brianwl

I am planning to relocate to Thailand later this year. In searching this site I found the below, but it's more than a year old and the contact email address at the bottom does not work. Anyone have any updated info? I have a house cat which I've had for 6 years and he's never been outside. His shots are always kept up to date. He will be riding on the plane with me rather than in the baggage compartment, I've already cleared this with the airline.

Thanks

Brian

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOGS AND CATS INTO THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

1) A health certificate in English, signed or further endorsed by a full-time authorized veterinary official of the government of the exporting country, if it is previously acknowledged by a veterinary surgeon, stating :-

1.1) number and species ,

1.2) breed, sex, age and color or animal identification,

1.3) name and address of the owner OR the kennel of origin,

1.4) certification of condition items (2) to (5).

2) The animals must come from an area where animal diseases are under control. They are found to be healthy, free from signs of any infectious and contagious diseases including ectoparasitism at the time of export and fit to travel.

3) The country has been free from Rabies for at least the past 12 (twelve) months OR the animals are vaccinated against Rabies with an official approved vaccine not less than 21 (twenty- one) days prior to the departure.

4) EITHER a ) The dog is vaccinated against Leptospirosis at least 21(twenty-one) days preceding departure.

OR b ) The dog is subjected to a test for Leptospirosis with negative result during the 30 (thirty) days prior to the departure.

5) The animals shall be vaccinated against other significant infectious or contagious diseases i.e. Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus, with an official approved vaccine at least 21 (twenty-one) days prior to the departure.

6) The animals must be conveyed in nose-and-paw proof crates designed to avoid any risk of injury or unnecessary suffering.

7) The animals are not allowed to expose to other animals if they have to be landed in transit at any approved intermediate port. They shall not be allowed to leave precinct of the port except to an officially approved transit quarantine area.

8) The animals are subjected to quarantine at approved premises for a period of at least 30 (thirty) days upon arrival during which they shall be submitted to tests and/or treatments deemed necessary. The importer/owner shall be fully charged for the incurred expenses.

9) Failure to follow the import procedures may result in returning the animals to the country of origin or destroying without compensation.

Contact detail : Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services. Department of Livestock

Development Phayathai road, Ratchtavee 10400 Tel. (02) 653-4550 - 7 ext . 4175 Fax. (02) 653-4929

E-mail : [email protected]

Thanks all for the help.

Thanks. As it was told me in an email I could effectively stay in Thailand for 15 months on a 1 year multiple entry by doing a Visa Run every 90 days. Is this true? Because that is my intent.

If it is not true, then what suggestions would you have?

If you are attempting to obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa to stay in Thailand for a few months to check on retirement options I would recommend you use an Honorary Royal Thai Consulate rather than the CG in Chicago.

The visa you want is the "O" visa; but a multi entry valid for one year.

You mean there is no longer a 30 day Visa on Entry? Or have the Visa Run rules changed?

When I went to Thailand last September and stayed until December, I did so on an entry tourist visa, aka 30 day visa obtained when I entered the country.

Every 30 days I did a Visa Run to Myanmar. Piece of cake. Once my 90 days was up, I simply left as scheduled.

Things are a lot tougher nowdays.

I'm planning on moving to Thailand later this year. I was looking at getting a 1 year multiple entry rather than a non-o because I don't have everything together yet to retire, mainly the 800k. I'm waiting on some pension issues to be resolved, but I can't afford to live in the US on my current pension any longer.

Thing is, I checked the web site for the Royal Thai Embassy in Chicago and they have a form for the non-o, but I can't find the form for the 1 year multiple entry. Is it the same form? If not, is there one online that I can fill out and print and submit? What are the requirements?

I sent an email to the embassy in Chicago and have not heard back.

Thanks

Brian

When I went to Thailand last September and stayed until December, I did so on an entry tourist visa, aka 30 day visa obtained when I entered the country.

Every 30 days I did a Visa Run to Myanmar. Piece of cake. Once my 90 days was up, I simply left as scheduled.

The reason I am asking is because I saw an AD for Native English Speakers and Teachers. I called and they guy said my Associates degree would be fine. He said the position was for private schools in various parts of Thailand.

If I cannot teach, what would I be doing at these schools? He also said the pay would be 36,000, is this a good pay?

Hi,

I see position postings which list salaries. The thing I am not sure of is whether it is weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly? We have three here in the US.

Another question, I have an Associates Degree. Can I teach English at a private school?

