wally1k

Hi

Does anyone know how much cash a couple can bring into Thailand --

Cash that you don't need to report

I heard $10,000?? also $20000

Is that for each person or total for the two of us

Thanks in advance

Kind Regards

w

Dumb omission sorry

I meant American embassy in Bangkok

W

My wife is going for her visa interview .. Can anyone recommend a clean reasonably priced hotel nearby?

Thanks

Walt

Last time I got stung the fee was 150THB for a cash advance using my visa card.

Has there been any changes to this figure?

Which bank if any charges the lowest fee for this service?

Thanks

Walt

Hi

I am a US resident and have been married to a Thai national for 6 months and we have been partnered with her for 5 years.

We want to live in the states for a bit

I would like to get her a IR1 resident permit which includes a green card. I know this takes some time.

Just wanted get some info on this matter. I have heard the wait time is shorter if you apply to the USCIS office in Bangkok (Form I 130)

Some say about 7 months or less. Is this the best way to go?

I will only be here in Thailand for 6 more weeks and then will leave for the US and establish residence. I am not sure if filing the form here and

then continuing the process in the states is possible given my situation?

My wife will join me later - She has a tourist visa currently. This will allow her to come to the states for 6 months

At the end of the documentation line there is an interview. Must both of us return to Thailand for this interview or just my wife??

I have written Bangkok Immigration but no reply so far

Requirements I am aware of are - please correct me or add any you are aware of

Must have a stateside residence... (Could I use a friends address so I can apply before I leave for the states or is this illegal)

Must have income 125% of poverty for USA. I do not have this but I do have a bank account in the US with appropriate funds.

I don't wish to use a sponsor.

Must register marriage license with the American Consulate in Chiang Mai.

Must prove you have been a resident of Thailand for at least 6 months ( I have been here on a retirement visa good till Sept 15th 2012)

Thanks for taking the time.. I will continue to google my questions

W

PS

I would like to do the paper work myself but would like a good immigration lawyer to look it over before I send it in

Does anyone know of someone they could recommend. Personal mail ok

Thanks for all the great responses. I will email my friend - It will expand his view of the matter I am sure

w

A friend who is thinking of retiring in Thailand asked me to look over his

list of pros and cons. I thought if would be fun to share

If anyone has something to add it would be welcome

Thanks all

PROs

Ladies treat the man like a leader with respect

Food is tasty and healthy

Money can go a long way if your smart

Buddhist culture is pretty easy going

Easy to make friends with locals and expats

Easy to travel and join in the many activities

Good weather - but very hot and need to acclimate

Good heath care and reasonable fees for it

CONs

Hard to find western food

English is not spoken by most

Autos are expensive

Rain, cloudy a for half a year

Thai language is difficult to learn

Sometimes hard to get things done when you don't speak the language

Limited cultural exposure

ok - your turn

Beautiful place, lovely women, great people, tips optional, clear skies (except now) and Buddhist culture

W

Maybe a bit off topic

Probably a bit premature a reaction for any government.

Lets not forget the Chinese are a repressive culture.

Freedoms we maybe take for granted are not part of their everyday life.

Money and power predominate as with most all cultures

I don't see any spiritual foundation in China as a balance though

W

Yes - Enjoyed the game at the Empress last year . Good crowd and good breakfast. What time does one have to get there to insure a good seat?

Any suggestions?

W

Thanks much

My wife and I will arrive at different times ... Will this matter?

Yes busses run from the railway station. Very conveniently cool way to get there and back

How many months out

of the year must one remain in Thailand to keep the retirement visa.

I will be out of the

country for 9 months beginning in May....

Also is it possible to renew early?

Many Thanx

W

Does anyone know how long my wife can visit the USA on her tourist visa.?

I know it is determined by customs when she arrives in the USA. I have heard 3 months and also 6 months if the plane ticket is for that period.

Her visa is valid for 7 more years?

