MrKFC

I recall with some fondness the days when the phone stayed anchored safely to the wall. For 45+ years, never once wondered how to use it or where the damn thing was located ... today I'm pretty ignorant about all the options available today.

Making a run to the US soon, first time in 3 1/2 years, and we're trying to find the least expensive options for making our phones work there, will stay about 5 months.

Very little telephone time required but will be traveling, mainly needing to use it for wifi hotspot.

Phone is a Samsung Galaxy s10, purchased in Chiang Mai, will accept 2 sim's - only one in place now.  

Can I buy a 2nd sim card here that will work there? 

Has anyone tried DTAC's international service - this page shows a plan for 1 year w 17gb that's cheaper than any of the 180 day plans I've seen.
https://www.dtac.co.th/en/dtac-promotion/packages/gotravel.html

Currently using AIS but they don't show any US service.

Any recent experiences? Suggestions?
Thanks,
DS

My Thai GF will be returning to Chiang Mai from Surat Thani in a couple weeks and is concerned about quarantine. No restrictions in Surat Thani today but it's not impossible that will change by the time she returns, Apr 22 or 23. 

As I understand the procedure, if Thai citizen whose home is in Chiang Mai is returning from a province that is 'RED' they will be required to quarantine at their home not a 14 day ASQ hotel ... do I have that right? 

Thanks!

DS
 

16 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I don't know about the initial entry stamp, but pretty sure you will send the I-593 extension to the USCIS  office in Dallas

That's a clue I can follow up on, thanks!

On 2/23/2021 at 8:07 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Last time my wife went to the US ...

Do I have this right?

The B2 is a 10 year visa, and the maximum stay on any trip is 6 months ... ?

Something else I haven't been able to find is confirmation of how long the initial stamp is good for on entry to the US. One friend said he's pretty sure it's 90 days, but can apply for one 90 day extension. Not sure whether it has to be done in person at an Embassy or if it can be handled by mail or online - there's no embassy in Montana. 

We're thinking we'll probably be there in the range of 4 months - mainly doing some work to my place so I can get it rented, and get back here before winter sets in there. 

On 2/23/2021 at 8:47 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

When my wife got her B2 visa in 2018, the interviewer was more interested in seeing my passport than the documents my wife brought to the interview. We did not know that this would be in important item and she did not have it at the interview, but it seems that you are aware that the interviewer may want to know about your ties to Thailand as well. 

 

Best of luck.

 

This is a topic where I've been seeing remarks that are inconsistent with each other - some say my history is not relevant but another guy said that his wife's first application was denied primarily because he didn't provide sufficient passport history.

So I found a good outline for a 'sponsorship/invitation letter' and I used it to put one together that details my visits to Thailand, includes bank info, my medical and dental history here, lease agreement, reason for the trip etc, photocopies of relevant stuff and she'll have it all - including my passport - when she goes. Better to have it and not need it than the other way round I think. 

The only potential glitch with my own passport history is that it only goes back to 2014, have been here for several months every year since then. I arrived in Bangkok, got through Immigration, no problem, got on a plane to Chiang Mai and when I got to the hotel I had no passport. ?!?!? Was an extremely interesting sensation in the gut, to say the least. I was coming to have pretty extensive dental work done here and was able to get the new one issued before that was finished. I checked with US Embassy to see about getting the old records before she applies, but has to be done by mail, they say at least 12 weeks for processing if you're in the US, and we'll be applying before then. I think that was my 3rd trip to Thailand, the one before was 2007. Hopefully that doesn't cause a problem. 

22 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

None of that is needed at most immigration offices other than your passport and a completed TM47 form.

Great, thank you sir!

There's a good copy shop right around the corner, 1 baht per, so I'll probably do it anyway - be my luck the guy would ask for it. 

Found this

When reporting in person you will need the following:

Passport

Notification form (TM47)

Copy of passport info page (with photo, name, passport number, etc.)

Copy of current visa

Copy of latest entry stamp

Copy of latest visa extension

Copy of departure card (TM6)

Copy of previous 90-day slip (if any)

https://iglu.net/thailand-90-day-report/

3 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Sometimes maybe best to not get there first thing. 

I usually shoot for Tuesday at about 10:30.

Just now, ubonjoe said:

I assume you mean doing a report of staying longer than 90 consecutive days in the country that does no renew anything.

