inthepink

OP, you did nothing wrong.

If something bothers you, take it out straight away with any family member or Thai person.

They have that excuse, if they don't like something......Thai culture doesn't allow this or that.....Bullshit.

They don't like it, they bring Thai culture into play.

And don't forget, you are the boss, they should respect and wai at you and not the other way around.

Ahhhhh.....feel better now.

I don't see my mother-in-law waiing me first anytime soon and why on earth would she?

Is this very similar to Bess in the UK dropping in to see West Minster Abbey, so what!

Not..! The Big difference is that we in the UK , we love our Queen..

And so you should, no point handing over all that British TAXPAYER Loot, to someone you don't like.

The Queen's annual grant comes from the Crown Estate, i.e. from the profits of her property portfolio. The remaining 85% of profits (over £200M based on latest available figures) is paid to the Treasury. So, the British taxpayer isn't giving her anything. Also, out of the 15% she receives from Crown Estate profits, she must pay for the upkeep of all royal palaces in England and all travel expenses for official engagements - which are for the benefit of the country. I don't think any other woman in her late eighties would fancy taking on the Queen's workload - around 400 engagements a year.

I did consider doing that and 10 years ago I would almost definitely have done so (and not just because it would have been cheaper!). I'm more boring nowadays so I'll get the extension - thanks for the info.

I'm applying for a visa when out of the country and I'm 99.999999% sure that a 3-day overstay would have absolutely no effect on my application but I still don't fancy doing it. As you know from my posts in other threads, I was no stranger to overstays in the past but I have more invested in the country these days so I guess I'm no longer prepared to mess about. I hope this doesn't mean I'm growing up!

I might expect them to be a little more busy for the few days leading up to the holiday, not for three weeks though. I thought this was an ongoing problem rather than a holiday issue? Maybe I've misread the posts.

This image appears to me to be a legitimate work of art.

It seems the artist is extremely talented.

Whether such provocative art belongs in wats though, that I don't know, as I don't pretend to understand Thai Buddhist culture.

I think an art gallery would be better.

Yes, even in New York. Maybe better in New York.

Art is more than something that looks pretty over your sofa, my dears.

Art in itself can be many things to many people, apart from the untalented scribbling of 99.9% of graffiti "artists" there can be something to appreciate in all pieces presented for review or comment.

Your final comment on the other hand is purely pretentious and patronizing, I believe the vast bulk of negative comments here are simply about the location of the exhibited piece and not about it's artistic merits. I happen to agree with most of them as a place of religious worship is no place to exhibit unrelated artwork.

Even if we are less well educated or cultured than your good self, I doubt many people on this forum still buy there "artwork" to hide a damp patch on the wall.

But it's a privately-owned building, as has already been pointed out.

This sounds terrible. I was planning to 'pop in' to get an extra 7 days on my visa exempt stamp because I am not leaving the country until 3 days after it expires. Does this mean I will have to get there at 6 in the morning and spend half the day there?

That looks like a really good price. When I've done runs in a taxi, the cost was around 3,500 as I mentioned (and that was not a tourist price!).

I just like to get there and back as quickly as possible. I know it might be more relaxing to break the journey up with stops along the way but then 7 hours becomes 10 and it seems never ending. Last time, I left at 5am, got back to Chiang Mai around 12.15. I've driven there too, but that cost me about the same as a taxi in petrol, so I decided to be lazy the last couple of times.

Anyway, hope it goes smoothly for you. Not sure if you've been to Mae Sai before but it's usually very quick and easy. if you don't want to go to the market on the Burmese side, they stamp you in and out of Burma in the same office and you can go straight back to Thailand.

A taxi will cost around 3,500.

I'm not 100% but I'm pretty sure the service you linked to is the annoying one that stops off at two hot spring sites on the way to Mae Sai. They call them comfort breaks on their website, I call them taking a backhander for delivering a group of captive travellers to tourist attractions. Leaving at 8am and arriving back at Chiang Mai at 6pm is a hell of a long day for that trip - at least 2 hours longer than necessary. You don't normally need much more than 10-15 minutes to stamp in and out so you will be left waiting in Mae Sai for 45 minutes before you can come back. As it looks like they take 5 hours to return (judging by the times stated on their site) I can only assume that you will be in store for more exciting comfort breaks on the return journey.

Still, if you're happy with all that, it's undoubtedly cheaper than getting a taxi. I did think about flying to Mae Sot last time as the airport is near the border and you only have to spend an hour in a plane each way instead of nine hours in a minibus. I can't remember the cost - it wasn't too bad - but it does involve an overnight stay due to the flight times.

Yes, a clearer, more cohesive approach from government and immigration officials would help people to know exactly where they stood.

