scoutman360

Nearby hotels have business centers. Usually charge a small fee.

Yes. California vehicle code states IDP is not recognized in CA. Also, it should not be needed as it is only a translation document and Thai licenses have info in English. I once found a website giving the details how officers are required to "file" driving offenses for those with foreign driver's licenses. I think there is also a federal law somewhere stating foreign licenses are recognized, but it has been years since I saw the statute online.

I just returned from Koh Chang and agree. Spent a night at 3 different hotels over a week and all looked deserted. Mercure Hotel was amazing but I could see maybe 5 cars in the carpark.

I am a Cinderella (in bed before midnight), but one night couldn't sleep and hit a 7-11 on soi 4 about 2am just recently. The place was crawling with women, wine, and song. I guess it takes night owls to experience the experience now.

Recently plugged in a wet phone charger (didn't know). Sounded like gun fire. The socket was burnt to a crisp. Fortunately my hand was already removed. Thailand's 240v can be deadly. My Thai friend had his arm in a sling for 3 months.

Imagine being a U.S. citizen having all your retirement savings in a Roth IRA, thinking you are tax free after paying the tax 20 years ago, then watching the gains grow tax free. Think again. Thailand will take up to 35%. Imagine sending 10 million thb to Thailand to buy property. Think again. Thailand can take up to 35%.

Have you set up a user account on the Thailand SSO website? Once setup, you can search and find all your SSO contributions over the years. I recommend using Chrome browser. The (right click) "translate to English" feature is helpful.

By mail is the ONLY option. U.S. embassy will not accept walk-ins or appointments. Check the embassy website. Step-by-step instructions are in there somewhere. Turn around is 5-10 days.

I am currently working on the same issue. I was told by my local SSO office, to continue SSO health insurance in Bangkok after employment, they need a Thai ID card and I must be registered in a Tambien Baan. They will not accept rental agreement. To further accomplish the above, I must proceed in this order: Mail my passport to the U.S. embassy to receive a True Certified Copy (pay the crazy Embassy fee). Give the True Certified Copy to an agent to translate it into Thai language. Take the Thai translation, passport, etc. to some government building at Chaengwattana to certify it. Take all certified paperwork to the appropriate gov. along with Tambien Baan owner and one witness. Receive yellow Tambien Baan and Pink ID card.

The new tax rules are a good way to keep foreign money out of Thailand during a time when the Thai economy desparately needs it.

The new tax rules seem to be a mess. Especially for Americans who have different taxation brackets for capital gains vs. earned (or passive) income. Thailand and many countries have double taxation treaties. So, let's say an American sells some stock with $30k USD of capital gains and adds it to a pile of savings with already $30k USD in the bank. Then such foreigner sends $30k USD to Thailand. Which pile did the transfer come from? There were no gains on the savings pile so should be no taxation. Who decides that? Also, given the complicated U.S tax code, it is impossible to decide and chose which transferred money should be taxed in Thailand and how much.

Bangkok Bank app. No problem up to ~1 mil bht/day. Bottom right "more services", "International Transfers". Chose "personal use" option. Can only transfer during banking hours.

As DrJack said, no need to get a Que number. In theory, you were already assigned a Que number when you did the online booking. Go straight to the cubical. I recently did an online booking for a re-entry permit in C section and my online Que number came up on the screen. Apparently, the L1 section for extensions doesn't work that way. You have to push your way in front of people with Que numbers.

That is the Document Check cubicle (Counter #27). It was very confusing to see people gathered around the opening, and at the same time, that counter was calling Que numbers onto the LED screen for people who were not standing there.

In my case, I have rented from this condo owner for 17 years. Previously I lived in a different room and now 3 years at my current room. He gave me the Deed copies and I didn't know what to do with it. I am glad I brought it to Immigration today. Previously I was employed in Thailand for 19 years and that Immigration office wasn't requesting the same things.

The information provided by Lorry and DrJack54 are very eye opening and not documented anywhere. So, for anyone trying to navigate the extension process at CW, we thank you!

Thanks DrJack! This was my first experience at L1 counter for extensions, but last month I was at C1 counter for a re-entry permit and everything went smooth. My appointment number showed up on the LED screen exactly on appointment time. I was in and out in 15 minutes. If I understand you, at L1 counter, appointment customers must muzzle between the other Que numbers because appointment numbers won't show on the LED screens.

