arjunadawn

Many people evidence various disc issues on MRI. However, you are symptomatic- and at multiple levels. L5 compressing bilaterally is much less common than one side. You need to see orthopod and determine confidently which is your primary pain generator. Bulging discs are not uncommon. Nerve root compression- bilaterally- is! My last spinal fusion was an OLIF procedure at BKK Hospital, BKK spine center. This does not mean you require this, only that it solved my problem- similar. I wish you well. 

I have studied this for years. I have (In my opinion) very good facebook post on this I could share with you through PM.  The catatonia or sleep paralysis you describe is very likely not pathological. The lucid state is called hypnagogia. This is also the lucid dreaming state that numerous shamanic, Vedic, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions aim for. It is essentially a "mind awake, body asleep" state as Robert Monroe described in Journeys Out of the Body. No, one needn't have an out of body experience. 

This has taken place in all peoples in all ages. It happened to me most vividly five years ago in Cardiff. I was overwhelmed by the sense of something terrible, hauntingly dangerous in the room. However, I was aware I was semi sleeping, I do not believe in scary <deleted>, and what was going on. I desperately tried to rock myself to arousal- my body would not respond. I was mentally yelling and rocking myself until slowly I became fully awake. I committed to learning more.

See the online research PDF the "Ominous Numinous," among others. The hag upon the chest, the peripheral dark agent in the room, etc., are common complaints for thousands of years. Essentially, this is - in mine and the essay author's opinion- a short circuit in the lucid alarm. The body is asleep but something gets crossed triggering an alarm. There is no threat detectable, but the mind produces an archetypal image. It is really a universal experience. If you, I would seek to cultivate this ability. Practitioners of lucid dreaming, particularly the Tibetan tradition, quickly master their fears and it is irrelevant, and they conduct Bardo meditations and other psychomachia (Soul Work) in this very state. Good luck. 

On 11/30/2019 at 5:51 PM, ubonjoe said:

Apparently they want you to confirm that you understand section 2 that states you must have 12 months next year. The last line in the translation states that is required.

Yes, you are correct, in that they also interpreted like that. I went, signed... and wife too. That part I found repulsive, but she too wanted this over. It’s done. Thanks, 

1. Retirement extension declined this week for not having 12 Wire proofs. Then... told to come back-

2. approved! Great.

Wife told me today they contacted her again and even my PP stamped, ext issued, 90 day report paper tagged in PP, they want me to

3. return Monday to sign something. Ahhh, okay? Small office. Small town. Best to try to be... humble, even I’m <deleted>. I’ll sign saying I understand next year 12 wires. 
 

However, they want my WIFE to come too. They want to give her a document they are uniquely creating in Thai (Regarding section 2 of the 12 month flexibility directive to IO- “inform alien” after 1 Jan 2020 no more flexibility). They want her to translate the official IO letter for me, I sign that she did, and I read. She then sign that she translated. 

13 minutes ago, Sergeant said:

You are very lucky! I had two days before renewal and was going to be kick out of Thailand with only 11 months bank proof and the other because I was in another country.. I have a bank Home loan and Two Truck loans and not one cared from Immigration. I paid them off. American Embassy have been swearing about my income or witness my signature even with Govt. papers showing my income. The Thai immigration thought Embassy was verifying Income and we all know Embassy would not go to the trouble to check unless we were dead. Thai Immigration now very angry for being lied to of verification of income from Embassy. Immigration now make it very hard to prove income. We can say anything, but large money in the Bank tells no lies. I got a lawyer and policeman to witness my signature of income. Immigration could not accept for the mere fact it is not a law to swear about Truth. All offices lied so much them self and stealing  it is true because no accountability. Ever wonder why no cashier at immigration? They have at hospitals and Embassies and Bars... It easy... no record what IO takes home. If you wish to get a Permanent Permit, you have to pay a application and Permit in Cash over 110000 Thai baht. Let if you live in Thailand away for immigration you will be happy and not fear of being shot by some mad man with guns laws in Thailand.

Now Tm30  some one living for 13 years would not be a bad person to cause crime but fear us. They should be fearful if get caught sleeping with other person wife?  Health insurance, If you do not back up, you will pay a fine it was not your fault. and still health insurance are just thieves as if person makes claim, your policy will e cancelled and you will have to leave Thailand just because hospital do not know how to run their business. Hospital can charge anything now as they know Health Insurance have plenty of money from its customers, Wrong thinking. I got the best insurance in the world, My USA Army and no one will take up by even Army insurance in Thailand. Thai people are also being tested to pay high care just testing, $80,000 12 hours with only Ex-ray and fluids.

I am sure the Thai people will reject when no food to feed their family.

