cusanus

1 hour ago, Sparkles said:

1,000 baht for residence letter ,call it for what it is a money making scam.Takes all of 3 mins to enter name ,address date on the template and  print out.

 

Years back one of Imm's staff,who now works for another agent, did it while I waited and he was on his lunch break.         I Tipped him 100 baht for his consideration but now no tips are allowed but you pay 1,000 baht !

 

Imm office at Hua Hin & Jomtien friends tell me charge 500 baht.

 

If you went to a hospital and were charged 1,000 baht for a 3 min consultation with a specialist how would you react ?

 

Today I was at Bangkok Bank, KSK to get the print out of tax paid on investment account,took around 3 mins,done  with a smile, no charge.

Odd, in 2005 I went to the small building to the left of the old main building and was in and out in a few minutes, no fee that I remember, but I probably did pay something. The heavy influx of farangs since then surely has something to do with it. Anyway, yes, we get dinged here and there, but the overall COL is still reasonable enough.  Just hope you don't get tangled up in the court system, the sharks will strip you to the bone in no time. 

19 hours ago, atyclb said:

 

surely as someone with 8 years of university science you would understand "sample size" as it relates to validity of study, confidence level, etc etc. when assigning validity to "one person you spoke with that had a poor outcome/result"  i had no love for statistics/epidemiology but this is the most basic concept. 

the xray study needed to determine candidacy for implants is a cbct(a far cry from standard dental xray) and it is highly doubtful many dentists would do it for free unless it is factored in to the total cost for implants, in which case it is not free.

Oh, indeed, sir, I understand statistical designs far more than you ever could. I had the very best training from nationally respected statisticians in the field. Here's a link to a statistical theorem I wrote to improve the quality of parameters such as the standard p(F) used to assess replicated data sets (requires Flash Player), http://foosresearch.appspot.com. I'm a bit reluctant to post it since being disciplined for a personal weblink once before, but it is a legitimate, useful and professional contribution to the field of research and mathematical study that no one has disputed since 1978 when I first wrote it. I'm sure you're intelligent enough to grasp the concept. As for the X ray issue, I repeat... The Osstem implant work done by Elite Smile in CM was far cheaper than any other I could find locally, the work done of the highest professional quality, and the product seems to be as good as any. I was not charged a single baht for any X ray or appointment, so I believe you must assume it was factored in to the implant fee. The person I've recently conversed with is not a research study, he's a live human being who's suffering from a bad experience. I tend to give more weight to personal experiences than I do university studies, which are not infrequently biased for any number of reasons however good the mathematics cited. 

1 hour ago, cusanus said:

To summarize, Atyclib claims that scientific studies show that untrained dentists do as good a job as trained surgeons for implants (but doesn't cite his sources). 

Thought I'd add this note as just got done talking to a person who's had a regular dentist (not in Thailand) do his implant with disastrous results: bad appearance and a lot of pain for some months now. The dentist keeps telling him to just wait it out. The gum around the implant is lower, making him think perhaps it was put in too deeply. The crown is also discolored and with some sort of patchwork done of a different color. I told him to find a trained dental implant surgeon and try to have the work repaired before more serious problems arise. Cost at this point should not matter. I much agree with SheryL, also my experience that dentists in Thailand are highly specialized, but my first attempt at scoping out implants ran into a pretender who after saying the exam was free, charged me 800 baht for X rays. She recommended a post instead (at a cost not much less), then it became apparent that she really could not perform the implant advertised. I finally went to Elite Smile, had many X rays and appointments but was never charged a dime for any of them. You have to be careful.  

12 hours ago, atyclb said:

 

have a look at https://store.implantdirect.com/implant.html .  made in usa and us fda approved. seems implant hardware varies from 150 -230 usd excluding abutment and crown. 