 

I'm not sure whether the flexible application of various laws in Thailand is a help or hindrance really. It can lead those of us with a more cavalier attitude towards life to believe that it is OK to do things that in reality it isn't.

 

It's not that hard to understand. Something happens in your life, you end up overstaying for a couple of weeks while you're trying to sort out a difficult situation and then you just keep putting it off - either because you are nervous about what will happen when you do leave the country or perhaps some people find it hard to come up with the funds. Weeks turn into months, months turn into years..... It's not really anything to do with intellect, although organisation skills probably have a lot to do with it.

 

Many people do very stupid things at some point in their lives and in my opinion, overstaying is hardly the worst of them. It surprises me that so many off topic posts are allowed in this particular forum. If posters don't have any helpful advice, it's better they don't post at all.

I've known dozens of people on overstay (they are not my friends, I just know them)  I would agree with the above and add that what happens, too, is that when someone goes on overstay, I think they discover that not much of anything changes.  No one swoops in and arrests them, people don't point at them when they walk down the street, kids and dogs don't run away from them -- life just goes on as normal.  Usually they're in some sort of turmoil in their lives -- medical, relationship, business problems and somehow straightening out the overstay situation just seems to take a back seat because the other problems are demanding more attention.

 

Then once the other problems are resolved, somehow the sense of urgency about the overstay can be gone.  It's hard to come up with 20,000 baht plus travel expenses.  Maybe it's difficult to find the time to make a trip.  Perhaps there's embarrassment to admit the overstay to family or friends.

 

I'm not justifying someone going on overstay.  Yes, it's a crime, a serious crime.  But this forum serves a valuable purpose in helping people in this situation to understand exactly how to correct the problem.  Part of why people don't address the issue is ignorance.  They've "gotten away" with being on overstay for so long, without any consequences, that there is fear of coming forward to fix the problem.  So it's not especially helpful to be judgmental when someone wants to right a wrong. 

 

I agree with everything you said apart from categorising it as a 'serious crime'. Whilst I'm not advising people to take it lightly and if you are unlucky you could end up spending a few days in the immigration detention centre, it is hard to see it as a serious crime when the immigration officials themselves laugh and joke with you while you are paying the overstay fine and ask when you are coming back to Thailand. And morally speaking, I think there are far worse crimes to worry about than staying in a foreign country without a valid visa.

It's not that hard to understand. Something happens in your life, you end up overstaying for a couple of weeks while you're trying to sort out a difficult situation and then you just keep putting it off - either because you are nervous about what will happen when you do leave the country or perhaps some people find it hard to come up with the funds. Weeks turn into months, months turn into years..... It's not really anything to do with intellect, although organisation skills probably have a lot to do with it.

 

Many people do very stupid things at some point in their lives and in my opinion, overstaying is hardly the worst of them. It surprises me that so many off topic posts are allowed in this particular forum. If posters don't have any helpful advice, it's better they don't post at all.

Wrote a number 2 next to my entry stamp this time so I guess it's still just my Mum that thinks I'm special (and me of course).

I crossed the border at Mae Sai on March 7th and came straight back. No angry faces, no comments of any kind and a 30-day stamp. I'll be doing it again on April 5th so can report what happens again if anybody wants to know.

You are welcome to do so!

Crossed on Saturday (5th April), same procedure, no comments from immigration but they did write a 2 in a circle next to my visa exempt stamp when I returned. Not a problem for me as I'm not going on another border run but I assume if I did, it would be the last time I could do it at Mae Sai.

As I said the worst that can happen is that you will only be given a 7 day entry.

I would certainly not try Ma Sai again or Chiang Kong again. Mae Sot would probably not work either since it is in same immigration region as the other 2,

You could apply for a 7 day extension pay 1900 baht and be given 7 days to leave the country at immigration to give you a little more time.

Perhaps a trip to Nong Kai for a crossing. Or a trip to Bangkok for a Cambodia border run.from there.

It's possible to get a 7-day extension on a 30-day visa exempt stamp? I ask because mine expires on the 4th May and I am planning to go to the Thai Consulate in Vientiane to apply for a more appropriate visa but the 5th May is a Bank holiday so I would really prefer to travel on the 6th May if I can. I could of course overstay for 2 days and pay a 1000 Baht fine but I'm not keen on doing that just before I apply for a visa.

Cheers

Just a quick question. Were their passports written on at all next to the visa stamp? Two English friends of mine have just come back from a run and both have had a Number 1 in pen and then circled placed next to the visa stamp (saw it myself). They could not get an adequate explanation at the border given huge numbers being processed during this holiday period. Both got thirty days but are worried that the writing is a quick an easy visual of your border runs and that they could come a cropper later on.

