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FaFaHead
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9 minutes ago, scorecard said:Will your side arm be ready when you get off the aircraft?
555! I left because of Trump, believe me, I’m not looking forward to the noise in that regard again. I was referring to American order, structure, efficiency. I am a military person and those things are important to me and are sorely lacking here.
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18 minutes ago, sherwood said:
All the best to you and the family FaFa.
I have been coming to Thailand for around 10 years and it is not quite the same but there is nothing more certain than change.
Moved here eight months ago to be with the Thai wife and daughter and for me, things are OK.
Anyway goodluck with the move.Thank you sir.
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First of all I want thank all of you on this board for the invaluable input and assistance you have provided (on a variety of subjects/topics) since a year ago April. We arrived after months of due diligence online, looking for houses, etc., and as I posted last week, I have been rethinking my retirement here because of the visa problems I outlined a couple of weeks ago. This has been a very frustrating and trying time here for us.
As I mentioned then, my wife had to return to the states 5 weeks ago due to her father’s ill health. Now, her 87 year old mother was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so I am returning home to help Laura with them. No more visa craziness. It’s not what I could of ever imagined when we arrived, but the damn Immigration cloud has been lifted.
I will be departing on the 7th of November for Boston, exactly one year to the day from when we arrived.
As you know, I have been seriously disappointed with this whole Thailand experiment. I don’t like it here at all. This place leaves a lot to be desired. I’m being gracious when I say that. This has been a huge disappointment for me on just about every level. Not what I remember as a G.I. In ‘72-‘73. These people and the culture have not progressed by the way the malls have you thinking they have.
Not what I wanted or expected but I have to say, it’ll be good to get back home to civility, people that can walk and chew gum at the same time and most of all, structure and common sense. This place is like the Wild West. Anything goes for the most part, especially if you have enough baht. Never felt welcome here.
So anyway, many thanks and all the best. I’m outta here!
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21 minutes ago, overherebc said:
You can even disregard the 90 day reporting by having a day or two break in a nearby country every 89 days. When you leave and come back to Thailand it resets the 90 day timing.
Thank you for this...
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42 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:
Yes he can.
I think he just needs to sort out his proof of his income coming from abroad.
Again! Print outs of SS and retirement going into my B of A in the states since last November when we got here. Same for TransferWise bringing Monet and Direct depositing into Bangkok Bank...print outs for every monthly deposit since November into Bangkok Bank by them...a Bangkok Bank letter regarding funds. As I said, this is BS!
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1 hour ago, JDGRUEN said:
Dear FaFaHead ... you have other options. But first an option you don't have.
First a Non Imm O Visa is issued at some Immigration Offices - namely Changwatana in Bkk. They put out a package that in 60 day allows you to get the One Year Extension of Stay. This is done in Krabi Province and at other Immigration offices. But you must apply in the jurisdiction where you live - so that's out.
Best option and the one you could have or should have taken in the first place. Get a Non Imm O-A Multi-Entry Visa - but that must be done in your home country. Notice the "A" - it is not an O Visa - it is better.
Your money in the Bank (800K baht equivalent) would be in a home country bank in your currency - seasoned for 3 months.
Or the 65K Baht monthly income equivalent for 12 months would be documented by your home country bank records and pension records
Go online - find the Thai Embassy / Consulate website in your home country. Look up their list of requirements... correspond by email with them for clarification. You will have to get a medical certification - nothing to it. Same with a police background check - fairly simple.
Yes, you do have to go back home for a bit but it is very possible you will get the O-A Visa. Advantage The O-A actually provides 2 years of stay (how that works I can explain to you later). You only do 90 day reports - no showing of finances to Immigration in Thailand, as a multi-entry visa - no Reentry Permits to buy in the first year.
Thousands of Expats are doing this to get away from the arbitrary and capricious Thai I/Os
Just think - two years with no interaction with Thai Immigration except 90 day reports and an occasional TM.30
Thank you for your time and effort putting this post together for me. Much appreciated my friend.