I tend to think the Thai Government knows exactly what they are doing by making things difficult. To my understanding the intent is two fold, first is to catch the creeps that steal from the Government and people by not paying taxes and having work permits. The second is to make things as frustrating as possible to keep the crooks out that the first idea does not catch.

Unfortunately, it does not appear there can be any middle road here because the crooks are rather crafty.

I was in Phuket last Sep - Dec. From my arrival in Sep - late Oct the only place you could find a dive instructor was at a dive shop or maybe a resort. By the first week of Nov there were signs popping up all over the place for dive instructors. Several bars had signs out front. Were these legal? Don't know, but one would tend to think not.

The point you are missing is that these rules are flushing out MANY illegal bar, restaurant, dive shop, tour agency and real estate business people and making life easier for those of us that have always been legal, registered our businesses, paid tax, insurance, paid for work permits etc.

The absolute majority of people adversely affected are working here illegally. Go on a Visa bus and everybody is handing out business cards, even the ones going for Tourist Visas. One or two bizarre sob stories shouldn't change this.

Really don't give a damm about anybody caught up in this and I suggest people read the posts about how to obtain proper visas and work permits rather than whine on here constantly about it.

You make a valid point about illegality but you should also state the numerous ways in which the Thai government frustrates people who want to go "legal". If they made life easier, people would get the correct paperwork. I do not know anyone here who likes visa runs or who wants to fly back to their home country to get another visa etc. All that wasted money could remain in Thailand as taxation and fees etc. However, people are not stupid, they will not show their hand until they are sure it will not be clamped !

Check out this article in the Phuket Gazette. http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=5662

Check out this link from the Phuket Gazette, it may help clarify some things.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?id=5662

Ok, I was in Thailand for 3 months last year. I tried all the repellents I could find there and not a one of them kept these little !@###$%^ away.

I know DEET works and I know it's disadvantages too. So, I'll be bringing a supply of Deep Woods Off with me when I move in Sept.

Now, here's an interesting question. A Thai I was chatting with online said if you want to keep the mozies away from your house to plant Lemon Grass all around it. Anyone have any in put on that idea? Ever tried it?

I currently live in the states. We have a huge problem with illegal immigrants here. I would never in my life live in another country illegally.

It's a morals and principle thing for me.

How does morality come into it? If i'm born in country X and i want to live in country Y, and "the man" tells me i can't, but i live there anyways; does that make me "immoral"?

Are you making the claim that doing the above is inherently wrong/immoral? And if so please explain why you believe it is inherently wrong.

Simple, it's illegal. You are offending your hosts by breaking their laws as though the don't apply to you. Very common problem with Americans. Don't know if you are or are not American.

I wonder how you are so informed that you know that breaking the laws is a comon problem with Americans. Plus you don't even know if the OP is American. If not, does that shoot a hole in your gross generalization? Two of the more notorious overstayers in recent memory happen to have been Swiss and German. Stick to the topic and keep your prejudices to yourself.

I currently live in the states. We have a huge problem with illegal immigrants here. I would never in my life live in another country illegally.

It's a morals and principle thing for me.

How does morality come into it? If i'm born in country X and i want to live in country Y, and "the man" tells me i can't, but i live there anyways; does that make me "immoral"?

Are you making the claim that doing the above is inherently wrong/immoral? And if so please explain why you believe it is inherently wrong.

Simple, it's illegal. You are offending your hosts by breaking their laws as though the don't apply to you. Very common problem with Americans. Don't know if you are or are not American.

I wonder how you are so informed that you know that breaking the laws is a comon problem with Americans. Plus you don't even know if the OP is American. If not, does that shoot a hole in your gross generalization? Two of the more notorious overstayers in recent memory happen to have been Swiss and German. Stick to the topic and keep your prejudices to yourself.

I am British and American.

And my arguement is not that it is legal or illegal; as yes it is illegal.

In fact my point is exactly as you have stated [brianwl] that it is a matter of law, and not a matter of morality. It is not the same thing.

Whereas in your original post you claim the 2 to be the same.

I currently live in the states. We have a huge problem with illegal immigrants here. I would never in my life live in another country illegally.

It's a morals and principle thing for me.

How does morality come into it? If i'm born in country X and i want to live in country Y, and "the man" tells me i can't, but i live there anyways; does that make me "immoral"?

Are you making the claim that doing the above is inherently wrong/immoral? And if so please explain why you believe it is inherently wrong.