To summarize, Atyclib claims that scientific studies show that untrained dentists do as good a job as trained surgeons for implants (but doesn't cite his sources). I had eight years university science and don't believe it, not that you can't dig up a scientific study to support any opinion, while most "scientific" studies have strong links to the industry that benefits from the results and many are heavily biased. If there really were significant problems with 45% of all those implant brands I'd have taken note before I took the plunge, but please include the web links. As I recall, a very thorough study showed roughly 4% failure with Osstems. One major cause is motion so if you grind your teeth all night, better think about that. Also, most failures are repeats with the same individuals, meaning that a very few people have an allergy or rejection or hard use issue, but most of us do not. I go very easy on my chompers. In any case, this is a delicate procedure and failures can be very messy, so go ahead and take the budget route if you like, but I was able to afford a high quality service that treated me far better than anything I'd experienced in the past 65 years, so I was very happy with plenty of money left in the bank. And, sure, there are other good ones out there, I just plugged Elite Smile in Chiang Mai as a reasonable priced, high quality option for those living here. Most work, indeed, I do get done through the government hospitals, such as two zirconia crowns that Elite would charge me 15,000 baht each for, but I got for 3,000 baht using the economy route. They seem just fine, but I'm not so confident about them. Time will tell...

On 11/7/2018 at 11:29 PM, onera1961 said:

I don't think so. Rent from condo may be. But the condo by itself should not fly I think. 

You'd have to research it yourself, but I remember well that if you had $90,000 USD (foreign source) invested in a condo you qualified for a special visa. I know a guy who did it that way because he was in his early 40s.  

On 12/25/2018 at 8:42 AM, rumak said:

but now you are only 58 years old !    I think a few of us would like to move back the clock ten years or so.

You are lucky.  TIME is money !   I have been here better part of 30 years ( with a break to go back to

earn a few more dollars).   

We may have "retired" early.........but i opted for a lifestyle over working 30 years to come here an old man.

 no regrets. 

That's the way to do it if you can. I spent 57 years in what amounted to Hell in the USA, 14 here in complete bliss, occasional poisoned arrows launched from the states but falling short of their mark. If possible, I'd turn the clock back to before age 7 when I first started getting beaten in public schools in Montana, twice very nearly to death.  The women here are cute and make perfect wives, the families are closely knit instead of at each other's throats and trying to rob each other's nests.  I did manage to save several million baht the last several years in the USA which greased the wheels for an escape. Basic living costs are under 180,000 baht / yr and I live like a King. Of course, I don't travel much and keep a tight budget.  EIght years university math and science wasn't worth much dodging a work culture drenched in cocaine, booze and porn, so my SS sucks, 1/3 what it'd be if I'd kept on as a lineman, but it's enough.  The bank interest on savings is about $5,000 USD / year which I've never had to spend,. Thanks to my Thai wife, 100% coverage for health and dental, which doesn't mean much because I've little use for doctors. Those are the nuts and bolts for me. 

22 hours ago, The Theory said:

What documents will be asked for “retirement extension” base on 800,000 by Chiang Mai immigration office?

Any unique photo different than bkk Imm.  ? 

What I've done and what I think is all that's required for that is a bank book with a balance of 800,000 baht continuous for THREE months prior, also with some transaction that same day, a 200 baht withdrawal or whatever. Anybody else if there's a different way?

On 12/17/2018 at 8:53 AM, atyclb said:

not only korean but israel companies produce top quality top quality implants also at realistic prices. according to a study i posted on this thread, results are not related to implant cost but selection of correct one for particular patient.  another interesting study from sweden about implant failure found failure % same for general dentists and implant specialists.

Osstem implants are the lowest priced I found in Thailand a few years ago and I can't imagine anything better than my own experience. Yeah, you can go to India, but that's 2x airfare for a rush job and even that takes more than one trip, and a lot more time and money if it doesn't come through right. I don't care much for scientific studies, either, because most of the dentists I had back in the states I wouldn't trust to pop a bottle cap and I'm absolutely certain it takes a great deal of training to follow the procedure my specialist followed that he went to school to learn in California. Sort of like yanking somebody out of a line at random to pilot an airliner.  But suit yourself, it's your money and your mouth. 

14 hours ago, atyclb said:

one visit refers to "immediate loading" implants. there would always be a post implant followup visit regardless of what country they are done in.

if immediate loading implants require multiple followup visits over a period of three or more months to get it right then something was done wrong initially.

Not sure I explained it that well or that I understand what your terminology, but you be 100% certain that the procedure was perfectly right and the results of the highest quality. The surgeon is as good as any you'll find anywhere and does these procedures at many clinics. If you mean the crown/cap is placed directly following the implant, I would not be interested. Implants can fail, you'll want them for the rest of your life, so don't hurry it. I'll recommend Elite Smile Dental, Pantip Plaza, Chiang Mai, they did a great job for me. 

