Lordfoul

38 minutes ago, Pib said:

Helps a lot....thanks.  Shows it took 10 days for them to process your Non-Filers submission and 12 days mailing time from US to Thailand.   I'm a little surprised both were that fast.    Seems most everyone else has been reporting much longer times.  Hopefully, processing/mailing times have taken a very recent turn for the better.

I Assume I benefited from starting my process after some of the kinks had been worked out. Also my situation didn't require communication between two Government agencies. 

Although I have never received mail from the US in less than 2 weeks before.

I am in a bit of a different situation than most of you posting, but I thought some might benefit from this info.

Situation: Haven't filed taxes in the last few years. NOT receiving any government benefits/assistance.

On May 13th filled out the non-fillers info

On May 23rd status on 'Get My Payment' site was updated to 'Check is scheduled to be sent out on June 1st'

On June 12th Check received at Condo in Chiang Mai 

No dates on the envelope or check that I can see.

Correction: Check dated June 1st

Hope this helps

Here is a write up my experience getting a 1-year extension of stay on a Non-Immigrant visa based on volunteering. This was done on Tuesday, May 14th.

7:45AM I entered immigration. While I was not surprised to find it open, I was a bit surprised to see that everyone there already had queue numbers and that they were being called to their various sections.
I handed my paperwork to the officer at the front desk, she informed me that my TM.7  (from last year) was out of date so I filled out a new one quickly. I received my queue number and found a seat. 

7:55AM My queue number was called. I proceed to the desk and handed over my stack of paperwork. It turns out 2 other forms had changed since last year ( STM.2 and the form informing of the penalties for overstaying). I filled these out quickly. While the officer finished looking through my paperwork.

8:10AM My passport was stamped with the extension and I paid the 1900 Baht. Now to wait for my name to be called for the photo.

8:30AM Called up to counter 5, photo taken, documents signed. Now to wait for my Passport and receipt.

8:45AM All finished. Passport and receipt received.

It was exactly one hour from the time I walked in until the time I walked out with my 1-year extension. When I had arrived, seating was only 60%-70% full and no one was waiting in line. When I left it was a little bit busier and maybe 5 people lined up at the front desk. In 18 years, this was by far the easiest and quickest time I had at immigration. Everyone seemed friendly and relaxed and there was an actual flow to the process. I really hope it stays this way.

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Believe it was fall of 2002 as George was spamming USENET with invitations to join (USENET, being unmoderated, was getting useless for any discussions).  I joined in Feb 2003 and believe membership was about 300.

That sounds about right. I signed up in August of 2003 and I had been lurking for about a year. It was a lot better forum back then. It seemed like people would actually try to help one another instead of just attacking them for trying to find a way to stay in Thailand when they didn't quite fit the rules.

12 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Were you dealing with Sealy Thailand, or some retailer selling Sealy products?

 

 

We initially contacted Index and were eventually put in contact with Sealy.

A couple of years ago we called Sealy for service on an 8 year old box spring that had a broken rib. It was picked up, repaired and reinstalled without any fees. They also set up a loaner for us that was in new condition.

Even better, the loaner had feet/legs that were nicer than ours and was a bit taller (so our Roomba could make it under without getting stuck). When we enquired to how we could purchase a set of this newer style. They went ahead and swapped the legs from the loaner out for our old ones, at no charge.

I couldn't be happier with the service I received, it was definitely worth the premium we paid for a name brand.

As for the mattress, it is still extremely comfortable after 10 years of (heavy) use.
 

You are correct, a person that make browser hijacking software would never create anything that would hijack DNS. I should have thought harder before I posted.

33 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

 

 

173.45.161.113 belongs to mydomainadvisor.com

mydomainadvisor.com is a browser hijacker

Likely related to your issues.

In 2002 KSK was not the only mall. Airport Plaza not only existed but had been expanded and remodeled by that point.

Traffic may be worse now (in some spots), but traffic was bad then also. Red Trucks double parked on Huay Kaew all day long keeping traffic backed up. Nimman may have been undeveloped but it had bad traffic even then. Suthep road hadn't been replaced yet and when it was, traffic on the other two roads was brutal. Much of Canal road was dirt and gravel in 2002 also.

As WTK mentioned, there may be more Starbucks, but there are also far more options. In 2002 the options were mainly ancient coffee or Nescafe'. I imagine much of what people remember fondly from 15 years ago was only good due to lack of options.

