MikeN

We decided to get the translations done while in BKK, they will get them certified and then EMS them to us in Ubon.

 According to a big notice in the Australian embassy consular section and on their website, the Legalization Office at the Ubon Governor’s office ( and also Chiang Mai + Songkla) does certify the translated documents but maybe that means they just send them off to Bangkok. It was easier to just get the agency in BKK, just around the corner from the Aus. embassy, to do the legwork anyway.

 I’ve bookmarked Santisuk’s link for future reference though.

 Thanks.

Anybody know of a reputable translation service in Ubon ? Will have to get some documents translated into Thai, and time constraints mean it would be better if we can get it done in Ubon.

 And for bonus points ..... has anybody used the legalization service for documents at the governor’s office in Ubon ?

6 hours ago, joebrown said:

Don't make the assumption I did that Morchit Bus Station and Morchit BTS are on the same site. I was nearly late for an important appointment at UK Embassy by thinking I could hop off the bus and quickly step into a train. Morchit BTS is mis-named as the bus station was built first.

Actually, the bus station was originally right where the BTS depot is now, adjacent to the station and the plan was to combine that building with a new bus station, which is probably why they left all that rebar sticking out and slowly rusting away on the roof. The existing Morchit 2 is supposed to be a temporary terminal, so if anything that should have been renamed.

 Last I read was that the bus station should be moving back by 2023 as it is on SRT land which they want to reclaim ...... but I doubt it will happen by then, or at all.

OP, while you own a home in Australia, if you are not working here  and earn all your income in Australia then you have a tangible and continuing attachment to Australia so you will not necessarily be a non resident for tax purposes unless you start the process. If you do become a non resident by choice for some strange reason you will be taxed from the very first dollar you earn, no threshold exemption.

 My advice would be to go back to Oz regularly, preferably around August so you can do your tax return using an Australian residential address even if it is just the street address of a hotel, the ATO will be none the wiser. Or even better, use a tax agent so that they know you are physically in the country. Believe me, the cost of hotel and airfares will be less than what you save by continuing to be a tax resident.

16 hours ago, CharlieH said:

 

From Santander.....

"Earn more interest by keeping a higher balance in your account.Monthly interest of 1.50% AER/1.49% gross (variable) paid gross on your entire balance up to £20,000."

That is interest paid monthly, at 1.5% per annum. Which is equivalent to 0.125% per month, but getting the benefit of compound interest.

Completely different to 1.5% per month !

  With all due respect, perhaps you should not be giving financial advice !

On 5/6/2019 at 4:38 PM, CharlieH said:

Based on those figures around 10 mil baht.

Pathetic when you consider 20k in the uk would get 1.5% per month !

1.5% per month = 18% per annum. Are you sure you can get 18% interest on a savings account anywhere nowadays ?

18 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

What's a stat dec?

A Statutory Declaration.

20 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

 

There are several lies about what Labor will do.

Lie Number 1. Labor will cut out tax refunds on franking credits.

Fact. Labor is exempting pensioners and part pensioners. They will still get a tax refund on their dividends via franking credits.

 

But if you have planned ahead, looked after yourself and your own financial situation, and become a self funded retiree, you will lose money while continuing to support those who refuse to plan for the future.

1 hour ago, JackThompson said:

It's a good question.  A "sane" interpretation would be that you had the income the whole year, so it's fine.  But, they could also turn around and say you have been "on overstay" since the balance went below 400K. 

 

The question is, is the 400K year-round part of the current/last-extension's qualifications, or the qualifications for the next year's extension?  Given Jomtien are asking for "bank-book updates" after 90-days, the 800K for 3 mo after would seem to be part of the previous-extension there.  But perhaps they are just improvising, and it does not reflect nationwide policy - to the extent such a thing exists in this context.

 

In BKK at least, when getting your extension you have to sign a number of forms. One I signed recently acknowledged that a breach of my visa conditions would mean it’s cancellation, another was acknowledging the money in the bank rules of 800k for 2 months before, 3 months after, then 400k.

 So in theory if you went below the 400k you could get kicked out but Immigration would not know about it unless you came to their attention otherwise, ie for working illegally.

 Therefore the 400k is a requirement of your current visa extension, not next years ..... BUT a breach of this year’s visa conditions would not look good when applying for an extension next year even if you change to the income method. The good old CATCH-22 !

 I would be keeping the 400k in the bank even if I was changing to the income method next year.....which of course means that you could be eligible for the combo method.

18 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

Thanks for that but in general do you have any info on what date the retention starts for those doing it now, or myself next year.

 

 The police order does say “ At least 2 months prior to filing date, and at least 3 months after being granted permission, the alien must have fund deposited in a bank in Thailand “

The countback for seasoning is from date of application, so I would think that is also the start of the post approval period too. In other words, money has to stay there for 3 months from the date your extension was granted.

 But as we all know, each office is it’s own little kingdom with it’s own rules so the only way to be certain is to ask your local immigration office.

