Scouse123

I don't know your country of origin but if you were British, you cannot have a new passport until you have handed in or sent off ( if living abroad ) your old passport which they then clip the corner from and return it to you along with your new one.

Actually that is not true. UK can issue two valid passports, usually the reason is the need to travel to contrasting countries.

Paz,

Actually not very fair in your response as you have misquoted me (#post 20) by missing off the last two lines which were the part of the post which dealt with two passports, which I already mentioned and said I had myself!

I accept my error from Chrisinth, who corrected me on applying for the passport abroad in such as Thailand and retaining it as I.D. until the new one arrived and will keep that in my head for future reference. I have not had that bridge to cross so I just presumed it would work the same as UK, however, once the new one is issued with the exception of it acting as I.D.. it is cancelled and therefore useless for travel purposes but could serve to assist in transferring visa stamps etc.

There is a letter you should have been given when you got a new passport to take to your local immigration to have them copy your old visa information into your new passport.

I just did this in May when I got a new U.S. passport to replace my old expiring U.S passport. On 5 June 2015 I went with my embassy letter to immigration in Bangkok and had my info done and the stamps transferred.

If I were to get my new passport now, but my next trip to immigration isn't until next March, could I just wait and do everything (both the transferring of the stamps & my annual extension) in one visit? Or does immigration get mad if you don't come see them right away as soon as you get a new passport?

I don't know your country of origin but if you were British, you cannot have a new passport until you have handed in or sent off ( if living abroad ) your old passport which they then clip the corner from and return it to you along with your new one.

So unless you are using two passports, I don't understand how you will do it?

I managed to do it as I had two passports so doing as you suggested was easy at renewal, I just took both along there and they moved it across.

Hi Scouse123,

The 646 is actually the compulsory insurance (it is usually 645.21 but i guess they rounded up?) and 17,500 is the voluntary insurance but the other 7028 is I am not too sure.

Be safe driving on the road!

Hi,

The 7028 is like vehicle excise tax or road tax which allows you to take rthe vehicle on the road, however, they do not give it you unless you have first got the compulsory insurance.

I have been doing my research!

I am not the police, judge, jury or executioner of any person. Those that self appoint to those positions are free to do so, albeit, without any credibility.

As for the paedophilia experts, pease looks up the definition. The frequent misuse of that word is of interest.

You are right of course,

But one of the best ways to get the bums on beer bar stools in Pattaya and Bangkok nodding in agreement is to make the old statement " Hang them high " for drug dealers and " Let's castrate them, give them the death sentence " for Paedophiles.

Works every time!......... followed by a round of applause, a load more back slapping and nodding in agreement and get the singha beers in! for your new found friends.

Thai parents probably never knew his past , I can assure you that Thais despite this man and he will have a tough time in jail if he is sentenced,

I can assure you he will not.

Thais in prison care very little about these kinds of cases.Immediate family on the outside, maybe!

The statement about rain coming isn't entirely wishful thinking:

August & September are normally the rainiest months in Thailand. Hopefully that will be true this year!

However, we would need 2 or 3 x the normal rainfall to prepare for the next dry season. Even if it rains the normal amount in the coming months, we will probably see shortages again in early '16.

No shortages if they severely limit rice farming, why would a whole country suffer for rice farmers who think they are entitled to all the water there is and let other people take the hit.

Of course other large water users should be limited too in the end the normal consumer should not suffer because of people making money of a limited resource that they don't pay for and should benefit everyone.

Blaming the rice farmers?

Everything from the oil industry, the sugar factories, all major industries even the bottled and draft beer plants use massive amounts of water!

Add back the tourist usages and Bangkok in general. and you only want to blame the rice farmers?

Ok, wow, thanks....

So seems like Cambodia is NOT a good idea for a Non-O.

Thanks so much.

And... just for my own clarity... this less than great situation in Cambodia is totally about the people working in the Thai Embassy there, yes? Nothing to do with "Cambodia"?

Cambodia is a fine place to go.

It's different from Thailand and has not got anywhere near as many mod cons or the infrastructure but Phnom Penn and Siem Reap are great places to visit.

