timendres

That has not changed. However, what people are pointing out is that banks and other institutions will be unwilling to make the investment to verify citizenship. It will be easier and cheaper to simply say "get it back at refund time". So they will take it from every transaction.

Many insist that I am a ghost. I tell every Thai person I meet that I really want to meet a ghost. Please.

I am not an expert on this topic. Have only talked to a few "landlords". But I believe that, if the landlord has a valid extension, and they are hiring Thai nationals for any "work" involved, and they are reporting their income to the Thai government and paying taxes, I believe it is all fine. The difficult part is proving you are not "working" if, say, you are on a retirement extension. But one guy I spoke with indicated that he hired Thais for everything, including meeting potential renters and executing all paperwork. Another simply had a management company to handle everything - I believe as part of the development.

Not much to say. IO suggested a way to "expedite the process". I declined. The number was absurd.

When I renewed two years ago, the IO insisted on the deed to the condo, as the owner was not in the blue book. (it was her daughter who was registered in the blue book and managing everything for her elderly mother). We produced the deed and all was okay. But it was a small battle over my unwillingness to provide an envelope. This was at CW.

Young Place / Grand Le Jardin in Ratchayothin, Bangkok. Rooms are generally 70sqm, but some are over 100sqm. Walls and floors are quite thick, so minimal noise. Building has an open interior that you will never see in a new building. The building is reasonably well maintained and in good condition. A pool is the only "facility", but it is nice and on the 7th floor outside. 350m from BTS station Ratchayothin. Rents run from 12,000 to 20.000 per month.

When you mention "35w versus 65w", I assume you are referring to the charger (the power brick). The difference is nothing more than how fast the batter will charge when you are plugged in. If you need really fast charging, select the 65w. If you do not care how long it takes to charge, select the 35w.

Sounds like every politician since the beginning of time.

Trump believes this move will bring jobs to the US, something he wants to accomplish. It is not designed as some sort of punishment, although anyone who understands economics knows that any action that benefits some people (bring back manufacturing jobs) also hurts some people (increased prices for tariffed products). Trump has far too much on his plate to spend time worrying about a few expats. I am more concerned about the financial pressures on social security causing unpopular changes that affect expats.

That is interesting, since pharmacies here sell a version of Kamagra manufactured in Thailand.

He almost certainly had a Non-B visa, which he used until he obtained an extension based on work permit. You are correct that, by this time, the original visa has expired.

I bought mine at HomePro.

Thank you for confirming this. I was told by numerous people (an agent and a CW IO) that I could not get a retirement extension using my Non-B visa. It is good to hear confirmation that someone has done it with a Non-B. Sounds like immigration just wants to create more business for itself (in my case).

Wow. Looks like a genuine glitch in the system. The algo forgot to check and not offer the same product at any price.

Thank you. That is good to know.

Came to meet a girl. Fell in love with the country. Had to wait almost ten years to make the "jump". Before the jump, I spent a full month here twice. Each time, I just wanted to stay. Fifteen years here full time, and I am still very happy with my decision.

In fact, every one of my employees signed an employment contract. This contract spelled out very clearly the circumstances under which employee could be fired. It also stated that the company would adhere to the Thai labor laws. You should be up to speed on those laws, as they have real implications for your business.

You are SO right about that. I was dealing with Chaeng Watthana. They were very strict about the 800K.

As mentioned above, I exited Thailand and re-entered the next day, but using visa exempt. I doubt I could obtain a Non-O visa "in one day" outside of Thailand. You are correct, however, that if I had obtained a Non-O outside Thailand, it would already meet the 800K requirement. That said, I have my doubts that 800K sitting in a Thai bank account could be used to obtain the Non-O outside Thailand. Maybe I am wrong about that,

The issue was that I was here on a Non-B visa, which I extended based on work permit. However, my working days ended and I wanted to change to a retirement extension. The retirement extension requires a Non-O visa. You cannot obtain a retirement extension based on a Non-B visa. Thus, I was required to leave and re-enter the country to obtain the Non-O. There are some who claim to have managed to make the change from Non-B to Non-O without leaving the country, and at the moment I cannot remember the circumstances that allowed then to do that, but prevented me from doing the same. Having left and re-entered "visa exempt", then obtaining the Non-O in country, I was required to show the 800K and demonstrate that it came from abroad - requiring both bank statements and the transfer "credit advice" from the bank.

As @khunPer stated, obtaining the Non=O domestically will require proof the funds came from abroad. I know this first hand, because I complained vehemently about it. I had worked here for 10 years, and saved up the 800K required. But I was forced to wire it to my bank in the US, then wire it back. Eating the fees and spreads. In my case, I was required to show evidence of the "Credit Advice", which is the document that a bank produces when wiring money abroad. I had to show the credit advice from the US and from Bangkok Bank. I also needed to provide the bank book showing the deposit and current balance.

When you go to renew your extension based on a work permit, you will be required to show the social security tax payments for your entire staff for the 3 months prior to the renewal. That's assuming that they do not show up at your office asking to see your staff before the renewal, or even shortly after you obtain your extension. For me, they showed up at the office four months into the extension expecting to see the staff in the office.

1. I don't hang out in Sukhumvit, so not a problem. 2. Occasionally a problem in my building, but rare. 3. Actually, I see courtesy at the crossing I use. 4. Have never seen an "Arab" where I live (Ratchayothin) 5. No touts here. 6. The few soi dogs in this area are placid and nice. 7. Not too much construction here, and what there is has been quite nice. 8. No expat bar clowns here. 9. Temples here are nearly 100% Thai and operate as such. 10. We get a little flooding in some sois around here, but mine does not flood. Fact is, you have described Sukhumvit. Not a part of Bangkok I would recommend for anything except the occasional night out. I find Ratchayothin to be a fantastic place to hang out, and there are many other places in Bangkok that are equally nice.

Love this place. Love these people. Love that photo.

As some have noted, the agents place funds in your account temporarily, and the IOs do not check on its maintenance. There is also the case where a senior IO can "waive" the requirement altogether. Not sure how often that actually happens.