cusanus

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. 

42 minutes ago, stephenterry said:

My visa company also revealed that there is no need to start queuing at 4am for retirement extension as the process has been streamlined so that an applicant can walk in anytime during opening hours and not get delayed. Has anyone done that? 

Visa company? You mean agent, right? So why bother with an agent if it's that easy? Just curious.

37 minutes ago, NancyL said:

I don't think you'll be charged with "overstay" for failure to have a TM30 on file before filing an application for a retirement extension, but rather you'll be fined even though it's the responsibility of the home owner to file the TM30.  1600 baht seems to be the standard fine in Chiang Mai, although they impose a larger fine.

Was at least two years ago I found out about it and ran down and paid the 1600 baht fine. Maybe you got lucky. For 10+ years before there was no mention ever, nobody did it, but it was always the law. 

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

And the simple fact remains NOBODY knows if immigration will alter their requirements in the future and until then pure speculation.

Until then, the 800,000 baht / 3 month rule stands.  Is borrowing the required amount really a gambit? Lenders usually require collateral. Also, if you can get better interest elsewhere, why should you be required to let it sit for 12 months in a Thai commercial bank? And just how does the IO determine whether or not the 800,000 baht deposit is a gambit or simply a more efficient use of the money?  

15 hours ago, CharlieH said:

This is not the place to discuss "Wills".

Seems very little is resolved, and I probably should apologize to Nancy because she is indeed right, you must keep 800,000 baht on deposit during the three month period BEFORE going to Immigration to renew your visa. Before or after there is no rule. Otherwise, what hasn't changed either, is that you must show 65,000 baht/mo income or a combination of both. For example, if you only generate 700,000 baht income, you must have 100,000 baht on deposit for three months prior. Well, 65,000 x 12 is only 780,000 isn't it, so there may be a little give and take there. But what is getting people really upset is that the consultes no longer do income letters for submission to Immigration, and some are saying that Immigration won't accept foreign statements of income. YOU tell us your experience, because it seems to me that the annual Social Security statement and/or 1099R is a pretty good proof, and most pensions can give you a statement and of course all produce a 1099R, at least in the states. I sure don't have the answers for what will or will not satisfy Immigration. And then there are those who produce income by other means which may be rejected. For those affected by these issues we need people who will provide their own experiences in the coming months. I guess that could be too late for some. BUT, a much better option is to take whatever proof or evidence prior to that time to Immigration and wait for someone and ASK the horse. Right? Then report back to the rest of us. I also think that a letter from the bank proving 65,000 x 3 baht for three months prior will satisfy Immigration; at least this is what I vaguely remember doing myself 14 years ago, but then I also brought about $25,000 baht over in cash. So, don't believe anyone on the forum, just GO ASK THE HORSE, right? 

10 hours ago, NancyL said:

I know of numerous situations where survivors have been able to repatriate money back to the the U.S., even in the absence of a Final Will, although it's much easier if the deceased had the foresight to write a Final Will.  As for me, I plan to leave the 800,000 baht to local charities to make it easier for my executor. Our U.S. financial planner has no problem with a portion of our retirement savings being tied up this way.  Maybe because in the big picture, it's really not much money and it gives us a ready source of cash here.

A couple of points. The 800,000 baht need only be on deposit for the 90 days (or was it 3 months) prior to renewing an extension, not quite the big deal some are making of it, or correct me if I'm wrong. You can also put a beneficiary on an account, otherwise it will likely not be split the way you want, I think 50% spouse and 50% equally among children. But I think Bangkok Bank (and probably the others) will require a will before allowing a beneficiary (been der done dat). Be sure the will is properly signed (two witnesses, one is NOT legal), and unless you own real property in Thailand you should outline the will using legal boilerplate available in your home country. You can do that while in Thailand and have it notarized by the embassy, then take it to the bank and get the proper forms signed by both account owner and beneficiary. Most SOP last will packets include a number of other forms such as medical power of attorney and general power of attorney, the latter is advisable in case you become incapable of managing your own affairs, and do not be a fool, because undesirable relatives are more than likely to pounce and wrest control away from you at that point. Seriously, take heed. 

7 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Are there ANY first hand accounts of this ? As "he said she said" etc doesnt really count for much. (No offence)

 

Reports of people doing extensions with other than the deposit method (800k or 400k) in the following weeks/months will shed some light on the ""guidelines". 

Actual and factual experiences will be the only real way to enlighten and inform others as to what is actually working and acceptable.

I can only say how it worked for my ex wife and me when we arrived in early 2005. We didn't prove income by statements showing foreign income, but by a letter from the bank saying that over a 90 day period we had deposited 65,000 baht or more in Thailand originating from a foreign source, the assumption being is that this was sustainable. It may be different now. 

2 hours ago, Thailand said:

Where did you hear that?

Believe it was this forum, or at least another on Thaivisa.com. If it mattered to me I would pay a special visit to Immigration and make a personal inquiry. 

10 hours ago, connda said:

If that's the case, about 1/3 of the expats on Non-O visa extension are going to be freaking out, especially those with extensions ending in the first Quarter of 2019. 

My understanding may be wrong, but I thought it was that the Consulates will only do them through the end of this year, but that would make them good at least through January I would think. Also, if you have statements showing your pension and/or social security, wouldn't Immigration accept those? It's all gotten rather confusing it seems so I just keep 800,000 baht in an account. It would be a real tough situation if the rules switch and you're not prepared. Also heard that if you have a marital dependent then a joint 800,000 account no longer works, but it has to be 1.6 million baht, so why have a dependent visa? 

2 hours ago, geronimo said:

Sales may be on the increase but how does one know usage is on the increase ?   Market friction ....

Word gets out...

On 6/11/2018 at 8:48 AM, lvr181 said:

I met a very lovely girl who works in a bank and we had a wonderful short time together - what's "illegal" about this 'sex toy'?

What I've read and believe to be true is that sex toys are not illegal in Thailand, only that it is illegal to import them. That makes sense to me because the websites are all too obvious and claim their products are made in Thailand.