ronnie50

Now, that's cutting it close!

Sure, decent plan, but Autumn in Thailand is rainy season and September and October are the worst (flooding, downpours)

Does anyone know (for a fact) if foreigners are not offered the better locked-in rates? In other words, are Thai customers at the same bank accessing better rates than foreigners with existing accounts there? I noticed the adverts above from Krungthai are in English - are they in Thai too?

Okay, this is just for fun. We don’t know how/if income taxes will be applied to foreigners, and while it probably wouldn’t be a huge hit to most of us, a Thai tax on ‘global income’ for very wealthy expats who’ve lived here for years, precisely because they’ve avoided paying income tax, would be a great concern. So, they could probably afford to move around each year while still making Thailand their main digs, but not long enough to pay tax here. Example – using the best weather months to meet the 179 day max stay in Thailand (to avoid tax) January through April – Thailand – 120 days May through October (29th) – 182 days (summer in either Canada, Japan, Portugal, Spain, etc. – all countries where tax residency doesn’t kick in until 183 days or more – Japan is longer/different). October 30 to November 8, stopping in one of the other countries above (en route back to Thailand) – 10 days November 8 through December 31 – Thailand – a final 53 days (then repeat) …………………….. I think the math is right. Again – just for fun – and yes, for the majority of expats that don’t have existing homes in these other places, the costs of spending half a year away wouldn’t make any economic sense. But, if you were one of those uber wealthy above (maybe you are), how would you do it? On your yacht?

Equally concerning should be the increase in methanol-spiked alcohol in tourist joints of SE Asia. It can be deadly. A dodgy barman at a cheap resort, or even the owner of one of these cheap beach booze bars, can be mixing the real thing with methanol (to make the rum, gin, whatever drinks cheaper by using less of the real thing). Last month 5 died at a cheap hostel in Laos, and 5 others were sickened and hospitalized on Fiji this week. The more this idea catches on amongst ropey resort 'bars', the more deaths we will see.

Okay thanks. So the IO is not expecting to see the last entry in the bankbook to be the foreign transfer (for change of visa type), is that right, but s/he is expecting to see activity in bankbook on the day of the appointment (small deposit, etc.)?

I transfered the 800k foreign currency into my own Thai bank account nearly 2 months ago and I have the first appointment for 'change of visa type' in early January (change to O visa for eventual extention for retirement). Question: As I already had considerably more than that 800k amount in my Thai bank account before the transfer, can I withdraw anything from that account before my appointment at Immigration? Or will they accuse me of spending the money intended for the retirement extension (even though there will still be well in excess of 800k in that account in any case)?

This report in the Bangkok Post last week is getting some pretty negative comments. It seems many are pessimistic that the US airlines will ever return to BKK. Not sure why, since that daily Air Canada non-stop is pretty popular with both Canadians and Americans travelling to SE Asia (and Thailand specifically) - but it's high-season only. As some background, the US FAA reccently upgraded Thailand's airport ratings meaning US carriers can return to Thailand after at least a ten year absence. Personally, while I like Singapore Airlines, I can't really understand why anyone who is Bangkok-bound would want to fly all the way to Singapore then connect, and backtrack another 3 hours. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2914942/united-states-airlines-urged-to-launch-direct-thai-flights

I'm also trying to understand this, and in my case, a bit worried as I'm preparing to apply for O visa (and eventual extension for retirement). A google translation seemed to suggest that the title of the portrait one-page A4 document was maybe just an acknowledgment that updated status had been 'submitted' (but silent otherwise). As you say it's not clear. I'm asking the landlord to send a screenshot of the "Informed" webpage with the green checkmark just so I have both to hand at Immigration.

Thanks I chose afternoon of the 2nd at CW. To confirm, I am only booking: "Change Visa Type" option and not retirement visa option, is that correct? Also, at this appointmentm I need to show all the other stuff including the TM 87, all the banking stuff, owner's tabien baan and ID copies, etc., ?

Just realized I was trying to book the wrong thing. So I cancelled LakSi and have selected Change Visa Type option at CW on 2 January. Too late to edit the reply above. Sorry.

Good advice above. Yes, in my case, because all bookings are full this month for a non-O - and through 5 Jan apparently according to the CW website, I made the Laksi booking on 2 January is for an extension of the 60 day exemption which expires 3rd week January, but hope I can get a 90 day Non-O booking at CW, once they open up their January bookings. I guess I can cancel the extension booking if I get the 90 day booking confirmed?

