Thomas J

1 hour ago, jor said:

do True and 3BB both have unlimited downloads or do they still throttle torrents?

Jor

In the beginning with 3bb we experienced times when our speed was being throttled down.  We continually complained and now it seems pretty consistent.  We have the 200/200 package and our download speeds seep to be consistently between 130 and 160 and that is on wireless. 

I am not sure you can make any generalization.  I am sure some prefer Thai.  However, it does seem that a higher percentage of Thai women do seem to prefer a Farang. Not much different for Blacks in the USA.  Many black men prefer a Caucasian woman.  Some of it for their looks, others for the status For some Thai woman liking a Farang, for some it is the looks for other it is the money and or chance to live in a Western Country.  

Sign seen in Chonburi

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good florist that has good prices.  Translation, does not hear the Farang voice and double or triple the price?  If they have an email, I can convert into Thai. 

I have 3BB Fibre Optic.  However for the past 3 days I have had no internet service.  The "story" is that there was a fire in a service pole.  Have called at least 2 dozen times over the past three days and they always promise the problem will be fixed and a call back.  Problem is not fixed and they never call back.  Looking to switch to True.  The cost and the speed is identical.  However, before shooting myself in the foot, I want to make sure that others using True Broadband have had a good experience.  

I am from the USA and the cost of living in many parts of the USA is lower than Thailand. You can buy a nicer home in most of Texas for the same money. The cost of food here in Thailand is substantially higher with less selection. The only thing cheaper in Thailand is labor. Haircuts, taxi, plumber, gardener ect. 

On 1/30/2020 at 8:12 AM, webfact said:

Tourism down 60%

Gosh with all the other statistics on tourism being down due to the pollution, smoke from fires, and accidents. At this rate the hotels will soon have negative occupancy numbers

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Thai is old incorrect info that appears on the MFA website and some embassies websites. You cannot apply for a OA visa anywhere here.

ubonjoe

You are correct that it is from the MFA website.  It is still there

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15385-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O-A"-(Long-Stay).html

2 hours ago, Max69xl said:

  3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is not possible to change non immigrant visa categories at immigration.

Ubonjoe

The only thing I have ever heard is that you can apply for an OA visa at one location in Bangkok.  Now why anyone in Thailand would want to apply for the OA if they were already in Thailand I would not understand why. 

40 minutes ago, kbb said:

I have a retirement extension. My category is (I believe) Non OA

kbb

It is my understanding that the OA visa is issued in your home country.  So where did you apply.  If you got a 90 day visa in Thailand it would be a Non Immigrant O and it should be stamped as such in your passport.  You would then apply for a 1 year extension and no insurance is required.  If it is an OA then insurance is required. 

I am wondering if someone can suggest an "affordable" and good place to get a physical exam and lab tests.  Before you answer check the hospital web sites.  I have done that already.  They list the tests and the price  but I am wondering if others out there have had a good experience with perhaps a clinic or one of the less pricey hospitals. 

On 1/28/2020 at 9:17 AM, webfact said:

The administration has said the new rule is necessary to better ensure that immigrants will be self-sufficient. Critics have said the rule would disproportionately bar low-income people from developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia from permanent residency.

It seems to me, an immigration law that bars anyone who is a first generation immigrant from public assistance would make more sense.  Look at Thailand.  They require for both Marriage and Retirement extensions a minimum deposit in the bank or minimum monthly transfer. And that is just for an extension of stay, not permanent residency.  

On 1/28/2020 at 8:30 AM, webfact said:

Siripong said he was worried about gambling away his wife's money and replaced it so she wouldn't be cross with him

Now here is a question. Which would be a worse fate.  His wife's response to him losing her money gambling, or several years in a Thai jail.  Might be a toss up. 

On 1/28/2020 at 8:56 AM, webfact said:

Immigration's BMW smart cars

Does it make any difference if the people were picked up in a BMW versus a Toyota, or Mitsubishi? 