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2 hours ago, CM Dad said:
Immigration does not issue Non O visas. They give extensions of visas. You need to go abroad to a Thai Embassy or Consulate to get a visa then apply at Immigration for an extension based on retirement using your income. I also strongly suggest you change your attitude, ask for advice and help instead of blowing up and stomping out.
I Did not blow up and stomp put...I looked the guy in the eye and told him it was obvious thy didn’t want Falangs and I thought it was bullshit. I then picked up my packets and walked away as he giggled. I don’t need you to preach to me or tell me how to act at my age. Mind your damn business..l
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5 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:
OP, maybe you got a bad Immigration officer on a bad day, or maybe they were pushing you to use an agent...
But re the details of your original post, if the CM Immigration folks were actually following their own rules, this is what they'd want from you in the way of financials in order to obtain a 90-day Non-O based on retirement or an ultimate annual retirement extension:
Using the 65K baht per month method of financials (you're an American, so you can't get an Embassy income affidavit any more...):
--they typically want the money going into an account solely in your name, not a joint account.
--they typically want your Thai bank book itself to show/code the incoming transfers as being from a foreign source, with a code like FTT, and not a code like Bahtnet, which can mean a local domestic transfer even if it actually isn't.
--for future years after 2019, they'll want those 65K foreign transfers each and every month of the year without exception, meaning you can show them a 12 month history when you re-apply.
--And, they'll want a letter from the Thai bank where the funds are received in your solo account confirming and listing the various incoming foreign transfers they received into your account, and the dates and amounts of those. (If the transfers from Transferwise are coded in your bankbook at "Bahtnet", then the Thai bank probably won't include them in any letter they'll give to you for Immigration).
As I said in an earlier post I had all of that and more.
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7 hours ago, BoBoTheClown said:
Is this true?
They gave me a printout outlining this.
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8 hours ago, Tanoshi said:
After rereading the original post I'm in agreement.
So the OP should be following the conversion process and submitted a TM86 to change Visa status.
https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_80
Financial requirements.
5. 5.1 A guarantee letter from the bank in Thailand in Thai language (Attention: Immigration Commissioner)*
5.2 A copy of all entries of the applicant’s passbook showing that the applicant has a savings or fixed deposit account of not less than Baht 800,000* (all documents must be in the Applicant’s name).
5.3 Evidence of foreign currency fund transferred to Thailand*
*(Documents under 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 must be issued and updated to be the same date of the Application and all documents must be in the Applicant’s name.)or6. A guarantee letter from the local or overseas Embassy or Consulate, proving the monthly pension of the Applicant not less than Baht 65,000 per month (together with reference documents showing the source of said monthly pension); or
7. Evidence of deposited money under Clause 5 and evidence of income under Clause 6 (for one year) showing the total amount not less than Baht 800,000
Theoretically TI should have accepted just one 65K transfer as proof of income, but the key question is how is the OP transferring his income and is it coded as International.
I had from last November documented three ways...B of A direct deposits...TransferWise DD into Bangkok Bank every month and bank letter, printouts for every month monies were deposited into the bank. This is bullshit. If I paid 25k to my agent friend...she says ten, I’d be a happy man right now. I’ll go to Vientiene and if it doesn’t work, I’ll say screw it and leave. I’m really tired of this crap.
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9 hours ago, Martyp said:
"Went to Immigration today with two packets with EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO GET NON Immigrant O visa."
I am curious. How did you know what you needed for the Non-Immigrant O visa? Did you get this information from the Chiang Mai Immigration office before making your preparations? Did they give you incorrect information?
I had an agent acquaintance put everything together for me...I had everything I needed. That’s why I was so pissed off. I went through this two months ago! This is nothing new! Albeit, I wasn’t as prepared as I was the other day, but same kind of treatment. To hell with them.
7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:He wrote in his posts that he did a transfer from his Bank of America (BOA) account to his Bangkok Bank Account.
Yes they are...
