Seraphina

Earlier this year a catastrophic failure within the Thai Government lead to the addresses etc of a thousand or more foreigners living in Southern Thailand being compromised. At around the same time reports started to surface from people living within the catchment areas of immigration offices throughout the Kingdom that ad-hoc requests were being made for just about everything, save perhaps for a DNA sample before their annual extensions of stay can be renewed; examples of which include......

http://www.samuitimes.com/letter-to-the-editor-inappropriate-data-and-other-requests-immigration-offices-throughout-the-kingdom-since-eastersongkran-2016/

I'm not sure I'd call it "catastrophic" unless it included passwords and anyway, India's the place for that!

We share far more about our private lives and share details on multiple websites these days à la Facebook and Twitter than we ever did before, so I'm not sure if the concept of "privacy" may need to be redefinied. Now if the authorities leaked our banking information with passwords as at least two banks that I know of in the UK have done, notably HSBC, who left our passwordson the wrong side of their firewall, THAT'S serious!

Were you trying to apply for the OA visa at the embassy in Brussels or one of the honorary consulates. The honorary consulates cannot issue them.

Hi Ubonjoe, just letting you know that I got my non-immigrant O visa through Lyon in France for 37 euros (agency) + visa fee. The agency I used does both O and OA visas. It was just far cheaper than flying, driving or catching a train and then paying for a hotel.

For those who live in the south of France and don't want the hassle of flying, driving or catching a train to Paris or Lyon and then paying for a hotel on top of that, I obtained my visa through Lyon Visa Services who charged 34 euros. I paid 26 euros to get my passport sent back by Chronopost. They do both types of visas, non-immigrant O and OA visas.

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I'd be interested if the participants on this forum would tag their comments to indicate:

a) if they have an economics A'level or Degree and are aware of different economic theories.

the last year they contributed to the British economy.

c) if they voted to join the EU and then voted out this time.

Economists look at the long-term benefits/costs to the economy (some economic cycles take 50-75 years) and us little people live with the reality of short term benefits, I know. And we all live in our own little worlds, don't we? Be honest!

I realise that people get emotional about these things, but look at German reunification and how much that COST the west German economy in the years following - 100 billion euros a year for 20 years. I wonder if Brits realise that they have a far higher average standard of living than say, the French and Italians...

I'd be far more incensed by how the banks have completely messed up the British economy and added 100k+ pounds per capita to the national debt, yet still take 4 million pounds per annum in bonuses - and that's a small British bank not an international one!

So my conclusion is: We ought to be looking at the balance sheet in the long term and basically.... get rid of all the bankers (that's a joke, by the way...it's not a fatwa!) on arbitrary bonuses that are not related to performance and are robbing the public year after year!

If this form does roll out nationwide, just wondering how it would affect mailed in 90 day reporting.

The logical thing would be to put the form on-line with an uploadable photo. What the DVLC (licencing centre for drivers in UK) are doing is using your passport photo to issue driving licence renewals. I thought that was quite clever really as a way of linking people to passports and identifying 'aliens'. Up to 30% of drivers in the UK currently drive either without a licence, or without insurance or both. They have found a high correlation between people who have no car tax and people with no insurance....I suspect that a significant number of transgressors are non-UK citizens.

Not sure if this is a new topic as it was introduced in April 2016 according to the article. It appears on this website as a current topic.

Your initial thoughts?.....and your considered thoughts on the hidden motivation?

http://news.thaivisa.com/thailand/controversial-foreign-national-information-form-arrives-in-pattaya-being-rolled-out-nationwide/146311/

so if someone is shot they has to press charges? utter BS just arrest him what's all's this BS 'press charges'? he's on video <deleted>

May I just remind you and the guy who defends the US legal system, Ray Rice's high profile video where he knocks out his girlfriend and then drags her inert body out of a lift by her legs went viral. The outcome: Ray Rice was never charged with assault AND the domestic violence charge was dismissed because his girlfriend wouldn't bring charges.*

And for your entertainment, I have found this for you:

Of the 15,029 people charged with assault in domestic violence cases in the US from 2010 to 2013, 8,203 had their cases dismissed or downgraded to a lower court, according to the data provided by the state judiciary. Nearly 3,100 pleaded guilty, 13 were found guilty at trial and nine were found not guilty. Now I'm not a professional statistician, but 8 into 15,029 guilty verdicts is WHAT percentage? Hooray for THAT legal system!

Source: US Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/05/21/judge-dismissed-domestic-violence-charges-against-ray-rice/27709875/

* The lawyers were trying their luck with this to set a precedent. They lost. Domestic violence is a CIVIL offence. Both Ray Rice and his girlfriend were charged with 'affray' because this is a PUBLIC offence.

Nice to see that this type of behaviour is now becoming socially unacceptable.

Unfortunately, most domestic violence happens behind closed doors. For all you boys out there, statistics have indicated during the last 10 years of tracking that domestic violence incidents increases to between 27 and 29% during international football matches.

