linguini

On 10/25/2019 at 12:58 AM, Granit said:

Another update:
So I tried going to a different immigration office, and they issued me a multiple re-entry permit without making any fuss about it. Next will be to try and re enter the kingdom using this re-entry permit.

I never had a re-entry permit in the past, can anyone advise if I need to show the original, now expired visa also, or just the re-entry permit? my original visa is in an old passport.

My PE is also coming due, greatly appreciate if anyone could PM me locations that approves multiple re-entry or try to get re-entry upon leaving at BKK/DMK airports?

fyi, i am on TE/PE visa, went to bangkok bank silom main branch just now to open a bank account.  before i show them my visa, the counter asked for work permit, told them i don't have WP, then the counter said i need a letter from embassy, then i showed them my (TE/PE )visa i have, the counter asked for my Thailand Elite card, which I didn't bring with me, the counter told me it is not possible therefore i left.  So to conclude, if you are on PE/TE visa, bring along your Thailand Elite card.  If you are on normal tourist visa, get a letter from your embassy or consulate first, though I didn't ask what kind of letter.

12 hours ago, coops said:

Well, I do have the crappy True Fibre router.... but do NOT use its built in wi-fi - that's all turned off.

And, obviously have changed its Admin password.

 

Use an Asus wifi router and its built in VPN client - which works great and fixes the lousy True router DNS (unchangeable) and other garbage issues.

just subscribed a true fiber pkg a couple of days back, given huawei onu (fiber router with wifi) and the built-in wifi is extremely annoying with constant drop-offs.  called in 3 days in a row, explaining 3 times, got sms confirmation that technician will come today and didn't come, but technician did call in and ask what is the problem (again), and promised again to come in tomorrow to change router....  see how it goes tomorrow

On 12/2/2016 at 9:34 AM, ellathai said:

And CAT offers this rubbish

 

though CAT is the most expensive, they should have the most international bandwidth as they have the most submarine cables.  I wonder if CAT users could share if they are satisfied with their international speed.

Thailand Trade office seems pretty strict in issuing Tourist Visas to those who already have multiple tourist visa stamps.  near mrt station, not difficult to find.  information regarding visa application requirements and same day pickup (if successful) http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

Thailand Trade Office in Taipei accepts visa applications in the morning and can pickup in the afternoon (sameday).

elviajero, i have done it myself, though the other way around. i still have have a non-b + work permit (which translates to extension of stay) when I applied for the PE visa and has been using interchangeably for almost 6 months before I left my job (and thus, my extension of stay). So I leave Thailand on the day I left my job (using non-b extension of stay) and come in again using PE visa. Just remember whatever visa you use to get into Thailand, you will need to use the same visa to leave the country (though you have PE visa in place).

you can just call TE and they will tell you about it.

Thanks, but doing it the other way around makes a difference.

My concern is getting the non 'B' visa as Embassies and Consulates will not, usually, issue a new visa without cancelling an existing visa. I doubt TE would have any control over that.

I don't understand why someone with a 1 extension of stay/re-entry permit based on work would need or want the hassle of switching, even if that is possible.

my reason of applying PE with me having extension of stay/re-entry permit based on work permit is simple: I plan to leave my job (where my extension of stay will therefore be void) but wanting to stay in Thailand

I understand that, but your situation is different to the OP, and you were saying that you were interchanging for 6 months.

It would make more sense to have the PE visa issued after the existing permission to stay is lost. Otherwise you are wasting part of the 5 year validity of the PE visa.

Understand where you are coming from. The reason in getting a PE visa before rather than getting after WP to expire is because I was already 46 (thus, not yet eligible for Non O based on retirement), and when my PE visa does expire, I will be 51, and thus, I will be eligible for (a cheaper) Non O (based on retirement) visa option - which of course is assuming the 50 year old retirement requirement doesn't change by then. To me, even if the retirement requirement does change, i figure that 5 or 6 month extra would not make a difference, besides, I can get another PE (assuming TE it is still in business). But that's just my thought process.

elviajero, i have done it myself, though the other way around. i still have have a non-b + work permit (which translates to extension of stay) when I applied for the PE visa and has been using interchangeably for almost 6 months before I left my job (and thus, my extension of stay). So I leave Thailand on the day I left my job (using non-b extension of stay) and come in again using PE visa. Just remember whatever visa you use to get into Thailand, you will need to use the same visa to leave the country (though you have PE visa in place).

you can just call TE and they will tell you about it.

