CMBob

True.....and, if so, all he needs to do is request a screenshot of their filing and take that with him.

One big question is how is the alleged new (and questionable) tax law going to be enforced. First off, how would they have a clue a foreigner is here more than 180 days? The only way I can think of for tham to do that is to check Immigration records (seeing an annual extension or seeing at least a couple of 90-day reports in a row.....and then presuming the foreigner is here over 180 days); if that's the case and the OP retains an annual extension, his staying here only 60 days or 178 days won't stop the Thai inquiry. Then, okay, let's say they've looked at something and guess/presume the foreigner has been here 180+ days, then what do they do? Alert Immigration offices and require them to give no extensions or whatever unless and until the foreigner has a clearance from Treasury? I smell a cluster_____ if/when they ever try to enforce any tax law aimed at foreigners.

May not apply to you but a Canadian friend at Hua Hin Immigration just got a 30-day extension (he came in exempt) and didn't have or need a TM 30 to get his extension. But best to have one just in case.

Typically you'll need a photocopy of the owner's chanote and ID card...plus a photo copy of your passport photo page, permission to stay (exempt stamp, tourist visa, or extension), and entry stamp.

If you encounter this guy anywhere at breakfast, don't worry, no jury would convict you of homicide.....

Typically one will get the online Laos tourist visa within 3 business days; however, the only wise thing to do is apply for it at least 2-3 weeks ahead of time in case there's a problem. I'm going to Laos on January 8th.....and applied for my online tourist visa a couple of days ago (expecting approval today or tomorrow). So do it now, no reason to wait unless you're not sure you're going.

Lancelot, apparently to view your photos/videos, my computer says I need to install and pay for the HEVC video extension from Microsoft. Don't see the reason to do that.

Can't see the issue.....you paid for 20kg per ticket and you were 20kg over. End of story. You think because you bought 4 tickets on the same credit card that you could get away with 3 people having no checked-in luggage and one person 80kg?

A bit puzzled by the OP's comments. I have accounts at both SCB and Bangkok Bank, annually earn less than 20k baht on each account, and they withhold the 15% of interest paid every time interest is paid. That's the way it's been for years. (yes, I know I can get the withheld tax back by filing a tax return and have done that before.....but it's not the topic of his post)

Was told there will be a small building on the old train station side which will provide an underground passage to the new station (or, hopefully, to an elevator and/or escalator to scale the height). I was sent a depiction of it (attached) but it makes no sense to me as the street that's depicted there doesn't currently exist in that configuration.

The station and the king's carriage house are indeed rather quaint. What the above photo doesn't show is the brand new station located across the lower tracks and which supposedly will be operational in a week. I don't quite understand why the new station is so huge.......

A POA has no effect after death as has been mentioned. It would have zero effect to assist release of the body or handling any of a decedent's affairs. A valid Thai Will with proper language would assist in getting the body released (it would have to be in English and/or have a certified translation in English to be useful for embassy/consular stuff). And, of course, the Thai Will would allow filing of proceedings here to have an executor you've nominated to be actually appointed and empowered by the local court.

A fair amount of misinformation here. In no particular order: (1) Your embassy/consulate will be informed of your death (normally by the cops) and, at least in the case of the US, they'll begin a "next of kin" search (or see a valid Will in English or certified to English) that names an executor here. Other than that, the embassy/consulate is finished other than getting and cancelling your passport and issuing the appropriate letter authorizing release of your body from the local morgue. The embassy/consulate isn't paying dime one for any expenses, burial, cremation, whatever. (2) Once you croak, you're going to end up in a local morgue. And your body is not going to be released from there without three things happening: (a) the cops giving the okay (which is quick and easy unless there are suspicious death circumstances), (b) your embassy/consulate issuing its letter as noted above, and (c) somebody paying the hospital/morgue bill. (3) For those few where nobody has ever claimed the body under the above circumstances, eventually (after a few months) you'll be cremated with other lost souls.

While it's always best to use correct terminology, it's a bit harsh to suggest that it's "ignorant" if one refers to their long-term stay here as a retirement visa. Most expats here in Chiangmai do refer to it as their "retirement visa". Multiple signs in the Chiangmai Immigration office expressly refer to "retirement visas" but might be wise not to tell those officials they are ignorant.