Regards Embassy comments, Thai Embassies can and have very different polices and quirks in different countries. Some gain a reputation as ' helpful ' and some ' not so helpful ' and of course, different people have very different experiences with them and their representatives, a bit like myself this last week with Immigration!!!

Penang has a good name in Malaysia as helpful and so does Vientiane and Savannakhet in Laos.

I've obtained "retirement" extensions for several years in Chiang Mai and, although I ask my bank (SCB) to update my passbook (I lock in the funds in a separate account for 14-22 month time periods and never withdraw or deposit funds to the account), they tell me they can't do it. And Chiang Mai Immigration doesn't seem to either care about that. I've always gotten my bank letter within 2-3 days of the extension date although I've understood that Chiang Mai requires it to be within 7 days of one's extension application.

Yes,

and that is exactly my interpretation of how it works as well.

Similarly, I have the same as yourself with sums deposited for a substantial amount of time and left untouched in the account.

The updates I do/did was for immigration and the machine just updates showing interest coming in and tax deducted in the book. It was updated for the previous day and showed monies had not been touched for over two years.

The guy at immigration was being deliberately awkward in my view. The documents had already been passed by his colleague until he decided to involve himself.

Anyway, I have let it slide this time but I disagree with the way some posters feel we need to accept the whimsical nature of some of these immigration officers and ' kiss their butt ' . I have been here many years and speak the Thai language and have heard them on many occasions be offhand and downright rude in their remarks on occasions unnecessarily to applicants.

I was not asking him to do anything more than his job.

The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penn has a reputation for not being helpful with visa applications especially double or multiple entry applications.

Travel agents are best used when applying for the Cambodian one year extension E visa.

There is a waIting time now of four days whether you apply in Phnom Penn or Siem Reap, going rate is $285 - $295 for one year, you can add $100 if you want your visa the following day ( Phnom Penn only! ) it used to be $10, this practice has been occurring for the last 1 to 1.5 years.

Joe, thanks as always.

I have already been to Vientiane once and did not find it so interesting. I have been to Malaysia several times, and Vietnam once.

Any other place not too far away that is interesting to visit and good on service?

Singapore? Penang in Malaysia unless you have already been. Bali?

Vientiane, everyone goes to bed at 9pm, I think it's the Valium they take all day long.

"One thing for sure, it is usually in expectancy of the " tip " for speedy service or overlooking rules they just make up to fit your circumstances."

Is this based on your personal experience of being asked for & then paying extra money or are you just making something up because you're annoyed? Immigrations officers are allowed some discretion in what they want to complete any application and it's common knowledge that some rules vary from office to office.

I've always had my bank book updated and the letter issued the day before I go in and that's the typical advice given in threads on TV ... that or doing it the same day. Never had an immigrations officer imply that things could be overlooked by bribing him.

Yes on personal experience,

I said in the opening post I was then taken aside by a more senior officer and asked for a donation to the sports team.I find this type of behavior awkward and also embarrassing,when I shouldn't need to be.

The point I made on " overlooking rules they just made up.....". was sarcasm, there was no rules to be overlooked, I had followed them all correctly.

I have used this exact same office previously with the same fixed deposit book and letter from the bank without incident in the past.

I wonder how many arrest warrants are outstanding in this country?

Child molesters/rapists and murders should be tracked down without mercy, why don't they have a task force for this?

They do have a dedicated task force for this, however, as in all criminal matters in Thailand, money is the law!

I know this guy and he has been around Pattaya for many many years. I recall seeing it in the news and him get arrested previously, in fact, one of his previous arrests took place in a cinema.

Thais and their courts do not view sexual offences anywhere near as dimly as they are viewed in the West unless they are of course, sons or daughters of important people. That, unfortunately is just how it is.

What you found online does not apply to all immigration offices. There are many that would not accept a letter from the bank that is 7 days old. Some want it no older than the day before you apply.

There are several that want the bank book updated on the date you apply.

Some banks can do a forced up date to the bank book by using a few special key strokes.

Yeah,

Sounds like them doing just what they want to do as usual.

