lordofdelusion

From previous reports Singapore wants to see more than 400k in bank accounts for those who are married to Thai and 800k for those over age 50 to issue a multi entry non immigrant O visa. Funds have not been required to be in Thailand - just proof you can support your stay.

Questions. Funds do NOT have to be in a Thai bank? I thought your proof of income/ funds was given to your embassy and they provided you with a letter. Is this not the case? Lastly, is this a multi entry type O or an extension based on marriage?

Thanks

Regarding the deposit of funds for a retirement visa. Can the deposit be made into HSBC Bangkok or does it have to be a Thai bank like SCB?

Hsbc does at least offer 4% on deposits. Not much, but better than the Thai banks.

Also for the marriage visa, does your proof of income have to be given to the Thai immigration staff or are you just swearing to your embassy staff and obtaining a certification letter? Anyone with recent experience with the US embassy in this matter please let me know how it went.

Obviously I am undecided about which visa route to go. I am confused by the marriage/support requirements. Lump sum AND monthly??

HSBC in Thailand is OK

Income 'proof' is in the form of a letter from your Embassy given to immigration. Each Embassy have their own requirements but believe US Embassy only ask you to fill in a form without asking for evidence.

Maariage suppot is only income no combination with lump sum

Thanks!

Yeah, the US embassy document for my marriage was a real tough one. Are you married?

No.

Here's your document. Pay the fee.

Regarding the deposit of funds for a retirement visa. Can the deposit be made into HSBC Bangkok or does it have to be a Thai bank like SCB?

Hsbc does at least offer 4% on deposits. Not much, but better than the Thai banks.

Also for the marriage visa, does your proof of income have to be given to the Thai immigration staff or are you just swearing to your embassy staff and obtaining a certification letter? Anyone with recent experience with the US embassy in this matter please let me know how it went.

Obviously I am undecided about which visa route to go. I am confused by the marriage/support requirements. Lump sum AND monthly??

There is one thing for sure here and that is that nothing is sure.

A contract is as much worth as the piece of paper it's written on.

Thai governments and businesses are, overall, known to be unreliable. That's a reliable fact.

Keep these things in mind and don't invest a lot of money in this country, don't buy a house here but buy one back home and rent it out, don't burn your bridges back home and then ................... enjoy and relax.

Each year here is like a gift, but might be your last. Prepare yourself that you might/will have to leave one day.

Very intelligent post. We should understand impermanence living in a Buddhist country.

Unlike my president, dubyah, I have an exit strategy and so should everyone else.

addendum to previous post:

a number of international banks with subsidiaries in the U.S. only hesitantly accept U.S. citizens or U.S. persons. the reason for their reluctance is that their subsidiaries could come under pressure respectively pure black mail when refusing to submit details of their client's holdings. acceptance is in most of the cases only granted when the potential client signs a bunch of indemnity documents releasing the bank from all kind of responsibilities especially banking secrecy. an extremely unfair practice but the banks just want to cover their butts.

Like I said, it has proved challenging.

HSBC in Singapore requested utility bills and my Thai driving license.

Liquidating assests in the US can leave you open to tax liability as well as Dr. Naam pointed out.

I would be interested in any long termers experience with offshore investment. Any stories to share???

First off, good luck. I understand the draw to leave the US for Thailand. I made the move at 50 last July. If I might make a few points based on my recent experience.

First, you mentioned 15 million baht. With todays exchange rate that's about $433,000. I've watched my Baht slip away this year too.

For fun, there is a calculator at bankrate.com. It lets you put in the amount you have, a projected return, your expenses, and will calculate how many years your funds will last. You can play with that and try out different scenarios.

Somebody mentioned the Vanguard group. I have had lots of luck with them and can reccommend them highly. A lot of very low cost funds and ETF's.

Dr. Naam I believe mentioned moving your money offshore. I am working with an international financial advisor now for the purpose of doing just that. But, let me warn you, it is difficult to move money out of the US. A host of regulations wrapped in an anti-terrorist package makes it difficult. It appears the regulations were more for the benefit of the IRS so I use the term "wrapped in an anti- terrorist package." It would be helpful for you to set up with your bank before you leave, a way to wire transfer money to a foreign bank with a phone call or fax. In order to invest offshore it will be neccessary for you to prove residence outside of the US. Utility bills, a Thai driving license with your address or such is a must. Current US residents cannot move their money to the Isle of Man for instance. If you return to the US, you cannot make any further deposits into the account. I guess my point is it has been more challanging than I thought to get sorted here. I would reccomend professional advice, either through Vanguard, an international investment advisor here, there are many firms, but not anyone sitting on a bar stool! Your savings are too important.