Visa runs were easy, but is that still important to you after 14 years? I admit I once depended on them also, but after a while you find a better way.

"Old Farang" were exactly the same today as they were 14 years ago. lamenting how much better things were 14 years prior, complaining about "the Thais and" the issue of the day.

In 2002 condos were also "going up everywhere". It seemed like the whole city was under construction back then and that hasn't change at all during the last 14 years either.

Really, most things have improved. I was happy enough to be here then and I am happy enough to be here now.  I think the real difference is whether you can roll with the changes while appreciating the improvements.

Today my wife contacted the investigation division of Chiang Mai Immigration to ask about fees for late reporting of the T.M. 30. The person who answered the phone would only say 'Maybe, just come down' . She tried to get a more specific answer, but that is all he would say. She then called the Immigration office at Promenada and was told that there would be no fee and then the person added (unsolicited)if you go to the main immigration office near the airport you may be charged a fee.

So we went down the immigration office at Promenada around 2:30PM, waited at the unmanned desk for 10 minutes until some showed up. 5 minutes later everything was finished. They handed back a small piece of paper showing that the report had been made and said I should keep it in my passport.

I have been paying for Netflix for almost 5 years with a Thailand-based credit card. The card is not even in my name. I don't think they care.

My 30/10 (Power of 3 promotion) was installed yesterday. Single device a ZyXEL PMG5318-B20A http://www.zyxel.com/products_services/pmg5318_b20a.shtml?t=p

The fixed line is a lie. It is VOIP. While the marketing material does show a phone they only say that the line comes with the package. So no free phone.

As far as speed goes, the things I need to be fast are really fast. I downloaded a 45 GB game from Steam at a steady 3.6 MB/s, I believe Steam's regional server is in Singapore.

I noticed in their FAQ they mention that they support Bittorent, I thought that was an odd thing for an ISP to put in writing so I tried it with a couple of torrents. They were dead in the water.. found peers but nothing downloaded.. I haven't really looked in to it as torrents haven't interested me in years.

So far I am satisfied

The Big C Hang Dong sales person was very uninformed, and said there wuold be only 1 router (not 2), no phone line.

So we are asking somewhere else. The promo material we have received in the past clearly showed that there's the 790 baht 30/10 with TV android kit, and phone included.

If someone doesn't know the Ibis Styles, just tell them "near Chiang Mai Phucome" (POO-KUM). It is a very old and well known hotel just across the street.

If you go by AOT transport (located outside the domestic wing) it will cost a flat 200 Baht, no wait, no share, to your hotel. This will likely be the easiest and least expensive option.

Will the limo/taxi desks know where the Ibis Styles is?

What about tuktuks and songthaew drivers when I want to go back to the hotel from downtown?

Is there a landmark or place name that I could use if they don't know the hotel's location?

I wonder how reputable is an organization is that illegally brings in volunteers and gives them a false sense of security regarding working without the proper documentation?

A reputable organization should have no problem supplying a potential volunteer with the paperwork to get a Non-Immigrant O visa. For a legally registered organization it might take them all of 15 minutes to put this together for you and the only expense is the actual visa fee. It is also a very simple matter for a reputable organization to get you a work permit. A quick medical check up, a copy of a few pages in your passport and 10 minutes at the department of Labour (you are not even needed for the last part). If an organization is unable to provide you with a work permit, then they may not be legitimate.

I realize you don't care about whether you are working in Thailand legally or not, but others who come accross this topic might want to be better informed when looking for an organization to volunteer for.

Good luck in your search.

I'm already volunteering in Chiang Mai with a reputable organization with only a tourist visa and I've had no issues. I don't want this thread to turn into a discussion about visas. Let me take care of the visa situation, you guys tell me about the volunteer opportunities.

Just got my new 90 day receipt back by mail. I had 1 week left to report when I mailed it, it took 1 week to receive the new one. I live in Amphoe Muang Chiang Mai.

Horeca is a good option.

Their site is a Mess http://www.horecachi...com/contact-us/ but I have bought good quality cheese there fairly cheap.

Good salmon also.

Wonder where the Italian restaurants get their cheese??

Horeca maybe ??

Yes, and I provided you with a link that will create a fake SS number that will work on the site.

I registered with USTV Now and never was required to provide a SSN....and there's no place for it on their online member registration form...

And, for the record, I'm not trying to "promote" any service here, and have no personal interest in any of them.... USTV is just one of more than a half dozen different services I've reviewed in this thread....and if people bothered to read, you'd see I had some negative comments about their service in prior posts (when they canceled their prior service plans).