One thing for sure, it is usually in expectancy of the " tip " for speedy service or overlooking rules they just make up to fit your circumstances.

The bank girl never mentioned anything that I could do to ' force an update '

It's not the end of the world, it's just the fact that you do everything for a smooth visit and they have to come the smart Alec attitude to extort money.

Lite beer,

The book was updated as I have a number of different deposits in the same book starting on different dates. The previous day the bank updated the book which then shows tax deducted and interested paid on each deposit. It was dated the 29th and my application was on the 30th.

However, since posting I have checked online and as much as it recommends to update the day before, which I did, the bank letters, print outs etc are valid for seven days from the date it is provided when signed and stamped by the bank.It advises to take your original book with you, which I did.

My wife has just now said, when I was showing her the legalities online and she said that the first officer had passed everything but the captain had said to him to " hold the documents " (out of my earshot) until he had looked at them!!

I have just returned from obtaining my extension of stay based on retirement and a multiple re-entry permit.

I sign up in the sticks and took my fixed deposit book which has remained untouched for two years and is above the limit for legal purposes. I updated the book the previous day before I was going to immigration.

All my documents were in good order, well presented and easily readable. The office was not busy at all with maybe two other applicants.

A pleasant unassuming officer read the file.After reviewing my documents and being happy with them, a captain looking over at me interfered ( he knows me by sight, I think foreigners are easily remembered as it is not a particularly busy office ).

The captain stated, on further examination, that it had the previous days date on the book update not today's.

I pointed out that I had been to the bank the previous day and also provided immigration with letters from the bank, signed and stamped, with my total amounts deposited and a print out of bank activity as well as showing my original books.

I always thought, and had been previously told, that a bank letter and an update of the book within three days of the application were valid for immigration purposes??

He wasn't interested and said he wanted the same days date on the application and in the bank book. I did say that a fixed deposit would not update with to days date if there had been no activity.

He then said go put 500 baht in the book and bring it back with today's date. I went to the bank and they said the minimum amount they needed was 10,000 baht in a fixed account additional deposit to get the necessary update.They offered to do a letter from the bank instead and/or speak to him on the phone. Anyway, I knew this officer wasn't playing nice so I put in the funds of 10,000 baht as it was the only option.It was warm and I just wanted it finished.

I returned to immigration and he said it was now lunchtime and he was hungry and with a smile said I could return after lunch.

After lunch he then furnished me with additional forms for penalties on overstay and blacklisting to sign which I have read here on TV are not law. I was then passed to another higher ranking officer who asked for a donation to the sports team fund to deal with the application speedily.

Thank God, it's only once a year and online reporting is now available.In this area of life in the Far East,

I think I like the Cambodian system, give it a travel agent and forget it, no dealing with the police.

So he will do 8 years max and then be sent back to the UK to serve another 3 or 4 and then paroled to go about his business!

No, he will have to serve one third of his sentence before consider for a prisoner repat.

Then once at home (if he survives) he will only serve a short time in prison because of the severity of this punishment.

Wrong,

I am sorry but you are in an area where I am well versed. The law changed around mid 2000. I answered earlier in this thread what he will get.

When a sentence of 50 years or life is imposed, it is 8 years before they can apply to be repatriated, on a 25 year sentence it is 4 years. It usually takes an additional 6 to 9 months for paperwork to be formalized after this period. Very few prisoners receive a King's pardon for drug offenses.

On lower sentences, such as 4 or 6 years, it is the equivalent of one third of the sentence before they are eligible to apply to be repatriated under Thai law.

Once home, he will not serve a quick sentence and then released, that is not how it works and is not how the Thai/UK treaty works. He will serve" half of the balance " of the sentence remaining minus any good behavior class of days and minus any royal decrees or amnesties given.

He will still receive amnesties from Thailand whilst in a UK prison as he is there being held under a Thai conviction. His sentence cuts under amnesty are subject to the class of prisoner he was when he was repatriated. There are six classes, outstanding, very good, good, standard, bad and very bad. These determine the cut under an amnesty. For example if the cut is 1 year in four for an outstanding class of prisoner, a very good prisoner would receive a cut of one year in five and so forth. Prisoners in the bad and very bad class receive nothing.

