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On 8/9/2020 at 5:29 PM, Caldera said:

I'm a bit surprised to hear that. I, too, visited Laos from Thailand in March, but the writing was on the wall that the borders were about to close at short notice. I needed a border bounce, so I just kept my trip shorter than I had planned. As you had just renewed for another year in Thailand, I'm surprised that you took the chance to travel to Laos at that time.

 

Out of curiosity, what's the situation like in Laos now? Is everything open? How about your visa there, do they still offer paid extensions for 30 days a time?

 

I hope you can return to Thailand soon, but as others I suspect they'll keep the borders closed for some more time. Quite a mess.

In terms of Covid-19, it's probably one of the best countries in handling it.  Total cases has been 20, only 1 active case which was found at the airport 2 weeks ago when the only flight allowed in, a Korean charter flight, brought in one case. Now that charter flight is no longer allowed. In April, China sent a team here with supplies and trained all appropriate staff, from hospitals to provincial governments to border police.  Lao people are very "safety" conscious, so the government has to respond appropriately. Inside the country, everything is open, except for discos and night clubs. Masks are no longer required. Domestic flight are operating again. Restaurants and malls are crowded. Just missing the tourists. I'm staying with a friend, and need to renew my visa every 30 days

Luckily, it takes just a few minutes each time.  They'll keep renewing until I can leave. 

I currently have an extension of stay with multiple re-entry permit. I left Thailand for a visit to Laos in March just before the lockdown and have been stuck here since.  Any words on when retirees are allowed to enter Thailand again? 

Anyone knows when retirees could return?  I came to Laos on holiday in March when the lockdown occurred, and is now still stuck in Laos. My apartment and belongings are in Thailand.

Thanks for your help. Your answers are very clear.

I need some clarification regarding my O-A Visa. I recently obtained the O-A visa and am currently in Thailand. The visa allows me multiple entries and stay in Thailand for 1 year. The stamp from immigration upon entry shows entry date of 15 January 2012, and valid until 14 January 2013. I was told during the year, I need to report to Immigration every 90 days.

My questions are the following:

1. During the one year period, whenever I leave Thailand and then return to Thailand, would I get a new 1 year period of stay?

2. If so, at the end of the one year for which the visa is valid, if I leave Thailand and return, would this mean that I would have another 1 year period stay. For example, if I leave on 10th January 2013 and return to Thailand on 13 January 2013, would I get a stamp that allows me to stay from 13 January 2013 until 12 January 2014?

3. If so, does that mean I would not need to apply for an Extension of Stay until the end of the January 2014?

4. What if I leave Thailand during my second year (say, August 2013), would I be able to reenter Thailand without obtaining a new visa?

Thanks for your input.

For the O_A Visa the income requirements are the same. A Police and Medical Report are also needed.

Everyone, thanks for all of your input.

My application was submitted at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles. It was a great experience, friendly, efficient, and fast.

The tricky part in the application was that 3 of the items (Police report, Bank statement along with a letter from the bank, and Medical certificate) require notarization. The Police report was simple, as I did it in Coppell police station in Texas where I used to work. They issued the Police report along with a notary automatically.

The bank statement along with a bank letter was tricky. The instruction in the Thai Consulate website did not say whether it was the bank statement or the bank letter that needed to be notarized. If it was the bank letter, then the person at my bank who signed the letter would have needed to have his/her signature notarized. I made the assumption that it was the bank statement that need to be notarized, so I just printed out the statement online from my bank, signed it in front of the public notary, and got the notary stamp.

The medical certificate was the same. I don't know of any doctor who would do the examination and then run out on behalf of the patient to get his signature notarized. I just happened to be traveling to Shanghai and went into the U.S. Consulate to ask, since the U.S. Consulate also provides notary service. They suggested that I fill out a standard signature form that the consulate provides, write on the bland section of the form that I certify the health certificate was accurate, then sign the form myself, and then the Consulate notarized my signature (and not the doctors signature). I just attached this notarized form to the doctors Certificate and submitted it at the Thai Consulate.

It turned out everything was OK for the Thai Consulate, and I got my visa the next morning.

Thanks. It is an O-A multiple entry. Does it mean if I do a border run just before the 1 year expiration, then I could stay 1 more year before doing an extension, meaning the extension would happen just before the end of Year 2?

I just obtained my retirement (non-Immig O-A) visa. I heard someone on the board say that if you time it correctly and leave the country regularly, you won't need to extend for 2 years. Anyone knows how that works?

I heard that the Thai government is considering offering free tourist visas to those who require one (such as Chinese, others) in order to attract more tourists in light of the flood. Any words on progress, and when that might be effective?