But, if anyone else can point to a site where, for free, they can watch ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW and PBS any time 24/7 all from the same site, please do post the info here....

Its not for free though is it... you have to provide the most personal of information which is your SS number, if you cant do that you have to provide a credit card,,

http://www.fakenameg...rity-number.php

Have I got a GREAT USA TV deal for folks here, and best of all, it's absolutely free with no catches or strings...

and is easy to complete, with them asking only that you create a User ID and password.

But for right now, I'd say, try USTVNow, see what you think, and post about it here....

I wish you woud have mentioned that you need an american social security number or USA credit card to register.

Not sure why you quoted my post, I made no mention of the sport you are speaking of.

I am trying to bring peace and harmony while you are spewing hate and negativity.

I urge my fellow countrymen to please stop calling the sport 'soccer' as it only further seperates ourselves from the rest of the world.

In the interest of international harmony can we please agree from this point forth to refer to the sport by the more proper name of

'Un-American Football'

Thank You for your co-operation.

do you mean 'gridiron'? that strange game where all those big, brawny, beefcake protagonists have to wear padding and crash helmets to protect their delicate little selves? which is erroneously called 'football' despite the ball spending the majority of the time in the players' hands?

preposterous, dull, tedious joke of a 'sport'.

football, or soccer, is the world game. any person on earth can play it anywhere.

I urge my fellow countrymen to please stop calling the sport 'soccer' as it only further seperates ourselves from the rest of the world.

In the interest of international harmony can we please agree from this point forth to refer to the sport by the more proper name of

'Un-American Football'

Thank You for your co-operation.

A guarantor is someone (or an entity) who will take responsibility for you if you fail to take responsibility for yourself it is not the same thing as a guardian or someone who provides financial support.

The hotel by providing you a place to stay is taking a certain responsibility for you being there. Just as an airline that take you into another country as a tourist has a responsibility in making sure you plan to return (at least on long haul international trips)

That being said I have never heard of a situation where a hotel has been held responsible for one of it's customers, although I have a heard of airlines having to take responsibility for a passenger who decided not to return.

It makes it totally accurate - I am paying my bills.

I have no doubt that they accept self, but that doesn't mean it is accurate. If you can be your own guarantor then there would be no reason for the question to exist.

Specifically speaking of the Thai visa form for the consulate in Laos if you properly fill out the form using an actual guarantor instead of self then you will also be supplying them with the Hotel information they require instead of fumbling around in front of the clerk looking for this information at a time when they are apparently rejecting applications at the window.

I have always used "self" in 50 years of travel and it has always been accepted. Even in India where they must have the most bureaucratic paperwork system in the world.

The Local Guarantor is your Hotel or person you are staying with. Unless you are Lao you can not be your own guarantor.

There is a line on the form for every piece of information they require.

I would put "self" in local guarantor section. Hotel address/phone number can be squeezed in in space at top of visa application form.

On Wednesday I applied for a double entry Tourist Visa at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane.

It was an especially quite day with only around 30 People in line when the gate was opened.

When I handed in my application the clerk flipped through my passport stopped and looked at one of my previous visa momentarily and then sent me to the main building to collect my receipt.

Today I picked up my Passport with a new double entry tourist visa inside.

This was my fifth consecutive double entry from Vientiane, I also have a Single entry from Singapore from a few years back.

Also in My Passport are three Non-immigrant Bs (With several extensions from 15 days to 1 Month) Several 30 day runs to Mae Sai and about four pages of transfered stamps from a lost passport.

I am In my 30s, Unmarried (legally), and not working. While I do not consider myself a tourist it is considered the defacto visa for those who do not qualify for any other type, I have been told this by immigration officials in Chiang Mai and Bangkok after they removed the 30 day border runs.

I don't know if any of this information will help anyone or not.

http://iu.qs.com/2009/05/12/qs-com-asian-u...gs-the-top-100/

Ranks CMU 81st in Asia (while Thammasat ranks 85!)

I can't find the full original article where they discuss their criteria, but I seem to remember published papers, class size and amount of exchange students being part of it.

As for ranking, they show as #33 out of 44 with CMU as #7 country wide. For world ranking, Payap comes in at 2549 and CMU at 478.

Sources: Thanapon and webometrics.

Good find. But, on what criteria are they judged? This is the problem.

Unis are unis. Teachers are teachers. Get lucky and you're lucky...