sam6345

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

800 dollars a month pension.

There are two additional options along with the above to get PR for Ecuador:

1. Investment option: $40K USD interest paying Bank deposit in a local bank (Leads to PR for a family of four). This deposit can be withdrawn on acquiring citizenship after 5 years.

2. Surprisingly just a verified 4 year college degree by the education ministry can land you a PR as well. I believe this is targeting the relatively younger digital nomad group.

Three important points to note:

1. Ecuador uses the USD as its official currency so no exchange fees for US citizens.

2. Individuals over 65 years are excused from appearing for the naturalization oral and written test to qualify for citizenship.

3. All PR holders are eligible for Health care cover under the National Medical Insurance Plan.

Hope this helps.

57 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're not wrong. There are downsides to ALL visa programs. But some are better than others. A good program for one person may be problematic for others. That said, Thailand's lack of any path towards residency security for retired expats has become a potentially fatal downside for many aging expats here. So people considering moving from Thailand should logically only consider nations that actually have residency security paths. To quote the Nomad Capitalist, go where you're treated best (or at the very least not as disposable caca when your visa qualifying account goes one baht under for one day over the entire year). Yes, home countries don't have visa issues, but keeping it real, the majority of retired expats in Thailand are economic refugees and can't expect a dignified life back home if they return. My personal opinion is that Thailand is INTENTIONALLY creating hoops to slowly but surely (and sometimes not so slowly) BOOT OUT significant numbers of retired expats. Those that can navigate those hoops so far -- do not be so freakin' SMUG. You could be next.

Honestly, I couldn't have said it better. My sentiments exactly.

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Rather than random dreams...

Post exactly what is "unpredictable annual song and dance".....

 

My annual extensions are consistent. Very simple and personally I find it painless.

 

 

Good for you. I hope it stays the same year after year after year ------

All SWIFT code transfers.

I just completed a one time $2,100 SWIFT international wire transfer from my US based Fidelity account to my Thailand Bangkok Bank account over the phone (No forms or medallion signature required). Here is what I did:

1. Called the Fidelity 800 number

2. Rep confirmed my identity via voice matching and routine questions. On my request connected me to another rep from the international wire desk.

3. The wire desk rep reconfirmed my identity and gave me an "Approval Code". He then sent me a message via the secure message tab within my Fidelity online account with instructions.

4. I followed those instructions by creating a word document containing the wire instructions (included the "Approval Code", SWIFT code, receiving and sending bank details ... etc.). Pretty straight forward.

5. I printed the letter, signed it, dated it and scanned it into a PDF file using my all-in-one printer.

6. I attached the signed pdf wire instructions in my reply to the secure message sent to me by the wire desk.

Thats it! An hour later I received an email stating successful completion of my outgoing wire transfer. I also received a corresponding debit transaction in my Fidelity account for $2,100.

The entire process took approx. 30 minutes. No fees charged by Fidelity. I should see $2100 x 31.78 (Assuming today's Bangkok Bank closing TT rate) = 66738 - 200 (bangkok Bank fee) = 66538 baht credit to my Bangkok Bank account in about two business days.

I will be doing this once every month for the income method.

Thanks for your advice

I stay in Chiang Kham, Phayao, I got my first 3 month non-o retirement visa at the Chiangmai immigration office. Since my residence falls under the service area of the Chiang Khong immigration check point I would prefer to get my one year extension of stay (based on retirement) from there. Would appreciate some guidance.

In a nutshell, what is special about these offers is that they are clearly defined and published to the public (including rates in most cases) thereby eliminating the need for getting multiple quotes and then having the provider explain things to you by going back and forth Or alternatively going by what some appointed "expert" suggests you buy.

Personally I like to shop around and try and get a good deal for my money. I did compare rates and services I got from a few brokers/providers and found SCB's rates and offerings to be very competitive which led to me decision.

Trusting a particular financial services provider in my opinion is based on your personal experiences with that provider or their reputation so this is subjective. Mine was based on a mix of both. I wouldn't call that silly.

On a lighter note I am thankful we don't have any green buses or for that matter any local buses in Chiang Mai.

And finally how much to insure a particular product depends on a variety of factors i.e its value to the user, usage, user skills and environment. Again pretty subjective and not something that could be standardized.

Adding the bottom 3rd class car insurance offer link which is what I wanted to avoid:

http://www.scb.co.th/en/pnb/pnb_isr_nli_car3.shtml

Sharing my recent experience at buying car insurance for my 1 year old Toyota Vios. I was on the look out for something in between 1st class and 3rd class insurance. Came across a pretty good deal per attached link from Siam Commercial Bank. This was a fixed 7,000 baht offer that was too good to pass so I visited their local branch here in Chiang mai where I have my bank account and home mortgage and sealed the deal today.

I paid 7000 for the voluntary insurance and 645 for the compulsory CTPL.