Wearing long sleeved blouses and long skirts in hot weather (to hide bruises and injuries) are known to be possible indicators. Obviously, this doesn't mean that everyone who wears long sleeved blouses and long skirts in hot weather are being abused...as such indicators occur with other signs.

Is it only me asking how can she have sex with this man after THAT?

She didn't ask for any charges to be brought against him, so she went to the police ....why?

Mind you, I like the fact that the police can charge him even if she doesn't bring charges herself. I don't think you can in the UK or the US because it comes under civil law. However, in the Ray Rice case, and maybe this one, the assault took place in public which was why the police could charge him!

Crystal clear. Thank you. Merciiiii.

Thanks again, Jingthing. Yes, as a British citizen, I have applied for an O visa in France through the Thai Consulate in Lyon. They have told me there shouldn't be a problem and it'll only take one week to get a visa and return my passport. It cost 60 euros + courier.

The financial requirement for an O visa is apparently only 1000 euros in your bank account for 'foreigners' and 5000 euros for French nationals. There are slightly different exigencies for foreigners.

My first application was rejected because my bank letter was 2 weeks out-of-date. I don't know about the UK, but here, your bank attestation has to be dated within 15 days of your actual application so the Embassy knows the amount is current.

Without being funny, what do you mean by 'seasoned'? Do you mean show the account's been used for at least two months as opposed to 'just a recent receptacle for showing the requisite amount of money"? If so, that's very sound advice. I'll certainly do that! Thank you again.

FYI, the Rootadministrator said in March 2016, this forum is not open, go to the English forum!

http://fr.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1140-extension-visa-o-a/#comment-1142

Indeed, I had absolutely no idea you had a French version. of this site.

Mind you, you're assuming that ALL foreigners living in France speak a high level of French. I think that's rather a false assumption! In fact, few foreigners living in France for fewer than two years rarely speak above B1 level unless they're Belgian! From experience, I know many Brits who've been here for donkeys and still can't speak, or read French. I'll look at the site as you suggest, but requirements for foreigners in France is slightly different from French citizens - something you wouldn't necessarily know.

Sadly, experience has taught me that French people only know about rules that apply to themselves. I have discovered several times that I know more about French law when it comes to buying a property than most French people, even those who studied law. The likelihood they'll know the rules that apply to me is going to be slim. I'll have a go though and get back to you as a research topic!

The financial requirements for annual retirement extensions (done in Thailand) are:

800K baht in a Thai bank account seasoned for two months for the first application, and three months subsequent. Bank letter needed very close to the application.

(OR)

Income (proven by embassy letter) of 65K baht per month

(OR)

A combination of income (embassy letter) plus Thai bank account funds totaling at least 800K annually

Seraphina, where do you plan to apply for your retirement extension? What province?

Hi NancyL, I have no agenda for my trip to Thailand. I'll do an outline plan closer to my departure, so I'm flexible. I'll go wherever my nose takes me and wherever I need to go for the extension. I only know that I don't intend to work...and probably won't do touristy things. I did such a journey 28 years ago and had a great time. Eventually, I'll want to settle and relocate lock, stock and barrel, but I don't see that happening until I can get to grips with the different areas.

Believe me, I'll heed your suggestions.

Hi Jinthing, sounds like option 3 is going to be easiest.

When you say 'The Embassy', that would be the British Embassy?, but I doubt they can attest things deposited in another country, and I am not a French citizen. Sorry, if I didn't make that clear.

Er, btw, am I going to have a problem with all my paperwork being in French?

I haven't resided in the UK for over 30 years. I have no address in the UK, no bank account there nor indeed, have any right to access to the NHS despite holding a British passport. I therefore don't have a 'footprint' in the UK.

Thank you both for the clarify of your advice, esp. the fact you can't apply for an OA visa from within Thailand! It's much clearer now. I'm assuming the retirement extension you mentioned is a different form to complete?

The exigencies/requirements for the O visa aren't tough as you'll see below, but if you look at the first list, the things I spoke about the OA are current, so you can understand why us newbies get very confused:

I have read that many members have entered Thailand on a non-immigrant O visa and then converted it to an OA visa. I would like to know how complicated such a procedure is.

Several participants have commented in various forums about the fact that they were not successful in applying for an OA visa because they were considered too 'young' (the authorities think you're going to work there). Is this mainly a problem when applying from overseas, or am I likely to face this problem when I get there as well. I'm only 53. I don't intend to work!

When applying for an OA visa, you have to submit a CV going back 10 years. I have doubts about anyone letting me in based on my erstwhile profession. Any tips? Thanks.

{to moderator - did a search on key words in my title, but didn't find anything matching, if I'm wrong, please redirect me}

Very good, it may be worth of noting that you can extend each 90 days entry for further 60 at immigration for Bt 1,900 and no financial proof. That will allow you to use this visa for almost 17 months before getting a new one. Note in the last 5 months you will need a re-entry permit in case you want to take a trip.

Those who live in Thailand have your own shorthand regarding visas, but for us newbies, it's all a huge mystery: how did you jump from a 90 day visa to 17 months? Can you spell that out for us, say, using a real date....the 15th July maybe....?

