Khyron

We would like to have some cameras facing the street but have heard that it is illegal to do so. A friend texted my wife that showed a sign that you can put up stating you have CCTV cameras facing the street, apparently that makes it legal? I'm not so sure of that. Have any of you heard of this loophole or is it still illegal. Thanks.

That was the initial thought, that it was a scammer, my wife basically dared them to come over. That is why she gathered the Nieces to be a witness in case it was a scammer masquerading as a cop. I made sure they had ID, my wife kind of knew one of the cops, and he verified that was who he was. The assistant Puyabaan also came over as she had her bank account siphoned last year by a call center scammer. After the cops were verified, everyone had a good laugh and talked for about 10-15 minutes. I asked my wife if she apologized to the older cop for accusing him of being a scammer, that was a no. When we go to town again, we will stop by and apologize. The older cop did say to her that it was a good thing to be suspicious. This was NOT immigration, just local police. The other 2 falongs, not American, in the neighborhood didn't get a visit. I'm not paranoid, or a conspiracy theorist, just talking about an interaction I had and passing along the info.

No, KK is a super easy Immigration office from what I have experienced. No map, nothing of the sort. I am on Non-O.

Nope, a few others did though.

Three "Special Investigation units" from the local Amphur called, then showed up. Didn't look at any ID of any kind, showed me a list with about 30 other people on it, they asked if that was my name on the list. Nobody went inside the house, nor did they ask. Then they took a few pictures with me and the nieces and Aunts that came by to witness everything. They shot the <deleted> with everyone for 10 minutes and then went on their way. This morning I received another call from the Amphur police and they asked my wife if anyone came by to check. I guess the guys yesterday didn't report in yet or something. They asked if I was ok, and if I was I was planning on traveling, said I should try to keep close to home. Kind of weird questions. So we will see. Hopefully it is as you say, a box checking exercise.

see my latest post.

Another guy on FB also had a visit today, same thing. The info they told him was that they were checking Iranian people and Americans for a welfare check. That seems more like it, The Gov't wants to make sure that nobody is going to fight one another. I have no beef with anyone because of where they come from, their government isn't them, and vis versa.

Near Chumpae, in Khon Kaen jungwat.

A few minutes ago, I received a call from an unknown number. Thinking it was Immigration coming to do a spot check, I answered. The first call was a woman speaking Thai, I didn't understand what she said, and I heard other people laughing in the background, she hung up. A few seconds later, same number calls, I pick up and they say "Hello, this is the police". I immediately give it to my wife, she asks them who it is, they say the police, and they are in the Ampur (the correct one, strangely enough) and want to come and investigate all falongs. They then ask what is the address, she starts yelling at them about they should know where we are and how they are a scam center and such. They just laughed all through her tirade and said they were coming anyway, she said come on, you should have our address. Well 30 minutes later, 2 special investigation police from our Amphur show up, we were shocked. Before they came over, my wife called the Puyabaan assistant, a couple of nieces and her Aunt to come as witnesses. The cops all took picture with me, showed me a list of people they were going to visit today. They were very polite, and my wife kind of knew who one of the cops were, so they were legit with ID's and all. I asked why they were here and was told to ensure that I and other Americans weren't going over to fight Iran. (Weird) I am almost 60, so no problem there. My youngest niece (13) was annoyed with them, and they got an earful from the ladies who showed up. All the ladies took pictures of their ID's, the license plate and such. I am a bit concerned as they knew where we are building a new house, only the Orbator and Puyabaan know, or so we thought. I have nothing to hide, but I have never been on any official radar before, so a bit disconcerting. Anyway, be prepared. It looks like they were tasked to do this by Immigration.

I am not sure of some areas, but our town has had the same Puyabaan since 2012. The reason is since that last election in 2012, the government allowed them to hold the office until they resign or die. Our Puyabaan has gotten complacent unfortunately, under 40, drinks all day, doesn't to do much else unless the Orbator says something to him. Most don't care for him, but nothing to do about it. My Sil said she read on a Thai news source that they are doing away with that, maybe thats why he looks annoyed lately? Has anyone heard of that happening? If so, that would be great.

