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poka513

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    Sorry, But It's Time To Leave

    in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

    Posted

    Wife and I spent 4 nights holiday in Da Nang last month. There is much building going on there. Someone is investing there big time and expecting an increase in visitors. I am a USA citizen and currently on a multi-entry non-O visa based on marriage, but Da Nang is now my Plan B if staying in Thailand long term goes tits up.

    • Like 4

    I was wrong... the tourists ARE gone!

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted · Edited by poka513

    While we have not been there to eat for about a month, we go to Kad Manee Market in Chiang Mai (open every evening). If the weather is nice, it is an enjoyable place to have something inexpensive to eat and drink while sitting beside the central lake. Sometimes there is live music as well. Last year, there would always be a revolving 6-8 tour buses parked dropping off folks to eat. This year, the tour bus count has increased to 15-20 coming and going. Located across Road 108 from XYM Cafe/Hotel, near to the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center.

    Legal THC Oil - Where?

    in Thailand Cannabis Forum

    Posted

    The Cannabis Clinic we go to in Lampang is inside a large government hospital and dispenses legal government made medical THC oil (like pictured earlier in this thread), 630 Baht per small bottle (prior to the double pricing which is maybe now in effect) if you have a doctor's prescription which I have because I have a cancer tumor in my throat. All they have had so far since summer is THC oil. I have been wanting CBD oil. Eventually, they plan to have THC oil, CBD oil or a combo THC/CBD oil available via the Thai government. We drive there from Chiang Mai and have been 3 times so far. First trip in August, they gave me 900+ Baht of Morphine pills/liquid (because they only had a limited amount of THC oil), but that stuff knocks me out. Second and third trips I got the GPO THC oil.

    • Like 2

    4 night holiday in Da Nang on a multi non O (marriage)

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    My Thai wife and I spent 4 nights at the Queen's Finger Hotel (recommended) in Da Nang, Vietnam seeing the sights. I have a multi-entry non-immigrant O visa (marriage) we got in August at HCMC, so this was the first time leaving Thailand on it. On return to Chiang Mai, only 5-6 folks ahead of me at Immigration. Took a couple of minutes to process me, no questions were asked, stamped in for another 90 days. I was wearing a Good Morning Vietnam T-shirt, shorts and fake Crocs shoes. Next stop was Immigation near the airport to do a TM.30, took about 5 minutes, done.
     

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    Living Outside the City

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    We (5 adults and 2 small dogs) have lived in a 2 story townhouse for 4 years, our complex is called The Clover. We are located off Road 108 between Airport Plaza Mall and Tesco. There is a nearby 7 and a new mini Big C, along with other Thai shops. Tesco, full Big C or Makro is a short drive along Road 108. Our unit was originally an end unit 3 bedroom 3 bath, but we added a 4th bedroom downstairs and turned our small backyard into an enclosed kitchen prior to moving in. We have various Thai relatives which live in the San Patong area. While very much away from busy Chiang Mai, there are fewer close by services and much less English spoken.

    Far Fewer Farang Waltzing Down the Chiang Mai Streets These Days. Why?

    in Chiang Mai

    Posted

    Chiang Mai Air Quality is showing 42 (green) for 1pm today. We sometimes go for food and a beer at Kad Manee Market on Road 108 across the street from Xym Hotel. Last few times there, counted 12-15 Chinese Tour Buses and very few other Farangs. One Farang guy was waiting at a table for 6 for his wife to buy food when a family of Chinese sat down. When his wife came, they moved to another open table. A short while later, another Chinese family sat down at their new table, lol. Our Thai friends that have businesses are hurting, no customers.

    Dress code at HCMC Consulate ?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    Was at Thai Consulate in HCMC 1 month ago. The guard outside lets 3-4 people in at a time. Once through the outside gate, there is a very small waiting area with a few chairs. The inside room is also small, enough for a table with forms to fill out and a couple of people to queue in front of the window to give your paperwork. I do not think they can even see your pants or shoes or care. Wore T-shirt, shorts, low cut socks and fake crocs, same as when I re-entered Chiang Mai Airport on my new multi-entry non immigrant O visa (marriage), no questions asked. For documents and procedure, I posted a trip report: 

    https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1119531-report-multi-entry-non-immigrant-o-visa-thai-spouse-from-hcmc/?tab=comments#comment-14498856

     

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    Compact Camera Vs. Smartphone? Please Help

    in Photography Equipment and Tools

    Posted

    I used a Sony hx9v till it drown when I slipped into a mud puddle a few years ago. I mainly make YouTube videos and was used to operating the camera with one hand, point and shoot. I tried an older smart phone my daughter gave me to use, but found it not suitable, hard to keep steady, difficult to operate even with 2 hands. After watching YT videos comparing the various models of Sony rx100's, in addition to rx100m3 vs hx90v,  currently thinking about getting an rx100m3 if still available.

