CMBob

You've mentioned "restrictions" twice but your post would make more sense if you described the "restrictions" that are bothering you. If you can withdraw and deposit funds, what else is there you need to do?

I'm a smoker but fully understand how many people absolutely detest the odor and especially dislike when their clothes end up reeking of cigarette smoke after sitting in any establishment where oblivious smokers ply their trade. As I said, I smoke....but have enough civility to not do that inside or anywhere close to any non-smoker. Unfortunately, a couple posts in this thread indicate that rude jerks live among us.

No, they don't. I have had my computer serviced twice (once to install an SSD drive and another time to fix some issue) by one of the shops (New Accessories) on the ground floor. Quite satisfied with the service.

The system is working. Filed online the 16th although rejected the 17th. No reason given for the rejection although the rejection email said I needed to go to Immigration "immediately." I'm guessing the rejection is because I re-entered the country at the end of January and they are requiring the first application to be done in person after re-entering the country. No problem, my "immediately" will be handled via the CM drive-through window in a few days.

Here in Chiangmai they've wanted a complete photocopy of all pages of one's old passport (every page that has any stamp on it regardless of origin). I don't remember if I signed every one of those pages but probably did.

It is working although took me a couple of tries this morning to do my online report (perhaps I screwed up the weird password the first time or two).

While I agree that some farang are rather a pain (especially on outside of the moat on the east side of CM), for the most part the Thais are having a blast. If you don't want to get wet, just don't venture out for three days after about 11AM. A few photos over the years of the festivities:

No problem. The last Songkran event here in CM will be a procession tomorrow afternoon from Three Kings to the Governor's residence....and there likely will be some water tossing during that event; other than that, water tossing is pretty much finished here in CM after today.

Where are you talking about? This is the Chiangmai forum and what you were told simply isn't going to happen here.

At least here in Chiangmai, any pedestrian that crosses a street at any type of crossing (a marked zebra crossing regardless if stoplights, signs, or whatever are present) without at least watching for cars or motorcycles totally ignoring it and speeding on through is simply taking a gamble. Seems that stoplights, stop signs, and other traffic signals are simply "advisory" for some drivers here.

By "fixed deposit account", do you mean you simply keep the funds in a separate savings account that's simply a one-year term account, an account which you can get access to (withdraw) anytime you want although you would lose accrued interest if you did so? I'm guessing that is what you are calling a "fixed deposit" account.....as any other type of regular savings account that has a fixed term (one year, two year, etc.) that you cannot get access to in the interim would not qualify as a bank account to support an annual extension based on either marriage or retirement. (I'm not asking about a foreign currency account here)

For Chiangmai: 1. Completed TM 7 form (with photo- 4 x 6cm). And neatly write your phone number below your signature on 2nd page. 2. Photocopy of passport pages: entire photo-page including the code numbers and page showing entry stamp. Sign your full name in blue ink on both photocopies. For "reasons for extension", just write "extending vacation" or something like that. 3. 1,900 baht. 4. Typically want a photocopy of TM30 too (has been required last couple of years).

That's the first report I've ever seen or heard of the "same-day-as-application" bank paperwork involving annual extensions here in Chiangmai. I do presume you're talking about an extension based on retirement and keeping 800k baht in the bank. And you only mention the bank letter.....weren't you also required to produce an annual statement showing you've maintained the 800/400k baht figures as required?

I have had zero issue in obtaining interest withholding statements from both Siam Commercial Bank and Bangkok Bank. And they are used to providing these documents (i.e., I've done this a few times before and there's never any confusion or questioning as to what I am requesting). Just tell them what you want and for what years and typically the forms are provided in 5-10 minutes. I've filed returns for both 2566 and 2567 and received back checks refunding the 15% withheld from bank interest. No problem.

All the malls closed right after the earthquake....but would think they are all open now. Rim Ping grocery at Maya sent a message saying they were closed right after the earthquake (I'd imagine they might have had some items fall off their shelves and wanted to clean and examine for any damage) but said their inspections were fine and they would be open this morning.