The one in our small town in Isaan is being changed around too. It isn't a big one at all, but not a mini big C either. They moved the aisles around, along with where the items used to be. They also have different items then they had before, my Muesli cereal is gone, hopefully they bring it back when they are finished upgrading. The 20 baht store in the parking lot was kicked out, the shoe store inside was also vacated. the only thing left is the gold shop and True/dtac store. The Big C is always busy, so no danger of it closing down.

Gavin will "attempt" to run in '28, but his absolute mismanagement of California will bite him during the democratic debates. The "Train to nowhere", Covid hypocrisy, crime, Immigration, and having the 4th largest economy in the world and having a budget shortfall isn't going to endear him to anyone. This is just icing on the cake. For transparency, I am a registered Republican, but they left me behind decades ago. I have voted Red and blue and independent and am still a resident of Ca after I moved here, so I am not bashing him for his party, just his <deleted>show.

I have been burned by third party booking in the past. When they are overbooked or some nonsense, the people who booked directly with the airline, vs booking sites, they give priority to the direct bookers. When it is cancelled or delayed, you can deal direct with the airline, and not be on the phone with someone with the third party companies. I guess you could buy a new ticket with the airline, and then get refunded by the other agencies, but that is an unneeded hassle. The few extra coins saved isn't worth the peace of mind of dealing direct.

My wife was just saying earlier today that she wasn't going to vote, as whatever party she votes for gets disqualified anyway. When we got home, she looked at her youtube news, Pita was doing his song and dance, so now she will be voting again. I am sure she wasn't the only one re-energized by his "return". I guess he has been teaching at Howard University for a bit, and I said to her, "You vote conservative republican in the states, absolutely despise liberal dems, but your favorite ex-candidate is teaching at a very liberal black university, and his politics are the same." There was no answer, crickets. 😄 I thought it was funny, seeing the realization on her face.

I posted my experiences for people who are a bit apprehensive about doing it by themselves, I am a bit longwinded, but I like to include all the details. I included the forms needed for my immigration in the above post, other immigration locations are slightly different. Banking experience was included above, I just needed my passport.

Hello All, This was my experience with KK immigration today for a Non-O retirement, my first one. Today was one day after my two month anniversary of having 800k in K-bank, I opened it up on November 10th and had it fully funded on the 14th. I wrote a detailed post back in November. Yesterday we (Wife and I) went to the closest K-bank about 30 minutes away to get a statement and a Letter of guarantee. I highly recommend taking a thai speaker, as the bankers can be difficult to understand behind the plastic guard. The letter and statement took about 20 minutes, there were a few things that needed to be signed and stamped, I asked for the statement to go back until I opened the account. After handing over 200 baht, I received the previously mentioned items. This morning we drove to KK immigration, but had to stop off at K-bank to update the bankbook. I took out 200 baht from the atm and went over to the bankbook update machine, but it told me to go inside. As asked, I went to a teller and my wife asked them for an update on the bankbook, a minute later we were out the door. At immigration I went upstairs to the copy girl, handed my packet over and she made the copies needed, as she knows what is necessary. I had some passport photos taken a few weeks ago, so I handed her one and it was glued onto the TM7. The forms needed are as follows: TM7, STM2, STM9, STM11, I also needed a housebook copy, copy of homeowner ID, both signed by them. I downloaded the immigration forms from the BKK immigration website last week and filled them out in the free pdf editor in Edge browser. I used blue ink as well. I took it to the copy shop in town and had multiple prints made for later extensions. The only thing I need to do is write in the date. Back to immigration, We went into the big room and handed the packet to the info desk, they went through it and found out the STM2 is obsolete, he handed me a newer STM2 and I signed it, he handed me a number and we had a seat. About 15 minutes later we were called up, the IO we were assigned was an older lady who had a great attitude. The bank statement and letter were looked at first, and she immediately took out a piece of paper and did some quick math, she said that yesterday was the 2 month anniversary of the 800k percolating in the bank. The packet was perused, she asked my wife which Tambon we lived in and then she proceeded to stamp my passport with 2027 expiration date, woo hoo. I had to sign the bottom of the house book, and my SIL ID copy (We are staying in her house for now) and she put them back into the packet. I asked her if I could do a 90 day too, and she said sure, no problem. The 90 day paper was stamped and filled out, and stapled in my passport. I was then told to have a seat. A few minutes later, she waved to me and gave my passport back, and she said, you are done. Pretty easy for sure, just have the required forms prefilled out. One guy who came after me copped an attitude with all the forms he had to fill out and the copies that had to be made. Dude , just do it, you aren't special and pissing them off just makes it worse for everyone in the long run. While I was sitting, getting the 90 day done, an agent walked up to my IO with a large stack of packets and I heard the term ed visa. The IO gave a heavy sigh, didn't look very happy. My wife said that the IO didn't want to do all the work involved, I looked at the group and they were teen and 20 something European people. I didn't catch the language they were speaking. That was my experience today, hope it helps.

