Titan1962

It’s a common thing to see 4 people on a bike designed for 2.

I see it everyday picking my nephew up from school in CM. Dad,Mom,one kid about 8 yrs old and mom holding a baby.

People have to remember that a lot of Thai people can’t afford to purchase a car,so a bike at 50,000 baht is there only option. It may not be the best option,but it’s the only one they have. Regarding the helmets,the government might as well just scrap that law because a hell of a lot of people just don’t wear them.

The attitude here in Thailand seems to be the bigger the vehicle the more right of way you have.Looking at the picture it a straight road,so making an assumption here that the car overtook the bike. Not seeing or caring that another bike was coming in the opposite direction. Another thing that happens way too much here without any form of punishment. It’s sad to see and hear about,but it’s the Thai way,and we as foreigners who have obtained our licenses and driving knowledge in countries that are very strict in all areas of driving,will never change the Thai attitude towards vehicle operation and road safety. Fact of life.

50 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Spoke on the phone to my mother, back in UK, yesterday.  Only Chinese wear masks.

Yes I can understand that, I have never in my 57 yrs worn one either.

Feels uncomfortable and annoying,but then again I have never lived in a country that has had so much pollution. So it’s hard to get used too,even now I struggle to wear it all the time. The misses wears hers like it’s part of her make up and every day ritual.

Well I think this is just the beginning,GP/F1 next will be all international sports. But while I was watching the premiere league not one spectator was wearing a mask. I think that it’s too far gone now,people need to work so they won’t self isolate. People here won’t get tested because it costs to much 10,000 baht. They can’t shut down the whole country,so what will be will be. Just got to do the best you can and hope for the best.

Sorry to the family for the loss of a loved one,but if he pulled up and just coped the fine he would still be alive.

So many scenarios in a situation like this,was he drunk,was he carrying drugs,was he unlicensed. The biggest issue I have here is,if he had killed and innocent person,would he have stopped or run like he did at the checkpoint. It was his choice in that situation to run and paid the price.

And the reason for this new requirement might be,money in the bank might not actually be yours if you all know what I mean. Hence having to show the 12 month’s statements. 
 

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Sounds a bit odd,

For retirement you only need 800k in the bank a few months.

No requirement for a years bank statements (that would be the 65k/month income method)

They've never wanted all the pages in my passport either, just the data page and last VISA & stamp entry page.

 

Sounds like you weren't dressed correctly and didn't show proper respect!

I go to HCMC for my VISA's at the moment, I'd top myself if I had to endure CM Immigration.

Maybe they are asking for more information regarding the 800,000 baht in the bank. As I am sure if the money is yours!,,,,,,,, you would have been doing some withdrawals from that account. A bank account with 800,000 baht in it does not really mean it’s your money. I think you understand what I am getting at,just another way of tightening the rope around the neck.

Not sure what’s going on down there,maybe someone can explain.

when I first moved to Thailand,I went to Kata.

always having loss of electricity or blackouts for nearly a full day.

Moved to Chiang Mai,hardly ever have blackouts.

15 minutes ago, Gene1960 said:

It's 5 knots. There is a big sign on the Chanel exit from. Boat Lagoon. 

R. I. P. 

Thanks for the information,I watched the video and that definitely was not 5 knots. Both the operators of those boats should be charged with dangerous operation of a watercraft resulting in the death of 2 people. My heart goes out to the parents of those two kids. I hope the Thai government assists the parents in returning their deceased children back to their home country. 

53 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

It has been like this since they introduced motorized vehicles and 'smart phones' in Thailand. Get used to it will take 2 or 3 generations until they learn this.

It’s a real shame,Thailand has so much to offer tourists from let’s say European countries. All they need to do is enforce the laws they already have in place. Make examples out of the law breakers,invest a bit of that tourism money into cleaning up the place. Get rid of the known scams,hang on I am starting to dream a bit here.

Yes I suppose some people will feel the pinch as you stated.