Thanks for guidance on this too. Unfortunately, CW is fully booked in December for this purpose (and it doesn't show January dates yet), so I will get a 30 day extention on my 60 day exemption stamp at IT Square location - and even at that place, with its limited services, only 2 days were available for a simple thing like tourist extension. I'll try to make a booking for the O permit at CW as soon as the January dates open up. I guess I have to keep checking it. Odd that they don't show January yet, isn't it?

Okay thanks for confirming. That's pretty depressing and almost unworkable. I also read the posts in the link above. I also have the same OP's question about how it could be possible to get 3 months of rental receipts when one has only been in the country for less than 60 days, when applying for a 90 day O permit. The thing about all these documents being dated the same day is a bit weird too. Though I noticed in section 5 there were a couple of "or" this "or" that. Is the the third 'or' enough? And does it also need to be the same day as the immigration appointment (is that what you meant by 'bummer, CW doesn't have an SCB branch)?

Yes, that makes more sense. Many countries have itemised what groups of items require VAT and what goods and services are exempt. Thailand already does this I think (no VAT/GST on food at supermarkets? Just other goods like cleaning liquids, etc.?)

Also, if I may, can someone confirm that meeting all the criteria in this Imm Doc below is NOT required to simply change from visa exemption (60 days) to the 90 day O permit to stay? This document's criteria below are for the application for a retirement extension of the O visa (the later step), is that the correct understanding? https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022C1_09.pdf

Thanks, I did exactly that and it was fast and free.

Thanks for your reply. I have all of that and the 800k (a bit more actually) transferred here into my own account already. I wasn't aware that I would need to get proof-of-income letter from my embassy - I thought that was only if you are planning to apply for an extension on income (I guess that's what you mean? I shouldn't need one I hope). Also why is it necessary to go to the Immigration office and then come back 20 days before the 60 day exemption is up for the O permit? Or do you mean after you've got the 90 day O permit you come back and apply for the extension 20 days before expiration? I have a lease agreement and a new TM30, that's enough isn't it? I don't need the owners Tabien Baan do I? I doubt the owner would give that to me. As DrJack suggested I now have the incoming wire transfer and currency information as a printed advice from my SCB bank. I hope that's enough?

Yes, I think that's the only choice (go to my branch and ask for a printout of the invoming wire and deposit amount). I'm still waiting for an updated TM30, so once I get that I'll go the bank branch and next day to Immigration (will make an appointment ahead of time) and make a small deposit on the day. Thanks again.

I have already transferred the funds from abroad six weeks ago (a bit more than 800k after exchange). I used my own overseas bank and it was very efficient. Went into my branch overseas on a Friday to do the wire transfer and it was in my SCB account on the Monday. I know many use WISE, but my bank's rate was ok for that amount. I have the transfer form from my overseas account and it has all the details of the SCB account, branch, SWIFT code, etc. But I wonder if Immigration would even look at that.. My SCB bank book's code for the transaction is just X1 (transfer/deposit).

Ok thanks again. Do I need a letter from the bank about the transfer from abroad? My bank book (SCB) shows incoming transfer but it doesn't indicate from where... I will read through that link thanks for that and to upnotover

Ok thanks, this is very helpful. Do I need to take letters from the bank and all that when exchanging from visa exempt to 90 day O? or does all that formality happen 60 days later when applying for the retirement extension?

Thanks yes I do. I worked here for many years prior to this, and had more than enough in the account already in my name only, but to be on the safe side, I transfered from overseas another 800k here 6 weeks ago (i read somewhere that they want to see the incoming foreign transaction, regardless of the amount currently in the account (which I had earmed from the previous years of employment - not sure if that's true, but didn't take any chances).

Thanks for this - will have a closer look. I guess I was thinking the main Bangkok Immigration office (isn't it at Changwattana?)

I arrived recently (7 days ago) on a Visa Exempt basis. I plan to apply for a 90 day Non-Imm O visa and then a 1-year retirement extension. But I'm a bit confused about the procedure of applying/exchanging the current passsport (exempt) stamp to the 90 day O visa. What is best practice? Is it best to go to CW Immigration ASAP and 'first' ask for a 30 day visa exempt extension? Then a couple of weeks later, do I go back and apply for the 90-day Non-Imm O visa, leave my passport with them, and wait 2 weeks for their consideration on the 90 day O visa? Does the 800k transfer need to have been in my Thai account for two months 'before' I apply for the change from visa exempt to 90 day O visa? Then when I have that 90 day O visa is it then (and only then) that I can apply for retirement extension? Or are these too many steps and can it be done more expeditiously? Sorry for the multiple Qs, I have RTFF but am still a bit confused. Thanks for patience and help.