17 hours ago, atyclb said:

below are prices. competitive with who?   in line with usa prices

 

In Chiang Mai I did a lot of research before going to Elite Smile in the Pantip Plaza in 2016, believe it was 46,000 for an Osstem implant, though for a 100% zirconia cap/crown it was 6,000 baht more as I recall, you'd have to check again. I am confidant that a better quality implant and service could not be found anywhere and yet at a very low price. Yes, I hear about much lower prices yet say in India or wherever, but there's the cost of travel and inability to remedy problems that may arise, and this is nothing to fool around with. I also hear it said that these places can do the job in just one visit, but based on my own experience it takes three or more months and at least four visits to get the job done right. Certain time intervals are required to ensure things go right, so it takes about three months after the initial implant for the cap/crown to be completed. Anyway, my five implants involved no pain, I was treated very well, and the seven zirconia caps/crowns are beautiful. Hopefully, will last a lifetime.    

18 minutes ago, Mapguy said:

Well, that cryptic reply will stir up some interest around here !!!!  People should seek confirmation during their visits to the office and be careful in their reporting. 

To be on the safe side I keep 800,000 baht plus in the bank. Anyone of retirement age who really wants to be in Thailand should be able to do that, but circumstances can get you into a bind, so I wish everyone well.  

2 hours ago, Mahseer said:

None of these are limiting factors as I'm in the same boat. I submitted yesterday which was day 81 on the iPad and received confirmation same day.

There's a thread specific to 90 day reporting (online), http://bit.ly/2BgAL54, but it's full of very obnoxious and not particularly bright posters. Online works most of the time, but not always. You might try leaving a space (or not) if putting an airline number, maybe leave it blank. Anyway, it's sure worth a try, don't be afraid of it. 

2 hours ago, Mahseer said:

None of these are limiting factors as I'm in the same boat. I submitted yesterday which was day 81 on the iPad and received confirmation same day.

There's a thread specific to 90 day reporting (online), http://bit.ly/2BgAL54. Online works most of the time, but not always. You might try leaving a space (or not) if putting an airline number, maybe leave it blank. Anyway, it's sure worth a try, don't be afraid of it. 

5 hours ago, CangguSurfer said:

Even IMM officials admit that the online server is quirky and not always reliable.  That is what they admitted to me on a recent phone conversation.  It works more often than not, but it does indeed have problems, and (as they put it), "we're working on it".

Always amazes me how inward looking some are having spent some years as a professional programmer... clearly it does not always work, but why? One person mentioned that the arrival airline cannot have a space, so maybe try it both ways or leave it blank as he suggested. Now, after some thought about why my friend's online attempt failed, a good possibility is that the arrival date he put in does not match that on record because there was some confusion about that earlier. So, here's a good suggestion we should have done ourselves... if the 1st or 2nd page doesn't advance, just print a PDF file from the browser and take that in to Immigration on your next visit and see how it matches up with their record or if the IO has an idea. I'll be giving mine a try next month and for another friend, so we'll see. If you don't have a PDF print option on your PC I recommend Foxit Reader. 

8 hours ago, thorne said:

" will try again next month " !     really,  do you understand,  15 days before or not less than 7 days before the due date       Good luck !   

Really, can you read? Check out my first post, it was 13 days (for a friend). 

6 minutes ago, thorne said:

and many others , obviously something is wrong with your info/dates !

Nothing wrong, perfectly accurate, but as I said, will try again next month. 

1 minute ago, thorne said:

Just checked and it's working !!

for you. 

41 minutes ago, thorne said:

The online reporting works, as long as your information submitted is correct and within the 15/7 day timescale !!

Well it didn't work this time and the information was absolutely correct. 

10 hours ago, Bill97 said:

Probably info not correct or site temporarily down but don't know exactly what you did so how the hell could I tell you what you did wrong. Many who say they did everything right come back later and acknowledge their mistakes, others try again later with success for unexplained reasons.