Thanks

W

Very good experience. Well set up with numerous attractions for all. I higly recommend it

Walt

Anyone know where to see this game LIVE

Starts at 4am Sunday Methinks

W

FYI

It is being broadcast (repeat) later that day at UN pub

You don't have to report again until 90 days after your re-entry.You only report when you have stayed in Thailand for 90 days since your last report or entry.

Thanks - Saved me a trip down there.

Walt

Hi

I am retired

I was out of the country when my 90 day report was due at Immigration.

It has been about two weeks since my return.

How long do I have to contact CM immigration?

Thanx

Walt

We have eaten Thanksgiving dinner at Bake and Bite the past three years

The garden terrace is quite pleasant. The price reasonable and food superb

We look for to this year also.

W

Hi

Can anyone recommend someone to help with a move

I am moving only a short distance..(Less than 1km)

Need help with packed boxes, Fridge and Washing machine

Should take 2-3 hours.

Must have a truck

Thanks

Walt

Hi All

I am going to China to teach for a year - maybe two

I am renewing my retirement visa in Chiang Mai right now.

It will be good until Sept 14th, 2012. I will have spent 10 months in China

and will return to Thailand in June, 2012. I assume the visa will be valid

when I land in Thailand in June 2012?? Is this so? Or must I take other action?

If I have to....after having spent two 10 month periods in China?

Can one apply for a retirement visa in Thailand from China??

Or since I am a US Citizen ???

Appreciate any and all sincere comments

Walt

Hi All

I am going to China to teach for a year - maybe two

I am renewing my retirement visa in Chiang Mai right now.

It will be good until Sept 14th, 2012. I will have spent 10 months in China

and will return to Thailand in June, 2012. I assume the visa will be valid

when I land in Thailand in June 2012?? Is this so? Or must I take other action?

If I have to....

Can one apply for a retirement visa in Thailand from China??

Or since I am a US Citizen ???

Appreciate any and all sincere comments

Walt

Walt

I met the two Thai ladies who run the school at a recent workshop. They were enthusiastic, open and devoted to their project. I look forward to visiting them one day soon.

W

I have two daughters aged 3 and 5 in Fahkwang Waldorf School (http://www.fahkwang.com)

My oldest daughter went to three other schools (One international, two private Thai) in Chiang Mai so I know a thing or two about education in Thailand. What was mentioned before about the fact that Waldorf education is like a weird cult cannot be totally denied. I went to Waldorf schools in the Netherlands and already noticed as a child that some of the parents were a bit "weird".....there was also a period that about 10% of the parents (and by extension their kids) became followers of the Indian guru Bhagwan and started to wear only red clothes. That being said, the majority of the Waldorf Schools and parents are OK and not weird at all. They are just more open minded and mindful than your average citizen.

Then, Waldorf is in it's infancy here so they are building everything up from the ground. It is just a group of teachers and parents who are interested in child development. Waldorf education is not a system, it is a philosophy that aims to keep the individual on it's own path of development and not make it into something else. It is more about raising strong and happy personalities than performance and knowledge. Years ago I attended a reunion of my old Waldorf school and I was amazed about what everybody became. A top scientist, a film maker, a documentary maker, a gold smith, some entrepreneurs....virtually everybody did something interesting.

Fahkwang is not an international school, but about half of the kids are western or mixed. As mentioned in an earlier post, Rachel is (or already has) opened an international Waldorf Kindergarten. I have several reasons I will not switch to the international Waldorf. We do not intend to leave Thailand so it is also very important to learn the Thai language and play with Thai children. Also the school fees are a lot lower and my daughters already like the school.

The only problem I have with the school is the size. There are about 15 children in the kindergarten. They just started the first grade school class with 5 children. For next year there are three children so far (including my daughter). I do believe that there are enough people out there in the minefield of Thai education who are looking for an alternative so I hope there will be a few more children for next years grade 1. In my desperation I was already thinking about home schooling when I fount this school.

This school is not commercial like almost all the other "child processing factories". It is not about money but about love.