CANSIAM

11 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

It sounds promising for those that have residences here or those with family, however, the insistence of a 14 day ASQ hotel will be an expensive proposition for those who could just go to there homes here.  In saying expensive I mean it is obvious to me that these are VIP long term stay folks who have money.  My bet is that to obtain one of these types of Visa you will need to show plenty of money in the bank for them to grant it.  I also wonder what other conditions for approval might be, but any speculation on that by me would be just that speculation, so lets wait and see what they decide.  Many snowbirds want to return, while a few I know have now bought in Palm Springs California in the Del Web communities.

And ALL the 'legitimate' valid extension retirees abroad will not need this Premium Visa as we have the 800k + in the bank and can sustain ourselves in rented or owned condos, and of course travel around in hotels, assisting in Thailands tourism recovery.  Agreed soon Thai Embassies abroad may request your latest bank statement, and you will need the decided amount, its ALWAYS about the CASH. I for one don't want to get the snow shovel out !

44 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes it would be the best and probably your only choice to get a certificate of entry.

The problem is that many embassies and official consulates will not issue a non-o visa for being 50 or over. They might be flexible if you showed proof you had already been on a extension of stay here and cannot qualify for a OA visa.

Well I hope if needed, the Consolate may be flexible, hate the thought of waiting for a CV19 vaccine to return.     

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

They might do that for those on non-o, OA, OX visas and those on valid extension of stay based upon retirement.

Thanks ubonjoe, when my extension of stay expires and if still abroad, I guess obtaining another Non O here would be best option ? 

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

What about the majority of about 80 immigration offices that are located where agents are not available. I would guess less than 10 have agents working with them.

I'm sure most don't have any issues at all like yourself. I do believe an agent makes the process more smooth for a few dollars more,  even if one has all his documents in order and required funds.   

On 9/12/2020 at 2:00 AM, ukrules said:

You've been treated very badly and they simply don't care at all.

 

In fact I think it makes them happy when something like this happens, this rule was introduced for one reason only - to discourage and deter people from staying in Thailand.

 

When there's nobody left it will be mission accomplished, they're getting there much quicker than I had anticipated due to COVID.

 

Sadly all IO prefer to see you there with an agent. You are there alone trying to wrap up another year for 1900 - 5000 baht chances are it may go wrong......

The purchase of 2 submarines were cancelled or postponed,  use this extra money to get covid vaccine research help. And or buy 70 million doses when there is a vaccine developed.. 

I assume there are thousands of foreigners world wide that meet the 'listed categories' still trying to enter. When this depletes, will the Non O retirees be listed for entry ? Surely before the 7, 30, 60 day tourists ? 

15 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

I thought flights (for now) were organised by the Thai Embassy abroad, and then seats sold to those who express interest and are approved for travel... Or has that changed?

Yes you'll only get to Thailand on repatriation flights at this time,  and only with the assistance from your Thai embassy if you meet the groups of people that are allowed entry. 

Yes if this continues, you will see the millions of the newly poor who are bound by tourism in some way big or small join with the student's political protests, then the PM will break more of a sweat ! 

32 minutes ago, Percy P said:

You intended to stay 30 day and the first 14 day are in isolation, not on. Sorry

And you'll need 14 day isolation on your return home !

I've lost mine before, I went nearest police station, they fill out a form, you then take it to immigration and get another. Safest option. Its always a good idea to take a photo of the TM6 code number when u get it.   

There's rumblings brewing in the military, or Prayut would never mention that 4 letter word c...p

On 3/10/2020 at 2:47 AM, Max69xl said:

The cost when an agent is needed depends on which requirement you don't meet. It can cost from 5k to 25k. 

Even if meeting requirements, and you are sitting in front of an IO and she's had a bad day and doesn't like what you are wearing, YOUR extension may not be smooth. With an agent, all 3 of you will be smiling and   'see you next year'  

14 hours ago, Prairieboy said:

The Canadian dollar has also lost 30%+

 

Canadian dollar has always been horrendous to the Thai baht..

On 3/5/2020 at 1:02 AM, RJRS1301 said:

My personal concern about keeping the 800,000 in the bank, is not that I cannot access it,or afford to lock that amount up, but if Thailand decides to change the laws during a time of unrest, and  acquire the funds of farang and order us from the country, then we are royally screwed.

That is all some people have for security.

 

 

They cannot touch your bank account, Citibank anyway.....

There's always the Elite Visa route, that possibly could take months to enter Thailand after you have paid. 

Allow retirees to return home, I'll gladly make domestic trips all over the country assisting in their tourism recovery !!

Prayut's military mind is showing !

17 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Since you are married to a Thai you can get single or multiple entry non-o visa at the Thai embassy in Washington DC or one of the 3 official consulates. The visa allows a 90 day entry.

To stay long term you will need to get a one year extension of stay at immigration.

To apply based upon marriage you will need 400k baht in a Thai bank in your name only or proof of 40k baht income. 

To apply for one based upon retirement you will need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 2 months or proof of 65k baht.

No investment you do an can help with staying in the country unless you invest 10 million baht that can be the purchase of a condo or money in a Thai bank or government bonds or a combination of the 3 totaling 10 million baht.

If you were to have 10 million baht in a bank in Thailand, could you enter with 'investment visa' and obtain a COE ? Currently I'm abroad with a valid Non O retirement. 

4 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

It's worked perfectly fine for me for 20 years...I guess I'm the exception.

It appears the 10-20 year Elite visa is the only sure safe way of staying longterm ? Non O means nothing even when showing the 800k yearly as I do....

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Bear in mind that while there is no law against border runs, ME visas were not designed with the intention that they would be used in that manner; they are designed for people who make multiple separate trips here, with genuine gaps in between, and the "border run" approach is basically a loophole. 

 

So no reason for Immigration to view inability to do border runs as a legitimate problem; from their standpoint people living here full time should get annual extensions of stay.  "I can't afford to meet the financial requirement"  will get zero sympathy as the government does not want retirees here who lack the minimum required funds.

They should start looking at retirees who DO meet the financial requirements stuck abroad....