shotover

Per slide 20:

"Airport ExpressAirport Express-

Air-conditioning coaches, services betweenfirst class hotels in Bangkok and SuvarnabhumiAirport -

Pick up area : at the arrival (level 2) inner curb-Drop off area : at the departure (Level 4) inner curb"

Maybe another option to getting into central Bangkok. Airport express buses at Don Muang currently are 100 baht but stop operating at midnight.

Wonder how these buses will compare?

. . . The only minor annoyance is I had barely sat down before being propositioned to buy round of vodka shots for a bunch of the girls. Is it customary for customers who order a meal to just dump 500 baht on people they've never seen before? No big deal, they were friendly enough and easy enough to say no. Anyway, a good find. Nice to know there's good food in the plaza after woodstock departed.

Not the normal approach by the Big Mango ladies, who are usually nonaggressive in soliciting lady drinks. However, I have noticed some of the more recent hires are more aggressive in asking for drinks, and one in particular asking me for ST every time I enter the bar, even though I've never had an extended conversation with her.

IMHO, the Big Mango burgers are the tastiest, and by far the best value, of any I've had in Bkk. They also have a good selection of Thai food, and are therefore a popular place to take 'dates' for dinner, billards, and drinks.

"It looks like these immigration officials just returned from a refresher course on Thailand’s Immigration Act but misunderstood a few things they were taught"

Agree. Another example of beauracrats interepting laws without thinking of the common sense application. The Thai Immigration officials did say he expected the condo manager to know when I left Bangkok, and to report EACH return date to Thai Immigration. Seems the law does not distinguish between hotels housing transient tourists and condos/apartments housing long-term stay residents.

The condo manager did copy my passport and report my information when I initially moved into the condo, but laughed when I told him what the officials said about each subsequent departure and return.

"Dear shotover

A MULTI-ENTRY 'O' visa simply allows you to VISIT Thailand, for up to 90 days, AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WISH in 1 year."

My multi-entry O-A visa, issued to me by a Thai consulate in the USA, allows me to visit Thailand for up to 1 YEAR, AS MANY TIMES AS I WISH in 1 year. If I stay in Thailand for more than 90 days without leaving the country, then I must report to Thai Immigration by the 90th day. If I leave and reenter Thailand prior to the 90 day period, then the 90 day count starts over when I arrive back in Thailand.

"the other one what the immigration want to see from you is a ONE YEAR 'EXTENSION' FOR A NON-IMMIGRANT 'O' VISA. So don‘t mix this together."

Not mixed together at all. Immigration officials NEVER mentioned a ONE YEAR 'EXTENSION' FOR A NON-IMMIGRANT 'O' VISA. They only stated repeatedly that they would not issue a Residency letter unless I had a 90 day reporting form in my passport.

I currently have a one year multi-entry non-Imm O certificate based on retirement that was issued in September 2005.

This past March, I went to the Suan Phlu Thai Immigration office to request a Certificate of Residence to use as a basis for getting my Thai drivers license renewed.

The Thai Immigration officials told me they would not issue me a residence certificate letter because my passport did not have a '90 day reporting form' in my passport.

I had not done a 90 day report since the visa was issued because I frequently travel outside Thailand, and in fact, had arrived back in Thailand from a trip to the USA only 5 days before requesting the residency letter.

I politely requested that the officials check with supervisors, and 4 officials of higher ranks confirmed that I must have a 90 day report note in my passport before they would issue a residency letter.

Additionally, these officials insisted that the owner of the condo building where I reside (I have a 6 month lease and pay rent monthly) is required to report to Thai Immigration EACH TIME I stay overnight outside Bangkok, even if I go down to Pattaya for one day!

I presume this is a requirement rarely followed by owners/managers of apartments and condos, as they would normally have no knowledge of the comings and goings of their tenants renting on a monthly basis.

I'll check the intersection for signs next time I go there, and report what I see in this forum.

LOL. Could've been quota day. The police at this location rarely step outside their air-conditioned box to monitor traffic.

I'm the OP. Sorry for the late response, but haven't accessed the board for a few days.

The ticket is all in Thai (the only English text is where the officer wrote my name, and totally butchered the spelling). He only spoke Thai when he stopped me, and clearly indicated by what I could understand ("fai dang; may tong liao saai") and through his gestures that I had made an illegal left turn.

I did not run a red light in the traditional sense of many local drivers, but as stated in the OP, simply made a left hand turn at a red traffic after stopping and making sure cars weren't coming. I didn't see and don't know if there is a sign at an intersection forbidding such a turn.

Specifically, I was traveling north on Sukhumvit Soi 42 (a one-way street intersecting into Sukhumvit) in Bangkok, and making a left turn onto Sukhumvit. I have often seen cars and motos make lefts on red lights at this and other intersections, though this of course is no indicator that this is a legal maneuver. It was not a case of me deliberately shooting through a red light at an intersection where there are oncoming vehicles.

In fact, when I was stopped and ticketed, a moto taxi driver and another cyclist had turned left on the red light just in front of me, but I happened to be the one the officer flagged down.

