CMBob

Have read nothing hinting at any change or slowdown for issuing new US passports so I'm doubtful there's any issue there (or even if there would be a so-called "government shutdown"). A CM Consulate official explained a couple years ago that passport renewals from here (and anywhere else outside the US) go to a separate facility and that's why it's actually quicker to get a US passport renewed from abroad than if applied for within the US. Up to you but I'd get it sooner rather than later (i.e., don't want to get anywhere near to a time within 6 months of expiration given some/many countries require a minimum of 6 month's validity to be useable).

As you say, the procedure is rather straightforward....so just follow the instructions to the letter and you'll be fine. Ought to get your new passport (and old punched one) back in less than 4 weeks. Last time I did the mailing for a new passport (3 years ago), sent it to Bangkok via DHL on a Monday and got the new one back in the mail 11 days later. But I understand it takes a bit longer now. I don't see any point to the passport card and didn't get one. Only time I use my passport is for immigration, bank stuff, or travel....and I don't believe any of them would accept only seeing the passport card. But up to you.

Seems a reasonable method to make inexpensive calls to at least some other countries from Thailand. The Skype service (which certainly wasn't free) provided a telephone number in one's home country which allowed people there to call us here in Thailand for free as well as send sms back and forth. So far (very minimal research), it seems that most similar services are geared for businesses and are much more expensive. Again, with minimal research, I've found one outfit called Sonetel (which I'm not promoting as I don't know enough about it yet) which apparently is similar to Skype and touts having sms messages go to email. And the Sonetel service is about double the cost of Skype. So....to the extent anybody is aware of a service similar to Skype, some of us would very much appreciate that information.

I too have used Skype for a few years to have a US telephone number and to be able to get and make calls to the US. Given the announcement that they are killing the service on May 1st, I damn well better get a refund (cash and not their other unwanted services) for the balance of my annual subscription. But, no, have no experience with other service providers and have not begun any in depth internet research to figure out a decent alternative. Hopefully somebody who knows of a good alternate service (voice and sms) will post in this thread.

Typically the air here (CM) isn't very good during March and most of April; however, this year has been better than normal....the AQI was actually in the green a couple of days earlier this week. At this moment, My IQAir app says it's between 65-71, shows Bangkok at 64, Pattaya at 58, and Phuket at 56, All fairly close at the moment (but, admittedly, CM is usually worse this time of year).

You didn't even bother to keep the bank passbook? It would appear that a "few thousand baht" didn't really matter to you.

I just completed this quiz. My Score 30/100 My Time 156 seconds  

Where you take appliances for repair there is the smaller building on the right, not in the main building.

A few posters have got it right. The "tax free" status belongs to the donee (person receiving the gift), not the donor. As to the taxability in Thailand of "gift" funds that the donor remits to Thailand, that's a whole other kettle of fish.

If you will simply go read the requirements on the Consulate/Embassy pages about passports, you'll know what's required. A photo shop here (one typically will have a sign in the window mentioning passport photos) will ask you what you want, country involved (e.g., some countries use a different size for passport photos), etc. and they'll know the requirements regarding size, background, glasses on or off, etc. If you simply google "Chiang Mai Passport Photos", you'll see several places in the area.

You have suggested that CNX is unsafe and also are suggesting that CNX does not comply with the ICAO requirement of a daily daylight inspection of runways for foreign objects. Perhaps you could share with us how you know (if you do) that CNX doesn't comply with that standard.

Apparently airport officials don't have you on their list to notify of inspection or maintenance procedures. Pure speculation on your part.. Having flown from a raft of major airports in the US (and other countries), to this day I've never seen one of those airports close a runway during the daytime to remove, as you say, "small amounts of rubber." The last serious accident at CNX was, I believe, in 1967, and the accident occurred here but wasn't related at all to airport safety. I see no reason to have any significant safety concerns regarding CNX.

Don't partake but it's unbelievable how many pot shops are around CM. Rather like some of the names (a relatively new shop on Nimmanhaemin) and some signs seem to be asking for issues (shop on Soi 11, Nimmanhaemin):

Correct. The Thai government has decreed that sim cards will be at least temporarily suspended/inoperative on May 1st, 2025, unless the name associated with the sim card is consistent with the telecom's records. There have been one or more articles in the Bangkok Post lately about this and supposedly the rule is to combat call-center gangs/people with multiple sim cards. I don't recall what entities (telecoms or banks?) that are required to enforce the new rule but, given the general use of mobile banking, it makes sense that the banks would be involved. Edit: Found at least one article about it: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2952406/govt-crackdown-on-mule-accounts-with-new-mobile-banking-rules

The OP's situation is familiar to me although happened long ago. I entered on a Tourist Visa and went to immigration (Hua Hin then) to convert to a Non-O and hopefully obtain an extension based on retirement. I got both within an hour. The Non-O visa (yes, it's a visa) was dated 2/27/09 and was stamped "USED." On the next page of my passport are two stamps: (1) a Stay Permit dated 2/27/09 with an expiration date of 5/27/09, and (2) a stamp also dated 2/27/09 with stay permission until 5/27/10. So, I too walked out that day with 15 months permission to stay. I used no agent, had the 800k in the bank for at least a few months, and proceeded to obtain my own annual extension based on retirement a few weeks prior to May 27, 2010.

