JimGant

You only need one retirement (long stay) visa to cover you both if legally married (even if not Thai) but as said the O/A type can only be obtained in your country of residence. What you can do however, is to change your tourist visa (one) to a single entry non immigrant visa and then after 60 days (perhaps sooner if stars are in right position) apply for an extension of stay/retirement visa.

Lop, how do the mechanics of 'one visa, two married people' work? If only 'he' has an O-A visa, how does Immigration deal with 'she' at Don Muang? (Or has MFA issued 'her' an O-A visa too based on his application?) Also, for annual extensions, does she need medical -- and does she pay for and get the same extension and re-entry stamps as 'he?' (presumably yes, but if no visa in her passport obviously 'his' visa and a marriage certificate would seemingly need to be involved(?)).

I just can't visualize entering Don Muang as a couple, but with only 'he' having an O-A visa?

Just curious.

As totster says, the OA would have to be obtained in the US. But you can convert a tourist visa to a Non Imm 'O' for purposes of applying for a retirement extension -- at least some have done this in the past, and only in Bangkok, as I recall. And as you already have a bank account established in Thailand, plus a retirement income, I wouldn't think you'd have any problems.

To eventually get the extension, you'll need a medical certificate and Embassy/Consulate certification of your retirement pay (if you have 800,000bt in the bank, you *may* not need to show a certified income statement -- but many have commented here that Immigration likes to see proof of income, even when your bank account meets the criteria). Also, I don't know whether you need medical et al to convert tourist visa to a Non Imm 'O' -- or only when you finally apply for an extension based on retirement. But certainly you'll chat with Immigration ahead of time to see exactly what 't's' you need to cross.

Since wife is Thai, it would be cheaper -- and easier -- if she has a current Thai passport, as she then won't have to do this annual Immigration extension drill. And travelling between Thailand and the States, using both Thai and US passports, is doable (search this Forum). But if she only has a US passport, she can extend her stay here based on being a Thai National (born here), without all the hoopla you'll need as a farang (but it will still cost the same as you for extension and re-entry stamps).

So, don't forget to bring a copy of your retirement pay statement with you -- should you decide to hang around awhile.

There are people here that may believe you. biggrin.gif

You mean................?

The toothbrush is probably BER (Beyond Economical Repair) chuck it and get a new one.

Haven't seen these yet in Thailand, but in the States the battery powered toothbrushes (Crest seems to be the biggest) are huge sellers, and they're only about 1/10th the cost of a plug-in electric toothbrush. And my dentist (Stateside) swears electric toothbrushes will do wonders in curbing gum disease.

So having said that, if you buy one of these in the States, make sure you buy extra AA batteries, as the Thai AA batteries have twice the voltage.....

By the way what is a water pick?

It's the same thing as that hose that hangs by the toilet, only for the other orifice. Best if used with potable water (hope you know what that is, Shaker?)

Wouldnt this mean you come back in without needing any re-entry endorsement or paying for a re-entry fee before you leave??

Yes, as you'll be treated as just someone else without a visa. And as such, can get a 30-day stamp (no-visa-required), assuming you're not from one of the countries excluded from this deal.

Interestingly, I had a somewhat similar situation. My Mutli Entry 'O' expired June 1, but I got here in May. I was going to Hong Kong the first week of June, and had decided I could go get a single re-entry stamp from Immigration that would allow me to return to Thailand and still be good until late August (when my 90-day stamp received in May expires). But I cancelled the Hong Kong trip before I'd gone for the re-entry stamp.

But I assume (Lop?) I could have gotten such a re-entry stamp had I applied(?).

there are those on this forum who contend that a re-entry permit is necessary even with a multiple entry, one year O-A visa.

I do remember one guy asserting this point -- and I believe Immigration had led him to this conclusion. BUT it sure sounds like just one more uncertainty that Immigration has about OAs.........

I can't imagine being denied reentry into Thailand if your NonImm Multi-entry visa has not expired. It doesn't make any difference its color -- O, OA, B, BA, etc -- MFA has authorized you multiple entries into Thailand up to expiration date. Yes, Immigration can deny entry -- for cause -- but that situation doesn't fit here.

But I'd sure get a re-entry permit once my NonImm Multi-entry expired. Immigration is bound to figure out the OA dilemna -- and I wouldn't want to be their test case.

No, it was Multi Non-Imm 'o' visa

Using what criteria? And was it for a full year? (Thai Embassy in US sometimes only issues a Multi NI O for 6 months. Why? Because they can.)

I've already paid tax on my money twice

RDN,

Please elaborate. GB has a tax treaty with Thailand, right? How so the double taxation?

Probably should start a new thread -- but since jokes about the French are always semi-serious.........

