Presnock

if you are serious, then realize that this is just more of the 300 baht added to the ETA for all tourists coming to Thailand.

Totally agree that the "screeners" at the BOI while doing the LTR since it began, know full well WHAT the more senior approvers will accept and that is why they accept or request additional documentation. Luckiy my financial situation is SUPER simple so it was very easy for me to meet their requirements. Best of luck to all. read the qualification requirements for the different 4 catgories i.e. "professional" and what they require from you. If in doubt call the BOI and ask. The speak and understand ENGLISH very well and have always been helpful whenever needed. Good luck.

Been here retired just over 20 years. I have had a couple of negatives - usually brought about due to lack of knowledge . First time just after getting my retirement O, at the 90-day mark I went to the immigration office Ban Suan Plu - guess that is where the immigration office was then and an IO looked at my p/p and said oh, if you come today it is overstay so you must go out of the country and then right back in - which I did so not problem there and they could have fined me but didn't; then my daughter in the US was having a doctors appointment, thinking maybe cancer and wanted me there so I zoomed back without getting a reintry permit. Upon my return, the IO at the airport said oh you didn't get a return permit so, you can come in but go to immigration and they will explain to you how to get backi nto the Retirement O game, which I did with no problems at all and IO's all along were very helpful. SInce I received that visa, a lot of changes have occured, moved to CM and many changes there. Only had to get a COR once for my driver's license there. There was not TM30 bit until just fairly recently. Did the TM28 once and the IO said that was not needed and threw it into the trash bin. I have waited with many other farangs in queue lines in order to get a queue number to get into the immigration office that same day, sometimes had to wait one day. Some folks said they even had to get in the queue line at midnight in order to guarantee a queue number for that very day. the immigration offices have been updated, while we had to go to Promenada Mall for the temporary office, but now the tent outside checking of documents, etc with the TM30 office open just behind even a few minutes before the main office plus the walk-in 90-day office made it really easy. The past couple of years I spent less than 2 hours ever in getting my yearly extension, once just over an hour. I have had 2 new passports with stamps transferred, never had to pay and the IO's have always treated my respectfully. I so speak Thai and maybe that is why I haven't had any unusual problems nor been asked to pay for anything. Now the LTR requires even less documentation and everything needed can be done here at home on my computer so life seems to be getting easier rather than more difficult. But now I notice that Thailand is to join BRICS next year and I am begining to wonder how that will impact the visa picture if at all but if they change to non-USD used for payments, etc then I might have to depart. Anyone lived in a BRICS country have any stories to tell if life is really any different for the average foreigner?

I have a US govt sponsored health insurer and each year they provide a benefits brochure - this year's was 17 pages long so I highlighted certain passages within that and forwarded them to the BOI. Those highlighted indicate "unlimited coverage" for hospitalization overseas but BOI said that wasn't sufficient, meaning I think that the seniors with final approval might not fully understand that phrase so another LTR holder told me that he had the insurance provider send a letter spelling out clearly that the coverage was over the 50K USD for hospitalization and that was the final straw so I had the LTR then within 2 weeks. Best deal yet for someone in my category.

well I have read the Thai Revenue Official English translation of the rules that we have to follow - includes having assessable income so must obtain a Thai tax ID number within 60 days and if one has no assessable income then one doesn't have to obtain a tax ID number file ther tax forms. Now I do realize we are in THailand and since TIT, as they come out with the new tax forms, there may also be some adjustment of the revenue rules on the tax ID as well as who must file the tax forms. Since the LTR specifically says we do not have to pay tax on remitted foreign income, unless they change that rule too then I don't see how we must file the income tax form. But TIT and changes are the true constant. And, the current govt could be gone before too long and even more changes may come about. As a last resort, the PI awaits for all or return to the US if after the election it remains viable. The worry about the LTR is just like all the worry about the tax changes that will most likely affect very few people. As has been said by those who went to the local revenue dept office, those people don't even have a clue yet. It will be November in just a couple of days, wonder if the "new tax forms" are even close to being finalized.

Well the rule about meeting the qualifications during the period of the visa has been around and is for ALL visas. The rules are spelled out in English too on the revenue dept web site.

If you're going to the PI, do as I did first - I got certified in SCUBA diving - greatest in the world with so much sea life and super clear water - literally as clear as drinking water. In the PI I also did an "Advance Open Water" certification - at 135 ft deep, nighttime, the full moon was clear as sitting on the boat and observing that ball in the sky. Did well over 500 dives there - sunken warships, giant whale sharks, wateris not too cold so don't have to wear wetsuits, just pure pleasure dives available throughout the PI. Great golf courses too. Baguio in N. PI great when cooler weather needed. Avoid the typhoon months though - they normally get 20 storms a year. Just a suggestion, depending on what you enjoy in life.

