Liquorice

2 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I am not actually and never was.  I still could never have left my business for 75 days and I can't think of anyone who could. Although self employed, I was mostly under contract to provide advice and services 24 hours per day, 7 days per week if necessary.

 

75 Days is a hell of a holiday - although I did once stay 6 months.

I frequent with a couple of oil workers.
Many work a 4 week on, 4 week off shift.

6 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

The 12 month Multi Entry Non Immigrant Visa (MENO) based on marriage is intended for those who do not live with their wife in Thailand but visit regularly.

 

I'm pretty sure in my mind that the new(ish) 400k requirement has been brought about by people using a MENO to avoid having the same amount for an extension of stay.  I can't see any other reason for the change.

I'd refrain from using the term MENO. You were previosuly warned about this.
If I can write Non Imm O ME, which is the excepted abbreviated term for the visa type, then I'm sure you can.

11 minutes ago, transam said:

"Abused", why would you, a farangy, refer to a multi-O as being abused....?

It is a VISA, to be used as the owner see's fit,

No it isn't Trans.
The Non Imm O ME based on Thai spouse was always on the basis of visiting and staying with Thai spouse/family, for short periods of stay.

15 minutes ago, transam said:

an extension is not a visa, and has restrictions.

I'm well aware of the difference beetween a visa and an extension which is a permit of stay.

16 minutes ago, transam said:

I feel you are looking down your nose at members, first the no money thing, now we are abusing a VISA

I'm not looking down my nose at anyone.
Simply stating the facts as they are.

11 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Yes but unless they've changed again, a multi cannot be obtained at the RTE London - money in the bank or otherwise.

Actually, a member recently posted a screen shot of the e-visa application site, applying in the UK for the Non Imm O visa based on Thai spouse.

At the bottom of the screen was a caveat stating the Non Imm O ME was avilable under certain circumstances, to contact the Embassy, or words to that effect.
It was at the bottom of the first page where you enter personal information and the Embassy selection.

You'd have to log in and start the process to find it again.

The bigger issue and problem as I read it, and I personally know of 3 expats that have done this for years to stay in Thailand.

Having been married and then divorced from a Thai spouse, if you still retain an original marriage certificate and copies of the ex spouses Tabien Baan and Thai ID card, that was all the Embassies requested to issue the Non Imm O ME.

Rather than impose financial requirements of 400K THB or equivalent for these visa types, they could have simply added the requirement of either a KR2/22 (as Immigration request for 1 year extensions). If your still genuinely married, then the wife could easily obtain an updated KR2/22, scan and email for your submission.
That small detail would elimate those who were no longer genuinely married from the process, leaving only the genuine married folk able to apply.

I don't think or rationalise like a Thai though! 😉

20 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I would also remind you, although I'm sure you'll argue the toss.......that visiting a Thai wife is not considered to be tourism by immigration.  Both I and my mate who worked in Iraq, were questioned when entering on 30 day exempts and told to get a Non O visa.  Given that someone in my mate's position would find it a real PITA having to go Savannakhet every time he visited, a multi provided a solution.

Ah! You are or were an oil worker and you have my sympathies, as the Non Imm O ME is ideal for there shift rotas.
However many oilworkers abused the VE entry system, rather than obtaining the appropriate visa.
I advised some of the oilworkers to apply for the Non Imm O ME visa during their 4 wekkly vists to visit the wife.
I don't consider a 2 day trip once a year, or even longer a PITA for the benifits.

Depends how you enter Thailan whether your staus is Tourist or Non Immigrant from Immigrations point of view.
In either case you are permitted to extend your stay for 60 days to visit Thai wife.

The Non Imm O ME visas from HCMC and Savannahket have been abused by foreigners living full time in Thailand, rather than for the purpose of visiting Thai spouse/family as intended.

14 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I very much doubt that the MFA have instructed Savannakhet to make having 400,000k in a Thai account a requirement - note Thai account.

I think it's very much a situation where the Thai government have instructed the MFA to instruct Savannahket to make the changes.

18 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I had a list of the official requirements many years ago, issued by the MFA at Laksi by hand.  There was an official financial requirement but I can't remember how much it was. In any case, various embassies and consulates around the world 'adjusted' those requirements to suit themselves.

Many years ago, I used to wear short pants, but were in the here and now position.

20 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

London for example. used to state an amount but didn't actually require it when you applied. Same with the now closed consulate at Hull.

 

None of them required the money to be in a Thai account.

That's because you were ling permanently where you applied, so funds in your home Country were the requirement, and still are.

