ThirdRock

UPDATE - I arrived early to get copies and a photo, and asked a couple of people whether to check in at Reception in Building B or jus proceed to main build. Everyone said "get a number". There was a queue of about 15 people at Reception and I was 20 minutes early for my appointment, so out of curiosity I walked around to the ramp entrance to the main building (injured leg and couldn't do steps), opened the door and the guy in the lobby walked up. Showed him the printout for appointment and he pointed to Desk 8 and said "go". There were 6-8 people seated waiting their number to be called. I just held up my printout and the clerk helping someone else pointed to the two girls at the end of the counter who return the passports after processing and said "they do appointments". One of the girls took my paperwork and checked it, had me fill in that extra form they hand you, collected the 1,900 and said "tomorrow 2PM". I was in and out in 5 minutes and the 6-8 people were still waiting for their number to be called. Not sure if all appointments for annual renewal are handled by those girls vs the regular clerks or if this afternoon was just a one-off. So at least in my case, the online appointment worked beautifully. I did not need a number from reception in Bldg B. I was on my way home about 15 minutes before I was even scheduled to appear. Easiest in 17 years. And based on the appointments already made for the next 2-3 days on the booking site, seems others are beginning to use it. It would be helpful if there was a note on the appointment scheduling website explaining the check-in process.

I have read mixed comments about the online appointment application being used again at Jomtien. And based on the appointments booked on the site for the next week, it seems pople are using it. One reader was kind enough to relate his eperience several weeks ago but at that point he ran into some confusion on what to do upon arrival. For a Non-O [Ret.] annual renewal, does anyone have recent experience with the process? Do you still go to Reception in Bldg A, or do you proceed directly to the main building with you appointment printout?

Am in Jomtien - Did last one 6:00 PM 12th Oct, and it was approved 5:00 PM next day, which was a holiday for the King's passing. I assumed Immigration would be closed and would not receive until following Monday. Quite surprised.

Like Zenobit above, I am confused by new announcement. I have been part-owner of a house for over 15 years, have lived in same house 13 years without leaving the country, have done all extensions and check-ins during that time, and have no TM-30 in my passport. The article said you need the TM-30 if you need service from Immigration. I just did 90-day online yesterday and have not received approval or rejection yet. But annual extension is just 4-5 months away, so I assume I will need the TM-30 by then. I am one of three owners of the house, but my name is not on house papers since I bought in after the fact. For annual extensions I just provide a utility bill. Have never had a need for further proof. Any ideas on what I need to do? It seems like this is standard procedure, like new tax plans -- make a big announcement but give no details!

Update: Thanks for all of the suggestions above about checking the pump, etc. We had a pump problem several years ago, so we had checked for problems. But we went back and checked everything suggested above. No luck! Similar to a service we once used in America, and based on comments from Pitak above, I found a plumber in Bangkok who uses a sounding device to find leaks. He said he would come to Pattaya and if he found the leak he would charge X Baht for finding/fixing it, but if he failed to find the leak there would be no charge for driving down. Set up an appointment for three days later. He drove down from BKK on Sunday morning and within a half hour found the leak under the floor in one of the downstairs bathrooms. He jackhammered the tile and cement, replaced the leaking pipe, tested thoroughly replaced the bathroom floor tile with one we had saved from the original construction years ago, re-grouted and left the area spotless. He was done within 2 hours of arriving and charged the original quoted price. The guy and his assistant were great, and using the acoustic device to locate the leak probably saved other tiles and digging holes. Again, thanks for the suggestions. Last time it was the pump as suspected. This time it was an under-floor pipe!

We have noticed the house water pump has begun to run constantly, even if all faucets/taps/toilets are not running. We can find no obvious leaks in walls or floors, and no soggy areas or indication in the lawn there is a leak. We have used a company in the USA before relocating here that used ultrasonic or sonar equipment to locate a water leak under the house or around the pool. That company charged a flat fee only if a leak was found. We are at the point that we are turning off the water pump, and only turning it on for 15-minute periods two or three times a day for showers, toilets, etc. Is there a company in the Pattaya area who provides such a service. Any help or advice will be appreciated!

I have sent 7162 by Thai Post EMS for years with no problem. I have used regular mail for other things and never had a problem, for wanted to be able to track receipt of the SSA form. This year I mailed the form in July and received the second notice last week that my form had not arrived, etc. I was ready to blame Thai Post so I found my original tracking number and checked. Thai Post was not to blame! -- 19 July accepted Pattaya PO -- 20 July processed at BKK mail center -- 30 JULY inbound at US international office of exchange -- 13 OCTOBER - arrived Wilkes Barre PO -- 13 October final delivery - signed JD I was curious about the August/September gap and remembered the USPS site has tracking using the Thai Post EMS tracking number. Checked online and it shows the two-month delivery time from NYC to Wilkes-Barre, and was picked up at the PO 5:33 PM 13 October by "JD". Great service! 70 days to travel 120 miles! -- 31 July arrived NYC USPS regional facility -- 04 August in transit -- 13 October arrived Wilkes-Barre PO -- 13 October picked up by individual "JD" On a side note, I had a friend in Dallas mail documents from the Dallas main PO to the neighborhood PO three miles away, and it took 15 days.