I've no complaint getting a ticket presuming I did wrong, just wanted to know if the 400 baht fine is typical. I had been told by a friend who drives daily that traffic fines for an offense such as this were typically 150-200 baht.

The fines were not listed on the written ticket, but a posting of traffic offenses at the Thong Lor Station showed fine ranges from 250 - 1,000 baht.

So, all in all, it sounds like a reasonable fine compared to what we would incur in a western country, but pretty stiff for most working-class Thais.

I recently got nicked on my motorcyle for making a left-turn after stopping at a red light at a 3-way intersection (made the left at the top of the 'T'). The policeman was writing the ticket before I got off the motorcycle. I went to the Thong Lor station the next day and paid the fine of 400 baht.

Is this a typical fine for a relatively minor infraction?

Today, I went to the consulate in Houston to request the non-immigrant visa. Even though it states on the form as one of the purposes of the visa: " Settlement After Retirement", the clerk said she would not give me the 90 visa unless I showed proof of employment, education or medical treatment. I am retired over 50 and have a pension of more than 65000 baht a month. I had planned to enter with the 90 non immigrant O-A visa and then ask for the one year retirement visa after I enter the Kingdom. Would it be better to go somewhere else, such as Penang or Hanoi to get the nonimmigrant visa? Thanks.

The clerk you spoke with must be totally unfamiliar with the normal consulate visa procedures and requirements. I have twice obtained multiple non immigrant O-A visas based on retirement from the Houston Thai Consulate through the mail without ever having to provide proof of employment or education. In fact, approving a retirement visa is based on you no longer being employeed.

Ask for Michelle or Julie. They are knowledgable and very helpful.

Your local imigration office will give a letter of residence if you take photocopies of passport and visa and copy of your rental agreement (or house ownership papers)

And it is now free

(plus photo's -2 forgot that as I did when I got my last papers)

The Thai Immigration office at Suan Phlu wouldn't provide me with a requested letter of residence when I presented the above documents. They insisted I have a '90 day address notification form' in my passport even though I had never stayed in Thailand for up to 90 days since my Non-Immigrant O-A visa was issued last September. My last arrival was 3 days ago, and the Immigration official said I would have to wait until I do my 90 day report before they would issue 'a certified letter of address'.

They seemed to have a lot of confusion when I asked how I can submit a 90 day address notification when I always travel outside and reenter the country within that period of time. Their decision to require the 90 day form in my passport was confirmed by supervisors at the Information desk, in Room 206, and by higher officials behind Window 2.

As an aside, I rent a condo (1 year lease paid on a monthly basis), and the Immigration officials stated the condo owner must submit to Thai Immigration a 'Notification Form' each time I leave and return to the condo for more than one day, even a one day trip to the beach. The condo owner did submit this form when I first moved in, but certainly doesn't keep up with my short duration coming and goings.

I dislike going to the US embassy for the residential certification letter, but it looks like a better option than the nonsensical procedures required by the immigration officials.

Yes. I left and reentered Thailand at least 10 times during 2003 - 2005 on 2 multi-entry O-A visas (retirement) without having to obtain reentry permits. Required to report to Thai Immigration within 90 days after last entry, but no requirement to leave the country within 90 days. I presume the 'multi-entry' visa for which I paid $125 USD is designed to allow multiple exit/reentries within the visa dates as opposed to the regular single entry O visa, which is only $50 USD.

I remain confused. What you describe sounds very much like a multiple-entry non-immigrant O visa, not an O-A visa.

When applying for your visa at the Thai consulate, did you have to submit a police clearance?

On your first entry, were you given permission to stay for one year?

Your answers to these two questions would give confirmation whether it was really an O-A visa, not a multi-O.

--------------

Maestro

Per the visa stamped and approved by the Royal Thai Consulate General in Houston, the visa is a "category O-A Good for multiple journey(s)". The visa application form I submitted to the Thai consulate was entitled "Additional Application Form for Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay)". In addition, I had to submit a regular "Visa Application" form, in which I had to select from one of the following categories: 'Non-Immigrant visa', 'Tourist Visa', or 'Transit Visa'.

On my initial entry (and all subsequent reentries) to Thailand under this O-A visa, my passport was stamped with visas which stated 'Admitted until' one year after the entry (or reentry) date.

Even if you exit Thailand at Don Muang with a new, blank passport, won't the immigration officer stamping you out be looking for evidence of a valid visa?

I don't know, I just assume the Thai authorities verify that persons leaving the country have a valid visa or entry stamp?

The multi entry O-A visa based on retirement issued to me by the Houston Thai consulate provided me with up to a one-year stay in Thailand without having to leave.

Now, I am confused.

Are you sure your OA allows you to leave and re-enter Thailand during this year without the need for a re-entry permit?

--------------

Maestro

Yes. I left and reentered Thailand at least 10 times during 2003 - 2005 on 2 multi-entry O-A visas (retirement) without having to obtain reentry permits. Required to report to Thai Immigration within 90 days after last entry, but no requirement to leave the country within 90 days. I presume the 'multi-entry' visa for which I paid $125 USD is designed to allow multiple exit/reentries within the visa dates as opposed to the regular single entry O visa, which is only $50 USD.

