Nedrapter

Hello,

Back in home country, online pet shops had full categories with food for sterilized cats, however here I might have across 1, literally 1 brand  (Royal Cannin, which is like the most expensive) in only one shop. I'm checking Lazada now, I don't see any filters for it. Maybe another term is used? Maybe the translation is messing with me, or is it not a normal thing here to give different food to your sterilized cats?

On 5/21/2024 at 2:23 PM, Soondae said:

I have a friend that had numerous personal items such as kitchen and some computer related that he sent them from South Korea to his girlfriend (Thai National) and there was no issue what so ever on importation. I believe it was all sent via postal. He had the contents translated to Thai on the customs declaration form as that might have made a difference?? At any rate no duty or delivery issues.

 

I have recently replaced my PC with a Mini and components hand carried with no issue at all, so that is a good option if you can wait until your next visit home.

 

Oh, I believe if you import within 6 months of your arrival there is no duty on household goods, I did that as well, my goods came from Cyprus. I hadn't even had my Non-O visa yet on arrival but my goods were handled by a professional shipping company.

I will probably try that. Do you happen to know how the declaration form looks like? I couldn't find it on https://www.customs.go.th

On 5/28/2024 at 3:11 PM, khunPer said:

You should also try some of the IT-retailers' online sites, like Banana and JIB.

Because many of these are older models or not brought in this part of the world, I had no luck finding them.

On 5/21/2024 at 4:03 PM, khunPer said:

If me, I would forget the monitor – easy replacement for modest cost – and travel myself to bring the remaining stuff as luggage; I've brought several PC's in that way. Data can even be copied to small travel disks, instead of larger hard drives, which also have a limited lifetime, so needs to be replaced at certain time, typically after 5 years use. It's easy to buy new fast and large SSD here, a 2TB Samsung QVO costs less the 3,000 baht. The PC might be replaceable – apart from a keyboard might be special due to foreign language keys – you can find second hand cleaned, good condition win7-PCs from major IT-equipment-sellers on Lazada for around 1,000 baht, if you don't want to buy new stuff. The microphone might be the most "valuable" part, if it's a non easy replacing model.

I've been searching on Lazada, Fortune Town and other malls for replacements and couldn't find ones that suited me for similar prices, that's why I'm thinking of taking the extra customs cost.

I would like to ship some personal equipment (a monitor, a microphone, 1-2 hard drives (with data) a headset some cables and minor electronic peripherals of a desktop pc). I've read many horror stories about Thai customs... They are all used and total value is less than $600 (THB 2200). Country of origin is Greece. Some would say to buy new ones, but I would prefer my own if the cost is not extravagant, because they are parts that I can't easily find here (either because they are old or brands not popular here).

What would be the best way to bring them in?

I use both. GX has more gamer feels and more aesthetic features and  if you're into gaming, it includes some throttling toggles in case you play games same time as browsing and have performance issues. The only thing it's currently missing (but I suppose it's coming later down the road) is the Tab Island feature Opera classic has. They are very similar otherwise.

I see, thank you, I'll try including the one with all the promotions inside.
What about the return ticket/date?

Few days ago I've applied for an e-visa (METV) through their website. I have gotten an automated reply and there's no contact email to ask questions about it, so I hope someone here knows.

The messages says the following: "Travel booking confirmation: Please upload the following document into the e-visa system: Detailed air e-ticket with number and PNR no. under your name showing all flights from Greece to Thailand, arrivals, departures, RETURN or ongoing, times confirmed flights. "

Now this makes me have 2 questions:
1. Do I need an already booked departure ticket? I have not booked yet tickets out of Thailand as I’m planning to stay for 8 months and visiting Cambodia or Laos via land. On the field of "Intended departure date" I had filled 60 days after my arrival, as I wasn't sure if it had to be before I exit once or the total intended time (which would be more).
2. In what form is the e-ticket they need? I’ve checked my booking from Turkish Airlines and the only e-mail I have received for my ticket seems to be bundled with promotions and images. It doesn't look "official" at all. Have you had any other Turskish Airlines e-ticket? I can't seem to find how to get one.
 

I'm hearing from some youtubers that the Multi Entry Visa requires also proof of exit flight from Thailand. Is this true? If yes, how do you guys handle that? 

On 2/4/2024 at 2:03 PM, Liquorice said:

According to this page, 7 days, providing you complete all details and upload all required documents correctly.

https://athens.thaiembassy.org/en/content/launch-of-online-stickerless-e-visa-application

 

Surprisingly, it doesn't mention the required financials for the METV, but it's usually £5,000 (circa 6,000 Euro).

Indeed I have not heard anything about this. Do you need to present £5,000? What exactly do you refer to?

On 1/30/2024 at 12:37 PM, DrJack54 said:

Don't know what visa you are asking about.

There is a METV (multi entry tourist visa).  Can provide stay of almost 9 months.

 

There is a SETV (single entry tourist visa). Can provide stay of up to 90 days with Extension.

