Enzian

Would someone just wake me up when this is all over? I have a personal policy of not wasting time on news items about what "might" happen or "may" happen, and the past few days have been almost nothing but that. It's been an education, but I'm not a citizen. I should be interested only if one of the parties proposes to reform and rationalize Immigration.

If I left the country before my recent stay (after a successful online 90 day report) reached 90 days, and returned, and now I get a notice to report as though I had not left in time before that 90 days were up--do I just ignore the notice? Thanks!

I have to wonder why good people (if there are any) even want to participate in this charade? Do what Epicurus said, retire to a quiet place and live a moderate satisfying life. Why fight such a rigged system? It will just be the same thing over and over.

My TGF tried to change her voting location from Issan place of origin to Bangkok, thought she had it done, then they said no. She has said if she didn't participate then the local officials (where she still has business interests) will drag their feet when she tries to get some cooperation from them in various matters. This seems related to the OP.

But that's what Anutin always totally said but wink-wink nudge-nudge allowed (and I think encouraged) the opposite--the way things work here all too often. That said, pot is not and should not be considered the big issue at this time. I don't indulge but would bet that it is here to stay. There's too much money already involved.

What if a tourist does something really stupid with a motorbike or car, something that would be illegal in almost any country? Do they still deserve and receive medical insurance? Say they hit and run killing someone and then are injured trying to escape a pursuit, do they get insurance? Or only if they have no assets or money in a bank somewhere? And is that fair? I know we don't let people just die, but some of this seems weird, especially if the insurance is there just to reimburse hospitals only for those who claim no ability to pay. Or is everyone to be totally covered, including the rich?

Take off flip-flops, shoot self in foot.

This is like the romance scams in that it never ends, there's always new recruits, humanity repeats its mistakes every day.

I'm all for over-reaction, I loved the Nana station area during Covid, it was like my own private little fiefdom, nobody on the sidewalks, and the massage ladies were so eager...

KK is poor. My TGF's parents still live on dirt/gravel floors with the chickens underfoot. The town is not bad, the malls are not expensive. There's massage and hospitals and education, and the people are helpful. It's really something I have to think about because as I approach 90 I might actually consider moving up there.

Idk but when I entered SFO a week ago from BKK the IO thought I was interesting and started rapping and told a joke about foreigners falling off balconies in Pattaya, with people waiting behind me to get out, and I had to say "Bad joke haha, Thank you!" and rush away.

I have a thing for high end whiskey and whisky but I've stopped buying it here. I just buy the lower cost blends and mix them because I refuse to continue funding this crowd.

If more than half of alcohol drinkers oppose a proposal to liberalize the rules of alcohol production, that means they support the present monopolistic system, which means the slaves love their chains... which is entirely possible here I admit.

What's the right way to report a change of address? Or: what's the rule? I returned in Dec. after 5 months and moved into a different rented condo room in the same building as before near Nana BTS. I then went to CW and renewed my Non-O visa, providing a copy of my new 6-mo lease with the new room number. I must have thought 1) a change of room is not a change of address and 2) I had just provided Imm with my new room number. I've learned my building rental agent doesn't submit TM30, but that was no issue in the two years previous in the previous room; maybe it is now? When I tried to do the 90 day report earlier this month I changed the room number on my last successful report, and it was rejected. I then tried again with the previous room number and it was accepted. I assume I will eventually have to reconcile this situation. (I'm out of country March 23--May 10.) In June I have to start a new (6 month again probably) lease on the unit I'm actually in, or move within or without the building. Would that be the time to take action, claiming that June is when I moved from my old (last year) number/address? And will I have to travel in person out to Immigration at CW? I don't care about a fine of whatever figure, as long as it puts this behind me. And sorry if this is a bit complicated, and thanks for any help!

I got talking with a fellow American and his wife watching the passing scene on Sukhumvit the other day and turned out he was in the process of an application and told me something to the effect that "lots of people are doing it, it's all the rage". Sounds more like he's a rara avis. Solid guy though. I don't see how I for one could commit to this country for 5-10 years (even if I thought I would live that much longer). Too many things can change, including the terms of this visa itself. A year at a time is fine.

That's a fowl thing to say. But she's long past being a spring chicken, that's why I rule the roost.

She knows because she walks me through the process of renewing my Non-O at Immigration once a year, and does the work of making all the required photocopies, from the bank etc. She does most of the talking. A necessary risk. You and I know none of them are "different". But some of them are not stupid. I don't think she would risk killing a long term golden goose in return for a short term gain. And she may actually be relatively honest. Also, how would she steal if the only means is my passport at a window? A bank transfer with my bank book in hand? I don't know how that would work.

Krungsri is a great bank, but one time after I had made some adjustment with a manager someone called and said they still needed my American SS number; I said of course I can't say that over the phone and went in, and indeed it had been them. A slip on their part, only one I've known. As I've reported here before, I recently had a manager delete their app from my iPhone out of caution; my Thai GF, horrified at my balance, actually pushed me to have that done. Now things can only happen through a teller or manager. I periodically withdraw larger sums of cash from the window.

The Ice Man in Bolzano has tattoos on his back and elsewhere (I've seen his body lying in the cold room). But his are from 5,300 years ago; back then they had a more serious purpose. Today, not so much.

Ubonjoe, I'm quoting you to get your attention and ask a question. I just got the approval you predicted at 9:15 this Wednesday morning, close to 48 working day hours from application. Thank you! The catch is that I got approved by submitting a repeat of my old success with my old room number in The Trendy Suk 13, as you suggested. So what will be the best strategy and timing to correct my room number with Immigration eventually? My rental agent confirmed she does not file a TM30, and I'm sure the owner in Bangladesh doesn't. I never made any kind of report of moving to a new address when I arrived in Dec., because I had been gone 5 months and I was still in the same building, which doesn't seem to me like a change of address but I guess it is. But the copy of my lease I provided in Dec. when I extended my Non-IMM-O had the new room number--but Immigration never shares nor enters that anywhere? I may move again in a few months, or may not, but that's a different bridge. Thanks!

Indeed how can the government address the issue without generating moral hazard and eventually leading to more debt? Are there any examples of bailouts (other than a few genuine examples of force majeure) that actually made things better over time? It would seem that better underwriting is the only sensible approach. And why is underwriting by Thai lenders apparently so bad?

Does the time of day matter? I have an 8 AM sharp departure for Seoul on Thai Air on 3/23. I'm in the Sukhumvit Asok area and figuring if I get up by 3 AM and in a taxi or the Express train by 4:30 then I will be out there by at least 5:30, but that's only 2 1/2 hours ahead, which of course used to be fine. Any tales of experiences with early flights are appreciated.

I submitted early Friday the 3rd morning, got a "successfully received" notice at 9:30 AM, but should I expect nothing to happen until after the weekend and the Monday 6th holiday? Thanks.

Karma is wonderful.

In 2016 I swore I would never spend another April in LOS, but Covid put that on hold for 3 years. This April I will spend in a part of southern France where the average daily high in April is around 17.5 Celsius. The flight is booked. Have to do it while I still can.