paulnuek

Thanks Lopburi3

Everthing is a lot clearer now......

Thanks Alan.

Just want to avoid the visa-runs if at all possible.

I read that getting a year extension in Thailand means that I would have to report to immigration every 90 days instead of the dreaded visa-runs.

But there is also posts that say this is not possible.

I sent an email to SunbeltAsia who have said "Apply for the "O" visa and extend to a year while in Thailand".

They seem to think that with this "extension of stay",I will only have to report every 90 days and this can be done by post as immigration only need to know where I am staying....

It`s all starting to make sense now.

I think my problem is that I have read too many posts on this forum....

There is that much advice to be had but the advice is not always the same.

Thanks again Alan.

Hope to see in the Wonderful bar sooner rather than later......

Thanks for the info guys. I ended up getting a Creative Zen Neeon at pantip. I didn't see your post in time Sansai.Stll, happy with what I have.The sound is amazing.

where wopuld the cheapest place to buy ipods in asia (please let me know the country) or UK ???

Ebay.co.uk

Chester le Street...

Many times...

Shopping with the wife and drinking with the lads

Have you been there before......

Why buy when you can get for free.....

Download Azureus software for free (download.com or anywhere else that you prefer).

Do a search on either Mininova or Torrentspy.

Software for free.....

I am using McAfee 2006 suite that I downloaded for free.

Working with no problems and have been taking the daily updates..

Any probs pm me for more details...

Also on these search engines you will find almost any music that can be downloaded for free along with films Playstation games etc...

Was told 500 Baht a night.

When I paid it was 420 Baht a night.

Basic but clean rooms.

Good english speaking and friendly staff.

Will go back there again.

hehehe....I paid only 380 with the TV.....the hot water system can be a bit suss tho....the best rooms are the end ones that overlook the Soi...slightly bigger...never take an inside room. I like the sign that says "The stairs are in good health" been at him for years to change that....

Yeah I laugh at that sign...Not too much over the New Year as I was on floor D.....

My last week however I got a room on C 1 flight less and paid 400 baht with fridge...

Well I've checked here and on Ajarn to find info on this but can't seem to find what I want and I know for sure I've read about it b4.What's the best bank to goto for the best % on about 20,000 pounds?At the moment I'm with Natwest but I'm pretty sure that I can do better.Ive found a couple so far for 5.5-6%. Im from England but don't mind an off-shore account.If ive missed an obvious link please forgive me and please give me the link(ive done a few searches so far).

Thanks

What are the 5.5 and 6% Banks?

Is this gross or net.......

If so, working at Chiang Mai University teaching English sounds right up your alley.

So do you need a degree for this?

What about doing a TEFL course?

Or are these a waste of time......

Try this link http://www.pattayamail.com/mailmarket/Prop...partments.shtml

8000 baht + seems to be the norm....

Well hope you get it soon mate.

Fingers crossed...

The visa thing is very confusing and I have read many different comments on it.

Just wanted some advice from someone who has actually been through all the hassle.

Cheers Paul

Ok, you are in the same position as I was 12 months ago. this is what I did.

Multi-entry non-O from Cardiff in my case. No problem, no financial requirements just a copy of your wife's Thai passport and your marriage paperwork. This visa gives you a nice buffer of up to 15 months in the Kingdom, you do need to do visa runs every 90 days, not exactly a chore though.

Within 30 days of the end of your last stay you can get an extension of 1 year on the grounds of supporting a Thai spouse. This is where you need to have 400k Baht in a Thai bank account or the equivalent in earned income. There are a number of threads detailing the pain you go through to get this extension so I won't repeat it here.

You could get a single entry non-o (cheaper) but that does mean you have to get your finger out in sorting your extension.

One important point, a non-O DOES permit you to have a work permit, no matter what some employers tell you.

After three years of uninterupted EXTENSIONS (not visas) you can apply for permanent residency, as to whether you really want to or will get it, there are several threads also on this subject.

Enjoy Thailand, we are

Thanks for the info.

So have you now got the 1 year extension?

Was it easy to get?

Well after 14 years of living in the UK with me the wife(Thai) has agreed that it is time to move to LOS.

She holds a Thai (Expired and needs to renew) and UK Passport.

When we do make the move can someone explain (preferably in a way a 2 year old could understand) what is the ruling on Long term living in LOS.

I have read many posts and the more I read the more confused I get!!!!

I am not old enough for the Retirement Visa.....