You're only allowed 4 visa runs before you need to leave the country and go to a Thai consulate (Laos, Malaysia, etc)

They've started enforcing this and after number 4 they won't get any more.

Once they've had a new visa they can do it again starting at number 1.

I managed to get 7 at one time then got told to leave, but obviously by having a number in a circle next to each stamp they're getting serious again.

I didn't have a number written next to my stamp on 7th March. Maybe I'm special. As far as I'm aware there is no official limit either - just that some border posts enforce unofficial limits.

I wouldn't hold your breathe.

You might get to your thirdt attempt and if you get the wrong person behind the desk they'll look through your passport and give you a 1, 2 and 3.

Or you might get away with 7 of them like I did once.

Unnofficlal or not, Mai Sai definitely have a policy in place and they sometimes enforce it.

I don't think I'll be doing it again after this time.

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Cheers finy!

supposed to schmosed to, up to you!

Sure, and it's up to others if they want to have children in their 40s, 50s, 60s or whatever. I was really making the point that Scarpolo's actions are equally baffling to many people.

Britman is so correct.

I just don't get it. WHY BUY PROPERTY. IN THE GF OR JOINT NAME . It doesn't make sense.

Oh beforall the happily married members jump on me.

Fact is if relationship isn't polluted by financial sticky tape it has a better chance. REN RENT RENT. If your with her for some years and split, do the right thing. Give her some cash.

On a financial advice level real estate here does not add up. Stick your money into other assets and rent. My super fund went up 18% last year. I kid you not. And that's tax free.

Why buy.

Why buy?

Many reasons,

First because your home is your castle, you do to it what ever you want and you make it yours,

can you do that with a rental?

You can personalize it, add to it or remove from it. can you do that with a rental?

and if the fancy hits, set it on fire and play the violin while you watch it burn, Can you do that with a rental.

You generate equate,

Pride of ownership

And if you really love your wife and children, , and care what happens to her, one day when you die,they are provided with a house to live in.

Geez you couldn't resist could you. Yes your one of those farang here with the new family and second or third chance after it went to rubbish in farang land. Fact is average age of expats living here on sustainable income I guess is 50 up. Most of us don't need or want the replacement family. Go live in the issan village. I wish you well. What is your barrow ain't mine. Got to go. Time to gave a shag.

The most baffling of all sights in bkk was watching men clearly in their 60's and 70's. some 40's, pushing strollers, with thai wife, ready to shop.

It nearly sent me directly to the vasectomy doctor

I was 43 when my daughter was born and I don't think there was anything funny about me visiting the mall with my gf and child. A more baffling sight to me is Westerners of any age walking hand in hand with some 'working girl' and acting like a loved-up couple when everybody else, especially the locals, can see straight through them. You take them to a room, pay them and say goodbye, you're not supposed to start dating them!

Inthepink , please no one is having a crack at you. I see you interest at heart is your child and seriously I admire that. My point is this. And not to you in particular. I'm over blokes here with nothing trying to make a life for everyone. Here is my spin. Farang can come here do what you are doing but NEED Ikey difference. II'm not being smart ass but I can just buy the bloody thing and leave it for child/mother. But you talk about mortgage. Bad move brother. Also when your pushing up daisies who says your child will get a zac. Sounds like you ain't flash with cash. That's no sin. Here's what you do . RENT RENT RENT. cheaper and try and put money away for kid/mother.

Clearly you won't do this .

Back to the OP. NEVER BUY REAL ESTATE FOR YOR WIFE CHILD OR WHOEVER.

What is wrong with farang. Is it only stupid people that come and live in Thailand

I appreciate your advice but I won't do that because it's not necessary in my case. No I don't have the cash to buy a house outright, but I make a reasonable amount and so does my gf. I'm only doing what I would do at home really. I'm not a bloke with nothing trying to make a life for everyone, my gf was very comfortable before we met and would still be if I left. Now, I'm not trying to brag or say my gf is different, just stating the facts.

I do have some cash that I could have used toward the house instead of going for a 95% mortgage but I am using it for something else and it will make me much more than the cost of borrowing to buy a house.

Not sure what you mean by asking how I know my child will get anything - why wouldn't she?

OK inthepink don't listen to me. I've only been property developer in au for 40 years. Go to a financial advisor and get your answers. I don't mean a real estate agent here. However I will conceed one point. If ownership is your go at least Thailand is VERY cheap. Point is will be worth same in years to come. Pay cash say nominal $200k.

Problem is my super fund went up 18% last year. Do the sums. Get advice and don't be so so one way street.

I am not looking at it as an investment for financial gain, I just prefer to live in a house that I can do whatever I want with. My investments are a different matter.

Also, I'm not saying that you or rayongchelsea are wrong, just that we have different outlooks.

