Liquorice

jamestip2013, on 18 Mar 2015 - 18:10, said:

You can use a fixed term deposit for your 1 year retirement extension as long as it is NOT secured against a credit card. I have used a Bangkok Bank 800000 fixed deposit and there fee for the letter is 200bt.

If you use a Kasikorn bank fixed deposit which I have at the moment you need an account for the money to be paid into every month. The interest is added every month and the 15% tax on the interest is deducted. The interest after tax is credited to your nominated savings account ..

EG ... 28th Feb 2015... 800000 bt balance. + 1779.72 bt. Interest for February = 801779.72 MINUS 266.96 (15% tax) =

801512.76 bt. MINUS 151276 interest = 800000 bt.

The amount of 1512.76 is the interest after the compulsory tax is taken out and credited to your savings account..

So in fact after all calculations the balance remains at 800000 bt for the life of the term deposit.

I have never in 5 years had any problems with my extensions. I never touch the account so its very straight forward..

If your not receiving any income from Thailand you can claim that tax back as well.

billd766, on 18 Mar 2015 - 16:44, said:

Still to do with UK pensions but relevant to Thailand.

I had an email from the RBL today referring to the letter of confirmation of pension details provided by the UK embassy.

WEF 23rd March 2015

From 23^rd March 2015 British nationals requiring

• Consular letter confirming pension/income for retirement visa in Thailand
• Legalising a signature or seal

Will need to apply for this service by post.

Letter confirming pension/income for retirement Visa

Information about this service including how to apply by post can be found at www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand

(Scroll down the document to find the relevant section)

It seems that now you are no longer permitted to go to the embassy first thing in the morning and collect it after lunch.

You now HAVE to post it and wait a few days to get it and find out if they got it right.

What on earth is the use of the embassy anymore?

billd

Pension/Income Letters for Immigration have been available by post only from 8/4/2014.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-obtain-a-pensionincome-letter-for-thai-immigration

As I understand it, the previous walk in system for affidavits, legalisations, passports, has been changed to an appointments system.

willyumiii, on 18 Mar 2015 - 21:31, said:

This is old news...last December!

Does it really matter?

You can now do your 90 day report online!

Why go to any immigration office to report?

Decembers old news, comes as new news in March, when you only report every 90 days.

I suspect that even when online reporting is available, they can still refuse if you haven't crossed the 't's and dotted the 'i's.

I hope my feedback helps you to advise others Joe.

I'll report the outcome from the visit to Amnat

UPDATE:

Contacted the 1111 centre this morning and discussed the problem with a Mr Kamen.

(The 1111 centre is actually located at Bangkok Immigration office)

OK, here's the outcome.

Provided a foreigner has followed the Immigration rules and Police Orders, that is, notified the Immigration Office in their province or local Police Station if their address is not in the same province of their local Immigration, AND completed a TM28 (Change of Address), AND a TM30 (Owners notification of an Alien), AND reported such WITHIN 24 hours of moving to a new address, the your new Immigration Office should continue to accept 90 day reports at that office regardless of where you received your Extension.

Any discrepancies to following the above and your new Immigration Office can refer you back to the office where you got the extension.

In the case of my friend, Amnat Charoen stated they have never received a TM30 from the house owner, hence they have told him to refer back to Bangkok where he received his extension. On checking his documents, he has a receipt for the TM28, but not the TM30 although he is adamant he handed the form in.

We will attend Amnat Charoen Office on Friday with a TM30 and see if they will complete his 90 day report then. It will be at their discretion as far as Bangkok are concerned because he did not follow the correct procedure. They (Amnat Charoen) completed his last 90 day report to allow him time to send them the TM30 which they say they never received.

(If they refuse again, it's over the border to Savannakhet to reset his 90 days)

Again, it is ultimately your responsibility to check the stamps and dates issued by Immigration and to make sure you get receipts and keep them safe.

Immigration is having it's knuckles rapped at the moment, by the powers that be, and are being instructed to 'follow the rules' themselves.

There are no changes to the rules (as many TV members report) just the tightening up and enforcement of the existing rules.