14 hours ago, Denim said:

 

You can buy ready mix cement in bags here. Just need to buy the aggregate. 

 

For small jobs you can also buy dry concrete mix in 50kg bags, no need to get the aggregate separately.

ie TPI M401, M402, M403, M404 depending on the project and the ksc required.

^ But that is giving ALL locals a discount while ALL foreigners and other Americans pay the same normal price. That would be like Nong Nooch giving all residents of Chonburi province a discount no matter what the color of their skin while all other Thais and foreigners paid the same listed price ...that’s not what happens in Thailand !

3 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

If its Ramayana Water park you are referring to there are 2 prices, resident (including expats) and tourist. A thai drivers license or a long stay visa etc, Thais and expats pay the same.

 

 

 

Ok, my mistake as when the “resident “ was highlighted and tourist greyed out I thought (logically) that was the resident price, but it’s the other way around.

BUT.... looking at the Thai language page for discounted online booking where it just says “chao Thai” get in for 790 baht but “chao taang chaat “ (foreigners) pay 1440 baht. No mention of any exceptions.

 So don’t get a Thai family member to book for you on the Thai language page !

I found it slightly ironic that right next to this thread is an advertisement for a water park, and when I checked it’s admission prices even the special reduced price for expats with work permit or drivers license is twice that for Thais .....

18 hours ago, XenZen said:

i don't see the problem.  odds are the farang does have more disposable income.  don't you want to help Thailand???  Don't you feel bad they are poor?  Don't you appreciate the capitalism?  Don't you feel you were born into a better place with more options and more money?

 

200 baht.....  i've given away thousands for nothing in return.   maybe 15,000.   is it a lot?  no.  ok, there you go.

 

 

If you want to base admission prices on disposable income then the rich Thais who turn up in their new Mercs and BMWs should also pay more than the villagers who arrive with 10 in the back of a pickup !

 How does a foreigner paying double the price at Nong Nooch, or Sealife Siam Paragon, help the poor ? The extra money goes into the company profits not to the poor.

 Speaking of Sealife, did you know that is owned by a British company ( Merlin Entertainments) ? How do you feel about a foreign company practicing racial discrimination and taking the money out of Thailand ? Do you think they should be allowed to charge “rich” Thais who visit their attractions in England ( or elsewhere ) double ? How about all foreigners ? Yes, let’s charge special prices for all Asians who want to visit the Blackpool tower, or go on the London Eye, just to name 2 of their many properties.

 I know they certainly would not be allowed to have special prices for Thais at their properties in Australia, at Sealife Sydney and Melbourne, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek ski resorts.

 Giving money to charity, or direct to people in need, is one thing but paying double prices to big business is completely different !!

Why do you need an income for the free to marry certificate ? There is nothing on the Australian “ Certificate of no impediment to marriage” about your income, just your usual occupation and address, your parents details and that’s it.

Why would 50% of men still date a Thai bar girl?

Well according to another of these infallible TV surveys, 50% of men would consider screwing a ladyboy ......so the real question is this the other 50% or the same 50% ? If it’s the same respondents then obviously they are not fussy, .... or not narrow minded.

<removed>

Fotofile have a few camera shops in MBK, one of which also sells Apple/Mac products too so that might be your best starting point. Head to 5th floor at MBK and look for the big Fotofile Canon store.

 And there are lots of smaller camera shops and stalls on the 4th (?) floor that might have the action camera.

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I wondered about that. I have one on my phone, and the co-ordinates in there somewhere too. But this 'draw me a map of your house, you have 30 seconds' sounds like a test.

Mine was already done, sitting in my folder just in case it was needed ....which it was.

19 minutes ago, Maestro said:

I remember reading that some applicants for an extension of stay were given these forms in Thai language to sign. Were yours in Emglish? Were you given a copy to keep for yourself?

I got a copy of the new money rules to keep, all in english. ( not Emglish, LOL) The overstay form was in english, the one about what happens if your visa conditions change was in Thai and English, perhaps that is also for marriage visas ? And the other one, about applying for an extension (NOT the TM7 itself) was in Thai and english. Those 3 were kept on file by Immigration, plus the acknowledgement copy of the money rules that I signed.

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Perhaps you've been previously TM-30 reported by someone? Did you have an agent in tow?

 

Did you notice the TM-30 "B" counter? Or maybe overhear anyone talking about the TM-30 requirement?

 

It seems like everyone has had to clear the "B" counter first, before doing anything else, but maybe something changed?

I assume my condo management might have done one years ago when I moved in, but I've been in and out of the country many times since then. CW has never required one if you return to the same address after an overseas trip.

No agent.... why would anybody need one (if they are legal)

What B counter ? There is an info counter just inside the front door, and a queue counter just inside the doors to the main area, and then you go to whatever section designated.....ie for Non O extensions of stay you get an "L" ticket and go to the "L" counters.