aslimversgwm

10 hours ago, Kieran00001 said:

 

The UK has not been around in any form for over 2000 years, that is just nuts, 2000 years ago there were four warring tribes, the first time in history that there was unity on the island was in 1653, if you really support our country 100% then you should at least learn the basics of our history.

 

As for not backing the EU, I think it important to go back to the reason we started it, when Churchill envisioned a United States of Europe it was following a war that killed 65 million people, Churchill's idea was to get Europe into a situation of mutual dependency so that war could never happen again.  We are now experiencing the longest period in recorded history without a major war in Europe.

Brilliant and accurate response. Like most brexiteers they are not only ignorant of their country's history and development but also why the EU existed in the 1st place.

 
But the original decision not to update certain countries was made in the early 1950s and not that many people had heard much about Thailand other than the Bridge on the River Kwai film. Even  returning FEPOWs were almost ignored by the government of the times.

The Real reason is whether or not the UK has a reciprocal pension agreement with that country so, for example it does with the USA and not with Australia or Thailand come to that so if you emigrate to the USA you get the indexed state pension but not if you emigrate to Australia or Thailand! Easy peasy.

Sent from my SM-J710F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

8 hours ago, glegolo said:

As I remember it, the 90 day reporting at 7/11,,, was just a nice 1st april joke,,, nothing more..

 

Glegolo

Yes it was 

On 03/08/2017 at 11:16 AM, Pilotman said:

looks like I started a but of a spat with this post, but thanks for the info all.   I am a UK Citizen and so will use that embassy service,  which seems straight forward.   I intend to use my P60s and  my submitted UK tax return from April this year as my proof of income.  Does anyone have other info on this kind of proof?   

I use P60's + DWP Statement and that's fine for the British Embassy in BKK 

Chiang Mai immigration only need your embassy 's income  letter. Bank statement not required. 

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Can I take the opportunity to ask about the alternative income method?

 

I have my first-ever extension on the basis of retirement coming up in October (at Kap Choeng). For proof of income I'm planning to have (1) copies of both Oz superannuation income and superannuation & other investments, and (2) Oz Embassy letter & stat dec re my income. Is that sufficient?

 

If they want bank statement or copy of BKK Bank book, that could be a problem because I don't always transfer funds by bank transfer to my BKK Bank account. [It's cheaper to do an atm withdrawal from my Oz Citibank account using a fee-free card, particularly when I'm in BKK & can use the Citibank atms there.]

You don't need both at CM Immigration. An official letter certifying your gross income from your embassy is all you need but as others have said : each office interprets the rules independently so documentation requirements vary. Also at CM they like to see the tear off slip from the TM30 which shows you've got your place of residence recorded in their system. It also needs signing and dating every time you re-enter Thailand if you leave the country at all.

 

54 minutes ago, ozgolfguy said:

Would appreciate clarity on the combined method of income and money in the bank, is it a simple formula of meeting the 800K total?

Example would be 400K in the bank (for 3 months prior) and 35K monthly income (12 x 35K = 420K) or any combination thereof? Thanks

Yes any combo as long as it equates to 800k

As an addendum: the aforementioned yellow book is only obtainable if you own a condo or are married to a Thai lady and you own a house. And before I get bricbats - yes you can own a house in Thailand but  not the land. It's supported by a document called a usufruct -check it out know it all's! I am married to a Thai guy and normally that would not allow me to get a yellow book but dear boss lady at my local amphur office says my UK marriage certificate will be accepted as an exceptional case but this is not standard procedure. 

17 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

I used mine to get an AIS SIM card. Used it for checking in to hotels and other occasions where ID has been requested. Thais who have never seen one before like it and like the fact you have one. IMO it's already proven useful.

Big question: does it get you into National  Parks for Thai price? Thai driving licence will not now do this whereas it used to.

4 hours ago, AloisAmrein said:

Other countries have e-visa since more then 10 years, for ex. Vietnam. Even India has it.

