Kohsamida

On 5/29/2019 at 4:01 PM, Superoo said:

Where does one obtain a certificate of residency in CM these days?

 

I heard that a new immigration building has opened near the airport.

 

Thanks.

Yes, down by the airport.  You need a TM30 on file at IMM as proof of residency to get the certificate I believe.  Here is a copy of the certificate application form (check to be sure it is up to date since IMM often change forms with little notice) 

Thai-Residency-Certificate-Form.pdf

SOLVED!!!  Filing 90 day report Online:  For what it's worth...I have never been able to successfully file a 90-day report online before.  I finally think I figured out the problem.  My window to file online opened up yesterday and, as usual, I tried unsuccessfully to file online and got the familiar failure message "Contact Immigration". 

Then, a friend suggested I only fill in the boxes that had the red asterisk (i.e.: leave all boxes without asterisks blank even if you have the information, like airline flight #, for instance).

It worked like a charm!  Of course, the reason most people fail is because they file outside the window of opportunity which is 7 - 15 days before expiration, but if you know you are timing it right and still get that failure message, this may help.

Anyway, hope this might help some with this quirky online system ????

20 hours ago, Pravda said:

 

That's what I'm talking about. You can't sell if you don't have a registered company. I'm not talking about visas and workpermits, I'm talking about Lazada requirement.

 

Unless I am wrong and someone can explain to be how they registered as individual.

 

 

I am an expat selling on Amazon and Lazada.  I've been doing Amazon successfully for several years now, and have just begun testing with Lazada (focusing on the consumer needs of expats specifically).  I have lived here in Thailand for 18 months now. 

While Lazada will allow you to register to sell as an individual, if you are an expat you are bound to have problems with Thai authorities over work permits since you are selling directly to Thai customers.  To eliminate this problem you need to register with Lazada as a company based outside of Thailand.  As a registered company, you can take advantage of FBL (Fulfillment By Lazada).  What this means is that you are actually doing business entirely in Hong Kong (Lazada's cross-border hub), not Thailand.  Lazada (not you) fulfills your customer's orders and delivers them to your customers via their individual ASEAN bases of operations. 

Side note:  Hong Kong or Singapore are the natural choices for setting up an offshore company to do business with Lazada.  Hong Kong because that is where Lazada's cross-border hub is located, and Singapore because that is where Lazada HQ is based.  It needn't be in those places though.  Anyplace including your home country is fine, just not Thailand or any other ASEAN country for obvious reasons.  My offshore company is based in Hong Kong.  I know it sounds complicated and expensive to do this, but it's really not.

Bottom line, as Wavehunter said, it is the only legal way to stay in the good graces of Thai authorities as an expat living in Thailand. ????

12 minutes ago, BestB said:

Doh, so the assumption is nothing happened?

 

being jailed and having to go to court are 2 difrejt things.

 

they may have been taken to court, pleaded guilty and were heavily fined

I’m not assuming anything, and since there is no verified record of any foreigner being prosecuted, neither should you.

The article that was referenced was of a high profile THAI CELEBRITY, not an ordinary citizen or foreigner.  Take that as you will.

The only verified stories I’ve read about Farangs are of people having to make “contributions”

6 minutes ago, BestB said:

You have no idea what happened after the arrest. Contributions are made prior to arrests not post arrests

...and neither do you, which is my point; I’ve yet to hear of a person actually behind bars for vaping in Thailand, and the law has existed since 2014.

It’s a rediculous law which has very little to do with protecting public health, and a lot more to do with protecting the interests of the Thai tobacco industry and the government’s income stream from taxing them.  

It’s illuminating to know that the idea of taxing e-cigs is currently being debated by the Thai government.

On 9/4/2018 at 1:54 PM, BestB said:

You right, no one

http://dailycaller.com/2018/01/18/thailand-citizens-are-being-arrested-for-vaping/

That article is not representative of the typical person who vapes.

I realize some people are “arrested”. I’ve yet to read of anyone actually being prosecuted.

For those actually arrested, it’s like getting stopped for not having a Thai driver’s license...you make a “contribution” to the cop’s retirement fund.

Guys, I think you’re making more out of this than there is with regard to legal issues.  I don’t deny it is now “illegal” to possess. E-cigs but, regardless of the sensational news stories (designed to hook readers) of people being busted on the streets and locked for 10 years for puffing, I haven’t run across a single verified example.

