DrHoneydew

I'm open to staying somewhere new. What's the quickest way to do a land run from Patong area? Don't mind flying to another country and coming back through a land crossing either... like Laos, but I've done that a couple times in years past already. 

I read on a website which offers ED visas, that you may apply if you are 49 or under. Does this imply you cannot get an ED visa after 49? I couldn't imagine why not, so thought I'd ask even though that website seems to clearly suggest this is the rule. I'm going top try to get a fight visa (BJJ), but a bit of a bummer if I couldn't continue studies in the next few years just because I hit 50 later this year. Even the first belt, a blue belt, in BJJ can take a couple/three years to earn.

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You are allowed 2 visa exempt entries via land borders per calendar year.

You would be best served by doing one just prior to March 31 as they provide 45 day stamp and you can also o rain 30 day extension. 

That  buys time. 

 

Yes METV is meant to be applied for in home country.

Little cloudy now since eVisa available from some countries.

What is your pp country? 

Canada

40 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Taking into account the details you provided thinking a good option would be a METV.

You can obtain 9 months out of that and together with couple of border bounces + 30 day extensions would be bullet proof. 

Don't I need to apply for that in mt home country and wait for processing etc? I'm in Thailand now. Need to leave by Mar 6

29 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

IO asked for 1000 baht on exiting or on entering Thailand?

They denied their reentry, but said they could 'fix it' for 1000 baht

I have stayed here for about 10 months or so I think at this point using border runs to Cambodia. You can buy a ticket at the visa office next to the Jomtien immigration office. They drive you and a few others to Cambodia and return in minutes, never a hassle. I have seen IO ask 2 guys for 1000BHT one trip though, stating their next visa run should have been by air as they already used up their land crossing for the year. One of those guys was not actually in that situation though, but 'fined' none the less.

My intent now is to stay for another full year. I would like to get some medical work done that needs to happen in multiple sessions every 6-8 weeks.

By the sounds of it, no only might I have some difficulty this time but doing this for another full year will likely fail? I'd hate to buy personal items, such as an expensive bike if one day I might get denied return and never be able to recover it, lose condo deposit etc.

Title says it all:

Flying out and back to get a fresh no-visa arrival stamp. Not sure what that's formally called. I haven't done this before as when I fly out, I usually return several months or a year later. How long do I need to stay out of country before coming back to get a new 45 day stamp? Would like to do this a couple times in 2023.

Thanks

Done! Thanks.

Thanks all.

I've been staying in a hotel for a month. Not sure if they would have reported my stay or not. (small hotel run by someone who just turned 20).. how should I proceed at immigration when they ask for residence paperwork? The month I paid for at the hotel ends tomorrow. I want to go to another town on Phuket after immigration and find a new place.

What are they going to expect from me paperwork wise aside from passport/copies/photos?

First time here. Need to extend soon. I know the process from doing it many time in other cities. Any tips for Patong? Where. to get photocopies, pictures, where is the office, tips for the local office (ie: Jomtien is VERY busy, so pointless to go unless there before it opens) etc.

On 12/26/2022 at 2:16 AM, khunPer said:

The short answer is no.

A better location for snorkeling is Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, but newer condo – or condo at all – might not be available; however you could find some interesting snorkeling spot on the southern part of Samui, which are not close to what you asks for, but there might be a 7-Eleven shop within healthy walking distance.

 

A condo is not easily found as we mainly stay in bungalows by the beach or nearby a beach on Samui and her sister islands; however, nice bungalows are easily found within walking distance to a good beach, smaller supermarket like Mini BigC or Lotus's Go Fresh, and a gym. For snorkeling among corals and tropical fish you might need a trip by speed boat to an optimal location in a remote bay; "The Japanese Garden" by Koh Nangyuan is for example a perfect spot.

 

Beach suggestions: Crystal Bay in healthy walking distance from Lamai – some snorkeling might be of interest there – or Maenam Beach, where you shall not expect exciting snorkeling.

 

Perhaps some other forum-members that are local snorkeling-experts have more precise information about best spots around Samui...????

How's the mobile internet speeds and reliability on Samui?

On 12/26/2022 at 4:12 AM, nchuckle said:

As a former diver and keen snorkeller there’s nothing really off the main islands now,and worst of all Samui and in the Gulf. The Andaman side is a better bet anyway (Phuket ,Ko Lanta) but even there… ????.
Now really for anything decentish you have to go on  the speedboat tours to the likes of the Similans (quite a long trip) or Phi phi. Then Ko Roc/Ko Ha (off Lanta) . In summary, poor off the main islands and obviously more expensive (1500 - 2000 baht +) for a speedboat day trip . 