What's the deal on today's front page of the Bangkok Post about Koh Chang, where 64 Thai sailors were killed in Jan 1941 by a French warship!!?? Obviously Vichy, but had never heard anything about Vichy activity against the Thais -- and wasn't Thailand neutral in Jan '41 (the Jap invasion later forced them to take sides)?

A history lesson would be appreciated (although maybe the joke column isn't appropriate).

Not always true as insurance and other deductions can effect the net pay and that is what should be reported.

I guess if they're looking for 'takehome pay' -- and I was right on the margin -- I would just go online with DFAS and change tax withholding to zero, wait a week 'til the new statement was available online, then print that out for Embassy looksee (and then go back and change withholding to where it was -- or just pay estimated taxes online).

But I guess the question I'm really asking is how closely does the US Embassy/Consulate look at my statement -- and would they add a 'pay never goes down' descriptor to the verification? I think I read here on TV that they just take your word for it -- and don't even look at your pay statement(?).

Oh, do they report amount in baht, using the current exchange rate? If so, would think exchange rate used would need to be shown should you be able to use this verification in future annual extensions.............

"Income Letter" from the US Embassy...

What exactly does this say? Is it just boilerplate -- or does it say something like, 'Joe Shmoe earns $x in retirement per year.'

Curious, because as Air Force retired, pension amount will only go up every year (until the Iraqi insurgents take over Washington). As such, a clause saying 'this retirement amount is guaranteed for life,' or some such thing, should preclude having to go back every year for a new statement.

One rai seems to be the magic number for foreigners in Thailand. Even the 'big bucks' folks are restricted to that number. I guess if the law ever allows me, a foreign peasant, to own land, I'll be restricted to one rai, just like Mr. Rich. Unfortunately, I'm 'leasing' from my wife over 3 Rai.

Code Amendment Act (No. 8) B.E. 2542 (A.D. 1999), Section 96 bis

 

The provisions governing the acquisition of land by aliens by virtue of a treaty under

Section 86 Paragraph 1 shall not apply to aliens who have brought money for investment in an amount fixed in the Ministerial Regulations. However, in no case shall it be less than

Baht 40 million, whereby the land so acquired for use as residence shall not be more than

one rai, and permission therefor must be obtained from the Minister.

Potential problems, if the owner dies, that does not effect my rights, but maybe the new owners unlawfully force you out. Of course of the owner has a will, then it's carried out.

That lease is pretty imposing, at least mine was when we got done at the Land Office. My name is all over the land deed as the lessee, good for 30 years (no formal option is on the deed saying I can extend for another 30 years -- agent said that was not recordable as such on the deed. I'll be dead in 30 years, so it's no big deal.) But I can't see where new owners of the land can legally force you out before your initial 30 is up......

Related to the above, the following from a Thai law site (see link at bottom of post):

Private Land Ownership Options

Laws regarding lease of property or buildings fall under the Hire of Property General

Provisions of the Civil and Commercial Code. Land, houses, condominium units, and other

buildings may be leased to foreigners for up to 30 years, with possible renewal for another

30 years. However, it should be noted that the renewal option might not be enforceable

against someone who purchases the property from the lessor.

So, possible renewing of lease for another 30 years could be queered if a new owner is involved.............But I wouldn't worry about the first 30.

See this link for some more Thai land law:

Thai Law Website

Sounds like all the world's bankers are arse holes. I posted just last week about sneaky fees going up on US credit and ATM cards.

But what's interesting is that, at least in the US, the better deals are with smaller banks, credit unions, and 'banks without buildings.' (Bank of Internet has been mentioned as a good deal -- don't know if you folks down under have anything equivalent.)

But, the big boys are getting greedy. Time to take the business elsewhere (or try and make a deal with your banker, tho' your threat to leave probably will bring a laugh to these service-less bums).

it's not too much trouble to maintain

Could you give us an example of 'too much trouble to maintain?'

Some MBNA cards started charging 3% foreign transaction fees but some do not. Example: Worldpoints does but AAA does not.

Nor does MGNewman's. Strange stuff, this banking business....

USAA atm card only refunds bank fees for transactions within the USA, not outside. Their wording is confusing because they consider "foreign" ATM machines as non USAA owned.

Didn't know that. Fortunately, I've yet to run into any surcharges on ATM machines here in Thailand.

I've been pissed at them for years for granting full status to active duty E-1s but no to retired NCOs.

Doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Their website says "active duty officers and enlisted," so I guess I'd be turned down too if I hadn't joined while on active duty.Seems like it should be open to anyone who did his or her full 20.

From Google:

For better control, a large tail surface was required, but the height of a single, large tail would not fit most airport hangars of the day. A triple-fin design solved the problem.

Hmmm. Maybe crossbreeding with a Buddhist is just what's needed to fix the South..........

