JerseytoBKK

7 hours ago, CM4Me said:

I am with BKK Bank.

 

Have 2 FCAs, one a 'savings' with an oversized bank book (which can be updated at any branch that offers a currency exchange service), no ATM card and a monthly 'statement' (by mail). From this account I can transfer $ to B via ibanking (and its immediate).

 

The 2nd account is a 'fixed term', no bank book but a certificate, and a monthly 'statement' by mail. In this account I keep the equivalent of B800,000 for my retirement visa (& have used this account for the last 3 years - no problems). This account pays 2.5%, but note every currency has a different rate 

I'm getting ready to bring over the equivalent of B800K. Is your rate a 12 month fixed term?

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

They still require you to of done at least one 90 day report to them to get the certificate of residency.

Thanks for the update!

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Get a  yellow house book, only cost me 50 baht or so.

Alternatively, try the police station.

So after spending some time researching how to get a yellow book, it seems it can be quick and easy or an agonizing trip through a bureaucratic nightmare. I just signed a condo lease in the Klong San area of Bangkok and couldn't find recent posts online about what the required paperwork is here. 

About a year ago I remember reading that CW would not issue a certificate of residence if you never filed a 90 day report. Is this still in effect?

Going to finally apply for a drivers license. Currently on my 3rd "retirement" extension but have never stayed for more than 92 days before leaving the country so never filed a 90 day report. TM 30 up to date. Would prefer to get the Cert at CW rather than the embassy.

Find out if you can have the original officially translated from Norwegian to English. Then it should be easy to get a translator to officially translate to Thai. My GF's brother works translating English to Thai for official court documents. Occasionally he asks me about some terms because the 3rd language to English translation wasn't done well and is confusing or incorrectly translated.

3 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

No thanks, if you have to give info, oh well, but I never volunteer it. I try to be as UTR as any fat, loathesome, weed smoking traveler can be.

UTR? With the US Gov?? They know your every move and know 4 seconds before you when you're going to fart again.

I hate waiting in lines when I don't have to. About 7 years ago there were a couple of trips where the US line was much longer than the non citizen line. After those <deleted> moments, I decided to was time for Global Entry. Very happy I can now skip those lines.

52 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

i Just pulled my old passports and every one has stamps in

Dude, if you travel internationally at least once a year, you should get Global Entry. No lines, use kiosks which read your passport so no silly IO questions, no US stamps in passport, special exit Customs lane after you get your baggage so again no lines. $100 every 5 years and now many credit cards will reimburse you for that fee.  

About 4 years ago I thought about getting a hair transplant. Didn't do it then because for at least a couple of weeks the scalp will look bad and didn't want to go to the office looking like that. But this topic has got me thinking that since I'm now retired, maybe I'll get it done now.

Did a LOT of research back then and just looked at the many bookmarks I've saved. Damkerng Pathomvanich was highly recommended and here is his link: http://www.dhthairclinic.com/html/index.php?ln=en

Read up on different techniques and this site provided a lot of great info: https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/forum/17-results-posted-by-leading-hair-restoration-clinics/  

Here is someone describing their experience with Dr Pong in Chiang Mai: https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/topic/39153-surgery-with-dr-suradej-pong-chiang-mai-thailand/?tab=comments#comment-350361

Last link - different clinics in Bangkok: https://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/search/?q=bangkok

Thanks for the replies!

Only way IM would know I moved is if they called me to schedule a visit at my old address in the next 2 weeks. By not doing a 90 day it seems I remove the possibility of a fine for the TM30. Also don't need to trek to CW.

I knew there was a grace period before and after the report was due, but thought that by not doing the report I would get a small fine. 

When I return I'll have another new address so that will be on my arrival card. Will just need to make sure that the TM30 is filed.

Have a couple of questions about the 90 day report and also if I needed to do a change of address.

6 weeks ago I did my first renewal of the annual extension (retirement) to stay at CW. Then 2 weeks ago I moved to a different address, but still within Bangkok. Was I supposed to file a change of address? I know my current landlord didn't file a TM30.

In 2 weeks my first 90 day report is due. I have always left before 90 days so never needed to do one before. I'm leaving 3 days after my 90 day report is due and will return in 2 months. What are the consequences if I don't do the 90 day report and just leave? Will I get fined when I go for another extension or maybe when I need to do a 90 day before then?

Wondering if I should go to Vientiane next week for a couple of days to avoid any hassles about change of address, TM30, wasting a half day at CW, etc. 

