Coyoti

Until about a year ago I successfully paid both PWA and PEA online through Counter Service (https://cspay.payatall.com/CSWeb2/#/tabs/home/home) whether inside or outside of Thailand. It still works for PWA. For PEA the application will let me see the amount due, but  the payment part stopped working.  I've tried to resolve this problem with Counter Service and with PEA. So far it hasn't been fixed. After we get back to Thailand our plan is to setup direct debit to pay the bill so family doesn't have to pay it for us every month.

I use Counter Service Pay (https://cspay.payatall.com/CSWeb2/#/tabs/home/home), as PEA didn't have a direct epay option when this was setup.  It has worked great for quite awhile now.  However, when my wife and I get back to Thailand in the fall, I'll look into direct debit, as that sounds like a better option in case I forget (or can't) login to check and pay the bill with my "no foreign transaction fee" credit card.

Although I've never seen a physical skimmer I've gotten into the habit of grabbing the card slot on the ATM to see if it's loose.  I also always cover the keypad when entering my PIN.  Additionally, I always use RFID shielding when in my pocket.  Call me overly cautious if you want, but to date the only card issues I've had came from using my card online, and the card issuer refunded my money when the fraud was reported.

I've used Bangkok Bank to transfer money for years.  Easy and no OTP as other members have mentioned.  However, I don't like their relatively low exchange rate and fees, which is why I mostly use Schwab now.  I say "mostly" because I still pay a few bills in Thailand online via Bangkok Bank.  You have to have a brokerage account with them to use Schwab Bank.  I now transfer money by going to any ATM in Thailand.  I find that Schwab has a very good exchange rate and they reimburse the ATM fees.  You get your money right away, although it typically takes about three days for everything to show up in your account.  Besides needing to have investments with them, the only limitation is a maximum of $500 per transfer, although you can do it twice in one day. 

My first Thai wife died in the US a little over 6 years ago. Her family requested that I bring her ashes to Thailand. She was cremated in the US. The funeral home took care of all the paperwork necessary, which included some for Thai Immigration. I hand carried her ashes and had no issue at Immigration Control. One thing is that a wooden urn was required so they could X-ray it. I’m not sure how it works if not cremated, but am sure the funeral home can assist.

While organized religion isn’t really my thing, I don’t fault those who subscribe to it. In my view, the observation that for many people their religion doesn’t seem to carry over into daily life is simply that we all have our own lessons to learn. You are either moving along the path towards Buddha nature, or heaven or Godliness if you prefer, or you are moving away from it. How we choose to use our time and how we choose to treat others reflects how far we have developed the Buddha nature in all of us.

There was a fairly long thread on TVF a short while back about doing a visa run through Hat Lek. OP may want to check that? Sorry I don't have the link at this time. If doing an extension is all you need, Immigration at Laem Ngop is pretty good and can be on the way to Koh Chang if passing through Trat first.

When you get to Had Lek there's a guarded parking about 200 meters before customs, on your left. Be prepared to pay 20 baht for " a medical check", 1600 (!!) baht for the visa, and 300 baht for " same day return". At least, that what they wrung out of me 1 month ago!

The E-visa by the way costs 37 dollars, which also adds up to about 1450 baht...

Getting an E-visa is definitely better if you have the 3 day lead time to get it. I crossed at Hat Lek/Cham Yeam last week. They got 1500 baht out of me for the visa, plus 100 baht to the tout to "expedite the service". I usually bypass the medical station. No one seems to care. They also want a photo these days. I've heard of people who paid the actual price for the visa ($30) at the border. Good luck. Cham Yeam is not the most foreigner friendly place to enter Cambodia. I usually go into Cambodia to see family, but wonder if you can avoid the whole Cambodia visa mess if doing an in/out by just hanging out on the Cambodia side for awhile before going back to Thailand.

Sorry can you tell me more about Kohkong ?

Is it exactly at border location?

Where to sleep and where to eat there ?

Thank you.

Had Lek/Cham Yeam. Van from Trat Bus Terminal to Had Lek 120 Baht. E-visa is best (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/) if you have the time. Cambodia visa 1500 Baht at the border. Ya, I know that's more than it should be, but such is life. The Immigration Officers apparently need their cut too. Touts may want another 100-300 to fill out the application. Your choice to use or not. Last time I crossed there (about 3 weeks ago) I met a guy on the Cambodia side who told me he was doing a "turn around" visa run. I've personally never tried it, as I have family in Koh Kong, which is why I go there.

There is not much to do or see in Koh Kong, which is 6-7 km from the border. If only staying one or two nights I recommend doing it at the Koh Kong Resort & Casino next to the border (actually about 300 m to reception). It's not too pricey, breakfast included, beautiful beach, pool and other amenities for what I would consider a fair price. A silver/gray songtow is usually parked at the border and will take you there. Look for their logo on the songtow. They usually can help you clear immigration too if needed, but that is fairly easy to do and you can take a motorcycle or walk to the resort if you prefer.

You may be able to get a transit visa for free. Not sure on that one. Border is actually open 6am - 10pm. The Candy Publications map is not correct on this. First van from Trat is at 6am.

Had Lek/Cham Yeam. Van from Trat Bus Terminal to Had Lek 120 Baht. E-visa is best (https://www.evisa.gov.kh/) if you have the time. Cambodia visa 1500 Baht at the border. Ya, I know that's more than it should be, but such is life. The Immigration Officers apparently need their cut too. Touts may want another 100-300 to fill out the application. Your choice to use or not. Last time I crossed there (about 3 weeks ago) I met a guy on the Cambodia side who told me he was doing a "turn around" visa run. I've personally never tried it, as I have family in Koh Kong, which is why I go there.

