Steven Pattaya

Had me at "explosion of feminine violence"

Yet the Thai police don't lift a finger for people being run down in the streets, including back alleys without sidewalks. They even said pedestrians have to pay for any damages to the cars that run them down!

That is very nearly correct. The first year I extended visa for reason of retirement (previously was for reason of marriage) the IO required my wife to be there to sign documents.

Meanwhile people caught on video driving over pedestrians on quiet sois and never even ticketed much less arrested...

Thai guy ran me over in his car and then came at me with a tire iron. Video posted right here a couple years ago. Media and police laughed it off. Today must be a slow news day.

I liked it except for the leeches. And Khao Yai has many many leeches.

When I went to Jomtien to extend my non-O visa from "reason of marriage" to "reason of retirement", the immigration officer asked to see marriage certificate, wife's ID and wife's house registration. Was told this is a one-time requirement when changing from marriage to retirement. Might also apply to those extending a non-O visa previously for reason of marriage to any other reason. Had I not been able to produce the required marriage documentation, the immigration officer would not have granted the extension for reason of retirement. Might not matter in your case if you're not trying to extend your non-0 visa, but you might want to double check just in case. Hopefully this will also help anyone else who might otherwise be caught unaware.

Thanks, good to know I'm not special!

Thank you. I was thinking the same, but had never heard of them doing this before. Have you?

Also just wanted to add: all this happened at the _retirement_ desk/window at the Jomtien immigration office. Apologies in advance if this has been discussed previously in the forums.

Yesterday I applied for my first one year non-0 visa extension based on retirement at the Jomtien immigration office. This would be my sixth extension of the same visa, with all previous extensions on the basis of marriage to a thai woman. I want to be very clear that this was an application for an extension based on retirement. When my ticket was called The Witch (my name for the well known officer at Jomtien immigration) took my application packet, saw it included all the necessary documentation for a retirement extension, but then stated since this is my first extension based on retirement and my previous extensions had been based on marriage, she required my marriage certificate to continue processing my application. My TM7 form clearly indicates "RETIREMENT" under "Reasons of extension". Since my marriage certificate is not Thai, she required the official translation as well, along with my wife's ID and house registration. None of the other documents normally required for an extension based on marriage (e.g. maps, photos, etc.) were requested. I happened to have the original marriage certificate, wife's ID and house registration there, but since the copies were unsigned it appears The Witch would have refused my visa extension based on retirement application had my wife not been there to sign the copies. Then she took my passport (she still has it) and 1,900 baht, gave me a number card and told me to come back today. Has anyone else here been required to present a marriage certificate, etc. for an extension based on retirement (not marriage)?

Dear Forum Members, I am hoping for some advice. I was hit by a car while walking on the little alley/soi in front of my condo in Bang Lamung, just north of Pattaya. Below is a frame from the condo's security video. Police have spoken with the driver, taken my report, watched the video, seen my hospital receipt (doctor's report pending) and are doing nothing (not even issuing a ticket). A Thai lawyer says it is clear from the video that the driver intentionally hit me with his car, yet the worst punishment the driver might face for a first offense would be a simple ticket. Can anyone confirm this?