Only place I can suggest is Amorn as they repair all kinds of large and small electrical appliances. Located east of Power Buy and next to Computer City (north of the old city and on the north side of the moat).

Relating to CM only: While I've never had to actually file a new TM30 after staying in a hotel elsewhere that filed a TM30 for me, I have twice had an attempted TM47 filing rejected for that reason (the rejections specifically said it was because I had a different address....the hotel address). But other times it doesn't happen. So, as mentioned before, it's hit or miss. Probably depends on whoever is reviewing the online TM47 filing and who is erroneously disregarding the June 2020 police order provisions. But, then again, I had one attempted online TM47 filing rejected for the reason(s) that my entry date and/or extension expiration date were wrong. They weren't.

My comment relates to Chiangmai Immigration only. The rejection of an online TM47 filing because a hotel (or whatever) files the usual TM30 for you is apparently hit-or-miss. I've been rejected here twice for that reason and other similar times my online TM47 filing has sailed through. And on both occasions I was rejected for this reason, I filed the TM47 via the drive-up window using the form they email back to you when attempting the TM47 online filing and nothing was said about the "TM30 change of address." Go figure. (Dr. Jack, not sure why you mentioned using the pink ID card or driver's license when checking into a hotel. I don't know about the pink ID card but the driver's license has one's passport number on it so I'm unclear why using that would hamper the hotel in filing the usual TM30)

Yes, was wondering if/when things changed at the immigration office at Central Festival. The only report I've read of that is where some poster said he/she had an agent who was able to get an appointment at Central Festival and get a retirement extension there. I know none of us plebians can get an appointment there (no online queue for Central Festival) and thought we alone couldn't get an extension there based on retirement or marriage. I haven't been out in that office for just over a year but, at that time, the sign listing services offered there did not include either item. Things have changed?

There just are not enough appointments available and, as stated, they are all taken within hours of the beginning (midnight) of the 90th day before. A friend received an appointment time for December 5th this past year and showed up to find the office was closed due to a schduled holiday (Constitution Day). I mention this only to suggest you should pre-check known immigration office holidays before snagging an available appointment.

OP, trust you understand from some of the correct responses here that your "immigration" account (the one which you maintain for Immigration purposes) must be in your name alone. Anybody suggesting anything else is simply wrong. As poster Mercer has noted above, some immigration offices have accepted in the past a true joint account for immigration purposes....but only if the amount in the account is double the amount required for you alone. I have no idea if all or any immigration offices nowadays are okay with that concept of a joint account with double the single amount. Perhaps anybody doing that now might chime in here (and, if so, it would be helpful to state which immigration office is involved). Regardless, you mention that you have another joint account and, as your spouse will apparently have access to those funds up your death, it would appear that your spouse won't have any immediate issue with having funds available. As to the "immigration" account, the "probate" process will take around 5-6 months and the court will issue an order (complying with your Will provisions) awarding the funds to your spouse and then those funds can be accessed by showing the bank a copy of that court order. The cost of probating that one account should not exceed 50,000-60,000 baht (hopefully your spouse shops around if any lawyer office is quoting significantly higher numbers).

Have flown with them a few times and had no issues. And flying to Danang (via BKK this time as the direct flights from CNX don't exist any more) in 9 days so we'll see how it goes.

It's been a long time (maybe 13 years) but I got one at the Revenue Department office by the intersection of the 700 year road and Chotana Road. Got it at a second floor office there. They wanted a copy of a couple pages of my passport (I had my passport and they copied the pages themselves) and also wanted a copy of a Certificate of Residence. I had that Certificate but it was many months old....but they were satisfied with taking a copy of that. Was there with an expat friend and the friendly Thai lady who had given us TINs also filed tax returns for both of us to retrieve withheld bank interest (we both got checks for that a couple of weeks later). I have no idea if you'll get the same quick and friendly service there nowadays....but good luck.

A one hour consult or less can't be that expensive. I'm ultimately seeking a written opinion saying (1) I have no need to file a 2024 Thai income tax return because I remitted no money to Thailand in 2024, and (2) that in future years, if remitting only social security income, that either that alone means no filing is required and/or that no Thai tax would be owed due to the Thai/US tax treaty. I have no intention of having any accountant file anything for me (I can take care of that myself). And, just in the off chance the Thai revenue department ever asks any questions, I'd like to have an accountant's opinion to show them why I haven't filed and/or why I claim no tax is due). Again, just a safety precaution that shouldn't be very expensive.

Does anybody know about a local (Chiangmai only) accountant who would give advice about the new tax law, the need to file anything, actual application of a tax treaty (e.g., if a US citizen only brings in tax treat exempt income, does that trigger even the need to file a return?). I've reviewed the latest Thai income tax return posted via the Revenue Department and I can't see anything on that form that would apply to us expats (well, except for expats working and earning wages or other income here in Thailand).