worrab

The OP has been caught in this new ruling which, as correctly stated, is because of forged documents and sham marriages. All I can suggest is that you go to the local amphur where your Thai girlfriend is from. I got married last Dec at my local with no problems at all. Everyone in the office knew all the family so it was nice and easy.

Good luck darren 1971 

3 hours ago, connda said:

Because not only the lowly masses will be caught, but also a whole lot of high-status Puuyai.  High-status Puuyai can not be allow to be treated like the lowly little-people, so to keep from embarrassing the Puuyai and having police 'lose face', nothing that you suggested can be allowed to happen. TIT.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander...…….or perhaps not. Whether TIT or not, something has got to be done and lives have got to be saved no matter how cheap/poor they are thought of. And for the Puuyai, the jail term can go up to 4 years with a THB 50,000 fine as they can afford it and still crush the car. Make examples of them.

Makes my blood boil when I read this drivel. Everybody must suffer, not, with a booze ban that has absolutely no hope of working.

How about, effective immediately, all Police go out patrolling and anyone caught drink driving, immediate 2 years in prison and car/bike is crushed!! That might make people think twice about DD over Sonkran. Everyone else can enjoy themselves.

The authorities never look at the root of holiday carnage which is quite simply an ineffective Police force. 

4 hours ago, Number 6 said:

Apologies, is this regarding...?

Work permit

Application B visa

Is anyone aware if this affects other passport holders to date?

 

It might be a requirement of British curriculum schools that filtered down to Thai bureaucracy somehow. For all intents and purposes only UK nationals work in these schools. Maybe Immigration has had lots of diploma fraud from individuals claiming degrees from UK.

 

Did I not read some Americans had this issue as well? Wasn't it for the B visa?

It is not for any of these. It is for a degree certificate so it can be accepted by the Thai authorities for teaching in schools. A quirk for Brits to go through for some crazy reason.

10 hours ago, oldwelshman said:

Does it need sending to Thai embassy? I thought it just needs legalising in MK?

Unfortunately it does need to be sent to the Thai Embassy for their stamp.

Just an update as today 2 Christmas cards arrived, One from my sister was posted 5th Dec and the other from a friend I cannot make out the date stamp. Yes, these had been sitting at the postman's house and the delivery postman knew it.

7 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Been said many times on this forum, the actual mail service is not the issue, its the local postman, the last link in the chain that is usually the issue for missing mail. Proved to be the case yet again. 

I am afraid to say that the mail service most definitely is the issue. I have written so many emails to Thailand Post regarding their poor delivery record to my Tambon in Bang Saphan Noi. (This is where the local postman in the article was based by the way). I have had letters taking a month to arrive from Bangkok. 3 months for a parcel from UK that was suddenly found in the back of the sorting office there!! Christmas cards that either arrive 2 weeks late or not at all!! 90 days reporting by mail taking 8 days from Hua Hin, The list goes on and on.

So I have emailed postal care at Thailand Post and nothing has ever been done until now. And I have heard that other people have done the same where legal documents have never arrived or arrived too late. And this has taken a high up person in another Moo to complain and alert the media to what has been going on. They have had enough chances to put their house in order but failed every time. 

Will be waiting to see if we do get any improvement but I will not be holding my breath.

Firstly my thoughts and wishes for a good recovery go to the young boy and family.

Secondly, I am a dog lover and have always had dogs when I lived in the UK. But over here the situation no demands drastic action. I mean cull, put to sleep or whatever. Thai people have no respect for their own animals so why should we?? In my village we have four or five dogs that are left to roam free and bark whenever they like and chase some people on motorbikes. Somebody opposite has been locked up in prison and lived up in the hills. Now we have gained 2 more puppies to join the others. And yes, they have learnt to howl.

In my opinion, all dogs should live in the home, especially at night and if not take them away and any wild dogs and destroy. This has got to be stopped nationwide now!!    

693 pounds return BKK to London with Skyscanner booking through ebookers flying in July.

22 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

On a related topic, any recommendations for where to get your eyes tested In Bangkok or should I wait till I’m visiting UK next month?

I get my eyes tested in the UK as it is a far more intensive test than any I have seen here in Thailand. Not only that but as I have always used Specsavers, they have comparison records going back to when I first needed glasses. Will be booking in for July when I am back for a visit.

