JDMCanuck

Been two years since I have visited Thailand on a SETV good for a 60 day visit. (only stayed 5 weeks and moved on and the year before stayed 3 weeks on a SETV good for 60 days before work necessitated a return to Canada)  Both were relatively painless to get in Canada, however now they want a copy of a plane ticket in and out before issuing a SETV. I wont buy my ticket until a couple weeks or even a couple days before I leave, when the opportunity to get away from work clearly presents itself. Years past I got the SETV not knowing if I would even get a vacation but knowing that if I did, I wanted to be able to plunk down on a beach and not move for as long as possible. Spend a couple or 300 US a day or more and leave only when necessary, max 60 days out.  That one change makes the whole process quite cumbersome to the point of a person that does not have a set itinerary, has plenty of funds , and no intention of staying longer than 60 days, likely less, cant really use it and must revert to the Visa exempt 30 day route. A shame for me as I would rather not leave if my work at home allows it. But also seems like they are missing out on some travellers that will simply stay 30 days max and move on to spend substantial money somewhere else that could just as simply been spent in Thailand. I am not interested in doing any visa runs in any way shape or form. Am I missing something as the whole process just seems counterproductive?

David, Joe and Jack , thank you so much for your knowledge!! I hope you don't mind but I may have some more questions once I review your answers a couple times to let it all sink in to this rather thick skull of mine. Much appreciated!

Thanks for all this David, I am still just a bit confused and perhaps you can help?  In the Canadian Thai Consulate Website where I have received 60 day tourist visas in the past and plan to apply for a one year O-A visa, multiple entries. It maintains that any time you wish to leave within your first year,  you are "required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure." Did you have to do that too? and that if you want to extend your O-A an extra year that you have to have the $800000 in a Thai bank? Not just on deposit in your home country. It seems you got a one year extension each time you returned. (presumably the IO did not request documented finances and just stamped your passport with an extra year) Have you gotten the extension without any money physically in a Thailand bank? In the extension year can you confirm that if you leave Thailand your O-A is no longer valid? When I tried to open an account in Thailand on my 60 day tourist visa, I was denied at two banks. Is it different when you are there on an O-A visa? Thanks so much for any clarification from anyone. 

Killing children is not acceptable anywhere , I am confused, why is it acceptable here? 

I know I said this before to catcalls from all the negative people but my visits to Thailand have been trouble free. Alone , late at night in all the usual walking places. Beaches, late at night, small villages amongst locals. It is impossible to compare accurately as I would way rather take my chances 2AM in  Bangkok, Pattaya  or Chiang Mai than , Los Angeles , Vancouver, Mexico City or any other North American city.  There are bad spots and bad people everywhere you go. If you get drunk and stupid I think it has way more to do with what happens to you than what touristy country you are in. It just happens that Thailand is a place where people come to unfortunately to do just that. My little small town in BC Canada is just as dangerous if you think you can come in and be stupid drunk. Some local wherever you go in the world is going to clue you in to proper manners right quick if you act up.  Just my thoughts. 

90-day reports are not required for the time you are outside Thailand. Based on your description of your intentions, I think an extension of stay in Thailand on the basis of retirement, combined with a multiple re-entry permit, is the way to go. It will mean that you need to be in Thailand once a year for the renewal of the extension, so you probably want to time the initial extension accordingly, at a time of year you want to be in Thailand.

Thank too Brit Tim, Much appreciated!

Thank you once again Ubon Joe for your expertise!

I hope I am not off topic here but am trying to figure out the best way to be able to spend 5 - 6 months maximum in Thailand every year.  I am retired over 50 and do meet the Retirement Visa financial requirements. The issue is that I also wish to spend 6 to 7 months travelling and would be out of Thailand for months at a time. Returning every 90 days to report to immigration, if I was on a Retirement Visa would be possible, but inconvenient. If on a Retirement Visa can someone tell me how long you are allowed to be out of Thailand? Thank you. 

Sorry not getting it, Return or Return on Investment (R or ROI) is only going to be healthy (apparently 5%) if:

1. Your Gross income minus Expenses (Management, Condo Fees, Taxes, Cash calls for emergencies and Maintenance Issues) = Net Income  is 5% of your Total Investment. (Even before the current crackdown on short term rentals, 5% would be impossible)

OR:

2. You sell:  and after Total Investment - Total Expenses (thats everything including your taxes in your home country, (EVERYTHING) you have a 5% return , (Inflation , I always love it when people take credit for inflation) but this can only be determined after you sell and compute ALL your expenses. The current crop of western reality TV shows always neglects to include ALL expense, but who knows, maybe this Author did. (Highly unlikely but possible) so each individual sale would have to be analyzed. 

1 minute ago, catman20 said:

in Thailand just cos the light shows red it dose not mean its clear for you to go as many experience drivers and riders here will agree. still approach and continue with caution.

Certainly agree with you there but that goes anywhere in the world even if driving a car. Here on a bike , as a rookie, the odds just are not good at all in your favour.

