Rama

Yes, mostly Chinese in line looking for visa extensions. I think it will pass. Did my 90 day reporting using the immigration phone app. Easy. Approval sent back in app in less than 24 hours.

I assume your private pension is going into a US bank (not bkk ny). You need to bite the bullet and do a monthly SWIFT transfer of the private pension or an amount from it from the US bank to bkk bank here in Thailand. It will then always show as an FTT. That's the way I do it. No problems then.

The use of the IAT format is really not for SS direct deposits, Bangkok Bank should have no problem with direct deposits from the SSA directly to Bangkok Bank. Its for transfers made from one American bank to another American bank using a routing number (used only between domestic American banks), instead of a SWIFT code for overseas transfers through Bangkok Bank. Its a way for the Treasure Dept. to watch for overseas money laundering/terrorist related transfers as they were not monitoring routing number transfers and as you may or not be aware, they monitor SWIFT transfers over $5000. It was a hole in the system. Most US banks are not aware of, or setup to do IAT format transfers between banks. I doubt they will since its such a small percentage of their business.   

see my pm

As someone that was a notary in the US at one time, notaries in the US only certify that your signature on a document is a true signature and that the person signing has presented document (drivers license, passport) to show that they are really themselves - they don't certify to the veracity of a document. Really doesn't mater what the document says or doesn't say. Doesn't require a specific place for a signature. Just tell them you will sign at bottom or end of document. Its takes nothing to become a notary in the US, so you can imagine that most don't know what they're doing. Lawyers understand, and lawyers always have an inhouse notary. Keep on trying different notaries or go to a lawyers office to get done quickly.

Most foreigners use private hospitals. If you have insurance you're using a private hospital and the insurance company monitors fees and won't allow themselves to be charged ridiculous sums. Most foreigners that use the government hospitals are tourists. If you have a B visa, you have a work permit and pay social security you are eligible for using the social security section in hospitals. Many of the social security clinics are in private hospitals. New reg doesn't really affect many people. Its still up to the hospital. I think it mostly gives a green light to some government hospitals in high tourist areas like Pattaya etc where they see a lot of tourists seeking emergency treatments.  

Yea, I got zinged this month, on July 4th. Instead of showing as an FTT in the bank, it showed as a SMART deposit. Checked w bank, they won't certify as a int'l transfer. No more Transferwise. Straight SWIFT from now on. Corporate greed took over.

you are misinterpreting your lawyer. Your lawyer means when you will become eligible for a monthly stipend when you reach retirement age. To receive a monthly government pension you need to contribute for 15 years. The other element to Thai SS is medical. You can receive those benefits 3 months after signing up and contributing. btw, the monthly pension amt. is peanuts.

Actually TransferWise does show as an International transfer. I've done it and so has a friend. 2 different banks. Shows in the bank record as an international transfer.

40K in outpatient? crazy. who spends 40k in outpatient? I've had BUPA (now Aetna) for 13 years. always inpatient of 600k a year per 'event'. what would be the cost of an insurance plan that would give 40K a year?

best option is to go the Vietnam and get a long term visa at the airport - a Vietnamese visa....

I'm wondering. If I print out my SS verification letter (which you can do from My SS on the SS website, my SS is well above the 65k requirement) and took it to the embassy and had it notarized by the embassy...I wonder if that would pass immigration...

Don't want nearby. Not sure why anyone assumes nearby. Europe and America.

Is there a list of the thai honorary consulates with addresses and phone numbers on line? In English?

Instead of a hotel with easy parking and easy to find, let's have the meeting at a place that will be difficult to find...and difficult parking...and limited seating. Way to discourage participation. Your consular services hard at work for you. <removed> 

No problem meeting income requirements but won't put 800k in a Thai bank. 1 Year visa at airport in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City....Wait until Pattaya and Chiang Mai start emptying out. Thais will be up in arms over lost business.

sure you had quick turnaround. for 1 mil baht I would hope so. You might want to ask them exactly how many people have signed up for the elite program...

The Global Moderator is correct. TM28 and TM30. I don't use the Assist thai visa service. I was checked on my renewal 2 weeks ago, on the 16th. You won't be checked in other province but you have to have moved to that specific province. The checking is a chiang mai immigration office only requirement. Lamphun is a different province and has its own immigration office, but they won't do the extension if you can't show you're a resident there - tm28 and 30. get a cheap room there...make an 'official' move there...

Yes it is in effect. I had my annual visa done last week and had to provide to immigration, not to the consulate. My visa service has sent an email to all clients telling them that is in effect for all Americans. It is only a requirement at the Chiang Mai immigration office - it is not a requirement at any other immigration office. Each office is given a lot of leeway as to how they enforce the requirements. I think Chiang Mai is doing as it is facing a huge amount of visa applicants compared to other offices and is trying to cut the number of applicants. btw, if your TM30 says you live in Chiang Mai, you can't just go to another immigration office and apply there. The other immigration offices have not changed and will accept the consulate letter without documented backup.