As does Burma and Cambodia - Thailand lagging behind - as usual!

On 11/12/2016 at 1:26 PM, NancyL said:

You don't need to go to Promenada at an ungodly hour to get a re-entry permit.  The queue for this service isn't long.  Sometime around 9 am should be just fine.

 

As for getting a re-entry permit at CM airport -- only if there is code sharing on your CM flight and you check-in for the international portion at CNX will you be able to access the area where you can purchase a re-entry permit.  If that's the case, then yes, you'll be able to purchase a re-entry permit because they have Immigration staff at work on the podiums checking people out of the country, looking for overstays, etc.  They'll be more than willing to take your money for a re-entry permit.

 

Otherwise, if your flight from CNX to BKK is domestic, you could purchase a re-entry permit at BKK, but you'd better hope you don't have a tight connection.

Thanks Nancy. Much appreciated. My forthcoming Cambodian trip is not a booked-thru' trip so I won't be going through International check-in - a good job you mentioned this - I'd forgotten that!

Ok - sounds like Promenada won't be too bad after all - cheers for that!

Following on from the recent topic on re-entry permits and residency notifications: I've just used my single entry permit going to Vietnam - got back yesterday afternoon - and so we went immediately to the old airport immigration office, building 3, at the back, to notify them of residency, as required by law, supposedly within 24 hours. The officer entered my passport details in their computer system and looked at my existing slip from the previous notification and that was it! Done and dusted in minutes, but no new slip - just noted in their computer. The senior officer there told my Thai partner that there is no need to do it within 24 hours as they originally stated when all this blew up a couple of months back once you're in their computer -  a few days late is ok.

Now I need some definitive answer regarding obtaining my next re-entry permit as we go to Cambodia next, on 12th December - the flights at about 10:30am and as this is a Monday am I safe in thinking the immigration counter at the international airport security check-in will be open and can issue this permit?

For the 1st time I didn't buy a multiple re-entry permit when I was at Promenada to renew my extension of stay on retirement grounds because I only went abroad twice last year so it was a waste of money at 3,800 baht!

Maybe I'll regret that decision if I now need to go to Promenada at some ungodly hour in the morning to get my next permit! Please can someone knowledgeable tell me otherwise?!

 

53 minutes ago, licka said:

I returned from Australia in early  September, this month I went to Hua Hin to apply for a marriage extension

They said each time I return I must report to them, as BKK has decided to be more strict with the rules

So has CM - for sure! Now in CM you need to report even if you stay away for > 24 hours anywhere outside of CM province - not just if you go abroad. An old law now being strictly enforced - in SOME areas!

2 hours ago, Junkyarddog said:

Let me clear up this issue once and for all so there will not be anymore questions.

 

Maybe, Maybe not.

Love it! And quite true!!

I'll make it a simple question.

Has anyone arrived in Thailand on a tourist visa, converted it to a non-immigrant visa and then a retirement visa without leaving Thailand?

That is all the info i require right now. Due to my rather complicated situation obtaining a non Immi visa before I arrive will be difficult.

Simple answer.

Yes I have.

Not in Chiang Mai I bet! Or you used an agent perhaps?

With that amount of cash and income ( assuming it's not a troll posting ) I would be renting in Thailand, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy - wherever the fancy took me. I certainly would not be buying property here. A number of falangs have found to their cost it's very easy to buy, and very difficult to sell. Some of the houses here stay on the market for years, particularly those in the 10-15 million baht area.

Up around Chiang Rai, Loei and Petchabun there is some idyllic scenery; however, the exclusively Thai cuisine can get boring after a while. I eat mainly Thai food, but do like the occasional excursion into other cuisines.

The REALLY wealthy Thais have property in what is called 'Little Switzerland' - the hilly area just off route 12, between Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

A delightful area surrounded by mountains, large open spaces and close to the main arteries to BKK and the beaches south of there.

