cm boy

Roger, it is posted on a notice board in the waiting area outside the office. I'm going back there today so I'll get all the relevant info.

The website:

http://www.imm3.police.go.th/eng/eng_Apply...nce_Permit.html

states the following:

2.3. The applicant’s medical certificate from state hospital certifying that he/she is not disabled, unsound mind and free from following diseases.

2.3.1 Leprosy

2.3.2 Serious period of tuberculosis

2.3.3 Elephantiasis

2.3.4 Narcotic

2.3.5 Alcoholism

2.3.6 Syphilis

But I'll check to confim if there's more.

cm boy

Tut, tut Suzy, the bus passes and cinema passes was a little tongue in cheek, as this is what is granted in UK to OAPs. I didn't expect for one moment it was available here. But thanks anyway for the advice. More than I "get real" maybe you should lighten up.

BTW Work Permits are not a pre requisite for a Thai driving license. And I am living in Thailand!

Try not to let your finger(s) move faster than your brain.

Ta Ta!

cm boy

Just come back from a visit to Chiang Mai Immigration to get full info of what they require for a Retirement Visa. Officer confirmed they will convert a Tourist Visa to a Non-Imm 'O' without leaving the country, but of course not the 30 days stamp deal. Full list of requirements posted on their notice board, incl. items the medical certificate must address.

cm boy

Thanks all. I was thinking in terms of car ownership/registration/ property ownership, mobile phone number ownership, driving lic., free bus passes, OAP passes to the cinema etc. You know, all the extra bibs 'n' bobs that add up to making living in Thailand a little more comfortable and easier, i.e. the full sales pitch.

cm boy

Can someone in simplistic terms list the advantages (perks etc.) associated with having a Retirement Visa over e.g. a tourist visa, or point me in the right direction. I can't seem to locate this info in one package.

Thanks,

cm boy

That is it Fred. The full amount in the bank solves the problem. Remember the $$$ requirements increase in July 2004

Ok so now it's confirmed. Can you tell us where this is info is sited and the new amounts involved.

For the retirement visa do you need to show the amount in your bank account when first applying for the 3 months non-immm. O prior to the Retirement process?

cm boy

SCB charges me nothing unless I use their card at other ATM. then it is 20 baht at the machine

You must be using it out of the bank area (using upcountry on a Bangkok card or such) as there should not be any charge for using another ATM Pool machine until after the third time in one month. Then it is about 8 baht. But they all have that "out of area" charge.

lopburi I have been getting money form 'other' banks in the same area as my TFB here in Chiang Mai for many years , the same in Phuket and Bangkok and they all charged me between 20-35 Baht fee. I have ample ATM slips to verify this. Even the SCB bank next door to my own, when the TFB is out of order (cash), charge this same fee. It would be nice to know your secrets.

cm boy

Went to Kasikorn Bank today armed with all the info from you guys and sat with the Asst. Manager for 30 mins explaining what I needed. After he called HO in Bkk he said sorry no can do! (with a smile of course) Only cash advance. So it's off to Bkk Bank tomorrow...switch accounts? (Anyone from Kasikorn out there listening in...or caring?)

Thanks again,

cm boy

....and the consecutive 30 day stamps! Rumour or fact? Guess I'm asking, what is the future of the 'walkers' does anyone know for sure? If so please quote official source, or reason for speculation.

cm boy

Many thanks to you all for your help and advice. I did what KevinN does I had the 20k paid into my savings account at TFB so it would appear in my account/passbook (no charge) it's the 20k limit that is the problem. Do Visa charge anything for these transactions...I haven't had my latest statement through yet.

cm boy

I tried this out yesterday at TFB in Chiang Mai with my Visa card (£10k limit) The cashier told me that 20,000 Baht was the max at any one time. Although I could go back every day and do the same! Am I doing something wrong here?

cm boy

Yep got that re. the 800k v Retirement visa, but Phil's request was for a Non-imm. O. Is this because he declared his reason for the Non-imm O was to apply for a Retirement visa later? What if he gave another reason for the O visa?

BTW I looked at the Merchant Hotel web site (http://www.penang-hotels.com/merchant) and it appears they are fully booked throughout January, and the price for the lowest price room ? Superior is RM 85. Maybe it's different for walk-ins.

Would liked to have had that beer but won't be there until 26-29.

Thanks all again for the info.

cm boy

Excellent post Phil. I'm just about to embark on the same trip for the same reasons, so the info was much appreciated.

A couple of points:

1. I was surprised to read they wanted to see the 800k in the bank statement this time around is this really a requirement? I thought only for the retirement visa later.

