silverhawk_usa

17 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

The map does not help me

So what would you like? Hint: The square in the middle is the moat.  The blue running north and south is the Ping. 

2 hours ago, Salerno said:

Because it hasn't changed your visa. You have an extension to stay for reason of marriage (previously retirement) based on your Non O-A visa. An extension doesn't change your original visa.

I agree, and have argued this for years. There still seems to be some confusion.

I have lived in Thailand 18 years and there seems to be constant confusion over Non-Imm A  and Non-Imm OA Visas.  This post and articles added some confusion for me.  The nomenclature is always corrected when someone says they received a new Visa when in fact it is an 'extension to stay".  My passport has an Non Imm O-A VISA.  I have been here all these years on a Retirement extension and the last two a Marriage extension.  No where does my passport show that these extensions changed my visa from an O-A to an O due to these extensions.  Can anyone who actually knows clarify this??

2 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

Just so you know, when I walked thru the main Immigration area to go upstairs to do my residence cert the area was full too but as I said upstairs nada. Also seeing Immigration busy one day does not mean they are busy every day, Take for instance, the days before and after a holiday, or a Monday and Friday, compared to other days. Folks that have being doing business at Immigration for years know this.

 

Just because a parking lot is full doesn't mean there's a long queue for the restroom.

 

I am retired and have all the time needed, thus the reason I'm not in a hurry.

 

Been here for over 13 years and not once used an agent.......  saved a ton of THB and used it all on imported steaks and such......  yummy!!!!

Actually, my intent was to get the residence cert. on the day I went to get my Marriage stamp (you do know how that works?). It was full each of the days I was there. I like to think that in my 18 years living here, I as you, have a pretty good idea of how things work.  The other time I used an agent was when we had to arrive at 6AM and Q.  Sorry, I hate waiting and although I am also retired, I have better things to do with my time and I am not concerned about that 1,000 baht I spent.  BTW, This topic is about obtaining driver's licenses and not about immigration.  Apparently we are both  pleased with our individual outcome, so I am done here. 

I have been here 18 years on a retirement visa and the last few years a marriage visa (extensions).  I have had Bangkok Bank accounts, and online banking since day one. Two accounts opened at Doi Saket Branch in the last two years, and two at Romchok branch before that.  Also a foreign currency account. Never a problem opening the account and all online.  I am told that there is a knowledgeable manager at Bangkok Bank located in Airport Plaza who seems to help foreigners with their immigration issues.  He may be an additional source to help if convenient for you.

18 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

Did my residence cert a week ago and only 1 person in front of me. I had everything ready so I was in/out in less than 10 minutes. (Actually it took longer to walk back-n-forth to my car than it did submitting the application and paperwork.)

 

Cost was 20 THB as I requested the application to be tracked via Thai Post.

 

Appears I saved myself 980 THB. In no hurry to get the cert as I will renew my DL once the cert is received.

 

Question: If you used an agent how did you know that Immigration was a "zoo"?

Simple, I had been to Immigration the day before to get my final stamp for my Marriage Extension approval.  It usually takes 10 minutes,this time 45.  Every seat inside the building was full.  All the seats outside also full.  Long lines waiting to get in.  I have no idea why it was so busy,  I had applied for my extension a month ago and there was no waiting.  This was only the second time in 18 years of living here I used an agent (which is across the road from Imm, and the parking lot was again full).   Do something good with the 980 baht you saved. It was worth my time to me.

Today I walked into DLT (Hang Dong) @1:55pm and went straight to the marked window for License Renewal on 2nd floor  Asked if I could renew my expired driver licenses for car and motorcycle and said I had a certificate on my phone for having completed the online app.  She copied the number and  took my physical certificate, issued by my regular doctor, my residence certificate (used an agent, Immigration was a zoo and it was worth the 1,000 baht for two day service).  She had me make another set of copies including passport and visa.  One for each license.  Looked at an imitation traffic light on the wall as it flashed red, green, yellow.  Sent to the window to pay, and then to get my photo taken and watch the licenses print out. Total time; 30 minutes.  I complimented them and told them they should teach Immigration.  She laughed and said "yes!".