Thanks for all the very useful answers.

We now have all the documents translated into English as I detailed in my initial query and all are stamped, dated and signed with the translators name and address (our lawyer's partner).

I have now added a letter of support with references to the 14 supporting documents as per the schedule of said documents, as was suggested by someone on here.

A final query: do we have to leave the original documents with VFS? We are taking my passport, the Title Deed, transfer certificate, house blue book, 2 car blue books.

I really don't want them keeping ANY of these! As stated be4: we have all these copied, translated into English and annotated with the schedule number which lists all the documents submitted. Surely this will suffice once the VFS person checks them off against the originals ?

BKK Bank do the same: provide a standard statement of all my account balances, when and where opened, name of my Thai partner and that I'm his guarantor addressed to the British Embassy, signed and stamped with the banks official stamp. They charge 100 baht for this.

I also had the pages of my Thai partners passbook translated into English where it has his name in Thai. He has his appointment next week. Wish us luck and good luck to you too!

I have read many threads on here and there's a lot of very useful information. Thank you to all you who post answers - very supportive indeed.

I haven't seen anything specifically referring to say a gay couple attempting to obtain a UK tourist visa for a male Thai national, supported and accompanied by a male farang (UK citizen and passport holder) both residing here in Chiang Mai, living together for over 4 years, but not married or having a formal UK 'civil partnership'.

We have completed the on-line app ok and have an appointment in BKK on 17th July with VFS - standard application.

Is there anything in particular we should take with us as regards documentation that might help my Thai partner Kim obtain his UK visa being in a gay relationship with myself?

This is his 1st visit abroad, apart from Laos, and this is my 1st attempt at trying to get him a UK visa, or anyone else, come to that!

I am having the following docs translated in to English by my Thai lawyer:

1. The title deeds which show Kim as the owner of the land and property we occupy in CM - recently transferred to him - and the accompanying certificate of transfer. It's a 3 bedroom house standing on 86.5 Sq Wai of land.

2. His house 'blue book' recording him as resident in the self same property.

3. Both our car 'blue books' - He has a 2 y/o Ford Fiesta S and I have a 4 y/o one.

4. 5 photographs of us together, including 2 showing a big banner behind us saying: "David and Kim welcome you to David's 70th Birthday Celebrations". (that was nearly 2 years ago).

I also intend copying and signing the pages of my passport that show I've lived here as a retiree since 2008, which show all the necessary Thai immigration stamps.

The title deed is also annotated with the details of my usufruct entitling me to residency in this property so I'm getting that bit translated too.

I have a letter of invitation to stay with my sister for the duration of the visit - hopefully for 3 weeks in August and as stated on the visa app.

Kim and I will obtain bank statements in English from the BKK bank confirming the balances in our accounts, as per our passbooks prior to the VFS appointment on 17th July.

Kim is also going to get a letter from his employer confirming his employment as a resort manager in Pai since April last year.

Is there anything else we/he needs to satisfy the officials that

a) he's funded and supported by me and he's going to come back with me?

A couple of other questions:

a) Can Kim obtain his visa picture taken and printed at Trendy Office before his appointment and

Can we get his passport and supporting docs returned to us by EMS, if we pay the requisite fee when we are at Trendy Office?

So many thanks for your help in this our first, worrisome attempt at getting Kim his UK tourist visa for about 3 weeks in August.

.

Having taught at one of Thailand's top universities and having taught Thai students at universities in Australia, I can say that Thailand is blessed with some very intelligent and creative young people.

I have also had the pleasure of meeting, and seeing in action, some outstanding Thai educators, at all levels of the education system. Unfortunately, these great educators are generally not given the support they need from institutional heads, nor from the Ministries of education.

In order for Thailand to move ahead in the area of education, firstly the systems of corruption, cronyism and patronism need to end or be severely restricted. And, secondly, Thais need to get rid of their 'mai pen rai' attitude.

