oldcpu

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

My wife has had my name since we got married here in 2001 She has never had a problem with doing many things which includes being a village head person for 5 years. I don't recall ever having to sign anything due to it.

Not sure the other things are factual.

 

You will not be registering a new marriage at an Amphoe. You would be registering your foreign marriage to get a Kor Ror 22 mariage registry that immigration requires. No need to do a declaration at your embassy.

Your marriage certificate does need to be legalized. Not sure how that is done for one issued in Canada. It might be as simple as doing a self certification of it by doing a statutory declaration a the embassy that it is true, correct and valid that would be accepted by an Amphoe.

As far as the translation and having it certified by the Consular Affairs Department that can be done with one trip to a translation service and having them do it for you and then mailing it all back to you. There may be a translation service in Phuket that can do it all for you.

 

 

 

My wife kept her own name, and I kept my name when we married.  Hence we are registered as married in both Canada and Germany, both under our original names.

wrt requirements - its difficult to confirm the paperwork requirements, as most info web sites talk of a 'new' marriage in Thailand, and not a simple registration of a 'foreign' marriage in Thailand.  Our research does thou suggest that the local authorities in Phuket want the Canadian Embassy/consulate in Bangkok to certify that our Canadian marriage paperwork is indeed valid.  That will be in English (or French) and that then requires translation to Thai. Since we will already be in Bangkok (needing to go to the Embassy for the the Canadian marriage certificate certification) then we might as well get the translation done in Bangkok, and then while in Bangkok make a visit to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Perhaps thou, as you note, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs can mail the documents back to us - as opposed to us waiting in Bangkok. 

I've been looking for easier ways to do this, but I don't think the Bangkok trip is unavoidable.  Having typed that, I enjoy Bangkok, but my wife does not.

wrt signatures (of the spouse) I do know for certain it is accurate for certain types of loans, where in Thailand the spouse signature is needed. One Thai/German couple I know, had an experience where the wife went for a mortgage for a condominium, and they both had to co-sign over 100-pages in a series of Thai documents for the loan approval, even thou it was to only be in her name.  Like Germany and other countries, Thailand does love its paperwork.   wrt 'Board of Directors' I do not know if true - my wife was throwing assorted reasons my way for not registering the marriage in Thailand.  

Of course, I teased her in turn saying,  no worries and great ... that means I am a single man here in Thailand (and I pretended to look for my 'butterfly wings in storage').  Fortunately she saw the humour in that.

We were at a local government office yesterday, applying for a Yellow Tabien Baan (house registration book) for myself.  My wife was lectured by the Thai official in the office, that she should register our marriage, as it provides benefits.  That 'lecture', for the first time, has my wife thinking maybe she will agree to register the marriage.

So my marriage being registered could work for my keeping my (and keeping my wife's) superior Health Insurance that is heavily subsidized by my pension scheme, but unfortunately there are other foreigners on a Type-OA who have excellent international insurance (far exceeding that nominally offered by the Thai listed companies) who are not in my fortunate situation (as they don't have a Thai wife).  

My hope is that there will be a refinement/improvement allowing a verification of International  Health Insurance by some means, in Thailand. 

5 hours ago, Momofarang said:

I don't blame immigration, it is the MoH who should provide, an "Insurance certification office". This could have been achieved easily. At Bumrungrad or Bangkok hospital they have easy access into my Insurance details and accept this as guarantee before admission. A similar setup could be used by MoH to issue certificates to be handed over to Immigration.

This has me thinking, that an approach that could be adopted by MoH would be to in essence 'contract out' certification of International Health Insurance to Thailand hospitals such as Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Vichaiyut Hospital, etc ... where a foreigner who has superior International Health Insurance goes to the hospital, and for a nominal fee of a few thousand baht (charged by the hospital) would have the hospital check the foreigner's insurance, have the hospital stamp/approve an official Thai document for the foreigner, and that would be accepted by Immigration as proof of health Insurance meeting/exceeding the Thai government health insurance requirement.  

Would that not be a win-win scenario? The hospital gets more money.  Thailand gets people with far superior insurance who will use their insurance supporting the Thai hospitals.  And the foreigner for a nominal fee (few thousand baht ? ) is not forced to dump their superior insurance for Thai specified insurance which is not as good.