Good luck every one in Thailand

Wow, a lot to unpack here. Sorry you screwed. There’s much you say that I also see in this experience, even the insurance with healthcare part. 
 

1. I have observations about this experience I did not include... I didn’t include what I really thought was going on. I noted... behavior like you state. But... it’s not helpful to anyone to repeat here... not for me. People want help, not suspicions. (For my post. For me). 
 

2. Unsure what you mean by US Army insurance? Do you mean Tricare? Army has NO insurance, anywhere. 
 

3. I am no visa or insurance expert but am also a former DAV NSO. I’m uncertain you understand these benefits... accurately. If unsure, ask me. If I don't know answer, I’ll tell you. Won’t guess. 
 

The most niche US federal related insurance is VA FMP, Foreign Medical Program, and I’ve been told on ThsiVisa (Other post),  BKK Hospital, Pattaya, will process FMP. I’m unclear what you mean by Army Insurance. Moreover, I’m uncertain why you’d think this reflects on thailand. If Tricare, which IS huge, and BKK Hosp works with FMP, you ought to look into this or contact Jusmagthai on Sathorn Road, bkk. 
 

good luck. 
 

Thank you all for wisdom and experience.

19 hours ago, Expat Brad said:

Yes, lf you have 400k you can apply straight away for a Non O based on marriage. No need for 12 months of deposits..... Where on earth did you get that info from?

Trat Immigration!

13 minutes ago, BertM said:

Maybe what he means is that you are not newly retired and have been on extensions in the past so that means 12 mths for you whereas someone who recently retired and is applying for their first extension only needs a few monthly xfers. I'm just guessing... I thought also, that IM would be lenient the first year due to the Embassies canceling the income letters/stat decs/affidavits. Maybe you could make a border run and start over with a Non-O based on just a few mthly xfers.

There is a key point missed in your comment. The rule is from Dec18/Jan 19. Other means of proof were accepted prior. Few can prove 12 months wire until Jan 2020 (Unless they formally expensively Wired each month). Most used embassy income verification. In my case, I also always showed us bank deposits and local ATM with draw exceeding 65000 / month. 
 

I nearly feel I <deleted> someone off, but... I don’t know these folks.

48 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I do not see how they could say it is only for first time extensions.

The police order has the allowance for first time extensions in it.

 

The colonel who spoke with my wife today insisting I was not the intended population for such a directive- he paused, then returned the call to wife saying Bangkok confirms- only for first time applicants. 
 

I tire of this.

Trat Immigration called BKK. Said bkk state this letter only pertains to first time retire extension applicants. 

My wife returned early morn to Trat Immigration. She brought The Thai and English 21 Dec 18 Immigration Memo authorizing one year flexibility window, and asked why they would not consider less than 12 months income wire proofs when I’d only had 10-11 months time to even comply?
 

The issue regards new income verification by money into Thai bank. I was denied after five years, though I had lots of proof, and they had minimally my last years records- their physical records- in front of them. Small office. Found in moments. This is what mutatis muntadis means- totality of record.

They insist this memo applies ONLY to new Retirement Extension application. “Alien” and other emphatic phrases don’t inform them of buffoonery. So, this memo then ONLY applies to the single applicant group who could never require it. If I’m not mistaken, new first time applicant do NOT have this burden. 
 

DMV, Army, Ex Wife... I have never encountered such incompetence and stupidity in my life. 

On 11/25/2019 at 1:00 PM, ubonjoe said:

I have heard of offices stating that. But there is no written rule to back it up.

I suspect they do it to discourage people from changing from extensions based upon retirement to marriage.

On another thread regarding my Retirement extension denial, as I understand my guidance, I request an extension to stay based on marriage (60 more days). During that time I’m seeding 400,000 in the bank. At the end of that period I understand I am going to... request 365 day extension to stay based on marriage? 
 

Im the guy who they refused to accept less than 12 months wire transfers with only 11 months rule in force (Trat). Do I understand the help that you and folks offered me correctly? 

2 hours ago, ThaiWai said:

Dumb to trust Thai Immigration and their spin the wheel or random rule interpretation scams.  I got my Income Verification Letter(s) November 2018 for for a visa conversion in January and a retirement extension 3 months later knowing they would demand two original letters I planned ahead. Going for the extension with my last letter a week under the six month validity was the next challenge. They tried to turn me away three times demanding a bank book with 800000 no matter how many times I showed them the letter they literally would not look at it.  One of the immigration volunteers had to go back to the bosses three times before they finally opened their eyes and looked at my letter and even took out a calculator to confirm it was less than six months old before finally giving me my extension.  It must have been the very last income letter they saw in Phuket. I started doing international transfers the same month and do them on the first of every month in the amount of 80000 because when they raise it from 65000 I assure you they will not take into account that the amount changed mid year and I will have allowed for a 15000 baht increase.  You gotta be a step ahead of these idiots at every turn.  The OP has a Thai wife?? Nice to have a second visa option I don't have.  Hope for the best prepare for the worst.

