rogerpattaya

LK Legend on Soi Arunotai has a lot going for it in the 3-4 million range. Studios ( 43 and 50 square ) metres, and one bedroom at 86-100. Quiet with a big pool...

I know it's a long way off but I thought I would be proactive and go into the Revenue Department Chonburi and ask some questions about getting a TIN (tax identification number). It was very quiet there on a Friday morning, took a queue number and waited only 5 minutes to be called, good so far. First problem, none of the people on the counter spoke ANY English, but with a bit of mime and showing my Resident Certificate that was issued for the purpose of obtaining a Tax ID, I got an application form in Thai. I had read on line that this form was available in English, not so at Chonburi, only Thai, I did confirm that you need copy of Passport ID page and current Visa stamp as well as the Certificate of Residence to obtain the Tax ID number for Personal Income Tax (PIT). Every one was friendly enough, just not very helpful because of the language problem, not their fault, it's their country, I wanted to ask a number of questions but I will have to go back with an interpreter for that, Has anybody got any better information that might help?

Everything here in Thailand comes from Farangs. I know they had rice and buffaloes before we came on the scene, but not much else. Electricity Medicine Motor cars Motor bikes Mobile phones Paved roads I could go on. What do they all have in common, THEY CAME FRON FARANGS. We colonised them by defaults a long long time ago. Without us they would be riding buffaloes in the dark. I do like it here, but I wish they would recognise the real value of Farangs over the years and not look down on us. Rant over....

A staggering 10,703 units, raking in a jaw-dropping 52.3 billion baht, exchanged hands in the nine months leading up to September, marking a whopping 38% surge from the previous year, according to the Real Estate Information Center, a body overseen by the state-owned Government Housing Bank (GHB). When I bought a Condo, I had to transfer money from my home country, and of course got that days rate of exchange. If I transfer money from Russia for instance, I would not be getting a lot of baht for my Roubles. That would seem to make a Condo purchases very expensive. Or am I missing something?

I have done 16 extensions of stay for retirement at Jomtien. Not my favorite job, of course. I am retired, so it does not make a lot of difference if it takes 1 hour or two, mostly it takes less than an hour, I take a book with me. The only problem I have is not with immigration officers, but with Farangs who do not have the required docs, proof of finance or filled in the wrong TM form. This month I was in and out in 40 minutes, it would have been quicker if the two people in front of me had had the correct docs and signed every page. It's once a year, your retired, get over it.

I lived in Nirun Condo for two years when I first came to Thailand so I have a good idea what its all about. It's not high class, but it is good value for money. Most of the people are decent and friendly. There is something like 1800 Condos there so you are bound to get a few idiots living there, law of averages. I now live not far away from Nirun but still go there two or three times a week to eat and get my laundry done. Don't judge a book by its cover.

At the moment I can get a 45 day VOE and apply for a 30 day extension while in Thailand. Check in at Heathrow I am told will not let me board if my flight return date is more than 45 days after arrival. Is this information correct? If correct the selling point of either 45/30 or 30/30 would seem false as it should say " Only if you have a throwaway onward ticket and a changeable return ticket" Or am I missing something? again.

It would seem to me that the average retiree in Thailand is more valuable to the economy than the average Thai, but the TAT does nothing to encourage more retirees to come here. Over the years I have seen government figures that suggest only about 30 percent of Thais pay income tax as the tax free threshold is 150K per year, and being generous. lets say the average salary in Thailand is 12000K per month, you can see why. Now, I am far from rich but I do spend 35-40K per month here. That would suggest that financially I am worth 3 Thais economically, every year. Wouldn't it make more sense to encourage 150K Retirees to come here rather than the same number of Indian or Chinese whose daily spend rate in the Thai economy is believed to be quite low. The Retiree is a resource that keeps on giving year after year.. Or am I missing something? rogerpattaya

Thanks for the replies. It seems that when I got a new passport and the details were transferred I ended up with Non Imm O. Which I suppose is why they have never asked me for insurance. Just plain lucky. Thanks again rogerpattaya

OK, 12 years on extensions due to retirement, money in the bank, never used an agent, never had a problem, (Jomtien) My original Visa issued in my home country is OA? I am confused about Insurance as I read that OA requires insurance this year but O does not. What in fact is my status, am I on extension, OA or O? Or none of the above... Thanks for any clarification rogerpattaya

I am confused about my status. I am on a retirement extension to a visa issued in my home country 12 years ago (OA)? Does this mean I am still on an OA? My one year extension is due in December. Do I need medical insurance this year? Thank you for any clarification