NoDisplayName

Be careful what you wish for! If UK with 65 million gets one vote, then China with 1455 million,........????

There was a recent thread referencing a YouTuber named "Chocolate Man" recommending a visa agent in Pattaya doing cash-in-the-bank O-visas for 5000 baht. Not sure about the charge for extensions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cua_Pr79H_Q&ab_channel=ChocolateManInThailand

Got it. So far, 5% (of the track length?) is built but not yet in operation. The reporter gave no indication of the completion status of the remaining 95% (of track length?) The remainder could be 95% complete, or 50% complete, or still in the planning stage.

I am concerned. Consider the implications.

But what exactly does a reporter mean by "5% built"? Is that 5% of the total project, however total is defined, or is it 5% of the proposed system is completed and in operation, leaving 95% in various stages of completion?

I would not blame communism for slowdowns at the borders. Chinese immigration is very fast and efficient, with no "tea-money" demands. Laos is another world in that regard, but the Chinese will be enforcing the rules on the railway.

This is not a problem. The high-speed rail is a separate system from the standard railway, and will be built as an extension to the Kunming to Vientiane line.

Sorry, it's not an insect. It's a discarded condom.

Ebikes are available thru Lazada as well as at many fine stores. https://www.lazada.co.th/tag/ebike/ If OP is coming for long time, he could bring the Ebike minus battery on the flight, and just buy a battery here. https://www.lazada.co.th/catalog/?q=ebike+battery

Excellent news! The vaccines work. Fifteen people caught Covid, with ZERO deaths. And if these are "bikers," I'll assume motorcycle riders and visualize a group of Harley riders, not necessarily the best of physical specimens. And in all fifteen cases, the effects of Covid were reduced enough that they all could continue their tour. It's good to follow the science.

You're not doing it good! Using 18 (probably matching!) screws for only 3 metal sheets? That's crazy. Learn to do it right: 3 sheets needs 7 screws in random locations, leaving 11 screws to drop on the floor before declaring "good enough!", leaving your hammer on the roof, and settling down for a six-pack.

It's easy to make up reasons you think the officials want to hear, but... Congratulations! Now you're a convicted criminal in two countries!

The IO won't ask for an onward ticket. You may be required to show proof of onward ticket to the airline at check-in in order to have a boarding pass issued. Depends on airline and departure airport. You could: Buy a real ticket, throwaway or fully-refundable. Buy a $15 rental ticket. Show up at the airport, hope for the best.

Are you using 800K in the bank method? If so, have you had money in the bank (800/400) the entire time, or did the agent simply deposit 800K to get the bank letter, then immediately withdraw it? Not a problem for TM-30, but come extension time............

Government plan at designated hospital for outpatient. In-patient Bupa (Aetna) coverage 1000+ per month.

from their website:

What advantage? Being trapped paying 15K+ baht for annual extensions? Retirement visas/extensions are tooooo easy. Better DIY and be legal.

I sent him a link to the Youtube video where Chocalit Man recommended a certain agency. They'll do the initial visa for 4-5K with cash in the bank, but extensions don't appear to be discounted for existing bank accounts. He can contact them if he's interested.

Friend will have 800K in his own bank account next week. He currently has most of that in savings with ATM card. He will put 802K into a fixed account and simply leave it there, then have a couple of savings accounts for daily expenses and to keep larger sums not attached to an ATM card. The 800K was sent in via two Swift transactions to his local Pattaya bank. No problem proving the source of funds next year. He's thinking maybe he can try immigration in Pattaya next year to renew his extension. He'll have a legitimate bank account with 800K for just over 13 months. I doubt it'll fly, as it won't fully cover his 15-month extension. He now knows his options for next year. He wants to avoid agents and their fees, so will either go for a non-O at Savannaket, or visit Angkor Wat for a week, return on a visa waiver and DIY.

Thanks for that! (for realz!) 3 months from date of extension approval. And I'll assume the 2 months at the other end is before the date of extension application, not expiration of the current extension. Just as I thought, his only options are to continue with the agent, get a non-O in Savannaket, or let his extension expire, return on a waiver and DIY. He'll have the bank account with 800K when he applies for a new visa, so should be a walk in the cake.

I have a question concerning the timing of 800K balances. (asking for a friend)...............(really!) Let's say I have a friend who recently paid an agent to handle the non-O visa (retirement) and extension. Agent opened a bank account, deposited 800K, got the balance letter, withdrew the 800K same day. Somehow immigration issued the non-O visa AND the one-year extension simultaneously, giving him 15 months before next extension of stay.................leaving a balance of a few baht in his account for the first month. He recently added 400K, and will add another 400K soon, but what about next year? He wants to do the extension himself, but I think he's trapped. He'll either need to pay the agent again, or pop out of the country, let his extension and re-entry expire, come back visa waiver and DIY from scratch, unless he gets a non-O in laos. Anyhoo, here's the question: When he attends immigration next year (Pattaya), what is the IO looking for specifically in regards to the 800K balance? I assume the IO doesn't look at the 2 months prior to the current extension, only 800K for 3 months after and 2 months prior to applying for the new extension, and 400K in between. But when does the 3 months from last extension start? Is it day of application for new extension, or day of expiration of old extension? And for folks that used an agent for 15 months stay, with no separation between visa issue and extension issue, does the 3 months begin when the visa/extension were issued? Either way, he's trapped. He didn't put 400K in until about a month after getting the visa/extension, and won't have the full 800K in until less than two months before the extension should have been issued.

There are TWO bank letters required for the visa conversion/request application - proof of foreign source AND current balance. For annual extensions of stay, ONLY current balance letter is required. You are not required to prove foreign source again.

How would it increase the IO's income? The extra fee goes to VFS Global for running the website/application. If the online system is providing an approved scan code to show at the desk, this reduces the IO's opportunities to deny applications.

How so? Made an appointment at CW, took the bus across town, got the bank letter, then annual retirement extension and re-entry permit, followed by another cross-town bus. Total time at CW, including the bank-getting-the-letter part, was 90 minutes. spent twice as long on the bus.

BATS! Oh, fergoshsakes, no! Only civilized escargot or mountain oysters for this fella!