 

Read this thread on the METV and indicate which visa you are wanting 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1280542-metv-visa-staying-in-thailand-for-up-to-9-months/

Thanks for the pointers, I did have some things mixed up. In my case, I am referring to the METV. I would like to stay for as long as possible with this visa.

I'm trying to get a 90d multi entry Tourist Visa. To my understanding:
1. it lasts 90d from the day of its issuing.
2. You can get an extension of 30d even if you do it on the last day, allowing you a total of 120d.

If I'm wrong on those 2 please correct me.

Then I'm wondering when should I submit the application in order to be safe but also not lose the majority of my time on the Visa? Is there an estimated/average time for the process of the e-Visas?

If it helps to answer, I'm Greek, residing in Greece, wanting to travel to Thailand in 10th of May.
 

Thanks for the added information and recommendations. I understand they put safety measures in place to avoid exploitation, but it feels so strange that (in my case) they have such a convoluted and complicated path for a person who already has a job and most importantly would bring foreign currency into their banks and spending it into their economy. Some other countries even give you extra benefits when you do that as it boosts a country's economy (of course not by 1 singular person but motivates more people to do it). Which makes me wonder if I'm missing out on something that I could be using to have a smoother path.

31 minutes ago, Lite Beer said:

Probably about the only time I would recommend using an agent.

They will help you for a fee.

What are these agents called and what do they help you with exactly?

So reading all this about the banks has lead me to new confusion (and I thought I finally had things sorted out)... Reading the requirements for a foreigner to open a bank account in Thailand, I found these in multiple sites:
 

• Your visa or a work permit. (assuming a METV works, this is fine?)
• Your passport. (that's fine)
• Proof that you’re living here in Thailand, such as a lease or rental agreement. (that should be fine too)
• A letter from your employer confirming your name and title, and that you are currently employed in Thailand. (that seems impossible as I will not be employed in Thailand...)
• A reference from the bank account you have in your home country, or embassy. (is this easily obtainable? I'm not aware?)

So if the marriage visa ultimately needs a bank account 2 months prior (at least) but I'm not able to work in Thailand prior to getting the marriage visa... how does this work?

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Q1 You apply for METV in Greece.

Cannot obtain in Thailand.

Q2 You don't need to show income

      Funds in Geek bank account            enough

Spending the money in Thailand through the Greek bank account would be terrible though; (as the fees for transactions will be quite high). And since I'd be trying to open an account in a Thai bank for the 400,000 Baht needed for the marriage visa, is it not legal to transfer money to a Thai account?

I'm getting the picture now much better! Thank you everyone!
Some subsequent questions that come to mind.

1. The METV visa, do I have to pre-arranged it before I arrive in Thailand from my country (Greece), or does it have to happen in Thailand in my first 30days?
2. If someone is an owner of a hotel business in Greece and has income from that, does that count as working if they are staying in Thailand and spending there some of that income?

On 10/3/2023 at 5:27 AM, Red Phoenix said:

In your case (not being officially married yet, and under 50 years of age so not eligible for a 'retirement' Visa) the 6-months MultipleEntry Tourist Visa (METV) would probably be your best option.  When entering Thailand on that Visa you will be stamped in with a Permission to stay for 2 months.  At the end of those 2 months you would then have to exit and re-enter Thailand (can be done same day, a so-called border-run) or alternatively apply for a once-per-entry 30-day extension of stay at a local Imm Office (1.900,- THB) with the 30-days on the spot added to your Permission to stay.  When after those max 90 days re-entering Thailand you will once again be stamped in for 2 months, which once again can be extended again for 30-days.  By re-entering Thailand on the last day of your Visa validity (6 months from date of issue), you are thus able to stay almost 9 months in Thailand,  

At the end of the period of you staying with an METV in Thailand, you can consider various options to remain there.  E.g. if you are in mean time officially married, you could apply for a 90-day SingleEntry or 1-year MultipleEntry Non Imm O Visa for reason of marriage to a Thai national.  Such Visa can be applied for in your home-country, at the local Thai Imm Office where you have your official address for immigration purposes, or at a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a near-by country.  The Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos (just across the Thai Friendship bridge from Mukdahan) is by far the easiest way to get hold of such Visum. 

Is the visa a document I carry with me at all times, or is it something the Thai goverment has and is associated with my passport? I haven't needed visa in any of my travels previously.

And a follow up question: As the METV does not provide permit to work there, can I still get income from my remote business while I'm still there? It's going to be in a greek bank and taxed in Greece. I'm not sure what would count as "working" in my case.

Hello, members of the community!

I'm a Greek citizen who is interested in moving to Thailand. My partner (Thai female) is living in Bangkok, and we'd live to live together (we decided in Thailand)., I'm 34 years old, she's 30. If possible, we'd like the move to happen next May. While marriage is in the plans, and a visa through it would be the easiest, we don't feel like rushing it just for the visa. Ideally, we'd like to live together for a year before that. I'm a freelancer and I work remotely, all I need for my work is a computer and a good internet connection. Ultimately I'd like to live in Thailand, learn Thai and live there permanently with my partner.
I've been reading the visa options, but I'm getting more and more confused. Can someone explain to me what my options?