The Chinese tourists companies that do the cattle tours including,Chinese owned bus tours,Chinese owned restaurants,Chinese owned hotels,Chinese owned gift shops.

How much of this money actually goes to the average struggling Thai trying to get along on 400 baht a day.

At least we might be able to get a feed now at the buffet.

LOL

WE WILL SURVIE. 

THAIS ARE VERY GOOD AT SURVING.

On 1/25/2020 at 11:32 AM, Peter Denis said:

FYI > @Enki / @unheard / @Titan1962

 

There are 2 ways of staying long-term in Thailand when married to a thai national.

1. Starting from an O or OA Visa, and before validity expiry date applying for a 1-year extension for reason of marriage.

Main ADVANTAGE being that you do not need to leave the country every 3-5 months to do a border-run.

But there are several 'negative' factors to consider: you will need to re-apply every year at your local IO, and that requires quite some paper-work and admin hassle.  You also need to meet the financial requirements (400K money-in-bank method, or 40K monthly income-transfers), and need to do 90-day reporting (which can be done on-line).

2. Applying for a 1-year Multi-Entry Non Imm O marriage Visa at the thai embassy/consulate in Savannakhet, Laos / HCMC, Vietnam / Yangon, Myanmar.

Main ADVANTAGE being that such a Visa does not require any financials to be proven, and you are not subject to the yearly extension ordeal at your local IO (nor 90-day reporting).

However, that 1-year Multi-Entry Visa only allows you to stay 90 days in Thailand, after which you need to exit the country (can be done with same-day border-hops), and on re-entry you will get once again 90 days permission to stay.  For each entry you can also apply for a 60-day extension of stay at your local IO (costs 1900 THB), which would reduce the number of border-hops when inconvenient for you. When timed right (just exiting and re-entering before the Visa validity expires) you can squeeze 15 months out of the Visa (and can even extend it with another 2 months).

NOTE > When interested in up-to-date practical info for applying for the 1-year ME Non Imm O - marriage Visa at Savannakhet, HCMC and/or Yangon, just PM me, as I made a compilation of requirements/practicalities for the 3 consulates.

Thanks for the in depth information.

i am not married at the moment,living here on a retirement visa.

The required amount of money in the bank is not a real issue at this time. I was just looking at future options if we decided to get married,pitfalls etc. The only real advantage I can see to being on a marriage visa would be the ability to work here if required,plus only needing to have 400,000K Instead of 800,000K.

I personally think the visa runs would be a pain in the ass unless this was your only option.

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The advantages of the non-o marriage VISA over an extension.

No 90 day reporting, no Tm30, no health insurance, no paperwork, no home visits, no lengthy queues at immigration, no 400k/800k in the bank (no proof of finances at all), no re-entry permits, lasts 15 months.

 

Disadvantages.

You have to leave the country every 90 days, it costs $200

 

PS

I'm not sure what anyone thinks they are 'renewing' (VISA or extension), you are buying a new one, with the same paperwork required every time.

Thanks for the info.

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There are non-o visas based upon marriage to a Thai issued by embassies and consulates. The person you mentioned is on a multiple entry non-o visa that allows 90 day entries for one year from the day it issued.

You have a one year extension of stay (it is not a visa) based upon marriage to a Thai issued by immigration.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

so if I decide to marry my Thai partner here in thailand,I presume that I would not have to do visa runs. I would just do my 90 day reporting as per usual. Then just go to the local immigration office here in Chiang Mai after 12 months and renew the marriage visa.

Rinse and repeat just like I am doing with the retirement visa.

Just after some info regarding the marriage visa.

I am currently on a non O retirement visa,living in Thailand now for 4 yrs. I live with my Thai partner in Chiang Mai,I follow a guy on YouTube that is married to a Thai lady,but he has to do visa runs. Can someone explain to me the purpose of a visa run if your married to a Thai lady. I thought you would just do your 90 day report,then go to your local immigration office to renew your visa after 12 months.

Are there different types of marriage visas.