So if you are asked for something you weren't asked for last year, it's probably because last year they were lenient and didn't have someone rapping their knuckles. They are not being pedantic but are doing what they should have been doing before. Follow the rules and stay safe everyone.

I spent around 90 minutes online to the 1111 number (he twice put me on hold while he contacted Amnat Charoen) and the total cost was around 30 baht from my mobile, from Roi Et.................very cheap in my opinion..

I'm totally in agreement with you possum.

Regardless of experience or what speed you think is safe, the unexpected can always happen.

I drive at speeds that suit the conditions and I feel safe at..

At 64kph the total stopping distance is 36m (118 feet).

If you can see potholes or predict a pedestrian or car coming across you from those distances, then you truly have remarkable rose tinted glasses.

I'll guarantee at least one of you mocking will have an incident in the next 3 months.

Riding a motorcycle always carries the whiff of the grim reaper around the next corner.

The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, experience, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that 'it won't happen to me'.

czhteck, on 17 Mar 2015 - 19:57, said:

czhteck, on 17 Mar 2015 - 19:41, said:

czhteck, on 17 Mar 2015 - 19:41, said:

What if you are changing where you live from in one province to another one permanently. In this case you should only have to do a 90 reporting at your new address not your old address Reporting Center.

Will this be correct.

That is the way it should be.

But some immigration offices are saying you still have to report where you got your extension which in most cases like you mentioned a person would no longer have a local address to put on the form,

If I had to report to my old Immigration office it would be a 500 mile return air trip. a two day trip for me if this case. You should have only have to report 90 days where you currently live.

That is case scenario some Immigration offices are following.

And the attitude is it's not their problem.

Common sense should prevail, if you followed all the procedures and reported your new address to a new office in that province.

I'll try and get a response tomorrow through 1111.

Does anyone have a number for Bangkok Immigration 1. Couldn't get a reply on the numbers from the internet.

phuketrichard, on 17 Mar 2015 - 13:29, said:phuketrichard, on 17 Mar 2015 - 13:29, said:phuketrichard, on 17 Mar 2015 - 13:29, said:

robblok, on 15 Mar 2015 - 16:21, said:robblok, on 15 Mar 2015 - 16:21, said:robblok, on 15 Mar 2015 - 16:21, said:

Faz, on 15 Mar 2015 - 14:51, said:Faz, on 15 Mar 2015 - 14:51, said:Faz, on 15 Mar 2015 - 14:51, said:

bubblegum, on 15 Mar 2015 - 10:34, said:bubblegum, on 15 Mar 2015 - 10:34, said:bubblegum, on 15 Mar 2015 - 10:34, said:bubblegum, on 15 Mar 2015 - 10:34, said:

Have to do my 1 year licence soon but still not sure when to do it, before or after expiration, anyone?

When I asked my transport office what date I should renew my licence they said anytime up to 2 weeks before the expiry date.

I was told 90 days before expiry date and they told me this 9 march 2015, so its quite recent. However this was in BKK.

PHUKET:::

Just renewed my 5 year license today

was told u can do it 2 months before BUT

DONT

renew after

My license expired Marsh 15 2015

went in today

new license expires March 15th 2011 6 YEARS!!! same price

Need show

• residency certificate
• copy front page passport
• copy visa page

Original license

Passport

• Got there at 8:30
• docs checked
• went and brake test an light test ( red, yellow, green)
• waited 40 minutes than a 1 hour video ( only watched part of the video for all people renewing 5 year license an those getting a new license with an IDP)
• than paid 550 baht
• got pic taken, paid 110 baht
• got the license
• out at 11:40

My license expired Marsh 15 2015

went in today

new license expires March 15th 2011 6 YEARS!!! same price

I think you meant 2021

Better double check it, you know how they make mistakes.

elviajero, on 17 Mar 2015 - 17:06, said:

Slightly off topic.

I've always read that the fine for late reporting is 2,000 baht. But I've just reported and on my new report slip I notice it says "The fine of Overdue Notification is not exceeding 5,000 baht"

Based on that and what I've read on TV, I have to assume the minimum charge is 2,000 baht if 8 or more days late, and that the fine will increase to upto 5,000 the later one reports.

Can someone please confirm how the fine system works for late reporting.

