CRUNCHER

HSBC's instructions do not sound strange. You should consider standard trade practice of asking the sender to convert funds into either USD or EUR (or even GBP) before posting funds. Alternatively if you want to keep to the current arrangement of this particular client posting funds in presumably a Scandanavian currency then try to set up a default conversion for this specific client. Easiest to do so by visiting any HSBC branch in HK. You could do this at HK airport. Terminal 1 for Premier, Terminal 2 for the rest.

Thanks for your reply. If I call customer service, would they be able to setup a default conversion, or would I have to visit a branch?

I looked at your message again. If it is the case that what we have here is a HK company transmitting funds to an HSBC business account opened by you in Thailand what is stopping you visiting the HSBC branch in Bangkok to sort out the problem?

HSBC do not have a BKK branch anymore.

It would be trite to say that the Royal Thai Police made a pig’s ear of this case from a PR point of view. They said far too much (which seems to be the norm in Thailand). This was especially so in the early stages of the investigation when so much was unclear. Even later on they should not have been talking about confessions or DNA matches. These are matters for the court.

Add to this a local press, many of whom seem to have a motto “don’t let the facts spoil a good story”. Media can publish what it likes with no accountability. Yes, the public has a right to know, but this right should be satisfied at the trial not in the immediate aftermath of what was a very confused situation.

However, none of this means that the two Burmese are guilty, innocent or guilty with massaged facts to ensure conviction. I simply do not know; nor does any other poster in this thread. In a trial by ThaiVisa the jury does not have enough facts.

The fact that the Thai police allowed the British police to come over speaks volumes, as does the report that the Brits seem to have given to the victims’ families. Of course I do not know the caliber of the officers who came over. Certainly they will not be infallible, but equally certainly they will not be naive fools. They would have got at least a wiff of a frame and the risk of this would be too much for the Thai Police if they had a great deal to hide.

In the end it will be for the court to decide and speculation is not helpful. Indeed in some countries this would be a contempt of court.

I must confess that I do not know a great deal about ED Visas. I might be wrong, but it seems to me from following this thread that at some time the OP must have produced a letter to immigration saying he attended classes. This document was false and prepared and produced with intent to deceive immigration that OP coplied with requirements. I sincerely hope the school loses its licence and/or the individual who signed the document is prosecuted.

The schools bear a big part of the responsibilty. If you look at many (not all) adverts the emphasis is getting a visa not learning Thai.

I feel sorry for those who get a visa and genuinely want to learn Thai. I feel sorry for those who do not particularly want to learn Thai, but go to classes to comply with visa requirements. In the end these people will suffer because of people like the OP for whom I have no sympathy.

If after 8 years in Thailand he spoke Thai well enough that hed did not need lessons then he did not need an ED Visa. End of.

I would only add that I, like a number other posters, feel there is more to this story. Was he flagged on the Immigration computer for some reason?

There is no law requiring you to fly back to your country - so at least you can contest that part, but you have to be adamant about talking to the supervisor. As in your case there is no extradition happening - just a refusal to enter the country. Don't be rude or condescending with the officials, just state that there indeed are laws that do not require you to travel to the country.

Perhaps, but no airline is going to fly someone who has he risk of being turned around and the airline is liable for flying home. As such, it sounds like the EU or bust, unless the OP gets lucky.

That is just it. Immigration know that no airline will sell him a ticket. Depending on his status in Hong Kong that might have been an alternative and perhaps Immigration should have allowed him to try and get a ticket there.

At the end of the day OP brought this on himself by abusing his visa (not going to classes). A lesson for others to learn. The sad thing is that abuses like this will result in genuine students getting a hard time if they are slow learners. Who knows, too much abise like this might result in ED visas being scrapped altogether.

I recently got a 30 day extension on my visa exemption stamp at Jomtien for 1900 baht.

Was in and out of there in less than 45 minutes.

A friend had the same experience yesterday except he was in and out in 30 minutes. I don't understand why some people have problems and others don't.

Reading a post in another thread gave me cause to think. How many new cars available in Thailand have genuine leather seats?

Many advertize leather seats, but when you look closer they are not. For example Mercedes offer "artico leather". In fact this is man made or vinyl.

Just a thought. Does anyone have any actual knowledge?

And one more thing, I've ended up with a 6-year licence as the expiry date is on my birthday 2020. I believe this might be because my old licence had already expired when I renewed it (10 days). A bonus!

A small point, but what happens if you let your licence expire to get the extra year and are stopped by police on your way to the Land Transport Office?

If you were in Pattaya no problem. I did one recently, 45 days. No help to you, but others may benefit from the info.

They didn't want to see a ticket, in fact they detached the copy I submitted without looking at it. The did not say a word or ask any questions relating to the early renewal.

Just a thought. Was September written in letters or 11/9/2014? An American would write that as 9/11/2014. If fgures were used and depending where you are in the world this could mean 9th November.

The dates still do not gell, but a use by date in November would make more sense.

Will there be a Scottish embassy in Bangkok?

After posting I noticed that the form said you must apply in person. So I went myself.

I did enquire about this issue and was told that if you send someone to do it on your behalf you have to pay an extra 300 baht. I did not ask if you would get an official receipt for the 300 baht.

When applying for a re-entry permit at Pattaya Immigration is it necessary to go in person or can a friend who is going anyway do it for me?

Thanks.

whats the big deal about the buildings on the beach, are people really wanting to go sunbathing there or what? sure they should have a council organized sewage system instead of straight into the sea but walking street will lose a lot of business if one side of it disappears

You might have a point. If they cleared the illegal buildings over the beach there would be more room for umbrellas and jet ski scams.

