Jaymatheson

Hi, it's been several years since i've regularly driven an automatic.  Back then fuel consumption was terrible compared to a semi-automatic. 

Friend recently told me that there's no longer much difference.  True?

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Transfer the 800k prior to applying for the non O into savings account.

After you obtain the non O, transfer funds from the savings account into the FD account.

60 days+ later apply for 12 month extension..

Many thanks. 

So for 12 month extension the FD account doesn't have to show the funds coming from overseas?

Hi,

I'll be transferring bt800,000 from overseas into my BKK Bank Savings account.  After i apply for my conversion from a Tourist Visa to a Non-Imm O Retirement (showing bt800k in Savings account) at Thai Immigration I'd like to open a Fixed Deposit account and transfer the bt800k into it to season the funds for the 1 year Extension and for the foreseeable future.

Is this doable? 

a) After transferring from Savings into Fixed it won't show as international transfer .... issue?

b) Can i use a different bank account to apply for 1 year Extension than what i used for switching to Non-Immigrant?

2 hours ago, Caldera said:

Is it even worth it to buy a Lao SIM card for a short trip? I've always bought a 7-day data roaming package for my Thai SIM card instead.

 

I'm sorry that I can't give you a definite answer to your question, but knowing how bureaucratic Laos can be, my best guess is that they might well insist on seeing the original. And knowing how inconsistent Laos can be (same as Thailand), it might well be different from one place to the next.

Yah, i'm a little different.  Often stay for a few weeks so i've gotten used to buying local sims.  Think you're likely correct though. 

Whenever I buy a SIM in Lao, they insist on seeing my passport to set it up.  Which isn't surprising.

Anyone have experience getting a SIM with just a photocopy or image of passport or do they need the real thing?

Thanks

57 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

It depends on your country - if using USD from USA SWIFT will be a better value in high amounts but from EU/UK and suspect OZ seems that WISE maintains an advantage regardless of amount (although not sure if you have to limit each transfer to less than 50k Baht if it would make sense).  

 

Just remember if using SWIFT you want to send foreign currency for exchange inside Thailand.

Oh, yes, that makes sense.  Most of my banking is through Canada ..... which would likely be more Wise friendly. 

Many thanks

Interesting, seems to be pretty much evenly split in opinions on SWIFT vs Wise.

11 hours ago, ukrules said:

I would just do a SWIFT transfer unless you already have a 'wise' account setup and ready to go.

 

Yes, I have a Wise account.  So I assume using Wise will save you a little money?

22 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You can use either. 

In fact I previously had a FD account and savings account with the same bank.

FD give slightly better interest rate?

Thank you for the replies. 

Yes, i have a Thai bank account in my name ..... Bangkok Bank savings account.  I won't be organized enough to have the bt800,000 in a Thai account to apply for the initial Non-Imm O so will transfer it over later.

What's the best type of bank account to leave your money in indefinitely?  Fixed Deposit?

Hi, I'm a little confused.  Following the other thread re bt800,000.

Applying for the Single Entry Non-Imm O based on Retirement at a Consulate requires bt800,000 equivalent in overseas bank account and gives you 90 days.

Questions:

1.  When I enter Thailand, when can I apply for the one year extension of stay?  Only within the last 30 days (minimum 15 days)?

2.  When does the bt800,000 have to begin seasoning in a Thai bank account?

Thanks

So I think the consensus is to use Wise when transferring bt800,000 from overseas into a Thai bank account due to the preferred forex rate.

Is that correct or is a SWIFT transfer favourable?

Thanks

43 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

How would you be entering Thailand visa wise.

Clearly you don't have current reentry permit? 

Do you plan to enter Thailand visa exempt? 

Non-Immigrant O based on Retirement .... single entry

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't understand.  You do not obtain a reentry permit when ENTERING Thailand. Ask Thai immigration when you enter

 

What I mean is ..... When I cross into Thailand from Lao, would Thai Immigration be able to issue a re-entry permit?  I wouldn't be able to show or complete a TM30 (if needed) as I wouldn't of slept anywhere yet.  After that, the next opportunity would be at Don Mueang Airport .... which sounds like a no.  Following that, I'll be travelling south and likely exiting Thailand on a ferry into Malaysia where I'm not confident they'll have the option to get a re-entry permit.

Hi,

I'll be travelling quickly from northern Thailand and cross into Malaysia without having a lot of time to visit an immigration office along the way.

Is it possible to get a Re-Entry Permit while crossing the land border into Thailand from Lao? 

Alternatively, is it possible to get one at Don Mueang Airport without departing on an international flight?

I'd guess Vientiane would be the same or slightly more difficult than Savannakhet.

As far as Savannakhet is concerned, you hear different things.  Some people are adamant that a Multiple Entry based on Retirement is not possible .... while others say it is, if you show proof of bt800,000 in a Thai bank account.

In my experience, Savannakhet would only issue a Single Entry Non O Retirement with 3 months bank statements from overseas account.  If I had shown the funds in a Thai bank account instead maybe the options might of changed.

Hi,

Savannakhet doesn't seem to give Multiple Entry Non-Imm O based on Retirement.

If I get a 90-day Single Entry Retirement, can I return to Savannakhet 3 months later and apply / receive another one?

Thanks

Getting older and slowly adding various things into my daily intake.  Currently taking Zinc Picolinate, D3, Omega 3, B Complex, and C.  I don't have any known health issues worth mentioning and don't really have much insight on my body as I've never had any serious problems to look into.  I eat healthy and stay in shape.

Any recommendations of what I should add to my daily vitamin / supplement routine? 

Thanks

4 hours ago, khunjake said:

There have been recent reports that the consular will only accept proof of funds held in a Thai Bank account to qualify for the Non-O ME visa. A poster was issued a single entry as he assumed funds held in a foreign account was acceptable but apparently its not the case now. 

So if i have bt800,000 in my Thai bank account then the ME option is possible for over 50 retirement?

3 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

So you applied for multi-entry retirement Visa and it was not approved and they gave you single? 

I only had a bank statement for the day I applied .... which was acceptable for other people in the recent past.  I couldn't be bothered going out to print off a couple more statements to only receive a single 3 month entry ..... so i just changed to a single 2 month tourist visa on the spot. 

Recently applied. 

** 3 months of bank statements (overseas okay) equivalent to bt800,000 required

** only single entry available

I speculate multi entry is still possible if I had gone another day and chatted with a different official.

14 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It is not non O-A 

That visa is applied for in home country or where you have permanent resident status. 

Perfect, thank you

I think you apply for a ME Non Imm "OA" Visa in Savannakhet ... not "O" .... but not completely sure.

Which is it?

Thanks for that Happy & Kramer.  The place on Klang sounds promising.

Hi, looking for a clinic etc. for lens prescription and a quick check up by a doctor in Pattaya.

Any recommendations?