According to the Immigration website:

Notice of staying in the Kingdom over 90 Days.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=90days

• The notification of staying in the Kingdom over 90 days is in no way equivalent to a visa extension.
• If a foreigner staying in the kingdom over 90 days without notifying the Immigration Bureau or notifying the Immigration Bureau later than the set period, a fine of 2,000.- Baht will be collected. If a foreigner who did not make the notification of staying over 90 days is arrested, he will be fined 4,000.- Baht.
• If a foreigner leaves the country and re-enters, the day count starts at 1 in every case.

Totally agree Joe.

Proof of address is only required when doing the extension.

However if 90 day reports were just a case of staying longer than 90 days, then why would it matter which office you had to report to?

The main problem seems to stem from poorly written orders, that only the Commissioner knows what is in his head, but the meaning is misinterpreted by other officers who don't know what he was thinking when he drafted the order.

I'll try 1111 tomorrow, although it wasn't answered today.

Getting some clarity would help a lot of people who may encounter the same problem.

I'll report any further findings on this thread.

ubonjoe, on 17 Mar 2015 - 15:27, said:

Chong Mek is another option. It is a walk across crossing and is less busy than the bridge at Mukdahan.

Dependent on where you will be starting from it might be closer.

Thanks for the heads up Joe.

Going from Roi Et to Amnat for a re-entry first, so Suvannakhet is probably the closest.

The irony of this situation is that the whole reason for regularly reporting is confirming your address in Thailand. Big brother wants to know where you are!

There is a procedure to report change of address especially in a different province with the office of that province.

That suggests you should report to the Immigration office within the catchment area of your address....that makes sense.

This new order suggests you report to the Immigration office where the extension was issued but where you may have no registered address.

That defeats the object of the exercise in my opinion.

Thanks for the replies.

I couldn't agree more with your opinion Joe.

Why have a procedure to follow informing Immigration of change of address, if you still have to go back to the office that issued the extension.

In this case my friend has already completed 2 x 90 day reports at Amnat without a problem.

Perhaps well written orders that can't be misinterpreted is required.

Looks like a trip to Savannakhet on Friday.

Turns out my mate has a multi entry re-entry permit. I'm going along for the experience and I'm the one that needs to pop into Amnat for a re-entry permit.

Well this is a first to me.

I recently reported on TV about a friend who got his Non O Imm and subsequent extension based on retirement from Bangkok Immigration.

He moved to Amnat Charoen, reported change of address using forms TM 28 and TM 30 without any problems........but was then refused 90 day reports at Amnat Charoen.

This week another friend who initially got his extension based on retirement from Bangkok Immigration, but has since lived in Roi Et and already done two 90 day reports at Amnat Charoen was today refused another.

After speaking to the boss at Amnat Charoen, he tells me they are only following a new order issued by the Commissioner of Immigration, Bangkok 1 in December.

That order apparently states that 90 day reports must be completed at the Immigration Office who issued the extension.

So Amnat for one won't allow 90 day reports at their office if you didn't get the extension there.

He tells me every Immigration office received this order.

I pushed him further anticipating problems arising, such as;

Would Bangkok accept a 90 day report by post when you now live in another province and have registered your address within that new province.

His reply wasn't 100%. They should, but better to go in person! I haven't been able to contact Bangkok 1 to ask directly.

If I go on holiday to another area for a month or so, can I do reports at another office.

His reply, you can report to your local Immigration office in person 2 weeks before or 7 days after the report is due.

You can send it by post 15 days before from anywhere in Thailand, so it shouldn't be a problem if your away for a month or so.

Anybody else heard the same, it's not a problem as long as we're all aware of it, although I'm sure I read on TV that some Imm offices won't accept 90 day reports by post.

Ok, Immediate problem for my friend, he isn't going to get his report slip back from Amnat in time to do his report at Bangkok anyway.

Option over the border to Lao and re-entry to get another 90 days............Question.....does he need a re-entry permit?

LivinLOS, on 16 Mar 2015 - 11:10, said:

Faz, on 16 Mar 2015 - 11:08, said:

Foreigners aren't issued blue books, only yellow books.

