kinyara

Inflation, what a weird concept. ( whole cooked chicken in Big C up from 109 to 125 this year :)) )

Went to my local Sports bar/restaurant last night at 6pm to get ready for the early Premier League game and based on how packed it was with people watching a different game on the multiple games I decided just to watch that one back in the condo. Some people may not like Sports bars but I do think a good one has the right formula for success in Pattaya. The beauty of Pattay has and always will be something for everyone.

Even though I'm on a retirement extension that is an interesting report, thanks OP and well handled approach of the situation you faced. I've only ever used that office for copies but the information flow to you is a pretty damning indictment of their business practice. I just wonder if this whole TM30 situation is a convenient temporary revenue earner catching the unaware or unsure to compensate for a downturn in business in other areas. The only way I can think to tighten your case in the OP's situation would be to ask the hotel for a printed copy of their submission of his details to immigration prior to his extension application. Hopefully tourists staying longer than 60 days will be aware of the requirement and not leave themselves open. 

^  Luckily we're not at the stage of wearing MPGA hats just yet.

One thing I do notice in all areas of the City be it Central Pattaya, Jomtien, Naklua or across the Sukhumvit is the number of empty premises with For Sale/Rent signs up. I've lived here a long time and it's not something that's been particularly visible in the past. I think it's as good an indication as any of a slowdown in business generally not just tourist centric. 

I have a couple of regular places I frequent in Central Pattaya Beach Road, one a beer bar one an all round restaurant and bar, and a couple on the main drag in Jomtien where I live, one a Sports Bar/restaurant and one a small restaurant and bar. I can't see any of them closing because I think the common denominator they have a formula that can weather any temporary downturn which is what the OP is speculating on. Any longer speculation than that is pointless as economic conditions that affect any tourist destination are impossible to predict.

1) Good location

2) Quality service

3) Correct pricing within it's market achieving the balance between attracting maximum custom and allowing a sustainable profit.

4) Most importantly they attract a wide customer demographic, age, nationality, single, married, families, groups and have a solid regular custom in the low season. The beer bar I'd obviously remove the family and perhaps married criteria :)). Happy to see the odd small group of young to middle aged Indians and Chinese with money in my local Sports Bar spending on drinks and a meal.

The strong establishments offering the above formula I believe will always survive and may in fact benefit if there is a thinning out of less well run or competitive businesses. Normal Pattaya/Jomtien cycle I would say.

Of course nothing good will come of letting your Extension of Stay and by default Multiple Re-Entry Permit, ( valid until the same date of Extension of Stay expiry ), expire that's why the idea is you renew it before it expires.  Jeez, talk about stating the obvious.  Why do some people make life so difficult for themselves.

In other breaking news, OP who originally obtained his Non O based on retirement through an agent expresses surprise at an IO offering a fiscal solution to resolve his situation.

17 hours ago, Leaver said:

  This is why I reply to false and misleading posts, such as yours. 

 

This is why I reply to false and misleading usernames, such as yours. "Stayer"

17 hours ago, Max69xl said:

That won't show if you were below 400k anytime in between the 90 days check and 2 months before next extension. 

Not sure about other people but I chose an account with a pass book where every transaction is listed, so fairly transparent. Seemed easy and less complicated.

3 hours ago, Leaver said:

 

I will probably use an agent and stay in Thailand.

 

This thread is about the tourists going to Vietnam, and how "scary" that is for Pattaya / Thailand.  Today's tourist is tomorrows retiree, and when the next wave of retirees compare visa systems, which one do you think they will view as more cheap and easy, thus, more user friendly?

 

Well possibly like you they may consider it cheap and easy, thus, more user friendly but actually choose to stay in Thailand for some bizarre reason best known to themselves.

2 hours ago, Leaver said:

2 hours ago, Leaver said:

You simplification of the Thai system that allows you a 1 year stay is misleading.  All you describe is what happens at the immigration office every 90 days and annually.  You don't mention the financial requirements, seasoning periods, TM30, bank letters, monthly transfers, re entry permits etc.

 

This post hasn't even touched on the true cost, in money terms, of having your 800k / 400k tied up in a Thai bank, earning next to nothing.  

 

I will make my decision to stay or leave soon. If I decide to stay, I will be using an agent.   

 

 

I simplify it because it's not in the least bit complicated, well to me anyway. 

TM30 - I go out of the country twice a year, by default eliminating 2 90 day reports, on arrival back I give my passport copy to my condo office who submit the details online to immigration.

Bank Letters - I get 1 a year which costs 150 baht and go off for a coffee for half an hour while they prepare it.

Re Entry Permits - I get 2 single entry ones a year and combine it with my 2 90 day reports, that saves about half an hour of my life a year.

Not sure what other "etc's" there are, that's it for me.

800k to 400k bank balance - Clearly stated, you've either got it or you haven't. I don't spend 400k in the 7 months I have access to my money, so I just bring enough cash back from my trips abroad to top up for the required period. Yet to meet a financial advisor who doesn't recommend having a percentage of an overall balanced portfolio in cash and as we know cash interest rates globally are <deleted>. I get more in my Thai account than I would instant access in my home country, it's available for a real emergency and of course I can take it with me should I choose to leave.

Honestly surprised you haven't made you're mind up about Vietnam when you are so convinced it suits your particular circumstance.

2 hours ago, Leaver said:

So, how do they plan on enforcing the going under 400k throughout the year requirement?

Retrospectively when you apply for your annual extension 9 months later.

How is Thailand not "Pay as you go", I pay 1,900 baht a year get my annual visa and go.

11 hours ago, Leaver said:

The only accurate part of your post is Americans get a 1 year multiple entry tourist visa for around $195USD.  No other hoops to jump through.