My Thai wife and I spend up to 6 months every year in Thailand and the rest of the time in the US. My wife has her 10 year Green Card. A couple of years ago we were in Thailand for 2 days short of 6 months. The Immigration Officer in the US gave us a warning about my wife staying away too long, but let her in anyway. He wanted her to have a re-entry permit next time. Apparently at least this IO defined "extended period of time outside the US" as 6 months. I looked into it, and the cost of the re-entry permit is $445 total.

It is my understanding that to become a US citizen requires 5 years in the US if single or 3 years if married to a US citizen before you can apply. Any "extended absence" doesn't count towards this requirement. The OP obviously has met this requirement.

Try these people at Honorary Thai Consulate in Portland, OR -- maybe give a call first. http://www.thai-or.com

I totally agree. The woman who does the visas is very nice and extremely helpful. I'd give Mary a call at this Consulate. She can tell what you need to do. Be sure to call in the morning, Monday thru Thursday.

Member Question: Are they giving 30 days for a land entry from Cambodia? I could be wrong, but thought it was only 15.

Is it easy to cross by car there ? Thanks.

Yes, easy for Thai people. Not so sure about farang. You can get the authorization at the border. It's my understanding you need to be the owner of the car, have the ownership documents and Thai Drivers License. I think, but not sure, it costs 300 Baht. I was told the permit was good for a week, but don't quote me on that. I've been in a car crossing the border (but not as the driver). The IO made me get out and walk to the Cambodia side. Sorry about so many "not sures" here. Perhaps someone else has updated info?

I have crossed the border at Hat Lek dozens of times to visit family in Koh Kong. What Asiantravel said on Dec. 19, is true with a couple of clarifications. The van from the bus station in Trat is 120 Baht to Hat Lek. It leaves when they have a full load of people (usually 11). That's more or less every hour, but I've had to wait much more than that. Once you've cleared Thai Immigration and walked to the Cambodia side they'll want to take your temperature (20 Baht cost). "Visa touts" will approach you to fill out the visa application. They used to want 100 Baht, but lately have been asking for more. They try to gouge you on the cost of the visa too. E-visa is the way to go if you can, but not totally necessary. I don't recommend trying to fill out the visa application yourself. I've done that thinking I'd save some, but in the end it took much longer as the touts seem to have direct access to the IO. It's easy to get from the border to Koh Kong where you can catch a bus. You can also get a ticket all the way to PP, Siem Reap or Sihanoukville at POP Resort near the market in downtown Trat (and elsewhere).

I find the trip from Koh Kong to either Penom Penh or Sihanoukville is always enjoyable and worth doing.

Besides some confusion about new visa vs. extension which Ubonjoe cleared up, a few posters here seem to confuse Non-Imm. O (Marriage) visa with Non-Imm. O-A (Retirement) visa. My Thai wife and I spend about half our time in Thailand and the rest in my home country. I always get a Marriage visa. My wife doesn't have to be present, but the Consulate does want proof of marriage. When here we frequently visit family in Cambodia, so leaving every 90 days is not a hassle (but it is an expense). I qualify for a retirement visa but haven't gotten one because of needing to secure a re-entry permit every time I leave. For me that means a 25km (one way) trip, the time and some hassle. Am I wrong in believing you can't get the re-entry permit at the border, which usually is Hat Lek for me?

And you still appear to be confused. Marriage Visa? Retirement Visa?

No confusion, although there may be a semantic difference. The Royal Thai Embassy refers to the Non-Imm. O-A as "Long Stay". I called it "Retirement", which I would guess most people think of it as. The Non-Imm. O is a referred to as "Thai Family". Marriage is likely the most often reason for having a Thai family.

Check it out at http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-visa-category-o/

Besides some confusion about new visa vs. extension which Ubonjoe cleared up, a few posters here seem to confuse Non-Imm. O (Marriage) visa with Non-Imm. O-A (Retirement) visa. My Thai wife and I spend about half our time in Thailand and the rest in my home country. I always get a Marriage visa. My wife doesn't have to be present, but the Consulate does want proof of marriage. When here we frequently visit family in Cambodia, so leaving every 90 days is not a hassle (but it is an expense). I qualify for a retirement visa but haven't gotten one because of needing to secure a re-entry permit every time I leave. For me that means a 25km (one way) trip, the time and some hassle. Am I wrong in believing you can't get the re-entry permit at the border, which usually is Hat Lek for me?

A member was questioned about the "180 day limit". I believe s/he was referring to the requirement that citizens of certain countries can enter Thailand for 30 days on a visa exemption for a total of 90 days within any 180 day period (i.e., supposedly 3 exempt entries in 6 months). I think the intent was to limit the number of visa runs possible using exemptions when they implemented this a few years back. My experience in Thailand is that it's quite possible some Immigration Officers "overlook" this even if they are aware of it.

My Thai wife and I visit Thailand every year for 5-6 months. I've used visa exemption with renewal, Tourist Visa and Non-Immigration Type "O". I have been reluctant to get a Type "O-A" visa because of the requirement to get a re-entry permit every time we leave. The main difference I see between the "O" and "OA" visas other than the financial requirements is the requirement to leave the country every 90 days, rather than just report. My wife and I come and go a lot to visit family in Cambodia wh

I'm with Allstate in Washington State. They suspend all but the comprehensive coverage when I'm in Thailand. That way I'm covered if the car is stolen or destroyed/damaged in some way while in storage (i.e., my garage). It's pretty cheap. Obviously this approach won't work if your insurance has already lapsed, but it may be something to consider in the future.