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11 hours ago, kenk24 said:
Did you really do this? Do you expect that will help you in the future?
My guess would be that it is better to be polite to authorities and find a way to work things out together. If you meet the qualifications for a visa you should not have a problem.
I have made mistakes but immigration has always been polite and helpful to me as I was of them.
But, good choice on Doi Saket - nice area.
10 hours ago, UKresonant said:Yes, never had a problem with anything in Thailand so far (touch wood). Don't get angry, much better to keep totally calm.
If you wished to express you frustration, perhaps you could have asked them; will there be trained staff available once you get your non-O to carry out the extension by income method, or do they have a contact number in Bangkok....? Honest question to resolve a perceived deficiency, in the public servants you are trying to deal with.
Not having the non-O was kinda your weaknessin the situation perhaps.
I really don’t care to be honest with you. I am the nicest, most respectful person that has limits. At this juncture, to hell with what they think of me...
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17 hours ago, Traubert said:
I would suggest that even if you dont go the agent route, if you arent experienced it may be a good idea to drop a few baht an agents way just to check the paperwork before you make the application.
I know there's a whole legion of well meaning people here, and Ubon Joe is irreproachable but it's different on the spot.
Dont lose the rag though. You still stand out like a fish in a tree in Thailand. You won't be forgotten.
I had an agent acquaintance put the duplicate packages together for me with everything she said I would need, to no avail. That’s why I was so pissed off...
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19 hours ago, Golden Triangle said:Whilst I understand your frustration it may not have been a good idea to air your thoughts to the immigration officer, I have seen quite a few people tossed out of Jomtien immigration office and told never to return, where would that leave you ??
Many on here, myself included, have gone down the 800,000 Baht route only to be thwarted by an obnoxious IO wanting you to go down the agent route so that they can up their monthly salary, we all get sick of their antics trust me, except for the chosen few that for some unknown reason have never ever had a problem at immigration & I can assure that they will be along soon enough to tell us all about it.
I didn’t lose my cool...but I said what I said to him almost under my breath and he giggled as I walked away! At this juncture, I am not too concerned with what they think of me, anymore than they are worried about what I think of them. They are masters of screwing with people, especially Falangs, with a smile on their faces. Screw threm, whether I need them or not. I am a mature, respectful, educated man that has a lifetime of dealing with people experiences over the past 67 years. These clowns test my patience like no other. To hell with them.
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3 hours ago, lkv said:
No, he stated in the original post (although not exactly worded this way), that he is currently on a tourist visa issued by Vientiane, went to CM Immigration to convert to non O, they refused and sent him back to Vientiane to get his non O from there, then come back to them after 90 days to get his annual extension.
Correct
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1 hour ago, RAZZELL said:
Don't you apply for a Non Immigrant O in your home or neighbouring country, then do the retirement extension in Thailand?
http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O-A"-(Long-Stay).html
Thank you for this link, it’s just what I needed for clarification. Kap khun Kap!
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9 minutes ago, fishtank said:
Ok that would have given you more options.
Does she have a Visa or an extension of stay?
What sucks, is she is in the states for the school break as her 88 year old father fell and fractured his back and since her return has had a couple of minor strokes, so he’s in decline and Laura won’t be back anytime soon to resume the school year on the 14th. Things are really in flux right now.
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Just now, FaFaHead said:
No...she has a Non Immigrant A?...teaching visa
No you can’t my friend. I had a letter from SS, another from my retirement showing his much I get every month. I printed out the deposit pages of my B of A bank account they were deposited into from last November when I got here until this month. I use TransferWise and printed out the same corresponding pages showing transfers from B of A to Bangkok Bank. They didn’t want a joint account so I opened another Bangkok Bank account in just my name and updated both passbooks on the way to immigration this morning. The new Bangkok Bank account shows the SS and retirement deposits going into it for this month. The bank also gave me the required letter outlining my deposits since last November. They also did a computer print out for every month showing deposits since last November. House lease, book from landlord, tm30’s, tm86, all in duplicate, copies of passport pages, EVERYTHING...checked by someone who used to work at immigration by the way, all to no avail...Chiang Mai Immigration sucks. To say I am disillusioned is an understatement.