17 hours ago, Thalueng said:

Normally you should get the confirmation letter within 7 days before application from the branch where you opened the account. They used to be the only ones who could or were allowed to issue such documentation on your account, and I think that's still the case. You should then deposit or withdraw a small amount and update your bank book on the day of application. For this you don't need to go to your branch, or even any branch, you can do this at an ATM, many have a bank book printer built in.

 

Signing every page of your documents is not ridiculous. In Thailand this is the way to ensure it's a document copy submitted by you at the time of application, and that nobody tampered with it. Every formal documentation requires this, at immigration, at the bank, when running a business, etc. Might be an old habit from a time before everything went digital.

I don't object to signing the copies.  Also, I have received confirmation letters from other than my branch a number of times.  My comment about ridiculous was in reference to the number of copies. I have been on a retirement visa for 18 years, and now marriage for two (only used an agent once). For a marriage extension you need two copies of everything they ask for. A Bangkok Bank Statement is one page for each month plus a cover letter. That is 26 copies there.  Add to it the copies of passport, and all the required things that are just repetitions of the past many years, ( eg: the same two photos and maps I used last year), I believe is ridiculous.  They would make it easier on themselves if they would just computerize more and have trust in their own personnel.  Also, the reason they are now asking for 1 year statements is because of the change in rules which require a minimum deposit be maintained the full year for Marriage and Retirement.

I did my Marriage extension last month.  The volunteer checkers outside did not comment on my bank info. When I went inside to the IO that checks and gives you your number, my bank letter dated the day before was fine, my yearly statement was ok, but he said I needed to have a transaction in my bank book that day.  I argued that it was my Foreign Currency Account book and up to date. I did not make any transactions on a regular basis as in a savings account, but there was more than enough funds shown.  He said it didn't matter funds or acct.  I said 18 years and never had to update on the same day.  Finally, he said "Debate with them", giving me a number,  Went to window, the IO checked and had me sign all 86 copies (ridiculous) and never said a thing about the bank book.  Stamped passport, did my 90 day for me, and finished. No problem.

I guess if you want to be on the safe side, get it updated in the morning.  Immigration is not busy now and there are no long lines, so arriving early isn't necessary yet. Or you can be stubborn and take a chance like me.  As usual, all depends on the mood of the IO.

Although there are many faults with TrueVision, I have to give them credit when due.  The have already sourced channels which now show live, Formula 1, MotoGP,  UFC and NFL.  This may be only for the Gold and Platinum packages. I actually received an SMS message from them last week announcing the F1 coverage.  So far, so good.  

At first they seemed to not know what I was talking about. I said there should be a discount. The manager (?) stepped in and asked for my acct #.  I had my unpaid bill with me and she looked it up on computer and asked if I wanted to downgrade.  I said "maybe quit". She then offered the discount.

Following the advise of an earlier poster here, I tried USTVGO.TV . Then went to their channel listing and tried ESPN2.  I watched the SkySports pre-race coverage and the race in full, live as shown on SkySports.  No VPN necessary. Other channels are available. Some require a VPN and others don't. I passed this on to a friend, who also said it was successful.

I went to the True office in the Ruam Chok Tesco Lotus complex.  They did not have any information on future channels, but they did give me a 20% discount for six months on my Gold Package.  I hope this all works for you.      

After browsing this topic, my solution would be; Quit making such an issue of it. Just pay the damn duty. If no duty charged, good for you.  It won't be much on $400 bicycle. I assume you can afford it.

I have recently had a large size item delivered by DHL from the U.S and a book from the UK. I live in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai.    I signed for both.  Also, it is not unusual to have Thai Customs open a package.  Can usually tell it was resealed by the tape they use.  I have some valuables items sent fairly regularly and I actually prefer DHL.  Very good tracking, and in fact usually arrives earlier than expected.  Never had a problem.

