kap

Instead of money,Roll them in pigskin and bury them in the ground....

IQ = 20

Really? If that's what you believe, then KunKen must have you beat by 19...

Thanks to all for the further replies.

Since I wasn't sure how recent the income affidavit had to be, I didn't get one when the ACS was last in town in November.

I suspect that the "Austrian" option would not have worked, as already stated.

I normally go up to BKK once or twice a month, but almost exclusively on weekends, not weekdays, which is when the US Embassy is open.

I made my appointment online, so no problem.

Thanks again for all of the input. Cheers.

I ended up using PT Taxi. The all-in cost was 1000 and the service was satisfactory. Thanks for your input/advice. Cheers.

Thanks for all the prompt responses! I just checked the US embassy outreach program and it turns out that the new scheduled date for Pattaya is not until March 1. Therefore, I will just go up to BKK next week and get it done there. Otherwise, it'd be almost two weeks after my expiry date. Thanks again. Cheers.

My one year visa is up on 18 Feb. One of the items needed is a proof of income document from my embassy. Since my embassy (US) will be in Patts a few days later, I'd like to wait until then rather than having to make a seperate trip up to BKK to obtain it.

I know that on the 90 day check-in, there is a little leeway as to the exact date. Does anyone know if the same holds true for the one year (retirement) visa renewal? Thanks in advance for your response(s).

I usally take the bus when I arrive at the (new) airport, but my flight arrives close to midnight. I'd be grateful for anyone that can provide a recommendation for reliable and inexpensive transport back to Jomtien. Thanks in advance!

Wow, this really is bad news! One of the things I like about being in Jomtien (Pattaya) is the easy and inexpensive transport to the airport. I usually fly to HK several times a year and take Air Asia because of the reasonable cost, and the timing allows me to take the airport bus. If I now have to start taking taxis, that'll cost me about an extra USD 80, which is a lot considering most of my flights have been less than USD 200.

Somehow I'm not optimistic that we'll get a bus service as convenient as the one we have now (to swampy).

Thanks for all of the prompt and helpful responses, cheers!

What documents do I need to renew my now two year old Nouvo? Do I need to sort out some sort of insurance or something? Last year, I just had the shop where I purchased the bike do the renewal. Since my license is also expiring, I plan on going and doing it all myself tomorrow.

Lastly, could someone please provide directions to the DMV. When I went last year I only remember taking Sukhumvit and then getting onto the new flyover between Pattaya Klang and Pattaya North. Thanks in advance for your help.

Does anyone know the name/number of the small soi that I turn onto?

Thanks to all of those who have sent replies!

I ended up going with Sam at Maple-Abacus Consulting Service / Saturday Night Accounting. I'll try and update all of you of the results of my decision. Cheers!

I now need a new lawyer. Sam has just informed me that after seven months he has still not translated my contract and thus has not filed my lawsuit. I've been back to his office 5-10 times since July looking for updates (and receiving false/misleading ones) and now he has finally come clean. He has apologized and offered to return my paperwork and money (2% of the amount that I was suing for). The incompetence and dishonesty is astounding. Seven months down the drain!

I am now looking for someone to please provide a reference for a competent local lawyer. Thanks in advance.

There are many offers for true 3g availble and you get a decent speed downtown. Unless you intend to download huge files it is a good alternative and you can sit where you like...

downtown where---------------there is NO 3g in pattaya

Oh no...not again. Another one making a definitive statement whilst actually having no idea...

Can it be that difficult to use Google?

there is NO 3g in pattaya

whatever google search you do shows this and talks about lots of planned launches

show me a 3g phone that shows a 3g service in pattaya and i will give 500 baht to a charity of your choice !!

WRONG!

There is 3G in Pattaya, but it is still not official/in testing phase. I've been using it for, I believe, well over a year now. I was using it as late as Monday. I use my HK iPhone 3S. Sometimes it picks up a 3G signal and sometimes E (Edge). I use a prepaid True SIM card. The data packages quote the amount od Edge/GPRS and Wifi usage and then also mention 3G, when and where available. The package I'm currently on is Bht129 for 100Mb EDGE/GPRS, 5hrs Wifi and another 100Mb 3G "testing", good for one month. Please don't make definitive statements if you really don't know what you're talking about.

...so how exactly will you be proving that you've made that charity donation?

Thanks to all of those who have sent replies!

I ended up going with Sam at Maple-Abacus Consulting Service / Saturday Night Accounting. I'll try and update all of you of the results of my decision. Cheers!