IOW, you don't know, actually nobody knows, but thankfully we're not dummies. Hopefully not, because both of us had a nearly perfect gpa through five college degrees. Two more of us are coming due next month and we'll give it another try. There's no penalty for a miss, just toss it in the mail. 

7 hours ago, JimGant said:

Irrational logic. If Thai Immigration was only concerned about NO income verification, then, only the US and Aussie embassies would have been put on notice. Some, like the UK and Denmark, came to the conclusion that their methods of income verification weren't up to what the Thais wanted.

You forget the US. Anyway, the rules change now and then and now the burden is on the IO to determine if the evidence is sufficient on a case by case basis. No need to shed any tears, life is like that; however, the signs at Promenada were quite revealing, the one especially in part saying "in with the good and out with the bad." The personal information form was also not exactly a warm gesture, nor was it directed at Yanks. As guests we should all know that being polite and non critical is the best way to build a happy nest. From what my wife says, the Chinese are seen as the biggest pain.

On 11/28/2018 at 5:17 PM, Bill97 said:

The system rejects applications that are outside the required time frame... The dummy before you did the same thing

You're sure of this, Einstein? The time frame for walk in is two weeks before the due date and one week after. The online URL states, Applicants can submit this online application within 15 days but not less than 7 days before the due date of notification.

My friend was just here and we entered the proper information in the proper format on the first page, the correct Captcha, but it would still not advance to the 2nd page. Same for Chrome as well as IE 11. Oh, 13 days until due date. So, we did it by mail. Tell us what he did wrong.

3 hours ago, davehowden said:

" That any American can just swear on his/her honor that their income is whatever they say it is - and then get this statement written down and stamped & notarized by the US embassy/consulate " Seems to me that the problem has been caused by Thai Immigration never understanding in the first instance what an affidavit actually is , and accepting this method as proof of income for many years, then suddenly waking up to its potential misuse.

Quite possibly you are both correct, but a lot of things in government don't make sense to a lot of people nor should such quirks constitute an insult. Perhaps some have misused the procedure, but doubtfully too many. I never could quite grasp the rules for tourist visas, either. They have cracked down on that in the past, too, but many have stayed continually in Thailand for 10 years or more on tourist visas and do you think the PTB are not aware of that, either? Personally, I believe the Immigration authorities have always been well aware of how they do business, but recently not so welcoming.   

58 minutes ago, since2003 said:

The IO also did not use the information from the bank statements. She took my embassy income letter and used the numbers from it. I was a little surprised by this, because the numbers to NOT match - because the income attested to in my embassy letter is my income before taxes, and the numbers on my Norwegian bank statements represent my income after taxes are paid to Norway. I pay tax only to Norway and not to Thailand because I only live in Thailand for about 177-178 days a year.

The income statements are good enough until next year, then it's unclear what they will accept. If you earn money in your home country, you normally pay taxes to your home country regardless of where you live. There is no double taxation per treaty. The embassy letters are going out mostly as a result of lack of respect from farangs, so it seems, anyway.  Elections may bring about more clarity (or less). Hope my next extension is a good experience.   

19 hours ago, rumak said:

I believe a large majority of single westerners come here to get away from lives that were not happy Unfortunately very few (from what i have seen) have taken advantage of the different way of life that thailand offers.  Pretty much like children that despise their parents and then proceed to become just like them.   For all that are making a better life here i applaud you.  Bring that thai smile to immigration with you. Yes, it might not be 100 % genuine,  but with practice it does tend to grow on you.

It's been nearly 14 years as close to heaven on earth as you could imagine. Wonderful, plus ten years of absolute marital bliss, many joyful family additions. I could go on for a long time...

14 minutes ago, rumak said:

I probably was not too happy to see you arrive just a scant 14 years ago ( ???? )........but do "like" the fact you enjoy and appreciate what we have here.   As for changing the attitudes of the multitudes arrived or arriving I am afraid the dam has burst...... 

Hmmm, well, I never even noticed there were like buttons and emoticons and such or considered them useful in this context. I think what you're trying to say is about what Will Rogers said when the city of Great Falls Montana held a dinner in his honor, was it in the 40s. Something to the effect, "I'm very honored, but must confess that I wish none of you were here." The last 14 years have been well worth living, but the prior 57 anything but, except for the three as a kid I spent fishing by myself. I'm hoping to die here in peace.