3 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

I got back about 30 minutes ago (two hours taxi from Latphao on lovely Bangkok roads going - only 30 minutes different route for return).  They took over the Thai Visa Issuing section and must have had every consular officer at the windows.  After normal security you started line at normal entry path to ACS room - form quick checked and asked what services required - on to desk area with 3 people checking closely - on to cashier for CC or table for baht - on to entry to visa windows - proceed to next free window and take care of issue.  Very well organized (although suspect I missed the morning rush as had a 1330 original appointment).   

 

I arrived at 1305 and departed about 1325.  It really seemed Thai workers appreciated being able to interact without the normal glass partition.  Visa unit obviously was not doing interviews today.  

Wow, I'm impressed. Went there last week (9:45 appt) and it was standard operating procedure. Meaning ACS check-in at one window, go to pay at the far window (same window for cash or credit), then wait about 30 min to get called for the cert. Total time from walking up to the embassy to leaving about 45 min.

2 months ago I returned from NY on Qatar. They asked me how long I was planning to stay and when I replied about 3 months, they asked if I had a visa. I said yes I have a visa and I'm permitted to stay until next January. I then showed them the "visa" (retirement extension) and the re-entry permit stamps with the dates and they were happy. Here on TV we talk about retirement extensions but when talking to airline personnel, I prefer to keep it simple and use their terminology.  

2 hours ago, LongTimeLurker said:

Did you take off the sales tax on the bottles in the US before you made your comparison?

 

'Cos if they're for export there won't be any sales tax to pay locally.

Yes, federal tax on beer and wine is low in the US. Transporting the bottles from EU or USA will be higher than the tax. Once upon a time I was a national sales manager for a major importer of Scandinavian cheeses into the US so I know what the costs involved in importing goods were 25 years ago. Can't be cheaper now.

4 hours ago, jackdd said:

That's because if you buy a whole shipping container of wine you don't pay the retail price.

Let's say the retail price in USA is 10 USD, if you buy a whole container from the manufacturer you pay maybe 5 USD. 400% tax on 5 USD means 20 USD for tax, add another 5 USD for the profit margin so the wine would be sold here for 30 USD and in the USA for 10 USD.

It's similar if you look at for example luxury cars, they pay 320% tax, but the effective price of for example a Ferrari is "just" 3 times as much as back home.

Here's an interesting link about the various markups at different stages in the distribution cycle in US and would be surprised if the margins weren't greater here:  https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2002/07/22/editorial3.html

A $20 retail bottle will typically leave the winery at around $8. Then the distributor adds their markup to cover their costs and profit and the retailer then adds their markup. You're leaving out shipping costs and profits for the importer,  costs and profits to deliver the goods that a wholesaler makes, and then the retailer's margin.

21 hours ago, jackdd said:

I understand what you want to do, you want to cheat customs by having the sender declare it as gift. I think you are misunderstanding how customs work

A bottle of wine has a value, let's say 500THB, if the shop declared it with a value of 0USD the customs will just look it up or estimate the value.

According to what i found on Google the import tax for wine from USA is about 400%, so customs will ask you to pay 2000THB tax per bottle when you go to pick it up.

I've seen this 400% number thrown around and I think it's not correct. I've priced the same bottles here that I can buy back in the US and they are usually 3X more expensive. A 400% would mean they would be 5X more expensive.

One very interesting price point is that Gold label Johnny Walker is now almost the same in both countries since the dollar fell to 31 Baht. It was slightly cheaper here last year before the dollar fell. Typical retail in US is $65 and here it's 2,000 Baht. 

Thanks Ubonjoe and Elviagero.

I'll probably do at least 3 trips out of the country so will get the multiple re-entry permit.

My 90 Non-O expires Jan 14. I'm leaving early Jan so I'll probably submit my retirement extension around Dec 19.

The annual extension is added to the end of the Non-O and will be in effect Jan 14, 2018 - Jan 13, 2019?

What happens to the effective dates of a multiple re-entry permit if I apply for it the same day just after getting the annual extension on Dec 19? Is the permit good for Jan 14, 2018 - Jan 13, 2019 or is it good for Dec 19, 2017 - Dec 18, 2018?

1 hour ago, side said:

Trying to remember, for sure Finnair and Sri Lankan. Too many others I've arrived in Biz Class so cannot recall modus operandi of all... includes Air Canada, Cathay, Turkish, Austrian, Malaysian to name a few.

 

I suppose some will fly with the pass on board already, some do not.

Thanks for the info!

10 minutes ago, Mattd said:

Etihad - Normally the pass is given to you by airport staff in the air bridge as you deplane.

Thanks. Good to know if I book them in the future. They just had an interesting sale a couple of weeks ago. Two travel for the price of one - JFK-BKK roundtrip in business for around $5K for 2 people.

22 minutes ago, side said:

.........

To answer your initial question more accurately, if you come in on Biz Class, there is a girl waiting as you exit the plane's walkway with a smile and Premium Lane pass. ..........

