scoutman360

Thank you for posting! Many people opt to rent a car when needed rather than buy. Who would have known this??

Does it take someone who lives here to see the red flags on this one? 1. Lives in Jomtien (Pattaya arena) 2. Does "marketing online" 3. She just happens to be walking around a mall in the afternoon, not at the office No wonder she is approachable. LOL. But I do agree most Thai girls are very approachable. The politeness in engrained into Thai culture. But the truth is that you just don't stand a chance with a normal, middle class Thai girl who isn't on the take unless you live here, work here, and speak Thai. This guy admitted he has been here only 2 months....bars girls love that, most normal Thai's shake their heads.

Current consumption (bought in 6 packs): 2bottles/day = 14bottles/wk = 119 bht/wk = 476 bht/month Refill cost: 300 bht/2.5 month (assumption) Sounds like initial investment would be paid off quickly and a good idea. Thank you!

I discovered this Chaeng Wattana requirement recently when they handed me their "list of requirements". As a person who worked and lived in Thailand for 19 years, how on God's Earth can an upstanding Thailand contributor meet this rule? I understand why it is there, but good, honest people are getting hurt by it. While some have said, "Just talk to the officer", others have said, "Send the money out of Thailand, then back in again." The rule is the rule. Good luck with your renewal.

Thank you for your advice and photo. I like your setup.

I am now consuming 2 bottles a day of those tiny little glass bottles Thailand loves so dearly. Can't get the large 1 liter plastic bottles they have in the West. Would it be worthwhile to purchase a machine to make my own? Will it be cheaper? More convenient? Less trips to the local 7-11 would help. Are the machines on Lazada worth a try? I just worry about cartridge replacements when buying online. I am in the Bangkok area, so I was wondering if anyone has some local experience and where to get replacement cartridges and if it is really worth the initial investment. Thanks in advance.

Grout scrapers. They are very cheap and not labor intensive (grout scrapes off very easy). You are basically removing the top layer, leaving it looking new. I use them all the time and never damaged a tile. Recommend a coat of grout sealer when done (if you can find it in Thailand).

Yes. Because if the rules have changed, people should know. And if the rules haven't changed, and possibly there was a misunderstanding, then someone could possibly help. Sorry you were not able to help.

Update. I followed all your instructions. Employer canceled my current extension. Then I was given permission to stay until last day of employment. But today at CW when I got to the document check station, I was refused an extension based on retirement. When I explained my intension was to change from "extension based on employment" to "retirement", I was told CANNOT. I must leave the country, enter on VISA exempt, and apply for Non-O. Another officer standing at the desk agreed. Nothing wrong with my paperwork. They said I needed to leave the country then reapply for a Non-O. How is it I was told this if others have successfully done it?

Central has a large selection. Both cheap and pricey options. I use induction and love it. However, I noticed my frying pans don't last long before they start to warp. I read online that this happens to pans that are larger than the induction area. They don't get an even heat distribution. Regular pots are fine. I am thinking to invest in a ceramic coated cast iron pan. They are pricey but solves the problem.

Thanks. Unfortunately in my case, I traveled frequently for work for my whole 19 yrs employment in Thailand and never needed to file a TM47. Next week will be my first visit for a Retirement extension. Not sure what is going to happen.

In the case where one must visit Immigration for their retirement extension, but they recently re-entered Thailand from overseas (say last month), a TM47 would not be available for Immigration due to the recent re-entry. I was just wondering if Immigration will be OK with that or have their been examples of a problem due to this situation.

In the case of re-entering the country within less than 90 days, the 90 day TM47 is not available/applicable. Correct? Should one expect any problems at CW?

I was at the 7-11 today and everyone who tries to pay with their phone backs up the line. Cash payers are in and out.

Wills are easy to do in Thailand, once you know the rules on what is required. I paid big money from a law firm for my first Will, but the later revisions I did them all myself with the help of a Thai speaking friend, using the same format as the first. 1. It doesn't need to registered with the local Ampher office, despite many people doing that. Just keep it in a place where everyone can find it. 2. Needs to be signed by 2 Witnesses 3. Need to designate an Executor in the Will. That could be Thai person or foreigner. 4. It will need to go to probate court, so the court will recognize your Executor and give them authority to release the bank funds. 5. The Will must be in Thai language. You can include English but the court will not recognize the English part. That is for you and your foreign friends. One can use the many translation services around to get it correctly translated. 6. Your Thailand Will only covers assets in Thailand. You need a separate Will for anything in your home country. If you do decide to use law firm, I STRONGLY recommend you have the translation reviewed by a few more parties. I found many translation errors in mine that was done by a reputable law firm. I might have missed a few things. But that is basically it.

My AIS phone bills are in English with address. They don't mail them anymore, but the app printouts look the same. Also banks all send me mail sometimes. You are in a tough spot if the accounts are all in your wife's name. Can you get your name on a Tabian Baan? That would work.

I could have written that myself. We probably were in the same bars at the same time back them. Today? No thanks. The noise, the crazy foreigners... But I think back then it was easy to meet some young office girl going for a night out. Today, it is all professional mercenaries. Money makers. Those good old days are gone. But I do remember the great frustration because of girls always wanting a bite to eat on the street until the sun comes up.

It is easy money for these "doctors". But I need to ask the question if they have a P.H.D. in dermatology or not . I honestly don't know. My brother is a well known surgeon in orthopedics. He sews fingers back together and reconnects nerves etc. under microscope. When I asked him if he likes it, he replied, "No, half the people don't pay and it goes to Collections. I wish I did cosmetic surgery. Cash up front."

Thanks everyone. I was also handed "Acknowledgement of T&C's" and "Acknowledgement of Overstay Penalties" forms. Good grief. What will they think of next? I am glad I took the trek out to CW yesterday as there is NO documented printout lists available to prepare someone for all this.

I just returned from CW and asked the front desk for the latest TM7. When I mentioned it was for extension based on Retirement, the officer also handed me the attach "Statement" form. I have never seen this before nor seen it mentioned anywhere. Who is supposed to complete it as a "guarantor"? Are they supposed to come to the Immigration Interview with me to present it? The list keeps growing. Statement.pdf

I think Meetup.com is what you want. Take a look.

When you re-entered the country, the 90-day clock resets and starts over. The system just doesn't know you have been away.

I buy HEPA filter sheets from Lazada and tape them to the aircon input screens. Very cheap solution. Try it. After 1 week and am shocked how dirty it looks. I can't believe what we are breathing is this bad.

Agreed. Their standards are high. Just keep in mind, they can recommend solutions, but you have the right to decline them and take a more conservative approach. They will give you the options. I have been very happy with this dental hospital for 10+ years. I got my first crown/root canal there and 5+ year later still going strong. They make the crowns onsite. Go have lunch and it is ready.

Rich people. Which seems to be the demographic Thailand is trying to attract. (Ummm .. Singapore seems to have figured out how to attract the wealthy.). Regardless, people with lots of money don't care if $22k USD is sitting somewhere in a Thailand bank account.