The half of the remaining balance has been agreed by the two nations in a treaty and other nation states have different treaties with Thailand, some a lot better.

Any change in UK law means it must also undergo a treaty change and the two countries must both be in agreement to it.

No! Just read the story of Michael Connell.

http://www.thaiprisonlife.com/news/drug-smuggler-michael-connell-back-in-the-uk/

He was given 99 Years but after his appeal he ended up with 20 Years. He just got back to the UK after serving 8 Years in a Thai Prison. Which is a little more than one-third his sentence.

He technically has 12 Years left of his sentence to serve in the UK. From that he can get half this time reduced through Parole and Good Behavior. So he still has to serve 6 years in the UK at least. That brings the total time spent in a prison to 14 years and certainly not what you are suggesting.

At any rate, if this young man does not win his appeal that 50 years will seem like a very long time. Even if he only spends 8 years in a prison in Thailand full of cockroaches, sleeping in a room full of other sometimes sickly prisoners, sleeping on a concrete floor, and eating Fish Heads and Spoiled Rice each day. Of this I am sure!

I already explained the law changed in the mid 2000s if you look at my previous posts.

Also, the reason he served eight years in the Thai prison is due to the length of time it takes to process appeals from the provincial court, to the appeals court and finally the Supreme court.It is only coincidence that it equates around a third. His sentence was initially more or less a life sentence reduced on appeal.Had he been given 20 years in the beginning, he would only have had to serve four in a Thai prison. The guy has been very fortunate with his appeal considering where he was caught and the place where he was caught. When you look at Michael Connell's sentence and the amounts quoted, then this most recent case sentence looks ridiculous.

I am confident that with any decent lawyer, this boy Lance's sentence will be reduced substantially unless there is something seriously wrong that has not been reported here.

Moving now to the UK part of the sentence, as I mentioned you will serve " half of the balance left to serve " that is exactly what I was suggesting! So, his balance is 12 years, he will serve six years. He will then be released. His sentence is not then over by any means. The remaining six years of the sentence will be served in the community.

When in the UK, he is entitled subject to his ' behavior class ' a remission and also he is entitled to any amnesties given in Thailand as he is imprisoned in the UK but being held under an offence committed in Thailand.

You are spot on regards the food in the prison. However, food from outside is available ( usually at a premium ) they can have coffee, tea, various canned foods, Mama, a variety of fresh foods such as fish and chicken and fruit which they can purchase from their prison account, up to a limit of 200 baht a day. That is to say that his family send him money via the British Embassy to prison.

Klong Prem is indeed full of large cockroaches and other vermin as is Bang Kwang and facilities are way below European standards.He will get vitamins tablets supplied by the charity " prisoners abroad " via the UK Embassy.

KTB offer 3.9% on a 10 month deposit http://www.ktb.co.th/en/news_promotion/3_financial_products.jsp

Thanachart manager told me they will be bringing in new rates this month - over 3%

Hi

Quote from Never sure, I only want you to read the last paragraph, so that is all I copied from him:-

If you can afford to buy this gf a house and never think about the money again that would be a nice gift from you. If instead you are trying to preserve assets there really isn't a way once you get involved.

That above my friend is the best post on your thread regards advice.

I take on board another posters comments regards these people thinking they can just get you as a foreigner to pay for something ' at the drop of a hat ' what it takes 30 years of monthly payments in the West!!!

Nobody but nobody has the same respect for anything they get too easily as opposed to a lifetimes efforts in achieving mortgage free status.

If you want a bitter truth, you know very well the answer, at 12,500 baht a month, and you not in the equation....it is unaffordable!!

She should NOT even be contemplating a loan. I think you actually know this anyway, the truth be known.

After 5/6 years I would imagine he will get a Royal Pardon 50 years is a hell of a long time only last week did I read a report of a Thai who mowed two Brits down and killed them got a 10,000 baht fine and a suspended prison sentence of two years.

