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Tracyb

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    CM Immigration Q&A (2018)

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted · Edited by Tracyb

    On 8/16/2019 at 3:48 PM, RJRS1301 said:

     

     

    On 9/10/2019 at 4:59 PM, connda said:

     

     

    On 9/11/2019 at 2:42 PM, legend49 said:

     

     

    3 hours ago, lolex said:

    How long before expiry apply extension.

     

    I've seen mention of this, but couldn't find anything definitive.

     

    How many days before expiry can you apply for a new extension of stay?

     

    Are there any draw backs in applying early?

     

    Is the O-A and marriage extension the same?

     

    Any other hints and tips appreciated.

     

    Thanks....

     

    Chiang Mai Imm accepts TM 7 applications up to 45 days ahead of time.  

    CM Immigration Q&A (2018)

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    11 hours ago, CMBob said:

    It seems to vary year to year and officer to officer with respect to what documents they want for an extension based on retirement.  While most years they don't ask me for a signed copy of my passport page showing the original Non-O, a few times they've asked for a signed copy of that (which makes some sense as all annual extensions are based on that original Non-O).  A couple of years back, I presented all the normal documents and then the officer asked for a signed copy of every single filled-out page of my passport including pages with stamps from other countries (and the officer was rather surprised when I simply reached into my folder and provided same).

     

    The safe thing, it seems, is to take along with you a complete signed copy of everything in your passport just in case the given officer requests it.  

    In follow up to my original post......

    Heres a copy of the page that CM IMM handed to me last week when I asked what was needed for a Retirement Extension.

     

    Note #3.

     

    Since I take these things quite literally I obliged with every page of my passport.  Others might choose another path and obtain the same outcome I did.  Others may not be so, shall we say, lucky.

    CCF99BBD-3CD5-4CB3-9939-763A45DDDE5E.jpeg

    CM Immigration Q&A (2018)

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    46 minutes ago, Mapguy said:

    Thank you for the "document-by-document" report. A careful report like yours from time to time is useful to stay up-to-date.

     

    There was one surprise in it for me:

     

    -A copy of every page in my passport that had information or a stamp on it, as requested.  

     

    Over the years I have been asked for copies of pages with past extension.! Previous extensions, yes; every page, no. My new passport has the transfer page, but there is no detail of previous activity except for notation of my original entry and the stamps noting the change from Non-OA to NON-RE visa class.  There has been more than five years worth of action since changing to the new passport, but I've not been asked for the subsequent pages recording every action ONLY (and this is as of

    late June)  copies of the pages noting previous extensions.  For those doing a lot of traveling in and out of Thailand, quite a number of pages could result over the years if every page were needed.

     

     

    I know, right?!

    The instruction sheet they handed out specifically asked for every page so....I obliged!

    • Like 1
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    CM Immigration Q&A (2018)

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted · Edited by Tracyb

    I went to CM IMM yesterday, Thursday, for my retirement extension.  I had tried to get a queue number the day before, Wednesday around 10:00, but I was politely denied as they were overflowing with people and were accepting no more.  I was advised to return the next day before 7:00  

     

    Here are the details of my experience which I'm offering in hopes that it may assist others who follow.

     

    I arrived at 6:20 with plenty of parking available, found about 25 people already there inside, and was ushered to a seat that represented my place in the queue by a woman in street clothes who took charge of keeping order.  She was strict but friendly, kept an eagle eye on the door, and assured that every arrival took their appropriate place in the queue.  IO's showed up and started checking documents and handing out queue numbers around 7:00. We were herded into the line-up for queue numbers by our "minder."  Several people entered the building while the line-up was taking place and tried to cut in line.  They were spied by "minder," appropriately chastised, and shown to their appropriate place at the end of the line; much to the appreciation of all of us who had arrived earlier!

     

    I drew Queue #R6 for the retirement extension.  The IO at counter #6 arrived around 7:40 and began calling queue numbers around 8:00.  My number was called at 9:10.  I used the "800K in the bank" method this year.     I deposited the funds into my own account, not a joint account, 3 months ahead of time.  (Although I understand they accept two months ahead as being ok, I'm not one to take any chances!)  I had used the income method with embassy letter for the past five years.

    Here's what I submitted:

    -Application form TM7.

    -A 4cmx6cm passport photo with a white background.

    -A copy of every page in my passport that had information or a stamp on it, as requested.

    -The "Bank Letter" I obtained from Bangkok Bank the day before. (it's valid for 7 days according to CM IMM)

    -A Bank statement showing all activity in the account for the past 6 months.

    -A copy of every page of my passbook which I updated on my way to CM IMM early, very early, in the morning.

    -A copy of my lease.

    -A copy of my last 90 day report

    -A copy of my TM30.

    I signed each and every page using a blue ink pen.

    I was forty-three days ahead of the expiration of my previous retirement extension.

     

    The IO checked every page, stamped the extension into my passport, took my picture and then my 1900 Baht, and asked me to be seated while waiting for the return of my passport.  I asked how long it might take to get it returned and he answered, "30 Minutes or sooner!"  I had it back in my hand with the cash receipt by 9:30.

