vagabond48

Not sure if they still make these anymore.

I know that after someone posted on e-bay how to open them with a Bic biro (very easily) their sales dropped drastically.

When that information got out the makers of the Kriptonite Ulock replaced the older locks for a newer version that was bic proof and at no charge mailed a free new Ulock to the owners. I even got to keep the older Ulock.

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

"garden suite (36 sq metres + 8 sq metre terrace) at 45,000 Baht single occupancy"

I guess these prices even the baht at 32-33, are geared more for foreign budgets rather than Thai's.

The Sunday bike club visited McLean's about 4 years ago and I thought the place looked run down. I hope at the prices they are asking they have improved it a lot.

It seems that some members have read these reminiscences and concluded that here we have more old (your favorite dismissive generalization goes here), living in the past. How boring! Honestly, I do remember those days fondly but also remember what a drag a lot of that stuff was. For the young, this is your time, make the most of it, whatever that means to you. You will someday feel nostalgic for these days, as the world changes and changes.

We're all "temps" on this job.

"Thanks for the Memories". I rarely think about Bob.

It's great to have memories until finally you are physically, "puff", no more.

Were you all fooled?

This is Thailand the land of counterfeit stuff.

What you saw was a fake RR.

Probably only cost 1 to 2 million at best.

I am just curious, can these agents submit multiple passports for visa extensions without having the clients present at CM immigration?

Perhaps, privatizing immigration are a good idea but at what price. 8 years ago in in high cost NYC, I got my Indian visa and paid a "whopping" $10 (now $17) for the 3rd party service.

Here in lower cost Thailand, the current price is 10X or more for this service.

Folkguitar, I'm not sure where you got 20 cent per day. That would be approx. $73 or 2400B which is less than 1/2 of the prices being quoted.

There seems to be a strong afford to provide free advertisement these services.

It has been mentioned that other countries give visa agents preferential treatment but do these Immigration offices have staff whose main priority is to service agents? If the answer is yes then that system would work pretty well. If these offices did not then if several agents came in with a combined 50 visa requests, that may very well shut down that office for the whole day so for all you nice folks who have traveled 1 hour to come here, you all have a nice ride back home and try us again tomorrow.

I understand some people due to age, health issues or job constrictions may have difficulty getting online appointments or enduring the early morning possible stressful time at the immigration office so they opt to let a third party handle their immigration requirements but I resent does who use an agent for their convenience because this encourages agents to abuse the system by either by grabbing the limited online appointment slots or bribing immigration officers to get unofficial appointments forcing those who do the right thing to compete for limited available time after the greedy agents have grabbed theirs.

I for one am fortunate that I can still get my 2 appointments online.

Do you think it is wise or helpful to suggest that or accuse the Immigration Police of breaking the law by taking bribes?

Is there some rule that visa agents can not book appointments on line? Aren't they entitled to use that system like anybody else?

Are the agents really greedy, more so than other people in business?

You are probably right, perhaps the word "bribe" is extreme. How about the offer a gift of appreciation for helpful assistance.

Please enlighten me how the OP can come to the agent's office on Tuesday and the agent can secure an appointment for the next day at "3PM" sharp. Perhaps the agent is able to part the mighty Ping river as well. Yes the agent can use the online system if it is time for him/her to renew their own extension. As I understand, it is one appointment for one person.

I enjoyed the well-written report by Sante that starts this thread, but, I admit I am puzzled that no one, in the thread, mentions the required proof-of 800k baht in the bank for a single farang expat retirement visa, and whatever the amount is now for a farang expat with Thai spouse.

Perhaps that omission is insignificant because everyone knows about it ? ... Or ?

thanks, ~o:37;

The OP did mention that he also brought his income verification letter which the OP got from the consulate.

if u cant beat them,why not join them???

Or,

boycott this type of service.

As some have said here, there are times during the year where it may very well be impossible to get even 1 slot unless you are SUPER quick. This year, I started checking for opening for early December. I need to get 2 openings together. Since I am an early riser, the 1st time I checked about 5:30A and was surprised to see at least 4 openings. Even after an hour a pair of consecutive openings were available in the PM. I was chocked. Two mornings later I checked again and there were none at 5:30AM. When I started checking for real, I decide to try to get 2 openings at 12 midnight. 1st night, I started a couple of minutes late and bang only 2 slots were available but not together. Next night, I began my vigilance at 12 sharp. I hit it just right because all the slots were opened. Of course, that didn't mean that they weren't being reserved by others at the very second. Luckily with fast fingers and a few other techniques, I was able to get 2 consecutive openings after lunch. Within minutes, "puff" they were all gone.

