CMBob

7 hours ago, Kohsamida said:

I'm not sure about that.  I showed the receipt of filing that was given to me by the condo office to the Imm officer the first time I was there and he had me queue to get a stamped receipt.  It only took 15 minutes of waiting though.  So, at the appointment I showed them the stamped receipt not the regular receipt.   All in all though, the 2nd floor office was a pretty easy experience.

Frankly, what the officer had you do (go get one of the smaller Receipt of Notification forms) was entirely unnecessary as you were properly on file via the landlord's filing; regardless, now that you have the Receipt of Notification stapled in the back of your passport, Immigration will use that form to update if/when you re-enter the country to the same address (i.e., you shouldn't have any future need for your landlord's filing copy). 

Out of curiosity, what date did they place on your new Receipt of Notification form?  [I realize they typically put an Arabic numeral date and then the two letter abbreviation in Thai for the month....and I'm hoping you or somebody that can read Thai can advise of the date.  I ask because logically it ought to be the same date as your landlord's filing. If it was dated the same day you just got this new form, I wonder if a future officer might be confused about that given that your entry date was much, much, earlier.]

2 minutes ago, cusanus said:

Great. But can you do it in CM? 

Yes.

[As a side note, 8-10 years ago when I was in Hua Hin on a Tourist Visa, I went to Hua Hin Immigration to switch to a Non-O Visa and ultimately the annual extension based on retirement.  HH Immigration cancelled my Tourist Visa, issued a Non-O Visa that expired 90 days later, and issued an annual extension based on retirement that started when the Non-O expired...and all this was done in about 35 minutes.  Unfortunately, it ain't quite the same up here in CM.]

1 hour ago, cusanus said:

A bit confused on this.  What if a person gets the TM30 for a specific residence, say a hotel, then instead goes and spends  a week or two visiting a friend. Is the owner of the visit place or the farang required to register a TM30 or a temporary stay? 

I'm a bit unsure about your confusion.  You have a TM30 filed for you at your current address and you've updated as required (this being evidenced by what you posted before).  Regardless of where you stay within Thailand, you obviously have nothing to do yourself (at least under current enforcement at CM Immigration).  As for your friend, yes, technically the friend is required to file a TM30 for you but, as was mentioned by others, I'm not sure why he would bother given Immigration is hardly going to know you're staying there for a week.   Theoretically your friend could be caught and fined if Immigration police came around to investigate but, given the odds of that happening (probably near zero), your friend probably shouldn't worry about it.  

9 hours ago, Kohsamida said:

So, if I present the receipt that my landlord gave me (as shown in my attachment), Immigration will provide this STAMP and attach to my passport as part of the application process...OR are you saying that I have to have this done BEFORE I apply for the visa conversion?  

 

As regards your your advice that it is prudent to follow the “rules”, I would be thrilled to do so, if I knew what they were LOL ?.  So, thank you to everyone who are helping me piece this together, and hopefully this will help others as well.

Don't blame you about your comment about the rules.  All of the current "rules" most of us have been talking about weren't rules at all 2-3 of years back.  The rules on TM30 filings by individuals (versus hotels and guesthouses) have somewhat evolved over time and nobody knows for sure what the rules will be next week, next year, etc.

Back to your question.  The receipt your landlord gave you is fine and you're perfectly safe if you have not left and returned to Thailand since the date of that landlord's receipt.  Presuming that's the case (you haven't left and returned to Thailand to your same address since the landlord filed that), then, should you leave Thailand hereafter and return, somebody (you or your landlord) needs to update within a few days after your return (CM Immigration hasn't been strictly enforcing the so-called 24-hour rule and at least two Immigration officers have told me that "within 4-5 days of returning" is adequate).  Now, when you update, I suspect Immigration will actually print out and attach a new form (just like the one Cusanus posted above) and staple it in the back of your passport.  But, yes, take your landlord's receipt with you when you update (just in case they can't find the filing on their computer). 

But....as has been mentioned....if sometime after your landlord filed that receipt you posted,  you in fact did leave and return to Thailand and nobody updated upon your return, then you  may have to pay a fine when you next need any extension service at CM Immigration.