2. What airline did you travel with for 8,300 Bt. Thai are charging 12,705 Bt.

Thanks again.

cm boy

Thanks Bruno for the good advice. It kinda makes Mae Sai/Tachileik look like a walk in the park. So as it's hopefully my last (30 day) walk I guess I'll opt for the safe option.

Cheers,

CM Boy

Just a question patlac: Is it any easier for a Thai national to get into Canada for 30 days as a tourist as it is for you to get into Thailand? And once his 30 days are up can he pop over into USA, return to Canada and renew his 30 day visa, for free, the same day? Give them a break please! If you wanted more than 30 days then you should have done you planning a bit better and got the 60 day visa prior to leaving Canada as George has suggested. You can't expect the Thai Government to bend to every conceivable 'want' by ungrateful tourists. Sorry for the moan, I guess it's just my age.

CM Boy

Can anyone confirm that the Mae Sot border crossing is still open for visa runs. I'm reading conflicting accounts.

Many thanks,

CM Boy

Thanks guys...good info. Sabaijai, Mae Sai is closer it's just that I want a change and see somewhere new, I realise that Myawadi isn't going to set my world on fire but not too much does these days....ahhhh!

I agree about the DVD's' and CD's etc from Tachileik, I'm putting together a good collection of music DVD's, pop and opera and at 150 Baht each with top quality it is well worth the occassional trip.

BTW I was a liitle concerned after reading a post from Doitao:

"I went 30 days ago to Mae Sot and where told to leave the country either to the north or to the south to make a new tourist visa, They told me they will not issue any 30 days stamps to me anymore"

This happend early November, anyone know if the situation has changed?

Again many thanks for the assist.

CM Boy

I am planning to go to Penang next moth to get a Non Imm 'O' visa as my first step to getting a retirement visa. Before this I need one last 30 day Tourist Visa which I was planning to get at Mae Sot. I normally 'walk' up to Mae Sai but this time decided to give Mae Sot a try as an alternative and a change. In a previous post by Doitao he states that he was refused a visa at Mae Sot and told to go north or south. Before I make the trip to Mae Sot can anyone confirm that this is still the case or was he a little unlucky i.e being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If there are any doubt then it will be Mae Sai (again) or Chiang Kong where I found the Imm. Officers very helpfull and friendly.

Many thanks

CM Boy

Please can you advise me what is the minimum visa status needed to buy/own a condo. I am 60 y.o and currently a 'walker'. (That's spelt with a 'l' not a 'n') Also can you point me in the right direction for legal requirements + pros & cons re buying a condo.

Many thanks,

CM Boy

Sounds pretty much the same as the Mae Sai/Tachileik crossing. This costs THB 250 for the day/shopping visa. How does Myawadi compare with Tachileik for shopping/sightseeing etc? Is it worth travelling the extra kms from Chiang Mai for the experience?

CM Boy

Don't know what all the fuss is about Michael Jackson. He has admitted on TV that he sleeps with underage boys and can see no harm spreading love around the world. Even when the parents of one boy threatened to take him to court Michael's love was so strong he paid him $20m to show he meant no harm. This gesture was apparently accepted by both the parents and society at the time. To show how forgiven society is he was allowed to beget children (all boys!). And now yet again the dreaded finger of accusation is pointing at Michael who is outraged by the mere thought that sleeping with young boys can be misconstrued by our understanding and tolerant society, as anything other than a demonstration of living in love and harmony, and not a prelude to some sordid, perversive, flesh satisfying sexual offence on an innocent child.

But take heart Larry King and Co. will sort it all out - before the trial!

Good luck Michael your gonna need it.....this time.

cm boy

If any of them can play football they are sorely need by England. Maybe Sven can hire Les Ferdinand's lawyer to get them off the hook. Although on second thoughts they'd probably nick off with the ball hidden in a giant size jar of face cream.

Many thanks doctor, husky, et al for your grateful advice, certainly clears a few grey areas for me. Just gotta sit down now and take it all in and head off in the right direction, which looks like the retirement route.

Thanks again.

cm boy

yes

I have been going cross-eyed trying to put together all the excellent advice in this forum regarding the requirements needed to get an imm. 'O' visa. Is there please a step-by-step, definitive (general?) list of what I need to follow and costs involved to get this visa? I am living in Chiang Mai and have been 'running' up to Mae Sai and Chiang Khong to renew my monthly (28 days) tourist visa but feel I would be better off getting a 1 year 'O' visa and 'running' every 3 months. I am a Brit, single, 60 yo and renting a condo in Chiang Mai. I have decided that Penang seems to be the place of choice for visas for Thai expats, so a pointer for current info on the logistics of this trip would also be appreciated.

Thanks,

CMB