robbie22

What was wrong with that?

You must have your passport with you all the time. Police is checking if the Visa is still valid. That is normal. I know several bad guys who stay without visa in Thailand.

"the cop looked at it did not open it and said okay"

It is a bit difficult to check your visa, without opening the passport?

 

Yes that is what happened I think the fact that i had with me gave them nothing to swindle me for. I had good luck to have it with me if not maybe some fine I suppose.

I don't see the scam here, he asked for your passport only and then let you continue on your way. It is possible the taxi was stopped for speeding as sometimes they have speed cameras and then stop the speeding cars when they reach the toll as its easier that way. possibly the driver said he was taking farang to dreamworld so he looked to see your passport, maybe you would have been fined if you never had it

We were not speeding and he looked at my passport did not open and check anything inside to see if it were valid?

The Family and I were on our way to Dreamworld my Thai wife and daughter we were taking a taxi from Ratchada. We were on the toll road Don Muang and just paid the toll when as soon as we left the toll booth there were maybe 6 motorcycle police looking like the had a photo or something and were checking the cars when they stopped ours. No surprise yet but the meter was on so no problem there the driver got out and explained we were going to Dreamworld but then the cop came to my window and wanted me to roll window down?? Now i am worried what could the problem be my Wife opened her door and they asked if I had a passport?? Well i did and the only reason was that i was going to get discount for admission to dreamworld the cop looked at it did not open it and said okay go ahead. Is this a new scam or and old one just curious. Thanks in advance. This was also a bad experience for my daughter she thinks the police in BKK are no good she is ten by the way.

Also Chulalongkorn Hospital, a hop and step from BTS Saladaeng. Like Siriraj most doctors speak good English (many have side job at Bumrungrad) but I don't remember seeing English registration form or any sign in English.

http://www.chulalongkornhospital.go.th/

I have my Thai wife to go with me if that helps. What are the basic charges at these hospitals anyway?? thanks

Can Anyone recommend a good govt. Hospital need to save cash. I am having a problem with urinating to much and would like to try a Govt. Hospital. I go to Bumrungrad monthly for medicine the controlled kind so have no choice. If anyone has had an experience let me know thanks in advance???

"Enchilada sauce" is usually canned. I haven't seen any around Bangkok.

You can try Villa or possibly Paragon's Gourmet Market. Their stocks change from time to time.

I always pack a few cans of Las Palmas sauce when I come back from the States.

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Las Palmas is the best from america for sure. Have an extra can?? Ha Ha could almost taste those buggers.

Are there any markets where you can buy enchillada sauce in BKK??? help

I just renewed my retirement visa at the new immigration office no problems. First i took subway to Chatuchak stop and from there you take the #52 bus no a\c to Chaeng Wattana told ticket taker my destination new govt. building. When you get there they have motorcyle to immigration 20 baht and they take you right to the door. There is a free shuttle bus you have to now where to look. My advice take the motorbike. When you leave walk out the front and they have taxis or the free shuttle you must walk a little ways to the east side odf the huge building and you will see where they are. I had to wait 10 minutes for the brand new shuttle something like they use at the airport very nice. They have a couple of stops before you get to the main road and then you will see the stairs to crossover to get the #52 bus to go back home.When you go inside you will see the signs for immigration show your passport to get the form for 90 day report fill it out and then go into the next room there is no queue for 90 day report you get in line give passport and they give number to get passpoet back it took about 15 minutes and that was it done for another 90 days. I hope this helps someone to get there to easy.

Can anyone tell me where i can Watch American Football here in Bangkok? Thanks in Advance

Where can you get some good Lasagna here in Bangkok? Also Pizzas?? Help ?

Robbie, good question but you are opening up a can of worms especially with the pizza. Perhaps if you tell us your preferred pizza style (thin, deep dish, etc) we can avoid a huge debate on the merits of each.

Lasagna - not the Landmark! They do terrific food there overall but the lasagna is not one of them. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Thanks for the info and that would be the thin crust pizza. There is a terrific Italian Rest. in Pattaya on beach road near Soi. 6 they used to be near Soi.1 beach road. I think it is the Ill Tratorio? They make the crust fresh when you order and it is the real deal.

Where can you get some good Lasagna here in Bangkok? Also Pizzas?? Help ?

Although I haven't needed to do this yet, I have read on TV, you can walk in to some banks with your passport and ATM card and make a cash withdrawal without paying any fee.

Wrong you will be charged most likely 3% of the amount withdrawn in USA be there done that.

UOB is now charging the 150 baht for ATM withdrawal bummer. Is Government Savings still not charging this 150 charge would appreciate knowing?? Thanks I know this topic has been gone over and over.

This is for a foreign bank ATM card in USA . Does anyone know of any banks that are not charging this extra fee??

UOB is now charging the 150 baht for ATM withdrawal bummer. Is Government Savings still not charging this 150 charge would appreciate knowing?? Thanks I know this topic has been gone over and over.

Are there any banks not charging this fee? I went in and took money with passport got dinged a 14.50 charge for taking 17,000 baht so that was no good.