Am I right in thinking:

1. Obtain a "O" Visa from the UK (Hull) first?

2. In LOS obtain a year Visa (How and what would I ask for here)?

3. Would I report every 90 days in Thailand or would I have to endure the dreaded Visa runs out of the country?

4. After the year is up,where would I go to renew the year Visa?

5. Do I need to show 800,000 or 400,000 in a Thai Bank(In my name only or a joint account)?

6. After 3 years of 1 years stays do I qualify to stay in LOS indefinately (no Visas)?

These questions have probably been asked hundreds of times already.

But I want to make sure that I will be applying for the correct Visa and know for sure what will be instore when I do relocate to LOS....

Was told 500 Baht a night.

When I paid it was 420 Baht a night.

Basic but clean rooms.

Good english speaking and friendly staff.

Will go back there again.

Stayed there loads of times and yes the room was cleaned every day unless I instructed the cleaner not to bother.

Still had to change the towels on a daily basis.

I would have been there at the time but when I went to check in the Hotel was full so I stayed in the next Hotel down the PN Inn.

Are you sure the R.O.A stamp is only £20?

I read on another forum yesterday that the charge in London is £350 by post or £500 in person...

£20 seems like a bargin.

Are you sure the R.O.A stamp is only £20?

I read on another forum yesterday that the charge in London is £350 by post or £500 in person...

£20 seems like a bargin.

Just read the link to The Immigration Dept.

£20 it is.

Thanks for the info.

Will be spending the £20.......

"Hello sexy man"

I feel like a sex god for the first 10 minutes

But it soon wears off.

When visiting the same bar a number of times it amazing to find out how many girls actually work there.

I saw some really beauiful girls at the bestfriend bar but only once.

Returning the next day to find out they had been "bar fined" and never saw them again,but in their place some equally beautiful girls.

Makes you wonder how many work at these bars.

The owners must have a lot of these girls to pay for.Ok if they are bar fined the owner makes a profit.But just suppose none are barfined for a few days/week it must cost a fortune to pay all their wages......

Heres a good question.

The wifes Thai with an expired passport(already been extended).

She will need to get a new passport from London(read a few posts here and have found out that she has to go in person).

The "leave to stay in the uk stamp" will be in the old passport so rather that pay a vast amount of money she is planning to take the old passport to accompany the new one.

We will be moving to Thailand this year and she will be using her Thai passport to enter Thailand (she now does not have any Visa problems),I will be applying for a year Visa.

The question is:

What if my wife wants to visit friends in the UK.

She will have an English Passport with no entry stamp.Could be a major problem leaving Thailand this way.

She will also have a Thai Passport with no "leave to remain in the UK stamp".

Will she be OK simply showing her old passport or will she need to visit the Embassy in Bangkok and pay for a new stamp?

Bloody Visa runs.....

Walking Street 1980

Hasn`t changed that much

Is the Naris Gallery the same one thats there now?

26 years and still there,must be a Pattaya record.......

"The new Immigration Office is in Soi 5 along Jomtien Beach Road."

Can you report there every 90 days on a type "O" visa?

I know whot you mean about the prices.

I looked in a few estate agents in Pattaya and noticed the different prices for View Talay complex.

Starting from arount 8500 Baht a month to some stupid prices.

And the apartments were the same size and on the same floor.

Staying in a hotel for a while and having a good look around does seem the best option.

I was also thinking that the prices quoted were for short term rent,so if I were to take a 6month/year lease I would like to think that I would be able to get the price down.

10 beers.

Dont forget if you stay in the colonys you can clain your Tax back.....

Do you mean I can claim the Tax back when living in LOS.

I would love it if I didn`t have to pay Tony any more tax

Thanks for all the links.

Plenty of banks to choose from.

Just wondered what banks the expats were using.

I am sure that you all have already done all the legwork.

It is a minefield looking at all the different accounts.

I looked at some Thai Banks but decided that i needed more of a return that 1%

When we relocate to LOS this year we will have sold the house/cashed in endowments etc to get an acceptable lump sum that we will live off in LOS.

Question is where in invest the lump sum?

Has anyone got any advice on best Banks and which accounts pay the best interest rates?

I have been told that offshore accounts in Jersey/Guersey are paying quite good interest rates but I haven`t been able to find these "good interest rates" when i have looked on the net.

Had a phillips i wanted unlocking last year took it to 2nd floor big C,said it would be 700bt to unlock they had it 4 days then said it could not be done.lot more luck with nokias.pannasonic could be difficult.

Took about an hour to get it unlocked.

I used the shop in Big C next to the Nokia outlet.

500 baht to me was a bargain.

I also unlocked a Nokia 7250i for the same price with Thai language,which my neice is now happily using.