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redwood13
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Posts posted by redwood13
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I received my first extension 21 Sept. 2005 at Pattaya Immigration. Others have described the procedure so the only thing I'll comment on is in regard to the bank book. I'd gotten copies of my bank book pages and passport made at the little shop nearby the Immigration office.
It was around 14:00 by the time I’d filled out the TM 7 form and the office was jammed. I thought it might be too late in the day to complete the procedure, but I only had to wait a few minutes before the processing started. The officer made copies of the medical certificate, Embassy letter and the TM 7. I was asked for my signature on all the copies he made plus the passport and bank book pages.
With all the paperwork and documentation in satisfactory order the whole package was passed over to a female officer and I joined her at the adjacent desk. She rechecked everything and then went through the copies of the pages of my bank book (6 pages over a two year period) and using a yellow highlighter marked each instance of transfer of funds from the US into my Bangkok Bank account. She asked me something about transferring funds and I said I did it by wire transfer but only every 3 months or so to save on fees. Awhile later she asked me what I did for a living before I retired. She did the math on the numbers I submitted and as she was putting all the paperwork back together she asked, “So, you transfer money 3 or 4 times a year?” Was she trying to see if I had my story straight or just practicing her English? I don’t know. Paid the cashier 1900 baht and was told to return at 16:00 for my passport. And it was ready at 16:00.
A few comments:
US Embassy does not require any documentation of the amount of pension money. I'm told British Embassy does and also the procedure for Canadians is a bit more complex.
I probably don't transfer more than 600,000 baht per year from the US into my Thai bank account.
A friend who receives pension money in excess of the 65,000/mo. only had about 15,000 baht in his Thai bank account and there was no problem receiving an extension in Pattaya.
My impression is that you need to be able to present the qualifying financial evidence in such a way so there is no possible thought on the part of Immigration that you might be working illegally in Thailand.
One more thing; I received an O-A visa in the US Oct. 2003. Each time I returned to Thailand through Don Muang I was stamped in for an additional 365 days. As my last trip was to Singapore Sept. 2004 my new admitted until date was Sept. 2005, so I received almost 2 full years after my initial entry into Thailand using the O-A without having to go through the full extension process until last month.
-redwood
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Hi Steve,
How are your customers initiating the wire transfer requests? Do they do it through their local banks which would not necessarily be Bank of America? Or do they directly contact the wire transfer desk of their bank? I guess what I'm wondering is if there's any pattern to this re one bank vs. another, though it sounds as if you're saying it's all of the banks your customers deal with.
Is the date of the "money being sent" the date of the customer's request or is it the date the transfer desk completes the transfer process?
Last week I called the wire transfer desk of Wells Fargo Bank in the US with whom I have a repetitive wire transfer agreement and requested a transfer. I called around midnight and by that afternoon, maybe 16 hours later the money was in my Bangkok Bank account.
-redwood
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According to my European health card I have: A Rh+
Is that same as A+ ?
Please advise!
Yes
-redwood
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Maybe all but one on a break? Saw that at 7-11 the other day. Shop was jammed with waiting customers with one clerk overwhelmed by it all and 3 other clerks were outside smoking, eating etc. After all a break isn't just a break it's a social event and that requires 3 or more participants
-redwood
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You might want to have a look at BUPA:
http://www.bupathailand.com/Personal.asp#
Also I'm advised by a BUPA rep that, "The member who join before the age of 61 years, and continuously insured, are guaranteed renewal for life. Members who join after the age of 61 years are guaranteed renewal up to age of 70 years inclusive."
And they do not insure anyone 65 or over.
-redwood
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That's the problem with BKK - I've never seen any low to mid range turntable for sale. They've all either been high-end hi-fi or Pro-DJ gear.
Saying that, there could well be something available in Fortune to suit your needs that I haven't spotted yet.
Agree with Insight. Wasted an afternoon in Bangkok last year trying to find the Rega dealer/distributor. Finally found their office and eventually got to talk to a manager who said they didn't have any turntables in stock. In fact during the conversation I began to get the feeling that they were no longer the distributor and more recently I've noticed they aren't. But I did get some good advice.
Go to Singapore!
So I did. Cheap flight and a long weekend in Singapore doing some additonal shopping and I bought a Rega P3. I was concerned about having to pay duty but the Singapore Rega dealer said that Thai customs would consider it "obsolete technology" and there'd be not duty requested. He was correct. I was stopped as I carried the box through the green exit at Don Muang and when I told the officer what I had he just waved me on through.