Hi Whittler,

Sent you a PM with some info. I've found the Houston consulate very easy to work with in getting a multi entry O-A visa based on retirement.

The multi entry O-A visa based on retirement issued to me by the Houston Thai consulate provided me with up to a one-year stay in Thailand without having to leave. However, I must report my current address every 90 days at a Thai Immigration office inside Thailand.

Can any kind soul tell me, do you need a Police Clearance Certificate/letter from your local gendarmerie (saying you have been a good boy) to apply for either a Marriage "O" visa or a Retirement "OA" visa in BKK or overseas?

Any reply about applying in BKK or overseas would be grateful as some websites (incl Immigration Soi Suan Plu and Thai Visa.com) do not mention it, but some overseas embassies & consulates say it is a must!!

TiT!!

In 2003, the Houston consulate required a criminal history record from my local law enforcement office when I initially applied for an O-A retirement visa. In 2005 when I applied for another O-A retirement visa, they no longer required the criminal history record.

My sympathy for the egregious bad and corrupt service you received at the Phibun Immigration office. It appears that Thai Immigration improvements in customer service and efficiencies currently being implemented at Bangkok and Pattaya have not yet reached the remote offices, and that they are still operating in their entrenched corrupt ways.

Phibun is a neat small Issan town. Are the rapids still a popular weekend gathering place?

Does one need to do the written again after 1 year to obtain the 5 year license?

Thanks Potter

No, just bring your expiored licence, Passport (and 1 signed copy of photo page)

Visa page and non immigrant visa page (and 1 signed copy of each)

Two 1 inch photos, do it on the premises, they know the right size.

Last time I did on Sukhumvit in BKK (No. 3-office) it took 1 hour.

Earlier posts indicate you also need a letter from your embassy certifying your address to get the 5 year license. Was this document required when you recently got your 5 year license?

If you're in Bangkok and it's in your budget, it would be better to head to Don Muang and buy an inexpensive (Air Asia, Tiger Air, Jetstar Asia, etc.) air ticket to Penang, KL, Singapore, or Phnom Penh.

This would reduce the chances of Police stopping your ground transport near a border crossing, and subjecting you to the same treatment that the 12 overstayers in Ranong endured earlier this month.

Kasi's advice is solid. I might add phone the consulate prior to sending them the documentation to ensure you are including everything, and that they can indeed provide you with the desired visa in the time frame you need it.

Some consulates are more flexible and easier to work with than others.

good luck

Congrats on your renewal Larry.

Did Immigration request to see proof of funds being transferred into your Thai bank account from outside Thailand?

The wording on the TM86 is "I wish to apply for a non immigrant visa" and you then provide the reasons. The only visas lower on the food chain are transit and tourist so believe that is a very good indication they are talking about change from them.

I have a friend in Thailand currently on a 30 day entry permit who is eligible and wants to obtain a retirement visa. I assume from the info in this thread that cannot be done at Thai Immigration in Bkk with just a 30 day entry permit.

I recommended he go to Penang or Singapore to apply for a non-imm O visa.

Does anyone know if the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur is 'visa friendly' for farangs wanting a non-Imm O visa?

AoT unveils options for Don Muang

In fiscal year 2005 ended September 30, AoT, a public company majority owned by the government, generated revenue of about 15 billion baht.

Net profit was 7.3 billion baht, an increase of 55 percent from 4.7 billion baht in 2004, Bancha said.

Source: ThaiDay - 3 February 2006 14:30

Net profit of 7.3 billion baht on revenues totaling 15 billion baht. Quite a profit margin (nearly 50 percent) for a govt. owned enterprise, which usually operate on a non-profit basis. Wonder where these profits go?

Channel 3 news last night showed the PM leading an entourage of officials on motorcycles cruising down a paved road in Roi Et. No doubt wanting to make a good camera appearance and appear like the locals, none were wearing helmets. Good example to set for the young people in Thailand.

If you're in the Sukhumvit area evening time:

The best burgers / cheeseburgers I've eaten in Bangkok are made by the Big Mango Bar in Nana Plaza, and reasonably priced (69 / 79 baht happy hour 5-8 pm, and 99 / 109 baht after 8 pm).

Cheeseburgers on foodcart in front of NEP are tasty, but IMHO too greasy. Texas Lonestart Bar in Washington Square does a decent cheeseburger for about 100 baht.

In Pattaya, the Taco Burgers sold at Big Al's foodstand on Second Road between Sois 3 and 4 are my favorite quick bite down there.

I've only had the Thai food at the Theesut Issan Restaurant on Rangnamm which is excellent. Never looked at their western food menu.

Should this be in the Western food section?

Too bad ya can't make it. Less 1 QC on the team. Happy holidays and see you when you get in country.

I'll have a few drinks for you. Full report too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cleared my calendar so I can get to this party; thought they did a great job on the last one I attended (when was it?, my memory banks were erased around midnight).

Sorry to hear Narachon won't be here for this party, great to talk and drink with. Unless LoJack shows up, it'll only be the 2 of us experienced QC members ensuring the shooters are safe for public consumption. I'll look for you around the same station.

Glad to be of service for the Board.