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Ah yes thanks, before I came to CM I added Makro as a "place to visit" on googles maps but forgot about it. I don't have bike or car but Makro is kinda within walking distance. I'd still prefer an online order and delivery though. As to self-stuffing chicken breast I despise cooking. And actually where I am in CM I don't have a kitchen so that's my excuse! Joking aside I don't think my attempts would be as good as below and I wouldn't be surprised if it was cheaper to buy ready-made... https://expatfoodsthailand.com/shop/frozen-food/prime-food-service/prime-chicken-breast-stuffed-cream-cheese-jalapeno/ https://expatfoodsthailand.com/shop/frozen-food/meat-poultry/prime-chicken-stuffed-with-cheese-broccolli/

Ah yes Rimping. I always get them mixed up with Villa Market (both expensive I think?). I tried the Villa Market in Pattaya and thought it was a complete dump. Way way way worse than I'd expected. I think there's a Rimping in Maya right? If so I could try walking down there, although I'd still prefer online order with home delivery. Also, in my experience Siamburis was cheaper than in-person shopping at supermarkets in Pattaya at least.

I don't have transport. There's a small-ish Tops within walking distance but I haven't seen much of what I'm looking for. Specifically when in Pattaya I'd order about 2 weeks worth of stuff which could be kept in the freezer then warmed up in the oven. I've just got an air fryer so can now do something similar here in CM:- Greggs chicken bakes Bowmans Pies Frozen chips / wedges / croquet's Stuffed chicken breast Chicken Kievs Frozen veg UK gravy / tea bags / chocolate and cakes I also liked the Chefs Kitchen frozen pizzas but sadly they're too big to fit in my new air fryer ???? In my experience some of the above was available in Pattaya supermarkets but Siamburis was cheaper or same cost, and much easier to order home delivery with a few mouse clicks.

Hi all, is there a Chiang Mai equivalent to the Siamburis (https://expatfoodsthailand.com/) in Pattaya? I found somewhere called greens.co.th that looked promising, but they don't stock some of the stuff I wanted, or their prices are significantly higher, or they have out of date stock (like 3 months past sell buy date). I went through Greens website trying to add stuff to my basket for delivery but due to the above I'm struggling to find enough items to make it worth ordering.

Thanks Jim. I went this afternoon and my experience with an appointment was identical to yours. I did run into a bit of a language barrier as I understood "take a seat" but I thought I also needed to wait for a number. Fortunately they called out my name quite clearly although I couldn't make out which number window to go to. It seems having an appointment mean you don't get a number and you're dealt with at the left hand window (number 8?).

Quick update having just got back from CM immigration. I arrived at 1.40pm, and was done within 30 minutes... On arrival I was confused as there seemed to be 3 "entrances". I didn't fancy the covid-19 "screening" area on the right so headed to the covered area in the left of the car park which I believe is the doc check area(?) However this seemed to be a mix of people sitting down or wandering around and I couldn't work out if there was a queue or if they were just waiting for something. So I skipped this bit too and went straight to the "Information desk" inside the building. Inside was 80%-90% full, but no queue so went to window & explained I'd booked an appointment and was here to extend elite visa. The guy let out a sigh which wasn't encouraging but he took the pile of paperwork I'd brought including a pre-filled out TM7. He gave me 2 forms mostly in Thai to sign, then took passport and money and said to take a seat. As I wasn't given a number I was concerned I might get forgotten and still be sitting there at 4pm. But after about 15 minutes they called my name, went to left hand window and took picture. Waited another 5 minutes then was given back passport with stamp until Nov 2023. They also reset my 90 day report counter to day 1. So overall no complaints, and certainly was done quickly. It was quite confusing though, and kind of on the warm side with no aircon.

Yeah, I'll definitely report back. I've booked a retirement appointment for next Thursday afternoon. Hilariously having just emailed them my appointment preferences, Elite have just got back me saying I can "go whenever I want". So not sure why they asked in the first place!

Thanks, in the past I've done TR 30 day extensions in Chiang Mai. Last time Sept 2019, arrived at office just before opening, had to wait about an hour and most seats in the waiting area were full. As it's now November I'd expect it to be even worse.

Thanks, I did take a look at the online booking site. The thing is the Elite people supposedly pre-book an appointment for you, but there's an elite visa Facebook group full of reports from disgruntled PE visa holders who assumed one of the perks on paying all that money was a fast-track immigration service. This is true at Chang Wattana where someone meets you and you go direct to which ever desk is dealing with you, all other offices apparently disregard the booked appointment.

