Tuvoc

Didn't know that, I'll do a search.

Yes, Everest is also very appealing to me, except for the 10-speed transmission which is pretty bad and unreliable ? A fact I didn't know until recently - the top selling new "car" in New Zealand is the Ford Ranger, a ute ! With that 10-speed transmission too. With Toyota you know you're getting the most reliable product.

Maybe for the lower-end models, but with model-specific 20" alloys already fitted to the top of the range Fortuner, I don't think it happens a lot. I've never seen the TRD Sport etc with aftermarket alloys, there is just no need. I'm trying to get my wife to consider an Isuzu MU-X next time. Already a new model about 12 mths ago, silver alloys ???? , cheaper and class-leading tech although to me all that means is that there is more to go wrong. The Fortuner has been amazing, apart from a set of tyres all it has required is regular services.

I would just keep the 400k in the bank permanently and not even have to think about it, nice and simple. But each to their own.

You need some sort of proof of address though - usually it would be a rental contract. The wife's housebook, ID card and marriage certificate seem to satisfy them of that. That is what I provided last year anyway for my retirement extension. My wife did not accompany me.

What documentation did you need in addition to the form ?

I have an 8 day overstay stamped in my passport, it arose between the end of my initial 90-day Non-O obtained abroad and the subsequent 1 year extension. Not my fault exactly, I sent my passport via EMS to a recommended agent in Bangkok, but they were in a huge building and it got delivered to the wrong company - I think it was even delivered to an adjoining building. It too a few days to track it down and locate it, and in the meantime I went into overstay. Mai-pen-rai said the agency but a very worrying time for me, during which I never left the house. Anyway, more to the point and the OP's question, I did the renewal myself the following year and it was never even mentioned, didn't cause any problem at all. In regards to Thai Elite, I have also spoken to them who said once isn't a problem in obtaining that.

Interesting, I guess we will know when they actually announce it and not before !

No, apparently it is a completely new model, different platform and chassis, probably a mild hybrid. And probably an increased sticker price if so. It might well be better to buy the existing model at a slight promotional prices as they clear stock pending arrival of the new one. But why on earth did they change to black alloys... black alloys are like marmite I guess, I hate them, to me the silver alloys on the 2019 model are far better for the Fortuner.

Thanks for all the replies. This gives me some idea. Yes one owner and serviced exclusively by Toyota.

April 2019 Just found this site Used Cars Toyota | One2car Probably not more than 1M, I've yet to see one with comparable mileage. And some of those are dealer retail where you can probably get a big chunk off the selling price.

Still in pretty much as new condition bodywork and interior. But 185,000km on the clock, a car that is well used ! New prices around 1.7 - 1.8M. It seems that used Fortuners still go for way more money than I thought they should. I see some quite old Fortuners advertised at what looks like silly money. Although what they actually sell for is another story. This is still worth north of 1M Baht on a private sale even with that mileage ??

This is widely reported as going on sale in Thailand this year. I'm not sure exactly when - I saw one report as Qtr 1, so by the end of March, has anyone seen any timing reported for it

Proof of address I assume.

I'm not so sure, when I was in the immigration last year (not Pattaya) the IO was telling one retiree that his rental agreement didn't meet their requirements and couldn't give the extension.

I don't know, but when considering a new area to live, renting for a few months is a really good option. If you like the area you stay, if you don't then move on.

We are building a house in Chiang Saen. There is a private hospital very close, can't recall the details. I had pre-flight Covid tests there when it was mandatory. Not a lot there, Chiang Rai is probably the better bet for most retirees, but people don't all have the same priorities.

I meant easy enough to do myself, but it takes several hours. I'd rather pay an agent the 5k but there are none in my area.

I'd like to do the same, but to my knowledge there are no such agents in Chiang Rai / Mae Sai who do it properly at the right office. It was easy enough to do the one time I've done it, but it does take a few hours.

Using an agent doesn't necessarily lock you in. I got a retirement extension from an agent in a different province, and then the following year I did it myself in our home province. No questions asked, went smoothly. Your mileage may vary..

Yes, that is certainly a key factor in the decision. NZ Passport renewal from abroad is quick and easy. I did it a couple of times from the UK. Also the fact that I've quit the UK permanently now and spend my time just between NZ and Thailand.

I simply stated it as a fact. You can't have the extension of stay transferred between passports of different countries. No big problem as you say. A slight inconvenience with an extra visit to immigration and some extra photocopying ! The extra visit because you get a 90-day and then have to extend again from that. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

Really unfortunate when that happens accidentally. I'll be doing it deliberately at some point though. My retirement extension is currently in my UK passport, but I want it in my New Zealand passport going forwards. The only way I know of achieving that it to let the existing permission to stay lapse and start all over again.

Exactly the same for me. 50k baht is the magic number, stay under that and it is instant. Go over it and you're looking at a couple of days.

Yes, still no direct flights from Auckland to Bangkok. Thai airways stopped and has not re-started.