But that aside, I'm having fun with my Thai wife and I enjoy many things here. Again, good luck.

I'm happy because I woke up next to my beautiful Thai ladyboy, as I have for the past four years. And even though we are in our Santa Fe, New Mexico, home for the next five months, being able to check in every day on Thai Visa gives me and my lovely Irin a little taste of home. Here in Santa Fe, the temperature is about 20C each day and it is dry (15-20% humidity). We have beautiful sunsets and great Mexican food. But we still miss our home in Bangkok. Can't wait to come back.

Your post gave me memories of many a sunset on the Sangre de Christos and dinner at the La Fonda. Thanks!

PS Please send some green chile and a bag of sopapillas!!!!

I'm happy because I woke up next to my beautiful Thai ladyboy, as I have for the past four years. And even though we are in our Santa Fe, New Mexico, home for the next five months, being able to check in every day on Thai Visa gives me and my lovely Irin a little taste of home. Here in Santa Fe, the temperature is about 20C each day and it is dry (15-20% humidity). We have beautiful sunsets and great Mexican food. But we still miss our home in Bangkok. Can't wait to come back.

Your post gave me memories of many a sunset on the Sangre de Christos and dinner at the La Fonda. Thanks!

From the Bangkok Post:

INVESTORS SCALDED IN SECURITIES FRAUD

A sweet-talking stock broker allegedly is responsible for relieving several dozen investors of their hard-won savings, writes SIRIPORN SACHAMUNEEWONGSE

Have you ever heard of the movie Boiler Room? In a typical boiler room, telemarketers call potential customers to offer attractive schemes and close sales contracts. But too often, as in the movie, the deal revolves around fraudulent stock investments pushed off on innocent clients. One common lure to promote such investments is the Initial Public Offering (IPO), a chance to get in on the ground floor of a company going public before its stocks are actually offered on the market. Purchasing such stocks is commonly a guarantee of easy money, but only, of course, if the deal is legitimate.

...

Source: Bangkok Post, Perspective, April 27, 2007

For full story, go to http://www.bangkokpost.net/220407_Perspect...2007_pers01.php

Obtaining a 1 Year Licence

What you need is:

1. Passport with a non-immigrant visa

2. Photos for each licence you intend to apply for

3. Medical certificate, from any small clinic - costs about 100 baht

4. Letter from Immigration confirming your address in the area. Just bring your rental agreement alt. house book (if you own your own home) with you.

5. 105 baht for car licence / 55 baht for motorbike - valid 1 year.

It is best if you already have an International Driving Permit,

otherwise you will have to take a written test and a driving test,

in you own vehicle.

After the first year you will be entitled to a licence for 5 years.

I just went through the ordeal on Friday, the 27th. I had an international DL but only for car, not for motorbikes. Bless my wife for sitting through this with me. You will need a Thai to navigate you. Very little English spoken in the Phuket office. Let me update a couple of points.

The letter from immigration can only be obtained in Phuket town. I was told this at the Patong immigration office. You will need a rental contract or house book.

My " medical" certificate cost 300 baht. It involved nothing medical.

You need 2 photos for each license you are applying for. You also need a packet of paperwork for each license. You will need copies of your visa stamp, most recent entry card and front page of the passport. Again, one set of copies for each license. You may copy the immigration form and medical certificate. You will need a 2X2 photo for immigration BTW. The license photos are 1X1.

It's one line after another. The reaction test and the colorblindness tests are a hoot. I had to take the test for the motorbike license. It was on computer and in English. Common sense multiple choice. The driving test is funny. Small course with nobody actually watching you. The staff is busy doing the paperwork for the next group. There is a lady who rents motorbikes there, 50 baht, which was fine as I had driven the car. And don't dress in shorts or swimwear. I know a guy who was sent away for "offence to a government office."

All total, 6 hours. In a non-aircondition facility!!!. Fortunately we had time to go out for lunch. Quite an experience. Oh, and 10 extra baht to have the license laminated.

The Fit Club in Patong sells a 100% whey protein isolate. I don't know if that's what your after. The owner is American, and may have access through his supplier for you if you want something different. On Rhat u Thit across from Christin massage, next to waterworld.