Thanks Lorry. Some of your replies didn't align with what others said, such as allowing fixed terms at CW and statements not needed, but I am giving it a good listen for next time. Perhaps others can confirm before I risk the attempt next year. As you said, I probably was subjected to the IO's mood for the day. I was surprised (because I couldn't believe the condo Deed request). I specifically repeated myself twice, "So, next year, I need to bring a copy of this document again?" In unison, they replied YES. As for Que numbers, I was expecting the Que number on my appointment printout to appear on the LED screens when it was my turn. My appointment printout said Counter 35.

Hope this helps someone. This was my first attempt at a retirement extension for a Non-O Retirement Visa (90 days). I will focus on the visit and my rookie mistakes, and not as much on the requirements since that is covered very much elsewhere. The Appointment – I booked the appointment from the Immigration website about 1 month in advance. Immigration releases appointment dates a few at a time, so you need to check the system regularly and book well in advance. Rookie Mistakes: (a) Not checking daily for new available time slots. (b) Thinking the system is down. The reality is, the booking system is turned off weekends and holidays. (c) From a PC, the calendar displays only 1 month at a time. But there is a tiny scroll bar, easy to miss, to display the next month. Additional dates could have been opened for the next month already and you missed them. The Immigration Visit – My appointment was for 1pm, L1 section, which handles extension of stays. I arrived 1 hour early, but the office was closed for lunch between 12pm-1pm. Once the doors opened, I was first through the doors and should have been 1st in line with my 1pm appointment and Que number already assigned. But…. My Que number never got called. I kept watch on the “Document Checking” counter #27, and my “Report to Counter #35” as was written on my reservation printout. After waiting 40 minutes, I jumped between people at the Document Check desk and asked for help. She kindly checked my docs, everything was fine, and then told me I was late and sent me over to Counter #35. Again, my Que number never called. Again, I jumped between people and the kind officers helped me and told me I was late. What the???? Rookie Mistakes: Perhaps some experienced members here can explain what went wrong? I was right on time. My number never got called on the board. My only guess is that, maybe, Counter #27 may have called my number before lunch closure (before I arrived). And that prevented my number from getting called at Counter #35. If anyone know how this works, please chime in. Documents – I created a checklist using input from others on this forum. As of today, it is accurate and correct for Chaengwattana office. Using “money in bank” method, 6-month bank statement was fine because the original Non-O VISA was only good for 90 days. (next year I will need to provide a 12-month statement). TM47 (90-day report) not asked for because I just re-entered the country last week. Non-O Extension Checklist for CW.pdf The only surprise I got was they rejected my condo owner’s Tambien Baan (blue book). They wanted a copy of the Deed to the condo showing his name matches the Rental Contract. Fortunately I had a copy of that with me and handed that over (note: Document Check lady didn’t ask). That is all. I got the 12-month extension stamp and sent on my way.

If I hear you right - don't file any 90 day reports. But just before your extension is due, leave the country, re-enter and a 90-day report would not be required. Brilliant.

Most foreigners like Pad Thai and always order it and talk about it in their home country. I have lived and worked in Thailand 20 years and never saw a Thai order it. They tell me it is children's food. Same as us westerner's ordering a hamburger. Whatever, I like it sometimes.

Thailand eggs are nearly impossible to peel. In the U.S. the shells falls off the egg with little effort. In Thailand, the shell sticks like glue while you slowly pick it off with half the egg going with it. Good luck.

My favorite always has been The Bacon Cheese Burger at The Bus Stop, Sukhumvit Soi 4. I appreciate the fact that it is a juicy mess, but still fits in my mouth and fits my wallet at ~115 bht. Those gourmet burgers just don't do it for me.

Some of the buses are free shuttles, some are normal city busses that go down the same road. Does anyone know which songteows and shuttles to look for? How often do they go? I once got a free shuttle from the soi entrance to the Convention Center (next to Gov. Complex), but then waited an hour and nothing appeared to take me back. I walked.

I have the Epson 3250. So far, so good. However, the color seems to print a little off. Scans have too much grey haze where it should be white. Perhaps my expectations are too high for a low price model. But it gets the job done.