Unify

Having attended this meeting as well, I have a few points to add.

1) for those complaining that they haven't seen any changes, it's my understanding that they are scheduled to take place January 1st. So, you wouldn't see anything new until that date.

2) these changes are potentially good news, as they mean we may not have to have money in Thai banks. I'll believe it when I see it, and I know US officials can not speak for Thai immigrantion, and we haven't heard it confirmed from another source. This year, I'll do the 800k, and we'll see how it shakes out.

3) we will no longer have to pay the $50 fee for the affidavit. That's good.

23 hours ago, Brunolem said:

Thank you for this extensive reply.

 

Obviously, it is difficult, to avoid Bangkok airports when arriving from Europe or America

From the West coast, Eva Air's flights into Chiang Mai are an alternative. Not sure any the East coast. Chiang Rai airport also has flights from common connection points to Thailand (no direct flights from the West coast.

The US officials in the Chiang Mai public meeting the other day, mentioned that they were providing training to Thai immigration officials on how to interpret various forms of US income.

So, they seem to believe that Thai immigration will be looking at documents themselves, to determine whether someone meets the monetary requirements.

Tax returns and 1099 forms were mentioned.

They also flat-out stated that Thai immigration at the highest level, told them I that the income affidavits would not be required from US citizens.

According to a well known visa service company here, the CM office was indeed requiring proof of income, beyond the US affidavit, as of early August. I don't know if they're doing it for everyone, or just some people. I don't know what form of proof they're requiring.

The visa service company said the amount on the affidavit (which is still required), must match the amount shown on the documents used for proving income 

I have no first-hand knowledge, as I took care of my visa several months ago.

Looking at the Portland honorary Thai consulate's web site, I see they can do Non immigrant O visas for Marriage, volunteer, or condo/home ownership. Can anyone confirm definitively they don't do Non-immigrant Os for other purposes (exploring retirement)?

I may not have enough time to get an O-A from Los Angeles. I know I can get a tourist visa in Portland, and convert it to an O in Thailand, and then do an extension based on retirement, and I'd like to avoid the extra step of tourist to O, if possible.

Thanks :-)

PS: I called Portland, got a recording, no way to leave a message.

The sky. It's much more expansive than what I can see back home. When I'm riding my bike, on a nice, flat road, surrounded by rice fields, it's beautiful.