The multi entry non immigrant O-A visa would be ideal for you as for first year any new entry gets a new one year stay so very easy to travel and return. Then for entry after expiration of the one year validity of visa you would need re-entry permit as if a normal extension of stay and from there you would extend at immigration each year (unless you prefer to return to home country and repeat the O-A process as a few do).

Thanks for all the input. Yes, I will have 800K in the bank. It looks like the best thing to do is get the Non-OA first, then just prior to expiration at the end of the year, get an extension. Thanks, everyone.

I plan to retire in Thailand. However, I don't foresee staying in Thailand at any given time more than 3 months straight, as I often travel around Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China). But my primary resident (retirement base) will be Thailand, and Thailand will be the place where I will be renting housing.

Should I still get a multiple entry Non-Immigrant O-A visa, although I won't likely need extension of stay?

Is there a popular newspaper/magazine for job search? I'm interested in hiring a Thai chef to come to China to oversee a Thai restaurant, but need a genuine Thai experience chef interested in relocating. Where is the best place to place such ad.

Prices are indeed dropping significantly in CBD. For example, The Met began sales at 110K baht per sq. meter a few years ago. It peaked mid last year, before the global economic crisis hit, at about 160K - 170K per sq. meter. Now, you can see ads for resale dropped to about 110K to 125K. I suspect it will further decline, as some buyers won't have the funds to close when the building is complete.

link?

Prakard.com

Not CBD.

Isn't the Met the one on Sathorn Road next to the Singapore Embassy? Are you saying that is not the CBD? Gee, with all those bank HQ's right there I always sorta thought that was the real CBD as opposed to toruist ghetto on Sukhumvit.

TH

Hi thaihome - The Met is a very, very interesting development. I love the concept of the gardens and it apparently a joins the hotel which has its own gardens I believe, great stuff! The area is interesting it is more like Covent Garden / Soho in UK terms. I understand that all Farang quota units (god I hate that term) sold out almost immediately and Thai Quota (god I hate that term also!) are in difficulties, leasehold etc being considered.

You cannot cross that road without taking you life in your hands. To get to the BTS you sort of have to take a taxi, as well as a taxi to Central the 'local store'.

No it is not CBD

While I agree the BTS is "slightly" far (it takes me 10 minutes to walk to Chong Nonsi) and Sathorn Road is in need of having a subway line passing through it, I do think Sathorn Road is CBD. But it really depends on your perspective on what is considered CBD. If it is shopping, CBD would be Siam and Chitlom. But if it is business and financial center, Sathorn definitely is it. Also, it has a large number of fabulous 5-star hotels (Sukhothai, Banyan Tree, Metropolitan, etc.).

Nevertheless, the point is that Sathorn condos have always commanded among the highest prices in Bangkok, and a property like The Met has dropped from about 160K-170K baht to 115K - 125K per sq. meter, a clear indication that prices are dropping in BKK. By the way, units in The Met have sold out. In fact, they've closed their on site office and show room. The only units now are "re-sale" units. But the fact that the development will complete this year right in the middle of the economic crisis means some buyers will not be able to close, and will have to resell at firesale prices, thus the decline in prices.

Prices are indeed dropping significantly in CBD. For example, The Met began sales at 110K baht per sq. meter a few years ago. It peaked mid last year, before the global economic crisis hit, at about 160K - 170K per sq. meter. Now, you can see ads for resale dropped to about 110K to 125K. I suspect it will further decline, as some buyers won't have the funds to close when the building is complete.

link?

Prakard.com

Prices are indeed dropping significantly in CBD. For example, The Met began sales at 110K baht per sq. meter a few years ago. It peaked mid last year, before the global economic crisis hit, at about 160K - 170K per sq. meter. Now, you can see ads for resale dropped to about 110K to 125K. I suspect it will further decline, as some buyers won't have the funds to close when the building is complete.

Pricing-wise, the developer is trying to hold the line - THB150,000 psm at Park Chidlom, THB130,000 at Athenee. Those people wanting to re-sell are more amenable to a discount.

Wow, I'm surprised at the big difference in price between Park Chidlom and Athenee on available units. I would have thought that they would both be similar....

Fletchthai68, by the way, for the 90+ sq. meter unit at 12.5 million, what floor was it on?

11th Floor - so quite low. 136k/m2 for 93m2. Total price 12,648,000. This was without enquiring about any disounts.

27th Floor - miway. 137k/m2 for 189m2. Total price 25,893,000. Again pre discount.

1Rai.