Thanks, but doing it the other way around makes a difference.

My concern is getting the non 'B' visa as Embassies and Consulates will not, usually, issue a new visa without cancelling an existing visa. I doubt TE would have any control over that.

I don't understand why someone with a 1 extension of stay/re-entry permit based on work would need or want the hassle of switching, even if that is possible.

my reason of applying PE with me having extension of stay/re-entry permit based on work permit is simple: I plan to leave my job (where my extension of stay will therefore be void) but wanting to stay in Thailand

elviajero, i have done it myself, though the other way around. i still have have a non-b + work permit (which translates to extension of stay) when I applied for the PE visa and has been using interchangeably for almost 6 months before I left my job (and thus, my extension of stay). So I leave Thailand on the day I left my job (using non-b extension of stay) and come in again using PE visa. Just remember whatever visa you use to get into Thailand, you will need to use the same visa to leave the country (though you have PE visa in place).

you can just call TE and they will tell you about it.

Yes. When you enter Thailand (after getting Non Imm B visa from Penang), you just tell the immigration officer that you want to enter via Non Imm B visa. You are aware you can still use TE service though you are entering via Non Immi B visa, right? If you are entering via Suvarnabhumi, just tell the TE staff who waits for you at the gate that you will be entering via Non Imm B visa and she will handle for you. If you are entering via Donmuang, then just tell immigration officer that you are entering via Non Imm B.

i value space and only older buildings have bigger units. I am looking at older buildings like President Park (good facilities but somehow blocked view) and DS Tower 1 (open view - greenery). any TVers stayed at these two places?

Thailand Elite isn't cheap, but hassel free and I got one, happy with it. However, I recently couldn't find my Thailand Elite card and was told by TE that a replacement card costs 4,000 baht . I asked if I really need the card and the answer is vague. Don't think I want to pay up for the replacement, but not sure if I will still able to use TE services provided without the card. Let's see how it goes.

is it normal for dealers to offer better/attractive offers/discounts during motor shows? still undecided between the 3 choices of minor change mazda cx-5 2.0S petro, x-trail hybrid 2.0E 2WD and x-trail petro 2.0V 4WD. All in similar price bracket from 1.33, 1.379 and 1.392 million. Heard from grapevine that Nissan dealers gave discounts from 5.5k - 100k depending on variant.

i am also looking at getting the minor change cx-5, most probably the 2.0S version or 2.2xd version - 200k difference . wonder why there isn't a soul red color option for thailand?

any idea if the minor change CX-5 is still imported from Malaysia as well?

Joe I think you are right. The model I saw had the dials. Bit of a shame really. I questioned a sales guy today - he hadnt seen the 2016 model yet, which may have some interior updates apart from black trim(but he thinks not)

What is big news is I got the release date for the CX5 update and approx prices

could you share the approx release date and price for CX5? I am considering getting a new or (one or two years old max) second-hand. Upcoming minor change for Mazda 3 and CX 5 are on my list of new cars (also including x trail). tks

If I understood the bank rep correctly (and there were a few language translation problems) when I recently got an FTEF, that form is only issued for individual transfers into Thailand of US$50,000 or higher. What does the Land Office accept if, for example, you had done multiple transfers of US$20,000 each? Do you have to send the money back out of Thailand and then back in as a transfer of (or multiple transfers each of) at least US$50,000?

I wired in the first USD 10k and I received a Credit Note (but the credit note did specify USD amount transferred in and also did specify the purpose - which is to purchase a condominium) instead of FET. I asked the bank (Bangkok Bank) for FET and the staff told me this is it. Maybe over a certain amount gets a FET form and anything below that gets a Credit Note. I should wire-in more later. Hope Land department also accepts Credit Notes when I find the condo unit I like.

I have some questions on buying a condo with cash.

I was told i can make the payment in 2 ways:

1) via bank transfer from native bank to the seller's (developer) bank in thailand. All paperwork will be done by them and less hassle.

2) bring in cash and declare at the custom to get a certificate from the officer to proof that the money is use for the purchase of condo in thailand.

I am leaning towards the latter as I can do the exchange at the money changer which offers me a much better exchange rate compared to the banks.

Also, as I travel to Thailand very often, I am wondering if is it ok to bring in the money a few times instead of the full amount in 1 shot. For example, say the price of condo is 2million thai baht equivalent, can i bring in 1million thai baht twice and declare at the custom twice? Will the land office accepts that....