To update, all you do is go to Immigration and hand them your passport (with some form of TM30 receipt either stapled in it or inserted between the pages) and tell them you are there to update your TM30 (you don't have to provide them with any other documents or copies). They'll take your passport, play with their computer for a couple of minutes (I suspect they are inserting in your "file" the new date you entered and your new departure card number), and then they'll either place a new date (and usually but not always the red circular stamp) on whatever receipt you have in your passport or they'll print out a new one, date and stamp it, and staple that in the back of your passport.  You can currently update at either Promenada (which is done upstairs and typically involves getting a queue number) or you can just walk into Building #3 at the old (and about to be new) Immigration site near the airport.  I and many friends have updated at Building #3 and it's never taken more than 5 minutes for any of us.  After the new Immigration building is open for business (supposedly July or August), I suspect that the only location for updating will be the new building as the boss of Building #3 told me that they are moving into the new building when it opens.  

12 minutes ago, rumak said:

Good info....  BUT  i am not so sure who the "legal obligation" is on.  The law is according to the office interpreting it.. 

I agree that the law as practiced depends on who happens to be interpreting it at the moment (e.g., in Bangkok, they don't interpret or apply it at all!); however, the statutory language is rather clear and places equal responsibility on the owner, landlord, and tenant. I'll attempt to attach a photo of the sign currently hanging out at CM Immigration (Promenada).

1 hour ago, cusanus said:

I can't give a firm answer, but a stub from Immigration is required to be stapled into your passport. You should go to the trouble to follow the rules even if unclear what problems may result. This is what mine looks like.. 

That's what I have stapled in the back of my passport; however, for those who have condo offices or owner/landlords filing TM30's online for them, the form looks quite different (see the form Kohsamida posted above).

At least in Chiangmai, the current rule is that one needs to update your TM30 when you re-enter the country and return to the same address (if you're returning to a new address, a new original TM30 must be filed).  The updating of an existing filing is simple and quick (at least at old Building #3) and will result in another date stamp (and sometimes...but not always....the red circular stamp shown by Cusanus above) on your form.  If Kohsamida had an original TM30  properly filed for his address and then he later left and returned to Thailand without updating, it's quite likely he will be fined the standard 1,600 baht when he next needs any extension service at CM Immigration.  Kohsamida, go ask your condo office (or landlord) if they perhaps updated for you when you last returned (if so, you could be safe.....and you ought to ask them if they can copy something off the net to show they updated you; if not, it would seem you'll be adding to the Immigration coffers when you next need any extension).

The legal obligation for the original filing and for updating is on both the owner/landlord and the tenant but it's typically the tenant who gets nailed when attempting some extension service at CM Immigration.  My landlord (probably like most landlords and condo offices) usually has no clue when I take a trip out of Thailand and obviously wouldn't have any idea that any updating of my TM30 Receipt of Notification needs to be done.  That's why I take care of it myself.  

If the OP plans on being here during the time period his current extension based on retirement expires, I'd think the easiest and cheapest method is to simply keep extending that (presuming he has either the requisite funds in the bank here or can get the annual verification from his embassy).  Will cost him 1900 baht plus possible embassy/bank fee plus cost for single or multiple re-entry permit).  If OP doesn't plan on being here for that time period (within 30 days of expiration for all provinces or within 45 days of expiration for a few provinces), then I'd suggest he follow UbonJoe's advice (90-day Non-O from embassy in England and then leave and return to get another 30 days free).  

If the OP's time period to be spent in Thailand fits in with renewing his extension based on retirement, then he can simply stay as long as he wants and not worry about shorter time limits, border hopping, or whatever.

4 hours ago, st11x said:

Do you need passport photos for the driver's license as well or just for the residency certificate? If you do, may I ask is it also 2x2?

 

thanks

  Matt

No...no photos needed at driver's license bureau.  At the end of the process, they'll take your photo and a few minutes later hand you your license(s). 

Edit:  Come to think of it, I don't remember having to take photos to get a Certificate of Residence at CM Immigration either.

On 3/29/2018 at 1:12 PM, tgeezer said:

It says “looking after Tiger cubs, crocodile babies.” 

It means looking after the babies of creatures which are dangerous brings trouble. 

I think that you can take it that babies of bad parentage bring trouble. 

I'm confused by the phrase/idiom and understand the literal phrase "tiger cub" also means a boy scout; regardless, can you please advise as to the word "ลูด" as I can't find it anywhere (just a misspelling of "ลูก"?)?

4 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Has anybody got any idea when Immigration will be moving

back to their new offices.....

According to the boss of Building #3 at the old Immigration site, he told me that the new building would be open for business in August of this year.  That's what he told me two months ago.