I just used them at Swampy, small stayed 2 hours, not bad but can see how they might kick you out after a few hours , although if it was fairly empty I doubt it . Narita was terrible not worth it at all unless you drink a lot and like noodles in a cup. Ive used the one in Vancouver 3 times in the last few years and it is really good. Chefs will actually make something up for you. I got 4 free uses with a Credit card so not sure of the value , if they were all like Van I say yes, if all like Narita, unless you just want to drink I would def say no. 

Very sad. Hope their ages help them make a full recovery. I ride a 600RR rocket ship at home but don't think there is anything that would entice me to ride anything on any of the bigger city roads here. Hope the insurance steps up but unless you are really familiar with how traffic works here, (contrary to how most TV posters state, there actually is a system (bred into Thais) but unless you rode with your dad comfortably 3 or 4 up when an infant , its pretty tough to safely learn) it just does not make sense to take the chance. 

Hope Russia sends a strong message  to the tourist ministry as this makes Thailand look really bad to overseas tourists. 

You have to admit that it does appear the police did a very good job here. Never happen in any Western Country where most alleged criminals just lawyers up and the taxpayer gets to foot the bill for his many years long defense. Good on the Thai cops!

15 hours ago, Thechook said:

Why on earth do people go to Pattaya

Just got back, walked Sois 6,7 and 8 at all hours and had not one problem. Don't get drunk and act stupid, treat everyone with respect and its much safer than most cities in Canada late at night. Had a great time, I prefer Jomtien or even further away from Pattaya past the Ambassador for longer stays as the beach is better but my week at the Hardrock was a blast. 

If the facts are true , then lets give credit where credit is due. That is impressive and would be tough to see repeated elsewhere. Good job on everyone!!

Just thought I would post the sign, sorry it posts the way I took it but the size and the fact it was in 3 places was what was most intimidating. The notice in the elevator was in more detail but did say that the renters were not at fault and would not be pursued as much as the landlords. It seemed that most renters were Chinese here (as the Centric Sea heavily marketed to Chinese investors , touting it as a solid Investment/money launder opportunity, most likely ignoring to point out the no short term rental rule) so of course most were happily oblivious to it. Just my observation however, they may have contributed to the cause, showing up with the whole family in tow, staying 6 in a two person condo, travelling in packs, loud in the hallways, ignoring rules, contrary to the way the Condo juristic and any taken to the cleaners, now besieged, full time co owner would want it. I saw several "check ins" that became very obvious after a couple of days there , having ignorantly experienced one upon my "check in" just days earlier.  I just shrugged it off and like Impulse suggested, kept a low profile. 

Just wondering if anyone else has had issues with short term rentals in Pattaya. I rented a 1 bedroom at the Centric Sea for 14 days but was somewhat intimidated by the signs (very large, right at the entrance, in the lobby and  in the elevators) that are posted on the property that state aggressive prosecution by immigration/police and all levels of Government against anyone staying there shorter than 30 days. I had already paid and thought it was most likely just because of problems with loud partying short term renters that had stayed in the past, but wondered whether other large upscale condos in Pattaya are doing the same. Possibly a lobby by the hotels to conserve their business but quite unnerving to show up and be confronted by all the signs. 

Not sure whether this is appropriate to this post but my passport was checked for a 60 day tourist visa by Air Canada in Calgary Jan 11, 2017 before allowing me on flight that had a return longer than 30 days. Thank you to Ubon Joe for previous clarifications. 

45 minutes ago, yogi100 said:

 

Are the places you mention international tourist resorts.

 

East Hastings! 20 st in Saskatoon! Be real.

 

I've never heard of 'em. No one else ever has either.

So come to Thailand act like an idiot and because its a Tourist destination expect not have locals retaliate, esp at closing time? Have you actually ever been to a bar? 

Maybe he was a billigerent, mean, or stupid drunk, maybe he was a totally innocent, sober as a judge, bystander, but this happens in every city in Canada or the US every night of the year. It happens to innocent people and it definetly happens to anyone looking for trouble. Try walking East Hastings in Vancouver at ANY time or how about 20 st in Saskatoon (and thats a much smaller city) at bar closing time. Ill take Walking street 24/7.  Saying that Thailand is worse than other places at bar closing time is a load of rubbish. 

10 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I'm surprised not one member has yer answered you questions ...

 

Yes, SETV means singe entry tourist visa.

 

For C of R you apply at any Immigtaion office, even at Patong. And yes a SETV allows you to  obtain a C of R.

 

No need for C of R to open a bank account, although might help. Much depends on the individual bank manager's opinion. Usually a house rental contract will suffice, a letter from the house owner (land lord) helps even more. 

 

Thank you so much for your reply!

So just so I have this correct, does  SETV mean Single Entry Tourist Visa which is the 60 day visa? yes no? So my question is (and I am new to this so please bear with me) , but how do I get a Certificate of Residency on a SETV? and with that can I then open a bank account too? Thank you.

Takes riding and texting to a whole new level,  brainpower may be lacking but the riding skill is certainly evident.

Thanks guys