Of course this is not true for everyone, but it would be good for those of us who already have excellent health and insurance for us and our families, and who were never a burdon on the Thai taxpayer.

I wonder if such an approach was ever considered?   One difficulty I see is International Health Insurance is not always structured in terms of in-patient/out-patient, so having a hospital such as Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Vichaiyut Hospital  confirm the Thai in-patient/out-patient requirement is met, may not be so easy (and hence not doable for a few thousand baht).

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

What is her reason for not doing it?

Doing it has no repercussions for her. She can keep her maiden name if she wants to. No problem to buy land or houses.

 

I posted in a separate thread on this topic.  

She notes there are legal aspects in Thailand, where a spouse signature is required (such as going for a loan, complications for a Thai woman on Board of Directors of a Thai company (wrt needing husband's signature)).  Also this being Thailand, and her of course raised in Thailand and knowing how laws can change at times  (and be reverted), she does have a fear that things could revert to the past (~40 years back) when Thai woman could not own property if married to a foreigner.  I keep reminding her that is the past and not today, and she keeps reminding me that things do not always move progressively in this part of the world.  

To register our marriage (we were married 18-years ago in Canada) we need to:

   *  Go to Bangkok from Phuket and stay there in Bangkok for almost a week.

   *   Obtain an English declaration form with instructions available at the Canadian Embassy.

   *  Complete the English declaration form and submit the completed form to the Embassy with the fee for notary service (about 1200 baht)
   *  Have the completed and notarized English declaration translated into Thai by a certified translator in Bangkok. This could take1-2 days to complete.
   *   Take the documents to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have them certified there.

   *   Head back to Phuket

   *   In Phuket have the marriage registered at the appropriate Phuket district office

So there is an inconvenience factor.  Still I now have her considering this (with a possible trip to Bangkok in January-2020).

If it was not for this new Health Insurance requirement on the type-OA visa, she would not consider doing such, as there is no benefit for her having the marriage registered in Thailand.   wrt benefit for me, I am fortunate that having 400k or 800k baht in the bank is not an issue.  Rather for me, its my far superior Health Insurance not being accepted, that is the issue.

I could of course go for more Health Insurance (keeping my old and going for Thai approved insurance with massive deductions), but my experience in life, is once one starts paying 2x for something, then 3x is next, and 4x is next ... and one ends up in extortion.  So its best to avoid that path altogether.

12 hours ago, Momofarang said:

Therefore for someone in my situation, 67 with a couple of pre-existings, it would be wise to get the extra useless cover for about one percent of my income. I am already spending 8.5% on health covers for the whole family anyway. And I don't believe they will accept existing covers in any near future ...

 

IMHO it is unfortunate that those of us on a Type-OA with existing Health Insurance that exceeds any of the Insurance offered by the Thai approved Health Insurance companies, are being pressured to change our health insurance, if we wish to remain on a Type-OA visa + subsequent extensions.  

I'll be 66 in less than a month, no pre-existing health issues.  I do have significantly superior subsidised health insurance (>50% paid by organisation that I retired from) that comes with my pension, and will continue for the rest of my life (and my much younger wife's life), with a 'cap' on my monthly fee such that my health insurance payments do not increase in price as I get older (nor as my wife gets older when I do pass away).  Further, my health insurance also fully insures my wife - again, with requirements far exceeding the Thai specified in-patient/out-patient minimum. 

With this health insurance, my wife and I can go to the most expensive Thai hospitals if/as required, have our medical bills paid, which benefits those hospitals (and hence Thai people) as I in essence help fund those hospitals.  Getting good treatment from those hospitals also benefits my wife and myself.

My wife is Thai, so she is NOT using the Thai medical system, but rather my insurance pays for her, saving the Thai tax payer money.    Our marriage is registered in North America and Europe, but not registered in Thailand, as my wife did not want it registered here in Thailand (more on that below - and I also noted this in a separate Thai Visa thread). 

My choices are to either : (a) change my visa (which "may" be temporary if similar health insurance implications placed on other visas in the future), or

                                         (b) change my heath insurance to the Thai approved Insurance companies, which means I pay 2x or 3x as much, and only cover myself and not my wife (which in essence costs the Thai taxpayer more) and means I can not go to the best hospitals, or

                                         (c) pressure my Thai wife to agree to register our marriage here in Thailand so I don't have to prove our far superior health insurance.

