SteveSamui6262

So much for a near-term influx of Chinese tourists.

The following is a snippet from “Required Documents” needed for when applying for the 1-Year Visa:

4.   Bank statement or evidence of adequate finance showing
      – a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht; or
      – an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht; or 
      – a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht. 
      – In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank
        (an original copy) is required.

Please note the forth line from the top.  It reads “or a deposit account PLUS a monthly income of not less then 800,000 baht”.

I already purchased my airfare for travel late December.  I intend to submit my application soon with all required supporting documentation.  My interpretation of these instructions indicates if I provide a copy of my Retirement Statement showing my monthly income and then combine this amount with my Siam Commercial Bank Statement balance adding up to an annual total in excess of 800,000 baht, it would comply with the income requirement for them to facilitate the approval of my Retirement Visa.  I also plan to immediately begin having my monthly retirement distributions transferred directly to my Siam Commercial Bank account.

I would like to ask any fellow Americans if they agree with my interpretation or if they experienced any problem with their applications regarding this.

I appreciate all your comments.  Thanks for your professionalism and for conveying your experiences.

Samui Steve

Thank you gentleman!

”Required Documents - Item 4”

Issue solved

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Hi folks,  I am planning to apply for the Non O-A Retirement Visa using a combined income totaling the required 800,000 Baht.  Part of the funds will be a cash transfer and the remainder will be my 2023 Social Security distribution statement.
 

I noticed recently that Siam Commercial Bank either froze or closed my accounts (I had 3 with them).  I left Thailand over 5 years ago but kept the accounts active by transferring funds between the accounts using my online access.  I overlooked making transfers for over 6 months this year and eventually noticed my balances zeroed out (no big deal).  I intend to contact SCB to see if they would reactivate one of those accounts so I can make the transfer.   
 

i do understand my funds will need to be held by SCB for 2 months before the Royal Thai Consulate in Los Angeles would consider processing my visa application.

My main question is as follows:  If at the 10 month point after my arrival I still have a balance in my SCB account, in order to qualify for a 1-year extension, can I just “top off” the SCB account with U.S. issued Traveler’s Cheques I bring along with me,  in addition to a newly issued Social Security distribution statement for 2024 reflecting I would meet the 800,000 baht visa requirement?   
 

I appreciate your opinions and or guidance.. 

After getting him strapped down, I think their plan was to feed him khao tum.

From my vantage point behind the lines, I notice motivated girls/women are not working the bars, but instead utilizing the Internet to meet foreigners, and shortly thereafter they are getting flown out to first world countries and doing better than trying to achieve success in crrupt Thailand.

Can anyone give a thumbs up or thumbs down regarding the small MBK type shops that provide a free eyeglass exam and will make you a perscription pair of glasses with frames at very low rates?  Hoping to hear some first hand experiences.  Thanks for helping.

The most infringed on trademark in Thailand: The images of Mickey and Minnie Mouse are everywhere, as seen on children's blankets, bed linens, clothing, toys & stuffed amimals.

Hoping for suggestions to optometry offices in Bangkok.  Hopefully around the Rachada or Sukhumvit areas, but open to other areas.  Trying to avoid the Farang price tag for a simple exam & glasses.  All suggestions are appreciated. 

Thanks. 

There is no limit on the amount of money that can be taken out of or brought into the United States. However, if a person or persons traveling together and filing a joint declaration (CBP Form 6059-B) have $10,000 or more in currency or negotiable monetary instruments, they must fill out a "Report of International Transportation of Currency and Monetary Instruments".

Once I traveled here from LAX (Los Angeles) with about $30,000 USD in Traveler's Cheques which I obtained from my local bank.  They offer excellent assurance that if for any reason they are lost or stolen, they will be replaced by American Express or Visa, depending which ones your bank offers.  

With the knowledge I had to declare the funds before boarding my outbound flight or risk the chance of the funds being confiscated, I stopped at The United States Department of Homeland Security counter at the front of the Tomas Bradley Terminal (LAX) to declare the funds.  The official asked me why I was traveling with such a large amount of cash.  My response was "I am traveling for the purpose of Medical Tourism, and that I didn't know how much money I would need to spend".

He filled out my name, passport number and amount I was leaving with on a single sheet (form) and I signed it and he said, "okay, that's it.  All done".