Too many Thai parents do not care about thier children's education, and some believe that they can use systems of corruption, cronyism and/or patronism to get their children degrees and/or jobs when they are old enough.

While living in Thailand I have come across too many youth in high school and university who never do any study or homework, rarely touch a book, and spend hours a day on social media. This reality was brought home to me again this year with two children of a friend. One finished Year 10 earlier this year; her rank was 23/163 in class and her GPA was 2.1. She failed one subject, and all of her friends had failed at least one subject. They all had to do one or two additional study and exam sessions during the long holidays to pass the subjects they failed; they all did little or no study (many of this group (most of whom were aged 15-16 years old) spent their nights in bars and clubs!!) and all were passed. The other 'child' is commencing second year humanities studies at a low ranking university in Bangkok. How he passed last year, I have no idea. He rarely studies, uses assignments and materials from friends a year ahead of him. As he is studying some subjects which I am familar with, I had a look through some of his textbooks and reading materials, and asked him some basic questions about the subject matter (his father, who is a university-educated professional and reasonably proficient in English, helped translate for me). The lad had no idea about what was in his books or reading material; yet he passed.

How sad - I simply pity the poor kids who're enmeshed in this corrupting, debased system. I really do hope the 'powers that be' can get to grips with it and turn it around, but.......??

Recent news article described how there was no disciplne in the classrooms anymore. No-zero grading policies, no fail rules that promote students to the next grade even with poor or failing marks, consequence-free disciplne policies, no homework rules, and more. Thailand? Nope, Canada.

I think the education system as a whole (ie, around the world) is in dire need of correction. How does one fix it? More money? In some areas of Canada, US, and the UK, education spending is either secon or third behind healthcare or safety in government spending. So no.

The money just needs to be better spent. More schools, smaller classes, related subjects - people talk about learning world history - yet there are distinct native american indian people and languages which will become extinct in the next couple of years because of the lack of understanding local culture. What good does knowing European History when losing your own takes place. Thais need to know Thai history and culture. They need to know and understand their own language. For most Thai students they will need basic English at most. Those students that want to learn it will find a way to learn it.

There are massive problems in education on a global scale but for Thailand I almost feel as though they need to slow down, develop a stronger base, less concern on how they compare to their neighbors and the world (it is developing their own problems), require all students to complete M6, and reduce their reliance on foreigners. But then again i supplement my childrens education with at home studies as well (both in the west & thailand).

Very well stated - as are most of the posts on this topic. What a surprise for me on Thai Visa! Well done everyone for such positive, formulated responses.

Still there but apparently moving soon to Promenada. But note that if you want a certificate of residence you have to go to their office opposite Promenada.

I live in Chiang Mai, when i tried to fill in the form, it keeps refering me to contact the Immigration office. Is 90day reporting online not available yet in Chiang Mai?

The first part of the form is easy enough to understand, where it asks the flight number I arrived on in 2007, i obviously couldn't fill that in, besides it didn't have a red asterisk next to it. But as soon as I try to submit the form it refers me to the Imm Dept...am I doing something wrong?

Help would be appreciated

You are doing nothing wrong, just have the same problem as many other people including me. The rpoblem seesm to be with the immigration database.

Yep - I even got my 'Pending' acknowledgement, but it never got confirmed so I still ended up at Immigration.

I agree: it appears to be that their database verification system can't cope with either not entering a flight number or the flight numbers since you re-entered Thailand more recently - as in my case. Just guessing!

I got my 'Pending' notification but it was never confirmed so I still ended up at CM immigration office!

It seems others have got this far too and nothing further, whilst others have had their 'Pending' confirmed OK.

The 'lady' at CM immigration was in a foul mood so I didn't bother to ask her why.

They're usually very pleasant there but not this one!

She practically snarled at me when I asked why there wasn't anybody issuing queue numbers!

Obviously she was having a 'bad hair day'!

90 day reporting-Pending doc.pdf