Obviously I am working on (c), but so far my wife is not keen on such. 

Still, IMHO its unfortunate that the current views (from what I have read) in posts/stories on this forum,  suggest that superior international health insurance is not likely to be accepted, despite the Thai Certificate of Foreign Insurance being completed.  I believe this is probably true that superior foreign insurance may not accepted. 

Why? 

I believe because it is deemed too difficult for Thai immigration officials to verify the international insurance (in a foreign language) presented to them.  How can they be certain the insurance is as good as it is claimed to be, if they can't read the insurance documents? Its far easier to verify insurance on an already validated list. 

Also, Andacura Panwa (on Khao Khad road and also within walking distance of where I live) also has a Christmas Eve spread at 2300 baht/couple ... (before tax - around 2450 baht after tax ). 

I checked most of the restaurants just prior to the Cape Panwa boardwalk (ie on highway 429) and also the restaurants along the Cape Panwa boardwalk (on the way to the Aquarium) - None of them have a Christmas special.  Most did not know what was typically included in such.  I confess thou, the one place I did not check was Tree Top Bar and restaurant, which while having a rather slight possibility (that it would offer such) is probably the most likely of the restaurants (along the hwy-429 'strip' of a half dozen restaurants) to have such.

A couple of the hotel restaurants, along the Kao Khad Beach (which is in walking distance from where I live) have a Christmas Eve spread planned.  For example, "My Beach" has a Christmas Eve dinner for 1900-baht/adult (and 950-baht/child).  

I don't have a Panwa area answer yet.  I found this in Kata at the Pig and Whistle in Kata.  I am continuing to look for places closer to my location.   

On 12/8/2019 at 1:16 PM, madmitch said:

O'Tools in Karon always have a Christmas lunch

https://otools-phuket.com/christmas-lunch-dinner-2019/

Thanks ... that is also good to know of.  Karon is a bit far from my place close to Cape Panwa, but Christmas lunch at O'Tools does look to be interesting. 

I am tempted (in next few days) to visit some of the restaurants in Cape Panwa area, and Ao Yon beach / KaoKhad beach area and see if any have Christmas Eve or Christmas Day traditional western meal sets planned.

2 hours ago, pagallim said:

This could be an alternative for you.   There is also The Islander in Rawai, though I haven't seen their menu yet.

Thanks.  That has a very reasonable price (at 900 THB) compared to most other places. 

I am 'relatively' new to Phuket, and my understanding is this Phuket Yacht Club is the one just north of Phuket Town, and not to be confused with the Royal Phuket Yacht Club hotel restaurants which are in Nai Harn Bay area.  If I am correct, that is a bit further than I prefer to go, although I think traffic should be light on Christmas Day.

I'll also look into The Islander in Rawai for a Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day) dinner.  I have not been there before, and its always good to learn of a new Sports Bar.

I am looking for a place to go for a Christmas dinner - either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, in southern Phuket.  Hence I am looking for suggestions. 

I have researched this a bit (as noted below) but I would be happy to learn of other less expensive options for a 'traditional' Christmas meal (Canadian or American or English style meal).

I am new to Phuket (only been here since May this year) and I live in far south of Phuket (Kao Khad beach area) and hence I prefer a place in either Cape Panwa area, Rawaii, Chalong, or Phuket Town. Outside possibilities would be Kata or Karon but no further north.  My research suggests that eliminates about 80% of the possible places to go to.  Places I have considered are:

• AoYon Beach - Cove Restaurant - Christmas Eve/Day (?) - about 1900 THB/person
• Panwa Pullman Hotel - Christmas Eve - about 1500++ THB/person, but unclear to me if that includes a meal or if it is just a celebration
• Panwa Area, Crown Plaza Hotel  - Christmas Eve - about 1990 THB/person
• Chalong, Greenman Pub, - Christmas Eve/Day - about 2150 THB/person
• Rawaii - Fresco Kitchen and Deli - Christmas Eve about 1990 THB/person
• Rawaii - Serenity Report - Christmas Eve - 2200 THB/person
• Kata Rocks - Christmas Eve (?) - 3600 THB/person
• Kata - Two Chefs - Christmas Eve - 1250 THB/person (two sittings one at 6pm and one at 9pm)
• Kata Noi - Implana Private Villas - Christmas Eve - 5,990++ THB/couple
• SIS Kata - Christmas Day buffet (6pm-10pm) - 850 THB/person
• Karon Novotel - Joe Kool's Poolside Restaurant - Christmas Eve - 2,999 THB/person
• Karon, Hilton Arcadia Resort - Christmas Eve - 2800++ THB/person
• Karon, Movenpick, El Gauche - Christmas Eve - 1599 THB/person, or 3,098 THB/person or 3,999 THB/person (menu dependent)

