barkly313

3 hours ago, Raymonddiaz said:

This news only applies to tourists not those who are on extension of stay due to work or family. Non b holders are not out of the woods yet.

Confusing as always, but read the first line: No need to extend visa.

Work or family extensions are just that, extensions of the original visa, whether non O, non b, etc.

My marriage extension is due for renewal next week, so went to Chonburi(Jomtien) immigration office to ask the obvious on Monday. "No need to April 30, & if you wait, probably another month! "

So now we have 3 months regardless of visa extension type.

If anyone has written info excepting certain visa extensions please let all know.

Just relaying my experience, but im still concerned due to comments here, so will go check again!

4 hours ago, ripstanley said:

What office was this? Was it retirement or marriage extension?

Chonburi, marriage extension.

On ‎3‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 10:21 PM, barkly313 said:

Thanks, though I had to go today in Bkk, so heres how it went, given that no one else seems to have been there in last few weeks...

Used the same old Stat Dec form which is mostly blank, & paper clipped supporting statements to it. Wrote on the form ' That the supporting docs attached show that I earn an income above the minimum requirement of 45,000Thb for a visa marriage extension'

Signed it in front of the witnessing consulate officer who had a quick look at the docs attached, then asked for payment(1800Thb or so), stamped & signed, all done.

Will see how Thai immigration goes next week, will only show the stat dec & see if that's enough, but have the supporting docs just in case. No lies, no sweat.

 

Well, I went to Immigration armed with my two sets of papers, all signed & correct, just the stat dec without the supporting docs etc.

All went well unto I seen the officer make some notes & wave us over to the senior officer.

Then the wheels fell off...no probs with the Stat dec, but get this:

The google map print out of our home that I'd submitted last couple of years is now not accepted, need a hand drawn map..go figure?

The copy of the house masters blue book that we submitted last couple of years is now not enough, need a full copy of his chanote...go figure?

So left with tail between legs after carefully preparing everything, have to wait a couple of days for the chanote to be mailed, & get my crayons out & draw a map....the goalposts just moved again.

On ‎3‎/‎29‎/‎2017 at 0:56 PM, ripstanley said:

I will be going on the 7th April in Chiang Mai. If no one has posted before then I will report.

 

Thanks, though I had to go today in Bkk, so heres how it went, given that no one else seems to have been there in last few weeks...

Used the same old Stat Dec form which is mostly blank, & paper clipped supporting statements to it. Wrote on the form ' That the supporting docs attached show that I earn an income above the minimum requirement of 45,000Thb for a visa marriage extension'

Signed it in front of the witnessing consulate officer who had a quick look at the docs attached, then asked for payment(1800Thb or so), stamped & signed, all done.

Will see how Thai immigration goes next week, will only show the stat dec & see if that's enough, but have the supporting docs just in case. No lies, no sweat.

On ‎3‎/‎7‎/‎2017 at 0:40 PM, barkly313 said:

So has anyone in the last few days actually completed a Stat Dec with the supporting docs at Oz embassy Bkk? If so what was your experience?

Just asking again  as above...any new Stat Dec forms or changes at the consulate when submitting this?

So has anyone in the last few days actually completed a Stat Dec with the supporting docs at Oz embassy Bkk? If so what was your experience?

Actually, the area from Moobaan Phutara to the top of KhaoTalo  is quite dangerous after sunset, although getting better since the recent road upgrade & an overabundance of lights installed, and also walking would be difficult right now as that part of road is not yet resurfaced, under construction. You get a lot of mad teenagers using this road as a racetrack, probably fuelled on yabba or laokhao, & the temptation for them to stop & say 'hello' to a lonely wandering farang would be high.

Couple of months ago this happened on that stretch:

http://news.thaivisa.com/pattaya/woman-shot-as-another-thai-on-thai-armed-robbery-is-reported/147559/

The report isn't entirely accurate as they say the railway road- it wasn't, it was the road past Phutara & Tara Patana school that the OP appears to refer to, called Pattanakarn Road & the robbery was almost directly opposite MooBaan Phutara.