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1 minute ago, fishtank said:
Yes you can get a Non Imm Visa at Immigration with an income of 65k a month.
Providing it is part of the process to apply for a 12 month extension.
Is your Wife Thai?
No...she has a Non Immigrant A?...teaching visa
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24 minutes ago, glegolo said:
I am puzzlled still after 11 years over many of us expats and their lack of thinking and reacting. I have heard so much shit about Chiang Mai, so I would never in my lifetime have to do anything at all with that cesspool to Immigration upp there.
Why even try to live there. There are really nice immigration-offices where it is actually nice to go to and have a chat and they are really trying to help you out.... Screw Chiang Mai and just move to another nicer place in Thailand.
glegolo
Chaiyaphum immigration.... is great...
My wife is an administrator at the Unity Concord International School in Chiang Mai...hard to leave...
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41 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:
Don't you apply for a Non Immigrant O in your home or neighbouring country, then do the retirement extension in Thailand?
http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O-A"-(Long-Stay).html
Well, as I said, news to me...
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40 minutes ago, sotonowl said:Where you thinking about going mate?
Back home to the states. I’m in a 3 year lease and that’s a consideration. I live in a great neighborhood and have a nice house here in Doi Saket. This Immigration stuff sucks. As I scooped up my papers I told the Thai officer that they didn’t want Falangs and this Immigration attitude was bullshit and walked out. The wife and I spend some pretty good BHt every month here. Really pisses me off. Coming here was a mistake I think. Breaking the lease, etc., is going to be a hassle. Damn Thailand!
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Went to Immigration today with two packets with EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO GET NON Immigrant O visa. Was told that the law had been changed and I cannot use proof of 65k every month (which i had), and that I needed 800,000 in the bank. I was then told that I needed to go to Thai Embassy in Vientiene and get the Non Immigrant O and then before 90 says are up I can get retirement visa here in Chiang Mai. This sound right?
If that’s the case, why didn’t someone tell me that the two times I went to Vientiene this year, instead of me getting tourist visas?
I have been given nothing but the runaround at Chiang Mai Immigration and this has been nothing but a cloud hanging over my head since I arrived here last November.
Some good sound, knowledgeable answers would be appreciated. I really am thinking of just saying to hell with it and leaving. This is too much of a hassle to try and stay here.
Thank you...
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6 hours ago, webfact said:
Not a single nail will be hammered, vows Aswin, as construction material injures 10 students
By KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ,
KORNKAMON AKSORNDECH
THE NATIONTHE RENOVATION work next to Bangkok’s Assumption Convent School is being done without a permit and the operators had been told to suspend all activities since April 1, Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang said, after construction materials fell into the school compound yesterday, injuring 10 students.
The city administration said it would file a police complaint against the construction firm for recklessness causing injuries and property damage, as well as for violating building control regulations. Police, meanwhile, are looking for the worker who was operating the crane in question to testify and possibly face recklessness charges.
“I’ve promised the school that all construction at this building will be suspended. Not a single nail can be hammered there now,” Aswin said.
The governor added that earlier, Bang Rak superintendent Pol Colonel Doungchote Suwanjaras, had taken photographs of 80 workers at the site to check on their activities and their legal status. Doungchote was inspecting the route near the school as part of preparations for the June 22-23 Asean Summit.
Aswin said that once forensic police have finished investigating the site, public works engineers will have the crane and scaffolding removed to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The school, meanwhile, suspended classes for today after 10 schoolgirls were wounded yesterday at 10am when the crane on top of the River Garden Hotel broke and fell, bringing down construction materials that fell through the roof of the school’s basketball court.
The crane remains stuck at the top of the hotel building.
Of the injured students, who were rushed to Lerdsin and Saint Louis Hospitals, one has been kept back by doctors at Lerdsin for observation due to a brain concussion.
