universe2000

Do you know if the orange buses stay on Sukhumvit or do they traverse through some Soi's along the way?

I guess if I picked one up that said Bangkok it would stay on Sukhumvit until I get off at Nong Mon Market.

There is a bus station a few blocks from the University but not sure which bus goes there, or it is a direct route.

So I decided to take the mini-van service from Pattaya to Koh Chang. I was at Jomtien beach and found a booth there. They quoted 700 baht from Pattaya to the hotel on Koh Chang. It included the ferry cost (which I think was 60 baht). After that, I found another booth that advertised for 600 baht to the hotel.

The mini-van service was convenient. They picked us up at our place and stopped by a few other places to pick up other people. In total there were 8 people in the van. I prefer using a VIP bus since there is more space, but the trip was only about 5.5 hours to arrive at the hotel (including the ferry time) so not too bad. The suspension on the van was a little tight so it was bumpy in some places.

One concern I had was when we got to the Trat Pier, we booked our return with the same agency. Even though they knew when we were returning they still told us to call back one day before we left the island. I thought that was kind of strange. Of course we forgot to call one day in advance. We ended up in an SUV connecting to the pier for Koh Samet before getting back to Pattaya.

It is possible to book van service on Koh Chang. There are several booths to choose from. I think it averages about 650 baht. One person quoted 450 baht. I asked if it was a modern van, and he said it will cost 650 baht for the modern version.

Overall, it was a nice adventure. The hotel was spectacular and the sunsets were beautiful. We didn't venture around the island and just relaxed around the hotel and the nearby streets. We did go to White Sand Beach for one night, which has many beachside restaurants.

I obtained the marriage certificate (Kor Ror.2) and marriage Registration Papers (Kor Ror.3). It doesn't sound like I need to visit the US embassy for any further paperwork. My marriage is recognized by the US based on the Kor Ror 2. I don't know of any other situation where the Embassy will need a Kor Ror 2. Maybe I need it for obtaining a US Visa for my wife when we visit the states later this year.

As for the tax issue, I will submit another post specifically on that subject.

Thanks for the comments.

The last one mentioned additional time. So if I go to immigration with at least 21 days left on my visa and I have deposited 400k in the bank 50 days beforehand, they will consider my one year extension request at a later date (possibly 10 days later?).

I would like to travel from Pattaya to Bang Saen (Burapha University).

I believe there is a bus that travels along Sukhumwit that I can pick up. I prefer to go directly from Sukhumwit (in South Pattaya) to Burapha University. There is an aquarium called Underworld at the entrance of Burapha University if that helps. I heard that I can take a bus to Nong Mon Market and then take a truck to the university.

Thanks for the help.

Good thing I asked the question. I assumed that a 90 day non-O is provided, and this is followed up with a one year non-O. So that means I need to have 400k in the bank 60 days before I apply to change my tourist visa to a non-O.

My current 60 day visa stamp shows 'admitted until 13 Feb 2009'. I can get 30 additional days at the immigration. I think I am a few days short if I bring my balance up to 400k today.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

I wanted to understand how a name change affects the purchase of property. If a house or condo is purchased, wouldn't having the same last name be beneficial. Not only is it clear who owns the property, but also that the property is jointly owned through marriage.

Good info/comments. Thanks.

I initially assumed that having the same last name would ease a lot of issues. As mentioned by 'noise', it is clear what the relationship is. But after reading a few posts, I was concerned that it might cause more problems.

Its good to hear that some people are not having any issues with the name change.

I wanted to verify the following procedure to obtain a non-immigrant 'O' visa at the Thai Immigration office.

This is for a change from a tourist visa to a non-immigrant 'O' visa through marriage in Thailand. This will occur 21 days before my tourist visa expires.

1) Submit form TM.86 (Application for Visa Status Alteration) and TM.87 (Application for Visa).

- I assume the MS word version on the immigration website is ok to use and submit.

2) Submit copy of passport entries.

- I assume this is the front page, the current visa, and the entry date stamp.

3) Submit 4 x 6 cm photograph, application fee of 2,000 baht, Kor Ror 2 (marriage certificate), Kor Ror 3 (Registration Papers), affidavit from Embassy certifying I am single, copy of ID card and house registration of Thai national, wedding photos.

4) I meet with an immigration officer that day to receive a date for the approval hearing.

- Does this mean I have to come back again or is this a special situation where it is done that day.

5) After final approval, I will receive a 90 day, non-immigrant 'O' visa.

- I am not sure if the visa is provided that day, or I have to come back.

6) Since this process is not related to the extension of the non-immigrant 'O', there is no need to show the 40k monthly income, or the 400k deposit in the bank. That is needed when I return to apply for the one year extension.

Thanks for your comments.

I assume the 400,000 can be invested in some security that the bank has such as a money market or mutual fund in order to reap some benefit of having the money there.

I am not sure at what point an investment in a security at Kasikorn Bank is not 'in a local Thai bank'.

Thanks for the comments.

I think the translation I was reading about was related to the marriage documents which are in Thai. My wife can translate those documents before I sign them.

The US Embassy website doesn't have any information about submitting the marriage certificate, so I guess they see no benefit either.

For filing a US tax return maybe there is a purpose to have the marriage registered with the US so they know my wife's name if I file a joint return.

Having a foreign last name might cost her more when doing financial transactions such as land purchases (maybe more difficult to negotiate). And there will be extra time having to explain everything. I heard that even traveling is some extra effort since she will have a Thai passport and a foreign last name. This isn't an issue in some countries, but she has to expect to explain a lot more than she did in the past.

Is there a situation where she can use her maiden name for land purchases and travel, and use a foreign last name for other purposes?

