Pattaya57

Is that the same for removing sun spots? I was told by Doc that removed 4 sun spots last year that they could have become cancerous within 6 months, but when I google now it says sun spots are removed for cosmetic reasons? So confused as who cares if I had 3 cosmetic sun spots on my back and 1 on my forehead? My latest sun spot (looks the same as before) appeared out of nowhere on my face, left cheek

Yes, and he stayed overnight in Cambodia so removed that obstacle.

I'm in the "balanced fund" in Australian Super and from what I can tell my new pension-income account stays invested in the "balanced-fund" (if I choose) so same earnings return and same fees. Only difference is earnings are not taxed at 15% and I recieve my choice of tax free income between 4% and 10% of fund balance per year. There is a 0.06% transaction cost that I guess may be applied to my income payments but that's insignificant compared to 15% tax on earnings in current fund

I am surprised at the number of retired friends that delayed transferring their Super to a pension-income fund. A standard Super fund is in accumulation phase and all earnings are taxed at 15%. However if you are retired and 60 you can transfer it to a Pension-Income fund that has all fund earnings tax free, as is the income paid Simple math says a $250k fund could have earnings of $20k per year (8%) and therefore $3k tax on earnings. So for every year you don't take pension you're losing $3k to the tax man Unless I'm missing something, I'll be transferring to pension-income fund the day I turn 60 (next year)

That's the same statement that I mentioned above. It says "Australian citizen/permanent resident". That's nothing to do with being a "non-resident for tax purposes" and it doesn't say you have to be in Australia to apply? (Permanent Resident is someone immigrated to Australia but not yet applied for citizenship)

^ If you can't get a straight answer than I would consider it not required. I'm with Australian Super and their declaration on application form only says: "I confirm I am either an Australian citizen/permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or I hold an eligible retirement visa (subclass 405 or 410)" No mention anywhere in my application pack that I have to be in Australia

I'm looking for the same. I did an annual skin check every year in Australia and last year the doc removed 4 sun spots by freeze drying. I'm looking for same as another spot has just appeared out of nowhere

If you are over 50 you can apply for non-imm O (Retirement) which gives you 90 days. Costs $120 but that's cheaper than 60 day tourist visa ($60) + 30 day extension (1900 baht = $80). Plus no need to mess up your holiday with a day at immigration to get the extension. Also seems easier than Tourist Visa as no need to upload proof of flights or accommodation. You do need a bank statement showing the equivalent of 800k baht. I applied to Canberra office in March on a Thursday, visa was emailed to me on the Saturday

I'm taking my pension next year so had been researching doing it as a non-resident. I've just looked again at my 60 page Super pension doc and all application forms and nothing says I have to actually be in Australia to submit the application? As you said, application can all be done online so I was planning to do it from Thailand. Is anyone else aware of this requirement to physically be in Australia to apply? I did notice another potential trap though. The application requires copies of 2 of 3 documents as proof of ID. Passport, Medicare Card or Aussie Drivers licence. My Medicare card has expired but I have the other 2. My Mate doesn't though as his Aussie licence and Medicare have expired.

I just want to correct this as you have said it several times. If an Australian non-resident for tax purposes your bank will deduct a 10% withholding tax on all interest. That's the end of it as any interest earned is not required to be included in any tax return (I still have to file a return for property rent). By the way, as of 1 July 2024 non-resident tax is reduced from 32.5% to 30% ($0 - $135k)

What's the World coming to when a breaking news UFO story is knocked off the Pattaya #1 read list by a "need a new office chair" thread 😉

If you can get an e-visa I don't see an issue with you leaving HK as visa will come by email. The issue is are you eligible so why not try it and see. I just logged in and said I had French passport in HK and it asked for current and permanent address just like it did when I applied in Australia in March.

When I did my e-visa it asked me for my current address and permanent address if different. Is simply flying into Hong Kong staying at a hotel enough to allow the e-visa (my understanding is that you can apply for e-visa in any country that does it as long as you can prove current residency in that country)

From Pattaya, my driver was really good and the roads pretty flat with few curves. Road was also split so felt safe with no oncoming traffic. I honestly slept most of the way to border as I reclined my VIP seat almost flat

How many years ago was that? I had heard that used to happen but not any more

Thanks @GypsyT I'm planning to spend 6 weeks in Sep/Oct to sus out where I'd like best to then spend 6-9 months in (Da Nang or Nha Trang) To break up the trip I've worked out what I think is a good day-time train schedule to see a couple of extra cities and a lot of the country side. Ho Chi Minh to Phan Thiet (4.35 hrs - 06:30 - 11:05) Phan Thiet to Nha Trang (3.53 hrs - 09:46 - 13:39) Nha Trang to Quy Nhon (4.30 hrs - 13:59 - 18:29) Quy Nhon to Da Nang (5.23 hrs - 08:17 - 13:40) Any comments/suggestions appreciated.

Not what my experience was in November. We of course had to stamp out of Thailand, get Cambodia Visa, stamp into and out of Cambodia and then walk back to Thailand entry. All took < 2 hours and walking of about 100 metres between the 2 immigration offices. I question the value of driving yourself. How much is petrol there and back + US$30 for Cambodia Visa and you are supposed to stay minimum 1 night in Cambodia before coming back. I'm thinking 3000 baht in a van run is cheaper and you're back same day (plus agent facilitates a smooth process)

I'm sure the guys asking for a window cleaner 13 years ago are appreciative of these updates 😆

Assuming your "60 day arrival visa" is actually a 60 day Tourist Visa, then yes you can apply for a 30 day extension

Can I ask how you got to Da Nang and Nha Trang? I'm looking at flying into HCMC and then take the train up to Nha Trang (8.5 hours) and then train to Da Nang (10 hours) then fly back to Bangkok. Trains are 1st class sleeper but don't know what that means obviously. My Mate flew to Da Nang for a quick visa run 18 months ago and has stayed there ever since on 90 day e-visa so thought It's time I checked out why he loves it so much 😀

Does this thread really need to be pinned as the visa guide? I'm looking at going next month so I had a look here but the whole thread is primarily about Covid years. It also states no visa required for 21, 30 and 59 days, so no idea which is correct. Better to use google instead Edit: okay Brazil and Israel get 59 days visa free, most other countries get 30 days visa free as per below map

How is "can't afford it" in the not use an agent section. Surely the ones that can't afford it are the ones that don't have the required 800k to put in a Thai bank I think your "Not use an agent" reasons are mainly waffle so could all be replaced with: 1. It's not that hard to do yourself and it only costs the immigration fee (instead of 6x more for agent)

I understand wht alcoholics lie to friends and family about drinking, but why would anyone feel the need to tell strangers on a forum that they are 30 days sober when obviously they are not?

"Mr. Mahoney is a tourist and legally able to stay in Thailand until June 8th, added Col. Navin." So I guess the Brit has gone home and no action ever taken against the thug security guards 😞

It's perfectly normal to fly out on same date as "entry until" stamp. I used to always book a flight the day before my stamp expiry, 5 years ago I said stuff it and have since always flown out on last day