My 1 year non-O started Dec 7,  need to do the first 90 day report by Mar 1, thought I'd do it this week. 

Do I need to take proof of residence or anything else again? Nothing's changed. 

2 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

Last time I did a re-entry permit at Chiang Mai Immigration Office it took quite a long time.

I just checked flights again and everything out of CM was at least 10 hours longer than usual - out of BKK was normal. 
 

Any clues why Imm at CM was slow? Was that a pre-Covid thing with what used to be a 'normal' number of people there? I've been there a couple times since December and it's been pretty quick, not a lot of farangs. 

On 1/21/2020 at 4:12 PM, ubonjoe said:

You can apply for a re-entry permit at any time as long as you do it before you leave the country.

I need to do my first 90 day renewal on the 1 year non O this week - can I do both at the same time/same window    or do I need to get in line twice? 

Haven't decided exactly on the travel dates but I guess that doesn't matter - as I understand it I have to fill in the dates on the form but they're not printed on the permit. 

Just now, Captain Monday said:

There are no international flights out of Chiang Mai at this time.  Last  I heard was 6 more months minimum so cant do it at Chiang Mai Airport now.

Wow! I was checking prices online a few days ago to the US and they showed flights - a few went to Bangkok, but some seemed normal. 

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

There is

Guessing the reason you and Joe might recommend doing it at the airport might be shorter lines... ? Or ... ?

On 1/21/2020 at 7:07 PM, ubonjoe said:

Best to write at some airports. Not all of them has a re-entry permit desk.

Do you know if there's a re-entry desk at Chiang Mai?

Just now, andy said:

 That thing is a monster and extremely thorough, covering just about everything (set aside a few hours for finishing it).

We found an example to print - 84 pages - both English and Thai.

GF has a good friend who has a B2, is fluent in English and we're going through it. 

Our plan is legit, neither of us has any desire to stay in the US, just trying to be sure we don't overlook anything that might help.

GF isn't fluent in English by a long shot but has enough that she can deal with the handful of farang customers just fine.  

1 minute ago, andy said:

"Sponsorship" or "Invite" simply does not exist for a B2 visa, period.  Law firms can't really "do" anything to help for a B2 visa, so I'm not surprised they make up their own criteria...  I think people mix up requirements with fiance visas (which obviously do need sponsorship).  There is a spot on the B2 application form where you can put down who/how will the trip be financed.

 

Here is what the state department website has to say about this: (bold is mine).

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

Got it, thank you, finally something that's clear and 'official' 

1 hour ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

many web sites and airlines where you can book a ticket without paying the full amount

Thanks, I'll check into it ????

1 hour ago, andy said:

 ... not asked for in the application form and is not asked for at the interview

Something that doesn't seem to be agreed on by everyone is what's 'asked for at the interview' - wondering what your experience was.

The embassy and the law firms all say that an 'invitation or sponsorship letter' is a required piece, especially for someone who doesn't show enough in the bank to cover all expenses, and that's the case here. 

But a couple people in this and another forum have said nobody asks for it. 

I'm thinking it's better to have it and not need it than the other way round - so I put one together to show that I have assets, commitments here and I'm definitely returning too - will include current bank statements, passport history etc. 

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

DS

GF will be applying for B2 to the US in a month or so, planning on a few months there.

We've been assembling stuff to show she fully intends to return - she's 50, owns a business with bank records to prove it, long term lease, owns property, money in the bank, strong family ties. I'm here now on a non-O good through December 2021, have been coming as a tourist for 5-6 months every year since 2014, now I have a long term lease, money in the bank, insurance, drivers licenses, will have my re-entry permit. Going there to prepare my house to be rented, have a tenant lined up, and get back here before winter comes to Montana. 

We've been advised that one of the most compelling pieces of 'proof' is for her to have a round trip ticket. But have also been told that it's not a good idea to buy the ticket till the visa is approved, because it might not be and the airlines are not required to refund for the ticket.

Any suggestions? 

Thanks,

DS

17 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You could do it from now until till the 5th of March. You can do it 15 days early or 7 days after the report date that includes that day in the count.

Immigration offices are closed on weekends and they will also be closed on the 26th for a holiday.

Thank you sir!

On 1/6/2021 at 7:46 PM, ubonjoe said:

You will have do your first 90 day report in person. After that you can do 90 day reports online.

 

My first report is due on Monday, March 1 - do I have to appear on that day or could I do it over the weekend?
Is there a fee for filing the report? 
Thanks!