Based on my experience, the TM30 rules (or how they are applied) at Chiangmai Immigration are as follows: (1) When returning to your TM30 registered address from abroad, nothing is required (probably because nobody outside of Thailand has filed any new TM30 address); (2) When returning to your TM30 registered address domestically when a hotel or other entity/person has filed a TM30 for you, I believe the answer is nothing is required. It is possible (it's hit or miss), however, that an online TM47 (90-day address reporting) may get rejected in this case and you are not going to be able to file a new online TM47 until you go to Immigration and "update" (requiring only to show them your passport and tell them what happened) your TM30 address; however, even in that case, there has been no problem in filing the TM47 in person (I'm not sure about mail but suspect that would work too). So, only issue is that on occasion a person who is reviewing/approving the online TM47 filings rejects it because of the domestic hotel filing. (There have been reports of possible filing needs if one returns from abroad with a new passport....which maybe makes some sense as passport numbers are tied into the TM30 filings).

It is certainly true that the funds only have to be in a Thai bank for 2 months prior to application for those converting to a Non-O visa based on retirement from either an exempt entry or tourist visa. It's a bit more dicey when talking about converting from the 65k/month method to the "money in the bank" method. When renewing an extension based on the "money in the bank" method, one must show the standard bank letter and the one-year information (showing 800k in the bank for 3 months after the last application and 2 months prior to the new application....with a minimum of 400k for all other times). I suspect most immigration officers here in CM would require that for any renewal of an extension based on the "money in the bank" method regardless of the illogical conclusion that this would require the applicant to essentially comply with both methods for the year prior to the new application seeking to change methods.

Technically, I understand that the OP is required to have a new TM30 filed for his "5-month" place and then file TM47s for that location while he's there. Then have a new TM30 filed when he returns to the family location (which I think he refers to as his "main" address) so he can file TM47s while there. But what would I do? I'd forget all that and just keep filing online for my main address (TM30 registered address) unless and until that ever becomes a problem (if a filing is rejected, then I'd do whatever is necessary to fix that).

"Reporting back that this morning I was at Immigration (small building in the back for TM30, next to copy shop) and renewed a TM30 from 3 or 4 years ago as I have a new extension (Non-O based on retirement). I was still residing at the same address. The officer looked at only my old TM30 and my passport and filled in a new TM30. That's it. The cost was zero. I had tried doing it online with no success that I could discern." Updating a TM30 filing (when necessary) is rather easy here at CM Immigration but I'm wondering why you did that. Can you advise why you felt the need to do so?

Really? When the hotels do the TM30's online, they need to put in your passport number (a number which is also on your Thai driver's license).

May depend on the particular Immigration office. Here in Chiangmai, it has been hit or miss. Sometimes when I stay at a hotel that files the standard TM30 for me, it affects nothing; however, occasionally it causes the online TM47 system to reject me for the same reason you were rejected. When it has happened to me, as noted, I can't use the online TM47 system until I go to Immigration and they "update" my TM30 address (I still can, however, do the TM47 reporting in person). At least here in Chiangmai, to "update", I just told them what happened and they just played with their computer a short time and printed out a new TM30 Receipt of Notification which they stapled in my passport (the passport was the only thing they wanted to see, no other documents). Of course, my comments relate to when someone returns to the same TM30 registered address.

Pretty much the same list is required here in Chiangmai (although never had to provide either a copy of the TM47 Receipt of Notification or a double set of any of the documents). Somewhat wise to always avoid Mondays, Fridays, and any day either side of a holiday in any immigration office. On the plus side, spending a couple of hours once a year to obtain an extension based on retirement is actually not much of a hassle. It would be helpful and less stressful, though, for the immigration offices to simply post a list of exactly what documents they want for a given service (it's frustrating when a particular officer asks for something off the wall).

I've never had the occasion to use any of the numbers. I did, however, download the phone app titled "Police I lert u" which on its face provides your GPS location, provides for notification for police or an ambulance, and for messaging. I have no clue how well it But here's what it looks like when you open it (I've changed the GPS location as it shows my home location and don't really want to publish that here).....

Would recommend to the OP to use the same Thai lawyer.....and get it in both Thai and English. Thai probate requires a Thai Will (or a Will in English with a certified translation into Thai). And, to the extent you may be in Thailand when you die, your embassy/consulate will require one in English (or, if the Will is only in Thai, a certified translation in English). Easier/cheaper to get both done at once and it'll make it easier for your Thai executor.

Nope. Sent by PM.

With respect to the OP's question, I'm doubtful there are many consumer protection laws here in Thailand (that either exist or are actually followed) that require doctors or hospitals to advise of all costs ahead of time. Prices for any procedure here are typically far below prices in the west and, should the cost be a relatively important concern to anybody, asking the doctor or hospital ahead of time isn't that hard to do. Yet, I just had hernia surgery last week at Chiangmai RAM hospital and they told me (without my asking) the range of expected cost days ahead of time (and the final cost was at the low end of the range given). No complaints from me (was second hernia surgery I've had at CM RAM and thought they treated me well and fairly both times).