Can't be Khon Kaen, they are a joy to deal with. They have a queuing system that works well.

It wasn't unanswered, it was in the first sentence, Dr Jack corrected himself right after reading it.

Appreciate everyones time. I am prefilling out the TM7 (which has to be double sided, not 2 separate pages, right?) Some questions on the form: Written at? not sure what that is. Under the passport line, it asks: Month, year, issued at. The previous line it asks the issued date already, and the issued at? not sure exactly what they are asking. I did it by mail and had it sent to my home in the states, is that the "Where"? Type of Visa date, is that the date of my e-visa approval? Or when I arrived to use it? TM6 number isn't used anymore, so that can remain blank I think. The extension is for 365 days probably. Thanks for the help.

Probably the border runners getting a more reliable way to stay, since they are cracking down. It was pretty empty in the beginning of November.

I have many copies of my SIL house book and ID, both signed by her. They were good enough for the COR i got in November, So I will use those again. K-bank, I will go to the branch in Chumpae the day before. Stop at a bank on the way up that day for the bankbook update. I went up there, crazy how far out of town it is. Not sure if they are planning something else in the area, the location is so random and weird. My nephew thought I was pranking him when we went up there. Wife will be going with. Hope I get the older civil servant, she was very helpful and nice to others last time. Thanks for the reply, just making sure as requirements change over time. I will post a detailed trip to Immigration after I am done to help anyone else do it themselves.

Hello, I am going to KK Immigration next week to extend my Non-O retirement for the first time. I am looking for someones recent experience at KK, the list of documents they gave me in the email is very short. I live far away from Immigration and would like to wrap it up the same day. Other locations they talk about hand drawn maps, copies of neighbors ID with signature, and various hoops to jump through. According to KK, I need a TM7, bank book update, bank letter, copy of passport. This seems light, but I could be wrong. Anything else I will need? Thanks for the help.

Well as for the seasoning of the money, If I wait until 3 months, I will be on overstay even though I got a bank account 3 days after I arrived. I thought it was 2 months seasoning for your first time extension. I will be applying about 2.5 weeks before my first 90 days is up, thats why i'm getting started then. I will go to Chumpae K-bank a few days before to see if they can do the statement, hopefully they can, Chumpae is a decent sized town, but not sure if they deal with bank statements much. Thanks for the replies.

Hello, I have an appointment on January 15th at 10am for my first one year extension on a Non-O retirement in Khon Kaen. I have a bank account in K-bank, My 800k will be aged 2 months on the 14th, my first 90 day non-o expires on February 4th. My question is; When I get my bank letter of guarantee for the extension, do I need to get it the same morning? Or can I get it the day before? Also, does it have to be the same branch and city I opened it? Khon Kaen is 1/12 hours away and I would like to get it a city closer if possible the day before. If it has to be in the same city, and the same day, I may move my appointment to 1pm if needed. Thanks.

Huh, never knew the CRV had a diesel, will have to look into it. We had an Accord with the 2.4, did my own work on it for almost 20 years, which wasn't much besides maintenance, very solid engine. The cvt kind of scares me with the CRV being a much heavier vehicle. Thanks for the info. That being said, I will keep an eye out for a scorching deal on the above mentioned vehicles, but am waiting for the baht-dollar to be more in my favor. For now my nephew has agreed to let us use his 2023 hilux for short trips (less than 45 minutes) and he is happy to haul us to KK when we need, which isn't often. When I get more acclimatized, I will venture further.