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.

I did the visa transfer to new passport at Chonburi last week. Process as outlined above except she told me to return next day after 2:00 PM to collect. They did not do while I waited. Smooth process.

Thanks, Joe. I'll never wait until the last week again!

For several years I have used the monthly transfer of 65,000 THB or more. Bangkok Bank (Beach Road) requires 5-days to get the information from the main office, which I've never understood since it is all computerized, and they then produce the letter for IO showing the 12 monthly deposits, and the letter showing your current balance and that it is your account. So you end up with dozens of pages including every transaction for the year that just gets tossed. And par for the course, it has been six days since I requested the info with a 5-day turnaround, my visa expiration is tomorrow and no idea whether I'll have the letter on time. I always renew a week or two early, but just screwed up this year and the bank is taking longer. Is there a penalty for being a day or two late in renewing?

I just received my renewed passport in the mail this week and my annual O Visa (retirement) renewal is due in two weeks. Also, my 90-day date is in about 12 days. I was going to do transfer, renewal and 90 day this week but forgot the Bangkok Bank five-day lead time to get the 12-month deposit letter sent from Bangkok. Can I just wait to have visa transferred to new passport at the same time as I do the visa renewal in 5-6 days in order to save a trip? Or is there a penalty for not transferring visa to new passport as soon as it is received?

I had used the last system on the Immigration website. Four or five times it worked perfectly, but June & Sept 2021 I got the "go to the office" message. So I was curious if there was something in the old system that would show up in the new one and would not be approved. Fortunately it worked.

I just received the approval notification via email. Jomtien Submitted - 04Dec (weekend) Two Holidays and another weekend Approved - 13Dec noon... so 3.5 working days (used MS Edge on PC) I hope it begins working for others and the app works long-term.

Thanks, Joe. I knew Monday and Friday were holidays so there would be a delay. I guess my concern is I only have Monday/Tuesday of the coming week for approval, and since this is the first round in the new system, no way to tell if it has just gone into a holding pattern or there is a problem. And with knee surgery I need to plan. I did quite a few online reports in the old system, up until June of last year. Then in Jun/Sept I got the "go to Immigration" response in the old system. I asked the lady at Jomtien if she could tell if there was a problem and she said the two systems did not "talk" and maybe the big boss could help. I didn't pursue it. So that adds a layer to waiting on pending -- could there be a lingering issue with data from the old system? Time will tell.

Pattaya -- I submitted the application on the 4th and my 90-day was due on the 8th. It is still pending. Not sure if the 'pending' is due to holidays, a problem with the submittal, or the Pattaya office is not responding to the new app yet. If I have not been approved by the 14th, I assume I have to trek to Jomtien IO. The picture in the news this week of the line snaking down the street concerns me due to recent knee surgery and inability to stand for long periods. Out of desperation thought about using an agent this time, but "what if" it is approved online Monday, etc. Does anyone know if taken to an agent can they have it processed the same day? Anyone know if the line at Jomtien has improved?