LivingNThailand

I never got one too.

What is wrong with these people? Phuket Phuket Phuket. I live in phuket. Phuket doesn’t need any more tourists. It needs a better infrastructure. Better roads. Mass transit. Traffic police. Control on developments. Better schooling. Better life quality for the local community. People are living in slums and the PM wants sustainability. Take Care Of Your People Mrs PM. They are living in substandard conditions.

The dive / tour operators collect the park fees in advance from the foreigners / Thai people on the trip. I've been on many dive trips up there and you pay the park fees in advance. I haven't been up there in a while, but back in the old days, once you got up to the Similans the liveaboard tour director would go onshore to the National Park headquarters and pay the fees. Therefore, there is some what "wiggle room" in the transaction.

That’s what I said. The drivers of the car. Luckily he didn’t hit a couple of motor bikes. Usually there are a lot on that road and intersection.

You are correct and you are probably one of the safe drivers. I'm not sure, but I think the engine in the new Ford Rangers are very strong and the owners in my housing estate drive fast, are irresponsible and have no regard to elderly, children, babies and pets. I actually had a Ford Ranger many many years ago. It was smaller, reliable and didn't go so fast. I'm pretty sure it was stick shift too. Not sure why (not you) these people have to speed and go so fast. usually BMW and Ford Ranger drivers, but a lot of others too. What I said was sort of a joke.

I was just saying this morning before I saw this article that the worst drivers in phuket are the Ford Rangers and BMW drivers. As a Ford Ranger sped past me on my walk. 😂

I would have given this a WOW emoji but it's unavailable on this forum. Many years ago I knew someone in an official capacity, who went to the Phuket Immigration "jail" to check on Americans. They said there were A LOT of Americans in that detention center. Also, a neighbor told me about the same time that the American Embassy sent a representative to Phuket every month to the Phuket jail to check on American prisoners. that's just Americans, and that was a long time ago, not sure if the embassy does these anymore. And what are the prisoner numbers now? And who are these prisoners? Very interesting post.

Every so often someone tries to "rescue" baby bears at Yellowstone National Park in the USA. Usually not a good ending. Their policy: Never approach wildlifeAlways stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.

Where is Racha Pier? If you google it, it comes up Racha Island near Phuket. Very hard to travel by boat from Samui to Phuket. I knew someone that thought he could take a speed boat from Phuket to Samui, but I talked him out of it. 😅

A bit off topic, but I am waiting for all those Chinese Electric cars to completely stop working, fall apart and sit by the side of the road waiting, (hopefully) to be towed away. Cheap Chinese Cars do not bode well for being built to last.

Yes, the first guy once made me redo my bank info and return the next week because he didn't understand the combo method I applied for. (I only do money in the bank now) The funny guy was a complete psycho. Several times he "lost" some of my documents / photos and wanted me to go to the copy room. I always have extra copies of everything so he didn't make me jump through the hoops he was trying for. Was very glad he got reassigned. Yes, that part is better. No funny guys. I hope the reservation system stays in effect for next year. Thank you for all your help with that.

Thank you. I just looked it up. Wondering why everyone doesn't do this. Should be mandatory, I would think. I was seriously thinking about using an agent next year as the experience keeps getting worse and worse. I've filed this away for consideration for next year.

How did you book an appointment on the web? In Phuket? I've never seen or heard about that. Please let me know for next year. I got there super early and was the second person there. When the guy came out to hand out the numbers everyone was civilized until #5 and then the mob rushed him. And then everyone rushed into the small aircon room. I agree. I much prefer sitting outside instead of that crammed in room. One lady was so sick and coughing. Yikes. Anyway, someone asked me to post more details of my experience so I will soon. BTW, my Google map was horizontal (landscape) and it was denied. Must be vertical (portrait). I guess the IO cannot turn the page sideways and read it. ???

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?