What’s more, I was confronted once at the Pattay airport heading for Chiang Mai when TSA agents discovered mine in my carry-on bag.  They simply asked me to remove the battery and place it in my checked luggage.

Fact is, this law has very little to do with health issues, but rather with money.  The government taxes cigarettes, so e-cigs take away that income stream.  The Thai government is actually now debating how they can effectively tax them which kind of says it all!  So, this law is likely to change in the near future.

On ethical grounds, some may argue that they are unhealthy to use, but they are, without question, far less unhealthy than cigarettes, and most people who use them are doing so in order to quit cigarette smoking, so in that light they are actually a healthy alternative.

Personally, I don’t use them in public anymore than I’d smoke cigarettes in public...because it’s rude to others.  I only vape at home, and I don’t think I’m running the risk of having my door broken down and arrested.

Truth is, there are plenty of laws on the books everywhere that are rarely if ever enforced.  This is one of them.

can someone pm me for a trustworthy vendor?

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

Maybe someone will be along in a day or two to arrest you for importing an e-cigarette

 

I'm joking when I say this but this is Thailand so don't rule anything out.

Don’t think that hasn’t crossed my mind ?  As you said though, this IS Thailand where both good and bad unexpected things occur.  I’m an optimist so I’ll assume it’s a good thing...for now ?

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Proof of residence is only to prove your address on the date you apply for an extension. There is no requirement for you to have a long term lease when you apply.

There have been reports that some immigration officers that say otherwise. Jomtien has no such policy and I don't recall any reports of anybody being asked for one.

As usual, thanks so much for your helpful and concise information.  Always appreciated! 

Getting an Extension with a short term lease:  I got a 90 Day Non-O Visa in Chinag Mai, and it expires on Sep 30.  My condo lease expires Aug 14 and I was planning to rent a condo in Jomtien from Aug 15 thru October 30, but plan to move back to Chaing Mai in November.  Therefore, I would want to apply for the extension in Jomtien.  I have already been told by a reliable source that both applying for an extension from a different province than the Non-O was issued shouldn't be a problem, nor will it be an issue of it being honored by Chaing Mai when I return there in November.

My concern is whether my short term lease in Jomtien might present a problem in being approved for the Extension there.

Any "informed" thoughts would be appreciated from people who know the Jomtien Imm Office specifically (since offices seem to vary in their policies from one province  to another). 

46 minutes ago, tropo said:

 

Sorry to go off-topic but just wanted to say I love your amusing profile photo ?  

Sorry this happened to you but thanks for posting; it's a good wake-up call for all to be diligent about the possibility of committing an overstay.  I, like many others, always thought a short (accidental) overstay wasn't a big deal...just pay a fine upon exiting, and that's that.  Your story puts a completely different light on things.

1 hour ago, Horace said:

I have heard that you are required to carry your passport and I have also heard the opposite from a Thai lawyer I respect.  Carrying your passport around does seem very risky.  Is there a law or regulation anyone can cite to conclusively answer this question?

 

Oh, in the 20+ years I  have been here, I have never been asked to provide any form of ID, except for a bogus traffic infraction about 18 years ago.  No one has ever stopped me on the street, in bar or even a disco (although its been years since I have been in one), and asked me for my ID.  Years ago, when I was much younger and Mr. T was the PM, the authorities raided Q Bar (I believe it no longer exists) and would not allow anyone to leave until they submitted a urine sample, but they still did not require an ID of any sort.  If they can compel you to submit a urine sample simply because you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you would think they could also compel you to produce ID, but they didn't.

 

So, where is this law that requires foreigners to carry any sort of ID on them?  What law requires Thai citizens to do so? 

 

Don't mean to disparage any comments or opinions given on this subject, but I would like to see a cite to the actual law since I have heard so many contradictory statements on the subject and, save one traffic incident, have never been asked for my ID.

I've seen this debate contested numerous times here in TVF.  I think it's just one of those gray areas since there is a big difference between what is written law and what is practical law.

The law does exist, though I'd be at a loss to find it in written form since it is probably written in Thai somewhere in Immigration law statutes, but I remember reading an interview by the Bangkok Post with a Thai Immigration police official who said emphatically that it was the law for foreigner to actually have their "original" passport on their person at all times while in public, and be able to produce it to authorities on demand. 

