bamboozled

I watched the video. Actually learned a few things. It could use an update, I'd say. And starts out reaaaaaaal slow.

Awesome, many thanks!

Nova, did you catch what time it opens, please?

rent a bicycle and ride, baby, ride

Thank you, everyone. I started the video and might as well finish it for sheets and giggles, at this point. Just got my med certificate at Rajavej. 100 baht. Got two, for moto and car just in case. For 100 baht, no worries either way. No appointments available for 3/4 weeks so will walk in and try my luck. Novacova, did you just walk in?

Great, doing the test right now!

You're probably right. I'll give it a go. I always figure no one would ever answer. Thanks!

Thanks Poilu! Where can I access this online video?

To my chagrin, I cannot read Thai. How long ago was this, Tomaz? Perhaps they scrapped i/I hope they scrapped it!

Great, thanks guys. So it's not like the long test when getting the license the first time (which I'm sure I would have failed if I hadn't watched some tutorials online first...though I'm a good driver)? Also, no appointment necessary? I guess that went out the door with Covid?

If so, could anyone send me a link, please? Also, do I need to schedule an appointment or walk-in is fine (Chiang Mai)? The Land Transport website I found useless for this info. Much obliged, Bamboozled.

Reporting back that this morning I was at Immigration (small building in the back for TM30, next to copy shop) and renewed a TM30 from 3 or 4 years ago as I have a new extension (Non-O based on retirement). I was still residing at the same address. The officer looked at only my old TM30 and my passport and filled in a new TM30. That's it. The cost was zero. I had tried doing it online with no success that I could discern. I then went upstairs to the second floor of the main building and applied for a certificate of residence in order to renew my 5-year car and moto licenses. The officer wanted copies of my relevant passport pages, a photo, and to see my new TM30, which she gave back. She asked for 60 baht to mail the certificate to me on the 17th of November (today is 27 October). I asked if there was a quicker way and she said for 500 baht there is next day service which I opted for due to a rush on renewing my licenses. Since it's Friday today, I will pick it up 8:30 Monday morning. Note that I did not fill out any form. Sometimes the easiest and quickest method to get these things done is to roll up your sleeves, jump into the melee, and have at it. I've found, at least a few times, if not more, that I have hemmed and hawed and worried and searched myself silly about this stuff only to find when showing up that it was a easy like a hot knife through butter. Must be my good looks. That being said, I've also gotten shut down hard a few times at Immigration. Maybe I was having a bad hair day. Point being is that my/ones mileage may vary and we don't know until we try. The most well-meaning advice/info from the internet MIGHT not be relevant on a given day, reasons perhaps unknown. ...Fine morning to all!

No, closed down a good bit before Covid hit the shiit.

That guy on Chang Moi was named Stuart and he was from USA. Shop is long gone. I think it was called Mong bikes...something like that. I bought my bike at Chaitawat Bike Shop.

I had problems with two transfers from US. Both said they would arrive in seconds but after confirming the transfer the time for money to arrive changed to 15 hours. This continued for 5 days with Wise message continually expiring and reappearing with a new time/date. I called Wise and was told it was a hold up with Thai bank. I'm SURE this was baloney because no other evidence was showing and in fact Wise had sent a message at one point saying there was a slow down processing something or other. I was given a date two days later which was yesterday and it did finally come through. However, I am still waiting for another transfer which I did a day later. That is, last Friday. So a week has now passed and still it hasn't arrived. Usually, it takes mere seconds. To the point, I did another transfer today as I am in need of money and that one arrived in seconds. This slow processing did cause me problems as I had some bills to pay and they lapsed into overdue because the Wise money didn't arrive in its normal timely manner. Point being, one can usually, but not always, count on Wise to be quick. Plan ahead.

Got it, thanks for the input. I'm not used to doing extensions. I would get new, multi-entry, year long visas every year and do border bounces. I was never required to meet criteria such as funds in the bank...keep 800k or 400k or monthly transfers, etc... It was pretty simple. Now things seem less simple and I've got to up my game. There is a learning curve here.

That makes sense. In my view (which matters nought), what a PITA. I wonder if folks get called out on that.

Dr. Jack....woke up with an epiphany of sorts this morning. As you had pointed out, I got a new EXTENSION and not a new visa. I acknowledged that without really thinking about it. I am so used to having a new visa every year (my MO for the last 15 years or so bar 1, in which I never had to show funds) that I was still operating under my old mind-set and did not realize the implications of now having an extension and not a new visa. It's just dawning on me, this morning, my new status. Interestingly, in Savannakhet, as you know, no funds are required for Non-O marriage and I was never asked about funds by IOs at any point while living in Thailand. No one ever asked to see my bank accounts and I never worried about it. Were all IOs aware of the Savannakhet rule when they checked my passport/visa? And why does Savannakhet have this special concession? Does seeing an extension of visa instead of a new visa put IOs in a different mindset? The agent advised me to tell IOs I got my extension via an agent/agency if asked how/why it was from Trang. I can't imagine there is any secret to the powers that be that these agencies exist nor how they operate. Ditto for the Savannakhet idiosyncrasy. Yet why or how these avenues remain open is a mystery. What am I getting at? I'm not sure. I did not go to any great lengths to game the system. I took advantage of the available options that are easily discernible and open to all. In this regard, they seem above boards and copacetic. Will immigration agree? Per usual, a lot of gray area here. Isn't that part of why we love Thailand?

Embassy letter....sounds so quaint now.

I think I understand. Is it 400k that has to be maintained at all times and 800k for 3 months prior to extension and 2 months after? It's all a bit new to me as I've never done retirement extension. I did marriage extension just once during Covid but I don't think I had to maintain 400k all year round. Just the 3 months prior and 2 months after, if my memory serves me. Then I went back to Savannakhet method which I had done many times. No one ever questioned my bank account or looked cross-eyed at me or the visa during my stay in Thailand or exiting or entering. It didn't ever cross my mind that it could be a problem, to be honest. Have you had io looking at your bank account in this manner, retrospectively, in this manner? That is the rule, I guess, isn't it? Glad you pointed it out to me. I have no idea how the agents and immigration jibe. Wish I knew!

If I am showing 12 months of 65k transfers in a year, they shouldn't be looking for 800k, no? It is one or the other, as far as I know.

I suppose so. I certainly hope that doesn't happen. But anything can and sometimes does. Fingers crossed! ...There must be thousands of people going this route.

Do you intend in a year? I am doing the monthly transfer method and will have over 12 months next time around. That is, if they accept my transfers. I guess if I am forced to leave or use the agent, well, there are worse things in the world. But who knows come 12 months where/how things will lie in any of this. Thanks for the heads up.

That's what I think, too.

I'm going to try just that. The other caveat is that last time I asked my landlady for her ID and house book to do a TM30 she made herself scarce and we never heard back from her. We explained to immigration and they were gracious enough to give me one with just the house rental contract. I have just asked her again for her ID and house book and hoping she complies. I'm not sure their motivation for not complying. I think it's just paranoia.