Peterw42

That sounds like the guys that clean my condo pool, they spend more time taking photos of themselves cleaning the pool, than actually cleaning.

Doing a TM30 report should, in theory, cover your change of address. You are the owner, reporting yourself as a foreigner in residence. You should be able to sign up for the online TM30 reporting and do it all without a visit to immigration.

The full body photo is to get around the need to visit immigration to get your photo taken, immigration zooms in and takes a photo of the photo, looks like you visited immigration.. All the agents used to do it, not so much nowadays.

As others have said, its to do with the Baht-$US and $US-$AU triangle. Or it could just be a boatload of Ford rangers, Toyota Hiluxs just arrived in in Australia from Thailand, and they need to be paid for.

You may consider using an agent to help open an account, costs 3-5k. Otherwise its a case of going bank to bank, branch to branch until one says yes. Try and get a resident certificate from immigration first. Go to the main branch for the bank, not the small shopping mall branches, go to the branch close to immigration, take a Thai account holder with you as a reference. Your location may help for a recommendation.

There will be more, and louder, fireworks in a couple of weeks for chinese new year.

A guy in a bar told this ?? Seriously, repeating this tired old rubbish just makes you look stupid. 90% of Indians, you dont even see, they stay in resorts, dine in expensive restaurants, hire private transport. You wont be crossing paths with them in soi sexpat nursing a happy hour beer.

It would come down to what the fine is for, The manager has some broad powers to levee fines for some broad issues, that are all written into the Condo act. There are the condo bylaws, like no dogs etc, but there are also broader legislation and fines within the Condominium act. There doesn't need to be a "rule that allows them to impose fines", that authority already exists in the Condominium Act. There doesn't need to be a specific condo bylaw/rule that covers (for example) enclosing a balcony, because that is covered under broader (changes to common property) laws in the Condominium Act.

It does appear odd that they would return to Sydney, When Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns or other Asian airports would be closer.

I find its a combination, bread from one, coffee from another, certain items can be a 20-30% price difference from one to the other, especially at foodmart. I do find, the same as others, often things that are regularly stocked just disappear off the shelfs, never to be seen again.

Around 10pm, until the sleep apnea wakes me again at 11

OP, Google and download a copy of the condominium act. its all covered in the act, and is reasonably easy to follow. There is a section on meetings and requirements. See section 48 https://www.samuiforsale.com/law-texts/new-thailand-condominium-act-2008.html

There are 10 islands just off and around Pattaya, Koh Larn, Koh Sak, Koh Krok, Koh Phai, Koh Rin, Koh Si Chang , Koh Samet, Koh Khram, Koh Chang. https://www.hotels.com/go/thailand/best-islands-near-pattaya

Phuket is definitely more expensive, and its across the board, if a coke is 20 baht in 7/11 in Pattaya, it will be 22 baht in Phuket. "Better" is very personal and subjective, better for hookers, better for transport, better for swimming, better for pricing. Both places can have a multitude of lifestyles, choices etc. You can live above a bar, in quiet suburbia, beachside, semi rural, and still have access to infrastructure/services. Both places have the red light areas, but its easy to live a life in both places that doesn't involve the sexpat/sex tourism universe.

The official policy on personal effects etc is on the Thai customs website. Basically 2nd hand/used, one of each item is acceptable. Dont pack appliances etc in their original box, as may be seen a new. http://www.customs.go.th/cont_strc_simple.php?ini_content=individual_F01_160426_01&ini_menu=menu_individual_submenu_02&lang=en&left_menu=menu_individu

OP, maybe mention what goods and quantity. There is no formal rule that allows a quantity of duty/tax free, for retire visa. There is however, a general exemption for used household goods, personal effects.

So you basically moved next to an airport, and now your not happy with the planes. Incidents get reported in Pattaya, because its Pattaya. Stories about tourists behaving badly in other locations doesn't get the coverage. Its the same with suicide stories. The suicide rate in pattaya is no higher than anywhere else, it just gets reported.

Like everything, the enforcement/interpretation can vary from office to office. I think you are basically correct, returning to the same address, a new report isn't required. Theoretically, any reporting is always the owner/housemasters responsibility, not the foreigner I moved house recently in Pattaya, wife is the housemaster in blue book, we registered for online and reported me at the new house. wife had tm30 app on her phone, log in and there I am, shown as living there. But, next extension, wife still had to go to the TM30 counter and do a new report. The year before, they looked at me like I was handing over a radioactive substance when I presented a fresh TM30 receipt. There is often no consistency. .

Technically No, the condo office cant demand prepayment. Talk to the committee for the block, the manager works under their direction. Bring it up at the next AGM. Electricity usually has nothing to do with the condo office or manager, its billed direct from PEA/MEA. Just out of interest, is the manager a private management company ? As it sounds like something those mafia style companies will try and do.

Yes, as the landlord/owner you are required to submit a TM30 for any foreigner staying at a property, for any amount of time.. Its reasonably easy to register for, and use, the online reporting system.

The Thai police will favor whoever is recorded as the owner in the blue book, Thai or foreigner.

Stay in a hotel. If you insist on stepping outside of the normal tourist accommodations, you will get all the issues you mention, and have none of the normal protections, legislation, processes that hotel provide. If you have issues with bogus operators cancelling bookings, or not following standard procedures, dont use bogus operators for bogus accommodations.

If its just the battery you want, get it from lazada. https://www.lazada.co.th/products/battery-iphone-100-6-

It will be business as usual. The Government has to be seen to be toning things down because the kings daughter is in critical condition in hospital.

OP says he was on a non OB prior, so presume he is already doing 90 day reports. It may cause some confusion as OP may think 90 day has been reset.