PumpkinEater

Have yourself NEUTERED! Return to this forum with the update, after the procedure…

My last monthly transfer with WISE to K bank took 8 seconds. I circle each monthly transfer on my K bank statement (12 month) for immigrations ease of acceptance. Although not required, I also include a MY Social Security statement that shows that I receive a monthly SS pension. In order to minimize the transfer fees from WISE I transfer 68k (65k required) and not the entire SS amount. When I was going through the gauntlet with the direct deposits through the Philippines I was getting raped on the fees! Cheers!

I am with Koh Samui Immigration. They do give “grief” to folks that did not or pley dumb about the need of the TM 30. Therefore as insurance of a smooth process,..I am safe rather than sorry. Another issue is that I will stay in BKK the first night and the hotel may or may not file the TM 30, which would also require an updated TM 30 anyway. Cheers

Dr Jack is on spot. I do this yearly as well when I travel to the USA. Important to have your landlord file the TM30 on your behalf (online) upon your return, and get a copy of it for your record to show immigration on your “personal visit” for your first 90 day (TM47) report. Subsequent 90 day reports can be done online. Cheers

The bridge is a bad idea. The islands roads are not designed to handle the influx of traffic that the bridge would cause. There would be gridlock IMHO. Also the parking in Chewang and Lamai is not available for tourists using the bridge. One of the beauties of traveling to and from Samui is the ferry ride…albeit sometimes a pain in the drain. A better idea would be to use that bridge money and allow the Airport Authority to take control (buyout) the Samui airport from Bangkok Airways and allow competitor airlines to operate, which would drive down the cost of airfares. NO MORE CARS! Cheers!

Stupid folks love a good ongoing “reality show”, so therefore support Trump the great FRAUDSTER!

We depend on Mother Nature (rain) to solve the problem while we slowly DESTROY her! INSANITY!

AQI was in the RED for the entire country this morning! Now in Orange… This problem should be treated as Covid was treated with the upmost seriousness. Unfortunately the Blah blah politicians along with the smoker Thais and Tourists really could care less. We the uncaring people along with our dim witted politicians will certainly be the demise of the human race…slow or fast remains only to be seen. We are hoping for mother nature (rain) to solve our problems as we destroy her! Cheers!

Ok thanks for the terminology understanding :). Just as I thought, let the existing extension void itself or expire, then reapply for the NEW VISA which would be a Non OA (with the insurance requirement?) IF I started in my country…correct? As I already got the reentry permit at the same time as the extension, it is too late this time round… and my thinking is that I will just have to live with that expiration date of May 15. Starting over would be a pain, as there are more hoops to jump through (e.g. Police visit, Housebooks, New pictures, etc.) compared to just living with the date. Cheers!

My Non O does not require the insurance like a Non OA. The insurance that I have is not linked to the VISA…

On a related “expiration date” question: I have a Non O retirement VISA which the extension expires yearly on May 15 each year. As I prefer an earlier expiration date say in April for travels back home, is there a way to have immigration CHANGE a valid Non O expiration date? I tried a “ticket out” method asking to immigration (Samui) to renew my extension earlier than 30 days prior without success. Then as I just recently renewed my normal extension, I asked if they could change my expiration date to April 15th instead, but got a “cannot” from them. Short of letting my Non O expire and starting over which is a real pain in the drain…my question is has anyone successfully changed the expiration date? Cheers!

There are only two airports in Thailand that can accommodate AUTO-Landings. BKK and DMK both have Cat II approaches. Chiang Mai (CNX) has Category 1 approach ILS which is NOT autoland. The minimums are 233ft where you must SEE the runway required criteria, then you disconnect the auto pilot and land manually. In other words, heavy rain or smog can prevent a landing and go around. Cheers!

Answering myself: (NO SHORTCUTS IN SAMUI) The Land Transport Office did NOT recognize my International and USA licenses, even though both had Car and motorcycle endorsements so… I had to do the entire LONG version with videos, written and practical tests. 1 long day 0730-4PM, next day practical. Cheers

I read this “thread” but it is from 2019. As the office just recently underwent a changing of the “boss” I was hoping to hear from someone that tried the process recently. I was told that there were no more “short cuts” and had to endure the entire gauntlet of tests as if a person had no license at all (International and country licenese). The question remains please… Cheers.