If I say so myself, I have done a good job managing my investments over the years. It allowed me to live comforatably in retirement at the age of 50. However, I am baffled by the exchange rate subject. Despite the end of the world ramblings of some here, the US economy moves forward. The Dow has hit 3 records this week. The Thai economy is suffering. Recent rumblings from the fed in the US would indicate if anything, a rate hike. Thailand is lowering rates. The dollar has weakend worldwide due to trade and budget defecits. (This administration would be the subject of a different, very harsh thread a) But it has weakend more to the Thai Baht than other regional currencies. Why? Help, anyone?

so you broke yor penis?... But you want to know if someone else have done same....Yes?

Good luck in getting an answer..

SeeYa

Ok,Ok Happened to me. Spent 6 weeks in a cast, little crutches, the whole thing. Re-hab with physical therapy was worth it though.

I had been waiting for this day for some time as I need to bring US $ over to buy a car. I wonder if and when the Baht will weaken? I had hoped for a bigger cut but as they suggested, they can still act again at a later date.

My wife speaks English pretty well but I must say it is difficult for her when we return to California. The gardener is Mexican, the maid is Czech, the corner store is Korean, the donut shop is Cambodian, the supermarket is Chinese/Vietnamese and the tourists are German and French and nobody seems to speak <deleted>' English anymore! Thank Buddha we return to Thailand where we can communicate....

That's funny and very true! Add to that my friends from Texas and Georgia and no one knew what was going on.

To stear the topic off track just a bit, has anyone been able to buy a property, with the land sold to the Thai spouse and you buy the house? The wife would then give you a 30 year lease on the land. I'll be dead in 30 but then the place could fall to our heirs. Is it too late for this OP to get such an arrangement?

I've been off the site for a while. I came to Phuket in January of 2006. After a return home I came to live in Phuket, (Patong) in July 2006. Very happy to leave the U.S. at that time. After a year knowing my TG, we were recently married. She's just the best! We have both decided that Patong is NOT in our future. There are places you visit and places you live. Patong is fine for a visit. I have noticed that the traffic, noise, obnoxious tourists meters, all are into the red. As others have pointed out, there are many places in Thailand where you will never see a tout. For those not into the Bangla road scene , there just is no reason to live here. IMO

Well, if you don't smoke, drink or like ladies or boys, you should consider Kansas.

I've been stopped a couple of times in the last month in Patong in what looked like routine checks. I flashed my International Driving Permit and was on my way with a thank you. Other folks were not so lucky. Wear a helmet if you're on a motorbike too. For many reasons!

Can anybody suggest a hotel near the U.S. embassy in Bangkok? How long is the ride from the new airport to that area now?

I have avoided Bangkok for some time perfering to come in and out of Phuket via Singapore. Thanks for the help.

The airport is a long way from anything. I think we paid 90 Ringitt for a taxi for 2 people. It's less if you are alone. There is a high speed rail from the main terminal but not from the budget terminal. That will put you downtown. Good public transport with a monorail, trains and cheap taxis downtown. Some friends took their 82 year old dad to the Thai embassy there to get a visa with no problems, so the process must be pretty smooth.

We stayed at the hotel Equatorial. Great service and a huge breakfast buffet. Try latestays.com for a hotel deal.

Fit Club gym across from Christines massage is a good choice. Lots of weights on the 2nd floor, heavy bag and martial arts training on the 3rd. Also a snack bar with supplements for sale. Monthly is only 700 baht.

Thanks for the useful info from everybody on channels dates and times. I'm settled in Phuket now and ready for some football! Well, after I get a video recorder of some sort...I don't do morning.

Here's the real scoop.

Eagles win the most competitive division in football. Watch out for Mcnabb to Stallworth. Dallas falls to the TO curse, Washtub is too inconsistent and the Giants have a tougher schedule.

Chicago is the only team in their division with a winning record.

Tampa and Carolina are in the playoffs.

Seattle walks away with the west.

2nd wild card???

Miami pushes NE in the east.

Indi strong as ever

Cinci and Pitt strong

Chargers survive the west even without Junior

NCAA champion?? Winner of the Miami-Fla. St. game this Monday

@#%!! soccer

So what's the company name?? Tell. tell!!! Give me a number!

Sorry I don't arrive in Phuket until the 15th By the sound of it I will be stumbling over many of you soon enough.

What's with all you people having to go to work?? I think you missed the point of heading to an island paradise.

Many of us don't "GO" to an island paradise .....

We LIVE on an island paradise

EXACTLY - Oh Lord of Delusion - we live on island paradise ... "WELCOME TO FANTASY ISLAND!!!" Your desire is our wish........

OK both of you sarcastic twits. I have lived on the island before and will soon do so again, this time probably permanently. It is not a fantasy it's a lovely paradise and I won't spoil it by going to work. I've earned a break.