barnsleyman

I have a 1yr Thai car licence which expires on the 24/09/09, I know it can't be exchanged for a 5yr licence until the 25/09/09. But what documents are required for renewal in Pattaya ie:- copies of passport etc. help much appreciated,thankyou.

The government is also requiring all food shops andresturaunts to only open one day a week in each district, this would ensure that all inter city taxi and bus services are used to capacity. To ensure full employment for the hospitals it is a requirement that all operators of transport vehicles have a a blood alcohol reading above 0.08 at all times.

Harry, I hope this an April Fools Day Joke

I do remember members saying that Jontiem required proof of address. Most offices only need your passport and TM47.

Lite Beer, That is correct,Jomtien does require proof of address for 90 day reporting.

Gents, I'm not sure if this has been asked, my apologies if it has, have tried searching, but cannot find anything relevant.

My friend is going to apply for an extension of stay based on marriage and was wondering if the 400,000 THB that is required to be deposited in a Thai bank at least 2 months prior to the application can be in a foreign currency (specifically GBP)?

He currently banks with HSBC UK and he does have an account at the branch at Silom, with the exchange rate the way it is now, then he would obviously prefer to keep the money in GBP right now, in the hope that the exchange rate increases later in the year, he would deposit the GBP cash with HSBC Bangkok.

So the question is, will the immigration accept the GBP equivalent of 400,000 THB on deposit at HSBC Bangkok, OR must the cash be deposited in THB and with a Thai owned bank, i.e. SCB, BBL etc.?

The option of 40,000 THB per month income is also viable, he is an ex. fireman and his pension would cover this if the above isn't possible, in which case he will approach the British honoury consul in Pattaya to certify this income, will his salary / pension slips be adequate for proof of income?

Thanks in advance.

Mattd,My HSBC Account is in England you just show the Honourary Consul Offficial in Pattaya (Mr Barry Kenyon Mob -: 0817827363 ) 6 months statements showing money going in & money coming out via ATM's in Thailand,he will then do a letter for the Immigration, I've just done it on 02/03/09 any doubts give him a call, Good Luck.

Sorry Mattd, forgot to say you must show proof of all income, ie letter from Pension provider,

Gents, I'm not sure if this has been asked, my apologies if it has, have tried searching, but cannot find anything relevant.

My friend is going to apply for an extension of stay based on marriage and was wondering if the 400,000 THB that is required to be deposited in a Thai bank at least 2 months prior to the application can be in a foreign currency (specifically GBP)?

He currently banks with HSBC UK and he does have an account at the branch at Silom, with the exchange rate the way it is now, then he would obviously prefer to keep the money in GBP right now, in the hope that the exchange rate increases later in the year, he would deposit the GBP cash with HSBC Bangkok.

So the question is, will the immigration accept the GBP equivalent of 400,000 THB on deposit at HSBC Bangkok, OR must the cash be deposited in THB and with a Thai owned bank, i.e. SCB, BBL etc.?

The option of 40,000 THB per month income is also viable, he is an ex. fireman and his pension would cover this if the above isn't possible, in which case he will approach the British honoury consul in Pattaya to certify this income, will his salary / pension slips be adequate for proof of income?

Thanks in advance.

Mattd,My HSBC Account is in England you just show the Honourary Consul Offficial in Pattaya (Mr Barry Kenyon Mob -: 0817827363 ) 6 months statements showing money going in & money coming out via ATM's in Thailand,he will then do a letter for the Immigration, I've just done it on 02/03/09 any doubts give him a call, Good Luck.

Pattaya encourages people to come in as early as 90 days before extension expiration.

Jingthing, Yes you correct by the Immigration rules, but i was told by the British Consulate in Jomtien,that they could refuse by saying too early. They told me to re-apply about 2 months before which i did, old retirement extension expired on 02/05/'09 renewed 02/03/'09 extension given till 02/05/2010 no problems at all.

I flew out of Manchester (U.K.) with Emirates last Feb,had a 1 yr Non Imm O-A Visa & a one way ticket,no problems at all, but checked with the Airline's office at Manchester first before buying a ticket, Good Luck.

Any truth in the report that Jomtien Immigration have had a complete change of staff?

What report ?

Be very interested to see how they are going to acheive that, cant even make up their minds if 2nd road should be one way, two way, this way or that!!!

I agree with you, now I think the authorities should consider building a footbridge outside the new Central Shopping Plaza.It was bad enough crossing the road, now it's an absolute nightmare with the increased traffic.

After reading about all the hassle different members experience at various immigration offices around Thailand.I have just renewed my retirement extension (yesterday) at the Jomtien Office, and same as last year the staff were very polite & helpful, I also have never had a problem with the 90 day reporting, (even though I think the rules need changing.)Maybe i've just been lucky,i don't know,i can only speak as i find.

I was at the Expats meeting on Sun morning,& an American member suggested that why doesn't the goverment here in Thailand look at changing the 90 day reporting rule to, Only notifying the Immigration Police when you have changed,or about to change your address, & it then puts the onus on the farang, who would then face a big fine, or possible deportation if they didn't adhere to the rule.After all said & done, the farang here on Non-Immigrant "O" Visa with a 1 yr Retirement Extension, mostly buy Condos or buy houses, so they don't change their address's very often, hence I think it's a complete waste of Time,Paper,& labour at the Immigration Office's.

