timendres

AIS in BKK. US speeds generally run around 300Mbs.

For the past few days, it has been struggling to deliver 100Mbs.

10 minutes ago, mstevens said:

It sounds like all of that stuff might fit in a taxi / private car. That might be a cheaper way to go than hiring a moving service.

I agree. Years ago, I needed to move a small amount of items from one condo to the next.

I found a local who charged me 500 THB to use his truck for the afternoon.

He came, I loaded everything into the back of the truck, he drove to the new place, I unloaded my stuff.

The absolute worst case is that immigration rejects the application.

When this happens, the passport will be stamped with 7 days to leave Thailand.

In other words, you get a guaranteed 7 day extension, if not the full 30.

15 minutes ago, noobexpat said:

Only if you sacrificed zero capital over 24 years. 

 

Otherwise you need to account for opportunity cost at 10% pa.

It is the "western mindset" that we (if you are over 40 yo) have been brainwashed with - ownership.

If you are young, and can leverage a mortgage, then okay. If you are older, it makes less sense.

Not only could the return on the investment of the capital exceed the cost of rent, but....

           liquidity!

Often overlooked, and often far more important than returns.

5 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

If only these diabolical criminals could use their skills in a legal way, they'd be very successful.....

The competition, which is fierce, combined with their inability to wait for the reward, is what prevents that.

5 hours ago, RobU said:

1. Pay a decent salary

2. Supply all equipment required to do the job, free of charge. (I understand traffic cops have to buy and maintain their own motorbikes, I don't know if they have to buy their own uniforms)

This. You cannot remove the bribery without paying a living wage, which the current salaries are not.

On 3/29/2024 at 12:38 PM, cubism001 said:

where did you buy the model 2 you mentioned?  Thank you Cube

I bought my "model 2" 6 years ago, and, as I look on Lazada, that model is long forgotten. They are at "model 4" now.

You may be able to find one used. I recently gave my extra purifier (moved into smaller place) to my maid.

I have been quite happy with my Xiaomi Air Purifier Model 2. I paid about 1,800 THB.

An important consideration is filter replacement, and I have had no troubles for years getting Xiaomi filters.

They have cheaper models, but not sure of coverage:

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/xiaomi-youpin-usb-i5043681774-s21326509670.html

On 3/15/2024 at 4:55 PM, Smokin Joe said:

Your VA Disability is a Govt Pension and can not be taxed by Thailand per the DTA.

Do you see this addressed in the DTA?

It may not actually be considered a pension, so it might need to be specifically mentioned the way that pensions are.

Charlie don't surf.

6 hours ago, Red Phoenix said:

When your Bank Pass-book shows that you continually kept the required funds (800K for retirement / 400K for marriage application) for a 'long time' (couple of months) on your personal Thai Bank-account, there would be no need to prove 'foreign origins' of those long-time seasoned funds.  

However, if the funds on your bank-account were below those 800K or 400K tressholds in the months preceding your application, it is indeed possible that a zealous Imm Officer would not accept this and require a 'transfer from abroad'. 

Not sure about "long term funds" overriding the requirement. That may be possible.

But in my case, I kept the cash in a safe to avoid having to file a FACTA.

The transfer out and back cost me about $230 (spreads and fees). Not terrible.

On 3/8/2024 at 4:34 PM, TylerBKK said:

Is the funds needing to come from abroad just a CM thing? 
 

AFAIR, when I did my O retirement at CW many years ago, I entered on visa exempt, but my funds were already in Thailand since I worked for a long time in Thailand, saved some money locally, and then retired.
 

Many foreigners who work for a long time in Thailand, and then retire, could be in a position where they don't really have any funds saved abroad. So I was surprised when I read in this thread that the funds need to come from abroad for a O retirement visa. 

The funds must be shown to have come from abroad. I explained to the officer at CW that I had worked here for 9 years and saved up that money. The officer explained "That is good. Send it to the US, then send it back to Thailand." No alternative was even suggested (other than the envelope option, which I declined).

12 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

when did that become a thing ?

1970s I believe

Along with checking for elephantiasis.

On 3/5/2024 at 3:33 PM, SAFETY FIRST said:

That's a long soi name.

 

I love Chatuchak, next time I go I'm visiting this soi. 

 

I hope I don't see that half naked taxi motorbike. 

Borommaratchachonnani is actually in Bangkok Noi, not Chatuchak.

But, you could start your excursion to Chatuchak from Borommaratchachonnani.

Just as she did.

That is proper pandemonium! With genuine mosh pit action. Sorry I missed it all...

Samsung top loader 10Kg. Going on 10 years now. Still works perfectly.

3 hours ago, TylerBKK said:

You will still be able to obtain a retirement again visa in the future. But there have been reports of people no longer being able to obtain a Non-O retirement visa and only a Non-OA.
 

At this point I think it could be good to consult with an immigration lawyer in Thailand to get definitive answers on your questions.
 

Whatever people tell you in these forums, including myself, although intended to be the most correct information, may not be the same case for everyone. So speaking with a lawyer would better guarantee that you are working with the most correct information that applies to your specific case. Best wishes. 

I was on a Non-O based retirement extension for one year. I then converted to Non-B, then work permit extension for many years. In October 2023 I exited to Cambodia, returned on a Visa Exempt (US passport), obtained a Non-O for retirement in Thailand at CW, then got my retirement extension in January 2024. So, in my case, there was no issue with the Non-O, other than needing a lease, being 50+, and having 800K in the bank.

3 hours ago, Enoon said:

Kalasin also has a unique "annular rocket" festival:

Was the only interesting thing about my visit to Kalasin years ago.

Well.... aside from the bathing facilities.

Your use of "visa" and "extension" confuses me a little bit.

I recently changed from extension based on work permit to extension based on retirement.

Here is a history of that process, shown in passport photos:

1) I exited Thailand for Cambodia. I stayed one day in Cambodia and returned to Thailand.

     I utilized the "Visa Exempt" privilege of my US passport, getting this entry stamp in my passport:

2) Before my exempt visa expired, I went to Chaeng Watthana and obtained a Non-O visa for the purpose of retirement:

3) Finally, I filed my application for an "extension of stay" based on retirement, and I obtained my "extension" for one year:

Notice the critical line stating "EXTENSION OF STAY PERMITTED UP TO". In my case, until 29 Jan 2025.

You must have a stamp similar to this one with the critical "extension of stay permitted" line.

If you have that, then you are okay until the date stamped.

If you do not have that, then you have an issue.

8 hours ago, Jayaroi said:

Something is strange. EVA air tried to catch these two just because they cannot speak English and have never travelled to Canada before? Tons of Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indians, Bangladeshi speak no English and obviously they have to have a first time travelling to Canada! How were they picked based on it

It was not the "travel" that caused suspicion. It was the passports.