TenDreams

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Hi, 

Sorry to give you the same answer that you would no doubt have heard before, but not easy at all; initially lots of dead-ends, wasted time and money, etc. Plus of course a LOT of documentation.

However we eventually found the right contact in Pakse and they got it all done. Happy to send you more info on PM, 

Following with interest. I have lived in Thailand the last 15 years, and am married (legitimately via Lao authorities) to a Lao national, so have had the possibility of relocating there in mind for some time.

She is from Pakse which I only visited once during a flood so didn't get to see much of. It might be somewhere we use as a starting point to spend time with family etc, before heading up to LP where we have both visited several times and love. Very interested to hear the perspective of someone on the ground there, thanks for your posts simon43! 

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is still the 29th at this time. I am sure the order for them will be extended but we will not know about it until 2 or 3 days before the 29th.

Thank you

Sorry to take this thread off-topic a little, but does anyone know if May 29th is still the 'deadline' to get the 60 day extension? (this is according to Thaiger video released in April, I can't find any other clear info)

I have had no updates on mine. 

Agent claims he applied, no verification/receipt (around last week of March). 

HMPO say they have no record of the application (been contacting them weekly for last few weeks). 

Have not tried to contact VFS BKK where application was apparently made.

I have had my current, unexpired returned to me by the agent. 

On 4/7/2020 at 5:54 AM, ImageDude said:

I am in the same boat as some of you guys. I submitted my passport for renewal with VFS in Chiang Mai at the beginning of March 2020. I have been in touch with the HMPO via the Government website and received the following reply. 

 

Dear Mr.

Thank you for your email about the status of your British passport application.

 

In response to the latest coronavirus measures relating to social distancing and necessary travel, HM Passport Office has reduced its staffing levels to ensure that these measures are followed. Applications will take longer than usual. Please do not book travel without a valid passport.

 

Standard applications do not have a guaranteed service standard, and we are unable to confirm how long applications will take at this current time. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause you.

 

The passport office will be in touch if they require any additional information.

 

If you applied online, you can continue to track your application here.

 

Regards,

Customer Service Email Team

 

 

So there you have it and make of it what you will.

I.D.

 

Me too. I used an agent as I could not travel to BKK. I think they submitted the application at VFS BKK between March 16-24th. I contacted HMPO via the form, had a few replies, and the final response was as you posted above, although they did add I should contact with them again next week (edit: they said they found no record of my application). I did get my 'old' passport sent back to me when I asked the agent to do so. I need a renewal for visa purposes (it's nearly full + expires Dec. 2020), not travel. The agent says there is no application reference number, I haven't seen a receipt or any proof of application - did you get one?

Thanks for taking the time to post this and the updates Simon43.

I am in the process of marrying my Lao GF (it's quite a lengthy process, but getting there step by step), after that, we may move to Laos and LP is the only place I have so far visited that I feel I could live. 

We'll definitely make a few more visits before making any decisions - I hope I might have the chance to buy you a bottle of cider or two while picking your brains one day! 

15 hours ago, geisha said:

I used to have nice bread in the All In restaurant. Haven’t been to Hua Hin for a while, is it still there ?

Yes, but gone downhill spectacularly in terms of quality & service, wont be going back.

I have tried all the places mentioned by the OP and agree with their assessments. Now I get all my bread (croissants, baguettes, ciabatta, buns, multi-malt, etc) from a young lady who bakes fresh to order from her home (no shop, buyer collection only), great products and prices. She does have minimum orders, can send details by PM (not sure I can post a link to her FB page here, that's where these pics are from). 

4 hours ago, bttao said:

So I wouldn't pay more than necessary in advance then...

however I know someone living in C A who does just that... and more:

 

1- he started in 2016 renting a 3BR in a gated community at 16,900B 

2- in 2017 renegotiated a 1 year lease at 15,900B

3- Renegotiated for 2018  the same at 14,900B...

What do you say to that?

 

it is called GLUT... and the construction Cos are laughing all the way to the bank.