I have not yet found places in Phuket Town, although I suspect there must be. Plus there are many other hotels in the AoYon / Panwa area, and I have not yet learned of their offerings.

Of course one could go for a Thai meal (less than 100 THB) but for a Christmas celebration meal, I am looking for a bit more.

Hence additions/suggestions to add to this thread would be of most interest.  My understanding is one must also reserve early, in order to reserve a spot, as historically seatings fill up fast. 

Again, I am curious about Southern Phuket.

Dependent on the investments of your wife, my understanding is she may have a lot more paperwork to do, if you register your marriage in Thailand.

I was told that if she goes to buy/sell property, she may need your signature for some legal aspects of this.  Again, I've been told if she goes for a loan, she may need your signature (as her husband) for aspects of the loan approval.  I've also been told if she is on the Board of Director's of a company, she could also have additional complications wrt requiring husband's signature for things.  I've also been told in some of those noted cases, dozens of pages may need to be signed/husband's initials for some legal things she needs to do, which could be an annoyance.

Of course the odds of those specifics affecting most on this forum are likely slim, ... but it could be a factor.

I know it is a factor for myself ... Where we have our marriage registered in country(s) in North America and Europe, but not in Thailand (yet) - where the above are considerations for my Thai wife and she does not yet want to register our marriage in Thailand (complicating my life wrt Health Insurance).

54 minutes ago, ukrules said:

The Thai government should make some changes to this scheme, many people have excellent insurance with foreign insurance companies which offers far more cover than you're going to get with any mainstream local policy.

I hope that will be the case ... ie hoping Thailand will allow foreign health insurance (that can be proven to exceed the Thai health insurance requirements) for type-OA.

My health Insurance comes with my pension plan, hence I have this insurance for life (I am currently age-65).  Having health insurance assured for life is a major factor.  As part of my pension, my health insurance is subsidized (with subsidy increasing as I go older such that my payments do not increase).  For me it is cheaper than my going on my own to get Thai health insurance.  

Plus, given its coverage is excellent,  it means my health insurance will subsidize my going to the most expensive Thailand hospitals, and hence help to support those Thailand hospitals and Thai expensive/quality medical services ... and hence helping Thailand.    I think that with only a minimal 400K/40K health insurance coverage (that would cost me more money than my current subsidized insurance), I likely would not be supporting the more expensive Thailand hospitals.

On 11/29/2019 at 7:51 PM, Tounge Thaied said:

Have you considered getting this form (link below) filled out. My understanding is this form only needs to "director" names printed on the bottom, and one signature from the any company representative. My understanding is, the IO for the OA should accept this form to satisfy the your insurance.

https://longstay.tgia.org/document/overseas_insurance_certificate.pdf

I am on a type OA (issued in March-2019 and valid to March-2020) and I entered Thailand in May-2019.   My insurance is Cigna International, and provides health coverage far exceeding that of the 400k/40k Thai requirement.   I have sent that form to Cigna International, and I am waiting to see if they return it to me signed/stamped ...

I have been searching this forum to see if anyone on a Type-OA has been successful using that form (properly filled in) in lieu of the 'recommended Thai government list of approved insurance' companies'. 

I have yet to find a single example of one using the completed "Foreign Insurance Certificate" properly filled in (when proof of health insurance was deemed necessary by an IO), and having it accepted or refused.

It would be good to read of a positive experience where such a form has been filled in.

.

Thank you all for the suggestions.  I think I will park at the International car park (likely on the upper levels) and then go meet the guest at the International arrivals.  We will then proceed together to the lifts to the level where the car is parked (I anticipate a lot of luggage). Hopefully the line for the lifts will not be too bad.