2 hours ago, Arthur Mullard said:

Thank you for this. So what I have misunderstood is the Gov.UK application process, which goes straight to the FCO, NOTARISES AND APOSTILLE STAMPS? Me and a couple of colleagues here have lost time scratching around for a lawyer, here, Hong Kong and back home! One reason was, one colleague reported that he followed the online application process and a window popped up, saying his certificate had to be notarised before proceeding. But it is good news and a massive saving to me, if what you say is true.

I have just had another look through the process and apologies for my wording. This is what I have found :

Degree certificate or transcript (UK)

Your degree certificate or transcript (UK) must be certified by either:

a solicitor or notary public in the UK

an official of the British Council (only original certificates)

When the solicitor or notary public signs the document, they must:

have a valid practising certificate

sign the document in the UK

state the action they have taken eg witnessed, certified a copy, confirmed as original

use their personal signature, not a company signature

include the date of certification

include their name and company address

The solicitor or notary public’s signature must be an original, hand-written signature. We can't accept a photocopy or scan of a signature.

And this info: Please note that some documents may need to be certified by a solicitor or notary public in the UK before they can be submitted to the Legalisation Office. If you need a notary contact the Faculty Office. 

All this can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/714089/Legalisation_info_June_2018.pdf

It would just mean one extra step and an extra A4 envelope so they can then send the document to the FCO.  

1 hour ago, smedly said:

well that's cleared that up - not

 

I am under 60yo and have been using the 800k balance for the last 5 years so do the new rules apply to me or not

 

more confusion

Technically nothing has changed for you. As long as you have 800k in the bank all year then there is no problem with worrying about dropping below the 400k mark. Life carries on.  

As has been explained before this is a painless procedure as long as you have family/friends in the UK.

Firstly you have to book online, if you can print off the receipt with the FCO in Milton Keynes and pay their fees. 30 quid for the notarising and apostille then 5.50  for it to be couriered to the Thai Embassy. Send 2 A4 envelopes, one for courier to Embassy and second for Embassy to family/friends. 

Secondly this is where family/ friends come into play. They will need to pay the Embassy by cash or postal order the sum of 10 pounds. Then the document will be sent to them when completed. Ideally you need to email the Embassy to inform them of the arrangement. Family/friend is paying by postal order to have this document of mine stamped.

They then use DHL or whatever to get the document back to you in Thailand safely. Cost is about 50 pounds.

Takes between 2 and 3 weeks to complete depending on the post to UK. 

Then all you need to do is go to the MFA, get it translated and stamped there. Costs are around THB 2000 depending if you want to wait or use an agent to do everything for you and post it to you.

Easy to do yourself as long as you have computer, printer and good family/friends in UK. Lot less than 500 pounds.

10 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

So do we have to go to immigration again 3 months after the visa date?

 

Can somebody show the official text?

The official wording is under another topic. But even that does not state what happens for the next 3 months after being granted an extension. I think we will find that at the next yearly application to extend, they will want to see your bank book going back for a year to ensure you have abided by the ruling. 800k for the first 3 months then not dropping below 400k for 7 months then 800k seasoned for 2 months ready for that application.

4 hours ago, dundas said:

Very happy with my Thai built Jazz. It's roomy, easy to park around town, and is OK on faster roads.  In nine years no major problems, 60,000 km and still on its original brake pads. 

 

 

The same as mine regarding mileage and pads. Bought the Jazz in Oct 2015 and have had it serviced by the book and by Honda. Not expensive!!  All in all a very good car with absolutely no problems.....touch wood.

41 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

I strongly recommend to all those seeking a visa requiring a bank deposit to simply deposit  ฿800K in the bank of your choice and then forever after  "set it and forget it".

That is exactly what I have done in the past and will do so for the future. Should have no worries then barring any other changes.

1 hour ago, jesimps said:

Tried yesterday (Tuesday) it was booked for rest of 2019, except as you say for 4 April. Tried to book 4 April got message that it was unavailable!

 

I can assure you it is not booked all of 2019. As I said, they release dates in tranches so nothing after April will be available anyway as it is too far in the future, Just keep checking and suddenly dates will show being available.

16 hours ago, jesimps said:

Went on the BE website to gen up on the procedure for getting a residency letter from them, found out I can't do it by post, I need to visit the embassy personally AFTER booking an appointment. Ok then, go to the online appointments page, it's fully booked for the whole of 2019!!!

I have reported before on this forum about this supposed anomaly. It is not fully booked at all. Appointments are normally released on Mon or Tue for the next 6 weeks or so. Have found 4th April free but you will have to keep checking.

