graexx

2 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Alas my girl who owns her own salon and is from Myanmar, pays taxes for her employees and they were able to collect, but she could not as she is not Thai.  However, she pays into the system herself and files her taxes every year.  So I can see, once again what this was about and unfortunately it is about politics in general.

Provided she had filed for a minimum no. of years. Has she been a resident for many years? Thailand has far less resources to give because it is a relatively poor country.

5 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not true at all, born poor, just be thankful you weren't

.... there are billions of people on this planet born poor; and only a very small minority of them lower themselves to bar-girl "work". The real problem is that most of them are emotionally troubled due to family attitudinal problems.

15 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Because during the 60s the government embarked in high spending programs (Vietnam war, great society), which ultimately led Nixon to sever the tie between the dollar and gold in August 1971.

 

This was followed by a decade of high inflation, then by a massive recession in the early 80s.

 

You may be right in your many posts.

But, I find myself wondering: why do you spend so much time and energy writing dozens of posts on this blogsite? Are you aware that most of the readers here wouldn't have much idea on these topics - they mostly don't have the patience nor background to author expert or well-informed comments. You're on the wrong blogsite for that type of informed discussion. In the main this is more a light-hearted blogsite for mostly elderly retired expats who live, generally, in Asia, to have an emotionally-charged uninformed rant against inept governments. Aside from the useful topics which provide specific knowledge about specific countries e.g. how to perform a specific plumbing task in Thailand, or a particular visa-application procedure.

27 minutes ago, stephenterry said:

Yes, you can only optimise your own immune system, not improve it. And there are key positives to ensure this:

 

1. High nutritional lifestyle, e.g. a Whole Food Plant based dietary regime - or as close to that as you can tolerate for the duration of the Covid 19 passage through our society. Think Veggies and whole fruits, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grain foods. Junk all processed packaged foods and sodas, and drink spring water or zero % Heineken instead of alcohol. You will lose weight naturally, which helps optimise your immune system.

 

Limit all animal products, including fish and eggs and dairy to near minimal portions. This will lower your blood pressure, reduce cellular inflammation, and free up your body to fight the virus. Do NOT take anti inflammatory meds to reduce a high temperature fever, as the fever is the body's natural defence against bacterial and viral infection.

 

2. Exercise with light weights and brisk walks (if possible) in the fresh air for at least 30-40 minutes a day. Aim for 5,000 steps as an optimum bang for your buck.

 

3. Good restful sleep for 7-9 hours, which means...

 

4. ...Try and limit stress before sleep which would lower hormone cortisol levels, and therefore blood pressure.

 

5. Ensure relationships with family and friends are good - even though you could be restricted to internet social contact.

 

6. Above all, accept that you're not immortal...no point worrying about it.

... entirely agree.

I would add meditation. 20 mins twice a day. I've been doing it for 30 years. Learn how to do it from a reputable meditation centre.

Benefits are: sound sleep, calmer all day, clear thinking, cleanses the eyes mouth and nose (so, no need for neti-pot mentioned earlier), etc.. (and obviously better imune system).

I further add, don't eat or drink anything from a conveniance store. ????

26 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Purchasing your home through forming a company is the biggest housing scam in Thailand.  Every agent will assure you it is foolproof right up to fan-hitting moment when you will be told it's illegal and shareholders may go to jail.  You are at the mercy of Auditor Scammers when they do your annual tax papers.

Do not come to Thailand until the law is changed - sometime in the next hundred years.

Mikebell, is there a safe way to buy a condo in thailand?

Many have commented about not trusting.

So, how can one purchase a condo in thailand without being defrauded?

[In australia, all property deposits are held by a lawyer, and the balance is not paid to the seller until a lawyer has signed off on the title transfer documents (so the lawyer would have to be dishonest/incompetent for a scam to work)].

How does it work in thailand?

18 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

define hot.

 

Incorrect. Coronavirus is more virulant in cooler climates.

21 hours ago, CH1961 said:

Fairy tale ????

If you mean i might be lying, look up my post of late december 2019, just after i enterred thailand, wherein i discussed my similar io warning.

1 hour ago, Sambotte said:

I have read somewhere that the "non-official" rule is about 2 visit per year on exemption, maybe on tourist visa too.

 

Anyway since it's unofficial rules (with excuse of lack of money without even asking for it), i mean uncertainty, better to come via Kuala Lumpur for example, with a cheap frequent ticket from Air Asia for example. Could be just a 100$ extra, and it's a good Back-up plan.

Back-up plan indeed ????

No but it's not funny at all, to put people in detention for no reason even short time is a shame, first. Uncivilized. Like USA i must add.

Should be clear rules.

 

But here actually the IO has been imo very nice to you OP, at least you get warned, so you know what to expect, and you can prepare.

Yes, i appreciated their warning me, in fact we ended up having a pleasant chat. But their non-knowledge of the length of the ban is frustrating.

23 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

Well, that was confusing. An exiting IO at Suvanabhumi told your next attempt to enter would fail (nothing about a ban), but if you come back to Suvanabhumi your chances of getting in were better or your chances of failure would be greater. You're not real clear here.

 

Nonetheless, the IO said nothing about being banned, just that your chances were high of being refused entry.  Well, you've been warned. Good luck!!!

The difference is semantics isn't it. Obviously i will have normal tourist entry status at some later date. Also they told me i can apply for the retirement visa now.

On 3/4/2020 at 3:21 PM, Chivas said:

Why have exceeded that annually for 30 odd years bar the last 2

You might fit in harmoniously with some of the IOs I've come across of late ????

