haybilly

1. Nobody gets thrown in jail for being late for 90 day address reports - this is not overstay of visa. The most that normally happens is a 2,000 baht fine.

2. Normal reporting allows for plus/minus 7 days.

I can concur with lopburi3--I think it was he who gave advise when I was in a similar situation--I was late to report for my 90 day address report, due to mixups between myself and immigration at Mae Sod--anyway, I just had to pay a standard 2000 Bht fine and no problems--the immigration man then made a point of showing me the date oy my next 90 report just so I was clear--he added that this also had nothing to do with the renewal date of my retirement visa which was due in less than 90 days--i.e. I have to go renew visa March1 2008 and report my next 90 day on April 20-or thereabouts--confusing, eh?

Buying in your kid's name (this is assuming they are of legal age) is viable, as long as you trust them. Then again, so is buying in your wife's name.

Exactly--the children should be of legal age, which I think means they should be of the age when they have their own ID card--I did try to do something similar using my daughter, who was not of ID card-holding age and my solicitor warned that all decisions about 'said' property purchase would have to be made by a court appointed representative- for my daughter, and he warned that this could well take ages to sort out-I deferred, for expediency--whats wrong with buying in the missus' name and having a good contract with her? Maybe I'm missing something??

i used to love Blancmange but now i've grown up and matured, i like Angel Delight or Ambrosia Custard straight out of the tin

Sorry to Mr Bojangles, whose quote I seem to have mistakeny linked my post to--no offence, Bob--but seriously folks, could someone shed some light as to <deleted> this is all about--yes, I do remember some defunct 80's band by the name and I am obviously familiar with the disgusting dessert substance--but, plleeeeaase, what are you all discussing???

I like to thanks all for their information this have really been helpful. Please come with more.

When I start this thread I was thing of Varee but is now thinking that is not going to be my choice.

I really wonder why there is not one parent form Varee there will recommend the school. Is it because Varee is not anything special but just a place you put your children because you think it is better than a normal school? Just wonder?

Well, I don't know. But the facility is of-course better than a normal thai schools. Just because they have fancy swimming pool and A/C in class rooms.

Apart from that, nothing special. And the "quality of students and staff" is no match to some top Thai schools in Chiang Mai which may in some cases, teach better English than Varee's EP. (CMUDS, Yuparaj, Montfort, Regina's, PRCs, Sacred Hearts, Dara)

Well, well, this has been a fascinating read--I am one of the parents who has decided to send my daughter to Varee--I did some research, asked several parents with kids there, visited the school on several occasions and thought that it looked like the right choice for my 6 year old, and very high-spirited not too mention rather naughty little daughter--I am now totally confused but time alone will tell; God wiiling [ and by that I mean any God you care to worship--or not, as in my case] my daughter will thrive in Varee and failing that I always have the option to remove her and start all over again--AAAARRGGGHHH!

May I thank all the contributors who expressed valid and interesting points of view--without the need for bigotry.

Just go to the local pharmacy and tell them the problem. They have a cream that works great,repeat in 7 days and costs about25bht.

thanks for the replies guys ,,, l will try the local pharmacy first ,, then the plastic wrap,,, while l wait for some tea tree oil to arrive ,, got a mate comming across next week, he can stuff some in his bag,, so dont have to wait too long ,,between the 3 something should work

cheers

egg

I agree with the use of Tea Tree Oil and products containing it as have tried these on my daughter and her cousin's heads', however I would be wary of the 'local pharmacy' as generally the Thai mediactions designed for headlice treatments contain chemicals that are related to sheepdip and can have unfortunate side effects--or so I'm informed.

RE: Letter of Affirmation British Embassy

Anyone with experience obtaining a letter of affirmation from the British Embassy in Bangkok please? I have emailed them but not heard anything regarding what docs I need to take to apply for this and the cost?

Also I think I am correct in the following:

If I then have the affirmation letter, this must then be translated into Thai by a certifed translation office then I need to take it to be certified by the Thai ministry of Foreign affairs at Laksi, Bangkok.

Then I need to go to my local Immigration with my fiances tabien baan and her id and my paperwork above, 2 pics and a copy of my passport and fee and then I can get a Certificate of Residency.

So then I can actually go to the Amphur office and get wed right?

Have I missed anything out?!

Ta in advance, sorry, made up the Mail order Thai bride bit for fun.

DSG

All the above seems correct--I can definitely remember the trip to Lakshi after translation at an office across the crossroads from Brit.Emb. Wireless Rd. --they then took 3 days to verify/ certify it--I am uncertain about the need for a Cert. of Residency as this is something I don't remember--although I married at end of 2001 so things may have changed.

All the best--hope it lasts longer than mine.