     

    I went across the street to get a copy of the new permission to stay stamp and returned for my re-entry permit.

     

    I presented my documents to the queue assigner who checked them over and handed me queue number RE17 for the re-entry permit  I was the next in line as RE16 had just been called.  Two minutes later I handed over my passport and documents for the multiple re-entry permit, paid my 3800 Baht, took a seat and waited for five minutes to get my passport and cash receipt back in my hand.

     

    Done and dusted by 9:50.  A far cry from the absurdly painful experience at Promenada last year. 

    • Like 4

    TURP Operation, Still Suffering

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted · Edited by Tracyb

    11 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

    Arghhhh,

     

    I have just spent 20 minutes composing a post and it vanished.

     

    TracyB, I hope your visit to immigration went well.

     

          I have answered all the points you have brought up "bullet point style" to stop me waffling

     

    *     Wittawatt never mentioned anything about a blood clot, I did pas some bloody urine for a few days

           but that has stopped now

     

    *     I am taking the tablets for constipation that you were taking, but after 3 days nothing so far

     

    *     My rectum is giving me a lot of pain as is the catheter, but I suppose that is only to be expected

     

    *     I am drinking at least 3 litres of water a day, trying to do it all before 4pm so I am not up all night

     

    *     Wittawat never told me how large my prostate was, wheras Dr. Bunnakit (who trained him) told me it

           was large 3 years ago when i started having mild problems. In fact Wittawat has never done a rectal 

           exam on me, at least not while I have been awake

     

    *    Lastly the BIG question TracyB...I know that eventually I will more than likely get better but will I be 

          well enough to visit my children, grandchildren and my 90 year old father in 20 days time?

     

     

     

    Thanks for taking the time to read all this, I think again it took me 20 minutes but no matter, it's all for my benefit but my bum has gone numb now so time for the lay-z-boy Downton Abbey and some water

     

    Thanks very much

     

    Paul

    Hi Paul.....  see my message for some discussion.

     

     

    • Thanks 1

    TURP Operation, Still Suffering

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    1 hour ago, ThaiPauly said:

    Tracyb,

     

    Thank you for posting such a detailed report. There is so much in it I want to discuss with you, but would it be alright if I could get back to you tomorrow,? I am too tired to think straight today, I spent half an hour being worried sick about my 90 year old dad because I could not reach him on the phone...after I phoned my sister in the UK  to get her to find him  she told me it was Tuesday...I call him every WEDNESDAY, he is deaf and only answers the phone at pre-arranged times...what a stupid sod I am !!!

    Contact me anytime!  Tomorrow I’ll be having my annual adventure at CM IMM for my retirement extension.  I’ll answer You as soon as possible after I’m done there, ok?  Keep drinking water!

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    TURP Operation, Still Suffering

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    9 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

    Thank you all for posting,

     

    The levels of support have been amazing, Never before in 15 years have I experienced so much positive energy from a thread as I have from this one.

     

    I have had pm's , phone calls from people  I have never spoken to before giving me support and not ONE poster being spiteful or just a stupid a*sshole.

     

    For this I thank you all very much, having not had this condition before I am now very aware of the consequences of certain actions, what do do /not to do etc, and whilst I appreciate you are not doctors you have been where I am now and on some occasions there is no substitute for experience.

     

    It's these kinds of non-bickering helpful threads that make Thai Visa, and the other types where people have to have their say about stuff they know nothing about that spoil it.

     

    This is one of the good ones, and although it's nowhere near over yet I thank you profusely for your help so far.

     

    Paul

    Paul,  Im sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble.  Regular TURP is more brutal than the Thulium laser procedure.  Having said that, and having had the Thulium laser by Dr. Wittawat at BKK CM hospital, (about 40k baht more expensive than TURP) I'll say that my pain while urinating lasted for several days after having the catheter removed.  I was catheterized for four days.  I drank up to 3.5 liters of water every day (sometimes a bit more) and pushed myself through the pain while urinating.  The pain finally subsided.

     

    The night time urination frequency was high for the first couple of weeks  three to four times a night.  Pain in the area of my perineum lasted for about a month but was only mild, except while riding in a car when it was almost unbearable.  The bumps in the road irritated the whole area.  It finally subsided to the point where I could ride for 20-30 minutes.  Now that part is fine as it gradually improved over time.  My prostate was, in Wittawat's words..."HUGE".  I think it was about 120 ml or more.  

     

    I had the surgery around mid-May.  I was greatly improved after six weeks. I feel fine now.   I still get up to pee once, sometimes 2 times a night.  I go down at 10:30... up to pee around 3:30 or so, then sometimes again around 5:30.  Usually I sleep through from 3:30 to my "get-up" time of 6:30.

     

    I took steps to be sure I was never constipated.  Straining is b-a-d for the healing process.  Drinking ample amounts of water helped this.  I used some stool softening laxatives for a week post surgery and then occasionally afterwards for the second week.  Painkillers can slow down one's digestive track and make one constipated so if this happens...consider using laxatives.  I used "Senokot"  2 tabs late in the day.   They are very mild and very effective.

