scoutman360

I got my new passport in 4 weeks last month. When I read the embassy website about possible 13 weeks, I was scared I couldn't make my 90 day report. No worries. All is good.

Use Chrome browser. Right click, choose "Translate to English".  Unfortunately Homepro's website is not very English friendly unless a name brand is already in English. Sometimes I must use Google translate into Thai, then cut and paste into Homepro search engine. It helps. Good luck.

Also, I have had better luck doing a Google search and adding the words "Bangkok" or "Thailand".  Google search seems to do a better job finding the things I am looking for in Thailand. 

Somehow, the "to each their own" philosophy became "you must celebrate me" philosophy. Under the "to each their own" rule, companies, media, etc. mostly pandered to the majority of consumers because that is where the money is. Somehow, they forgot. Go ask Disney and Bud Light. They all fell into the pander verse.

Nothing wrong with different lifestyles, just wonder what happened to marketing to the majority.

I am very interested also. Any recommendations of good surgeons are welcome.

On 9/2/2023 at 1:47 AM, BritTim said:

Correct on all counts. Changing the reason for your extended permission to stay is usually going to be the best solution.

Does anyone know which immigration form needs to be submitted for changing extension based on employment to extension based on retirement? TM86 and TM7 seem the closest match, but neither match the intention perfectly. Perhaps TM7 with an explanation at the bottom?

There are many many types of lasers used for different types of treatments, depending upon what ails you. I have had dozens of moles removed and occasional skin tightening treatments. But most impressively, I had red patches on my neck treated and gone. That took many visits and a lot of money. No regrets.

Agree there are way too many laser clinics. Business must be good.

Soi 4 Pharmacy, the one closest to the soi 6 intersection, across from Hillary 1.  Discount when purchasing 5 boxes Sidegra 100. 5 boxes for 1,000 bht. 

20 minutes ago, BritTim said:

If you entered with a tourist visa on visa exemption, you can apply for a Non Immigrant visa at Immigration under a number of circumstances. Excluding that, you can in a multitude of ways change the reason for your extended permission to stay.

I think you correctly pointed out something. If my employer canceled my "extension", and I left the country and re-entered Thailand on a Visa-exempt, I would need to re-apply for a new visa (retirement, Non-O). 

But, as Tod has said, I can simply apply for a new extension based on retirement before the cancelation due date... before the end of my current extension cancelation. That is my understanding. 

The synth equipment scene is rather grim, but CT Music off Sukhumvit Soi 40 has a great catalog of recent pro level equipment available.  You can Google their website, and use Chrome to translate to English. It's a 5 minute walk from the BTS and you will find someone who speaks English, no problem, and enjoy the view. I bought my Roland XPS-30 synth there and my KC-110 keyboard amp. Both were in stock. 

Another choice would be Theera Music near Central Pinklao. If you are big with Roland, they are a certified Roland dealer and a good place to get Roland everything and send your Roland gear there for repairs.

I am a devoted synth player, and former owner of Prophet 5 (Rev 3), Hammond B3, ARP Quadra, Ensoniq Mirage, Roland S-50, Roland JX-8P, Roland XP-80, Korg M1, Kurtzweil 2000. I currently have only kept my vintage Yamaha CP-70, which I love more than my girlfriend (if you want to play Genesis, you need one of these), and a 1990's Roland AX-1 in mint condition.

My recommendation to you is to buy a controller. Software plugins are the new thing. They will never give you that fat sound of the 70's and 80's, but developers are improving them, and they have so much power, and very cheap.

You need a Thai driver's license. The International License is just a translation into English which is not a license in itself and would NOT BE REQUIRED in the U.S. because the Thai driver's license has English included on the license.  There is both a federal law and state law that covers this. When I drive in the U.S. I keep a copy of the Fed and state code in my glove box just incase of some unknowing police man harasses me.

I have renewed my Thai license many times. The CofR was easy. I just walked into the immigration office that granted my visa. I filled out a form, paid a few hundred baht, and they gave it to me in minutes. I don't know why you are having problems. Good luck. 

4 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

You can cancel your extension at Cham Churi Square up to three weeks before your actual termination date on the paperwork from your employer <- they will cnacel the work permit/extension and give you a stamp letting you stay until the termination date, 

That gives you plenty of time to go get the bank letter, the documents, and go apply at Chaengwattana for your extension.

The Bank LETTER can be up to 7 days old at C/W although your bank book must be updated the date you apply for the extension, and you need a 3 month print out of the detail transaction report which most banks can do on the spot.
 
You DO need to have the funds fully seasoned the 2 months before you apply for the new extension as well as have all the documents required but it's pretty straight forward.

Believe me people do "reason changes" for extensions all the time. ESPECIALLY employment to retirement or employment to marriage ???? those are done the most.   

One final time so sandyf catches on, you're NOT doing anything VISA-wise. An extension of stay is NOT a visa, it's exactly what the stamp says, an extension of stay, (you got it FROM a visa, but that visa expired long ago) You're just changing the reason for your extension is all.  

Totally can be done, totally can be done over a period of a couple weeks if you cancel your employment extension early like I mentioned

Tod, thank you kindly. Excellent info. I know what to do now. BTW: the funds have been seasoned in the bank for months already. I can't wait to get this done. Cheers!