Yes Kan,Great post,i for one will remember them at the 11th hour,on the 11th day, of the 11th month. Also could anybody tell me if, or where there is a memorial service in Pattaya tomorrow i would be very grateful,thankyou

I am 60 now and have lived in Thailand for the past 6 years. I'm currently getting a local government pension (superannuation), which is uprated every year according to the rate of inflation. This is perfectly correct as I paid into it for many years. I also pay tax on the pension.

When I'm 65, I'll be entitled to the UK state pension. Don't know how much it'll be as I was "contracted-out" during most of my working life. However I paid my "National Insurance" every month, and it was usually larger than my superannuation payments. I know that "National Insurance" isn't really insurance (in that you pay now for future benefits) as the money that people pay into NI funds other people's needs, so that the people who are receiving their OAP are being paid for by people who are currently paying NI. However, the fact that I paid my NI regularly should entitle me to the same benefits that other people get. Why should my choice of residence preclude me from getting the benefits that other people (who have paid in exctly the same way that I have) get?

I'm sorry if this post is long and rambling, but I'm very angry about the UK's stance on this issue .

BTW, marshbags, we may know each other - I lived in Cleethorpes for many years and worked for NE Lincs council (and before that Humberside).

eyebee

eyebee, i couldn't agree with you more,i am 60yrs old same as you,i worked down the coal mines,left school at 15,went down the mine at 16,worked on the coalface (on my hands & knees)from 18,now retired to Thailand Feb this year.I recieve an industrial pension which i pay income tax on, so i don't agree what marshbags says,IMHO any person that has worked all their life in the U.K. then they have paid their income tax & national health stamp, so we should be entitled by right, to recieve our old age pension, & yearly increases whichever country you live in.

Are you still able to take your computer AND hand luggage through to the aircraft? Or are you only allowed one piece of hand luggage?

I will be flying out on Tuesday with Etihad.

I have never been on Etihat, but until now I never had a problem with a notebook (30x43x10 cm) and a reasonable handbag on

THAI

EVA

Turkish Airlines

Royal Brunai

Emirates

Air Asia (!)

Nok Air

Austrian

Lufthansa

Good luck!

Does anybody know what EMIRATES current policy is? I'm flying Gatwick to BKK in January and sometimes what the airline tells you isn't what's actually practised so I'm interested in recent actual experiences.

Thanks all.

I flew from Manchester-Dubai-Bangkok with Emirates Feb this year,& had no problems at all bringing my laptop with my hand luggage.

Clayton,your tone of expression is quite clear to me, you think because you're a senior member,you can be judge & jury of members & slag their friends off, who the hel_l do you think you are. Well here's lesson one for you, two words, one begins with F & the other ends with F.

Mazimus, I used my landline most of the time to ring g/f's mobile, sometimes used my mobile ( vodafone ) but obviously a bit more exspensive.Another way is go to an Indian owned corner shop or general store shop & ask for a card to make calls to Thailand they'll tell you what to do,then if you use your landline,the calls don't show on your bill, ( very handy if you're married) my mate in England uses this method & his wife hasn't got a clue.Hope this info is useful to you, off out now with Thai g/f to get drunk, speak to you later.

Good to learn that you keep good company!

Seeing that Mazimus has already stated that he's calling his wife in Thailand, I'm not so sure that the ' very handy' benefit you describe, is of much use? Having the calls actually showing on his bill, may be of more use in the future i.e. visas.

Clayton, how do i know you're being sarcastic,Quote Good to learn that you keep good company! I never said that i condoned, or approved, what my mate does,that's entirely up to him.So keep your pious opinions to yourself you pretensious person.

You didn't have to - the tone of expression made it quite obvious.

Lesson one - don't post on TV if you don't wish to here other peoples opinions - it's something you''ll have to learn to accept.

Mazimus, I used my landline most of the time to ring g/f's mobile, sometimes used my mobile ( vodafone ) but obviously a bit more exspensive.Another way is go to an Indian owned corner shop or general store shop & ask for a card to make calls to Thailand they'll tell you what to do,then if you use your landline,the calls don't show on your bill, ( very handy if you're married) my mate in England uses this method & his wife hasn't got a clue.Hope this info is useful to you, off out now with Thai g/f to get drunk, speak to you later.

Good to learn that you keep good company!

Seeing that Mazimus has already stated that he's calling his wife in Thailand, I'm not so sure that the ' very handy' benefit you describe, is of much use? Having the calls actually showing on his bill, may be of more use in the future i.e. visas.

Clayton, how do i know you're being sarcastic,Quote Good to learn that you keep good company! I never said that i condoned, or approved, what my mate does,that's entirely up to him.So keep your pious opinions to yourself you pretensious person.

Clayton, I was only giving advise on how to make cheaper calls to Thailand, & my mate is probably better company than you.Remember SARCASM is the LOWEST form of WIT & only FOOLS USE IT If you can't give construtive advise then don't give any.

Mazimus, I used my landline most of the time to ring g/f's mobile, sometimes used my mobile ( vodafone ) but obviously a bit more exspensive.Another way is go to an Indian owned corner shop or general store shop & ask for a card to make calls to Thailand they'll tell you what to do,then if you use your landline,the calls don't show on your bill, ( very handy if you're married) my mate in England uses this method & his wife hasn't got a clue.Hope this info is useful to you, off out now with Thai g/f to get drunk, speak to you later.

Mazimus,before i came to live here in Thailand early this year,i used to call my g/f every day,using a service called DISCOUNT DIAL.No cards to buy,& no contracts with any telephone company. It's 4p for connection,then 1p a minute,dial this No from the U.K. 08448616060 then follow the instructions, Good Luck.