Phi Phi is near Krabi, correct? Would I be better off staying in Krabi and taking a boat for some RnR? How about snorkeling in Krabi itself?

On 12/25/2022 at 7:56 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

If you haven't already done so, you might want to look into the viability of condo units as investments. Rents here tend to be low and one can't count on a condo significantly appreciating in value, at least not in Thai baht terms, although I'm sure there are exceptions.

 

Then there are the running costs such as annual fees for the communal property upkeep, insurance, maintenance and repair, etc. combined with the difficulty and hassle of having a reliable tenant occupying the unit at all times. Also, don't forget Uncle Sam's hand in your pocket when it comes tax time, especially the recapture of depreciation when you sell. 

 

My apologies if you've already considered all of this or are a savvy real-estate investor. If not, you may wish to solicit others' opinion on this as well. My experience as owner of a rental property here was decidedly mixed. I would have done better with the money in a balanced stock portfolio in the US during the time I owned the unit.

 

Agreed & aware. I'm lightly curious if its even a possibility or if I should just forget the idea completely. I have had more than a couple Thai folks tell me about their new condo they just bought and are renting on AirBnB etc, talking about what a great deal it will be once they sell. The latest, after asking for some intel on a condo I just rented for a couple weeks, is the owner expects to rent it out for 15K/m during high season and maybe 12K in low. She's paying teh bank 20K/m in mortgage and all the other costs that go along with condos on top. It's a negative cash flow gamble that she'll be able to sell one day. I asked her about those expectations and she was excited to tell me the building was 80% sold after just 4 years!! (oof). My view is that it should have been sold out well before now if she ever expects to sell for a profit. Why buy hers for a premium when they can pick up a new unit for the regular price, or perhaps even discounted because of all the unsold inventory. Unless ALL the pool view sell out and the only units left are parking lot view & low level. I shake my head at just about every deal I hear about. My thoughts were it may be something to consider if someday I stumble across a cash flow positive unit in an area that I could expect it to regularly rent. Probably a unicorn, but I'm not particularly spending time looking either. Would pick one up if the situation was right. 

Considering coming to Samui for a month. Any suggestions of the best areas to live? Ideally walking distance to good snorkeling & beach. Newer condo. Gym. Supermarkets etc. Does that exist?

Cheers

8 hours ago, Salerno said:

That pops up quite regularly in FB, not in huge numbers but often enough, so the possibility is there.

Any recommended groups?

Ah, to clarify I guess I meant 'seller' financing. ie: You give the seller a small or no down payment and they then finance the balance personally. This may sound crazy to some, but not that unusual in America, so wondering what sort of creative financing options could be done in Thailand. Looking to make investments, not for personal use. Putting your personal money into investments is not ideal for how I wish to go about it.

I spent a year or two in Chiang Mai already, a couple years in Pattaya. Want to explore somewhere else early Jan for a couple months. Looking for ideas. I like the cheap resort style living in Jomtien. 15-20K BHT for new luxury one bedroom condo on a resort with pirate ships, slides, etc. I do NOT like the water in the Pattaya region though. 

Ideally the new place would have similar condos for rent & nice waters to snorkel in. Looking for picturesque living. 

Any cities/regions come to mind that fit the bill?

Just curious... not sure buying a condo here would be the smartest thing to do, but curious...

If a foreigner wants to buy a condo with as little personal money in the game as possible, how can that happen?

Is a foreigner able to get a mortgage here, if so, how?

Is owner financing a thing here?

Is the foreigner legally allowed to rent it out? If so, how does that work?

Cheers

29 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Why upgrade components?  What do you have now, and do all the parts function correctly?  If you can wait to upgrade, parts should be cheaper in Canada.  Spares for high-end parts likely will be unobtainium.

 

Are you planning to tour by bike, or take your bike on trains/buses and mostly ride around towns?

 

If touring, does your carbon frame have rack attachments?  If not, carbon limits your bike-packing bag options.

 

If stowing it in bus/train baggage compartments, expect to have sacks of produce loaded atop your bike.

I'm just an enthusiast and want to build a good bike. Prices actually seem to be close enough for me between here and Canada. Riding in other countries is kinda cool. I won't stay more than a few months in Canada anyways before finding a new country to ride in.

Don't plan on touring.. Will use it as a daily driver around town, go shopping with etc. Maybe hit some trails if I can find them.