Update: The developer is offering to return my money in equal monthly payments which will therefore take 10 months (if no further delays, in the repayment), but makes no provision for interest (they've now had my money for just over 2 years)

I've countered with an offer to accept payments double what they offered (thus cutting repayment period in half) plus (relatively nominal) interest. Any thoughts on whether I should accept their terms or just bring in an attorney? I understand that going thru legal channels could take about two years (or more). Part of my concern is that if they stop payments part-way thru, I may have a harder time finding a lawyer to help me retrieve the smaller remaining balance (yes, I do realize that getting some funds returned is better than none at all). Lastly, the amount owed me is just under one million and the contract calls for the prevailing party (me, I would imagine/hope) to be refunded for reasonable legal fees.

Seperately, I tried to contact KHun Kovit at Central Law Offices on Pattay Klang, but it appears to be closed or moved elsewhere (the women doing tailoring in the street next door appearded to indicate that). I tried the phone number on the office door, but no luck. Is there a new address and how about a phone number... Any immediate help would be appreciated.

I also tried to call the other rec., Amnat Thiegtham  038 421145 (on Thepprasit Road?), but the person that answered did not seem to speak English. Can anyone provide any current info such as correct contact number and exact address.

If anyone else has a good CURRENT recommendationfor a RE lawyer in Pattaya, please provide full details.

Thanks in advance for any information that can be provided. Cheers.

I too can relate to GM's article. Back around mid-April a soi dog decided to cross Soi Wat Boon just as I was passing by. After broadsiding it with my bike, I went down. After sliding on the asphalt for a bit I finally came to a stop. It turned out, that aside from road rash, I had broken my foot in two places. Although my cast is now off, I'm still limping around.

I would think that maybe the Thai authorities might do something about their dog problem, but... Sadly, the chances of them addressing this problem are about as good as that Ocean One Tower ever getting built. ...such is life (in LOS).

I bought an off plan property in Pattaya two years ago. it is now a year behind schedule. The contract states that if it is delayed more than six months, the buyer can request his deposit back, plus interest. When I verbally spoke/pressed the director, he said that they would return my money in stages (didn't specifically state the lengh/details), but would not pay any interest.

I'm not naive as my position vis a vis the developer (ie. contract enforcement) and the Thai legal system. Anyway, I'd like to speak to a competant local (Thai) lawyer. By the way, the contract stipulates that the developer will pay reasonable attorney fees in any dispute (assuming I win I guess).

The last point is that the developer has stated that the project is sold out. Therefore, financial resources should have been available to complete it. The story up to now has been that the project has been slow due to financing issues. I told them straight out that this sounds to me like fraud or at best misappropriation of funds. They've thus far refused to provide a response.

Thanks in advance for any helpful responses. Cheers.

P.S. I'm not interested in any responses such as why did you buy in Thailand, off-plan, etc.; if you're unable to provide anything useful, please don't bother with any useless nonsense feedback/responses

I was there yesterday, Monday, to get a visa extension...

Okay thanks for the info guys. I will try tesco on the north road. I do want a valid warranty and that is the reason I asked. Cheers

dont forget you are buying a phone that does not loke being unlocked and will grass you up to apple the first chance it gets--------by an inernet connection of its own---------and cant possibly work properly without 3g which is for all purposes non- existant in thailand

I'm using my HK iPhone here in Jomtien. My local service provider is True and I bought their baht 349 package which allows for 100 hours of GPRS/Edge/Wifi and a trial 30 hours of 3G, all good for 30 days. In general, it works, but not very fast and the 3G is only available in limited locations. The one big problem though is that with the iPhone, even if you're not using the internet, the clock is still ticking (supposedly this is unique to the iPhone). In the past,they had an unlimited package for 599, so it didn't matter if the clock was always ticking!

My solution is to leave it on airplane mode all the time, except when I need to use the Internet or the data-reliant apps. I then use a second mobile/sim card for voice calls. A bit cumbersome I know, but...

Also bear in mind that the iPhone can be used for internet access without a data sim card, if one only uses Wifi.

Sorry for the delayed update, but I had some Internet access issues to work thru.

First of all, thanks again to all that took the time to send in all of those prompt replies.

I went to Imm in Jomtien on Thursday, 19 May (my day 30) with all my paperwork in order. It included the letter from my doctor at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya requesting an additional 30 days and stating that I could not travel.

When my number was called, I went up and spoke to the officer and handed in my papers. He conversed a bit with his superior and motioned towards me and my crutches. Then the boss man came over and looked at me and my leg and then went back to his desk. I also showed the officer my appointment slip (from the hospital) for the 19th. He had me pay the 1,900 fee and told me to wait for my name to be called.

After a while my name was called and the officer handed me my passport. He said something (jokingly, I assume) about not getting into anymore accidents. I took the passport without checking it and began to walk out. I then stopped right before the exit and decided to take a look at what was stamped in it. To my surprise, shock actually, the extension was to the 17th! Two days before my next doctor's appointment!