Any suggestions on where to park when picking up a 1st time international arrivals visitor to Phuket (and to Thailand)?

I will be by myself and need to pickup a 1st time visitor to Thailand (1st time to Asia) at the Phuket international airport. They will have no phone/sim that functions in Thailand, so I was thinking to park my car, and then meet them at International arrivals inside the terminal.  We could then either walk together to my parked car (with luggage) or I could then walk back to parked car and pick them up at one of the International Arrivals entrances to outside.    They will be heavily jet lagged after a long flight from western Europe.

However I have no familiarity with parking at the International Arrivals in Phuket.  I've never parked there before.

Hence my question ... Any recommendations as to the best approach? 

Unfortunately I need to do so by myself (without someone else to sit in car and bring car), and its best I pick them up at airport (as opposed to them taking a taxi), as where we go after the airport is over an hour car drive from the airport and off the 'beaten path'.

Thankyou for all the suggestions and advice in this thread.

In the end I purchased the CyberPower UT1500E 1500VA / 900W (ordered it a few days ago).   It arrived yesterday.

After an overnight charge, I plugged my desktop PC (but not my monitor nor my speakers) and I also routed my wired Ethernet through the CyberPower Ethernet in/out outlet on the back of the UPS.  And I connected a USB cable from UPS to my desktop PC.

I previous had downloaded the CyberPower "PowerPanel" software, thinking I would install it after booting my PC (plugged in to the UPS), but to my surprise after booting my PC (running openSUSE-15.0 with KDE), I noted this icon in the right corner of my desktop.  

Nominally I only see that with a laptop computer, ... but I confess nothing in my (albeit limited) research, suggested that I should expect that for a desktop plugged into the UPS.  I figure it must have been because I connected the UPS to the desktop also via the USB. So it was a pleasant surprise.

If one clicks on the icon one will see this:

I also went through the KDE power management settings and tuned them a bit.    

It has me thinking .... should I still install the CyberPower "PowerPanel" software?

I do note that the CyberPower "PowerPanel" command line package available on the CyberPower site (for GNU/Linux) offers more settings, so I am thinking I may still proceed with my original plan and install the CyberPower software.  First thou - I am wondering if it may conflict with the KDE settings, and my assumption is if I set the KDE settings for no action, then the CyberPower daemon will take precedence.

Its been educational ... and I am still finalizing on the settings I want wrt action to take if there is a power outage.
.

Daisy chaining UPS ... that was an interesting story!  ... I don't think I will go quite that far.

While I am leaning heavily toward purchasing the  a CyberPower UPS UT1500E-AS,1500VA/900WATT , I am also considering the the APC UPS 1400VA BX1400U-MS.   This APC model thou has a smaller rating of 700 watts vs the CyberPower's 900 watts.   It does not come with a Type-B USB cable (one needs to buy that cable) while my understanding is the CyberPower provides the USB cable with their packaging (TBC), and further, the APC model is 30% more expensive than the CyberPower.   Possibly the only advantage I can see for the APC is it is more 'name brand' and it might be more simple to change its battery than change the battery in the CyberPower.   

I am leaning toward purchasing the CyberPower, mainly due to its cheaper price.

29 minutes ago, tifino said:

do you really really need to have your UPS intelligently linked to your computer?

 -the hassles in getting the right App, just to see RPMs! or whatever unnecessary complications...

 

Yes, ... I need the UPS and PC intelligently linked.   Most of the time I will not be around the computer room when it is running, nor possibly  in my condo when the PC is running.  So I will not be around to react to the power outage, which could likely last longer than the UPS battery can provide power.

I have been using GNU/Linux since 1998 (as my only desktop) so I am not too intimidated by installing an RPM nor using the CyberPower GNU/Linux application. I watched a video about someone configuring it, and I downloaded the manual - it does not look too difficult for myself.  Possibly my being a (retired) engineer helps a bit in my not having the 'hassle' which others might.

My research did indicate (which I think you infer) that having a USB connection drives up the UPS price a fair amount, in addition to adding complexity.

Any suggestions for a UPS to be purchased and used in Thailand with a GNU/Linux home desktop (where that desktop is occasionally left powered over night and all day)?

I recently moved to Phuket earlier this year, and earlier this month I finally got around to unpacking my desktop computer. I have already had a couple of unexpected power outages in the short time my desktop has been up and running, so I figure I should consider a UPS.