Hope someone can enlighten me.

Hello

My last condo I bought, i used about 3 TT3 papers to prove that the whole amount was from outside thailand. I even choose which amounts I wanted to hand over.

It doesn't matter how many transfer you have. Only important is, that the whole amount is coming from outside

Hi HampiK,

Could you share how far apart were your 3 TT3s? days, weeks, months or year? wonder if there are restrictions on when the money should be in when one purchases a condo. tks.

would this also mean a foreigner can purchase a condo without the need to wire-in the money from abroad (i.e. used the money earned in Thailand instead)? I have the impression that Land Department will need to see FET form in order to transfer a condo title deed to a foreigner?

would the letter of guarantee from the bank be the FET (Foreign Exchange Transaction) form from the bank? i recall for a foreigner to buy a condo, the Land Department will need to see a FET form issued by the bank to prove money was brought in from abroad in order to transfer the condo to a foreigner name.

>I told them that it is crazy that I get charged for advertisers to send me an sms. They then said they would stop all advertising to my phone and refund the charges for the last 3 months. I have no idea how long they have been charging me for these but I have been getting them for a long time.

Thanks for info, but they have agreed to refund 3 months of rip offs for a rip off that has been going on much longer? I'd have switched to another provider.

I just found out about it yesterday. I am thinking about switching but I have had this number for over 12 years.

you can still keep the same number when changing from one carrier to the other. It is call MNP (mobile number portability), usually takes 24-48 hours

Can someone summarize this? Is 90 day reporting still a requirement?

For the 5 year TE visa, to get another year permission to stay, you either

a) do a border run while the visa is still valid, or

go to local immigration office and apply for 1 year extension, no additional paperwork required.

It's basically a 5-year "no-doc" or "low-doc" multiple entry visa. Should be able to get up to 6 years out of it if you do a border run or extension request before expiry (border run is probably easier). And extensions are also 'no-doc'. (No additional documentation beyond application /passport photo).

So those who do not have thai family, retired, business, or school have a long-stay visa option. Or if you want a no-doc option and have the extra cash.

I am also lost about the Easy Access card. Is this a separate program? How does it differ from TE program?

Yes everyone does 90 reports. Everytime you leave the country and come back you get stamped in a year. If you dont leave its an extention at immigration with copy of passport and visa and completed TM7 form and 1900 bhts. Very easy to use. No I believe you cant extend it to 6 years. No idea about easy access card sorry. Maybe someone will know.

This link explains "easy access card."

http://integrity-legal.com/legal-blog/thailand-business/the-thailand-easy-access-card/

Looks like TE updated their main pages. They now emphasize the membership part FIRST. Then the 5 year visas (renamed Privilege Entry Visas), airport pickup, etc, are a benefit/privilige of the membership.

So now you have Individual Memership (2mil baht + 20k annual dues; 20 years), Family membership (1mil baht + 10k annual dues; depends on core member validity) , and Thailand Easy Access Membership (500k; 5 years). There was something labeled "Individual Membership for Property Co-Project"; not sure how it differs from the regular Individual membership, but it is (1Mil baht + 20k annual dues; 20 years). The Property Co-Project might be outdated because it is not mentioned in any other pamphlet or website.

http://www.thailandelite.com/glimpse.php

and here is a screenshot:

Thailand Elite chart of costs priviliges.jpg

And the pdf . There are actually several pdfs on the site, but they more or less say the same thing.

The 90 day reports can be done for you by a TE Personal Liason but only at the Chaengwattana (Bangkok) office.

Someone asked about the work permit. That is a separate process, but your TE Liason can help you with that in a 'streamlined' process. So hopefully people will report in the business section how that process works.

The "Individual Membership for Property Co-Project" is the membership based on buying a (specific) property, apparently TE have this cooperation with a property developer. The last time I checked (around Jan), there are only two properties (and only in Phuket). If you buy one of these properties, you will be eligible to apply for the Individual Membership for Property Co-Project.

http://www.italthaigroup.com/eng/business_equipment.php

Thanks for the clarification. appreciated.

A question regarding retirement visa qualification - age 50, what is the definition of age 50? To start off, assume I would like to apply for Non-Imm O visa (based on retirement) and have the necessary 800k bhat in the bank, and I am born on November 20, 1950. When will I be able to apply for Non-Imm O visa based on retirement? Would it be:

a ) January 1, 2000

b ) Nov 21, 2000

c ) Jan 1, 2001

Thanks.