How can military or anyone else expect Pattaya City to undertake a long over due clean-up of Pattaya Beach when they are too busy holding press conferences on Waterfront. This is a building which the Mayor admits has all the necessary permits, does not contravene height restrictions and the developer has been open and transparent. Construction has been suspended.

Where is the press conference and blaze of publicity on the big Pattaya clean-up, don't talk about action. Jetski scams, over supply of beaach umbrella ( a real eyesore not to mention the scams they use), rats on the promenade, street prostitution (I have nothing against prostitution, but not in your face on the streets). Then there is Walking Street. Maybe the structures on the sea side are legal; maybe not, but for sure the extentions onto the beach are not. Have they been forced to suspend operation?

Is the fuss over Waterfront designed to divert attention from other problems which City Hall cannot or will not deal with? Don't expect action any time soon.

Are you certain of your assertions?

The law is clear on the maximum size of the footprint of buildings withing the construction control zone - 75% must be open and uncovered. Since this a 2 rai (3,200 SqM) plot, the maximum footprint should be 800 square meters. I don't have access to the architectural documents, but it certainly looks like more than that from the photos I have seen.

They may well have permits, but if those permits were issued in error, then the developers may well be in trouble given the enforcement vigor that the military government has brought to the table.

I was referring to what the Mayor said. If he was wrong then City and Provincial governments have a lot to answer for, not to mention pay for.

This thread is not about Waterfront. Mainly I was referring to double standards in enforcement by using the Waterfront example.

Pattaya will have to follow the same path as Phuket. If not there will be many people questioning why Phuket and not Pattaya. I would guess we will see some real action in the very near future.

You might be right. I meant no action by City Hall. At least the Mayor can say he is cleaning up Pattaya - look at Waterfront.

How can military or anyone else expect Pattaya City to undertake a long over due clean-up of Pattaya Beach when they are too busy holding press conferences on Waterfront. This is a building which the Mayor admits has all the necessary permits, does not contravene height restrictions and the developer has been open and transparent. Construction has been suspended.

Where is the press conference and blaze of publicity on the big Pattaya clean-up, don't talk about action. Jetski scams, over supply of beaach umbrella ( a real eyesore not to mention the scams they use), rats on the promenade, street prostitution (I have nothing against prostitution, but not in your face on the streets). Then there is Walking Street. Maybe the structures on the sea side are legal; maybe not, but for sure the extentions onto the beach are not. Have they been forced to suspend operation?

Is the fuss over Waterfront designed to divert attention from other problems which City Hall cannot or will not deal with? Don't expect action any time soon.

It's good news day. Have a safe journey.

Does Pattaya allpw 45 days?

Congratulations OP. Great that things are falling into place for you. A credit to your perseverance.

When you get back to UK let us know that everything turned out well for you. A lot of people are rooting for you.

Thanks Joe.

Of course I hope to get the extension done in those 4 days, even if they do include a Sunday and Public Holiday. My concern was in case there was a bureaucratic SNAFU that causes me to go overtime. I would have to leave and start again, but I don't want to leave again in 4 days. 30 days would be fine with me.

Thanks

If the 4 days was not going to be enough you could apply for a 7 day extension to get more time. Better than having to start all over again.

Didn't know I could get a 7 day extension. I have learnt something that should make life easier. Thanks again Joe.

You can renew it up to 30 days before it expires.

Thanks for that.

Leaving date is not yet fixed. It will be more than 30 days, but maybe less than 45 days. If that is so I will give Jomtien Immigration a try. If they are helpful - problem solved. If not I just wanted to know where I will stand.

Thanks Joe.

Of course I hope to get the extension done in those 4 days, even if they do include a Sunday and Public Holiday. My concern was in case there was a bureaucratic SNAFU that causes me to go overtime. I would have to leave and start again, but I don't want to leave again in 4 days. 30 days would be fine with me.

Thanks

I will be overseas for a few weeks and I do not think I can get my retirment extension renewed before I leave. I am due to arrive back about 4 days before my current extension expires.

How long will I be stamped in for when I return to Thailand?

Thanks

I am sure airlines will catch up with this eventually, but in the meantime I expect some people will have trouble getting on planes.

I would suggest those intending to extend the visa exempt entry get something from the airline head office, in writing, before going to the airport. This can be shown to check in clerk in the event of problems. E-mail should do it. Some airlines know about changes such as this, but have trouble getting info to front line staff.

See

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754481-boarding-to-thailand-without-return-ticket/

for how to board with no visa and no return ticket.

Point taken. The real point is be prepared.

The ones most likely to have a problem are those with a genuine onward ticket for between 31 and 60 days later and expect to have no problems because of the new rules.

Common sense should prevail, but common sense and check in clerks do not always go togeather.

I should add that I know of someone who had a return ticket for about 35 days later and spent an age trying to get through to the clerk that he could get a 7 day extension.

It means that 'aliens' from Europe will be able to spend the two coldest months of the year in the Land of Smiles without having to bother to apply for a tourist visa. Great!

I don't think so. Many European airlines will not let you board

if you want stay more than 30 days and don't have a visa...

This new 30-days extensions seems rather useless for most farang tourists IMHO

I am sure airlines will catch up with this eventually, but in the meantime I expect some people will have trouble getting on planes.

I would suggest those intending to extend the visa exempt entry get something from the airline head office, in writing, before going to the airport. This can be shown to check in clerk in the event of problems. E-mail should do it. Some airlines know about changes such as this, but have trouble getting info to front line staff.