I considered APC UPS (as there is excellent GNU/Linux support for those UPS), but unfortunately those are priced rather high compared, for example, to the CyberPower.  I'm currently considering a CyberPower UPS UT1500E-AS,1500VA/900WATT which I can purchase in Thailand (by mail order) from Lazada for a reasonable price.

My desktop has a Core-i7 and I use a 27" monitor (running openSUSE GNU/Linux). I often have a couple of external hard drives attached when using the desktop, so I figure it is better to 'err' on the slightly higher side wrt UPS capacity.   My goal is to have a shutdown of my GNU/Linux desktop within a few minutes of any power outage - even when UPS battery is 3 to 4 years old. So based on that, obviously a "USB" interface from UPS to PC is essential.

I note CyberPower support GNU/Linux and they have an RPM one can download and install (for OpenSUSE, in addition to other GNU/Linux distributions). There is at least one Youtube video tutorial explaining how to configure a GNU/Linux system using the CyberPower GNU/Linux support package.

Still, I am curious about other UPS. 

In Thailand I note a locally produced UPS is the Chuphotic brand ... but most of the information I've seen on such is in Thai language (which I don't speak).   I have not read of any GNU/Linux support for the Chuphotic (in English language, nor software for GNU/Linux), and price wise in the local shops it is no cheaper than CyberPower brand on Lazada (froom what I can tell).

Stories ... experiences ... advice ... feedback in general on UPS is welcome.

On 8/25/2019 at 4:09 PM, Pattaya46 said:

I use Debian for decades for my job on web servers and don't see the point to change for another distrib on my own computer.

I think that a good idea.  I do not believe being a 'distro hopper' is productive.   As a distro hopper one does get to see different ways of doing things only in a very superficial way (IMHO).  I've read countless posts of distro hopper who complain about function 'x' in a distro, where if they had only spent a small time more in that same distro they would have learned that distro has function 'y' which means function 'x' not needed or easily worked around, but they never learn.  I think sticking with what one knows as much as possible (whether it be Mac, Windows, or a specific GNU/Linux distribution) is the way to go.

I'm 65 with a Thai wife and no children.  I've been working in Europe for close to the past 2 decades and retired in far south of Phuket in May of this year.   My wife is also an engineer, and she has retired with me.

I previous (in 1997 to 1999) time frame lived in a small 'bachelor' type apartment on the Beach in Chalong Phuket, so I knew in advance what I was 'getting into' although its fair to say Phuket has changed a LOT in past 2 decades.  As it turns out, that beach apartment was destroyed in the Tsunami of 2004 so I am fortunate I was not living in it then.  

Today Phuket is very much an Urban Island, as opposed to a couple of decades ago when it was still commercialized, but not commercialized as much then as it is today.

As two retired engineers with no children, we are 'far' from being beach bums wrt finances - but I do like living by the sea as decades ago I was in the Navy for 14-years.  The sea is now in my blood.   So we purchased an upmarket condo in the far south of Phuket, right on the beach (7.81949   98.38491).  We get a great sea view and direct beach access.  Every morning before it gets too hot (from 6:30am to 8:00am) we go for a 6km walk, most of which is along the beach.   Our specific condominium unit is far enough elevated above the sea level that I do not worry about a Tsunami hitting the coast while I am asleep.

Being in the far south means a vehicle is very very useful to get around, so we purchased a couple of automobiles (one for each of us).  For myself, within 2 months of arriving I obtained a Thai driver's license.

Phuket has lots of hospitals, with a number of them within 30-minutes car drive of where we live.  We are also about 1-hour car drive from the Phuket International Airport (more or less dependent on traffic) which is very nice. There are a few restaurants within walking distance (more during high season) which is nice.  Also there is a 7/11 / mini-Mart within walking distance .... where these are all considerations.

Of course such a condo as we purchased is not cheap so its clearly not the life for anyone.   Phuket itself IMHO is more expensive than most other areas of Thailand.   Further to retire in Thailand one also must meet the necessary finances for immigration and for health insurance, in addition to costs for living.

I believe that there is a lot to be said for renting initially when one comes to Thailand, to help one confirm they like the idea of long term stays in Thailand, and that they like the area that they have selected.  Clearly Thailand is not for everyone.

