cubism001

Can I get a TM30 at immigration? Thanks

I entered Thailand Jan. 12. Yearly retirement visa, which I'd counted on, require more days on original stamp than I have left now; no choice but to cross borders again for stamps so I can stay. Therefore, how many stamps am I allowed to have this year? Thanks.

LaosLover, can you tell me who your agent is? What set me off is that my agent didn't lift a finger; and they're very expensive. If I have to renew, they'll hit me with a additional 15,000 B. - which I refuse to do right now. Thanks!

Immigration wouldn't give me the residency letter because there weren't enough days on my entry visa...Which has me thinking about visa runs again. I tire of all the hoop-jumping.

Hey Bryan, my visa agent explained that the govt changes the rules almost every year, and this year had the ones I mentioned: an applicant for retirement visa must have a bank account prior to filing the application. It was Not that way in 2020-21. I never went to immigration, never got a bank account here because I didn't want one...

Yes, that was the second bank. Lots more stuff to gather than last time...

Recent goal: survival. (my family died out during Covid, so there's nobody but me to take care of me.) Then an old one, that's got me through tough and good times: remembering what's important to me. Quiet, nature, few machines...it's different for everyone. For years I had one profession; the bottom fell out of it, so now I write books. They've become successful, so I feel kind of responsible to people who read them. I write better researched & written books. They're just good stories, frankly, but factually correct. And paying attention to what I eat, how much I exercise, sleep, etc. That works; fewer dr visits, for sure. Many goals. Good luck to you. I know it's not easy. Thanks for asking.

Hello, 1 requirement (from my visa facilitator) is to start a savings account before I get involved in the paperwork. Fine, I thought until I went to one bank. After an hr they told me they don't do savings accounts for people without long term visas. I phoned another, who said fine, but gave me several things to get: a copy of my apartment's lease. A letter from immigration 'verifying my residency.' which meant verifying where I live in Ch Mai. Now that sounds weird...What do I ask immigration to give me? Thank you.

Oh, now I remember. I never knew they were induction. I also had one in China. Not the best, because they only accepted certain kinds of pans...Has that changed? Or what kinds of pans to you use? The Ch ones cut off automatically when you were searing meat or popping popcorn... I live in a large-ish bedsit without a normal stove. Another alternative in China for lots of foreigners was a normal square Western electric skillet with a metal lid. They don't seem to be available here; I'll look at Robinson's & see what they have. I have seen small electric hot plates here (white with grey burners). Has anyone used them? Gas isn't allowed in quite a few bedsits/apts. here. With high hopes for finding a good heat source, I brought two good normal skillets on the plane. Thank you

It worked here. Thanks guys

That's why I use cash advance. Much much cheaper!

I didn't know this... I'll look into it. Thanks

Where can I buy a normal Western electric frying pan in Chiang Mai? A flat bottom, smooth (teflon) surface, thick handle, a cord that plugs in? I have near tragedies with the various kinds of ridged surfaces and dual sided plates-- scrambled eggs get lodged; they grills aren't built for cooking foods like French toast, pancakes,grilling meat etc. They were easy to find in China when I worked there. But it's really a pleasure being back here. Thanks.

Before Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall closed, Bangkok Bank had a service: the clerk would look at your passport, your visa debit card & run it through their machine, giving you a few thousand baht at much less than a visa machine costs. ($1-2) Where do I go now to get this done? I did an ATM & it was 220 baht plus ancillary fees, some in the US. Help. Thanks.

Thank you -- quite an education: so tourists do get covid & that's how they treat it. Real different from 2020. I'm real glad to be returning

I arrive in a week...Does this mean Tops in the basement, too? And the cheap good clothes... & the banks?

I'm returning in a month, & see that the king & queen among others have tested positive for covid. In 2020 there were many rules about coming from BKK & getting a hotel, etc., so I want to be prepared. Not an hysterical reaction. Where would I find statistics for the north of Thailand like before. Hope you can help. Thanks!

I was stunned traveling through Denver; the prices at a fancy health food store (Sprouts) were the same as Walmart in Nebraska. That's inflation!

It's fortunate that expats/Thais reply about groceries & rent, so I have learned what I needed: meat prices are up a lot, open markets are still the best place for fruits & vegetables. In the past I bought raw chicken at Lotus express; might have to eat more tofu & beans. BTW: nowhere else do people discuss prices using public markets. Thank you all very much.

Really great info! Thanks!!!

That's a great resource. Thanks.

Thanks for your help. I went on to read here. https://tradingeconomics.com/thailand/inflation-cpi

Thank you. Hopefully other things won't jump that much.

A necessary question from a returning expat. It looks like the exchange rate is slightly higher than when I left. Are daily items like rent a lot higher? Less for your money? Thanks.

Thank you.