So I'd also strongly suggest a motorbike taxi after dark, just for that part of road, once you are in khaoTalo, no probs.

Personally, driving around Pattaya & Jomtien beaches, I regularly have to avoid Chinese tourists who forget or are not aware that we drive on the opposite side from China, so they're looking the other way as they cross. It's surprising there's not more accidents actually.

A sad ending to a family holiday in this case whatever was to blame.

Just caught this on dashcam earlier this morning, a cyclist had a very lucky escape!

First piece sadly comes down on the police station.

At the corner of Jomtien beach, under the 7eleven,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7qpgZ2Tqv8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv22tHrNqcM

Hi RSquared,

Like you, I'm Australian & reside here on a marriage extension.

No need to show any money in the bank...I just visit the Aussie embassy in Bangkok each year, fill in a statutory declaration that I have the minimum funds each month(40k, but check that) to support myself & family, the embassy stamp it, and that's all that's needed for another extension!

Luckily aussies & a few other nations enjoy that ability to use self declared income, so as we say, no worries mate!

Hi Barkly, good advice, do you still do your 90 day reporting? and an income of 40k per month is all that is required? yes?

thanks mate for any info as i am currently on a retirement extension and want to change to marriage.

Hi Jewell, Yes, I do the 90 day reports, & once a year show the papers for a one year renewal, including the stat dec stamped at the consulate.

As I travel a bit I also buy a multiple re-entry visa which lets me come & go as I please during any year.

Hi RSquared,

Like you, I'm Australian & reside here on a marriage extension.

No need to show any money in the bank...I just visit the Aussie embassy in Bangkok each year, fill in a statutory declaration that I have the minimum funds each month(40k, but check that) to support myself & family, the embassy stamp it, and that's all that's needed for another extension!

Luckily aussies & a few other nations enjoy that ability to use self declared income, so as we say, no worries mate!

Yes good point...I'm AU also....There have been reports on TV of io wishing to see evidence of income when applying for extension. Yes au embassy accept your stat DEC however that in itself not cut it with io.

Also while the OP has not stated his income stream..

(he mentions returning to stack shelves) ...You may be suggesting he do a false stat DEC. That is illegal

There is no suggestion or even hint from me of doing anything illegal, & the legality issue of falsifying a stat dec would be between yourself & the Australian embassy as indicated on the stat dec form.

Assumption is that if retired, income from Superannuation funds or an Australian govt Pension would normally be more than sufficient to cover the required 40k per mth.

In the IO criteria for consideration & supporting documents for marriage extension, it states the following:

5.3: If earning foreign income, such as pension or social security fund:

Letter of confirmation from the applicants embassy or consulate in Thailand attesting that the applicant recives income from a pension or other earnings of no less than Thb 40,000 per month.

I used to show the 400k in the bank, could also show a work permit, but then its a pain showing taxation documents etc, so the simplest method is the stat dec which is fully legal as I have the Oz income to support it if ever asked, but never have been in several years. Its up to the IO if they want to ask for more evidence.

Just trying to help the OP, but get smacked down as usual, guess that's why I rarely post any more.

Will stick to just reading.

"This is a repost of information provided by a close mate of mine, who is connected with a bar in Kamala Phuket. Hes not the kind of guy who makes stuff up, dreams things, or posts things hes not sure of."

I'm afraid that he's pulling your leg.

No leg pulling on this one...my wife just had a visit to her restaurant on Jomtien Beach from local government officials & issued a formal warning in Thai of the new laws re alcohol advertising, hours of sale & the no smoking law which has changed since last year - now they are not permitting smoking in any area of an open air bar or restaurant. They said they were giving final warnings before strict enforcement shortly.

I've searched 5pages of responses here for a civil reply to the OP, but all I've seen is flaming & sidetracking from the original question.

Wish people would stick to the subject & if someone actually does have useful information then please post it.

I have four seperate TOT connections & one CAT connection....CAT rarely if ever has failed in two years, but every TOT connection goes down on a weekly basis, particularly on weekends when its hard to get any service or response.