I assumed he meant cars blue book.

northernphil, on 16 Mar 2015 - 10:57, said:

possum1931, on 15 Mar 2015 - 17:14, said:

guzzi850m2, on 15 Mar 2015 - 16:42, said:

A pcx150 outpace a truck, what? I have done over 170km/h in my truck on the toll ways sometimes, so I don't think so. I have a 100% standard Ranger 2.2 so nothing fancy.

I also has a pcx150 and it's very good for city riding but I don't like riding it out on the highways at it's app max cruising speed 80km/h, you are getting overtaken by most 4 wheelers. Sure you can ride at about 100km/h (full whack) but it's not very stable at those speeds and the engine will not last long if 100% loaded all the time, fuel cons. will also suffer quite a lot when you push it like that.

OP good to hear that nothing serious happened to you and you could complete your trip.

Get a cbr250/300cc and you can follow normal traffic without problems but it might not be comfortable for you?

I agree that a 150 cc bike will be unstable at 100kmh, the top speed I ride at is 60kmh, I think I am safer on the hardshoulder when I ride on the highway, but what do I do when there is an obstruction, ie a parked vehicle? I saw the rut on the road, I have used that road often, and that rut has always being there.

I slowed down to about 40kmh, no faster, and I never expected that to happen. I keep wondering what more I could have done apart from stopping and edging my way on to the first lane.

You say you ride at 60ks , I too have a PCX 150 and go along at between 8o & 100Kph. I never use the inside 2 way traffic lane, too many sleeping dogs ,too many parked cars an folk likely to pull out from the side at any moment, Get in to the first lane and go faster.

Speed kills!

On these roads and the guarantee that you can expect the unexpected from other road users, I've never gone above 70kph, even then I wear brown trousers and swear a lot.

Unless you ride a smaller bike, some of the road conditions may not be obvious.

I've had problems getting stuck in a rut, back wheel jumping and skidding over 'cats eyes' and once hit a deep pothole which was covered by water during rain.

The bike stopped but I continued straight over the bars. Luckily I was only going slow. A couple of scrapes and bruises.

Wider tyres would eradicate some of the dangers and I believe they are available for certain models.

Foreigners aren't issued blue books, only yellow books.

@ dagling - Your friend only needs a Certificate of Residence from either his Embassy, Immigration or Local Police Station, dependant on where he lives and which is the easier option. Although you state he already has a C of R from Immigration, they are usually invalid after 30 days from date of issue.

I'm not at state pension age yet, but receive a monthly income from a private pension annuity.

It's just on the personal allowance threshold, so I don't currently pay tax.

I'd have to live until I'm 96 though to get back what I contributed.

However when I'm 65, I'll get another smaller company pension plus the state pension.

I'm still considering what my options are?

bubblegum, on 15 Mar 2015 - 10:34, said:

Have to do my 1 year licence soon but still not sure when to do it, before or after expiration, anyone?

When I asked my transport office what date I should renew my licence they said anytime up to 2 weeks before the expiry date.

For those who may consider taking their Pension Pots, it's important to understand the tax implications.

A very good article in the Telegraph explains what you need to know before making your choices.

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tables-reveal-tax-bill-pension-071826906.html

Is anyone thinking of taking advantage of these Pension reforms, and why?

konying, on 13 Mar 2015 - 00:42, said:

Anthony5, on 13 Mar 2015 - 00:27, said:

They offered Faz a 25 Baht discount on a 270 Baht charge, which was supposed to be only 135 Baht in total, so how they solved the problem?

They cut it free, but he had to buy a new board.

Yes not ideal solution, hardly worth the time to take it any further or throw a hissy fit.

Please save your usual trolling for another thread.

One would really go to waste courts time over 100 baht=$3?

Konying, I didn't buy another board if you read my post correctly.

The point I was making, (and your correct my issue wasn't worth taking any further) is that another way to deal with smaller issues is to vote with your feet and just walk away, having made it clear that I thought their 'customer relations and service' was disgusting and I wouldn't be spending my money there again.

The 'cost' wasn't the problem, 'face' was. They just refused to admit they were at fault.

