3stan

How about re-thinking their current policies regarding long term foreign tourists..?

Thanks, would be good to get confirmation from local CM members, as it appears that CM is lagging a bit behind as far as reopening businesses/parks.

Hi, 

Is the clothing section of those store currently open?

49 minutes ago, SkyFax said:

Well OK but if there is an early minivan -- which I don't know -- looks like you would have to get up at 3-4 AM to do this.

 

Having done the NongKhai border run many times but not for many years, I might contact one of the many tour shops on the Thai side of the bridge before crossing into Laos to arrange for a car to take you to UdonT after you cross back in Thailand keeping them informed via phone as to when you are back in Thailand.

Getting up early is not an issue for me. One can arrive 40 minutes before departure for a domestic flight. I would need to leave nong Khai around 5.30 am or before. Wake up around 5 am, which is my normal waking time anyways. So basically, if mini van service starts at 5 am, i could make it work.

Thanks for your input.

50 minutes ago, SkyFax said:

Why not maybe just keep it simple and spend the night in Udon Thani maybe near the airport?

Hi!

I’m planning a border run to friendship bridge at Nong Khai. I am considering staying over night in Nong Khai and leaving early morning to try and catch a plane at 7.30 am in Udon. Anyone knows when is the earliest departure to Udon from Nong Khai bus station? Cheers

I find the opposite to be true. It depends what you mean by “friendly”. I would say that Lanna culture is a bit more conservative and reserved, but people here are more gentle and polite than most other areas in Thailand. No fake smiles, no pushiness and commercial chit chat. If find southern thais less friendly in general, but yes, they are more talkative, louder, and better hustlers.

Yes, you are right. Prices have gown up way more than just “normal inflation”. Thailand is not so cheap anymore. I’ve been living here for 15 years. 

Good post. I find Viets to be boorish, compared to Thai people. No sabai sabai mild mannered there. Closer to Chinese people in their behavior/body language. Still, Vietnam has many pros as compared to Thailand. The ease of the visa and cheaper cost of living are the 2 main things that makes it attractive imo. 

10 hours ago, simon43 said:

Having lived in Burma for the past 5 years, and having recently returned to Thailand, I think I prefer to live in 'less-developed' countries.  I previously lived in LP around 2012/13 and very much enjoyed the locality, (but not the job at the time).

 

In a nutshell, I'm tired of the uncertainties in Thailand, and tired of being treated by the government and immigration like a prisoner out on bail.  My Elite visa is coming up for renewal and I'm not prepared to shell out 500,000 baht, nor am I willing to put 800,000 baht in the bank.  In Laos or Burma (or many other countries), I only need to renew my visa once a year, don't have to do 90 day reports, don't have to have $$$ in the bank blah blah blah ????

 

My choice was wittled down to relocating back to Laos or relocating back to Andorra (where I lived in the 90's).  After investigation, I discounted Andorra (for the moment), because of the fiscal statements needed while I am still working.  Once retired, I might move back to Andorra, but for now it's Luang Prabang.

I can very much relate to your current situation. Have you considered Vietnam at all? Its a country I’m currently considering. I prefer Buddhist countries though. Vietnam is often loud and chaotic. I think i will go check out Luang Prabang. Visited there about 20 years ago. Being able to “self medicate” fairly easily and freely is also one of the factors i take into considerations. Lao is good for that.

48 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That would work as long as the hotel does the report. Be prepared to show a receipt for the hotel.

So how does this work exactly? Immigration get some kind of daily update on foreigners staying at hotels, and have a database of all that/those persons? How am i supposed to know if the hotel does the report or not? Have people been denied a visa extension on such basis (hotel not having reported a guest)?

Are people really asked to show a hotel receipt? Is that a listed requirement for a visa extension? Cheap hotels and guest houses rarely give any kind of receipt here in thailand. Also, a receipt would only show past hotel stays, which is not necessarily current hotel stay (could have changed hotel on day of extension). If so, would a screenshot of the booking on a tablet suffice?

Would booking a couple nights at a hotel (lets say a cheap dorm) right around the time of my 30 day tourist visa extension (and writing this address on extension form), be a way to workaround the TM 30 procedure (i am currently living in a house)? 