 

Here's a recent video:

 

 

I say to that I pay 12000b a month for a spacious 3 bed 3 bath house in an area of Hua hin that's so good I am thankful every day to be there. It took time to find but there are good deals out there...of course a lot depends on the landlord and your comfort level with them. I'd also say that contrary to most of what you read online I believe there are good hard working agents out there and that they are generally trying to make happy customers, not rip people off for a few thousand baht and instantly get their reputation trashed online. Of course they don't work for free which seems to be what some people expect. 

Glad to see you are doing your research and I hope you enjoy living here once you make the move! 

On 12/28/2017 at 8:40 PM, alibaba123 said:

Hello TenDreams,

 

Sorry for the diversion, but but do you still happen to have L-Arginine?  I want to try it for high blood pressure.

 

Thanks, Valdimar

Hi, 

no, but you can buy it in capsule form at most pharmacies or online...

I buy quite a lot of supplements from Thai sites and it's easy. 

<quote>

Again, couldn't agree more..what I was hoping to achieve from my post was to gain some idea of the average return people are getting. Ive got friends who cannot find someone to let their property at all, and other who are letting out 12 months a year, and its generally due to location. Equally Ive got friends who have great condos in Hua Hin in terms of location and cant find a tenant at all, seems some agents are better than others too.

</quote>

Sorry, a little off-topic, and I'm no expert but my observations are:

Most condo owners here are Thais from Bangkok = rarely use the condo, do not rent out the condo (also own some of the most prime units).

Ex-pats who buy condos = use for holidays/friends holidays/lock 'n' leave solution, don't often rent out.  

Foreign retiree residents  = do not want to be cooped up in a condo.

Holiday-makers =  do not want to be cooped up in a condo.

Long term renters = do not want to be cooped up in a condo.

Locals = cannot afford to be cooped up in a condo.

All in all doesn't bode well for condo rentals, not to mention vast over-supply and pressure to ban short term lets by the hotel groups. 

The people I know who do well renting out condos have spent decent money on their own management staff and marketing, and they do do pretty well. I think marketing actively is key to doing well in rentals here. 

The most I have seen offered by rental programs here is 6%.

get the ferry over to pattaya, I think you can get the necessary shot on any street corner there. 

You might find the logic to which you are accustomed is not applicable here ;)

I wouldn't pay any more than necessary up front. Usually 1 month in advance + 1-2 months as REFUNDABLE security deposit.  I reckon you should expect to pay somewhere in the range of 35,000-45,000B per month for such a unit. 

Great event for an excellent cause tomorrow afternoon (Sat. 25th Nov.):

• 3.30pm: Gates open
• 4pm to 4.50pm: Opening ceremony
• 4.50pm to 5pm: MC’s introduction
• 5pm to 6pm: Double HELLix band perform
• 6pm to 6.15pm: Raffle draw promotion
• 6.15pm to 7.30pm: Bamboo Heart band perform
• 7.30pm to 7.45pm: Raffle draw
• 7.45pm to 8.45pm: CapriKorn band perform
• 8.45pm to 9.15pm: Raffle Draw
• 9.15pm to 11pm: Zuper June perform.
• 11pm to 11.15pm: Raffle Draw optional
• 11.15pm to 11.30pm: Event closing by MC’s

You are right to rent first and figure out which neighbourhood suits you best. 

Would like to see same efforts made to thwart all forms of littering here

If you use Facebook join the group Hua Hin Musos - I know a DJ here, but might not be quite what you are looking for! 

dozens and dozens....visit Thai Waii in Khao Tao on a Sunday afternoon (bands and jam session) and join Hua Hin Musos on Facebook - you'll meet plenty! 

used that site (bx) for quite a while, never had a problem with them, nor has anyone else i know. 

The guy was old, ill, frail and liked a beer, so sadly this is not surprising news.

RIP.

you can probably now buy DVDs for about the same that you used to rent them for, but yes, antiquated technology there! 

On 7/17/2017 at 10:03 AM, JohnSky said:

Thanks for the replies. I have the appropriate documentation from government for the property. Location and size is in the document. There is a dirt road and water, but no electricity. It is not far from Soi 102 and very close to the hills facing the water. 

Soi 102 has become a pretty desirable area lately with the proximity to Blu-Port, Mahasamutr, True Arena and so on...(asking) prices have increased a great deal there, so definitely best to do some homework!