LivingNThailand

I was there this morning. It was a zoo. I thought the new system was supposed to be New and "Improved". Where was the improvement? More paperwork, more forms, a trip to the bank and a trip to the copy center. In years past no problem, slipped right through. I hope your experience was better than mine. Sorry for ranting, but the system should be easier after 10 years of doing this, not harder. 🤯

I just came back from Phuket immigration for my annual retirement extension. The new and improved system is NOT improved. But that is another topic. A few people asked for an update, which I will do after I recover. Anyway, the topic was, can we switch from me being the primary Retirement visa to my wife and me becoming the dependent. There were two women IO, one junior and another senior with a lot of medals. We had the junior officer and I asked her about switching. She didn't know and asked the senior officer. They had a very brief conversation, and I heard the word Ma Dai (cannot), and it was explained to me that we would have to get new Non-O visas if we wanted to switch. That my Non-O was dedicated to the retirement visa and my wife's Non-O was dedicated to dependent. Which makes no sense to me, a Non-O is a Non-O ???? Isn't it. Anyway, that is the answer today. Tomorrow maybe different? to be continued..... haha UPDATE: I just got this from Phuket immigration volunteer It should not be a problem to change over the retirement and dependent applications. But you can expect some questions from the officer of the reasoning of doing this as in most cases the man will be the retirement extension holder and the wife the dependent. All the banking papers have to be in the name of the wife off-course. Same as it was for the husband in the past. So, again, clear as mud. Not going to worry about it right now.

What about a phone, iphone to be specific. I only use Skype on my phone. Thanks. I was stuck at portal. 🤣

I think it can be done if the money part is done right. We go in next week for renewal. I just wonder if I need to keep the 800,000 in my account for the next 12 months and put another 800,000 in my wife's account for the next 12 months. then after 12 months I can start using the 800,000 in my account and spend it down ??? I'd hate to fall short. There is a new office in Phuket for the retirement visas. There is "chatter" that they are more accommodating and helpful than in the past. I will try to ask and see what they say. If I get any type of reasonable answer I will post it here. Thanks.

Probably the best. Just exploring options. If you don't ask you don't know thanks

Thanks for your comments. It was an idea we were kicking around. She says I get too cranky about going to the bank. 😂

Correct. Maybe my wording wasn't clear. Can we switch somehow, or have to start all over? We go in next week to renew and thought I'd ask if I knew the right thing to say. Don't want to confuse anyone during the renewal process and make it harder than it should be.

I am on a retirement visa extension. My wife is my dependent. With her as my dependent it saves us putting an extra 800,000 THB in the bank. I was trying to find out if we could switch roles. It would mean putting the 800,000 in her account if we can do it. Not on a marriage visa. I don't think I said that?

Stop the construction. They have ruined Phuket with all the developments!! Concrete Jungle.

I was wondering if I could change my visa extension status. Switch with my wife who is my dependent. Both US Citizens on a retirement extension. My wife does all the paperwork, the banking stuff and it is getting harder for me to get around. We both agree it would be better if she became the primary retiree so she could get the banking statement and letter, and I show up to immigration once a year. Does anyone know if this is possible without starting all over again? Thank you for any help you can give me on this topic. Oh, forgot to mention Phuket immigration

thanks. I was wondering if that was the case. It sounds like if they cut off Skype and force everyone to use a new app all on the same day...sounds like a bit of a disaster. Hopefully I won't have any emergency calls in May and can ride out the confusion. It was also unclear (at least to me) if they are still going to offer the top off credit every $10. Get down to $1 credit and they auto top off another $10. Did you figure that out?

I Lined my friend and he said: we were told the construction we saw near baan krating was still a couple of years from completion, not sure about the number of units. They are supposed to widen and improve the road. The place will be crazy 🤪, with one road. So maybe they have only put some backhoes in and clearing the land right now. His memory isn't the best but I'm sure he said last December it was going to be a Sheraton or Marriott. That's a real shame. A lot of people liked to walk around the Lake. How can they run out of money? How could they start the project without enough money budgeted. I know, stupid question. But isn't Phuket supposed to be a world class destination?