I went back to the officer and asked why it was only to the 17th, especially since I had shown him my appointment slip for the 19th! His response was that they could only give 20 days and that if needed more I should later apply for another (I assume standard) extension of 7 days. When asked if I could speak to his boss, he just said that they can only give 20 days.

Ironically, later that day (I think), I read on Thai Visa that Thailand had now extended their visa free access to next March. Now I have to go back again and spend another 1,900 since my flight out isn't until 21 May, two days after my doctor's appointment.

:-(

KAP

...now have my (Thai) doctor's (BPH) form letter stating that I need treatment until the 28th(?) of May and cannot travel ticked off. I got 4 passport photos for 100 at some shop on the main road in South Pattaya near the Novotel(?)...

Will let you know how I make out at the immigration office on Thursday...Cheers!

...just got off the phone with my doctor and he will have a letter drawn up for me by about 4pm. I can then go to immigration tomorrow morning (my day 30). While at the hospital maybe I can enquire to see if they can actually do the extension for me. Lastly, the doctor told me to come see him two days prior to my 21 May departure to see if the cast can be removed here instead of HK (an x-ray will be taken).

Any advice on where to get a photo for the application?

Thanks again for timely advice provided by all the posters. Cheers!

...just got off the phone with my doctor and he will have a letter drawn up for me by about 4pm. I can then go to immigration tomorrow morning (my day 30). While at the hospital maybe I can enquire to see if they can actually do the extension for me. Lastly, the doctor told me to come see him two days prior to my 21 May departure to see if the cast can be removed here instead of HK (an x-ray will be taken).

Any advice on where to get a photo for the application?

Thanks again for timely advice provided by all the posters. Cheers!

...doctor now at lunch, post surgery...hopefully he'll call me back shortly!

Thanks for all the quick responses! Unfortunately as I suspected, there is no silver bullet.

I called the hospital about an hour or so ago to speak to my doctor, but he is in surgery until 1:00...I'll have to call back in about an hour or so. While on with the hospital, I asked about visa extensions. Although I did not speak to someone in the specific area that might deal with these issues, the person I did speak to said that it might be for hospitalized individuals only.

Just in case the medical angle didn't work, the only choice(s) I'd have would be visa run(s)/7 day extension. Bearing in mind that Thursday, 29 April is my day 30, and my flight out is on Friday, 21 May...what would you suggest?

-Two (15 day) land Visa runs (bear in mind traveling in a cramped minivan for 7? hours return with a broken foot will be rather uncomfortable, to say the least!)

-An extension (7 day) and then a visa run...would this even bring me to my 21 May HK departure date?

-anything else that I need to take into consideration?

If I do a visa extension (medical or 7 day) I need a photo, where is a fairly priced/easy place to get it in Pattaya/Jomtien? Do I need one for visa runs?

Thanks in advance again!

KAP

Urgent Advice Required - Visa extension

I'm a US passport holder residing in HK (permanent resident status). I arrived in Thailand and received a standard 30 day visa (Thursday, the 29th is my last day). My plan was to spend 30 days at my condo and then return to HK.

Unfortunately, I had an accident and ended up fracturing two bones in my foot about 10 days ago. I was treated at Bangkok Hospital Pattata where they put a cast on me (for 4-6 weeks) and gave me crutches to get around. I had planned on leaving on Thursday as scheduled, but yesterday decided to stay for a few more weeks due to mobility issues (I rebooked for 22 May). At least here I can strap my crutches onto my bike and off I go (and park pretty close to wherever I'm going), in HK just getting food and groceries would be a struggle.

Today I went to immigration on Jomtien Soi 5 to enquire about a visa extension. The guy at the info counter first gave me a bit of shit about the time (4pm) and then told me I could only get a 7 day extension. I told him the medical/accident related reason (I hobbled up to him on crutches and showed him some paperwork from the hospital) and he said that I should get a letter from my doctor/hospital in Thai.

-Is it standard to only be granted a 7 day extension...for 1900 baht? (Later on I realized that my passport, which he asked to see, had a used visa from about two months ago...I had obtained it for my prior trip since I was going to be in Thailand for 31 days...did he maybe conflate that with my current trip?)

-Since I need about 22 days, a land visa run won't work, right?

-I guess I can speak to my doctor/hospital tomorrow, Wednesday, and ask them to write some sort of letter which will allow me to get an extension for at least 22 days (as opposed to 7)...

I'd be grateful if anyone could please urgently provide me with some advice ASAP. Perhaps I'm missing something.

Thanks in Advance. Cheers!

KAP