I currently live in the states. We have a huge problem with illegal immigrants here. I would never in my life live in another country illegally.

It's a morals and principle thing for me.

You may want to live in Hua Hin and make trips to Chumpon for much of the reasons TTM has pointed out. I love the beach and lack of crowds at Chumpon but unless you like solitude it could get pretty boring in the off season.

Actually the solitude is a big reason I'm interested. As long as I can learn Thai from someone there, have acess to the internet and can scuba dive I'll be quite happy.

Ok folks here's your chance to put some input to a newbie on where to live.

I've been looking at Chumphon because I'm a SCUBA fanatic. It has decent diving and about half way between BKK and Phuket with Krabi in between. Also I know I can decent housing at reasonable cost (below 10,000).

But I know little about Hua Hin other than it is closer to BKK which can have it's benefits. I did read one post that said Hua Hin has nice beaches but the water is horrible.

So, let's hear some input on both.

So, the question is what Visa do I need to get and how long can I stay?

So it would seem you can just manage the funds to get an annual extension once in Thailand.

You should apply for a Multiple entry Non Imm O visa (reason "to investigate retirement possibilities) which allows you multiple entries to Thailand for 1 year, each entry allows a stay of 90 days.(Do not confuse it with a Non Imm O-A visa)

Your funds must be in a Thai bank for 3 months prior to application for the 1 year extension and you must get proof from your embassy of your pension. So towards the end of your second entry of 90days you can apply for your 1 year extension which will remove the need for you to leave the country every 90 days.

Hopefully if the law doesn't change and your income and funds remain the same you can stay in Thailand forever by extending your visa annually.

How many times can I make a Visa run for 90 day extensions?

You must be 50 years old. The requirement is a monthly income of 65k or 800k in bank or combination of the two. So if you are short 65k -36k = 29k x 12months = 348k in bank account. That is only approximate as they might use 800k as the basis and work from that but at any rate you would seem to qualify for retirement extension of stay if you do here in Thailand.

Age is not a problem. I plan to move in September and I turn 50 in July.

I want to retire in Thailand. However, there's a problem. I do not have the 800,000 baht, maybe half of that. My monthly pension from the Government is 36,000 baht. I cannot work because I am disabled. I have my own medical insurance so I won't be a burden on the Thai economy.

So, the question is what Visa do I need to get and how long can I stay? I am still fighting the Government for the rest of my disability pension and my military retirement, but it could still be years away. I do know that I cannot afford to live in the US any longer and frankly don't care to.

I also do not have a Thai wife or any prospects at this point.

Suggestions?

Thanks

Brian

I'll be acquiring a Retirement Visa from the USA this September, but I'm confused about the monies required. According to the Thai Consulate in Texas, I need to send to them a copy of a bank statement showing a deposit at the amount equal to no less than 800,000 Baht. That's no problem, since I have over 3M Baht in a HSBC account. I also need to send to the Consulate a letter of guarantee from the bank. Is this correct? Once I move to Thailand, do I need to deposit 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank? Also, what are the steps needed to stay once my 1st year in Thailand is completed? Thanks!

I'm planning to do the same thing in September. As such I've been doing a lot of reading on this site about it. Here is a link to the specific details on how it works, from this site. http://www.thaivisa.com/318.0.html

Where are you going to retire to? I'm planning on Chumphon.

Brian

Hi Again,

I made a similar post about Ko Tao. Now I'm looking for the same information about Chumphon. I'm trying to decide where to live after I move.

I'm planning to move to Thailand this Aug or Sep. I'm an avid diver. I know everyone says the diving on Phuket is better than the gulf. But, Phuket is just to crowded for me. Besides, I'm a diver that can spend an hour watching one fish.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has information on the availability of long term rentals in Chumphon.

I have no interest in nightlife so the further away from the "tourist" areas the better. I'd like to keep the price about 10,000 - 12,000 baht per month. Furnished with A/C in bedroom(s) and western bathroom.

Thanks

Brian

Hi All,

I'm the new kid around here. I'm planning to move to Thailand this Aug or Sep. I'm an avid diver. I know everyone says the diving on Phuket is better than the gulf. But, Phuket is just to crowded for me. Besides, I'm a diver than can spend an hour watching one fish.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has information on the availability of long term rentals on Ko Tao.

I have no interest in nightlife so the further away from the "tourist" areas the better. I'd like to keep the price about 10,000 - 12,000 baht per month. Furnished with A/C in bedroom(s) and western bathroom.

Thanks

Brian