StevieAus

The only problem with the income method is to ensure that the funds come directly to your Thai bank account and not through a third party bank which then shows as a domestic transfer and resultant problems with Immigration.lockquote widget

I have an Expat friend whose wife has passed away suddenly. He had a marriage visa which we understand expires on the death of his wife. He can obtain the funds to increase the amount in the bank to 800, 000 baht but will need the two months for it to ‘ season’. We understand his only option is to leave the country immediately, return tourist exempt then obtain a Non Immigration O visa to allow time for the money to stay in the bank before obtaining a Retirement exemption. If he has to leave the country is Chiang Kong an option as we live in the North and can anyone recommend one of the companies that will assist in taking him there as his Thai is limited.

Buy your wine in advance I have always have a dozen at home for years could not be bothered driving out every time I want a drink.

I wonder who is behind the Thai Alcohol Network in their opposition to relaxing alcohol laws to assist craft brewers? Alcohol including home brewed alcohol is freely available everywhere at a very cheap price.

The problem seems to occur when the funds go through a third party bank in Thailand before reaching your account which results in it being shown as a domestic transfer not an international transfer. I reverted to the 800,000 baht in the bank method much simpler for me.

That is incorrect I have had two MRI’s at Chang Mai Ram hospital

Regarding your first paragraph perhaps we learned from the Romans, Vikings, et al. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander.

In the15 years I have lived in Thailand I haven’t experienced anyone trying to get rid of me, on the contrary friendly and welcoming as long as you treat people the same. Never had problems with the Immigration at the airport always found them helpful, particularly as I have a minor disability, try visiting some other airports around the world. As far as 90 day reporting it takes about 15 minutes per year out of my life, I can handle that. Not sure about the problem with alcohol I don’t feel the need to buy everyday and the existing hours are adequate for the majority. Finally I cannot think of too many countries around the world where a fifty year old can arrive visa free and as long as you have 800,000 baht in the bank literally stay forever.

No different than around the world,I recall the prominent member of the Kennedy family in the US who drove off the bridge leaving the young woman to drown. He didn’t to jail either or pay any any compensation.

You are spot on there, I live in the North and the majority of the Thais speak Lana plus their own “ slang” then of course the various ethnic groups including the Burmese speak their own languages. My nine year old daughter who speaks fluent English openly states that she prefers to speak Lana rather than Central Thai which she is required to speak at the non government school she attends.

Which examples are you referring to that are not available to foreigners ?

Sorry the fine was 1600 not 2000 which according to what I can find out is the fine for not lodging the form in time. She is not interested in pursuing the issue despite the extenuating circumstances so that is where it lies.

Our daughter goes to a non government school and corporal punishment is forbidden. From my observations over five years the teachers seem to control the kids without resorting to violence, perhaps better trained.

I have a Barometer that originated in the UK and was given to me by a friend who passed away several years ago. It is not functioning and obviously needs some attention, the only place I can locate on the internet is a shop in Bangkok who don’t seem particularly interested. Any information as to where it can be sent would be appreciated.

Except if the visitor is a non Thai the landlord is responsible for lodging the TM 30 is he not ?

Certainly did.

He is talking about renewing a Thai passport and providing he can obtain the correct documentation it will be delivered to the home address within about three days.

In the 15 years I have lived in Thailand on the occasions I have had need to visit the local hospital mainly due to minor accidents I have received excellent care. Regarding utilities such as water and electricity the service particularly relating to breakdowns is superior to what I experienced in Australia. The PEA in particular provide excellent service 24 hours a day 52 weeks a year.

We live North of Chiang Mai and have a motel and apartments which my Thai wife manages. Most of our guests and tenants are Thai but we occasionally do have foreigners as occurred recently. I was overseas and we had a young French guy rent for two months as he has a Thai girlfriend. My wife was a day late lodging the TM30 form as she had to take our sick daughter to hospital in Chiang Mai where she was kept in overnight The recently appointed officious Immigration person fined her 2000 baht for being a day late. Wasn’t interested in the reason for the delay. Sometimes doesn’t pay to do the right thing.

Leave then, somehow I don't think you will be missed

Depending on your age you might not be here so why worry.

You can have problems with your own country if you no longer reside there but still hold bank accounts. My Thai wife and I both hold accounts in Australia and every two years or so I am required to provide two certified documents proving my identity, my wife who also holds Australian citizenship got her demand last week.

There are “people”” organizations “ who will do it for you I live in the North and needed some documents certified by the Australian Embassy and someThai Dept in order to get my House book and ID card several years ago Fom memory wasn’t expensive need to google to find the names.

I think we could all suggest how the whole Immigration system could be simplified using online applications and still providing the perceived security protections. Having seen how easy it is to renew a Thai passport with my wife and daughter where the few documents required are scanned the photograph taken and the passport arrives in three days at a third of the cost of renewing my Australian passport, the Immigration Department could do the same. However being a division of the Royal Thai Police Force confirms it’s all about maintaining the bureaucracy and corruption. After saying that I pass the local Immigration Office daily and it takes me three to four minutes from leaving the car to returning to complete the 90 day reporting a small price to pay for living here.

Malaysia has a similar system if you don’t have a phone you cannot open the automatic gate and just go to the Immigration desk, Easy don’t panic