1 minute ago, BritTim said:

As I recall the better buses from Chiang Mai to Nong Khai arrive at Nong Khai bus station around 6:00 am. Obviously, this leaves plenty of time to buy breakfast, then make your leisurely way across the Friendship Bridge and on to the Thai consulate in Vientiane.

 

I would print off the appointment slip if I were you.

Ok, i will go inquire at the bus station see if i can find such a bus straight to nong khai. That would be best.

Thanks!

2 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can check in at the consular section until noon. 

They call out the queue numbers by groups. 

You would use the same number to pick up your passport the next day.

I read reports they will accept seeing you appointment on a phone but IMO it would be best to print it out.

Thanks for ur quick and useful reply (as always).

Hi, im thinking of taking the night bus from chiang mai to Udon, and then go to vientiane from there in the morning. Can one basically arrive anytime before noon to proceed with the application? If so, would my time of arrival on that day affect the time i get my passport back the next day? Also, is it ok to just present the appointment on tablet, or will a print out be asked?

Thanks

10 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said:

It could already be part of the Non-B visa requirements when you're doing a visa run. I've heard that even Savannakhet and Vientiane in Laos are asking for such a clearance. I haven't been there for a while, so not really up to date, others might be more knowledgeable. 

 

  My school organized that we could go to the Forensic department of our local police station, we had to get fingerprinted and the prints will be sent to the headquarters in Bangkok.

 

   It's an easy process, go to the police headquarters in Bangkok, give them your fingerprints, leave an envelope with your address on it and they'll send you the result to your given address.

 

   You'll find all the needed information here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/athens/en/travel/17406-Guidelines-for-foreign-Applicant-Applying-for-Thai.html

 

 

 

Thanks bro.

I’m still not exactly sure what is checked? Criminal record in Thailand or criminal record in country of passport? I have not lived in my home country in 20 years!

7 hours ago, Dante99 said:

Ubon Joe has told you how to proceed IF what you need is a Thai police clearance.

 

If you need a US police clearance contact the local police department where you lived.

 

If you do not understand when the document is needed, contact the agency requesting it.

 

There is no US Embassy in Chiang Mai.

Have you tried making sense of this website? Bunch of broken links. Also, if finger prints are now needed, it would mean that one can not do this via mail anymore. I was hoping that someone who had been through the process could enlightened me.

Ok, its a consulate, smartass.

I need whatever document is usually asked for in order to teach in thailand. Criminal background check, police clearance.

7 hours ago, chingmai331 said:

Well Mr. Stan your question is a mite confusing.  Do you want some agency in the USA to certify that you are a clean American with no police record?

Or do you want some Thai agency to offer the same 'clean bill'?

I just want to know how people usually proceed to get this document. 

Hi,

Im about to start a new job, teaching. At what point of the work permit/non-b visa process is this document needed? Can one start teaching without this document? Could someone briefly sum up for me the process for obtaining such document. Us citizen. Thanks!

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Same as everywhere else to get a Thai police clearance. You apply for it at the police clearance center in Bangkok in person or by mail.

Info here: http://www.pcscenter.sb.police.go.th/eng/

Oh, so it has nothing to do with the US embassy in cm then, apparently. Im not sure if i understand at what point is this document needed. Is it prior to obtaining a work permit and visa for my new job? Or after? The website lists work permit as one of the documents that can be presented.

I’m not sure if this is the best place for this question:

How does one go about getting a police clearance certificate in chiang mai, US citizen.

Thanks!

Hi,

I’ve been out of the teaching “game” for 7 years now and currently looking into getting back into it. I am mostly looking into teaching young adults (university level), and have several years of experience doing so (mainly teaching at a couple rajabhats). What is the current situation regarding Thai cultural course and police background check for such positions? Thanks!

"Chiang mai : few rejections"

Is that just random/shoot from the hip kind of assessment. How many rejections do you know of?

Well shit, im happily spending my money in Danang vietnam atm. A bit tired of jumping through the visa run hoops, as an under 50 not working.