Thanks CMBob, this is just the sort of info I was after. I think I'll ask for afternoon appointment tues-thurs next week. The Elite "member centre" actually book an appointment at immigration as part of the extension process, and they asked me to choose a day and time hence my post. However reports from other elite holders say the appointment is completely ignored when you arrive at the immigration office and people end up in the same queue as everyone else. Thanks.

I need to visit CM Immigration office to do a 12 month extension on my visa (Elite visa if it matters). Needs doing between now and 24th Nov. Any recommendations of a good day and time to visit when queues will be at their shortest? Is it busier after weekends? What about time, is it best to arrive between 8am-9am, or try after lunch when it might have emptied out?

Are you using an iphone hotspot? I used my iPhone for a month when I arrived in Thailand last year, and had MANY problems with the hotspot disappearing by itself, or sometimes failing to connect even though the password was correct. It's a well known IOS "bug". If so, try switching airplane mode on then off again, then check hotspot is still enabled in phone settings. That for me usually made the hotspot become available again for the laptop. Can also try off/on wifi, or as a last resort switch the phone off then on again. But in my experience the airplane mode usually fixed the problem (temporarily). After a month I got a proper plug in 4G router which I've been using ever since - https://www.advice.co.th/product/4g-router-mifi-aircard/3g-4g-router

I saw a youtube live streamer at a coffee shop up there last month - so it appears to be open.

$120,000? I'll admit I have no idea about Thailand, but in the UK they available from around £4000.

When I read the headline I was expecting at least a Bentley. ????

"Luxury car" LOL

Thanks @Almudena, do you think taking 2 mid-sized suitcases and a backpack would take up too much space on the train (Patts to Bangkok) ?

As long as my future landlord (whoever that may be) does a TM30 will that be enough? I'd rather avoid visiting the office if possible.

Question - I'll be moving from Pattaya to Chiang Mai in November. I did my first 90 day report in person at Jomtien immigration, and then 2 more via the online system https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47 Can I continue to do my next report online or will my change of address cause problems? Thanks.

Thanks for replies so far. I thought I'd upload some photos I took of the sunrise when I made this journey in November 2016...

Thanks, I was actually considering a train Pattaya to Bangkok, but didn't want to make my first post too complicated! Does the Pattaya train terminate at Hua Lamphong do you know? I wasn't sure as while a train would be cheaper I understand it takes 3-4 hours and it may be nicer to pay the 1000 or so baht for 1.5 hours in a pre-booked car. Sadly if booked through 12go.asia it looks like it'll be 1,900 baht BK > CM 1st class and I'll probably need to buy 2 tickets as the thought of sharing an enclosed cabin with a stranger for 12+ hours is not my idea of 1st class. But I know this is Thailand ????

I arrived here Oct last year with a plan of spending a year in Thailand. I'd always wanted to see Pattaya so did ASQ here rather than Bangkok then planned to stay on for a month or 2 before heading back to Chiang Mai. But I found a good condo for a great price what with covid etc so took out a 1 year lease. CM vs Pattaya, I think they're pros & cons to both. But what I hadn't realised from youtube vids was how errrr, "run down" Pattaya looks and I'm being polite here. Obviously not helped by all the roadworks going on now.

Thanks, the bags shouldn't be a major problem. 2 suitcases and a carry on, but total weight probably 40 kg which I expect would add a lot to any domestic flight ticket. Looking at the pictures of 1st class on the train they'll be plenty of room for them in the cabin. Should just be a case of wheeling them through the station, up the platform and onto the train.

Hi all, I'm planning my relocation from Pattaya to Chiang Mai around the end of October. Due to the amount of luggage I'll have (3 bags total) I'm planning on getting the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. On my first visit to Thailand nearly 6 years ago I did the same journey in 2nd class and I think it should be quite nostalgic to do the trip again. Couple of questions:- 1) I'll be booking a taxi from Pattaya to the Bangkok. Should I book for Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue? I'll be getting the 18.10 departure so will be traveling up there mid afternoon with regards to traffic. 2) I want to book 1st class for privacy and due to amount of luggage. Do I have to book 2x first class tickets to ensure I don't get some random stranger sharing the cabin with me? 3) How far in advance can I book? I've read 1st class sells out quickly. Thanks!

No that's the UK I was responding to the OPs statement "If I fly to UK and do the 1 day speedy renewal, there is a 3-11 week wait for that also." I kind of mis-read and thought he was saying it could take up to 11 weeks to renew a passport back in the UK, which was not my experience.