GoNavy

When I got my OA visa and needed a criminal report I went to the city. I had not lived in the city, just worked in it. They gave me a clear report in that there was noting I had done there. So, if you are concerned, just go to a town you hadn't lived and get a report. The embassy just wants a report.

Well ok I agree it doesn't cost anything to do and in principle shouldn't take long to download, complete and submit...

however with only a window of one week to apply in..

1) how do I actually know if it is being "processed" after submission?

2) If it's not, will I be informed that I have to go in person to the office, or sit around waiting for a confirmation that will not arrive??

You get an email from them which states:

"Notification 90 days is Approved. You can check status by visit www.immigration.go.th"

Note:

Immediately after submitting the form online, your status is "Pending"

The following day it should be "Approved" - which is the case after you get the email, above.

You can then download the 90-day slip and print it out.

This is information from a friend who just did it this week, starting yesterday. So... didn't take long, did it?

I can also confirm that when you apply for a yearly extension based on retirement, they also give you a new 90-day reporting date. That happened to me today.

I find the change of 90 day report date odd. I have been told that it specifically did NOT change my 90 day report date. It appears it all depends on who you see and where you see them. Unless your renewal date was close to your 90 day report date. But my info is from last year.

Well, RATS................I'm in Jomtien and tried to do my 90 Day report online with IE. Filled out first step and clicked submit. A noticed popped up in THAI with the caution triangle. Checked all data and blanks were filled in correctly. Clicked again and got the caution message. So, I redid the security capitan or whatever that is called even though the numbers were correct. New number and then 'verified' came up. I clicked submit and all I have now for Step 2 is a white screen.


http://extranet.immigration.go.th/pibics/online/tm47/TM47Action.do

So, it remains white. Guess I will have to go to the Jomtien office. I suppose I could do it over again........the point being?

The town where i grew up in Sweden is a tourist town (in the summer) with lots of beaches. There is a law in Sweden that gives everyone right to go anywhere in nature, even if it is private property. The beaches are always full in summer and in the evening the beaches are clean and pristine after everyone has gone, no littering not because someone enforces no littering laws but because it's just the natural thing to do, keep clean around yourself and the environment.

I often visit a military beach here in Thailand, it is very well managed with natural shade by trees. White clean sand and clear water you can see the bottom even at 2 -3 meters depth. There are chairs for rental (30 baht, you get 10 baht back when returning the chair), mats for rental, you can bring your own umbrella if you want, there are several restaurants and food stalls near the beach, you can buy beer and drink on the beach. They have sea canoes for rental, there are no jet-skies, no boats. A very pleasant beach. Managed by the military. How difficult can it be to manage other beaches for example in Phuket in the same way???? It is not rocket science after all....

Plant some palm trees for shade, set up some food stalls by the beach where people can go and choose by themselves what and when to eat, set up a beach chair and rental stall, fence the whole beach with only one entrance and voila no beach vendors harassing the visitors....

Have a clean up crew that cleans the beach every evening. they can probably even charge a small entrance fee for keeping the beach clean.

​Absolutely a good idea. I am baffled as to why this whole business came to pass. I have been to Phukett a few years back and did not see a problem. My usual hangout when I go is Dongtan Beach in Jomtien. I do not see a problem with the umbrellas and chairs. There are beach volleyball areas further down and open areas. Strollers walk along the waterline. Sometimes the chairs are a bit close but that is an easy fix. The areas were rented out to Thai's who made a living. They made arrangements with restaurants across the road to provide lunches and the venders have drinks. I am there at sunset and each section gather the umbrellas and chairs/lounge chairs, stack them and rake the sand. I don't see liter around.

Elderly and out of shape folks don't want to lay flat on the sand, mat or not. Many are white and want to spend time enjoying the sand/beach/ambiance without fear of burning. Even the young want to relax off the sand. There are laws, obey them crowd are those who stirred the pot on this issue and have caused alot of stink and unhappiness. Whatever corruption that was going on I seriously doubt was due to chairs and umbrellas. The Thai's can make contract for families etc. to have a certain area and make a living. Anyone can sit there. IMO there is not a problem made where there was very little before. Want a natural place to sit on the beach.......go to the jungle. You can probably run naked.

I am guessing the OP must be younger and not have to get up and pee in the middle of the night. Rainy season is coming. Might not be nice. Inside bathroom might be an option.

For those making assumptions.........and not reading the WHOLE dialogue of this.............there will be an indoor bathroom complete with western style toilet, wash sink, and shower with non-slip tile. The outdoor bathroom with a potential squat toilet was because my partner insisted on having one for Thai guests. I have no issue with them using the indoor but it was insisted no. I did NOT question thinking it was a cultural thing and not belaboring the point. A squat toilet was brought up because isn't that what the Thai nationals usually have in their homes?

