86Tiger

Pattaya Sports Clinic  -  Nigel Kelsey

This guy just fixes you.  I have seen him couple times for injuries and step out of his shop good as new.  Highest recommendation.

But as others have stated, Mark Leoni is the go to in Bangkok.

Wow! And this is why I will never be a good EXPAT.  

Here I am, happy for the simple, courteous, fast service and all along I should have been furious over being charged $3 too much........

Honestly, I didn’t catch it at the time and quite frankly, I don’t care. If it was a simple math error, it happens.  If it was intentional lie to steal $3 then she needs $3 more than I do.  I hope it brings her peace and happiness.

PS   Please spare the cowardly crap. That is ridiculous and uncalled for.  Right up there with the Lame Dope Over Payers are ruining it for every one else. 

I just returned from Udon Immigration with ink still wet on fresh retirement extension and multi-entry permit. 

A very big “Thank You” to UbonJoe. I used his fillable form package found in Template thread. I added Foriegner fact sheet and power of attorney  form so FIL would not have to go to town for TM30. 

We arrived office about 9:30 to receive #6 for queue. There were two desks working. After about 10 minutes both finished with persons they were helping so I and the one gentlemen there before me were both seated at desks. The lady immediately started scouring over my “originals” package without my saying a word. As she is about half way through another lady comes over to start with the “copies” pile taking out what she needed, returning the rest to me. The first lady does the arithmetic on the income letter then commences sorting the stack in her preferred order stamping and signing as she goes. When finished with the paper stack she begins the stamping and writing in my passport. She passes the whole pile of stuff to the higher ups.  Maybe 15 or so minutes later my passport is back, the re-entry permit lady does the scanner and photos, informs me today's charge will be 5800 baht and informs I should stop by 90 day reporting desk on way out. 

All told too easy.  Back in car 10:22 ready to roll.  

Again, Thank You, UbonJoe not only for the form package but also no none sense, cut through the bull$hit guidance.  

Influenza is running rampant in Udon.  I have 3 yr old and 9 mos old in hospital now with type B.  They are good and expect to go home tomorrow.......

There is a thai lady living in Norway that puts up videos of herself eating and talking.  My bride is constantly viewing, especially when she is eating her self.   I asks why and all she says is thai people no like eat alone.  Ok ,babe.......

9 hours ago, cruisemonkey said:

There is no official/published maximum number of visa exempt entries by air per year. 

 

After six visa exempt entries by air - total, over your lifetime - you are 'red flagged' by the computer system. Thai Immigration officers (may) use this 'convenient' fact (and their discretion) to extort money from the unknowing by at first denying entry to those on their seventh entry. Then, they will "do you a favour" and allow entry when they are satisfied you are really a tourist i.e. have resort/hotel booking(s), enough money and a return/onward journey ticket... and the required amount of baht is proffered. You will not receive a receipt.

 

In Thailand the criminals wear uniforms.

My experience is contrary to this.  I have entered by air more times than I can remember over past 13 years and never been asked more than "where you stay?" 

YMMV

That is crazy.  Seems there is more to the story..........

I got yellow book last year in Kut chap.  My wife stopped by to get the requirements in person.  They required translation of passport.  The lady we used in Udon for the translation  knew we would need translation of my parents names as well so everything went smooth.  

When we went to submit all I had to do is sit and smile while my bride and the village chieftain sorted it all, easy peasy......... 

34 minutes ago, jwest10 said:

I  realise it seems one has to go down to Bangkok for these passports, but are there any decent agents who can deal with this, such as the renewal pf the British passport for a fee
Thank you once again.
There is  a bit of confusion on what is needed and one can not get an application form in advance right and phtos and parents or the Legal guardian has to go down to Bangkok and is the house book required also.

UbonJoe has the right answer, as always.  Show up to passport office near you, both parents w/ id's or passports, the kid(s) w/ birth certificates and the staff will take care of the rest.  If you have an infant you go to the front of the line, we have done it twice and it was very qwik and painless.  The hardest part was trying to get new born to open eyes for the photo.  

Guy, I have walked this trail and specifically with a clothing shop or stall.  Just say no.

Rules for successful business:  Trust no one, never be involved in any thing you are not the expert.  Never be in business where you can not understand the spoken and written language.

It seems simple enough but your girl evidently has never done this type business.  She doesn't know the ropes and there are many just lying in wait for the next girl with a farang boyfriend and pocket full of money to open a new shop.  She will meet new ladies in the business, they will become best friends and will "help" her with everything since she is new because they really really want a new competitor in the next stall over.  Those she buys from will have special deals for opening a new shop so she can be successful, because they know she will be in business a long long time and they just want to help.  You will not have a clue what is happening, you will just send more money because "we need" this one more thing.  

Every body will win in this new venture but you and in the end she will have a bunch of clothes to give away to her friends when you finally pull the plug to cut your losses.