Raise to 80k? This grounded fear or Concerned pre planning for bad? 

24 minutes ago, bbi1 said:

I don't understand how people can't read that the OP is a "FEMALE" yet they keep referring to her as a "he".

I will have to change. I’m sorry. Didn’t know. I am Male. Apologize. 

29 minutes ago, delgarcon said:

I had the same problem in Samui, no leniency whatsoever. I'm a bit confused about the 60 day extension you're suggesting, I was told that they could only give a 7 day extension on my non imm O visa which was running out in a week.

Sad for me the Colonel now at Surat Thani immigration was my daily running partner for a year. He used to be Trat. Wished still here. Sigh. Everyone say can do extension. Even local office say so. Makes no sense to me. I am confused too, but some smart ppl here also say I can piggyback marriage ext for 60 days on to retirement ext. fingers crossed.

50 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The police order was issued in late December.

There is a memorado sent out stating offices should be lenient this year. Not sure it will help you can download it.

Memo instructing offices to be flexible during 2019 tor the amendment's requirements.  Immigration Memo For Income Proof (ENG).pdf 192.78 kB · 142 downloads   Original in Thai:  Immigration Memo For Income Proof.pdf 149.29 kB · 106 downloads

 

Thank you. Wife called today regarding marriage extension. They said yes, and can seed money for 60 days. We will do that in one week. 
 

The ‘issue’ about the income came up and they said those who fall in the cracks during first year can only choose money in bank method. Zero waiver. Thanks for doc links.

UPDATE: Wife spoke to immigration again today. She asked how it could ever have been possible for someone renewing extension in November to comply with 12 month wire transfer proof if the rule wasn’t even finalized until January 19? 
 

They responded- pretty dismissively- not our problem. Put money in bank. Yes, sure, that’s option, but it’s too late and I was following their directive. In any event, it seems... well, only bad language can describe. 

11 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 Yes, there were posts earlier in 2019 by folks who got new extensions of stay using the monthly foreign bank transfers method where they had less than 12 full months of transfers.

 

But as Joe noted above, we're now getting toward the end of 2019 and perhaps Immigration there figured that in the OP's case, the few he had done already just wasn't enough given the amount of time that's passed since the monthly foreign deposits option came into the picture.

 

You know, they know I have been coming there for years. It was their instruction. Moreover, they pulled my last year application in less than five minutes from closet. Small place. Your logic makes sense... but... whether three or ten months, it could never have been 12. Impossible. 

41 minutes ago, MeePeeMai said:

Wow, and I heard that some policies have a max OPD payout of 2000 baht (per visit).  That is the reason right there (cost vs value) that I am opposed to buying such a policy especially since I already have great health insurance which covers me in Thailand (but is not a Thai company and they do not accept for my extensions).

 

I'm not sure if you know or not but health insurance is not currently required for Non-O marriage (or Non-O retirement) Visa or extensions.  It is currently only required for O-A Visas and extension to those O-A Visas.

Sigh. I’m fully covered OPD by bkk hospital too- wife. I’m a mess it seems.

1 hour ago, MeePeeMai said:

 

1.  IF you can get your bank balance up to 400K in the next 7-10 days then you should ask your local Immigration Office if they will require you to have the 400K in your bank for 2 months, or three months in order to apply for an extension based upon marriage to your Thai wife.  If you can get the 400k in your bank by then and if they say 2 months seeded for switching over to a marriage extension (from your current retirement extension) then you could get the 60 day extension to stay with your wife and go that route (without having to leave the country and get a Non-O at Savanakhet or someplace like that).

 

1a.  If they tell you two months, just remember that they can always say three months when you return to do your extension (not likely but possible) at which point you would be denied and then given 7 days extension (longer) to leave the country (then you must go elsewhere to get a Non-O single or multi entry).

 

2.  Continue with your transfers since you cannot touch the 400k until after your extension is approved and you must make sure to follow the rules on the 400k in the bank method (as far as when you can start withdrawals) and especially continue your monthly transfers if you plan on getting a Non-O outside LOS and then coming back to apply for a 12 month extension based on the income method (in which case no 400k bank balance is required).

 

3.  You could get all the paperwork together and do this prior to Dec 8 when your current extension expires (which would save you 1800 baht fee for the 60 day extension) or you could get the 60 day extension and then take your time planning your trip and doing research here on which place you wish to go to get your Non-O at some point before your 60 day extension expires in Feb of next year.

Wow! I’m so grateful for a bearing. Thank you very much.