In contrast, I've returned a battery drill and 2 mats to Home Pro, which were replaced with no quibbles.

wow64, on 13 Mar 2015 - 19:19, said:

Not many useful posts on Tv.. Good work.

And your contribution is outstanding.............well done Smithers

i claudius, on 13 Mar 2015 - 10:09, said:

billd766, on 13 Mar 2015 - 06:12, said:

Expattaff1308, on 12 Mar 2015 - 20:35, said:

The International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP)

Baroness Benjamin raises frozen pensions in debate in the House of Lords:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/…

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/…

This is a very interesting read and it gives an insight ito the minds of many of the mealy mouthed barsteward people called politicians in the UK. It also shows how a few good people ARE fighting for us expat pensioners.

Quote "It has been this way for 60 years" and it is inferred we WON'T change it so there.

Hopefully there will be a very large wake call up during the elections in a couple of months.

While liking what you say very much as i have said before ,there are two hopes and one is called Bob .

Yeah, but he died 12 years ago, so that leaves 'no hope'.

Maybe 'faith' and 'charity' stand a chance.

OP, leaving finances aside as members seem divided on whether you can or cannot live on $400-$600 a month.

If you don't want to end up in serious trouble which could include a fine, detention centre and deportation, then you really need to research the requirements for voluntary work in Thailand and whether you and the organisation can meet those requirements.

You will need a Non Imm O type Visa and a Work Permit regardless.

Even with a letter from the organisation, the Thai Embassy will only issue a single entry 90 day Non Imm O Visa. Subsequent Visas can be obtained from Bangkok Immigration (at their discretion) with a letter from your organisation. The maximum permitted stay in Thailand is 90 days without either getting a subsequent Visa or reporting to an Immigration office.

The Ministry of Labour may or may not issue a work permit depending on the type of voluntary work you plan to do.

Just how much will the organisation support your applications and who will cover the costs are questions you need to ask them.

Those costs may also include travel and accommodation that you didn't anticipate and they won't cover.

You can read more about the requirements here:

http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/working-thailand.php

merijn, on 12 Mar 2015 - 19:41, said:

Faz, on 11 Mar 2015 - 17:30, said:

KarenBravo, on 11 Mar 2015 - 17:03, said:KarenBravo, on 11 Mar 2015 - 17:03, said:

The proof of address must be a letter from the Immigration department.

You can't turn up with a Tabien Bahn, or a bill with your address on it.

A Tabian Ban is ultimate proof of address. You need a C of R to get one.

What do you think Thais use; ID card and Tabian Ban. No different for farangs.

Transport departments should accept one of 3 possible methods of proof of address for a farang;

1. Certificate of Residence (available from Immigration, Embassy or Police Station).

2. Tabian Ban (obtained from local Amphur)

3. Work Permit.

There is a big difference between what we think that they should accept and what they will accept.

Thai's are not really famous for their logical decisions or way of thinking.

A work permit has in most cases the address from your employer or work place and not your home address.

The only way to find out for sure is to ask the at the office your going to deal with.

Some will accept a copy of your landlords ID card and Tabian Ban, such as Immigration or Banks.

Others want a Certificate of Residence (for which you need the above papers anyway), such as the Transport office.

That is usually all any office will request and as much as they think a farang will hold.

Next step is a Tabian Ban for which you need a Certificate of Residence and a translation of your passport into Thai.

As already mentioned, a Certificate of Residence only has a validity of 30 days to be used.

A Tabian Ban has no expiry date.

The offices that often request a Certificate of Residence will happily accept a Tabian Ban if you tell them you hold one.

Since holding mine I have at times been told I need a C of R (which is their minimum acceptance requirement), but on production of my Tabian Ban a C of R wasn't required. That goes for any government office I've had dealings with, Including my Transport Office who initially said they could only accept a C of R.

Many of these staff are poorly trained and don't realise that under the Thai Civil Registration Act a foreigner is entitled to hold a Tabian Ban whether an owner or renter. Thais hold a blue book, foreigners are issued with a Yellow book.

Thais hold an ID card, just as we hold a passport, as proof of identity

Thais use their house book (Tabian Ban) as proof of address...........guess what I use!

Ask to see a manager if you get blank stares........staff only ask for what their told to ask for.