What airline has a girl waiting with the pass? I've flown Cathay 8 times and JAL once in business the last 3 years. They give out the Premium Lane pass on the plane along with the immigration form.

If they fly in business class as the OP mentions, then I agree with minimal wait times. The luggage is tagged with priority handling and comes off the conveyor belt first. Only once did I wait maybe 20 minutes. A couple of times it was only 5 min and usually it's around 10 min. However, if someone is using the Premium Lane because they're disabled or older, then they might have to wait for their luggage.

Also agree about the lines. Saw 5 people in line in the Premium Lane  just once. It's usually only 2 or 3.

Most times I've off the plane, through immigration, and wheeling my 2 checked bags out to my ride in less than 30 min.

22 minutes ago, side said:

 

 

Thanks again Joe!

1. Do I need to do a 90 day report?

Entered BBK on Oct 4 using visa exempt status. On Oct 17 applied for a non-O visa. Yesterday, Nov 1, received my stamp. It lists the NON-IMMIGRANT VISA and has a red stamp of USED with a date of Oct 17 (another stamp lists the admitted date good until Jan 14, 2018).

Does that mean my 90 days reporting requirement starts on Oct 17? I plan to leave early Jan 2018 so will be about 98 days after Oct 4. Or about 85 days after Oct 17. 

2. I'll be in Chaeng Wattana late Dec to file for annual extension and will also get the a multiple re-entry permit. Should I also plan to spend time also getting my 90 day report done then? Read that it can be a long wait. Can the first report be done online or by mail? 

2 things of note that happened during the trips. First is that on Oct 17, the IO (really nice lady) asked me to get a copy of the US Embassy income declaration. She then stamped, dated and signed it and said she can certify it this one time so I wouldn't have to get another one. I'm assuming she did that for when I file for the annual extension.

Second thing is that I decided to try something new and instead of taking the taxi back to Mo Chit, I took the 166 bus to Victory Monument. The bus leaves from exit 1 which is the exit halfway way into the building. Sign shows bus stop. Waited 30 min for the 166 then fast trip to Victory Monument. 18 baht. Bus goes via Pak Kret and uses the Sirat Expressway.

Thanks Joe! Appreciate the info and quick reply.

One more question. Will there be any potential issues if my address changes from when I apply for the conversion to picking up the stamp 2 weeks later? Also will probably move again within Bangkok before I apply for the extension to stay based on retirement. I'm doing mostly 30 day stays at Airbnb places while I decide where to lease a place.

Does anyone have an experience of converting from a visa exempt to a non-O when the 15 day minimum requirement happens during major holidays? I saw one post where the period was shortened during Songkran but other older posts that required more time. 

My visa exempt expires on Nov 2. I'm going to the US Embassy to get the income verification the morning of Oct 17 and was wondering if I should go to CW in the afternoon or go in the morning on Oct 18? Nov 2 is the 15th day after Oct 18, but with the King's funeral happening within that 15 day period, will I have enough time?  

If I have to file for a 30 day extension first to allow additional time, can I also immediately apply for the non-O conversion that same day? I'm leaving for a couple of months in early Jan and want to apply for the 1 year extension based on retirement before I leave. 

The Girl, Check your ticket conditions. It might be cheap to change the departure date if you need a couple more days to raise the money.. 

I was surprised that randomly looking at Oct 17 one way flight BKK-JNB on Kenya Air is only $465. Lowest economy fare. More surprising is that they allow changes on that ticket for only $75.

ADULT

Penalties

 1 - PSGR P1 ADT                                   RULES DISPLAY
FARE COMPONENT  1    ADT BKKJNB KQ  ESRWTH
FCL: ESRWTH    TRF:  32 RULE: TH02 BK:  E
PTC: ADT-ADULT              FTC: XOX-ONE WAY SPECIAL EXCURSION
PE.PENALTIES
FOR ESRWTH TYPE FARES

  CHANGES

    BEFORE DEPARTURE
      CHARGE USD 75.00.
         NOTE -
          PENALTY APPLIES FOR EACH REISSUE/REVALIDATION FOR
          CHANGE IN FLIGHT/DATE/ROUTING AND ANY APPLICABLE
          NO-SHOW FEE. PENALTY FEES ARE NOT
          COMMISSIONABLE.

10 minutes ago, amvet said:

List the manager of the hotel you are staying at or ask the US embassy in Thailand who to list or use a Thai dating service or one of the ladies at an on line beer bar. You have answered my question above where the requirement came from. 

 I didn't post a link because the Consulate link is a forced download but just realized that the Embassy link will actually work: http://thaiembdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Additional-Application-Form-For-Non-Immigrant-O-A-Long-Stay-Only.pdf