    • Like 3

    Medical Cannabis Clinic in Bangkok

    in Bangkok

    Posted · Edited by poka513

    We live in Chiang Mai. Two weeks ago, we drove an hour and a half to a big hospital in Lampang for the opening day of their Cannabis Clinic. They only had a limited supply of THC oil. They only prescribed me morphine pills and liquid, but it knocks me out, so I do not plan on continuing to use. We are to return next week when they hopefully have a new supply of medical cannabis oil. I have a cancer tumor in my throat. So far, I know of no available source of medical cannabis oil in Chiang Mai.

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    Report: Multi-Entry Non-Immigrant O Visa (Thai spouse) from HCMC

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by poka513

    USA citizen (age 72), married to a Thai (age 52), living in Chiang Mai 5+ years on Retirement Extensions. Wife and I just spent 3 nights in Ho Chi Minh City (Aug 20-23, VietJet Air) so I could get a new Multi-Entry Non-Immigrant O Visa (Thai spouse). As a USA citizen, I needed to apply for an invitation letter prior to leaving Chiang Mai so I could get a Visa to enter Vietnam on arrival (VietJet checked my letter as part of check-in). Mine took half a day to get it back via the Internet, but could take 2+ working days depending. As a Thai, my wife just showed her passport to enter Vietnam (no visa or other paperwork needed), but VietJet did require a return air ticket for her which we had, duh.

     

    Vietnam Visa on Arrival

    http://www.vietnamvisapro.com/

     

    Day 1 (Tuesday, Aug 20)

     

    When you enter the HCMC airport passport control area, take an immediate left for the area to obtain the Vietnam visa before walking over to all the passport desks. Give them your passport, a completed visa form (save time by downloading form online prior), 2 passport photos, your invitation letter then wait. When your name is called, pay the visa stamp fee ($25 usd or same amount in VND) and proceed to the passport desks.


    We were staying at the Bloom Saigon Hotel (excellent included breakfast) in District 1, so walked outside airport, turned right and found the bus number 109 ticket desk at column number 12 (20k VND per person). We got off the bus at Ben Thanh Market and walked 4 blocks to our hotel.

     

    Day 2

     

    Took a taxi to the Thai Consulate. Driver did not speak English and did not know where the Consulate was located, but our hotel looked up address on Internet and wrote down in Vietnamese for driver (I kept note for next day), taxi fare was 35k VND. The building compound is nondescript on corner of an intersection, but look for the large Thai flag flying overhead. They only take applicants in the morning, so arrive prior to 11:30am I believe.

     

    Non-Immigrant O Visa (Thai spouse) - Required documents:

    Passport (valid not less than 6 months)
    Visa application form (download form online prior to save time)
    $200 usd multi-entry visa fee
    One recent passport photo of applicant
    Guarantee letter hand written in Thai (and signed) by Thai spouse
    Copy of marriage certificate (bring original also to show them, they return)
    Copy of Thai spouse's ID card (front + back, signed by Thai spouse)
    Copy of house registration book (signed by Thai spouse)
    http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/2886/46902-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O"---Accompanying-Th.html

     

    It was not listed as required, but I included a copy of my passport photo page with above. Also the copy of our marriage certificate above included both front and back sides.

     

    Guarantee letter written in Thai was something like:

    Thai Consul in Ho Chi Minh City,

    Please grant my husband (name)

    a visa to visit me in Thailand.

    (signed wife's name)

     

    There was only a couple of other people in line, took about 10-15 minutes, easy.