If you pick up a copy of "What Hi-Fi?" a Thai magazine devoted to 2 channel and home theater audio products you'd think from the adverts that you'd have a vast choice of gear, but in my experience most of the brands are MIA.
-redwood
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Had an early dinner - 16:45 - at Fuji Restaurant in the Carrefour Center in Pattaya yesterday and was told no beer until 17:00. And it's so printed on the drinks menu, which I hadn't bothered to look at. No beer 14:00-17:00
-redwood
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Agree with Butterfly. I've probably lost my bookmarks a dozen times in the past year or so using Firefox and XP. I'm surprised this question hasn't arisen more frequently.
I've found this Firefox Bookmark Backup extension by Pike to be very useful as I've had almost no problems since I downloaded it.
http://www.pikey.me.uk/mozilla/
-redwood
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I have noticed that the new condo on Beach Road at Soi 3?, or Soi 4, named NorthShore does not seem to look a lot different than it did 6 months ago, but I have not been paying a lot of attention. Work may be being done in the plumbing and electrical aspects that I cannot see from my distant vantage point.
Anyone have any ideas?
Northshore Condominium is on Soi 5 at Beach Road and there has been lots of construction activity on the site for months. Daily jackhammering indicates they are perhaps demolishing interior walls to reconfigure floor plans. Additionally they've added on and completed the concrete work for the final 2 or 3 floors of the building. Given the size of project even over several weeks changes are not readily noticeable.
-redwood
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Can someone tell me how to find Big Al's. I have walked along 2nd road in front of the Big C complex and could not find him; and I was sober during my hunt.
Left hand side of 2nd Road (i.e. West side) across the road from the massage temple. It's only a very small sidewalk stall with maybe 5 stools.
-redwood
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Last year all the audio shops in Ploenchit Center were vacating their stores. Some of them moved to a building called E-Square next to the Big C which is across the road from the World Trade Center. It sounds as if some audio dealers moved back into the Ploenchit Center after remodeling or not???
-redwood
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I was told in early 2003 by a farang who was working on the new airport that he could not see any possibility of the airport opening before 2007.
-redwood
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Maybe now in USA, also only at the embassy. According to Jen in the Colorado Honorary Consulate, they can not issue O-A visas and these must be obtained through formal consulates or embassies. So, either things have changed or other HCs in US have a different understanding. I may call a few tomorrow to see what they say.
No change as Denver hasn't issued O-A visas in over a year.
-redwood
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If you apply for an O-A in UK it can only be done at the Thai Embassy in London and it has to be done in person - no mail applications accepted.
The UK police clearance required for the O-A visa may take 6 weeks or so to complete, though I talked to a Brit the other day in Bangkok who received his in less than 3 weeks.
But given that, why not obtain a Non-Immigrant O Visa good for a 90 day stay in Thailand and after about 60 days here apply for an extension based on qualifying for retirement.
Aside from Hull, Cardiff is very user friendly and I'd think that if the OP (original poster) wants to obtain an O visa with the intent of "visiting friends" in Thailand in August, the time is fast approaching to fill out the forms and if specific questions arise call one of those two Consulates for advice.
Be sure to arrange a wire transfer agreement with your bank so that you can transfer money to an account in Thailand.
-redwood
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I'm told that five days ago on Soi 8 a number of bars were raided and at least one venue fined. That bar's owner Thai wife was taken to the police station and set free only after paying 25,000 Baht.
The offense? Playing Thai language music cds.
Playing music after 1am, that is the offence.
Good! At least the police are hitting everywhere now.
A few days ago I posted on another board about a rep from GMM-Grammy visiting a friend's bar in regard to the payment of royalties for the playing of CDs in the bar? And as someone else said that company only handles Thai music.
-redwood
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I currently have an NVIDIA GeFORCE4 MX 440 with AGP 8X card. I assume I'd get better results with the Google Earth by upgrading the card??? Suggestions? Prices?
-redwood
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hello folks. I have been in Thai for 6 months, and I normaly are careful with my food, and before I moved, I had thaifood, in Norway, every day. Spicy as ######, too.
lived in BKK 2 years ago, no problem before, been here many times.