In discussing this, it sounds like a decent idea to expand the concept for usage while working in the yard to one more than a public squat toilet facility at a rest stop. I may go to one as pictured in the examples above..........western with those footrests. It is not settled in stone.

How much would it cost approximately to construct a toilet with shower? A decent one but not high class.

Are you speaking about the one outside............the 'squat toilet' area? I haven't looked into that as of yet. Off the top of my head I would say about 20-30,000 Baht. It wouldn't be that hard to put in a shower head.....and a small corner sink to wash one's hands. The water has to be brought to the area in any event. It is being built more for the Thai family members. Though, it would come in handy for outside working.

Why don't you just put in a western style toilet so you have a spare one for yourself when family not visiting..pretty much same cost. They can learn to use it ...I am sure

Of course you are correct. I was attempting to keep it as cultural for the Thai family as possible without interfering in my standard. As these photos show there is an option to have footrests which would accommodate both styles.

My partner says he thinks more like 50,000 Baht for materials and labor. I have not thought specifically about it. Though, informed wanting more then just a squat toilet but a full one for showering and a sink to wash hands. So the size would have to be more then a 'port-a-pottie' size. Just doesn't want guests/others to use our private bathroom for some reason.

Though others have said when they have, they don't know how to use western style and see footprints on the toilet seat. Which I don't see as a big problem, it can be wiped down.

Or as the example shows, guess they have western toilets with footstools in front to use as a squat. Will have to see what is available. The size would have to accommodate a shower without it being over the squat toilet which increases the size of the small extension to the house.

How much would it cost approximately to construct a toilet with shower? A decent one but not high class.

Are you speaking about the one outside............the 'squat toilet' area? I haven't looked into that as of yet. Off the top of my head I would say about 20-30,000 Baht. It wouldn't be that hard to put in a shower head.....and a small corner sink to wash one's hands. The water has to be brought to the area in any event. It is being built more for the Thai family members. Though, it would come in handy for outside working.

I am 'stumped'

Anyone have ideas on designing a 9 meter on each side, which would be a square building for 2 bedrooms and a bathroom? I've drawn out and can not come up with a design whereas I do not have a long narrow hall, or an exit that is not through the bathroom. Obviously the bedrooms can not be equal. My only thought would be to have an exit from the building from each bedroom with each having a door into the bath. Thoughts?

"First of all you need to get on a website called Cool Thai House. This website is all about falang building in Thailand with a ton of great stories as people build their homes. There is a thread on just about any subject you can think of."

Thanks 'oneday' for your comments and the link. I will certainly look into that site. You do have a beautiful looking house. Great kitchen. I like the ceilings and will incorporate that design into my 'bedroom building.'

My builder, I think at this point in time, is the best friend to the father of my companion. He is a home builder and has built homes in the neighborhood for Farangs and their partners/girlfriends/ wives.

I have posted again the old fashion Thai-design wooden house that I am modeling after. The interior shot is for the center building....or open pole design building with long hanging ceiling fans. It is in Isan so the family can enjoy what is their fashion of sitting on the floors with mats or a large off the floor table that they use. i plan on Rattan furniture at one end for us westerners and myself. The kitchen will be in that slanted lean-to on the pole center building. Only what I call the bedroom building will be secure for A/C and one bath between the two bedrooms. It will have either sheetrocked walls and a ceilings such as yours, oneday. That will house the electronics etc.

I am being told through this blog and from some friends living in the area on what to watch for, such as 'de-worming' the wood for termites. Wood will be cut this summer and seasoned over the summer & fall. Construction is set to start this December. My friend is known in the area as his family, so him hoping, do I dare say trust but verify that work will be honorable. I have written above on other issues that I am aware of for myself. I have never built a new home, but this will be my 4th home that I have repaired, upgraded, etc myself. So, hopefully I will not be too dense. But always appreciate suggestions and warnings being that I am not in Kansas anymore.

Thanks, GoNavy

What was that "squat style toilet on the outside of house" all about?

Isn't that the usual style in the rural areas? When I went there to visit that is what the Thai homes had when visiting. So, my friend says that rather then let them go into the house for toilet, they would be more comfortable with one they were use to. It was insisted. Is there something wrong with that? That is what I call it if the terminology is not correct, what is it?

With regards to the construction I would recommend one of 2 options:

A) hire all workers directly and you manage the construction yourself.

hire a construction manager or company to do the work

Either way buy all material yourself. Construction companies tend to make most money from the material and often use low quality material to optimize their profits. If you buy material yourself it's cheaper and better quality. Also option a) is usually a lot cheaper. The only downside is that you have to find workers yourself but really isn't a problem here in Thailand. Price difference between option a and b is usually a lot so if you have time managing it yourself definitely hire workers yourself.

Hope that helps.