On 3/5/2020 at 9:05 AM, Alidiver said:

Are you on Visa exempts, single or multi entry tourist visas? 

Usually sgle entry visas

On 3/4/2020 at 5:51 PM, BritTim said:

They were telling you that, at that particular airport, your history of tourist entries had triggered an unofficial rule that could see you denied entry in the future through some airports and land crossings. You should take this as a hint to use safer entry points, and (if entering by air) make sure you are entering with an actual visa. Almost all land crossings are safe. With a visa, Chiang Mai airport and U-Tapao airport have been fine historically.

Tanks BritTim, I'll keep it in mind.

1 year ago, I exited at surat thani with only 1 day overstay (20 hours) and they charged me 500bt. They said they didn't know of the 1st day waiver. Thay gave me a receipt too.

I visit Lumpini park usually before 9am and there are quite a few people there - more so on the weekend. It is a huge and fabulous place. It is an oasis in Bangkok. The people jog and walk etc... As the day heats up the park empties. It gets VERY hot between 10am and 3pm.

12 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

 

No error if it shows as above (22 Feb).

 

 

 

It shows as 20 feb, and my departure flight is 22 feb.

Can i get the error corrected by immigration?

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

should be stamped till 22 feb, if you need more time get a 30 day extension at local immigration

Hi Steve, but the extension costs 1,900 bt, which is greater than the overstay fine.

On dec 25 I enterred at don muang with a 2 month tourist visa obtained in myanmar. The io warned me i would probably be rejected next time i enterred unless i had a retirement visa because it was my 4th tourist entry in 2019. I expressed surprise and said i only stayed a total of 3 mths for 2019. They (the io and his supervisor) were adament. I asked them when could i next enter with a tourist visa - after 8 months? They said "probably". They were very unsure. Then he stamped me for 56 days instead of the 60 days - so i will incur a 2 day overstay penalty when i depart. Can i get the stamp error amended?

On dec 25 I enterred at don muang with a 2 month tourist visa obtained in myanmar. The io warned me i would probably be rejected next time i enterred unless i had a retirement visa because it was my 4th tourist entry in 2019. I expressed surprise and said i only stayed a total of 3 mths for 2019. They (the io and his supervisor) were adament. I asked them when could i next enter with a tourist visa - after 8 months? They said "probably". They were very unsure. Then he stamped me for 56 days instead of the 60 days - so i will incur a 2 day overstay penalty when i depart. Can i get the stamp error amended?

I am 59yo Australian, receive a pension, and deposit about 60k Baht per month into my Thai bank account.

I am in Thailand on a visa exempt stay for a month.

Can I apply for the multi-entry non-immigration 1-year retirement visa while in Thailand?

If so, what documents do I really need (besides the application form) - I seem to recall reading something somewhere about how it can be done, and with less paperwork than if done from my home country's embassy/consulate.

(I know this topic is covered in bits and pieces in various threads, but I found them to be very long and somewhat confusing discussions).

Thanks everyone - that clarifies it for me. Also, for the good insights into the Thai visa/immigration situation.

I'll also consider the Category 'O' Non Immigrant Multi-Entry Visa in future.

Graexx

I am a retired Australian and an Australian passport holder, and a very frequent visitor to Thailand over the past 25 years - always as a tourist and always by air (not by land). I rarely obtain tourist visas to enter Thailand as I use the VOA method.

Yesterday, for the first time in 25 years, as I presented my passport etc to the immigration officer at Don Muang, they took me to a back room for an interview. He told me Australians cannot get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) and that I had to get a tourist visa from a Thai embassy before coming to Thailand. They said only ASEAN countries can use the VOA method to enter Thailand.

He asked me where I was going and whether I would be working in Thailand and did I have a Thai wife - I never work in Thailand.

The immigration officer's English was quite limited - so the discussions were limited.

As a long time frequent visitor I knew not to debate it with him and remain respectful. He allowed me to enter "this time" and repeated the warning about needing the tourist visa in future.

I have no history of crimes or immigration offences

I have rechecked the Thai immigration website, and Australians can use the VOA method.

So I am confused.

My questions to you are:

1. Did he simply get it wrong, so I have nothing to worry about n the future?

2. Was he being overly concerned that I would be working in Thailand? (I had visited Thailand 5 times in the past 12 months for a total of 6 months stay)

3. I know that I can only stay in Thailand under a VOA for 3 months in any 6 months period - and I had stayed more than that recently - but not once did he raise that aspect of it - perhaps the immigration computer raised this as a red flag and he wasn't sure what the technical reason was?

Confused.

I'm late 50's and Ive been coming to Pattaya 3 months a year for the past 25 years - now I'm retired and spend 5 months a year in Pattaya (and partly Samui).I must admit the femmes have always been a big part of it for me; something sexy about the warm personality and carefree way of Thai women - but I dislike the bars, particularly the low-rent ones typical of Pattaya (except the first couple of years I visited Thailand) and drink only a little.

I share the thoughts most of the other posters' have made in this thread - at one time or another, I have felt the same as most of them.

I could say that huge the influx of Russian (they often seem rather unfriendly - perhaps its the language barrier), - and now the noisy and rude tourist-packaged Chinese tourists, makes Pattaya far less attractive - but then again you can always go to areas where few of them hang out.

There's a proverb which goes something like: a man decided to move to another town for a better and happier life, and did so a few times - but kept finding the same life he had in the previous towns.

I guess it's all in the mind - I guess ....