After some weeks in TH, I got ill, running to toilet. This repeat aprox every month, 3 - 4 weeks between them,
I been to hospital, got pills, every time, get well, but then its on again.
Anybody heard about similar cases? what can it bee? some food I simply should NOT eat, no more clues,.... Could happen I want to move back, I dont like to poo...
HELP.
You say you've been to a hospital but since it appears the doctor there is of no help in resolving your problem I think you need to find a new doctor.
If I were you I'd go to Bumrungrad Hospital (Sukhumvit Soi 3) and get worked up. Stool samples collected on 3 separate days for Culture and also tested for Ova & Parasites would be a good start toward making a diagnosis.
-redwood
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Scroll to bottom of the page. They say they ship internationally.
http://www.vitalityweb.com/backstore/Tempur-chair.htm
-redwood
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University of London offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees by distance learning:
http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/
In fact this coming Wednesday evening, 13 June, the Deputy Head of Admissions will be making a presentation titled "Studying via Distance Learning" at the British Council (02 652 5480 - ext. 305/333) which is located in Siam Square. Free admission.
-redwood
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I'm planning on buying a new refrigerator.
Any recommendations for energy-efficient home refrigerators (2 door w/capacity of at least 8.0 Cu.ft/ 230 Litres): manufacturer, model, price and any additional info.
Bought a Samsung 4 months ago at Tesco-Lotus and so far it's fine. Model is RT 24 MG VG - 239 liters, silver finish - 2 door with freezer on top and features Silver Nano anti-bacterial/anti-fungal technology.
It's quiet. 9,900 baht. Be sure you measure and remeasure your space as I almost bought one that would have been too large
-redwood
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Looks like Sydney will issue O-A's though like Los Angeles they require notarization of some of the documents.
http://thaisydney.idx.com.au/NewNonimmigrantOA.html
-redwood
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Am I correct that in Patong "tuk-tuk" is a generic word for a mini-van and not the same as the Bangkok "tuk-tuk" - AKA samlor??
-redwood
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A ticket issued in a country other than that of the country of departure is called an Open Jaw ticket I think. These are traditionally VERY expensive and not really worth buying.
"Open jaw" ticket would be BKK-SFO and then a return LAX-BKK. This would allow the traveler to go to Los Angeles by renting a car, etc. and return to Bangkok without having to return to San Francisco.
-redwood
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Im about to change from dial up to ADSL. I have a TT&T line in Jomtien. My knowledge of computers is below average, I have been reading about ADSL and it seems I need a different modum- router. Help is needed in knowing what type of modum-router I would need and which is the best ADSL to get. Please help this OLD GUY who is slower than the usual dial UP. Thanks in advance!!!
I've also achieved geezerdom and here's my recent experience.
If you haven't done so check with TT&T to see if ADSL is available at your residence. If yes, then you'll need to choose an ISP (Internet Service Provider). The TT&T office at Carrefour on Pattaya Klang or the Naklua office has a sheet which lists the various providers and gives prices in terms of speed and usage as you desire.
You sign up for the ISP at the TT&T office and it'll be at least a week or more before the ADSL connection is made. You should then get a call from both TT&T and your ISP confirming the connection. It's a little less painful if you speak Thai or take someone with you who does. Take your passport and maybe a rough map of where you live. I use Ji-net 256/128 which is about 1600 baht/mo. with unlimited usage. There's a CSLoxinfo package which appears to be cheaper but it's Thailand only. Ask a friend or ask here if you need help in deciding what's best for you.
I believe each ISP will have specific models of modems or routers to use with their installation. That's the case with Ji-net. AFAIK Ji-net doesn't offer installation or at least I never saw any mention of it. They have instructions on their website which I downloaded for proper installation. It's all in Thai but it's illustrated so it is understandable. I already had the proper modem but couldn't get it to work and finally bought their suggested router. I did need the help of a friend to complete the installation. If the ISP you choose doesn't do installations you might consider getting someone to come in and do the install for you. Liberty Computer in Pattaya might be a good choice.
Good luck
-redwood
Retirement Visa - Funds Question
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
Thai immigration only asks for a statement from your embassy re your monthly income. What you'd need to do is convince the British Embassy that you can document an income stream that would satisfactorily meet the annual requirement.
The statement from the US Embassy is worded, "receives an amount of US$XXX every month from the US Government and/or other sources." The word "pension" doesn't even appear in the income declaration.
-redwood