I totally agree that they have tightened the financial requirements, but that's change for you.
London in the past didn't stipulate a financial requirement for the Non Imm O ME visa.
For the Non Imm O based on retirement a DWP pension statement was suffient, now it's £10,000.

There are reasons why requirements are changing.

Savannahket and HCMC were always the exception to the rule, because they are adjoing Countries to Thailand.
It would have been ridiculous to request funds be in a Vietnamese or Lao bank account, but as the Non Imm O ME can actually allow you to stay in Thailand for almost 17 months before applying for a new visa, it doesn't seem unreasonable to request those funds be in a Thai bank account.

Not much use in a UK account if funds are required on the day in an emergency situation.

There is a bigger picture to these changes.

6 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

So? Why would someone living and working abroad, wish to open a Thai bank account? 

Why would anyone living and working abroad want to marry a Thai and obtain the Non Imm O ME visa.

Your attempting to making every excuse in the book, because you don't agree with the financial requirements.

It's there Country, there laws, there requirements.

You can argue with the MFA or Immigration requirements as much as you want, but it is what it is.

25 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I'd be interested to know of a consulate or embassy that is on E-Visa that allows non residents to apply - other than those that make concessions where local embassies or consulates are closed because of unrest etc.

As your from the UK lets start there.

https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-general-information?menu=65bb7713d0737318de2bab23

My best friend is married to a Chines lady residing with him in the UK.
Her daughter attends Manchester University on a 'Study' visa.

Last year she applied for the Thai Tourist visa, to meet friends from China in Thailand for a get together.

She supplied a letter from the University, her UK Study visa, and obtained the visa.

You may have to be resident in the Country you apply, but not neccassarily have permanent residency.
 

11 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

We know the intended use of the Multi Non O based on marriage and there are financial requirements when applying elsewhere but why would someone not living in Thailand want to put 400,000 in a Thai bank account?

You can immediately withdraw and use those funds for living expenses as soon as the ME Non Imm O is issued, just the same as you can with a 1 year permit of stay obtained at an Immigration office. There is no requirements to keep funds in the bank after the visa or extension is granted.

37 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I object to this requirement because a Multi Entry Non O based on marriage is intended for those who are married to a Thai, don't live in Thailand but visit regularly.  Requiring them to have a Thai bank account is not only wrong, its technically impossible because as a non resident,you are not supposed to be given a Thai bank account. 

Well, if the purpose is to visit a Thai spouse, then at some point you'll be in Thailand and can open a Thai bank account.

Savannahket has until now been the exception in not requiring any proof of funds for the Non Imm O ME.

It provided a 'loophole' for those married to Thais who couldn't meet the financial requirements.

41 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

There is also nothing in the official requirements that state 400,000 is needed.

Which official requirements are you referring to?

32 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Nope, if they go over to E-visa you won't be able to apply at all. E-visa applications are limited to citizens of the country where the application is made or those who have legal residence there.

Sometimes, not always.

5 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

From the UK?  No thanks!

Can't meet the financial requirements for the call either.   😉

9 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

If you do not have Thai bank account, please apply for Non-O single entry.

There's your answer and confirmation.

For what reason would you require a Thai bank account ........................ to provide evidence of 400K THB for 2 months for the Non Imm O ME visa.

Same requirements as for a 1 year extension of stay at Immigration.

If as I suspect, they eventually go over to applications via the e-visa site, then you'll be required to provide evidence of the equivalent of 400K THB just for the single entry Non Imm O visa.

6 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

I've just emailed Savannakhet for clarification - I expect a reply in 4 to 5 months as usual.

Closed now, but try calling.

Phone: +856 41 212 373

9 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

if your from the UK the answer will be NFC we don't do that

They are certifying a printed copy, as in;
We certify this to be a an original copy of ...........................

45 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

If I remember correctly, the reports on here state that no seasoning is required. I can't be sure on this but I seem to remember one poster stating they needed a letter from the bank confirming the balance.  Given that some genuine Multi Entry Non O applicants will not have set foot in Thailand, that would seem a strange requirement.

Recent reports from Savannahket report 400K THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months on the date of application for the Non Imm O multi entry visa.
No finacial requirements for the single entry Non Imm O visa.

4 hours ago, GeorgeCross said:

does anybody know if we have to leave every 90 days on a multi-entry non-o or can extend each entry (so leave every 5 months?)

 

also can we border bounce the entries? or have to stay overnight?

3 hours ago, rhino533 said:

If you have a 1 year multi-entry you have to leave the country every 90days and you can only extend it one time. So you will have 1 year plus the 2 month extension. As far as leaving the country. I stayed at least one night outside of Thailand before returning. Some people have said they have crossed the border and back to Thailand the same day without issue but others have had problems. I just avoided any problems and stayed a night. I hope this helps!