I got:

CTPL +

1 million/person, max 10 million per accident 3rd party coverage +

1 million/accident - property 3rd party coverage +

100,000 damage coverage for my car +

100,000 medical per occupant of my car upto 5 +

No deductibles +

No fixed drivers +

Road assistance +

24 hour English speaking claim call center +

200,000 bail bond

link:

http://www.scb.co.th/en/pnb/pnb_isr_nli_car3p.shtml

Also check out other banks offering the same like krungthai panich .... etc.

It seems like a buyers market for now.

Btw, SCB quoted 13,967 for 1st class insurance (non Toyota garage) for my 1 year old vios.

cheers!

As above, no problem, bring International Driver's Permit from AAA in the US, copies of the IDP, Passport main page + Visa stamp etc. (sign those copies) And proof of address (house book or rental agreement) should be easy.

Thanks for your responses. Got my car and motorcycle driving licenses today without any problems.

Can I get a one year driver's license in Chiangmai based on having a multi entry one year Non-O with my first three month entry stamp?

Also the US consulate affidavit for residence mentions "employed by" which in my case will state "retired".

Will I face any problems getting the license due to the above?

Would appreciate some advice.

Thanks

Mario, Thanks for your response. I probably won't get asked for the onwards confirmed ticket.

http://www.thaivisa.com/border-run/require...rds-travel.html

However as per the above link there is a slight possibility that the Thai immigration at the Mae Sai border could ask for a confirmed onwards ticket. If they do, will they accept an uncomfirmed ticket? If not will they give me a few days in Thailand to collect my belongings and exit Thailand by air from Bangkok?

Has anyone experienced this before? Would appreciate if you could share your experience.

Thanks

You do not need to show an airline ticket out of the country. Just cross the border, come back and get a 30 day permitted to stay stamp.

Hi,

I am an American currently in Chiang Mai. I have used up all entries of my "3 entry" Tourist Visa. I have also used up the 30 day extension on my last visa entry. Now I intend to make my first 30 day visa exempt run at the Mae Sai border this month. I have an open return ticket out of Thailand which cannot be confirmed since it is a free airline staff ticket. I used the first part of the air ticket to enter Thailand and I have the boarding pass to prove it.

I have two questions:

1. Will my inability to confirm the air ticket on a particular date within 30 days of entry create a problem in acquiring the the 30 day visa exempt stamp at the border?

2. In case of refusal of the 30 day visa exempt entry will the Mae Sai border immigration grant me a few days to enter Thailand in order for me to depart from Bangkok since my return air ticket is from Bangkok?

Would appreciate some advice.

Thanks

The situation of PPG is quite different from you Richard. You were married and asked for a divorce. He has NEVER been married.

Under Thai laws, even if you are on the birth certificate as the father, if you are NOT married with the mother, you don't have any "parental powers". It means that the mother has full custody and decides about everything on the child. (section 1546 of the Commercial and Civil Code of Thailand - CCCT). There are ways to change that: The mother can sign a document at the amphur making you a "legitimate father". It's called legitimization. (1548 CCCT). A subsequent marriage after the birth can also legitimazed the child (1547) and of course, you can go to Court and ask full custody and legitimization but you will need serious arguments. (see clause 1555)

Best way would be that the mother signs this paper at the Amphur. Going to Court will take a long time, will requires lawyer's fee and will be difficult to win if the mother contest. It's always better to get an agreement...

You should read article 1536 of CCCT and following, especially 1546, 1548 and 1555. I will try to put them today on our website in the section INFO and FAMILY. Not sure if I will be able!!

Good luck.

I am in a similar situation. I took the advice being offered above and went with my newborn baby and girl friend (mother of my child) to the local amphur but they said no such provision existed. They said they would be able to legitimize me as the father only after the child turned 7 years old and was able to identify me as the father and sign a document stating me as the father.

I would appreciate some advice on how to proceed.

Thanks

Thanks for your responses!

Me and my Thai GF have a baby together and are interested in buying a land+home from a reputed property developer in her name and leasing it to me for 30 years. I will have the required funds transfered to her account via multiple ATM CASH deposits so the source of the funds cannot be traced to me. I have heard that there are Thai land laws which prohibit purchase of property by a foreigner using a Thai nominee (Thai GF).

If so:

1. How often are these laws enforced?

2. Does the Thai "land office" where the land transfers are made enforce these laws?

3. Will the Thai "land office" question the purchase (source of funds) or the subsequent lease agreement between my Thai GF and me?

4. Is this a risky propositon from a legal stand point for us?

Would appreciate a response/advice from people with knowlege of similar situations.

I do plan to go through a lawyer but felt starting with Thaivisa would be a good starting point.

Thanks in advance

Lite Beer, Lopburi3, Thanks for your quick response

I plan to fly on a one-way Airasia ticket from Singapore to Bangkok on a two entry Thai tourist Visa next month.

My question is if Airasia requires a return/onward ticket from Thailand prior to boarding the SIN-BKK flight for tourist visa holders? And if so will they enforce it by not allowing me to fly from Singapore to Bangkok if I dont poesses the onward/return ticket in advance.

I tried calling their Singapore call center number multiple times but each time I was given a different answer by their representative. I also tried calling their Singapore Airport office and got no response.

I would appreciate some advice.

Thanks