Some years ago I had family in prison for drug charges. At that time, royal pardons were NOT given for drug sentences, and they served almost all their sentence with some good behaviour reduction. Not sure if that still applies.

Correct!

So he will do 8 years max and then be sent back to the UK to serve another 3 or 4 and then paroled to go about his business!

No, he will have to serve one third of his sentence before consider for a prisoner repat.

Then once at home (if he survives) he will only serve a short time in prison because of the severity of this punishment.

Wrong,

I am sorry but you are in an area where I am well versed. The law changed around mid 2000. I answered earlier in this thread what he will get.

When a sentence of 50 years or life is imposed, it is 8 years before they can apply to be repatriated, on a 25 year sentence it is 4 years. It usually takes an additional 6 to 9 months for paperwork to be formalized after this period. Very few prisoners receive a King's pardon for drug offenses.

On lower sentences, such as 4 or 6 years, it is the equivalent of one third of the sentence before they are eligible to apply to be repatriated under Thai law.

Once home, he will not serve a quick sentence and then released, that is not how it works and is not how the Thai/UK treaty works. He will serve" half of the balance " of the sentence remaining minus any good behavior class of days and minus any royal decrees or amnesties given.

He will still receive amnesties from Thailand whilst in a UK prison as he is there being held under a Thai conviction. His sentence cuts under amnesty are subject to the class of prisoner he was when he was repatriated. There are six classes, outstanding, very good, good, standard, bad and very bad. These determine the cut under an amnesty. For example if the cut is 1 year in four for an outstanding class of prisoner, a very good prisoner would receive a cut of one year in five and so forth. Prisoners in the bad and very bad class receive nothing.

The half of the remaining balance has been agreed by the two nations in a treaty and other nation states have different treaties with Thailand, some a lot better.

Any change in UK law means it must also undergo a treaty change and the two countries must both be in agreement to it.

So he will do 8 years max and then be sent back to the UK to serve another 3 or 4 and then paroled to go about his business!

You are wrong sir,

He will do eight years on a sentence of 50 years or a life sentence and then be repatriated, yes.

The eight years will be deducted from the overall sentence minus any good behavior or amnesties. He will then be required by treaty and UK law to serve " half of the balance left to serve "

50 years minus 8 years ( let's say no amnesties or good behavior reductions which are nominal especially on drugs charges ) 42 years. He then has 21 years left to serve minus any amnesties or good behavior. There are no legal powers because of the way the UK/Thai treaty is structured to let him out sooner.

Other and less developed countries have managed to secure far better exchange treaties with Thailand. Returning UK prisoners are way down on the list of priorities for UK governments. The punishment way exceeds that what would be handed to a Thai, and is quite disgusting for the crime committed.

When you look at an alleged hi-so girl, texting whilst driving who can kill 9 people by reckless driving, underage, no driving licence and she gets a suspended sentence! Were the victims from Isaarn and therefore not worthy of justice or something or were they poor????........................................ Does that justify the pathetic sentences.

or even look at the grandson of the Red Bull boss who didn't even stop after the accident after killing somebody!

Shame on the justice system in Thailand.

Probably disagree with every statement in every sentence in that last post!

I am fairly sure business owners will too and we won't even go in to the safety aspect.

JAS21.

Thank you.

Just a small input with regards to the prices rising, one place I used to frequent for meals put their prices for many meals up by 25% over the last year. Their beers are not cheap either compared to others around them. They even cut off the free Wi-fi they had. Reduced the premier league football matches shown from 5 or so down to 2. No wonder the place is empty most of the time.

If this is indicative of many places + the general (no pun intended) situation, is it surprising many are turning their backs on Thailand?

For the British, the Euro is strong and that makes Europe a cheaper place to stay and to travel to.

I doubt Thailand will ever really learn how to be competitive in what amounts to be a difficult market.

Surely you mean for the British the Euro is weak/low against Sterling and that's why it is a cheaper and more attractive destination for UK people.

We may see more tourists here from the Middle East.

The TAT has just launched an Islam Friendly App, to make "Thailand a more Islam Friendly Country" and make it easier for Muslims to find their way around.

Bet that goes down a bomb!.......