kimothai

I've been using the Mint e-sim for almost a year now and it works flawlessly so far.  I activated while in Thailand using a Samsung Galaxy S22.  I did the application on a PC and then used the Mint QR code to install the Mint e-sim on my phone.  Was much easier than I expected.  As someone else stated you need to add $10 to the roaming (up-roam) to receive OTP's.

You don't want to use the data while roaming because it's very expensive.  I use my Thai sim for data.  I mostly have the e-sim turned off while in Thailand but when I need an OTP I just turn the e-sim back on.  I used it when I went back to USA (California) and it worked great.  No loss of coverage.

Great idea.  Maybe some of the intersections will be less hazardous, specifically the disaster zone at Soi Diana/Langkee.  Will be interesting to see how traffic flows with all the delivery trucks (and idiots) parking in the middle of one of the lanes.  Definitely worth a try.

 I would also like to know the latest changes to the yearly retirement visa (a retirement visa issued for one year by an agent.) Where would I find these? Thank you.

You need to specify which Immigration office you are using.

16 hours ago, frankstraube said:

The visa i am looking for is the new LTR visa for "wealthy retirees"

You don't need a bank account to apply for an LTR visa for "wealthy retirees" if you have health insurance.  Only if you don't have health insurance do you have to show a bank deposit for being self insured.  When I applied for LTR visa there was never any mention of a bank account (bc I have health insurance).  I no longer am required to keep 800K baht in a Thai bank for a retirement visa ("O" or "OA ").

Charkaphan Osangthamnont(Dr) at Bumrungrad. I had colon cancer in 2017. Thanks to him I am cancer free today. Going back for follow-up colonoscopy today. 

16 hours ago, ripstanley said:

Be sure you also change your new passport number at your local bank and drivers licence if you have one. 

Bank for sure & credit card.  Went to agent to update driver's license and was told not necessary (nobody does).  Your new passport will reference the old passport when visa is transferred.

On 10/12/2023 at 8:38 AM, Cutty Shark said:

I would like to stay in Thailand at least six months, and up to ten months if possible.  I’m an American citizen who is now in the USA, though I’ve previously lived in Thailand for several years.

 

Could you please advise me on what visa or documentation I should prepare and what I’ll need to do when that visa expires.  Thank you.

 

if you can qualify for a LTR (thru the Board of Investments) Visa that is probably the best visa going.  If you don't qualify and have lots of disposable cash the Elite Visa is the next best.  If the two visas mentioned before are no go's, then the "O" retirement visa (if age 50+) is probably the nest best bet.

On 10/5/2023 at 8:15 AM, newnative said:

    American here.  No intention of ever moving back to the US.   Many little reasons but they all boil down to simply living a much better life here.

I second that motion.  The politics in America are just too ugly now.  The advent of the LTR visa has made life in Thailand much easier.

Before it was Big C extra it was Carrefour, and the meat was great.  After the transition to Big C it's been all downhill.  Quality is hit or miss.  

The library at the Father Ray Redemption Center use to take books.  Haven't been there in a while so I'm not sure if that's still the case.

I’ve had Capital One (CC & savings) for about 7 or 8 years while living in Thailand with no problems.  I have found that I rarely require an OTP when logging in via the website (not app).  When OTP is required, I use Mint (now part of T-Mobile) roaming which I was able to activate while in Thailand and also works great when in USA.  You can link your Cap One account to an external bank or brokerage account if you need to transfer money.  You can do it all from Thailand if you have a PC/laptop.

Those street vendors made for a lot of congestion making it hard to pass sometimes.  Mostly all cheap/counterfeit junk anyway.

I was told at immigration a long time ago your re-entry permit is tied to the extension you used to apply for the re-entry permit. Once you update/renew the extension the re-entry permit is no longer valid. 

As always it boils down to enforcement or lack of.  if the police always have an excuse as to why they can't monitor the crossings.  Cameras at the crossings and start a ticketing program that has teeth would be a start.  Wishful thinking.

I renewed my passport last year which has a mid September expiration.  It required almost 3.5 weeks from mail in date to the time I received.  The ACS notified me with a tracking number when it was mailed to me.  The New passports are a new generation which take longer.  I think the new generation passport started around July or August of 2022.