I put Team on my iphone yesterday and for the life of me I cannot figure out how to make a phone call. I signed in with my skype email. Is this just an announcement and not ready yet? I'm not super tech savvy, but I can usually figure things out like this. Thank you for any advise you can give me.

One reason to keep a US Schwab account: If you have any other US credit cards, they usually require a US address, phone number and payment from a US checking account. I pay my US credit card electronically from my Schwab checking account. You got to think about everything before you make the move. Let us know how it goes.

I have friends that stay every year at Baan Krating at the small beach past the Nai Harn Hotel. Very peaceful and quiet and a nice walk to Nai Harn Beach. This year (December 2024) they told us that they are building a huge, I think they said Marriott, hotel in between the Nai Harn and Baan Krating. Construction already started. They are keeping it quiet and unless you go past the Nai Harn you can't see it. But I can't imagine that no one hasn't noticed the construction vehicles going down that road, it's so small. Personally I don't go to Nai Harn until after Songkran and the rainy season starts. TOO MANY people. Anyway, they figure they have one more year at Baan Krating and they have to find some where else to stay. I just read the press release mentioned in one of the above posts. It says. Likewise, the heritage-rich streets of Phuket Town can be reached in just over 30 minutes, and Phuket International Airport is an hour’s drive away. hahaha. 30 minutes to Chalong Circle and 2-2.5 hours to the airport during high season. It is very very sad what they are doing to Rawai. It used to be a fun place to go to, now ugh.

US Social Security.

Hum, I've only read 2 pages of comments so far, but your response sounds like this whole new Teams is going to be Microsoft friendly and as a Mac / Apple user I may be doomed..... Just did an auto top off a few days ago. I lost a bunch of money on my top off when microsoft bought Skype and forced me to re-register, two accounts. major po'd back then. Now it sounds like I am in the same boat.

yeah, I read this four times and didn't make sense. Once I see the word Portal everything goes South. I have a younger brother that is a bit more techy and himI thought I'd send the email to him and see if he can figure it out for me.

I sent you a PM. Not comfortable giving banking info here. Hope you understand.

I watched the video about 4 times. The Big Bike guy was driving way too fast. I see it every day in Phuket. I am amazed that I don't see more accidents. These big bike guys speed with the "pedal to the metal" weaving in and out of traffic without regard for other people on the road. You can go back and forth on the way Thais drive vs foreigners, but if someone / anyone is driving too fast with no consideration to the traffic flow then they are at fault. Not some guy that is trying to make a U-turn. It's a "I can do anything I want on holiday" mentality. Very sad that nothing can be done about it.

With my account they gave me ZERO notice and I only found out because I couldn't use my ATM or Internet Banking. Went to the bank and said the US government changed it. Basically FU.

Sorry, I didn't read all the responses, but my advise to to just wire the money to your BKK bank account. I had direct deposit for years with the requirement to physically take the money out every month until a friend said I could send the SS money to a regular savings with ATM. That worked for about 2-3 years until SS decided they were going to change it back to direct deposit. BKK didn't give me any warning so one day no ATM, no internet banking and no mobile banking with that account. It took about 2 months to get it straightened out. Now I have the SS money sent to my USA bank account and on the 3rd of the month I wire the money from my USA bank to BKK bank account that has ATM, Internet banking and mobile banking. I do it online and it takes about 3 minutes. Costs me about $15 a month. Money well worth spent with the convenience. In my humble opinion.

WHAT!!??? The Traffic is gridlock already in Rawai! I don't even go there anymore it's so crowded now. How can that be!!??

When I took a TELF course all English teachers were supposed to be from an English Speaking Country. USA, Canada, Australia, England / UK and South Africa. English speaking Filipinos/Filipinas could teach music, art and the like. As far as I know Ukraine and Russia are not English speaking countries. So the criteria has changed?

I just looked up the starting price for a Mercedes coupe. Yep, just two of them would be more than the house. What gives with these guys. They want to run under the radar, but drive these ridiculous cars.