DS

2 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

So your second option, if you are legally married would be to apply for a CR-1 immigrant visa, if you don't intend to live there 100%. It might take more time, but it's pretty objective, you tick the boxes and she'll land with an SSN & Green Card.

 

That way you get to straddle both worlds, if is you do want to move back she can work, drivers license looks like the rest of us

Marriage is certainly not out of the question, have looked into the process a bit, even got a copy of my divorce certificate a few days ago. 
Checked a bit, looks like CR-1 takes 6 months, longer than we want to wait this time.
Had a conversation with an agency that does help with B2, said that they're not issuing many due to the way the US has been handling Covid, but it's starting to level off a bit, probably a good idea to wait a little while. 

17 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

So see what a couple of months in the US does in terms of where you both want to be

I was raised in Southern Cal, moved to Montana in 1976 to play with a band, never looked back. I'm right on the edge of addicted to wide open spaces, the rivers and my boats, simply does not exist in Thailand. 

But there's things about Thailand that really appeal to me as well, not the least of which is this wonderful lady I've connected with. What I'm trying to pull together is about half here and half there - summers in Montana - and the only thing preventing it is $$.

My minimal social security just doesn't cut it, but is adequate here. Renting half the place there would be a decent step in the right direction.

My occupation these days is promoting a music ed book I published about 5 years ago. Amazon sales have been steady since day 1 and a decent supplement. 

I've recently put together a package that I'm about to start promoting to music stores and book stores, and a little traction there could solve it. 

Onward, into the fog!

34 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

BTW, I love Montana, we went on a road trip to Yellowstone last year both me and my wife loved the place, first time either of us had visited the park

Much appreciated!

I agree, like Joe Friday said - "just the facts" - it's nearly always best. 
 

Her English is adequate for her business, like many she understands a good bit more than she speaks clearly. If it gets complicated she'll probably ask for a Thai speaker but she's a 'people person', not shy or intimidated by talking with farangs, has nothing to hide or be evasive about, should be fine. 

I've been digging around, doesn't seem to be agreement on duration of the 1st visit with a B2 - 6 month max has been mentioned more than once. I'm hoping for just under 5 months. One Thai friend of hers who's traveled a bit said that initially it's a 90 day visa but can do a 90 day extension, similar to what's available here. 

I've lived in Montana for 40+ years and it's still just breathtaking, I love it. My place is north of West Yellowstone, about 90 miles. I've had enough winter to last me, that's what got me started coming here, and what I'm trying to pull together now is get half my house rented as an apartment so we can go there for summer - last summer was the first in decades that I didn't log a couple hundred river miles. 

Thanks again!

On 1/28/2021 at 12:34 PM, lopburi3 said:

The burden of proof is on them to convince Consulate they will indeed return at the end of outlined visit ... 

Curious how this looks regarding proving her 'intention to return':

GF is 50, a tailor, has a well established business in Chiang Mai with bank records to prove it and has no intent or desire to give it up. I agree 100%. She's good at it, enjoys it and has lots of friends in the neighborhood. 

She has an excellent location in Chiang Mai, has been there for about 10 years and has a long term lease on the shop space.    

Most of her clientele is Thai and 'in the neighborhood' but they're also getting hammered by Covid - lots of hotels, restaurants and bars whose proprietors are dependent on tourism. Her income is about 30 - 40% of what it was January 2020 - and that's why she's willing/able to step away for a while.  

She doesn't own a house but does own 6 rai near Fang - her parent's farm and home is  there. That property is titled to her mother but she's an only child, has an excellent relationship with them and will inherit the property, which includes a modern house that she had built for them about 5 years ago.

Her son is 20, past the age of 'legal dependent' and is in his last year of Engineering at Phitsanulok University - she's paying all expenses - or was till Covid came so I'm filling the gaps and can pick up the whole tab while she's away, no problem.

I also plan to deposit about 200K baht in her bank account early next month so she can show it's her money in the bank. 

Can also purchase a round trip ticket for her, but not really 100% about a return date, will depend on how things shape up. 

The reason for the trip is to make the property I own ready to rent or sell, not sure which at the moment. Neither of us has any desire to remain in the US, my passport history shows that I've been coming to Thailand to avoid Montana winter since 2014. My non-O is good through Dec 2021 and I'll have a re-entry permit.