Sorry about my post it was Farmers Bank or Kasakorn Bank with my bank in America. I made two transactions 1 was at an atm and I paid the 150 baht and took 17,200 baht the exchange rate was 34.05 this worked out to $505.76 US plus another 2 charges for non atm $5.00 plus $5.06 Farmers bank plus the 150 baht total for withdrawing my cash was about $14.50 US. Next day I went into Farmers Bank with my passport took a cash advance on my debit card for 17,000 baht and the exchange rate worked out to 34.34 costing me $495.56 US plus a International Transaction fee of $14.86 US. The total to get the 17,000 baht was about $510.33 .The big difference in exchange rates actually makes the 2nd transaction better for me I think. My brain is having a meltdown here maybe someone can crunch these numbers a little better and tell me what they think is the better deal? I think if I use an atm without the 150 baht charge that is my best bet???Thanks in advance.

Are there any banks not charging this fee? I went in and took money with passport got dinged a 14.50 charge for taking 17,000 baht so that was no good.

I recently purchased a new washing machine only to find out I need a stand to make it higher so it will drain properly have looked here and there with no luck . I have seen them just a plain plastic base no brand name at mant laundrys no one seems to know where to buy them. Your help will be appreciated.

I used at least six different ATMS around Bangkok last week and all of them charged the 150 baht and I could only take out 10,000 baht at a time ,on 1 machine it said it could only dispense 10 bills per transaction 10 x 1000 = 10,000

It doubled my atm fees because i usualy take out 20 000 at a time

Why are some members able to take out more then 10 000 at a time? I used to be able to last year but not now

I have an account in the States and the max withdrawal is $500 US which works out to about 17.600 baht a day. The charges so far are always $5 American and About 4.96 for the Thai Bank. Last week the charges were $5 for my US account and another $5 for the Thai bank I always use Kaiskorn or Farmers Bank did try 2 different banks and got the 150 warning so cancelled the transaction. I must pay for 4 transactions per month to get my pension money from America. If you use a wire transfer it still costs $45 american there is no way to get around these charges. The best post so far on how to avoid these charges is something like the E-Trade checking with free no atm charges. Also I was told that Washington Mutual has free or reduced charges for ATM usage. Hope this helps someone.

robbie22 said he was armed with a print out of another members post "Express Lane to Retirement Visa in Pattya" I have been searching for that post and presumed it was on the forum.

It is possible that Robbie remembered that thread’s title wrong and really meant this post.

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Maestro

Sorry to everyone if I confused some people on my post Fast lane to Retirement I did use wpcoe post as stated here will definitly get facts correct next time Sincerly

Step 4 get letter from bank guaranteeing money in bank (Siam Commercial Bank) charged 200 baht for letter saying you have thousand baht in bank.

I got two original bank guarantee letters from my Siam Commercial Bank branch for B100. I guess there's a lot of inconsistency in ALL areas.

There is definite inconsistency I did not mention problem at bank a forigner should have resided in Thailand for at least 90 days or you are required to go to Chief of Police for criminal record check. Here is the curious thing I asked if there was some way for me to get around this requirement and the girl at bank said yes if bought a life insurance (accidental death only) $1,000,000.000 dollars worth for 900 baht it would be okay needless to say i now have a accidental life insurance policy. If anybody can elaborate on this would appreciate it

Armed with the printout of members post (Express Lane to Retirement Visa in Pattya) I then proceede with:

Step 1 get medical certificate (Phayathai Hosp. #1 charged three hundred baht.

Step 2 get letter from U.S.Embassy for declaration of income, must be at least 65.000 baht.

Step 3 this is where i got fouled up you must have money in Thai Bank no matter what your monthly income from pension but it is okay to have only 1000 baht in bank if you satisfy 65000 baht income requirement.

Step 4 get letter from bank guaranteeing money in bank (Siam Commercial Bank) charged 200 baht for letter saying you have thousand baht in bank.

Step 5 you need to have 2 copies of your passbook page showing name and account and 2 copies of the balance page.

Step 6 fill out form TM. 8.

Step 7 fill out TM.7

Step 8 take forms to immigration you will also need 2 passport photos and pay 1900 baht for form TM.8 and 2000 baht for TM. 7. good luck should not be a problem if you get all the neccessary documentation.

If i marry my thai girlfiend who has daughter can i get a 1 year visa for support of thai national? I am very confused now about the whole thing.

I'm married to a Thai but so what. It doesn't get you much does it. I mean you can get a 90 visa from the get go extended for one month thereafter but then what?

If you can comply with the requirements, you can extend a Non-Immigrant O visa based on support of a Thai national for a year at a time.

I would appreciate some info on visas reading all the posts has me totally confused. I have moved to bangkok retired but problem for me now is on money requirements of 65000 baht a month i am only getting 57000 baht now till june when my child support ends so just a little short on money requirements. I have a thai girl friend and her daughter that i am supporting considering marriage would that help my cause? Also somebody mentioned visa from other country stay overnight to get what would that be? Any information i can get from you apppreciated greatly starting to panic.

Most important asset to have when living in Thailand, coming from the US, is a healthy dose of openness and acceptance. I've seen so many American's who burn out here in less than two years, because they are incapable of unclenching and accepting cultural traits.

You can tell those who are not long for Thailand, they start every conversation with, "Can you believe that they did___________? That would ever happen in the US.

I like your avatar interesting. thanks for the advice i will use all of it to make my transition a lot easier.

If you're planning to live here I reckon job #1 is start learning the Thai language. That'll keep you busy for awhile. Sounds like you've already decided to take the plunge before, ah... burdening yourself with a whole bunch of information... interesting. Just keep an eye on the ole pocketbook and don't forget how to say no, a very useful word when it comes to surviving in the LOS.

Let us know how it goes... thanks i plan on trying to learn thai understand they have some schools near skytrain stops ant recomendations appreciated.