I am wondering if changing my fiancee's surname to my surname is worth the effort. I read a few posts about problems with land and passport issues.

I would like her to use my surname but since we will be living in Thailand, are there issues I am unaware of. Since having a foreign last name creates future issues if the law changes or the government takes a harsher stance toward foreigners.

Is there a 'best of both worlds' situation where she can use my surname for certain situations.

Thanks for your comments.

I will be getting married and will register my marriage in Thailand. I would also like to register my marriage in my home country, US.

1) After I obtain the marriage certificate (Kor Ror.2) and marriage Registration Papers (Kor Ror.3), can my Thai wife translate the document or do I have to go to an official translator (before I visit the Embassy)?

2) What is the advantage of registering the marriage at the Embassy now or later? If I wait 6 months, is there any issue?

I will switch from a tourist visa to a 3 month non-immigrant 'o' visa in January. After that is done, I will need to apply for an extension when there is less than 30 days remaining on my non-immigrant 'o' visa.

My wife makes over 40k per month, so I thought there was no issue extending the non-immigrant 'o' visa. But I read there was a change recently that may require me to have 400k baht in the bank. Is that true?

Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the link. I just checked One Asset Management and that is what I was looking for. They hedge against the market so during downturns they are still positive. There is an article that came out about a week ago on this company.

A three year investment would reap about 7.7% from the tax benefit. Add with the return on the LTF, that would put it over 10%. Not bad in todays market.

Now I am looking to see what would happen if they went out of business for some reason. I don't think the government will help any. I was checking to see if I buy it through an agent like Ayudhya, Kim Eng, Seamico, or SCB Securities is there any protection.

Any comments will help.

Thanks.

Thanks for the information. I'll check into these items.

I would like to go from Pattaya to Koh Chang Island near Trat. What is the best transportation option?

I believe there is a bus station on Sukumwit. Its cheap, but may stop several times, so it may take too much time.

I would like to take a van if it is a reasonable price, or possibly a tour-style/VIP bus. I'll have two luggages to carry-on.

I assume the transportation will go to the pier, where I can catch a ferry to Koh Chang, and than get a taxi to a hotel.

Any ideas.

Thanks.

I checked a few banks online and they have some performance reports for their LTF. All are very negative for the year (up to 50%)

The alternative is an RMF (Retirement Mutual Fund), which have safe government bond type investments, returning about the bank rate or slightly higher. The RMF has to be held until I am 55 years old, vs. the LTF which can be held about 3 years (Invest in Dec 2008, sell in Jan 2012).

So I am not sure if I should gamble that the market will be higher in 3 years. The next year will probably be rough. The SET can still drop to the 200 to 300 range.

I would like to buy a Long Term Equity Fund (LTF) to benefit from the tax deduction. Most have lost at least 20% in the last year.

Does anyone know one that was positive for the last year?

Thanks

Situation:

I have a tourist visa that will expire in February. I can extend it for 30 days at immigration (to expire in March).

I will need to submit a non-immigrant 'O' application 21 days before my visa expires.

Option 1

I can apply for the non-immigrant 'O' visa in January after I get married.

Option 2

I can extend my visa at immigration and apply for the non-immigrant 'O' visa in February.

Option 2 seem beneficial since I use my current visa fully, but not sure if I can apply for the non-immigrant 'O' on an extended visa. And it's $1,900 to extend the visa.

Any thoughts on which option is best?

Thanks for any feedback.

The only major purchase I will make after the marriage is to purchase a house or condo in the future. The purchase will be done 50/50. If it is a house, than I can own the house and she can own the land.

California does have a law where any increase in asset value during a marriage is part of the community property. So if my investments increase (through stock, proptery or interest gains) than it becomes part of the community property. I am not sure what the law in Thailand is. Again, she has more assets so her increase will offset any of my investment increases.

Concerning the question about selling property in Thailand obtained before marriage and rebuying another property while married, I thought the law in Thailand was as long as assets before marriage are held seperately, than that money can be used for any investment and does not become part of community property.

I have property and assets in the US. My Thai fiancee has property and assets in Thailand. She has more assets than I do. Is there any reason I should get a prenuptial agreement?

I will register the marriage in Thailand. Next year, I will register it in California. California is a community property state, which means anything acquired after marriage is community property. Any asset obtained before marriage is seperate.

I don't see a benefit a prenuptial agreement can provide in this situation.

Thanks for any comments.

Two tax deductions in Thailand are the Retirement Mutual Fund (RMF) and the Long Term Equity Fund (LMF). I believe each has a maximum contribution of 500,000 baht per year.

A friend of mine wants to get a 50,000 baht reduction in her taxable income. She could invest in one of these two funds. Does anyone know a very conservative LMF? Even if the return was 0%, the tax deduction is enough of a benefit and the investment could be sold in 5 years.

The LMF's that I saw invest in some form of equity, which currently is very volatile. She doesn't want to lose any money which would defeat the purpose of the tax deduction. I know there are money market funds that pay a very low-interest, but I don't believe they are considered as LMF.

Thanks

I was looking for a studio in central bangkok for one month around the beginning of December. The price range is around 10,000 to 12,000 baht. The place must be very clean and have wireless internet. Within walking distance to the MRT or BTS would be nice. But at least a place not too far from a bus line (meaning, not too far from a main street). Some places are too far to walk in and somewhat dangerous at night. I prefer to walk rather than take a motorbike.

I was checking online, but it is sometimes unclear if a one month stay is ok. Some require 3 to 6 month minimum. If you are aware of any places, please email me. Please include the total price (monthly rent+vat+taxes+security+cleaning fee, etc).

I might be able to move in around mid-nov but the place I am at now is very nice for only 5,500 baht, so not a bad deal. (north-east bangkok)

Thanks for the help.