into the home to help care for your children is dumb. Unless the person comes highly recommended or is someone you know, then I wouldn`t even consider it.

I second that. If you don't know them, why would you give your children to them?

I don't know were you are.

When I did it, 5 years ago, It was quite easy, but getting it done within the three-month time limit was a bit tricky.

I did it in the U.S. and sent the money and documentation to the Thai consulate in Los Angeles. They responded fairly rapidly. And, here I am.

I have had excellent service from the Index Shopping Mall in Chiang Mai. I ordered a set of kitchen cabinets. They arrived on the scheduled day of delivery. They came with two men to construct and install them. The constructors did a snappy and efficient job of work. The driver even assisted the two installers. I am a happy customer.

Buy earplugs!

Not earplugs; buy shooting muffs.

1. Pre-heat oven to 450°F.
2. Beat together 1 stick of butter, shallots, thyme leaves, lemon zest, sea salt and several grinds of freshly ground pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth. Divide into 4 portions.
3. Using a couple of fingers, carefully loosen each pigeon skin attached to the breast and legs, then work in 1 portion of the butter mixture, spreading it over the breast meat and in between the legs. Stuff the pigeon's cavity with a thyme sprig, tie its legs together with kitchen string. Sprinkle the salt and more pepper over the pigeon.

1. Heat 3 tablespoons butter and the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat until the foam subsides. Brown the pigeon on all sides, then transfer to a roasting pan, and roast 15-20 minutes. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the breast without touching bone. At 145°F, remove the pigeon from the oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving. (If the temperature is not at 145°F, continue to roast 5 minutes)

This with the feathers still on?

Do a will!

Immigration has nothing to do with how your monies are distributed

File the will at the Amphur office. My Amphur had a "standard" form to use. It came from a book of "standard" forms and was in the computer waiting for me to supply the bank account information and property information. No charge, but I supplied cookies all around.

Monitors like to hang out in trees, too. Have run across several over the years while collecting coconuts. So, watch where you put your hands.

A friend of mine who was recently retired and who wanted a retirement visa also had the problem of the banks refusing to open an account for him. I took him to immigration and explained the problem to them. The immigration guy wrote a note in Thai and told my friend to give it to the bank. I have no idea what the note said but the bank VERY quickly and politely opened an account for him.

Good suggestion.

Sometimes, banks get ridiculous with their requirements. I once had an SCB refuse to open an account because I could not tell them the Tumbol of my Texas address. It was unreasonable to the bank officer that Texas did not have Tumbols. I went ot another branch and opened an account.

My entry was too long ago. I do not wish to do a border transit. So, I have not tried to use the system. Perhaps, in a few years.

I bought a natural latex mattress recently real big improvement to my normal one. I sleep a lot better now. The shop is operated by the wife of one of posters on Thaivisa. I must say fast delivery and good communication. I am quite happy, they sell toppers too.

But, you don't seem willing to tell us who it is that offers such good mattresses and fast delivery. Why?

So, the online appointment scheduler has been turned off.

What will happen to my appointment for Retirement Visa Extension that is scheduled for October?

I have used a French Press for 20 years. I bought the most recent one from Robinsons, on sale, ฿400. Works marvelously. I use Thai Arabica coffee with a dark roast and grind the beans in the blender, about 1 weeks worth at a time. I keep the beans in the freezer and the ground coffee in the refrigerator. I drink it with a small spoon of cocoa, sucralose, and a dash of cinnamon.

Try Youtube.com for English language lessons.

Come to think of it, I think the best way to fight this corruption is to inform online vendors themselves. I know online retailer iherb.com no longer ships anything to Thailand except via the postal service. Businesses and online retailers need to be informed of this so that these corrupt couriers are get a comeuppance.

Vendors do not care and are not interested in what works here.

Between UPS, Fed Ex, and the post office, the only way to ship into Thailand is the latter.

I've had shipped numerous boxes through the USPS/Thai Post, of various sizes and never, not once, has the shipment been held up or any money demanded.

Having said that, I always wrote the address in both English (official doc) and Thai (taped on side), and both the sender and receiver had (made up) Thai names.

While I've heard of many who didn't write the address in Thai, and also experienced no problems, I always figure "an ounce of prevention …."

Australia Post is also reliable, but Oz merchants will not use them.

In the U.S., the Post Office is reliable, but many merchants will not use them.

Thai Post is reliable, too.

First, they must hire 3 million well qualified teachers.

Second, they must teach independent and objective thinking.

Third, they must learn to speak English, the official language of the AEC, so that it can be taught.

It helps to be rich when you move back to the U.S.

I prepared my documents in advance; TM-28 and TM-30, both filled in with the new address. I took a copy of the passport and the yellow book showing the address change. I gave everything to the correct Immigration Official. He threw away the TM-28 and had me complete another one with the old address. He entered some information on his computer screen; he did not want me to watch him. Then, he wrote the old address on the receipt, signed it and tore it off of the TM-28. He gave me this receipt and said, “Finished”. I said, “Old Address”. He said, “Old address. Finsihed”. I left completely confused.

Slightly easier, but marriage extension is still easy and needs less finances.

Also, can result in "home visits" by Immigration officers. This is not done with a retirement visa.

She manages her money and I manage mine.

I think if they improved things for Thais they would improve for us. Starting with Laws that are enforced properly

Law enforcement and nothing else would raise the quality of life for everyone, not just foreigners.