carbuyer

I need to run a couple of 20-50w submersible aquarium pumps for hydroponic systems in the garden. Would it be safe to run an extension from the external outlet to a watertight 50l storage box, and plug both pumps into that? Do I need to install an RCD or something? If I do, I'm in a rental property. Is there a way to do that fairly cheaply? How dangerous would it be to have one of the cables laying on the grass where it is in danger of being damaged? I'm not an electrician (you can probably tell) so please keep it fairly simple for me. Thanks!

So it begins!

I went with a Thai person the first time. That was the last day I was eligible to get the visa (you have to apply 15 days before current visa expires) If I went back again, I guarantee you that officer would be even ruder and more difficult. Thais in authority do not like to back down or admit mistakes. That would be losing face. I would be in the wrong for causing them to do so. I know how it works here, I've spent over half my adult life in this country. I'm getting the 60 days and then reapplying with the seasoned funds. I'm not paying the 15,000 she asked for.

Someone else linked a thread about IO desk 7 Same experience. Horrible without reason, insulting, rude, asks for 15-22k baht to her agent friend, or across the desk. Apprently she tells many people that the funds need to be seasoned for 2 months. Are we SURE that she is wrong? Maybe she's rude because everyone goes in there with false info and she is sick and tired of it. She's snapped, mentally. Aseannow has broken her?

"It's easier if you speak Thai" I do! "Should have let your wife do the talking" She did, because the IO ignored me and spoke only to my wife, besides to throw a few snarky comments at me. "They do this to newbies" Here 10 years "Must be more to the story" Honestly, there isn't. She was horrible. My documents were as described. Either everyone here is wrong whether funds have to be in the bank for 2 months, or she was "Should have paid the money" I'd rather not! "Ask for the boss" She is! "Mistaken identity" I don't think that was the root cause, she brought that up halfway through the visit, like it was just coming into her mind I know that trying to get justice for myself is far more hassle than it's worth in practical terms. I didn't really make this thread to get justice. I just think it's important that people at the very least report experiences like this to others who might have to deal with them.

I went with my wife, as you must to get the visa. She doesn't understand why the officer was that way, either. That was me too, I felt people needed to be warned of my experience in a seperate thread. Sorry for any confusion

I understand why you would think that. If I were reading this thread, I would think the same as you if I were reading this. There usually is more to the story! But honestly, I walked in, was polite as could be, and she was just horrible from the start. Not shouting, but a raised voice. How I would speak to a very naughty child if I wanted them to cry. Not a polite person who walked into my office with all the correct paperwork and just placed it on my desk with a polite "sa wa dee krap."

I walked into the office with completed application. Walked into the office at the back, counter number 7. She starting speaking to me very rudely and and angrily, saying that the funds needed to be in the account for more than 2 months. I told her that I was not applying for the 12 month extension, only the initial 3 months visa. For that, they only need to be in the account on day of application, as per the gov website, which I also showed her. Politely. Very. Very. Politely. (I emphasise "politely" so much because many people try to argue with them or get snappy. I don't.) VE-TV to Non O Spouse.pdf She got even more angry, saying I was wasting her time, telling her how to do her job, that I am always in there arguing with her (I have never spoken to this woman before in my life). She said I could either come back when the funds had been in the account for 2 months, or I could pay a 15,000 fee to solve the problem and get the visa. I said thank you, sorry and goodbye. But in this situation: I walked into the office with a valid application. Spoke politely. Got shouted at and my valid application was declined. Got asked for 15,000 baht extra, to solve the problem. Is that her job training? Should this happen? What about all the "customer service" signs in the front of the office? So many questions...

It's so strange though. She must have known the truth. She just flipped a switch in her head as soon as I stepped in and wai'ed her. "Nope, he's not getting a visa today" Or maybe it was something to do with the alternative solution she offered, that would have cost me 15,000 baht. I assume they're not on commission, right? I have been in Thailand for 10 years. I have seen my fair share of numbskulls in official offices here. She was the worst experience I've ever had here, by far. I walked in with a legitimate visa application and was more than polite. Got shouted at for no reason. Application refused. An application for a father to stay in the country and support his children and family... I could be facing deportation if circumstances were different. It's insane. As it stands, I will be getting the 60 day and returning with statements later, as you say, thanks. Thank you for listening to me rant too, lol

This is the document I (very politely and gently) showed to the immigration officer, asking if it was correct. VE-TV to Non O Spouse.pdf She got very angry and was practically shouting at me, saying they have been an immigration officer for 8 years, how dare I talk back to her and tell her how to do her job. I want to emphasise that I'm used to dealing with people like her in Thailand. I did nothing to set her off. She insisted that there was no way to get a Non imm visa at immigration without having the funds on account for at least 2 months. She denied me the visa, and it is now too late to get it. This was at Jomtien immigration. I spoke to the older woman with glasses in the small office at counter 7. This is a problem.

