sghanchey

Starting over in Cambodia just to get away from a relationship is a bad idea. Several friends of mine who have moved there to escape other situations ended up being exploited, ripped off, stolen from, became seriously disillusioned, and wanted desperately to move back to Thailand or back to where they had come from. It seems to be OK if someone starts out there, and has trustworthy and reliable intermediaries who can help get things done, but it is one of the most corrupt places in the world (makes Thailand look like Scandinavia), and street crime is far worse than here. It doesn't seem to matter where one settles, since one of them started in Phnom Penh (hated it after a month), moved to Siem Reap (hated it more), and finally ended up in Kampot (the "up-and-coming" expat hang-out), but gave up on it too. I say put your belongings in storage (including the motorbike), rent a car, put the dog in a carrier and in the back seat and find somewhere else in Thailand to relocate to. It's a big country, and you can certainly get lost in Bangkok, for a start.

Reason for extension - name/nationality/passport and the reason you are requesting extension and signature.

Sponsorship - been is use for years - fill in bio data at top and sign - room for a sponsor and processing officer to fill out other areas and sign.

A new laws/penalty for various things summary that you fill out name/nationality/passport and sign. Believe this replaced/expanded the loss of reason means loss of extension form used last year.

Where does one get the "sponsorship" form?

I am fairly sure Immigration tries to illicit bad behavior … but don’t let them win.

Today, June 17, went to Immigration at Chiangwattana … nice and early … to renew my retirement visa.

All my papers were in perfect order. Everything was perfect.

The junior officer went through my papers and gave it to her supervisor.

Then supervisor does a check of my papers. She said I needed to update bank book.

I showed her the update was 16 June and today was 17 June. She said I still need to update bankbook.

Then the junior officer processing my application showed her the date of bank letter and update were the same.

The supervisor asked me if I had an ATM card to get update. I said this account does not have ATM card.

She was not happy.

She scrutinized my papers again and again. Then she said the passport photocopies were no good … they look like I scanned my passport and they want photocopies … and she said I had to make new photo copies (Mind you, she was the same supervisor who accepted the same scanned passport photocopies last year.)

I was quiet, and polite and I got the same passport pages photocopied again … just for her.

Extension granted.

The MORAL of the story …. EXPECTATION … Expect the worst … Expect being hassled … and you won’t lose your temper. If it doesn’t happen and everything goes smoothly and efficiently … well then … when you get outside give a jump and click your heels and buy a round for your mates.

Why does my brain always feel like I just finished a Kafka novel when I leave Immigration?

I have one question. If one is asked to leave the desk and go do something (like make better photocopies for ex.), do you return to the same desk directly when the 'task' is completed? Surely you don't have to get another number and wait in the queue. Thank you.

The stamp in the passport is in fact correct. I just checked. It is dated 17/04/16. Whew! Thanks for this.

I just noticed that on my last entry at DMK, the immigration officer stamped "Admitted Until April 15, 2015" on my TM6 (it's now June 8), when in fact it should have been April 15, 2016, according to my still valid O-A (retirement) visa. I know that we are advised to check this each time, but I was in a hurry and didn't notice it until now. I am flying out of Bangkok again on June 11 (2 days from now). What should I do, and can I take care of this at the airport? Thanks in advance.

I highly recommend Dr. Suntchai Wirosaengthong, at BNH Hospital on Soi Convent in Silom. I had the exact same problem and he has treated me for it since last year. He works on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday and Sundays. Tel: 02-686-2700. Email: [email protected]

Can someone please explain to me why someone has to do a "90 day visa run"? I have a one-year, multiple-entry O-A retirement visa. I understand that if you stay in the country for 90 days you have to report to immigration, and I usually travel at least every days anyway, but why does one have to do this? Is it to avoid reporting? Thanks in advance.

Very curious to know about Indian health care options that someone has mentioned in this thread. New to Forum and don't know how to PM him.

India!

Have to say best option by a mile. I go there frequently for medical care,just a short hop and damned cheap and excellent care, far better than UK

could go back to UK go private BUPA doctor few hundred £ ,then fast tracked through NHS

Just a point ,have had estimates for past surgery in Thailand chose India 1/20 of the cost at least,and so good.

Going in a month or so PM me if you decide

Bangkok Bank HQ office has a big sign in the customer service lobby that says "We Welcome Foreigner Customers". I opened an account there as a tourist last year and had only my passport and a U.S. driver's license (for back-up photo ID). Minimum deposit THB 500. No problem at all. I am very happy with their service and regularly transfer cash from the U.S. that arrives in my account in 72 hours. I have debit and credit cards from them too.

Buddhaland- please explain how Bangkok Bank can arrange for direct deposit of US Social Security payments, and how much of a hit one takes with exchange rate or transfer fees. I'm currently wiring mine from my US bank and it costs me $45 each time. Thanks.

I am also a fan - used to be with the "yellow" bank and had nothing but problems. Their ATM ate my Social Security debit card and was told that the machine automatically destroyed it. I can still scarcely believe that's legal! Were it not for a sizeable loan from friends at home, I would have had to go a month or more with no social security payment. I switched to Bankok Bank, and they have just been the best - unfailingly helpful, many English speaking employees, and they are the only Thai bank that can receive my Soc. Security direct deposits. I truly can't see why an American in Thailand would bank anywhere else!

Thanks.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Any recent reports on getting 90-day visa in US passport in Cambodia? Thanks.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app