 

The rest of your post is inaccurate.

 

1 year visas are currently on hold.  There is no crackdown.  I expect them to be available again in the future.

 

You get a 3 month multiple entry visa for around $70USD.  This can be renewed 3 times inside Vietnam.  That totals a 1 year stay. 

 

 

Not at all in fact you have just reiterated what I said, you cannot get a 1 year visa.  " Currently on hold ", ( when is a clampdown not a clampdown ), and I expect them to be available again in the future - well I guess we can sleep easy because you have a feeling it might be available in the future, care to put a timeframe on your expectation, what have those in charge personally told you  ?

3 months is what I stated you will get and you agreed. However you point out for the benefit of those who find it inconvenient and a massive hoop to do a 5 minute visit to Thai immigration every 90 days you can have the pleasure of renewing that 3 month visa in Vietnam every 90 days for the cost of a Thai retirement visa each time.  Sounds great.

PS Retirement bank balance only required to be shown once 90 days after visa issue in Jomtien, since you're a stickler for accuracy.

Anyway I wish you luck in Vietnam, no point remaining in a country where a few photocopies and an hour of your time a year is such a hardship for you. When are your leaving ?

On 8/26/2019 at 8:32 PM, Leaver said:

Do you think your experience is indicative of many? 

 

Check out the activity on the visa forum over the last 6 months. 

Actually my experience and those of my circle of retired friends was exactly the same. I went back last month to show my bank book balance staying above the required 90 days after visa issuance and I didn't even need a ticket from the front desk, in and out in a couple of minutes with a pleasant " see you next year " from the IO.

If the numbers thin out because of those unwilling or unable to meet current requirement, the weakness of their home currencies relative to the baht, weakness in tourist numbers and the wider economy given the massive drop in Foreign Direct Investment reported I'm more optimistic than pessimistic that it will remain fairly straightforward to stay here.

I'd suggest if your planning a long term retirement move to Vietnam you really find out the current visa situation from those living there as everything I'm reading from expat Vietnam residents is that the government are currently clamping down on the issuance of 1 year visas to anyone but Americans. You'll get 3 months for sure and someone I know was offered his 6 month visa, ( reduced from a 1 year previously ), for $650 which he refused and is now leaving. If you can't get a 1 year you can't open a bank account and I guess obtain a driving licence much like here in Thailand. If you are worried about Thailand it looks currently very much like out of the frying pan into the fire as far as Vietnam is concerned.

Just checking and sure enough. Khaosod English 2015 - " Leopard Sightings Prompt raid on Pattaya Office "

" Videos of leopards prowling around inside a Pattaya office building led police to raid the office building. ... The company owner told police the leopards were sick so she had sent them to an animal hospital in Bangkok for treatment. However officers discovered large glass terraniums filled with other wildlife including snakes and iguana "

Why am I not surprised, this is the same couple whose architectural showroom/office on the left hand side of Thappraya Road, ( now vacant ),  heading to the Pratumnak traffic light intersection was raided a few years ago by the authorities and they were found to be keeping all manner of exotic animals inside, assorted reptiles and I'm sure a leopard.  I drove past on my way home and saw all the commotion and by coincidence or not about an hour later a massive ape appeared on my condo balcony, luckily my windows were closed. They had cages out the back of the office and I strongly suspect the animal got out made it's way down the back of the then heavily overgrown terrain. I wonder what the final outcome was of the first case, it could be these were the offspring of one of the animals they were keeping at the time. 

If you're okay with manual focus for non fast capture subject matter the beauty of a mirrorless like Sony is the ability to buy quality cheap old glass and use it with an adapter. I'm not saying it's an either or but can be a fun and cheap accompaniement to modern autofocus lenses. I use Fuji and besides their own lenses I use 1980's Nikon Ais lenses and some well regarded M42 mount lenses as well. It's become a nice little side interest researching and hunting out old bargains that don't break the bank but do hold their own image wise.

Enjoy your new camera, the weight factor in this hot and humid climate of my Nikon DSLR is one of the main reasons I switched to mirrorless and I'm enjoying my photography much more.

I did my first ever re-report of my 800k balance this week 3 months after getting my annual extension and I didn't even need a ticket from the reception counter at Jomtien as there was no-one waiting to be served at the retirement visa section. Sign of the times maybe or just good timing.

In reality the seasoning of the required 800k after obtaining the visa had the effect of increasing the base sum by another 3 months expenditure by the back door rather than a headline grabbing increase to 900k-1m.

4 minutes ago, transam said:

It is lunch time here, so where are you....Alaska...?

He’s in the Immigration queue at Swampy bedding down for the long haul.

Jus for one day why don’t those in charge of the various interested parties. Minister for Tourism, Head of Immigration, AOT, TAT, even the PM in disguise, turn up unannounced and view the actual situation in the arrivals hall of Swampy. They don’t appear to have the slightest idea of the reality of the poor service that awaits those arriving every day. From a tourism perspective Thailand is falling down at the very first hurdle, and no-one in authority appears able or willing to seek a long term lasting solution. Short term knee jerk responses to periodic public criticism just don’t cut it.

Can’t help thinking the airport situation and the inability to improve is symptomatic with so many other issues negatively impacting the country. I don’t suppose it will ever change, the old status quo carries on in so many areas.

The cut throat world of competitive scrabble, you learn something new every day on Thaivisa

A lot of talk of farangs going to Vietnam rather than Thailand, sat waiting for my Jomtien bus at Swampy last month and there were several big tour groups of Vietnamese passed by and also saw the same thing at Jomtien beach last week. Swings and roundabouts.