Westmoreland's requests about how to fight in VN was shot down by politicians of that era. Kelly's comments about Trump came out 02 Oct 2023, not just before this election. I am not even close to being a Harris fan either - IMHO neither are qualified to be the President of the US or any other country.

Actually he came out on CNN October 2, 2023 confirming others comments about Trump's disparaging comments about military folks, et.al.

reputed food researchers indicate that artificial sweetners are actually worse for your body that true sweetners. they recommend that if one HAS to HAVE sweetner then us maple syrup or real honey. Red meat limited, no processed meats at all. Recommend red fruits, including tomatoes regularly as a male aging...pomegranate juice daily, strawberries, pink guava. Good health to you!

artificial sweetners recently have researchers questioning the health benefits of ingesting these fake sugars. I liken this to the artificial cooking oils (SEED oils) which have been used for over a hundred years and now the researchers have tested, studied and proven that seed oils are bad for one's health. The same is true to artificial anyfoods, they are just that "fake". But, trying to get people to change lifestyles and eating habits has always been difficult as the only one penalized is that person risking their own health and many times it takes years for the results to become obvious. Look at the US stats today almost half of the citizens are FAT, Obese, 40+ percent are diabetics. At least with natural foods, there are no side effects, unless eating non-organic which have been sprayed with anti-pest materials. Just like plastic-bptt;ed water - now we also know from tests that anyone drinking this water is also ingesting micro-plastics which could affect one's health also. Read any label of packaged foods - too much fake ingredients! foreign language named ingredients - why aren't the labels telling us exactly what that fake stuff is. The bottom line of course - from this non-expert is "it is your body and your health!" Enjoy whatever YOU want!

if you think the Jan 6 was a hoax then you were no where near any tv in the US on that day or you are blind. The US constitution, to which Donald Trump swore an oath to uphold, says "peaceful transfer of power after an election". Trump even tried to go join them at the capital bldg but the ss wouldn't let him go. I watched that insurrection and feel that all of those there should be in prison. Just like Trump and so many REP claiming a rigged election - filed over 30 cases but had absolutely no evidence found so the court tossed them - sometimes even Trump judges. This is my opinion based on what I watched that day!

ANOTHER perfect example of why the Thai government should amend then laws on statute of limitations on crimes - especially heinous and horrible crimes. Too many times I have read Thai news about rich and powerful families or military literally getting away with murder. I realize these perps and others that have had charges dropped due to the statute of limitations, are not actually felons yet and most likely will get away with their crimes. MHO anyway!

But daughter is doing exceptional in the #1 University in Thailand. During last year's term break, she went to the #1 University in Korea to study more Korean language. was the only classmate to get an Academic achievement award for over 90% grade (94). She then did the same during the summer break and has already registered for the upcoming mid-term break. Since she i getting a liberal arts degree and then a Masters', doesn't need the super expensive US degree. IMHO anyway. Upon finishing, if she so wishes she could easily get a job with the US govt with 4 languages. i.e. two years ago, the US state dept could only fill about 25% of their foreign-language billets. Too many Americans just don't like to study foreign languages.

Yeah unAmerican: google : "From Machine Lubricant to Lunch Box; A brief history of Seed Oil. See for yourself .

Speaking of getting the wrong info, big food companies have been jerking citizens off for over a century. If you don't believe it, google "From Machine Lubricant to Lunch Box: a brief history of Seed Oil!"

well in Chiang Mai, I tried to make an appointment for my yearly long stay processing but it was filled up entirely except for the last day of my stay. Too many notes about needing some extra documents sp I just went the following day (35 days in advance of last day), spent an hour there only! Decided to never try the appointment bit again as they always seem t have problems with their systems. The this year I obtained an LTR prior to needing the extension so all problems are now behind me for 10 years. We'll see with all the tax changes POSSIBLY or govt chnages PROBABLY and TIT so just sitting back and relaxing.

Yessir, gonna cut that pollution - I have my own 2.5 micron meter - this morning at 4 AM in Prawet District of Bangkok, the reading ws 56 - about 20 points above the WHO recommendation of health air. I see more days in BKK polluted than I did while living in CM. Even if they could stop the polluters here in Thailand, all the surrounding countries burn everything too and even though they are mostly in the same ASEAN group, they have never been able to get any otber country to stop their pollution either. Good luck. Sure hope it succeeds and that Thailand can convince their own citizens to stop polluting and then maybe neighbors will heed the call too.