 

That's incorrect.

You can extend each 90 day entry one time for an additional 60 days to visit Thai spouse/family.

This means with 3 border runs and 3 x 60 day extensions you can stay for almost 17 months, before requiring a new ME Non Imm O visa.

In most cases you can border hop the same day.

4 minutes ago, Mr Derek said:

Where does one find these 'immigration updates'?

At a guess, it's a hand out leaflet from an as yet unspecified Immigration office.

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

Perhaps depends on the location.

I took all my documents to the main Amphur office for Chiang Mai city including the dark blue tabien baan (TB) book (dark blue TB used for PR holders. My Thai ID number was issued 27 years ago along with the issue of the original dark blue Certificate of Residence book and my name and Thai ID number entered into the old style TB sheets at the same time.) Later, the TB sheets were retired and the TB books started.

 

The amphur staff at Chiang Mai took my name details (and the ID number) from my TB book to generate the pink ID card. 

Yours is a different situation. You had PR and already named in a Blue house book, only requiring the pink ID card.

The topic is about obtaining a Yellow house book and the procedures.

4 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Does he 'confirm his address...'or does he get a new exit / re-entry permit every year? (new exit / re-entry stamp is not an annual official requirement but most PR holders who travel abroad frequently get a multiple entry exit / re-entry permit every year. 

 

By the way the Thai police is the agency which keeps records of where PR holders are living through the RED police registration book which must be updated every 5 years 9updated means new photo and if needed update the residential address of the PR holder.

 

As said records of address are done through the RED police book, a police activity / responsibility.

 

Records of residential address / changes of residential address is also handled using the Tabien Baan book process which is handled by / the responsibility of the Amphur office system (administered by the Interior Ministry.

I sent you a PM regarding this.

19 minutes ago, scorecard said:

That's true, a few years ago it was extremely difficult and cumbersome.

 

Nowadays the process has been simplified and quite easy and quick. Worth another try.

 

Good luck

On the contrary.

Years ago it was quick and easy with little bureaucracy.
I translated my passport into Thai using Google Translate and that along with my passport was sufficient. I verbally gave them the name of my parents, which they translated.
There were no requirements for 'certification' or 'legalisation' procedures then. 

Nowadays, you need to have copies of documents 'certified' by your Embassy (appointment only), then have those translated into Thai, before taking them to the MFA for legalisation (appointment only). For many, this involves a journey to Bangkok, and one/two nights stay depending on availability of appointments.

14 hours ago, iian23 said:

As previously stated, he has been to Thailand twice in the last 12 months. When checking in, the airline told him as you have had 2 visa exempt in the last year so you need a visa. He obviously questioned this. The airline claimed to have rung Bangkok immigration to check and they concurred. Travel was refused and he has now applied for a tourist visa.

There are no current laws limiting visa exempt entries by air, as there is with land border crossings.

Any new regulation as such would have been headlines in the Tabloids and would have to be posted in the Royal Gazette before coming into effect.

1 hour ago, Jack1988 said:

It's possible to come to Thailand one time a year and stay for 6 months? Come with 30 days free visa exemption, then extend 30 days at immigration and start to do a few border run with extension at immigration. So 180 days total! Is there anyone who has done this often?

Under current regulations, there is no problem with this, it's just a lot of travelling and dealing with Immigration offices.

Next year, consider the METV.

60 day unlimited entries during the 6-month validity of the visa.
2 border runs would permit you to stay for 6 months, without the hassle of 30 day extensions.

21 minutes ago, khunPer said:

I gave OP two options: 1) if she can get her entry stamp corrected; and 2) an extension, if she cannot get her entry stamp corrected. Not that difficult to understand...

Already explained on page 1.
As usual, you jump in late without reading previous posts, repeat, then criticise.

It's not difficult to understand, but it would cause extensive inconvenience and unexpected extra expenses to go with option 2.

1 hour ago, john donson said:

 

if it is to have the name in Thai, I have mine on my divorce documents, also certified by MOFA, would that not be a good enough equivalent ?

 

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Unlikely because for those of us married and applying for the Yellow House Book our legal name written in Thai is also on our Thai Marriage Certificate, yet we are still required to obtain an MFA Verified translation of an Embassy Verified Copy of our Passport.

 

 

 

They require all the details on your passport certifying, translating, and legalising, not just your name.
Certain Amphoes also request a birth certificate be certified, translated and legalised for your parents names that are also entered in the house book.

Best to check full requirements at your local Amphoe first.