Speedhump

8 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

Of course, I don't! You got it wrong I'm not the one who is representing Thailand and it's people! I think I have a greater love for the Thailand people than the police or government. If there was a chance for a foreigner to run for office I would and I know where I would start to clean house, second, it would be dreamers like you who have their head in the sand and that is being very kind.

How about staying on topic guys? 

No matter what is said here you MUST get legal advice. If your visa is cancelled immediately and bank accounts FROZEN, even joint accounts (that's how it happens in some other countries, I don't know about here) I believe she must have her own funds to apply for her own visa, it could involve leaving the country briefly and applying on her new visit visa. I don't know that she can 'take over' your visa, I kind of doubt it. If the worst happened and she didn't, she might need the help of a 'visa conpany' in the short term. Please don't rely on info given here. Pay a little money to an attorney and check. Cheers. 

If the owner can prove ownership (can they?) then IMO your were right to offer some compensation. If it was refused then shake your head sadly and slowly and calmly and repeat your offer. As others says above I don't think police will be interested if you accidentally collided with a dog roaming the streets. I ran over a young dog running straight across the road after dark. A soi dog, in the middle of nowhere but where strays live and have puppies. In three years it's my only dog road death, but it's always a possibility no matter how you drive. It haunts me to this day. I hope you're OK.

Hey much easier to legally own a gun in Latin America. So there that! ???? 

17 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

There are lot of expats that don't meet the requirements. The very same expats that live throughout los single or with families and enhancing the joint. And if they are truely serious get rid of all income statements from embassies. This stuff belongs in a Monty Python scene or perhaps Yes Minister.

It's not for Immigration to ban income letters because three or four embassies throw their toys out of the pram. Anyway, a lot of expats move to small villages to get away from  'enhancement' by their peers....

Seems a dumb question. If you are rich enough to afford the elite visa purely to avoid yearly hassle then there's no question. Just blow c the money and brag. If you're not, then what's the point of the question?

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I am on a retirement extension? I don't need credit and it is expensive anyhow. It's not really credit, I have to keep an FD account to cover it, so it is a 'secured Credit Card'.

Yes you're right, not even credit, just ties up your cash to the full 'credit limit' available! I'll stick with Kbank who even give you an additional free 'virtual' VISA card (no plastic, just the numbers) to use online, never had it fail on me for overseas Web purchases. 

14 hours ago, sumrit said:

The list looks quite impressive but is the card recognised and accepted by (practically) all ATM's, shops and hotels in each of those countries like VISA and MC are??

Even AIS won't accept a Union Pay debit card in their branches to pay phone bills! 

20 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Then why not get one of their MC Credit cards? I have most certainly used that for on-line shopping, a multitude of Thai shops and overseas websites. Bought me many expensive flights and overseas hotel stays.

Unfortunately I can't get credit because I'm on a retirement visa! 

On 1/26/2019 at 1:42 PM, JackThompson said:

 

I suspect the problem could be the crappy "Union Pay" card which Bangkok Bank was offering, to the exclusion of Visa/MC cards, for awhile.  Thankfully, that problem has been solved.  A few hundred baht and a visit to any branch, and you can now get a MC ATM card.

Last week Bangkok Bank lady warned me that their MC is not a full MC, won't work for online shopping, some Thai shops, or overseas. I've closed my account there now. 

22 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

anyone who has done scuba diving knows the biggest threat to a instructor or buddy diver is a panicking driver who will grab your regulator or bolt to the surface potentially killing themselves.

 

hard enough in open water.   

The answer is don't learn to drive under water... 

Joking aside, of course it was the correct course of action to restrain them. Not sure about the Ketamine though. Is it a safe drug for humans? I have no idea. 

Kudos to the brave rescuers and the volunteer helpers. And never forget the life lost. 

Enjoying this thread. And I do believe discussion of westernisation has a place in the thread. If only to talk about how Thailand has in a lot of ways actively resisted it over many decades. 

2 hours ago, Pattaya46 said:

Don't you have a mobile and/or a computer ?

Just put in a reminder for 2 weeks before your 90Days report and Visa extension dates.

Google Agenda can do that easily, and so can tens of other softs/apps.

Aaaaand, I didn't say I was talking about myself. ????

The poster made the point that a lot of people (older, brain fried, whatever) don't have the capability to organise their lives well. It's not a new thing, and the development of phone and computer apps isn't going to change the fact that there will always be people like that. Surely you know people that see a PC as a magic box? Google Agenda? Outlook calendar? Don't make me laugh! I think sympathy rather than criticism is the order of the day. So as far as I'm concerned, there is absolutely no downside to Immigration's new scheme. ????