If you are talking about avoiding the pollution, you are years too late. Our oceans are super polluted, NASA has a satellite showing active "open" fires and during the CM burning season just look at the SEA part - is almost totally red as ASIANs from SEA, north to CHINA and west to INDIA plus to the south also, the red inidicative of forest fires or sugar cane field burning, or corn fieds b urning or rice fields burning and of course the mushroom hunters and their forest fires. There is no escape here. Yeah I came from the US, but pollution is not on my list of why I am here instead of there. I don't plan to change my mind about returning there...With weather changing around the world who really knows where any place is the best. To each their own.

Dr. Li's books on diets for prevention of disease and good health are best sellers. In addition to everything of fact in the books are the detailed studies resulting in the findings. If you want to know about all of this, the books are available at the Kinokuniya bookstore. Whether you believe the studies or not is entirely up to you. But, as for me I am OLD, my faither died of prostate cancer, my mother died from strokes duirng Alzheimers, so yeah I am interested in any studies on these and other diseases. I get health information daily in newsletters put out by health organzaions and media and I have recently noted many are citing the same information on the different health issues. Fortunately I learned earlier in my life about the benefits of regular exercise and avoiding bad diets so have led a healthy life (now 78 years old) still do my 6 km (though not running after 65) walk at a quick pace, lift weights several times a week, do core exercises (60 Minutes) on the days that I don't lift. I eat healthy Iaw these diet books but many of the suggestions I was eating prior to reading about the different foods and health issues. One's eating habits have been modified as supposed our country becomes more developed. That was a falsehood too as the big pharmas and big food companies switched from natural foods to artificial flavorings and colors that are not so healthy for us and a perfect example if you want to know about it is "SEED OILS" developed for machines - then switched to foodstuffs and just look at the health issues this has caused. I first became aware of just how this can happen. I was living in Spain in the late 70's early 80's. There was an outbreak of many local citizens and eventually the government sent samples of all the victims to the US because their labs didn't have the expertise to find out the cause of their deaths. Turned out that a local OLIVE oil company that produced the lowest grade for machine oil, just repackaged the oil as cooking oil. The govt of course warned the public and ordered that all on the shelves in stores be destroyed. Many people complained as it was the cheapest cooking oil available! Go figure. If you google the history of seed oils you can learn for yourself what you should or should not use for consumption of the same can do to you. But, I am not any kind of expert on foods and health - just can base my opinion on my own health and what I believe from these documented studies. Many foods are being found only very recently to be very healthy for us and in many cases can enhance the pharmas that doctors will use and the natural foods have no side effects. Plus most taste very good too. Good health to all we deserve it!

If there had not been so many people that obtained a visa to visit the US and then failed to return this wouldn't happen. It has happened in many other countries too, once in the US there is no immigration checking to see where they are as is a must here. That is why there are so many illegal immigrants flooding the US as they know they might never get caught. Just saying. That they need local employment or ownership as stated here is usually the key answers for a successful visa.

AMEN to that!

My 48 year old WIFE, house owner, fairly new auto owner, wanted to take our daughter back to the US for college (already accepted) but the consulate too indicated that she really had no reason to return to Thailand as she didn't have a job. I have been in Thailand since my retirement 20 years ago. Therefore, daughter is a sophomore at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. US consular folks are a strange group for sure. Meanwhile, at that same time they recommended filing for a green card - which we did - guess the timing with Afghan evacuation - therefore over 500K backlog in immigration - they were at that time only being able to process 35K a month. Yessir, took them over a year to approve MY WIFE! while they let in millions of illegal and foreign legal immigrants who plan on staying there!

At least in CM you don't have to go into the city as lots of villages outside in forested areas but in BKK you are forced to breathe where ever you go. Even with the trains going everywhere almost, just check out every intersection and roads all along the railway. These BKK roads have been overcrowded since at least 1972 when I first came here. Every year the govt says no floods in the city this year but every year it is still the same. Today, the "rim" of the Chao Praya is flooding but not from the runoff from the north but the weather folks say it is due to the high tide - meaning seas must be getting higher or BKK is sinking.

look at diet and lifestyle for just about any cancer except through your DNA passed between your parents, but those cancers are the minority from the research I have read. Unfortunately it looks to me like the more developed a country is, the poorer the diet of their citizens. In the US almost half the people are way tooooooo fat! and got that way eating ultra processed foods, lack of enough fruits and vegetables and little if an exercise regularly. I also heard a doctor and researcher say that during medical training that they only received 14 hours of nutritional training but tons of pharma treatments - food has been used to treat many illnesses for millenia while pharmas have only been at it for a little over a hundred years. Yet there are very few side effects with natural medicines as opposed to the phamas. MO anyway.