mosan

33 minutes ago, phutoie2 said:

Absolute tosh, you are just scare mongering. Stop posting on here. 

Absolutely not. I guess you did not take the time to do a minor search on the topic...here is just one for you.

Just do a quick search, I don't have the posts off the top of my head, but they are in fact here...  It's not written requirement for extensions based on marriage, but two or three posters have mentioned they were checked and/or told not to touch their 400K until their extension is in fact approved...

The only extensions that are subject to the 30 day under consideration are extensions based on marriage...and occasionally one or two for retirees, but those were the exception not the rule.  Consequently, since about 5 months ago, there have been several reports about checks during the under consideration period.  All is not lost...you can always get another Non-Imm O and re-apply if necessary. 

Forget the previous five years, we're talking about now and the series of events that has taken place over the last five months.  Have you been keeping up or are you not aware of what has been happening?

Did you not know that checks were being made during the 30 Day under consideration period???

I would like to welcome you to a new adventure.  If you haven't been to Thailand before, then I'd suggest you not burn your bridges in the USA.  Maintain your bank account, leave your money there and only bring very little plus your credit and debit cards.  There are enough banks and ATMs, malls, and any other outlet here to satisfy the most needs.  And most importantly, maintain your us home if you can afford to do so--at least until you know you will not need to go running back home after a short stay (or long stay) here.

On the other hand, bring absolutely only as much as you need to survive for a few of months until you really, really figure out how comfortable you will be living here.  That may mean storing your precious items temporarily until you figure out if this is the right place for you.  There is nothing--and I mean it--almost nothing you have now, that can't be purchased here, with the exception of very personal items that cannot be replaced.  You will regret dragging items over here that do not fit in or have no use for you in this environment.  Anyone who has pondered putting 3 million Baht in a Thai bank account can well afford to buy winter clothes shopping in Europe or online through Amazon or Lazada (a local Amazon work-alike).   

There are plenty of people who are totally out of the loop and don't know the ins and outs of  charges that can impact ones credit and debit card transactions.

I'm sure many don't have a clue.  If you think you have all the answers, then good for you.  

However, for those of you who would like an alternate opinion of foreign transaction fees and such as related to various credit cards etc., visit this link.  

https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/what-is-foreign-transaction-fee.php

Someone mentioned earlier that taking cash over the counter at a bank here in Thailand with a debit card is not possible--NOT TRUE,  you just have to search around.  I've been getting cash withdrawals from my checking/savings accounts over the counter at Bangkok Banks since I moved here in 2000, and the exchange rate is equivalent to the TT buying rate--though there is a 1% exchange rate fee for VISA branded cards...not sure of the rate for MasterCard or AMEX.  Additionally, you're only limited to the amount your home bank allows you to withdraw.  In my case I can withdraw up to $3000 daily, or $6000 if both me and my wife make a withdrawal (joint account but separate cards numerically).  

Also, be aware that taking a cash advance over the counter with a credit card may incur a rate higher than your normal fee for purchases. However, if you are using a "Fee Free" credit card, whether permanent or temporary, this is not the same thing as withdrawing money from your checking (current) or savings account with a debit card. You may or may not qualify for zero fee transactions. Check with your home bank for details. 

NOTE: I bank in the US and this may not be the same in other countries.  

Check your messages, I sent you one.

Not mentioning the rule changes due to take effect after 1 March may not affect you.  Is your extension effective date in February or in March--meaning did you apply earlier than necessary?

53 minutes ago, madmen said:

Im getting ready to sell my Bangkok condo that I bought 12 years ago with a much stronger oz dollar. Will do nicely on exchange rate alone.

The key here will be "if you can sell it while the Baht is still strong"...it'll all come down to how you price it. Most people try to make a killing, but if you treat this as a break even proposition (meaning you were just renting), then you could possibly make out like a bandit...

https://www.ivisa.com/usa-blog/us-visa-for-british-uk-citizens

Simply said, VISAs are obtained outside of Thailand.  Extensions can be obtained inside Thailand...