A pick-up truck parked near the basketball court also was damaged.
Assistant abbot Father Winai Ritthiboonchai revealed that there were four previous instances of the school roof being damaged by falling construction material, which prompted the school to file a complaint with the district office in a bid to get the construction suspended.
“However, we were advised to file a civil lawsuit, because the falling construction material had not caused any deaths. I found this reasoning unacceptable, so I took my complaint to the deputy Bangkok governor,” Father Winai said.
Aswin concurred, saying he had heard that the hotel owner had negotiated with the school twice before, apologising for the previous incidents and promising to fix the problems. However, the governor said legal action is required to prevent a recurrence of such accidents.
Wanlop Suwandee, chief adviser to the governor, insisted that the Bang Rak District Office had not ignored the school’s complaints and had suspended the project since April 1.
He said the hotel had sought permission to “repair” the building, but instead it began renovating it. As for the latest incident that led to injuries, the hotel claimed it stemmed from an attempt to install a metal fence around the under-renovation area, Wanlop said, adding that city officials will soon file a police complaint to punish those involved.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30371415
-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-206 hours ago, webfact said:Not a single nail will be hammered, vows Aswin, as construction material injures 10 students
By KHANATHIT SRIHIRUNDAJ,
KORNKAMON AKSORNDECH
THE NATIONTHE RENOVATION work next to Bangkok’s Assumption Convent School is being done without a permit and the operators had been told to suspend all activities since April 1, Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang said, after construction materials fell into the school compound yesterday, injuring 10 students.
The city administration said it would file a police complaint against the construction firm for recklessness causing injuries and property damage, as well as for violating building control regulations. Police, meanwhile, are looking for the worker who was operating the crane in question to testify and possibly face recklessness charges.
“I’ve promised the school that all construction at this building will be suspended. Not a single nail can be hammered there now,” Aswin said.
The governor added that earlier, Bang Rak superintendent Pol Colonel Doungchote Suwanjaras, had taken photographs of 80 workers at the site to check on their activities and their legal status. Doungchote was inspecting the route near the school as part of preparations for the June 22-23 Asean Summit.
Aswin said that once forensic police have finished investigating the site, public works engineers will have the crane and scaffolding removed to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The school, meanwhile, suspended classes for today after 10 schoolgirls were wounded yesterday at 10am when the crane on top of the River Garden Hotel broke and fell, bringing down construction materials that fell through the roof of the school’s basketball court.
The crane remains stuck at the top of the hotel building.
Of the injured students, who were rushed to Lerdsin and Saint Louis Hospitals, one has been kept back by doctors at Lerdsin for observation due to a brain concussion.
A pick-up truck parked near the basketball court also was damaged.
Assistant abbot Father Winai Ritthiboonchai revealed that there were four previous instances of the school roof being damaged by falling construction material, which prompted the school to file a complaint with the district office in a bid to get the construction suspended.
“However, we were advised to file a civil lawsuit, because the falling construction material had not caused any deaths. I found this reasoning unacceptable, so I took my complaint to the deputy Bangkok governor,” Father Winai said.
Aswin concurred, saying he had heard that the hotel owner had negotiated with the school twice before, apologising for the previous incidents and promising to fix the problems. However, the governor said legal action is required to prevent a recurrence of such accidents.
Wanlop Suwandee, chief adviser to the governor, insisted that the Bang Rak District Office had not ignored the school’s complaints and had suspended the project since April 1.
He said the hotel had sought permission to “repair” the building, but instead it began renovating it. As for the latest incident that led to injuries, the hotel claimed it stemmed from an attempt to install a metal fence around the under-renovation area, Wanlop said, adding that city officials will soon file a police complaint to punish those involved.
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30371415
-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-20These people are mental midgets, they really are. I’m astounded at the thought process over here.
This will be my last post
in ASEAN NOW Community Pub
Posted
I’m trying to be responsive to the people that are responding to me...called being courteous I think!