Anyhow, I think many people have vended their dissatisfaction on TOT, and its good to hear of competitors doing it right. Think I'll switch to True for one connection to give it a go. Would be good if they packaged their TrueVision with a broadband internet connection, but thats too much to hope for!

I hear CAT are now working on a new fibre optic upgrade for their international braodband cable, and as the other companies purchase access to this, hopefully that will improve things for all of us!

Anyone heard of the where the proposed monorail route will pass through Jomtien eventually?

Apparently it will end up at the Chaiyapreuk stadium or therabouts, and will connect to the main Pattaya beach circle monorail when completed, if it ever happens!

I believe it is supposed to follow the 2nd road route through part of Jomtien at least.

Just been told it will be built by 2014, but bit of a pipe dream methinks!

As soon as they put all the cables under the earth at Pattaya Beach Rd. they will start with the Monorail. Think that will be .... forget it, they first have to break up the Bahtbus Society, or all the monorails will be made of converted Bahtbuses, so dont hold your breath.

I kinda like that idea of a load of old bahtbuses clunking along a monorail track, saves costs, & you could still hang of the back of them when you're pissed.

Problem would be when the front carriage charges 100baht to pattaya & one in the middle is 150baht....

Did some research & came up with the governments plan, which of course is right on track....

[ 1/15/2009 12:00:00 AM] Monorail planned for Pattaya

Monorail planned for Pattaya

Mayor admits the resort cannot solve traffic problems by building more roads.

Monorail project is in the pipeline that should help ultimately to reduce traffic jams in Pattaya. The project valued at Bt4 billion would take at least four years to complete after it is approved by government.

Pattaya city mayor Itthiphol Kunplome said he was pushing the monorail project and estimated it would open by 2014

Mr Itthiphol said Pattaya was struggling with traffic congestion and it was impossible to build more roads in the main resort area. The rail system would be the best solution he said and long-term would become a tourist attraction.

The plan calls for three rail lines:

Red Line: 11 km, running from City Hall passing North Pattaya, South Pattaya, Bali Hai Cape, Jomtien and ending at Chaiyapruek Stadium

Green Line: 8.6 km, running from City Hall to Pattaya Railway Station and ending at Krating Lai Beach

Yellow Line: 7.5 km, running from Central Pattaya passing 2nd Pattaya Street, South Pattaya and Sukhumvit Road.

You can still chose between 40,00 a month income OR 400,000 in the bank. The rules have not been changed.

If there is a problem with seasoning the money, you can always get a 60 day extension based on visiting your Thai wife, and apply for the 1 year extension at the end of it.

Can anyone confirm this is the case at the JomtienImmigration office recently?

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I used the 40k per month income last couple of years, but the officer clearly told me last August that this would not be accepted next year(this August) & that the 400k would be needed in the bank, much to my dismay!

I could really use that 400k rather than it sitting dormant in a savings account!

Anyone heard of the where the proposed monorail route will pass through Jomtien eventually?

Apparently it will end up at the Chaiyapreuk stadium or therabouts, and will connect to the main Pattaya beach circle monorail when completed, if it ever happens!

I believe it is supposed to follow the 2nd road route through part of Jomtien at least.

Just been told it will be built by 2014, but bit of a pipe dream methinks!

Panchalae Boutique Residences, centre of Jomtien Beach, large 2 bedroom,2 bathroom serviced & unserviced apts.

Just have a search on google or tripadvisor.

Cheers.

- bank book (copy of bank book - front page and bank balances for past 2 months)

- letter from your bank (copy needed)

Thanks for this feedback racefan and comproez, very useful. Could I ask about the seasoning of money (400K Baht)at Pattaya Immigration - is it 2 months or 3 months. I know the official rule is now 2 months, but I thought I read somewhere that Pattaya Immigration required 3 months???

I have to do my annual renewal at the end of August and am holding off sending over money as late as possible - in the sad hope that the exchange rate may improve slightly by the end of June.

Same situation, due in August for renewal & I normally hold near 400k in one bank account, but had to dip in recently & topping it up now at end May. But I have on average more than enough in another account to make up the 400k as that account I use for monthly living.

