alantheembalmer

From Pratunam to the Golden Mount takes about 15 to 20 minutes, (westbound), depending on the enthusiasm of the driver, and it costs 10 baht. Be careful if you stand in the middle, as the roof is lowered rather quickly when going under low bridges!

OK, I know that Sanam Luang has never been the prettiest park in Bangkok, but lately it looks like a cross between a car park and a refugee camp. Does anyone have any idea if the authorities are ever going to do something with the place? After all, it is in front of the main tourist attraction in Bangkok, if not Thailand.

It they each want retirement extension of stay they each have to show 800k in there own accounts. But only one needs retirement if married - the other can obtain without financials as dependent.

Just out of interest, my wife and I got our retirement extensions in Oct 2009 at Bangkok Immigration, and we had a joint account with over 1,600,000 baht in it. Therefore, more than 800,000 baht each. This was acceptable to immigration.

I sincerely hope that they keep the 20 baht note. On the reverse side there is a picture of Rama VIII bridge, and you can see the building in which I live. This has been a great way of getting Bangkok cabbies to my residence. Besides, not many people can say that there is a picture of their home on a banknote!

I have read many postings about water filters, but I am still confused.

I am installing a new kitchen soon, and I want to fit a water filter under the sink. I have never had one before, so I would like to know exactly what am I trying to eliminate from Bangkok mains water? I read in The Nation that Bangkok water exceeds WHO requirements for drinking water quality. Does that mean that tap water is potable?

I have read many opinions on this site, so if anyone has any facts about the mains water quality, and the contaminants that it may contain, I would be very grateful to hear them.

Many thanks

Alan

I got my retirement extension in October this year using a fixed rate GBP savings account to satisfy the 800,000 baht rule. The bank converted the savings into baht and put that figure on the letter that I gave to immigration in Bangkok, with no problems.

Hope this helps.

Thank you to everyone that has replied. I will go and check the stores mentioned.

Alan

Does anyone know of a good place to buy Christmas cards? Come to think of it, is there anywhere that sells greetings cards in general? The few places I've found that sell cards are all pretty grim.

Many thanks. Alan.

I don't know where you live, but if the traffic is particularly horendous, you could get a taxi to the river, then get the express boat to Saphan Taksin and connect with the Skytrain.

Good luck.

Alan

Have you noticed how all the people who like, or at least tolerate winter in England, can only do so with alcohol? I'll take Thailand any day.

My next 90 day report is on 15 Jan 2009. I am going to Cambodia on 19 Jan 2009. Can I use the +/-7 day grace period at the airpot instead of going to immigration to report?

My wife and I went to Bangkok immigration yesterday, and we both got our 1 year retirement extension. We are British citizens, and, of course, both aged over 50.

We took the savings in a Thai bank route, and this is where it might be of interest to other members, because we have a joint account, (with savings well over the equivilent of 800,000 baht each), in a foreign currency account at Bangkok Bank in GBP. This means that we only have a certificate to show immigration, (no pass book), and the letter from Bangkok Bank, which showed the amount in sterling along with the baht amount at that day's exchange rate. This presented no problem to immigration, and no questions were asked by the immigration officer about this type of account for the purpose of obtaining a retirement extension.

I hope this will be of help to other people who are considering applying for this type of extension.

Alan

A very nice Bangkok cabbie once thought he was doing me a favour, when I sat in the front of his taxi, by turning all the vents of the a/c off except the one on my side, to keep me cool. When I got out, the left-hand side of my face was so cold that it was completely numb and I couldn't talk properly, and it felt like I had a stroke! Maybe he was just trying to do her a good turn, like mine was with me.

So what was so Hellish about her trip?

At least she is not devious!

Can it also be a single entry non immigrant O visa?

Yes, it can.

Jingthing

Thanks for the prompt answer. I needed to know, because the single entry is what I've got!

Alan

1. The rule is 800k in bank or 65k or combination. If you have the 65k income you do not need the money in bank.

2. If you have a multi entry non immigrant O visa now (90 day stays) you can change during the last 30 days of any entry to retirement extension of stay if over age 50. All you will need is the Embassy letter, copies of your passport/departure card a 4x6cm current photo and 1,900 baht for the TM.7 You surly do not need a lawyer.

Lopburi3

Just a point of clarification needed. You say in point 2 that you need a multi entry non immigrant O visa. Can it also be a single entry non immigrant O visa?

Alan

If we are expected to live in the eyesore that is featured in the photo in the article, no wonder we are all leaving.

Just listened to The Archers. Isn't Jazza such a slime ball?

never been the same since Walter Gabriel pegged it. Just listen to a docu on George Blake and it worked very well.

I think Walter Gabriel should be credited with using "Dohh" years before Homer Simpson. Do you think the Simpsons listen to the Archers?

Beano.

Thanks for the information, I'll check them out.

Alan

Does anyone know of a company in Bangkok that will deliver frozen vegetables to my condo? Oh, by the way, I'd like them to be delivered in a temperature controlled vehicle, so that they are still frozen when I receive them. I know it's a long shot, but thanks for any help.

Alan

Not only is there a legal obligation upon all of us to oppose corruption, but there is a also a moral imperative not to condone or excuse it as well. To simply say that it is petty, or that it is "tea money", is to hide the fact that it is inevitably helping the bad drive out the good. How much will the advocates of corruption be protesting when, after years of papering over the cracks, they then discover that the whole edifice is collapsing?

Once a cabbie refused to turn his meter on when he said he would. I just told him that I was a black cab driver in London, and on came the meter. Honour among thieves?

Dottie

Thank you for your very informative post. Siriraj is the closest hospital to where I live, and I always meant to find out if I could be accepted as a patient there. After your experience, I e-mailed them, and they replied very quickly with a factual and detailed reply. The next step is to register myself there, and to have a medical examination. Fortunately, I am in good health at the moment, so I can do this in my own time.

Many thanks again, and I hope that others on this forum read your post, as it is excellant.

Alan

My mate got his Thai GF to have a sudoku puzzle tattooed on her lower back. He reckons that it takes his mind off the event when they are having hanky panky, so that it lasts longer. She seems well satisfied with the results.