5 hours ago, Pesky said:

My temp 2 yr car licence expires soon & I wish to then apply for a 5 yr licence. Is it possible to let the 2 yr one expire & then apply for 5 yr licence a couple of days later so I actually end up with a 6 yr licence? Or does that move only apply/succeed when renewing an existing 5 yr licence?

 

Thanks in anticipation pf words of wisdom.

Yes, you can apply after your 2-year temporary license expires (I'm not sure of the time limit but some have said up to a year afterwards).  Your new 5-year license will run 5 years from your next birthday (so, yes, if your 2-year license in fact expires on your birthday, then you can get almost 6 years).  

Sounds like the friend just made an unintentional mistake but unfortunately he'll have to live with the consequences; however, it continues to amaze me that some people don't bother to ever look at or read the stamps in their passport (either the red ink below an annual extension that tells you about the re-entry stamp...or the actual entry stamp listing your length of stay after you re-enter the country).  

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't recall the number but it is the amount of interest earned that triggers the 15% deduction. With only 800k baht in the bank it would not reach that amount but if it was millions the 15% would certainly be deducted.

I kept 825k in my separate account last year (2017) and earned a total of 16,504.52 baht interest.....and the 15% tax withholding of 2,475.68 baht did take place.  If there is an amount which triggers the withholding, I don't know but obviously it's less than the 20,000 baht mentioned by others.  Regardless, as has mentioned, one can get the withheld tax back (so long as one doesn't owe the Thai government for other Thai income).  I believe that no expat has to pay income tax here if they make less than 150,000 baht per year in Thai earnings.

9 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

Thanks for all good advices I allow me a few more questions What kind of account do Immigration accept and do we have to pay tax on the eventually interest annually? I have had an account with Bangkok Bank for some years which is my money "in out" account and nothing more because I have always seen the small life savings I have as safer back home. But Thb 800K I could always have as savings here as situation are now but would like a separate account from my "in out" account"!

 

Thanks

Felt

 

 

Immigration will only accept any account with which you can immediately gain access to your funds.  If it's a term account (where, currently you can get around 1.4% -1.7% provided you keep the account to maturity) but you're allowed (with loss of interest) to withdraw the fund whenever you want to, that's fine.  If it's a true certificate of deposit account like we have in the west (where your money is locked up for a given time period), then that will not qualify.  If you're unsure, just ask the bank person if the account will qualify for the annual Immigration letter.  

Like you're thinking, I keep a separate "visa" account and don't touch the funds....and use another "operating" account for expenses.

As for your tax question, I can only speak for the US.  Yes, we are required to report interest earned on our annual US tax return (presuming the person is required to file a return).  And Thai banks in compliance with the Thai law will withhold 15% of interest earned on some of those larger accounts and transmit those funds to the Thai Treasury/Revenue Department.  One can annually apply (essentially filing a Thai income tax return - there have been other threads on how to do that) to receive back the 15% withheld.   

9 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

But getting no interest on 800K in Thai Bank is also a loss of income methinks!

Not sure I understand that.  Assuming you set it aside in a term account, one can get 1.5% nowadays.  Without going too far afield, an account to be acceptable to Immigration has to be one where you can get access to your funds anytime you want (but, if one does that before the maturity date, one loses all accrued interest).  

If you keep that much cash on hand either here or in your home country, perhaps better to keep it here for those who live here as (1) you earn about double the interest that you do in your home country and (2) should you have any kind of significant cash need here (e.g., medical emergency), you've got it on hand.  And, yes, the amount is currently insured by the Thai government (similar to the FDIC back in the USA).

But...it comes down to choice.  I do the cash method as I like the comfort of knowing it's there in case I ever need it.  And I'd rather pay the bank 200 baht once a year for the bank letter for Immigration than the approximately $60.00 one has to pay the US embassy/consulate to notarize the income letter.  

Although it's probably against the rules to ask for moderation but, come on, it's time to sweep out the posts that are off-topic, insulting, and plainly juvenile.  Are you guys really mature adults?

1 hour ago, Alotoftravel said:

Nancy or Others,

I was advised to check to see if immigration moved their retirement extension process from promo to airport.

 

According to the Big Boss of Building 3 at the old immigration site near the airport, the new building will be open for business in August of this year (2018); until then, extensions based on retirement and most other things can only be done at the Promenada office.

Building 3  (Investigations office) at the old site is still open for business...at least for updating a TM30 (and probably other things of which I'm unaware).