I had to ask him for written statement documenting I complied with the law by declaring the outgoing funds and all he did was ask me for my boarding pass and he stamped the back of my boarding pass with a Department of Homeland Security rubber stamper.  I kept that boarding pass safe throughout my travels.  That was about 10 years ago.  The law regarding the $10,000 or more remains the same today.  I would assume The Department of Homeland Security has a better document by now to provide the passanger with proof of compliance (of the law).  As an American, you are free to travel or wire your money to almost a you country, except countries like Iran, etc.

Therefore, it's a very simple procedure.  They don't stand there counting your money. Just a simple signed statement is necessary.  Traveler's Cheques are highly recommended.  Have a nice trip!

The old Capitol is worth a few hours big time.  Great photo ops.  Get there by 10 am and hire a ride to take you to the landmarks.  Especially the old temple ruins dating back at least 1200 years or so.  Nice casual dining on the Chao Paraya river.

ChrisY1...... You took the words right out of my mouth!  It will never happen.

In the very early 90s I visited what I recall as being a brand new dock in Hua Hin which I was told was going to be used for a new ferry service connecting Hua Hin to Pattaya, via the Gulf of Thailand.  I was shown the pier/dock when visiting a Thai woman who my Thai friend knew & introduced me to.  That was about 23 years ago.

More likely either another dream of starting a big busines, and/or a great angle to milk unsuspecting investors.  I am sure you can walk from Pattaya to Hua Hin before anything of the likes of this is put into service.  I read long ago that there was a small scale shuttle which connected the two cities, but it was short lived.

By the way, $3,000,000 per ferry plus operating expenses.  Yea,, greatly investment.  Boats suck to start with.  Put a monkey at the helm.  I wonder how I can invest in this company, not. 

A high maintenance child, not to mention the excessive baggage which comes along with her.  She is going to take a big financial hit from this episode, not to mention many of her friends turning their backs to her.

It looks more like a fallen pile driver.  There are two standing upright in the background.  The project is still in the beginning foundation construction stages.  Still resulting in human rottie if your caught under it.

A lightening strike smoked my friends washer, dryer, refrigerator & computer in one micro second!

Loy Krathong, my favorite Thai holiday is also X-ed off he holiday calendar this year.  Thailand is the worst place to spend Christmas unless you enjoy sweating your ass off.

It's only $1 Billion U.S.D.  Surely she can just write a check for it.

The AIS kiosks along the MRT Line probably still work ok.  For some reason I think AIS is no longer using 7-11 to sell more minutes.  It's probably due to some immature  reason.  I will probably just change to another provider.

12 inches.  But actually, if there was chemistry it would have worked out long ago.

From personal experiences, do you think this expression is 100% true?   I am especially interested in hearing about any long(er) term experience with the same "ex" bar girl.  Mine fizzled after many years for the normal oblivious reasons.  No Pretty Woman - Richard Gear ending For me.

Well folks, here are a couple unsettling things I've seen.  The first, unlikely to be noticed easily was small wild birds flying into open air kitchens (if you can call them that) and landing/hopping around on wooden cutting boards and cooking surfaces when the kitchen workers walk away.  Ever wonder what the shops secret seasonings are?  I also saw this happen at a friend's indoor kitchen in the village!  The birds just flew in through the non-screened roof vents.  Unfortunately, most Thais don't seem to care about this.  When you see birds flying around inside the shopping mall food courts, it's another red flag.

Another time I order a bowl of noodle soup from a street cart.  While I was enjoying the soup at the small sidewalk table observing the cook serving other customers, I observed a Soi dog approach the food cart from the opposite side from the cook.  Well, the cook had food supplies (veggies,etc.) hanging low on the cart's frame by twine, and guess what happened.  Yes, the Soi dog lifted his leg and urinated on the hanging food!  The cart's cook didn't even see.

Just a reminder.  Be extremely aware of the environments where you dine.  Or should I say die?

I wouldn't tell her even if I were the late Charles Bronson.

I cannot even find the TV page which explains how to use their website.

Thanks!

He must look up the stats regardeding babies born with Autism.  The likelihood of the disorder increases with paternal age. When compared to a child born to a 24-year-old father, a child born to a 45-year-old father was 3.5 times more likely to have autism, 13 times more likely to have ADHD and 25 times more likely to have bipolar disorder.  Your friend is 65!  I wouldn't want to be that child, nor the parent.  Odds are also greater the baby would be ugly.  Your buddy needs to do his homework.

Khunpa.  How true.  Those are good points you made.  Maybe it's  time to go back to the drawing board.