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

True Visions is a rather pathetic monopoly, and their selection of channels is perhaps one of the worst in the world, for the money. I used to have the gold package, and I keep downgrading, as the selection of movies is horrible, and they seem to insist on only licensing movies that cost less than a few dollars, as nobody else wants them. Occasionally they seem to throw in a good one. Sports coverage is only decent, and it costs way too much.

 

Monopolies are never a good idea, and only brain dead governments, think otherwise. In the US, with Direct TV, I would be watching hundreds of channels in HD. 

Thanks for your opinion, but True Vision has nothing to do with this. The problem is Disney is stopping broadcast of Fox in Asia. That is all carriers and many countries, e.g. Hong Kong. 

TrueVisions has been streaming a message that all Fox channels will be dropped starting Oct 1.  I was, of course, irate with TrueVisions as there isn't much else worth watching there.  It turns out, Disney Corporation owns Fox and has decided on this move affecting all of SE Asia.  Disney allegedly wants to concentrate on their video streaming.   More explanation in the attached link: https://www.sportcal.com/News/FeaturedNews/136229

https://th.usembassy.gov/a-message-to-american-citizens-in-thailand-from-charge-daffaires-michael-heath/

9 hours ago, JimGant said:

Yeah, Immigration is like a box of chocolates. I guess if you applied in the 30 to 45 day window, having to go back for a 7 day wait for a bank letter wouldn't be too terrible. Otherwise, an added 7 days to the process might be inconvenient. Not a big deal to get that letter, at least it wasn't for me at Bangkok Bank.

Yes, I always go early.  In rethinking your post, I had forgotten about the 'not less than 400k' issue as I am used to staying above the 800k year round.  I can see where the bank statement would be necessary if that is questioned. So I agree, it is best to be prepared.  

3 hours ago, JimGant said:

Nope. As of the Oct 2019 police order requiring the 800k to remain in the bank for 3 months after application (and to never go below 400k during the year), they want both a bank letter with the latest balance, and a bank letter summarizing the last 12 months of activity. Why? Because if you don't update your passbook at all during the year, the last update will normally be consolidated, thus if you went below the 800/400 constraints, but then came back up, that would only show up in a 12 month bank letter summary.

Anyway, my 'hand holding' agent (Best Friends) gave me a handout last year for my bank, Bangkok Bank, with instructions for obtaining the bank letters, like, ask for the 12 month letter 7 days in advance of when needed. No questions asked, as they're being paid, by me, to know the drill.

You'll see other reports on this forum where the 12 month letter was not required by some Imm offices. But CM does -- or at least some of the IOs ask for them. Thus, best go prepared.

Nope. Oct 2019 and 2020, (and since 2002) it was not required from me. No hand holding agents, The volunteer outside said I needed it, but I went in anyway and it was not asked for by the IO. However; I receive a monthly statement from Bangkok Bank in the mail for my Foreign Currency Account and I do take them with me just in case.  Only relating my CM experience, others may differ. 

I don't want to quote the lengthy posts above, so I will just throw the question out there.  Some state they used the 800,000 baht deposit method for their retirement visa and along with the required bank letter they submitted a years bank statement.
In my 18 years of retirement visa's using the 800k deposit, I have never been asked for a statement, only the bank letter. It has been my experience, and friends, that the statements are only required if you use the monthly deposit method.  Comments??  (@Genericnic ?)

When I obtained my marriage visa last year (Chiang Mai), they said I would not need a new "Kor Ror 2 from the Amphur" for my extension. But then again, that is what they said last year so who knows this year.

8 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

 

who 'estimated' that number ?

" It is estimated more than 470,000 persons in Thailand are infected with HIV in Thailand. " One of many sources. Its called "Google"..

https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-around-world/asia-pacific/thailand