Thank you all for the great comments. I do understand my original Non-B has expired and I am here on an extension. I had included it in my post to summarize background info and help explain what I want to do. Very good feedback. 

Expat4life66 offered solutions to give one a few more days to prepare for the CW visit. Any other suggestions are welcome!

3 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

You will take documentation from your employer to C/C Square a few weeks before your termination date, cancel the current extension you're on <- they will give you a new stamp allowing you to stay until the termination date.

Then you meet the requirements and go to Chaengwattana to apply for a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement) <- in Section L-1 at the main immigration office for 1900baht.

 

Just wondering if it all must be done the same day. I have read from other posts that CW wants a bank deposit letter written the same day as the visit. It seems crazy to do if one must be at C/C Square early in the morning.

I have been working in Thailand many years with Work Permit and Non-B, and now it's time to retire. Can my VISA be converted inside Thailand? Or, must I leave and re-enter on VISA Exempt? Can One-Stop in Bangkok do the conversion, since they currently do my Non-B extensions? I need someone to walk me through the process. I understand the Non-O requirements, just don't know the conversion process. Thanks much.

17 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Stossel LOL. Huge idiot he is.

And making more money than the both of us using facts, opinions, and open thought conversation. ???? 

On 2/6/2023 at 4:24 PM, Neeranam said:

I used to work in the Shangri-la Hotel in Bangkok and think it's unfair to tip the maids if you don't tip the laundry, security, front desk, consierge, etc. 

There are to many on this thread, and foreigner in Thailand generally that care too much what the Thais think of them. 

I never tip barbers, dentists, or gardeners. 

Farang who tip make it hard for the ones who've lived here a long time and understand the culture. 

I tipped my caddie 340 baht tip today and didn't even get a thank you. 

 

 

 

Thank you!!! So many people here, I think, are more focused on feeling good about themselves rather than how their actions affect the great population. 

On 2/6/2023 at 3:57 PM, loong said:

I don't stay in hotels as much as I used to but I will always tip the cleaners 20 Baht a day unless they give me a reason not to want to tip them. If they give me a reason to tip more then I will.

20 Baht is nothing to me, but if the cleaners got 20 Baht from every room that they clean, it can make a big difference to them.

They deserve respect for doing an unpleasant job for minimum wage to take care of their families.

It is not about respect IMHO. But you raised a good point. This seems to boil down to a capitalist, verses a socialist system, if I may. The fat happy rich person who spreads their earnings to those who don't have the same education and (maybe) desire to build upon their life because they can make easy cool cash scrubbing toilets. Or, the system where people's desperation pushes them to better themselves and become that same fat happy rich guy.  I say this because I was the poor desperate guy that nobody helped, and I cleaned toilets, and scrubbed floors until I could pay for my school. 

And no one tipped me, which kept me focused to get out of that job. 

On 2/5/2023 at 9:29 PM, Saphan said:

Millions of homeless people. Go tip them. Their wages are zero.

Millions of homeless people make more money than us working sods. Simple search Youtube John Stossel reports. 

On 2/6/2023 at 12:26 AM, ozimoron said:

Tipping in Thailand has been going on for a long time now. Can you produce any evidence where employers reduced the wages of their employees by the amount of their tips or even because of their tips?

Can you produce evidence it has not? I know this response, and the opposition can use it accordingly. ???? I think if you look at the American system, there is clear evidence what will happen to Thailand. Again, follow the local culture and tip as they do. Usually small change from the bill, depending on the bill. Hotels, never. 

2 hours ago, Walker88 said:

A show of gratitude can make for good feelings. If you are traveling internationally, you clearly are much more well to do than hotel staff. Does it materially affect your lifestyle so much by leaving a little money in recognition of services provided? Is creating goodwill between cultures such a terrible thing that it demands you show them the error of their ways and thinking?

 

 

I have tried that in some countries, and a local friend hit me and said I just insulted them. Learn local cultures and follow accordingly. 

In America now, expectation is 18%-20% tip. Companies learned they don't need to pay higher salaries, tipsters are the future. I prefer Thailand never become what is happening over in the U.S.

As for my "well to do" status, I spent 10 years cleaning toilets for a living in my 20's. No one tipped me. 

None of the fungal creams ever worked for me except for ringworm. Nail fungus (amount other skin ailments) were only cured using 2 home remedies. For those dark places, Listerine Original (not the flavored), or rubbing alcohol. For nails, a soak in bleach for 3 minutes a day was amazing. Dilute with water if needed. It was VERY effective. I tried vinegar, it didn't work. 

Agree with everything Sheryl and others above have said. What I like the most about Dr. Donna is that she will talk to you about your problem and discuss openly various treatments. She will let you make an informed decision. Try that with a Thai doctor and they give you a quiet stare.

Next to the police box at Suk soi 4, there is an internet shop. Go up the stairs, print whatever you want. 

24 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

English one just google it. Mine was free.

Get the English then have a translation service translate it into Thai. Keep both English and Thai on the Will, and you are good to go. A fraction the cost of a lawyer.