     

    We walked a few blocks up to where the city buses were running when I was looking online prior to our trip. I expected to find a bus stop sign or bench, but never did. However, as we walked along, I noticed the city buses all had a display sign on front above windshield saying destination and it's route number. Bus 04 and I think 152 went to Ben Thanh Market. Anyway, as we were walking along shopping and sightseeing, I pointed out a 3 wheeled cyclo bicycle to my wife and before we knew it, he was on us like stink on poo. First price quoted was 150k VND, then 80k, when I pointed out we had just paid 35k for a taxi, we settled on 40k. That ride in traffic was an experience not to be missed, ended up giving him 70k.

     

    Day 3

     

    Took a taxi from hotel to Thai Consulate to pickup my passport with new visa stamp, fare was 38k VND. They are open I think 1:30-3pm for this, no one in line, only took a few minutes. I did not think to have taxi wait, so we again walked a few blocks to try for a city bus again. Turns out that the bus stop is a cutout area in the sidewalk with white triangle lines painted on the pavement. When you see your bus number approaching, raise your hand for them to pull over and stop. We got bus number 04 to Ben Thanh Market, fare was 6k VND per person, pay the attendant on-board, seems to run every 10 minutes or so.

     

    Day 4

     

    Took hotel's car to airport, 200k VND. Suggest arriving at least 2 hours early to get thru check-in and security as there was a ton of people.

     

    Arrived back in Chiang Mai, only a few other foreigners in line, did the finger print scan while the Immigration guy processed my passport, stamped 90 days, took photo, done. Asked no questions, easy. I was wearing shorts, gray T-shirt and fake crocs shoes.

     

    Next stop was Immigration Office near airport to do TM-30. Only 2 guys in line, handed girl on third floor my passport and said I just returned to same Chiang Mai address from a trip to Vietnam, took a couple of minutes, done.

     

    I now have a one year multi-entry visa based on marriage and except for TM-30s, do not have to deal with local Immigration, but do need to do a border run every 90 days. The family is already thinking about where we will go for future holidays every 3 months.

     

    As with all trips, some things worked, some did not. There was a lot of walking involved, but especially taxing were stairs, my legs and feet still hurt. Not sure how this will go if I am still needing to do trips like this in my 80s, but today, wife and I are wearing our new matching Good Morning Vietnam T-shirts.

     

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    Tips for Ho Chi Mihn stay, advice & things to do

    in Vietnam General Chat

    Posted

    Wife and I are off to HCMC for 3 nights Aug 20. Staying at Bloom Saigon Hotel. Never been before but hotel has good reviews on TripAdvisor. Plan to use bus from airport (thanks @BritManToo) and Grab.

     

    Planned sight seeing:

    Bitexco Financial Tower Skydeck.

    Water puppet show.

    Half day city tour - https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293925-d11456718-Deluxe_Half_Day_Saigon_Sightseeing_Group_Tour-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html 

    River dinner cruise, 3 hour - https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293925-d15045469-Small_group_Dinner_Cruise_on_Saigon_River_03_hours-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html
     

    Food:

    Soul Burger.

     

    Note:

    Thai Consolate holiday on Monday, Aug 12 - 

    http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/organize/27986-Office-hours-&-Holidays-|-Giờ-làm-việc-&-những-ngà.html

     

    Steps to get marriage visa?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by poka513

    If at least age 50, seems to me it would be easier to get a one year Multi-Entry O-A Visa based on Retirement in the USA prior to moving to Thailand. The financial requirements are based on income or money in the USA, not Thailand. Then near the end of that first one year while the visa is still valid, exit/re-enter Thailand to get a second one year period, giving almost 2 years of stay in Thailand. If during the second year a trip outside Thailand is wanted, just remember to get a Re-Entry Permit prior to leaving.

    Ho Chi Minh

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted · Edited by poka513

    Please correct any errors or omissions...

    Non-Immigrant O Visa (Thai spouse) - Required documents:

     

    Passport (valid not less than 6 months)
    Visa application form

    $200 usd multi-entry visa fee
    Recent photo (4 x 6 cm) of applicant
    Guarantee letter hand written in Thai (and signed) by Thai spouse
    Copy of marriage certificate
    Copy of Thai spouse's ID card (front + back, signed by Thai spouse)
    Copy of house registration book (signed by Thai spouse)

    http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminh/en/services/2886/46902-Non-Immigrant-Visa-"O"---Accompanying-Th.html
     

     

    Are copies of your passport pages required?

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