Cheers for the info. I used to know BKK Gardens quite well. I'm actually looking to buy new, as I think it's less hassle. A couple of reasons being: I think it's simple, and safety in numbers with other people buying from a reputable firm where large % already moved. I think it cuts down on potential legal parts/lawyers etc. From experience in UK, lawyers and estate agents aren't exactly people I like dealing with. I like to just buy/negotiate direct. The other reason is I figure if prices are offered to lots of people at the same asking price, I'm less likely to overpay significantly, at least there are other people paying something similar. I think it's much more of a judgement call on second hand. Which gives me another couple of questions:

1) Do people actually use/need a lawyer for a new project?

2) In most places I've seen for new projects they seem prepared to discount 5 - 7.5% if pushed a little. Anyone any experience of whether that is reasonable or can push much further? I'm not realy bothered for the odd % point. But if I should be asking 20%-25% then that's a different ball game.

When I bought my unit in Sukhumvit (new - I bought it off plan about 1 1/2 years prior to completion and was completed at end of 2006 about 5 months late) I did not use a lawyer. I went through CBRE, and they were great, as they are used to dealing with foreigners and understand our concerns. They offered referrals to lawyers, but I did not use one.

I was only able to get a 2.5% discount, as the units were going pretty quickly. I guess it really depends on which stage you buy the condo. Generally, when you purchase during the "pre-sale" period, the developer might offer up to 10% discount. Then the discount might go down to 5% or lower during official opening of sales. During the "pre-sale" period, the developer gage the popularity of the development. If the development is highly popular, the discount could be eliminated altogether.

Fletchthai68, by the way, for the 90+ sq. meter unit at 12.5 million, what floor was it on?

There are two going up on Narathiwas, one right at the BTS station, the other just below Sathorn, next to Empire tower. Also the Met on Sathorn is going strong. Another place worth looking at is Narathiwas Soi 7 which connects with Suan Plu. A number of new places have recntly finished, some are apts, but others appear to be condos.

Suan Plu-Narathiwas is indeed a very good area. Much better then the Sukhumvit farang gehtto.

TH

Sathorn is indeed a nice area. However, you would not be able to get a 3-4 bedroom condo at Empire Tower or the Met even at the high end of your price range of 12 million baht (for that matter, at any new property in this area). A 3-bedroom at the Met will be well over 20 million. You might be able to find something that is a bit older, however.

I would like to ask if anyone knows the procedure to transfer the title to a Bangkok condo to my partner, who is also a foreigner. What is the procedure? What types of fees (registration, etc.) would I need to incur? Will there be taxes involved? Thanks for your assistance.

It seems if the government wants to control what Thaksin does or doesn't do, it could accept him back into the Thailand and watch over him rather than prevent him from returning to Thailand and then expect other governments to control and watch over his actions.

It's like not allowing your own delinquent child into his own home, but expect your friends, neighbors or strangers to control and dicipline him for you while he is sleeping somewhere else.

Looks like I'm hitting some bad luck here!!!!

I'm not in Thailand now, but will arrive this coming Friday. On Monday (yesterday), I wired $45,000 into my Bangkok bank account (it generally takes 1-2 business days for the wire transfer to come through) in order to decorate and furnish my new condo. The news of the new regulation was announce late yesterday.

Can anyone clarify the following?

1. Will the fund I transferred be subject to withholding, or would utilizing the fund to decorate my condo (buying goods & services) enough for a waiver since the money will never go out of Thailand?

2. If not subject to withholding, does anyone know what I need to do to prove it to the bank?

3. If subject to withholding, does anyone know whether the 30% withholding rule applies to the entire $45K, or to the amount that is above $20K (i.e. the $25K)?

Thanks for any clarification.

I discovered another wire xfer option quite by accident. It is possible to make a domestic (originating in the U.S.A.) wire transfer to BBL PLC in NY, NY (ABA routing no.: 026008691) for which the fees are smaller, or in some cases zero. Include your Bangkok Bank account number and the SWIFT code BKKBTHBK in the "additional instructions" field, and the money will get into your Bangkok Bank account in 2 days, with the same interbank exchange rate less 500 THB.

I just tried to set up a new bank on the PayPal account to which money could be transferred, with the new bank being Bangkok Bank of New York and the its ABA routing number, and the account being my Bangkok Bank account in Thailand. After inputing these information, PayPal automatically tried to do 2 trail transfers (the total amount of the 2 transfers equal to less than 1 dollar). After a couple of days, I received an email from PayPal indicating that both transfers have been rejected. Doesn't appear like it works with PayPal.

Does anyone have confirmation that the 3 million investment visa has become 10 million visa, or is that just rumor? Sunbelt?