Good luck to you.  But this is a loser..........

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the re-entry desk in immigration hall (that has been there for.....ever I guess) would generate a 6 page argument discussion.

Congrats to all.......

I can attest to good golf in Patts.  There are many top notch courses and plenty of bars that have weekly or daily golf outings so there is always some one to play with.  If you want a more individual experience I can pass you the info of the guys I play with.  They set up where ever you want to play, find couple other players if you want, pick you up at home, transport you and your gear to the course and deliver you back home when finished.  Great service........

Now, as for living in the area, I would prefer Jomtien area for long term stay as opposed to Pattaya.  It is quieter and more slow pace.  

YMMV

I always had good luck telling the front desk of hotel my needs.  They never failed to have car at time I wanted to go for reasonable price.......

Thank you all for taking time to share!

There is a lot of stuff here that definitely appropriate to the question.

JWP

I am US citizen working in Europe.  I have Thai wife of 2 years, we have 2 children.  I plan to work several more years and, hopefully, we will stay together at my place of work most of the time {she goes back to be with her mother/sisters to have the babies}.   I have not obtained non-imm O visa, as when we visit I only stay 3 - 4 weeks and return to work.  Our long term plan is to make home in Thailand but until then we stay with her family.  

I have spent many hours reading the wisdom accumulated on the TV pages, along with a few varying opinions to keep the "discussions" lively.  Many of the lessons learned seem to be from immediate necessity,  i.e. no time to plan or explore options, simply accomplish the task at hand.  Knowing what you know now, how would you facilitate your long term stay in the kingdom if you were starting from scratch?

All of you that have lived in the kingdom an extended period, what would you do different if you had it to do again?  What would you have done immediately or what is not as important as it seemed on first glance?   If you had luxury of developing a long term plan for making Thailand your home, what would it be?

As others have stated: VPN is the answer you seek. There are several highly recommended options. I just started playing around with dedicated VPN roouter as opposed to laptop software or app. Kinda cool.

I find it actually cute for organizations to try limiting access based on location. The world is truely getting smaller.......

The erquirements are clear and can be found on US embassy website.

Basically, you must prove you are US citizen, your passport will suffice, and provide evidence of living in US minimum 5 years. Documents to prove this are school transcript, social security records, professional license, etc., anything to give the consular proof you were for sure in US the minimum amount of time. Look at US embassy web site to determine the documents required or that will be accepted. I used college transcripts. Then you and the baby mother (the 2 names on Thai birth certificate) must present the baby in person to the consular with proper documents (all Thai documents certified translation to English). She will interview and if satisfied the baby is yours and you are who you say you are the baby is elgible for certificate of birth and passport.

My son was born Christmas day in Udon. We made an appointment and on Jan 16 his mother and I drove to BKK to meet with consular. I was all nervous going over my documents several times to insure all in order. We waited about 20 minutes past appointment time for our interview. We were actually in the interview about 15 minutes. The very kind lady says first off when we entered the room "if you will sign these I'll go ahead and type you in, it all looks good." We just chatted while she typed and we were good to go. It was piece of cake.

I would never mention all the drama of mistress and soon to be wife and the three of us with an understnading. Far as govenment is concerned the child's father is US citizen so the child is US citizen.

On the certifying as eligible to marry, the embassy again has the document on the website. Fill it in and take to the embassy. The guy will say "do you declare all this information as true." You say "yes" and sign. He signs and stamps. Again 5 minutes once it is your turn. This document will have to be translated, which is explained on US embassy website, and certified by Thai Ministry of Foriegn Affairs.

It is all easy but takes time and planning to accomplish smoothly, as in one trip to the embassy.

Edit: The child can get a thai passport with his Thai birth certificate. Again, very simply process at local passport office. There was a crowd for our visit but we were moved to front of line with the baby. So with US passport he will have essentially "dual" citizenship. I understand Thai law states at age 19 he must decide which to maintain but I understand this is not often enforced.

I have purchased at Villa Market in past. In the section with Red Mill grains and nuts.

They just want their money. If you are due refund file and forget it. If you owe send a check, they will let you know how much more to send.....

And Amphur are open on Saturday as well.

My bride and I show up one Saturday morning around 10'ish. The parking lot is sparcely filled and doors are standing open so I am thinking this will not be too bad. Get in the door and all the lights out, no people in sight. As we are standing there wondering aloud what is going on a guy wanders down the stairs and she engages him: Open today? Yes open today. Where people for help us? This morning no have customer so every one go home........

Only inThailand.

Guys, been reading the forum for some time and just recently joined. And for my first post I offer this diddy:

Where could one find a rocking chair in Udon?

I have found one at Home Pro, but the sitting position leans too far back to rise with a baby. I have a new little boy 2 weeks old tomorrow and I am a firm beleiver in the magic of a rocking chair for calming a fussy baby.

Any suggestions most welcome.....

JWP