This may be obvious -- and why it hasn't been mentioned -- but make sure you use a "CD-R marker" pen to write on your CDs. Other indelible inks can ruin your CDs. I know Carre Four sells 'em, as probably do many other stores here.

As for speed, I'm with RDN: I crank down from the max speed my software (Nero) allows, but only about half way down. Haven't the foggiest if this helps give a better record, but it feels good. Any and all expert advice about this appreciated.

and use one of Bangkok Bank's ATM cash deposit machines.

You're braver than I am. The idea of putting money into a machine -- then having it go 'tilt' -- always worried me. But, I guess this doesn't happen too often, or no one would use the darn things. Besides, the clerks inside my branch are cute.........

Thanx, Ozzy. I haven't been to that Rimping in awhile -- but do remember that the two Rimpings were far from identical (understand a third Rimping will be opening somewhere in Sansai(?))

MG,

Interesting the Visa/MC network fee isn't being charged, at least at the advertised 1% rate (closer to .5% for you, as the Interbank rate on 27 May was 40.439). But your MBNA Visa has me really intrigued -- was it issued to you directly, or thru a third party?

There's all kinds of shananigans out there -- and I've heard banks will negotiate fees with those clever enough to figure them out (most folks, however, don't take enough time to figure things out).

But, I'm still waitng for PTE to report in on Visa debit card POS money transfers to his SCB account.....

Glad you survived your Dengue fever.............

Anyone checked what your US bank is charging to use your ATM card here in Thailand? I've got Suntrust, and up until two months ago, I paid only the 1% fee that the Visa/MC networks charge for international transactions (plus my bank charges a flat $2 for each transaction). Lately, however, they're tacking on an additional charge of around $8 for each transaction (I always get 25000 baht, so it might be a percentage charge -- but I can't tell unless I try another amount). They won't admit to it, however, but it's easy enough to spot: use the BOT website to get the Interbank Exchange Rate for the applicable day, then crunch this against your bank's numbers. Historically, it came out almost perfectly to the 1% Visa/MC charge -- now it's more like 2.2%. But my new USAA ATM card is still 1% at the same Bangkok Bank ATM machine -- so the new charge is not on this end.

Also going up as of May 25th -- MBNA credit card international fees -- from strictly the 1% Visa/MC network charge, to a total of 3%. Heck, I switched to MBNA two years ago because my First USA (now Chase) was charging 3%. Now, apparently, 9 out of 10 major banks are charging at least 3%.

The solution I found: USAA Federal Savings Bank. I got a no-annual-fee Mastercard that doesn't charge anything more than the 1% for the Visa/MC network, plus I get a 1% credit against all charges, so that at the $20,000 mark way down the road, I'll get this $200 back. And I opened a bank account with them too: free checking, free checks, and no ATM fees for foreign exchanges --they even reimburse any fees charged by the foreign bank. Nitnoy, yes -- but it all adds up if you're going to keep using a US account. (But that 1% Visa/MC network charge doesn't go away -- and only does when I use my Bangkok Bank ATM card)

But the bank account was mainly to do SWIFT transfers to Thailand, as I found Suntrust procedures too cumbersome. I just EFT money from Suntrust to USAA, then send a fax to USAA to have it sent to my Bangkok Bank account. I tried this the other night, after loading the Windows XP fax program, which I'd never used before.. Neat! There's no particular form nor pin to provide, just pertinent info like SWIFT code, acct number etc, instructions that USAA provided me in an email. I did this 9:00 PM here (9:00 AM in USAA's San Antonio), and the money was here next day, full Telex exchange rate. For security, they do advertise that they will contact your "phone number of record," and I had already provided them my Thai phone number as a secondary number. They never called, however, and when I asked why, they said this was because the Bangkok Bank account had the same name as the USAA account.

I haven't been to San Antonio in 40 years, so I set this all up via phone and internet. Yes, I've been a USAA member for years, so maybe they already had pertinent info and signatures on file. Heck, I even provided my desired ATM pin over the phone. I did ask about having a foreign address, and they said this was ok but that initially you needed a US address (however, the person I talked to didn't sound completely confident about having to be initially in the US). Anyway, for someone with one foot still over the pond, USAA may be a good option. Oh, you can call toll free from Thailand (but remember it's 12 hour difference in Texas): 001-800-531-22650. Website is helpful too (usaa.com).

Anyway, USAA is but one option. Credit unions can be good, and I know on this forum Schwab and Bank of Internet have been mentioned as attractive. But my main point -- which probably got lost in my long-winded rambling -- is that check to make sure your credit card and ATM banks haven't jacked up their fees lately.

For some further info on USAA, check this out (and don't believe the first person, who implies you must be military to use USAA -- their banking services are open to all).Using ATM/Credit Card Abroad