Factseeker, see Nancy's post above....guess they will do the "print screen" deal to give you a copy that they updated the TM30.

However, it seems (only guessing based on what you've described) that your condo desk is doing a new TM30 for you each time you come back.  Normally that's done online by the various condo's, hotels, and guesthouses (well, normally except when the online system is not working which happened for an extended time period not all that long ago).....so it seems weird to me that cops (likely Immigration cops) physically pick up their filings.  But it sounds like you're okay and likely won't run into a problem at extension time.  As they say....chok dee krap!

4 hours ago, factseeker said:

Are we in for the 1600 Baht fine or do we get thrown out??

 "Getting thrown out" isn't an issue....don't worry about that.

You've said an original TM30 has been filed for your residential address; if so, currently you're required to "update" your TM30 Notice of Receipt every time that you re-enter the country.  You ought to ask your condo desk if they did that for you online when you returned in December (if so, ask them if you can get a copy of something showing they did that; if not, then you might or might not face the fine the next time you need to extend at Immigration or use some other service there).  

Updating (currently applicable if re-entering the country and returning to the same address for which a TM30 is filed for you) is an easy process.  Just show up with your passports at Promenada (upstairs, I believe) or go to Building #3 at the old immigration site near the airport.  Legally, you're required to do that within 24 hours after returning but Immigration Officers have told me (and others) that doing it within 4-5 days is adequate).  Again, if your condo office updated for you when you returned, you have nothing at all to worry about (but I'd recommend you try to get a copy of something showing they did that and keep that with your passports). 

The OP should have no worry....he can easily get the police check.  He's presuming that the police agency will somehow know he's been in Mexico and they likely won't have a clue about that.  Just visit your local police department (in my dinky hometown back in Michigan years ago, I had to go to the Sheriff's Department) and ask for the report....should be simple.

The OP also has the option to get a Non-O visa (or Tourist visa) there and then extending based on retirement here (or converting the TV to a Non-O here and then extending) and there will be no need for a police report (or medical report) for either of those options.  

4 hours ago, NancyL said:

The one wrinkle is that they've changed the TM7 form since last year.  The information the applicant supplies is identical, but there is now language on the back that says it's OK that people with handicaps and disabilities don't have to apply in person for an extension.  The early morning interns didn't check which TM7 form I'd used, but the first intern in Nicky's crew caught that I'd used an old form and had me fill out a new one while she waited.  She was very relieved that I had an extra photo and she wouldn't have to try to unglue the photo I'd attached to the old form.  

I think they changed the form (just adding that little bit of language at the end) early last year as I had to use the new form when I got my extension in April.  Anyway, it's been available online since at least then:  https://www.immigration.go.th/download/

The form available on the Chiangmai Immigration website, though, appears to still be the old one.

Whatever term account your bank is hustling at the moment (and it may be perfectly fine), ask them if it qualifies for the annual Immigration letter.  Most banks will know what you mean (i.e., that the particular account will qualify for the bank funds basis for a retirement extension). 

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

Most years I copy all pages in the passport only to have some returned to me.  The one year I didn't, I was told to go to the copy shop and copy all pages.  It's a game that more than one Imm. officer plays.

One intern attempted to make me go make more copies because a few pages of my passport were copied vertically versus horizontally; however, an Immigration officer stopped by to see what the fuss was about (I probably had a "you gotta be kidding me" look on my face although I was being polite to the intern) and told the intern to forget about it ("mai bpen rai").  In any event, to avoid the possible problem in the future, it might be wise to ask your copy shop to only copy the pages horizontally. 

Out of 8 or 9 annual extensions, I've only been asked one time for a copy of every filled-out page of my passport.  And, to the surprise of the officer, I then actually handed her a complete set (I take the proverbial kitchen sink with me so I can comply with whatever "new" requirements crop up from time to time). 

5 hours ago, davehowden said:

Can anybody confirm that a Fixed Deposit Rate (FDR) as issued by LHB for example is acceptable by Chiang Mai immigration for the 800,000 baht requirement as there is no passbook, just a deposit certificate.

 

Many thanks.

 

Dave

I'm not familiar with the types of term accounts at Land and House Bank but, if it's an account that you cannot withdraw your funds at will (with or without loss of interest), then it won't qualify.  Perhaps wise to ask them before you lock it in if the account qualifies for the Immigration Letter (they should know what is meant by that).