24 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

I assume in Jomtien they have some routine procedure.

KhunBENQ  

I guess second approval needed is ok, seems like it could be done in one trip.  If they are concerned that some a lower level IO is colluding with agency or getting tips for approval, having second person review a sample of applications would seem to make sense.  Having each application reviewed by two people seems that immigration is having two people do the work of one.  Not very cost effective. 

48 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

That's the Transferwise website rather than the app? i can't see any option in the app to get a doc of the details of transfer

scubascuba3  

I have never used the phone app.  It is on the login when I use a PC.  I would imagine you can get on your phone if you go to the Transferwise website on your phone and then click desktop option which will give you the same version as if you were logging in on a p.c.

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

To reduce the number of people waiting for the final decision and sign off of your extension.

Perhaps better to go back the next day instead of waiting 2 or 3 hours for it to be done.

ubonjoe,

Are you indicating that even though the first IO approves the extension that it is reviewed by a second person?  I thought perhaps they did some sort of background check, or computer check of the passport.  Though it is a nuisance for me, I live about 30 minutes away, I am sure for many their immigration office is substantially further away. 

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The list here is a lot longer than the one you posted.

https://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/expats/docs/ExtendingStay.pdf

Ubonjoe,

Thank you.  Another person sent me the expatriate list but yours is substantially more exhaustive than the one he sent me.  

I got my retirement extension of stay yesterday and the process was extremely smooth.  Less than 30 minutes.  Today, I entered, handed the person at counter 8 my card and she immediately handed me my passport.  I was in and out immediately.  Does anyone know why Chonburi Immigration approves you but requires you return the following day to pick up the passport.  I have read that other offices stamp it the same day. 

4 hours ago, Max69xl said:

There are a checklist at Jomtien Immigration stating what documents you need when extending a stay. Even better, go to PCEC's website (Pattaya City Expats Club). They have updated checklists for extensions based on retirement.

This is directly off the Chonburi website, The second is the list from Pattaya City Expats.  As mentioned, he never wanted the TM6, nor evidence that I had 90 day report and never asked for proof of my pension. So again some inconsistency. 

1 minute ago, DannyCarlton said:

There have been reports on TV that Jomtien require proof that the money comes from a pension. I handed over 3 months worth of bank statements from my UK bank showing monthly entries from my private pension but the guy didn't really seem interested in that.

DannyCarlton

Yes, I was prepared having both my social security letter, statement, plus bank statements showing the social security deposit each month but he did not ask for any proof.  I really wish that the immigration bureau would clear the matter up by definitively posting exactly what was required, how many copies and any other conditions such as they need to be copies versus printed scans.  It would seem to make life far easier for both them and us. 

4 hours ago, DannyCarlton said:

Were you asked to prove that your income comes from a pension?

DannyCarlton

He took the map but did not ask for it.  He took my fiances house book and copied it.  Though I had my bank statements from the USA and my social security pages showing proof of a pension, they did not ask for it.  Here again, I have no idea why they require it to be a foreign transfer nor for that matter from a pension.  If you show having 65,000 thb entering your account each month why would they care where it come from.  Isn't the point you have sufficient funds to maintain a life here in Thailand? 

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

If using a scanner/printer and print them out that might be true.

If using a computer with the scanner you would get a preview of it before of it was printed or saved. You could then make adjustments if needed to get better position on it or settings to make it look better.

I have lots of scans saved I and cannot see how anybody could tell the difference between a copy or printout of them.

ubonjoe

I used my iphone with notes app to scan.  You can then adjust the corners so that only the document you are scanning shows.  Perhaps if I put the document on a large white piece of paper and then scanned it would look more like it was taken in a copier by next year, I will just go and have the pages needed copied. 

17 hours ago, seeyoujimmy said:

What proof of fund transfer did you give him.

seeyoujimmy, I use Transferwise.  You can go to your Transferwise account and print the details of each transfer which shows the USD in my case, the conversion to THB and then shows the bank and account number.