I admit to being confused because I was led to believe that my non-immig. O-visa 90 days would be magically 'renewed' on re-entry to Thailand, but what you're saying is that you have to re-enter on the 60 day visa which can be extended by one month totalling 90 days.

And presumably you can be in Malaysia for an undefined period of say 1 month before returning...are there any restrictions on return date?

And presumably you can be in Malaysia for an undefined period of say 1 month and then

Your bank attestation must be in French and dated within 15 days of your visa application. My letter was outside the 15 days and was rejected the first time round. I've asked the bank to send a replacement by pdf directly to the agency. Whether this will work, I don't know as the agency is supposed to be in possession of the original; but I suppose it could print a colour copy!

I'm available if anyone needs help with the French content of the site. I don't charge!

Were you trying to apply for the OA visa at the embassy in Brussels or one of the honorary consulates. The honorary consulates cannot issue them.

I thought might throw in a suggestion as to why visa agencies discourage us from obtaining a non-immigrant OA visa rather than an O visa; It's probably because the requirements are far more stringent for a one year visa - what with the criminal record check and the medical + the bank letter. I was told it would be too hard to get and it has to be said I've been waiting for my CRB equivalent since May.

I opted for the O visa because of that and because people on this forum led me to believe that you can go out and come back into Thailand on another 3 months visa (the border control would give me another 3 months). However, the last person on this site said, I would ONLY be granted the unused time on my three month visa which is rather disconcerting.

I don't know who to believe now! I am aware that the person on the desk decides, but I need to know it's possible as I've booked flights based on the 3 month re-entry possibility. I will apply for the one year visa once I'm there as forum members suggest it's easier once in situ...

FOR THE UK ONLY: my understanding is that non-immigrant O and the OA visa must be obtained from London in England. Hull and Liverpool not allowed to issue. Not sure about Glasgow. In France, you can apply for both through Paris OR Lyon OR Monaco. I'm applying through Lyon, so I know it's possible! The Marseilles Thail Consulate has been shut down.

"Here because I knew him.

Did you?

If not why are you here?"

So why won't you post a link to information alleging he's been found then,did you not like him or something as I'm really not understanding your reasoning here?

I'm here because it's a public forum,no I didn't know him.

If we knew him, we wouldn't need to be askin' you, now would we.....uh huh!

"Why should she be in jail?"

If you don't know the answer to that then you really don't know anything about Thailand!

Maybe not

I only lived there for 13 years.

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I'm not convinced that just 'living' in a country is a passport to another culture. You could be living in a bubble! Lots of expats do it seems. I'm not saying you do, just be aware that there are.

I know lots of British people in France who have lived here for donkeys and don't speak a word of French, apart from thank you. I know at least one person who's been here for 15+ years and would know few numbers between 1 and 20 without counting from 1. She has no idea how to get an MOT done or how to fill in a form and totally relies on others to do things for her. Similarly, I know people who've lived in the Middle East for 20+ years and can't speak a single sentence in Arabic, not even: "I'm sorry. I can't speak Arabic". They know nothing of the statistics of the country...or have any friends who are locals.

Just sayin'

"Here because I knew him.

Did you?

If not why are you here?"

So why won't you post a link to information alleging he's been found then,did you not like him or something as I'm really not understanding your reasoning here?

I'm here because it's a public forum,no I didn't know him.

Due to the circumstances of what apparently happened I don't want to be the one to post it incase of insensitive comments that would upset his friends and family.

It's a shame that link doesn't work as then people could see for themselves.

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I don't understand the problem. If the news is posted on the web, it's already out there in some form or other. We just can't find it. I've seen one one article carrying his name and the photo looks nothing like him. It's not out of the question that two people with the same name lived in the same city, but if the photo is anything to go by (a large heavy man) compared to the one in the tabloid, they aren't the same person!

You're being unecessarily 'politically correct' and the older generation are getting tired of people of this attitude. We may not say it, but we are.

And by the way, I'm getting sex messages from this site despite adblocker. The last thing I want is to sign up to yet another Thai site which sends me more pornography! Grrrr Anyone know how to get rid of this?

@Johnatong I hear you.

Since I'm applying from France as a French resident and only for the non-immig. O, single entry visa, I don't need to be on a state pension!

I have posted the requirements on a sister page to this one, entitled: "Obtaining an O-A visa while residing in France".

In case smartypants, Carson 2311, wants to prove I'm wrong, I've taken the trouble to posted the O and the OA documents here.

They are, of course, in French; but everyone in my immediate social circle, including my English friends, have at least rudimentary French and could easily cross check them. It should be noted neither mentions a state pension in any language!

And in case, know-it-all Carson tells me he speaks Thai, I assure you, I am certified to speak French, German and Arabic. Chinese is my mother-tongue.

Non immigrant O visa_exigences obligatoires en francais_3 mois.pdf

Non immigrant OA visa_exigences obligatoires en francais_ un an.pdf