     

    I completely understand the fear and trepidation associated with painful urination.  Please remember that water consumption is your friend.  The more the better.  Eventually the urination pain will subside.  The weaker the strength of your urine the less pain you'll have.  High water consumption will achieve this by diluting the acid in your urine.  

     

    Did Wiitiwat talk to you about the possibility of seeing blood or blood cots in your urine?  Have you experienced this?  I had pink urine at the beginning of my stream and clear at the end each time I urinated.  This lasted for about a week or so.  After about two weeks I saw some funky, stringy stuff in the stream.  Turns out is was small blood clots and a normal thing after this type of surgery, according to Dr. Wittawat.

     

    Havng a urinary infection will complicate things and contribute to pain while urinating.  Hopefully the new antibiotics will get this under control very soon.  I think once the infection subsides your urine stream should become stronger and stronger with less and less pain.  I can't over-emphasize the need to drink a lot of water.  Nothing but water.  Alcohol is out, excessive amounts of coffee should be avoided....  things that might tend to dehydrate you.

     

    Paul,  I'm always available to talk to you about this.  Feel free to contact me by message here on the TV website.  

     

    Let me know how you're progressing, ok? 

     

    One last thought for your consideration......  I spent most of my time lying down during the first three of four weeks after surgery.  Lounging on the sofa, feet up, just to keep the pressure off the perineum area.  I had a soreness there and taking the pressure off helped a lot. 

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    TURP Operation, Still Suffering

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, connda said:

    There is another thread in the CM forum.  Dr. Witawat also performs Thulium laser enucleation surgery.  According to the thread I believe the price was 200K THB.  The Op TracyB had the procedure a couple of months ago and seems to be getting on fine.  I've put off surgery because TURP until recently has been virtually the only option that Thai doctors will perform and I've refused to go with TURP because I keep reading posts like yours.  I feel for you.  I really hope things get better for you soon. 

     

     

    Hi,

    Still no regrets having the Thulium laser prostate surgery at BKK hosp. Chiang Mai.  My final bill was 210,000.

    Dr. Wiitawat is the best!

    • Like 2

    CM Immigration Q&A (2018)

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    45 minutes ago, Thailand said:

    Went Wednesday 28th August at 1.15.pm, received ticket for extension of stay and was the next number. Waited about 15 minutes to be seen.

    Some hassles that were quickly resolved about 20 minutes in all to photo taken.

     

    The 2 hour 10 minute  wait for the boss to sign off was not appreciated by the many that were waiting particularly as the rest of the office/staff was working as well and as pleasantly as I have ever seen it.

    Thanks for that info.  Sounds encouraging!  ( except for the "big-shot" sign off part.)

    True or false

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted · Edited by Tracyb

    Suggest that the OP consider finding and agent....not necessarily to have them process the extension.....but rather to ask them if CM IMM will accept combo method.  Better yet, ask two agencies and compare answers.  Just a thought!

    • Confused 1

    Not for sale: Danish MPs ridicule idea of Trump buying Greenland

    in World News

    Posted

    20 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

    Oh dear, surely not even POTUS could seriously believe that the people would prefer the USA to Denmark.

    They have a stable economy, understand social justice, have world class health care  and education.

     

    What drugs does the POTUS indulge in when his thumbs stop moving?

     

    I'm not sure about the drugs he indulges in.... and I certainly don't want to think about where his "thumbs" end up when he's not using them to tweet absurdities.

    Changing funds for UK holiday USD or THB?

    in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments

    Posted · Edited by Tracyb

    I think it depends on whether or not your USA card charges international transaction fees were you to use it in the UK.  If your USA bank does NOT charge those fees....then get your GBP in the UK using US dollars on deposit in the USA.  When doing so, if the ATM in the UK allows you to proceed without using their conversion rate, do so.  You’ll probably find that your USA bank system will provide a better exchange rate.

     

    If you convert your THB to GBP here... you’ll be losing value on those funds for the second time. If you’re planning to come back to Thailand, save the THB for your use when you return.

     

    Thats my two cents!

    Custom insoles in CM?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    13 minutes ago, cheeryble said:

    Thanks Tracy.

     

    The insoles I'd need would need to be shaped in 3 dimensions to raise the toes and give a supportive bridge i think.

    Up to the expert.

    You think this chap might be up to that?

     

    The other thing is if you need orthotic support Ottobock is the number one place, and use carbon fibre for the model shown.......v thin and light.

     

     

    Thermoplastic ones are made locally much cheaper might be fine for some purposes.

    I'm not sure about what he offers, exactly.....  I wish I could be more helpful...:-(

    • Like 1

    Custom insoles in CM?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    I saw an insole vendor at Central Airport mall.  I'm not remembering the exact location though....although he was not actually inside a store but he did have his equipment set up on the walkway in the mall. He's inside.

    Maybe others will read this and be able to offer more info about his exact location.

    I don't know about the quality, etc, but I was planing to visit again the next time Im there to get more info.  I too have foot problems and have orthotics that I brought with me some years ago but they may need to be replaced.  I wish I had more info for you about the location in the mall.

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