 

The above post is a good example of being organized and "knowing the ropes. Im not as organized but agree it isn't that difficult. I mix with many colourful blokes esp the older xpats in places like udon etc.

Fact is many have no clue or ability to do their paperwork in order. I say ", get your s### together" seriously it seems too difficult to them. Lot use an agent and I can understand why.

I guess it's for these old guys that Immigration are introducing SMS visa expiry reminders. Good job. When you retire and let your brain start to turn to turtle soup, you need someone to give you the occasional poke with a sharp stick. 

3 hours ago, chicowoodduck said:

Why not just pop into your local bank and have them update your book?  Easy peasy...????

Did you read the posts here? It's not easy for a lot of people as the magnetic strips fail, and Kbank refused to give me a new passbook. Anyway, my bank only updates the balance, without all the transactions getting printed in the book. Read the thread mate ????

15 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

This is true in my case as well.  Few hundred baht and they give 12 months worth of statements on A4 pages. 

100 Baht at KBank

Slightly off-topic, I believe that THB 800k is actually supposed to be the minimum balance in your bank account for 6 months before and for several months (3?) AFTER your visa renewal. I know its not enforced, but I believe this is the law. Anyone else know about this? Maybe it's how it used to be, but I read it recently. 

Come on, 100 Baht for a 12 month  bank statement, rubber stamped by your bank. Just do it. My bank book has never updated in a machine for 2 years either. So what? 

16 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

Just curious Speedhump, do you own a house? Or, were you just joking with someone with above comment? I thought foreigners could not own land unless they had been granted permanent residency. If you do own a house, can you explain if you own just the house or the land also. I have Thai wife that's been wanting me to buy a house & land, but I will not do that if I have to put it in only her name because I wouldn't want to lose my $ in case of divorce. Kindly, Johnny

I own the house with a 30 year lease on the land, which the developer renews each time a house on the development is resold. The developer is well known and still building in other areas. The lease is 30/30/30 years in my option but this is not legally enforceable yet as the government don't recognise anything more than a 30 year lease. The time will come when they want to encourage longer term foreign investment, although I'm not convinced they will ever allow farang to own land. Any good lawyer can fill you in on the details of the ways farang do manage to buy land here. It's long been a grey area though, unless you actually will run a business from the premises. 

21 hours ago, HampiK said:

IT's possible for foreigners to own houses!

Only not the land where the house is build on. For this you need a lease or something else...

Exactly. I wish some people would engage brain before opening mouth. 

On 11/14/2018 at 4:34 PM, moontang said:

That is a feature not available to individuals...but is great if your apartment uses it.

Ah. I own my house. Maybe it's different. 

Why not do it online, it will show you the requirements in full and you can't make any mistake. I think it only you to enter the TM30 number, if my memory is correct (so that's not guaranteed). 

2 minutes ago, melvinmelvin said:

Man,

Beaujolais Nouveau is a gimmick, not intended to be anything else I think.

 

 

Yep used to just be an excuse for a 'Brazilian' lunch hour (as my colleagues used to call mine if I actually rolled back to the office - ah, the old days... ). 

11 hours ago, melvinmelvin said:

When you say Barolo, good stuff, I must say Ripasso and Amarone, even better stuff, but often somewhat costly.

 

Malbec, yes.

Some pretty costly French wines have been mentioned the last couple of days.

 

Spaetlese was mentioned, yes please I'll have another glass if I may.

 

Have been a few times to Punta Arenas in southern Chile.

The hotel wine list was loooooong, no chance of drinking my way through, most days managed 2 bottles,

so many brilliant wines that I have never seen in Europe.

 

Even Italians fight over which is king of the reds. Depends where they were born. ?

Probably 30 years ago I put a personal embargo on French wines. Prices are IMO designed to attract wine snobs as much as people who really do believe they can taste 5000 Baht worth in each glass. And Nouveau Beaujolais had always (9 years out of 10) been an appallingly disappointing gimmick.

I had an insanely good local red in Malta 30 years ago, in The Arches restaurant. I smuggled a few home in my luggage, but never saw it anywhere else. Even online. That's the stuff that makes drinking wine fun. 

I had a couple of private Malbec tastings in an Argentinian restaurant in Dubai 4-5 years ago. So many styles, and all grapes so different depending on the wildly varying altitude, but all Malbec. A whole subject by itself.