As of now the person I'm building with is up there. Knows a home builder who built a Thai house across the street from family home. Also, he bought the wood directly which will be cut and cured over the summer for a December construction. I am going up in June to check around with supplies, plans of building and the status of the site. My question to the builder would be his expertise, but I'm told he has built homes in the neighborhood.

From the photo, the only closed portion of the house will be the 2 bedroom, 1 bath section which will house the electronics etc.

The center living will be an open pole building style with atrium and large ceiling fans coming down with a side kitchen in the lean to portion on the side. An open Gazebo style patio/relaxation are in the front. Will build a squat style toilet on the outside of house. Will have to discuss with my friend the idea of asking home builder on plumbing etc or higher separate. It sounds like separate contractors for that. Will make sure I have enough electric outlets. Also took note of advice on plumbing for sewer gas. Will have a drain in bath floor for cleaning. I am expecting that a septic tank will be necessary for all, including grey water. I don't want that draining under the house, other then floor washing water.

Thanks for the tutorial on this attachment. I had to click 'more quotes' for the attachment tab to appear. I don't see it as I type this, hope it appears.

This is the model I will build from. Landfill of 140 large truck loads on house site, then it will be on stilts about a 1/2 a story. Hope that will cover any flooding issues. May need a boat to get to it, but hopefully the floors will be dry.

Thanks for the suggestions and reminders. Will be keeping them in a file to refer to as we go along. Am wondering if I should have an architect with plans of my model as a steady hand? I will definitely need a check-off list for sure. I know even in the west building a house can be a nightmare.

How do you copy and paste a photo in this format? I copied......then pasted the photo... It shows, then I post and it does NOT appear in the posted message.

Hopefully with government intervention through offices such as this, it will bring more attention onto the issue. i suggest that one of the reasons gay people have been ostersized outside of religion is that no one brings it up as an issue. Even with religion....aka Roman Catholic Church, nations are giving legality to same sex marriages. Europe and Scandanavia seemed to start the movement. Now it is in South America, Mexico and even the puritancial United States. Perhaps with England putting empahsis it will creep into Africa and do we hope, but the middle east. We can hope.

IMO, many of the great 'gay themed' television series end up too short. Noah's Arc ended with the movie 'Jumping the Broom.' Queer As Folk had a good run that could have run longer IMO, but did get criticism even from the gay community. "Tale of the Cities" was an excellant and well written series by Armistead Maupin. The Front Runner is a wonderful book about a young runner and his coach in a love affair. That was in the works to be made into a movie with Paul Neuman starring but it fizzled due to lack of support.

Wouldn't it be great if some multi-wealthy gay person would invest in a production company to make and produce more of stories such as those?

Indeed a tragic event for Matthew and those who loved Nazim. These type of stories continue within our community. Nazim, the gentle soul he was just was not armed with the strength to fight the inner turmoil brought about in the rejection from his family at that time. For many of us, coming out is a roller coaster ride of which in time comes to a plateau. Even today in the United States with the immigration of folks from these cultures perform 'honor killings' to protect their family name or reputaton from their belief of disgrace. Changing that is one of our largest hoops to jump.

This mimics the story of Shane and Tom in America. Tom falls to his death by accident and his family rejects and forbids Shane to even be present at his funeral, denying their gay son. Shane in his grief tells their story openly and ended up making a movie of their relationship and his rejection called "Bridegroom." As Matthew stated in the interview, the best thing is to 'talk about it." http://bridegroommovie.com/

Sorry...........obviously I don't know how to put a photo on this forum. Above I copied and pasted, but it didn't go with the message.

I forgot to add on the potential design of house I am thinking to build.

I will be building a Thai designed house on 2 Rai of land in a small [2500 pop] community near SIs a Ket. My friend's family is quite helpful in contracting materials, grooming of land and labor. It is my inquiry on specail things I should be aware of such as septic tanks, water towers, permits needed or even a needed house designer in the area. Anyone have experience in this area.

Presently have land cleared, 74 truck loads of landfill, water and electric to the property. Building a retaining wall to prevent landfill loss to street. Plan construction this December. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I will be going up in June to check on progress and inquire more. Thanks,

Go Navy

I am a retired Navy Vet with my military ID in hand. Copy of my DD214 is in the states. I 'may' be interested in joining but won't be moving up to the Sisaket area until next summer.

You can do the 90 day report by registered mail if you still have 2 weeks before the deadline.

Or you can try the online report that should be working by now : http://extranet.immigration.go.th/pibics/online/tm47/TM47Action.do

Good luck

What's with that link? It doesn't work in chrome or firefox browsers. It says it only works in explorer. Go to that and it says it can't find the page. Anyone having those issues?

http://www.unflags.com/thailand.html

http://www.united-states-flag.com/lowcoimusfl.html

This article comes up in google.com Just sayin.