Question is: can I use both account statements to prove I had a minimum 400k for last 3months before the application or must it all be in one savings account?

Last couple of years Pattaya accepted the 40k monthly income which was'nt a problem, but they told me last August next time I would need the 400k.

Oh, re the photos...last year I just compiled them on one A4 piece of paper & printed on normal copy paper.no problem., no need for glossy but TIT.

BBC news is 5 minutes long on 88.5 not 15!

Maybe during the daytime its 5mins, but definitely at 7pm or 8pm its longer. I waited 5mins, then 10 mins, but when it reached 15mins I had to switch music on before customers fell asleep...& the volume imbalance was a real nuisance.

May I ask what Radio Station you change to, because at 7:00pm in the evening, the other three station do an hour of THAI NEWS, as required by ther broadcasting licence.

If I am going to listen to an hour of news, let it be in a language I understand 100%. But usually, I hit the CD button if in the car.

Thats a problem if you are in the car, but I understand the broadcasting licence is directed at RADIO broadcasting...no such directive applies to internet streaming, so you will find that if you stream the same stations theres no hour of Thai news...I guess thats a loophole that hopefully will stay open.

BBC news is 5 minutes long on 88.5 not 15!

Maybe during the daytime its 5mins, but definitely at 7pm or 8pm its longer. I waited 5mins, then 10 mins, but when it reached 15mins I had to switch music on before customers fell asleep...& the volume imbalance was a real nuisance.

For me its whichever one works today on internet stream!

We play streaming live in our cafe, and sometimes 96fm works, sometimes 105fm, 88.5fm seems to always work, but the sound levels keep changing so when the BBC news comes on, I have to run for the volume control! Then the news rambles on for 15mins, so 88.5 is now just a backup if the other two fail...sorry, when the other two fail!

Been told by Danny at 96fm that they will have a new streaming service & new improved Fm audio in the new year, so will be waiting to test that out!

Why radio in the cafe?....gets around any music copyright issues, & stations issue 'license' to play for free.

Just been streaming mix 88.5 for a while in the background, seems reasonable.

My main bugbear is reliable consistent online streaming as we play music in our cafe all day, and both 96fm & 105fm have been unreliable, not always their fault as the internet is not consistent either, but having alternate stations is good.

96fm's playlist is very repetitive now, although with a varied clientele of european,russian,thai & other nationalities in a coffee shop, its good foot tapping music that most recognise...I'm sure Abba's even well known in Russia, as probably are the carpenters...aagh!

105fm is more varied & less repetitive, more brit oriented as stated earlier, but sometimes a bit loud for background music.

Will add 88.5 to the playlist as a backup now and give it a try somedays.

Big advantage for those playing music in a bar or business is that most or all of the stations give their permission to broadcast the music in a public place, so the 'music police' cannot do much about it. Just a case of finding the music that suits your business.

Thanks to all of the stations for broadcasting and providing more choice for the listeners!

Does anyone know of any Wi-Fi hotspots along Jomtien beach road that could be accessed from the beach? I don't mind taking the kids to the beach, but I can only take so much of it myself; I would like to be able to do some browsing while putting down a few brews.

Mama Wifi is available along most of Jomtien beach, also named Jomtien WiFi etc...but you need a pin number obtainable from most of the hotel front desks..bit costly & not always working though, but the signal is available on the actual beach. Salotto Coffee under Casa Apartments Jomtien beachfront has a great WiFi 2mB free signal, just have to buy a coffee/beer etc, and they give you the pw. Should be a few others along the beach road but the signal will hardly reach the other side on the actual sand.

Thought I'd try one a week or so ago as it was really hot & the thoughts of an aircon ride to jomtien seemed a good idea.

Took ten minutes to flag one down outside of Royal Garden Plaza, first one did'nt want to go to Jomtien. Another ten minutes to get 2nd one, he ok'd Jomtien, so jumped in.

Meter not switched on. Asked him to switch it on, he said 150baht to Jomtien. I opened the door to get out....ok,ok,ok...switched the meter on.

Got to Jomtien, meter said 42bht...I gave him 60. He was'nt too happy. But I was cool.