Have any folks gone through the process of getting a NEW Thai license at Koh Samui? I have both valid International and a US licenses. I have all the required documents from Immigration and hospital. Is the process at the Samui Land Office the streamlined version with minimal paper/movie requirements…or do they make you complete the entire process which includes the written exams and practical exams? Cheers!

SS transfer to my US bank account and a WISE transfer (>65k) to my K bank is the least expensive and very easy way to go IMHO. Cheers!

My most UNFAVORITE! The ole <deleted> Brit that does vids on the Pattaya girly bars showing the girls and some patrons faces, but NEVER shows his own face online. There should be a requirement by You Tube to show ones face and represent their content to the world, otherwise not be allowed to post. Cheers!

And there you have it, .”Due to losses during the pandemic prices are higher”… The so called “inflation” is nothing more than corporate greed and a recoup plan to make up for the losses during the pandemic, on all sectors. Record profits now being realized by the mass corporate price increases, and these prices will never go down (or only slightly to appease the public).

Thank for the info to all. I tracked down what was happening to my $40-$60 USD every month on the SS to K bank direct deposits… Seems that Fed Reserve sends the money to Citi Bank (USA) where it is converted to Thai Baht at the current days rate, then USA sends to Citi Bank Thailand, and then to my KBank account. The “Lost Monies” I was told that Citi bank in the USA charges a fee (but they don’t indicate it anywhere). Therefore I resumed my SS transfer to my USA bank and then use WISE to get approximately 70k baht to my K bank account. The fee is minimal with WISE and so far works good. The Citi Bank scam is stopped! Heehee Cheers!

All BS! Someone is trying to get rich with this crap. And the lot that think the solution is to squirt molasses in the air, purifiers, make the clouds rain, Or have a plane squirting water are delusional! Get to the source and STOP THE BURNING within Thailand and especially Cambodia and Laos. These home aid remedies are pure BS! We the people… and this includes the greedy leaders and their children will all die from this pollution (long term).

Hey thanks you’all for the replies. As I do not think it is an averaging method of exchange since I receive LESS every month rather than more once in a while. It does add up to around $600 per year loss…with at this time I have no explanation from SS… As I do have a Wise, BKK bank accounts, I think the best thing to do is to change my method of transfer (As I think Citi Bank is skimming). I have a Bangkok Bank account here in TH…how do I set it up in the USA for the transfer? Will Bangkok Bank open the account in the US for me while I am here in TH? WISE BTY will cost $23/ mo vs. the $50-60 I am now being nicked. Cheers!

I had instructed my USA Social Security Admin. to direct deposit my monthly payments into my Thai Bank account for the purpose of Non O (Over 65k) verification, and convenience. I noticed that the funds transfer is shorted about 1500 to 2000 thb monthly. Any one else see this when using the exchange rate calculator? I talked with my Bank here in Thailand and they gave me a transcript of a transfer. It seems that the SSA issues the funds to USA New Jersey Citi Bank that does the exchange to THB and then transfers to my Thai bank. This is where the funds are being skimmed or exchange rate massaged to their benefit. I did email FBU in the PH but they are of little use, as they just say check with your bank… And trying to get through to the US SSA via phone is impossible. Just asking you guys out there if you have the same loss of funds issue? And if you have looked into this matter with Citi bank or SSA in the USA? Cheers.

Hey thanks for all the replies, I think I have a pretty good idea on the process now…especially after watching a YouTube vid. The main concern is that the Vid said that the shop will take your passport for up to two week to take to the licensing dept. and that is why I would rather do it myself. Seems that I need the residence certificate from immigration first which could take a bit of time. Is the motorbike insurance compulsory for the process? And yes I have been renting for twelve years, so better at this point to just buy. Cheers!

Hello all, Retired in Samui and want to purchase either a used or new PCX or similar. Questions: Can I buy in another province such as BKK and register it there… or take it to Samui to Register? Does it have to be done in the Province where my address is? (Possibly will purchase in Surat Thani city which is same province as Samui) What paperwork is needed? Immigration documents? Thanks!