I picked up a medium quality carbon frame 29er in Pattaya and kind of want to upgrade it with high end components. I also want to travel around Thailand and it's neighboring countries, maybe a month or two in Cambodia, Vietnam and other places. Perhaps in Thailand too. Maybe Pattaya to Chiang Mai or Phuket or Krabi. - Then at some point, back to Canada.

I'm not 100% sold on upgrading and taking the bike with me or not. I'm not sure about the cost and logistics of traveling with a bike.

Anyone know the best/smartest thing to do? Is it safe to ride an expensive bike around and be seen regularly for a couple months in Cambodia or Vietnam? I have no idea and know very little about either country, but I'm not sure I'd do the same in some areas of Mexico. Had a used bike down there that was cheap but looked nice. Lots of people eye balling it and the security guards actually tried to steal it from a very large hotel I had facility access to. I know a few people who have had multiple bikes stolen.... so I'm weary and don't want to be mugged for the bike at a red light while out for a ride.

What about the costs of shipping and things to be aware of etc?

Cheers

3 staff members showed up at my door at 7:30am and drove me to immigration. One of them stayed by my side the entire time.

Owner was fined 1700BHT

I was not fined

After we finished the boss offered me a banana and a bottle of water before driving me back home.

Gave me a 1000BHT refund through AirBnb a couple days later

Was a good outcome.

Can say that I've been using AirBnb and renting through other websites for 12 years in many countries and have never had problems. Thanks all for the intel!

On 11/21/2022 at 8:08 AM, PingRoundTheWorld said:

And do what exactly??? What is it you think the host owes you? just check in to a hotel for one night like a normal person and go to immigration in the morning. You won't even be charged overstay for one day, and if you are charged it's only 500 baht per day.

The possible overstay is actually your fault for not going to extend your landing stamp sooner - why wait for the last minute? Understandable if you didn't know about TM30, but probably 99% of Airbnb's operate illegally and therefore won't report TM30 - they had you sign a blank rental contract just in case authorities came looking for one later on (which they probably won't but I guess they're covering their ***).

And it's not just Airbnb hosts - even landlords for regular rental contracts will usually not report TM30 either because why bother? if anyone gets the fine it'll be you - not them.

Fun Update #2

THEY ended up getting fined 1700BHT. I got no fines.

I was not looking into a lawyer to get anything out of the owner, but rather ask about the situation where my incorrect address and arrival dates were already reported. Obviously I'm not going to go along with that, so I was unsure and concerned about what might happen if I write down a different address during the extension than what the TM30 shows.

This is my 3rd time here. about 2.5 years total over the past 7. I've done the border run to extend a few times, mixed with METV. Have been using AirBnb, hotels, and a real-estate agent. Have never not been given at least the required paperwork to do it myself. Maybe I've been lucky.

5 hours ago, MrMilk said:

You can take the 4-5 hours trip to the Ban Laem border tomorrow.

Where is ban laem? Google says it's a seaside district without any country borders

See here

Fun update.

Spoke with someone different from the company on the phone today wo speaks good English. Had a good conversation and got a better feeling that I had the upper hand in this situation. He is going to have someone take me to immigration tomorrow to make sure everything is ok.

He explained that they did indeed use another address because this one is not registered.. or something along those lines. 

When speaking with him, I reiterated that it is his responsibility to report within 24 hours or they could get slapped with an 800 baht fine. I told him about me potentially having an overstay on my record. I told him my lawyer recommended I find a new place and ask for my money back. I told him I we go that route than we are going to end up turning this into a much bigger deal than either of us wants. 

Funny... there is also 3 people here right now to fix the hot water and they brought a pile of amenities I didn't ask for. iron, microwave, toaster etc. 

Thank you all for the insights. Made me feel a little better about 'standing up' for myself. 

4 hours ago, problemfarang said:

this is the 3rd or 4th post about airbnb being not ok with rooms.. i think should avoid them.

 

i never used it and dont know the differences between airbnb rooms and just go and check in an hotel. is it like cheaper? all these headaches are for 200-300 baht?

I like living on condo resorts, and airbnb is a LOT cheaper for longer stays, plus you get much more. For example, you can find a 2 bedroom condo/penthouse with a jacuzzi overlooking the ocean for a month, about what you'd pay for 1 week in a hotel and have more freedoms and (most importantly) space. I once had a 200sq meter penthouse on the 32nd floor overlooking the ocean in Jomtien for 40K/m. You can find smaller new condos on resorts with massive pools and slides etc for about 10-15K/m. I just find that you simply can't find that quality of living in any hotel. I go through airbnb instead of something like a facebook marketplace for anything less than a year because the large property management companies usually only offer long term stays.