Actually I agree with you.

If you have children it's a completely different decision and absolutely the right thing to do.

Although the education system is so bad here, you may want to consider moving if the schools available are crap. Buying or renting a house is insignificant to the schooling you give your daughter.

I had to move.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Schooling.....yeah, that's another difficult issue that I have to think about. I'm not too worried about it at her current age but I will be soon.

OK inthepink don't listen to me. I've only been property developer in au for 40 years. Go to a financial advisor and get your answers. I don't mean a real estate agent here. However I will conceed one point. If ownership is your go at least Thailand is VERY cheap. Point is will be worth same in years to come. Pay cash say nominal $200k.

Problem is my super fund went up 18% last year. Do the sums. Get advice and don't be so so one way street.

I am not looking at it as an investment for financial gain, I just prefer to live in a house that I can do whatever I want with. My investments are a different matter.

Also, I'm not saying that you or rayongchelsea are wrong, just that we have different outlooks.

If you're buying a house with a mortgage, why not? Otherwise, you are just throwing away your money every month and even the nicest landlords I have encountered in Thailand don't maintain their houses to a sufficiently high standard for me to want to live in them long term. I can't change the colour of the paint, make any alterations, install a fitted kitchen and bath or do anything else that I want to do if I rent.

Absolutely untrue, you're just doing it wrong.

Say you want to rent a nicely decorated, fitted and furnished house for B35,000 and plan to live there for at least five years.

Find a rundown place in the area you want for B15,000 and make sure the terms of the lease suit you. Now you have a budget of over a million baht to fix it up just the way you like, and much of what you spend that money on is your property you can take with you when you go.

rayongchelsea is right that it is cheaper to rent than buy, at least it is with the properties I have looked at. A 20-year mortgage costs nearly twice as much every month as paying rent on the same property. However, after twenty years (less,with extra payments) you, or your wife if you prefer, owns the house. After 20 years of renting, you have nothing.

Whether you prefer it or not, it's the wife that owns it, and after 20 years of making payments you have nothing.

But again, if you're happy to - and can afford to - make such generous gifts toward her well-being then do please feel free to do so.

Since there's no way in he11 I'm still going to be with the same woman in twenty years, I'll make other choices thanks.

I have a 3-year old daughter who will ultimately benefit from whatever property we accumulate so I wouldn't see it as having nothing. I certainly intend staying with my partner for another twenty years, if for no better reason than to provide by daughter with a stable home life. I don't see how I can take a fitted kitchen and bath with me (not without causing some damage to the property or furnishings) and if I want to remodel the grounds etcetera, that would all be money down the drain.

You seem to be assuming the worst case here. If my relationship broke down for any reason, it could well be in 5 or 10 years' time, at which point I could decide whether I wished to continue contributing to the mortgage or not. Unlikely that it will last for 20 years and then suddenly crumble as the last payment is made. I will only be paying half the mortgage in any case so I stand to loose half a house, not a whole one, if you insist on looking at it that way.

In any case, as I said, it is ultimately for my daughter's benefit as I would rather leave her a house than a rental agreement and a pile of old furniture.

Britman is so correct.

I just don't get it. WHY BUY PROPERTY. IN THE GF OR JOINT NAME . It doesn't make sense.

Oh beforall the happily married members jump on me.

Fact is if relationship isn't polluted by financial sticky tape it has a better chance. REN RENT RENT. If your with her for some years and split, do the right thing. Give her some cash.

On a financial advice level real estate here does not add up. Stick your money into other assets and rent. My super fund went up 18% last year. I kid you not. And that's tax free.

Why buy.

If you're buying a house with a mortgage, why not? Otherwise, you are just throwing away your money every month and even the nicest landlords I have encountered in Thailand don't maintain their houses to a sufficiently high standard for me to want to live in them long term. I can't change the colour of the paint, make any alterations, install a fitted kitchen and bath or do anything else that I want to do if I rent.

rayongchelsea is right that it is cheaper to rent than buy, at least it is with the properties I have looked at. A 20-year mortgage costs nearly twice as much every month as paying rent on the same property. However, after twenty years (less,with extra payments) you, or your wife if you prefer, owns the house. After 20 years of renting, you have nothing.

I'd insist on my rights at this point, make it clear I have no intention of paying for any further medical services, and leave any legal help until later. Getting solicitors involved at this stage is only going to cost even more money.

I didn't have a number written next to my stamp on 7th March. Maybe I'm special.

This is how it has been for many years. They are never consistent. The truth is that you can never be sure whether or not they will enforce certain rules.

Can't I just carry on thinking I'm special?

I have to go again tomorrow morning, because I haven't sorted my documentation for non-o visa yet. I'll see if they do anything different then.