It's been around for a number of years. My wife and I started going again over 2 months ago and been eating there once a week for over a month. We thoroughly enjoy the freshness of the fish.

When I ride my bike and see a dog coming towards me, I scream/growl and raise my hand. That scares the heck at of them and anybody else whose nearby.

I have never paid attention to this but now I need to know. At the end of the year, are there any other days CM Immigration is closed besides the 12/31 and 1/1?

Thanks

Thanks World Seller, It's a whole new world at there, 9/11, terrorism, abuse of the visa system. I don't know if you will have any buyers today.

I am retired so I just hope that my age and some health problems will be enough to circumvent the strict domicile requirement.

To establish a domicile, I would also have to bring my wife since I would need and want her by my side.

Looks like you're all set to me.

Thanks for your encouragement but I'm not sure if this will be enough.

As Sonny in The Godfather said "I don't want my brother coming out of that toilet with just his dxck in his hands, alright? so I don't to submit a I-846 from with insufficient domicile proof.

I hate to go through the cost of going back to the US just to sign a lease and begin monthly payments for an apartment that I will not use for 6 to 8 months to prove my domicile.

I am hoping there are some people who have got through the process that could give me some information.

I have been living in Thailand for nearly 7 years and have visited the states only once last year.

I am concerned about the domicile question on I-864.

The Bangkok Embassy website description for domicile is as follows

• Establishing an address in the United States.
• Setting up and maintaining bank accounts in the United States
• Making and maintaining investments in the United States
• Applying for a social security number
• Voting in local, state, or federal elections
• Paying U.S. income taxes

I use my brother's address on most of my financial accounts for the last 2 years and when I went back last year, I stayed with him for 3 weeks.

I have a number of active and well funded bank and brokerage accounts back in the states.

I have a SS number.

I have voted in federal elections only but last 2 were as an absentee voter so that may not count.

I pay US income tax but not any state or local.

The I-864 instructions, define domicile a bit differently like they include state and local income tax.

Hope there people who have or are going through visa process for their immediate family who can share their experiences.

We are planning to take a trip to the USA using Korean Air and were thinking of stopover in Seoul for 2 nights. We will have 6 pieces of luggage so we want to store 3 of them at a luggage storage airport facility. I was wondering if these facilities are secure and do they normal guarantee against theft. I checked the website of one of them but it was in Korean, surprise. Since this is Korea can I "assume" that luggage theft might be low?

These checkpoints and also the one on the doi saket road have been their many times a week for the last year.They do not target westerners anymore than Thais.

Perhaps not but living near the train station, I have been crossing the Nawarat Bridge going on Thapae Rd for quite awhile so I have passed the police gauntlet without being stopped until 3 weeks ago. The cop, 1st asked for the license, then looked for the tax sticker which was under the seat, then ask for my green book, I had only the copy. It seems, he was going though a check list to catch me on an offense. I felt, he wasn't too pleased that his time didn't net him a ticket. Last week again, I got stopped at the same place. I smiled and before the cop could say anything, I whipped out my license. He said thank you and waved me on.

I should add that my wife and I both wear helmets.

In the past if I logged in I would use the option to "remember me" which has always worked. I am on W7 and the FF 30. I haven't installed any new apps.

Yesterday, I logged off so I can let a friend log on to TV. He logged off when he finished.

I logged on as usual with the "remember me" but after he finished using my laptop, I shutdown my laptop. When I started up my laptop, access TV, my log in id was gone. I am now forced to re enter my id every time I open my browser. It is a bit of a nuisance.

It is currently only for 3 months and from what I have read the VOA is for a max of 15 days. Not exactly the 30 days (arriving by Air) most other nationals get.

I rocked up to my local Immigration office the other day to obtain a new CoR (Driver's licence renewal - they wouldn't recognise my old CoR.)

Anyway Immigration said they would have to get it from Chiangmai, it would take a week and it would cost 1000B.

Last time it was free and was done in 5 mins there and then.

Is this normal now? (or a scam?)

here is a TV link with cost/free and location info.

I just sold my car and want to wire the money back to the states.

If the bank asks for proof of purchase, what do I show them?

I do have a a bill of sale that I made for myself and the buyer but is that proof enough since the bank has no way to determine if the price is real?