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

Believe me, don't believe me.  Guess all you want.   It happened exactly as stated.  

 

Right, I knew you wouldn't provide any proof because you can't...

21 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I often traveled between BKK and China when I had a WP and an extension of stay based on those annual WPs.   Never had a problem entering on the extension of stay over a period of 6+ years.  Never got a re-entry permit.  Never needed one.

 

As always, I do not claim to know the rules.  I just know what happened to me.

 

I challenge you to post pictures for proof of what you say. I sense something is off with your description of what's happening.  If I had to guess--it would be that you have a "multiple entry" whatever.   

OK, over to you...

10 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

Here you are talking about the IRS and a live person with a brain and some discretion.  Those with government employees are mutually exclusive. 

I disagree, regular people work for the IRS. They're no different than you or me. You just have to appeal to their sense of humanity--ask them what they can do for you, not sit back and listen to them tell you what they can't do. 

All government agencies have a plan "B" for when automation fails--you must insist that the automation is not working, and you need that exceptional assistance.     

I was on the phone last night with Bill Pay at my Credit Union, they were insisting on sending me an SMS for two factor authentication to my US phone number.  I explained to them that I was in Thailand, and they should have an option to use an email address for authentication as not everyone has an American (or whatever country) phone number.  They were dumbfounded at first, then agreed to do the authentication on the phone using security questions asked during logon to their website.  Done and Dusted. 

Sometimes you just have to be persistent until you can talk to a live person and explain real life to them.

Cut to the chase...I sent you a private message.

From <http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-oa/>

I suggest that if you're going to stay in Thailand that you apply for a Non Imm O-A VISA. If you meet the requirements, then there is no need to show them any flight arrangements at all. Plus you will be good to go for the next 1 - 2 years stay in Thailand...

Surely you understand that this is just banter of a "personal" nature and is placed here solely for those readers who may need to consider other options.  Owning a home or spending nights in a hotel are not pre-requisites for a visit.  There may be friends, family members (like my son, daughter, sister and brother in my particular case) who may be able and willing to host an individual... The key phrase in my post above was "is not for everyone, but is a great option for some".  In fact, I have a neighbor from the UK, who has done exactly what we're talking about each and every year for the past 10 years that I've know him.

1 hour ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

In the past at least, American expats living abroad full-time had to be careful to not stay too long back in the U.S. during any calendar year in order to preserve their foreign residency exemption from the tax penalty for not having a qualified Obamacare health insurance policy.

 

However, I think that tax penalty provision for not having an ACA qualified policy is not going to apply for the 2018 tax year....and onward.

 

But it's still a pretty expensive place to stay for very long, if you don't have your own home or a family member's home to stay in. Nightly hotel rates are not cheap and add up very quickly.

 

The ACA tax thing does not kick in, I'm ex military (TRICARE for Life) and a couple of months in the US doesn't matter.  Also, I'm full in with a home in the US and I'm also well financed, so no problems there. Visiting home and acquiring a new O-A VISA (I know it's not a renewal--slip of the keyboard) is not for everyone, but it's a great option for some, and is excellent until the smoke clears from all of the confusion.

The multiple O-A VISA can be renewed for a second year so I will not have to return for a new one until 2021--however that was my plan all along. The trip is to serve as a time to visit my family and acquire a new VISA.  And the police report/criminal records check can be started online at the FBI website.  The turnaround is actually very quick. As noted the entire process for the VISA (including getting the police report) only took 15 days.  

I intend to spend more than a month at home and in many cases up to 3 months.  Anyone spending $900 for a round trip ticket to the states for under 30 days is waste of money in my opinion.

And, yes, I can apply for an extension of stay right here in Thailand, but then I really want to skip the in-country process and leave my money in the US...

The whole process was completed through the mail, no need to travel to the embassy or consulate, however you can if you'd like.