On ‎2‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 5:27 AM, elliss said:

   Sympatise with  you  mate, i done  the same thing , nothing wrong last mounth.

     Now ,  a rule  change , starting next mounth , puts us in trouble . 

    LOS, land of suprises.  What next ?.

     

No it does not, The rule does not come in until March and will only affect any extensions done after that date, You have already done your yearly extension so this will not affect you until 2020. That is assuming the rule does actually come into force.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

While 50 districts of Bangkok were declared “nuisance problem control areas” under the Public Health Act to allow more drastic anti-pollution measures, Samut Sakhon took no such action. 

 

Governor Somkid Chanthamaruk said the provincial public health committee balked at the significant impact the move would have. 

Says it all really about how much they really care.

On ‎2‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 2:36 AM, RJRS1301 said:

My retirement to Thailand has been brief, Things are not informed about firstly beyond the 90 day reporting. (a)requirement neither the Embassy here nor anyone else informed me that even with a one year Visa I would have to repeatedly show funds in a Thai bank account at the 90 day reporting period I had already ( I thought) established my financial credentials, when being granted the 12 month visa.

(2) Difficulty in attempting opening a Thai bank account, tried several branches of several banks, all different rulings and requirements, including having to show 12 month lease of condo ( had only taken out a 6 month lease to keep options open) , outrageous fees to access own funds. Lack of internet banking options,( we are in the internet age for gosh sake) 

 

I was prepared to use significant funds into the local economy to lead a reasonable life in LOS, alas this will not

occur.

 

 

2 observations here. 1. If the new rules are implemented, there would only be a requirement to show bank account at the first 90 day report after being granted an Extension. Then a full year of bank records at the next extension to show you did not dip below the 400k limit in between. I still feel this is not going to happen because of the sheer logistics for the IOs.  

2. I was able to open an account with Bangkok Bank when I had the IO visa whist waiting to convert to an Extension of Stay based on Retirement. And I have good internet banking with them for not only my accounts but the wife as well.

Actually opened the account in the branch opposite Interchange 21 Building in Bangkok. 

On ‎2‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 10:34 AM, KiChakayan said:

Proof of health cover effective in Thailand should be added to the requirements.

Members keep coming up with this as a requirement. But keep forgetting that either due to age or pre existing conditions, are unable to get insurance. I am one of those unfortunates but do have enough in funds to cover any hospital stay if needed. Or, according to your thoughts, we all have to leave the country where we are now living. It would be a different story if, and it is a big if, there was a sensibly priced insurance for all retirees no matter their situation.

14 minutes ago, madmen said:

There are reports coming out from a company with connections that the new rules won't effect previous extension holders but only new applications or in other words grandfatherd

I would give it a few days before worrying about the shambles that have been announced

Adding to your comment, elsewhere in this newsletter is the report that Immigration Officers are also kicking back on this ruling. Obviously nobody knows how any of it is going to be enforced!! The ruling has, as usual, come out with no forward thinking whatsoever.

11 hours ago, johnny1966 said:

My extension was granted June 2018. Next 90 day report due 10th March 2019. Next application for extension due June 2019. Does this mean I have to show 800k on my next 90 day report in March this year or this applies to the new extension application in June?

Will not affect you until you renew in June 2019. Then, unless anything changes again, you will have to show 800k at the following 90 day report. 

24 minutes ago, zydeco said:

Why bother with someone who doesn't know what he's talking about. The ENTIRE POINT of the OP is that 800K in a Thai bank is not the end of it. Not the "done deal." You do realize that extension dates do not correlate to 90 day reports necessarily, don't you? You might do an extension in September, with your 90 day due in October. So, yes, if they want to see proof of the 800K before and after and the 400K minimum throughout the year, they just might require you to come in on 90 days after your extension, which would, YES, put you on a schedule of four 90 day reviews of bank account that would NOT match the 90 day residency reporting. So that would mean 8 trips to Chaeng Wattana. 

Cannot quite agree there. For instance,my UK in Prachuap would do the next 90 day with the extension. So then you would report on Dec based on your theory. They would need to see the 800k under the New proposal. No need to produce bank accounts again until the following year for renewal. Then they will want to see the bank book showing 800k for 3 months prior AND not dropping below 400k inbetween the first 90 day report and the 3 month seasoning. So no need to go 8 times. 

I am sure you will correct me if I have miscalculated.