He specifically made the point that a copy of the passport, or a substitute ID like a Thai Driver's license was not acceptable.  

I suspect the reasoning behind this is the high number of people violating their visas with overstays.

The chances of repercussions, if any,  are probably small, maybe a fine and a trip to the police station after you go home to get your passport, so I, like many, don't bother walking around with it all the time...but it is the law, and I'm sure if I cop was in a bad mood he could cause you to have a bad day if so inclined.

Take it for what you will ?

Department of Land Transport Office(s) in Chiang Mai:  There seems to be two locations for the DLT in Chiang Mai.  It seems that the one by the airport is where most people say you need to go for drivers licenses and motorcycle registration, but I noticed that the one in WatKet seems to be set up for this too.  I mean, it looks like there is in area in the back for driver testing and vehicle inspection.

I'm just wondering if anybody know whether it's possible to use the WatKet location for drivers' license and vehicle registration??

12 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

So did you finally get a Non-Imm "O" from inside Thailand? What finally happened? Do you now reside in Thailand on a Non-Imm "O"?

He said he was successful, as I was also (I am in Chiang Mai).  My question to him was whether the person asking for 20k baht was an official at Immigration of a private Visa agent but I was confused by his answer.  Do you know, by any chance?  Just curious

1 minute ago, IFinish said:

I understood her to be asking me to pay her (she didnt offer a range of baht to pay but an exact amount and said good for TODAY only). She scribbled up a case on a paper trying to justify that it would be cheaper for me to do that than to go to another country to get a non-o. I was so ensenced at the time, but i bit my lip HARD and just said ill think about it and left, after all, TIT.

 

So i dont think it was any misunderstanding but i really didnt take it far enough to see how she would have actually carried it out. 

 

Corruption exists yes, but ill be damned if im going to contribute to it unless there is no other choice. 

Still am not sure; was it an official Immigration officer or a commercial visa agent?

43 minutes ago, IFinish said:

   15 hours ago,  Kohsamida said: 

 BTW, not sure if you know this but you can apply for the extension up to 45 days before your Non-O expires.  Even though you can apply for the extension the same day it expires (wouldn't advise that), the advantage is that you get it done and out of your life.  The extension still starts on the day your Non-O expires so you don't loose any days off of the extension.  Just thought it might be helpful to know that.

Thanks very much for the info. I may elect to take care of it sooner to get it out of the way.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Note: 

Jomtien office only allows App for Extension up to 30 days ahead of visa expiry. 

Just did mine in April.

Congrats & Cheers!

 

p.s. I had similar bad experience with IO you mention. She truly is a piece of work!  I tried the conversion route through her and after telling me my document package looked good, she told me i needed to pay her 20k baht to do it! She should be canned, shes obviously corrupt. She is really the only bad IO Ive had to deal with at that office. I think this also explains why she doesnt see many customers each day!

 

 

Thanks for the clarification on lead time in Jomtien.  In Chiang Mai where I currently live it is 45 days.  It's really odd how variable the rules and regulations are between different provincial offices throughout the Kingdom. 

Just curious, was it an actual immigration officer who said you needed to pay 20k baht or was it a private visa agent?  If she is a government immigration officer, are you sure it might not have been a misunderstanding (i.e.: language miscommunication)?  

I only ask because many private agents charge a fee in that price range to handle a visa conversion, which in itself is on the outrageous side of things, but for a government agent to ask you to pay that would be pretty shameful, not to mention, criminal.

7 minutes ago, likerdup1 said:

UPDATE:

    Yesterday was the date for me to return for the "result" of my Non-Imm "O" for purpose of retirement visa conversion application.

 

I arrived early in the morning and was first in line for the 7 desk. My number was called and I entered the 7 desk room. Saw wat dee krap and wai to the officer in charge and before I could sit down one of here secretaries took my passport and receipt. Officer in charge told me to wait outside.

 

I proceeded to sit down and waited. 10 minutes later the secretary returned and gave me my receipt back and said. "You come back tomorrow after 3pm ok?"