RE: Letter of Affirmation British Embassy

Anyone with experience obtaining a letter of affirmation from the British Embassy in Bangkok please? I have emailed them but not heard anything regarding what docs I need to take to apply for this and the cost?

Also I think I am correct in the following:

If I then have the affirmation letter, this must then be translated into Thai by a certifed translation office then I need to take it to be certified by the Thai ministry of Foreign affairs at Laksi, Bangkok.

Then I need to go to my local Immigration with my fiances tabien baan and her id and my paperwork above, 2 pics and a copy of my passport and fee and then I can get a Certificate of Residency.

So then I can actually go to the Amphur office and get wed right?

All the above seems correct--I can definitely remember the trip to Lakshi after translation at an office across the crossroads from Brit.Emb. Wireless Rd. --they then took 3 days to verify/ certify it--I am uncertain about the need for a Cert. of Residency as this is something I don't remember--although I married at end of 2001 so things may have changed.

All the best--hope it lasts longer than mine.

Have I missed anything out?!

Ta in advance, sorry, made up the Mail order Thai bride bit for fun.

DSG

I was also confused by Jomtien Immigration on the 90-day reporting issue. I got my retirement extension in mid-December and a notice to report 90 days later (early March) was stapled in the front of my passport. When I got the multi-entry permit, I asked the guy who issued it if the date on the reporting slip was valid as I was going back to the UK for 4 weeks over Christmas and New Year. He seemed to say that yes, I still must report on that date.

So I've done my trip to the frost and the fog and just got back to the Land Of Visa Concerns (and bloody good it is to be back!). But I will still go to Jomtien Immigration on the date in early March that is on the slip in my passport. Soi 5 is walking distance from my condo, so why not? At worst they will tell me to come back a month later - which may be a new problem, as I plan to be in The Philippines around then!

Either the Immigration guy I asked didn't speak very good English, or else I failed miserably to make my question clear. It's easy to see how these problems can occur.

I have just been to Mae Sot, to sort out my mistakes regarding the 90 day reporting and conflicts with re-entry dates etc.. and , as stated by 'lopburi3', I was duly fined the 2000 Bht late appearance fee and no further problems--however my retirement visa comes up for renewal on 05 March and my next 90 day report date is 20 April [ 90 days from today] and the Immig. Officer pointed out that the two events are not connected--i.e. I renew my visa as per and my next address report date is fixed from today--not 90 days from when I renew my retirement visa--just thought I'd point this out in case anyone was of the opinion that the whole rigmarole started up again from the renewal date--as I would have thought--stupid me, eh.

Don't mean to 'preach to the converted' or whatever the correct expression should be--just trying to help clarify what seems a pretty unclear situation.

OK, thanks again--I know better now--and, with respect to the situation of someone who leaves and re-enters Thailand, on a re-entry permit, this effectively negates the need to make a 90 day report should that 90 days expire whilst one is out of the country-i.e. just start counting again from the date of re-entry? I think that you already answered that in a previous posting but being somewhat confused I am just trying to be 100%.

You need to report 90 days from your last entry - that appears to be what you tried to do in December if I follow right so now it has been more than 90 + 7 that is allowed so you will likely be hit with the 2,000 baht late charge. You need to say "90 day address report" if you do not have the TM.47 or receipt to show them.

Yes, you are correct-- that is what I tried to do; I think I shall go to Mae Sot tomorrow/tuesday, and not wait until my trip to Chiang Mai at end of month and try to see the same young lady and attempt to correct my mistake--not her mistake, note--maybe, with appropriate amount of grovelling and self-effacement I might get away with 2000 Bht only-I must try to make her feel as if she was correct all along. Do I need to take any photos along?

It should not be that big a problem. They normally only charge 2,000 baht for late reporting - but there is a 200 baht a day possibility in the regulations. It appears the office did not understand what you wanted when you visited them.

Yes, I guess that would be the case--I was rather puzzled and followed up with a phone call to Chiang Mai Imm. Off. and again was told that all was in order--it comes down to a lack of understanding and probably my inability to convey my concerns adequately--I must admit to being still rather confused about the regulations in my case with regard to the entry/exits from Thailand within the 90 day periods--which I, mistakenly, it appears, assumed negated my need to report every 90 days--still don't fully understand my responsibilities in this regard?

Your input is much appreciated, by the way.

You fill out a TM.47 Address Report every 90 days when on extensions of stay. They will cut off the bottom part and you keep that in your passport until the next report. There is no stamp placed into your passport.

Thanks to you too, lopburi3, it looks more and more like I have a problem-I was issued the original 90 day extension to report before 08 Aug., however I left the country early July and got appropriate Re-entry Permit and duly re-entered end of July--then left Thailand again early September to take daughter to UK having got Re-entry Permit again--it was on this re-entry that the date of March 2008 [expiry of Retirement Visa] was stamped in my passport as when I could stay in Kingdom until--it was within this 90 day period, around mid-December that I went to Mae Sot to report for my 90 days to be told that I did not need to, therefore nothing was done--guess I've got a big problem??