I also note far south in Phuket is about 4 hours or more by car from ThungSong so likely its more the concept of my retirement, than specifics that you would find of interest.

On 7/5/2019 at 7:06 PM, stat said:

It says so on there website:

 

3 Kopien des Wohnraumnachweises in Thailand z.B. Kopien des Mietvertrags in Thailand oder eine Einladung von dem Bürgen in Thailand oder Kopien des thailändischen Hausregisters

 

I successfully obtained my one-year multiple entry Type-OA from Frankfurt Royal Thai Consulate back in March of this year.  In my case I own a unit in a condominium in Thailand, so it was relatively easy for me to simply include 3 copies of my proof of condominium unit ownership - which was good enough for them for this aspect of the Type-OA application.

Thanks for the replies.   It appears my concern that I need to be in Thailand on 27-March-2020 (my multiple-entry Type-OA visa valid until date) is unfounded, as long as I enter Thailand on ~3-March-2020.

That ~3-March-2020 entry to Thailand will give me a "permission to stay" stamp in my passport until ~1-March-2021.  Then in the 4 to 6 March-2020 timeframe I can go to Thai immigration, and apply via a TM-8 for a 1-year multiple-re-entry (~3800 baht) based on that 1-March-2021 permission to stay.

I could then leave Thailand mid-March-2020, and return to Thailand mid-April-2020, based on the TM-8 re-entry permit associated with the ~1-March-2021 passport permission to stay.

Is it necessary to be in Thailand on a Type-OA Visa’s “VALID-UNTIL” date if one, when in Thailand, applies for a multiple re-entry (TM-8) on the “permission to stay (admitted until)” a few weeks prior to the Type-OA Visa's VALID-UNTIL date?

Let me explain.

I have a multiple entry Type-OA Visa valid from 28-March-2019 to 27-March-2020. A likely non-relevant point is I entered Thailand on 10-May-2019 and my passport is stamped “ADMITTED UNTIL 8-May-2020) and I plan to stay in Thailand until mid-Feb-2020.

Then I plan to leave Thailand in mid-Feb-2020 for month (downhill ski trip) and return in early-March-2020 for a few days (change ski clothes to summer clothes) and then leave Thailand for 4 to 6 weeks returning to Thailand in April-2020. After that I plan to stay in Thailand possibly for the remainder of the year 2020.

Say after being away in Feb-2020 (on my ski trip) I return to Thailand 3-March-2020. My understanding is on 3-March-2020, my Passport will then likely be stamped “ADMITTED UNTIL” 1-March-2021 (approximate date).

QUESTION : Can I then on 4/5-March-2020 go to Thai immigration, and obtain a multiple re-entry on that “ADMITTED UNTIL “ 1-March-2021 (via a TM-8), and then leave Thailand (say on 7/8-March) and thus not be in Thailand on 27-March-2020, when my Type-OA is no longer valid.  But since I have (hopefully) a multiple re-entry based on the “ADMITTED UNTIL” 1-March-2021 I will then not need to apply for a new Visa when I return to Thailand in mid-April-2020?

ie. Will the TM-8 multiple-re-entry based on the last ADMITTED UNTIL 1-March-2021 still be applicable … or does the Type-OA Visa “valid until 27-March-2020” take precedence (forcing me to either be in Thailand on 27-March-2020 or forcing me to apply for a new Type-OA Visa if out of Thailand on 27-March-2020).

I’m concerned if I am not in Thailand on the 27-March-2020 date (when Type-OA Visa validity ends), that the TM-8 multiple re-entry (based on the ADMITTED UNTIL 1-March-2021 passport stamp) won’t help me.

I’m trying to figure this out now so I can make long range travel plans, co-coordinating with friends. If I need to be in Thailand on 27-March-2020, that will impact my travel co-ordination with others.

I hope I have the terminology correct.

5 hours ago, petl said:

No Alsa Mixer installed (that I can find). The sound problem seemed to happen after I did a routine software update recently, everything else seems OK.

Have you restarted your PC since the routine software update?   

Do you know what an 'xterm' (ie x-windows terminal) is ?   If so you can run alsamixer by typing "alsamixer" in such a terminal (don't type the quotes).   

I live in Phuket so can not help with your Udon Thani technician question.