 

I got up and started to walk out of the building and remembered that today was the day my permission to stay on tourist visa expires! Also they now have my passport and all I have is a small paper receipt. On realizing this I went back to the office and asked if there was a problem. The officer in charge (who was rather harsh with me when I submitted my application) said "Your application not approved" What? Just then a Thai officer walked in and proceeded to talk with the female officer in charge. I waited outside the door. After about 5 minutes a more polite secretary came out and asked "You OK Mr.?" I asked her "is there a problem with my application? She explained. "We need my boss signature you come back tomorrow after 3."

 

I was a bit worried. What now? I thought. I left the building and consigned my self to the fact I will just have to play along. I am lucky I live close by. For those who live in Chonburri or Bang Suray etc.. what a hassle it could be.

 

Today I returned at about 1:30pm expecting the worst. I didn't take a number because the 7 desk was only on 702. Yesterday morning 701 was my number at 8:30am. The display read 702 and it was 3pm. Obviously the 7 desk gets very little traffic, at least today.

 

I caught the eye of the female officer in charge and waved my ticket. She directed her secretary to take it. I stood there and watched her sift through a pile of passports. Finally I see my US passport being taken out of the pile. She opened it up and from about 3 feet away I saw the new stamp in my passport!! The secretary then handed my passport to another gal who politely showed me the stamp and told me I have 90 days permission to stay and if I want a 1 year extension  to apply for it with all new paper work about 1 month before permission to stay expiry date. I am to go to the 8 desk now which processes extensions.

 

Do it yourself Non-Immigrant "O" visa for the purpose of retirement procured. It was a bit of a hassle. But it did NOT cost me 12,000THB. It cost me 2000 and a fair amount of time and effort.

 

Yes guys it can be done. Patients, tolerance and attention to detail help a lot. I got a Non-Imm "O" visa stamp and 90 days permission to stay myself. ( I have now done this 3 times in the last 6 years by myself NO AGENCY)

 

I hope my experience helps. Cheers Thai Visa Friends. From your friendly likerdup dude. 

 

 

 

 

That's funny; I had pretty much the same experience in Chiang Mai...a mixture of confusion about procedures, officers that spoke very poor English, and seemed very abrupt, but in a couple of cases turned out to be quite friendly and helpful, a crisis (im my case, confusion over some missing days on my TM-30), and then turning over my passport with two days to go before expiration of my Tourist Visa, and being told "somebody will call you when it's time to come pick up your passport", and then not getting the call until the day my visa was to expire.  And like you, it turned out fine in the end.

It's funny because I always heard that  Jomtien Imm office was quite well run and things more or less ran very smoothly.  I guess it's just the luck of the draw!  Glad it worked out for you, and thanks for posting because I am moving to Pratumnak and will be dealing with that office  soon enough for my extension.

BTW, not sure if you know this but you can apply for the extension up to 45 days before your Non-O expires.  Even though you can apply for the extension the same day it expires (wouldn't advise that), the advantage is that you get it done and out of your life.  The extension still starts on the day your Non-O expires so you don't loose any days off of the extension.  Just thought it might be helpful to know that.

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That is not required for a extension of stay application. It is only needed if applying for a non immigrant visa (categroy O) at immigration.

Really?  I didn't realize that.  So, if you have a 90 day Non-O visa, and took the funds out of the bank to use after receiving your first 1 year extension, and then redeposited them from within Thailand at a later date to meet requirements of a new one year extension, that would be OK?

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't use the seasoned term myself since I am concerned it could be confusing to some people. It means the amount of time the money has to be in bank on the date you apply for the extension. 

For retirement the 800k baht must in the bank for 60 days for the first application and 3 months after that. For marriage the 400k baht must be in the bank for 2 months for every extension application....

I might add that you must also be able to prove that the funds in the bank come from a source outside of Thailand.  I think it might have been you, UbonJoe, who pointed this out in a previous thread.  Some people have gotten themselves into a mess by, for example, bringing foreign funds in with them when they travel into the Kingdom and then depositing them locally into a local bank.  In a case like that, your deposit would be marked as an "in-country" deposit and not qualify as part of the 800k requirement.  Just something to consider ?

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

No problem at all. You would only need to formally change your address at immigration in Jomtien so that you could do your 90 day report to them instead of Chiang Mai.

Just wanted to say you're a pretty amazing person!  I'm in awe of your wide range of up-to-date knowledge on such a wide range of Thai topics of interest to Farangs and the way you always seem so concise in your replies.  Thanks!