If you are talking about a non-o visa with retirement extension, then you have to report to immigration every 90 days. There is a form to fill in and the bottom half is stamped with your next reporting date, and given back to you. If you fail to do so there is a fine of 2000 baht (I think) and a nasty stamp in your passport. The 90 day reporting is nothing to do with extensions of stay.

Many thanks 'pauln'--it looks pretty much like I have been misinformed by the 'authorities' and, as usual, there's only going to be one loser--yours truly.I can handle a 2000 Bht fine--nasty stamps don't sound too good, though--you don't reckon it's likely to be the 500 Bht per day as in overstay?? Don't know why they can't advise correctly when you present yourself in front of them,with passport and ask about the 'report every 90 days' rule--Amazing Thailand, again.

I,ve just done my 90 day notification visit and asked about the yearly renewal in case of any changes.

( 800,000 baht method. )

Was told to take a photo copy of my wifes I.D. card and copies of all info in the house papers / book.

A p.copy of my bank acccount and all pages, plus a letter to certify the contents therein.

Usual copies of all relevant p. port pages and current T.M. card.

This was at N.Khai and while i appreciate it isn,t Phuket or anywhere else, thought it may be worthwhile checking the latest info in your respective offices before making the journey.

I always go one month before the renewal date and if i could, i,d try sooner to enable me to go back to the U.K. earlier.

marshbags

QUESTION about the above---I recently came to my 90 day limit, I went to/from UK in Setember 2007 and 90 days was up mid December--I then trawled up to Mae Sot Immigration where I presented my passport--the 'nice' lady looked at my stamps and saw the one issued at Suvannarbhumi Airport which stated that I could remain in country until March 2008--a period of 6 months and the expiry date of my Retirement Visa--she then asked why I had come to which I replied to update my Retirement Visa after 90 days--she seemed to think I was some sort of idiot and pointed at the date stamp for March 2008 saying I did not need to do anything until then--I drove back home but still wasn't convinced so I phoned Chiang Mai Immigration, who issued the Visa, having explained the situ the 'nice' lady on the phone said that as far as she could tell I had done what was needed by going to Mae Sot--I said " but I don't have any stamp in my passport"--and she said that I would not have got a stamp--this seems like nonsense to me and I have been worrying ever since that I am going to get a massive fine soon--more and more by the day--can anyone help--I am going up to Chiang Mai at end of Jan. and will rock up in person to Immigration with passport but in the meantime.....??? Please advise--confused!

What is Boonma's number??? I am looking for one too.

I have been in touch with 'Boonma', who appears to be called 'BoonSak' since that was what the lady that answered the phone said, and although he obviously would prefer to view my load before he can give concrete quote he did say that, per cubic metre, he charged 900 baht--this is to carry stuff from Kamhaeng Phet to Chiang Mai which is a 700 Km. round trip; anyway, his contact tel. no. is 081-951-5111. He also said that he would need 2 or 3 days notice--pretty fair. Should I end up using his company I will post a brief resume--did he scratch my stuff up,take it to the wrong house, give me someone else's stuff, etc..

Many people have recommended Boonma to me. However; I used them and they scratched the doors on my wood wardrobes.

Good luck.

Well, many thanks for taking the time to let me know--unfortunately you are the only person to answer so, despite your reservations, I don't have a lot of options-gues I'll give them a try, my furniture is pretty crap anyway.

Does anyone have an up-to-date number, email or address for good, reliable and hopefully inexpensive furniture movers based around Chiang Mai--I need a compnay/ individual willing and able to transport about 1 x 6-wheeler full of household effects from Kamphaeng Phet to Chiang Mai--vehicle must be covered and secure and individuals honest and reliable [ fairly strong too as a couple of items are quite heavy]--no timewasters or get-rich-quick from stupid farang types need apply. Many thanks to anyone with info and time to pass it on.

I am afraid to admit it but I actually live in Kamphaeng Phet and all the previous comments are, unfortunately, very true--I have been coming here, on and off, for 8 years and had the misfortune to make it my home for the last 2 or more, in all that time I have yet to find anything to do or anywhere interesting to go--apart from a visit to the wonderful Historical Park on the outskirts of the new town which, once you've walked around for about 2 or 3 hours does not warrant a return, plus there is the usual price discrimination against farang; to reinforce the lack of ammenities whenever I need to buy anything, other than local fruit and veg, I am forced to drive more than an hour to either Pitsanulok or Nakhon Sawan--both teeming metropoli by comparison. Summary, it sucks.