kilt

On 2/17/2020 at 5:00 PM, Sparkles said:

As for a "whistle blower" that would obviously be someone inside the system that could explain why the processing of paperwork has gone back to the bad old days. Get it now ?

 

Info from the inside: The new boss lady has instituted a new system that started the very day it all went to sh$t at cnx immigration. If one uses an agent, the new boss lady gets a brown envelope and the applicant will get express service where everything is fixable and the extension (or whatever service) is done in an efficient manner in a private office. The agents fees have risen in accordance with the new brown envelope. This is not considered corruption as the fees are paid to the agent. Go ahead, try to complain. Who did you pay the extra fee to? Not immigration. Pay attention when you're at immigration and you will see the 2 systems. Some are ushered into a private office and come out all smiles after 10 minutes. Others are there all day, maybe 2.

If you endeavor to do your extension (or whatever service) by yourself you will endure long wait times and will be given the runaround and told you are missing so and so document / the bank book needed to be updated 5 seconds ago etc... This is the new system.

I am also told that some loud, visible complaining by expats may help to have the system changed and the new boss lady transferred somewhere else... maybe.... someday...

Helmet2Home for cheaper yet decent helmets and Chang Moto for better class of helmets (including Shoei).

"we had to provide a marriage cert this time which had been officially signed off / stamped by both the UK authorities (in the UK) and the Royal Thai Embassy in London"

Can you provide more information or clarify that statement? What authorities in the UK had to stamp your marriage certificate? Did you have to travel back to the UK to have this done?

Have you tried www.notarize.com ?

I saw signs for car parking as I got close to the venue. OP may have missed that. I went by scooter and parked 30 feet from the event. Had a great time! Good food, music and drinks. A very nice afternoon, well attended and well organized in my opinion.

And also, of course, the frequently highly recommended PRO AUTO.

Hmmm.... I came in 7 years ago on a non imm B visa and have been getting extensions on that visa since, for retirement. I just had my stamps transferred to a new passport yesterday and they transferred the original B visa, extension stamp and re-entry permit - so I obviously think it's possible to be granted an extension on a B for reasons of retirement.

On another note, once I had all the required photocopies and filled out the form to transfer the stamps, I was seen right away and the whole process took about 15 minutes at cnx immigration.

So in the end... 4000 baht overstay fine, 1900 baht for 30 day extension plus a fee to the visa service?

11 minutes ago, StewB1 said:

Thanks everyone for your input. Much appreciated!

Never occurred to me to use the use Post Office.

I will check with Post Office tomorrow.

Is there a preferred office for this service in CM?

Kam Tieng Post office 

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes she must have a non-o visa when she enters the country.  If not she would need to go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get one after arriving.

Then during the last 30 days of the 90 day entry from the non-o visa she would apply for her extension. It will be valid to the date your new extension you got while she is out of the country. Then she would apply for new one when your do your next extension.

For the non-o visa application she will need your marriage certificate  plus copies of your passport photo page and your new extension of stay stamp signed by you.

Thank you very much.

Last questions: She will be in her home country (Canada). Can she apply for the Non-O at an honorary consulate? The stated reason for the application would be to visit husband... or what? 

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Her extension will end when he applies for his extension. If she is not here to apply  for new one it will certainly end.

That is why I wrote she would need a non-o visa so she could apply for an extension that will end when his new one ends.

Okay... just to be clear... my wife will need to obtain a new Non-O from a Thai embassy or consulate before she comes back to Thailand, and with this non-o she may be granted an extension based on being my dependent valid to the date my extension ends? At that point we can both apply for another extension as we have been doing for the past 6 years? May I ask what she will need as documents to be able to obtain a new Non-O? Thank you.

Curious how, if it's ever needed, do I prove what visa type I am getting extensions on? I am being granted extensions based on retirement on a Non-Imm B visa but that original visa is in an old passport that has been renewed twice  since then.

When I renew my retirement extension in CM in a couple of months, my wife, who is on an extension as my dependent, will most likely be out of the country.

She will be back a couple of months later. Can anyone tell me the process for something like that? Can she come in on a Visa Exempt and we head down to Immi and add her? Or will it be an ordeal?

Many thanks

8 minutes ago, Fore Man said:

This might be the real sticking point here.  I appreciate this response, kingofthemountain.  It seems I need to look into this aspect in more depth.  I normally obtained a multiple re-entry permit each time I extended my visa and in some years only used it once, making it a poor investment. But then I spent most of my time in Thailand.  My idea for the future may not work if a visa holder is compelled to return within 90-days after traveling abroad. 

I just came back after more than 6 months out of the country (retirement extension / multi re-entry)... absolutely no issue.

29 minutes ago, stament said:

Reported in 0940 Saturday morning took 1min nobody in the queue.

 

Saturdays are the way forward for TM30 reporting, gotta love CM immigration for opening up on Saturdays ????

Did you report within 24 hours of arriving?

If I land on a Wednesday, I don't think I can report on Saturday... Can I?

Lots on Lazada. Don't have to drive anywhere and be disappointed.

9 hours ago, Bill97 said:

Read the second post.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

I can say that the extermination company got rid of the termites and they have never reappeared. If it makes a difference, I am in a condo, not a house. The buggers ate through a lot of wood while I was away!

Yes. World Pest Control. (Sorry I am currently out of the country and don't have contact info with me) They got rid of termites and are now on a maintenance contract with a visit every 2 months.

>>Flew to BKK with the agent in the morning to Immigration to get my visa sticker, flew back the same day, all expenses, airfare paid by them. 

Go for it, they do everything for you.

The price is the same but you get to know who takes care of you and develop a personal relationship.

You got nothing to lose .<<

So, working with Star Visa for the Elite, they charge the same as Elite directly but they pay for your airfare to Bangkok and back as well?

Phone repair kiosks in Central Festival. 1000 baht for new non-apple branded battery. Takes 5-10 minutes.

Not sure about the charging port but I know mine wasn't working until I took a safety pin and carefully picked out all the lint that had accumulated inside it after a couple of years in my pocket. Maybe give that a try first?

+1 for Ikea.

And for all the expats wondering where to buy quality bed linens, pillows etc... Ikea has everyone beat.

Maybe try www.notarize.com ?

31 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You cannot do a TM30 form at any airport or border crossing.

You would not be fined if you went on Monday.

So... even though Chiang Mai immigration is open on weekends for TM30 filing, the OP would not be fined if he waited until  Monday to file?