Some other mods here are saying it needs to be held in the account 2 months prior to application, I'm a bit confused. Especially as the Thai gov website makes no mention of it being held for 2 months.

Strange... Because I deposited 400k into my account today. Went to immigration with all my docs. The immigration officer chewed me out for expecting to be able to get the visa without the funds being in my account for 60 days. She said the funds had to be in my account for 60 days prior to application. I showed her the checklist from government site, she just got more angry for talking back to her. I was very respectful, I always am in immigration. She's crazy. She said she can remember me arguing with her before (I've never met her before in my life).

Hi Joe, coming back to this comment: When applying for a marriage visa (not the 1 year extension, I mean applying the first 3 month non-O based on marriage visa) do the funds need to be in the account for 2 months already? Or just on the day of application?

Busted for using the Thai 51% loophole for owning property. There are a LOT of people here who own a property under a Thai shell corporation. Could be problems ahead for them.

We called ahead to Chon Buri DLT, they insisted it would be needed. When we arrived, indeed they wanted scans of sellers certificate of residence. Typical Thailand I suppose, it varies depending on your local office and/or officers

They were previously here on a longer term visa, and bought a car. Then they went back to Korea during covid. The car stayed in Thailand. They have just arrived back in Thailand, on a tourist visa, and want to sell the car. We got it sorted in the end, they went through VIPVisa in Jomtien, charge of 900 baht. Worth it for them, less hassle.

By card, you mean payment card for the hotel? Thanks

How can a tourist get a certificate of residence to sell their car? The DLT in Pattaya are insisting that it is required. Thank you

-

This is interesting, yes. Do you have any experience of acting as guarantor for a Thai? I didn't know that would be possible. I'm not paying 7.5% interest on a mortgage if I can help it. I've just been drilling into this "rent-to-buy" contract, and it does seem predatory. They were selling it to me as all paid installments contributing to the final purchase price. In the contract, they don't. Only the amount over the fair rental price would count. So I'd be paying rent, and a little bit towards buying the house. I believe they operate like this: Get a large (10-20%) deposit. Collect the monthly rent for 3 years, assuring tenant they will help them get credit after that period. Very close to the end of the contract, they say they can not provide credit. Tenant has limited time to find credit, fails. Company evicts tenant, who loses everythign they've paid so dar (deposit+rent+extra) or They collect monthly payments. They don't pay bank. Bank evicts tenant. or They just siphon off deposits, declare bankruptcy. Fold and banks reclaim properties or There are other possibilities. I won't be proceeding.

Well, I wouldn't say it sounds too good to be true. They charge 4.5% interest for 3 yrs then 5% afterwards, that's a reasonable business model. But the 3 years thing is a big concern, they could fold and walk with the deposit, some stunt like that. I've been married here for 10 years and have a kid with my wife, and would not mind putting it in her name. So she'd own the land. I know the risks there, can leave that aside for purpose of this conversation. They have many customers in the area (some in this same development), it might be safe. But I need to KNOW that it is, ofc.

Could you elaborate a little please? You're not just saying that because it's property in Thailand, I assume

There is a private company that is offering 4.5% p.a interest on a 'rent to buy' contract for a house I want to buy. I'm very keen to proceed with them, their terms seem agreeable, but doing my due diligence first. The payment plan is 15-20 years of payments, but the contract only covers the first three years. They say (verbally) they would be happy to repeat the contract after those 3 years. My concern is that we run into problems after the initial 3 years is up. They say the interest for the remainder would be 5%, but that's not in writing. What if we can't find financing for the remaining sum? There could be other potential problems I'm missing. Anyone have any advice? Or can recommend a good legal advisor who can give the contract a look and give their thoughts on it? Thank you

I was thinking worse case scenario is they get a replacement blue book and sell it from under me, then the buyer shows up with a tow-truck and brown shirts. ????

No finance company, sorry for being unclear. It was a private arrangement. I agreed to buy the car in installments. I would pay 25% of the sum and then they would transfer the blue book to me. I have paid 75%, and they've gone suspiciously quiet. I'm wondering if they could screw me over. I have the car on my drive. I have the blue book, but it's still in their name. I have certified copies of their ID and a contract between us, plus email correspondence and record of transfers from my account to theirs.