cusanus

My Bangkok Bank debit card worked fine to book my flight to the USA, but it wouldn't work to book the flight back. Also, can't access my account via iBanking with the same password I used when I left. Guess we'll figure it out when I get back.

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On 1/20/2017 at 9:05 PM, NancyL said:

No the officer doing the extensions is not authorized to sign for them.  But now there is someone with authority working at Prom to sign, but if that person is in a meeting, then you wait.  Personal Info Form seems to be dead and gone now.

Gee, I got six critical reactions to my post. I really shouldn't bother, but I'll say it again for the nth time. The officer who I connected with this year for my visa extension was authorized to sign indeed, though I can't be certain he was the one who signed it because I waited another ten minutes. Yes, in prior years you had to sit around until about 2PM until the passports were signed and returned from the Airport office, but that was then and no serious hassle. As for the 90 day, once again, the last couple of years I've mailed it because it takes only a few minutes to fill out the form, copy the passport, and mail it using the SASE I printed somewhere above; however, I actually find it a great pleasure to go in person and spend the day exploring the city. I'm no novice, this is my 12th year in CM and have NEVER had any confusion or frustration or burden or excessive wait for either visa extensions or 90 day reports. My TM30 was done at the Airport building. Every procedure requires little more than a very simple, one page form and copy of passport depending on your purpose. I think I did try to go back and explore the origins of this battle with immigration but many of the posts had been removed because forum rules do not permit dragging Thai institutions through the mud. Perhaps some people have had problems and valid complaints, but I've never had anything but positive experiences with Immigration. I saw a friend who panicked because his supervisor failed to sign his work verification, but my good wife helped him resolve that problem. In any case, I do not believe the thaivisa forums should be used to air complaints against the system, nor do I believe that CM Immigration has ever deliberately created an impediment to quality service. If you don't like to wait or have a struggle with the forms, then by all means use a 3rd party service, but don't wage a war with CM Immigration, they definitely are not trying to screw you, and that isn't the way to go in Thailand.  Now I'm just going to ignore this thread from now on. 

22 hours ago, EricTh said:

 

True. But not everyday can wade through pages and pages of posts to get what they need or know of this website.

 

A lot of these retirees are not from English speaking countries such as Japan, France etc.

This year I had to fill out a simple single page form, same as the last 11 years, a few minutes to spit a copy of my passport out of the printer, had to wait a little over two hours whereas a few years ago the wait was ten to fifteen minutes. The officer complimented me on my preparation and returned my passport with extension within ten minutes. I'm nothing special. I can't comprehend why anyone should be confused or need special help or find any difficulty in getting an extension, no more complicated than a trip to the grocery store. The TM30 caused me a little pause last year, but it was explained perfectly well in numerous places, including Immigration's website.      

14 hours ago, Thailand said:

Or simply send it by post? 

Indeed, that's exactly what I've done the last couple of years, twenty minutes effort max, but I sure don't mind having an excuse to spend a day in Chiang Mai. . 

22 hours ago, eyecatcher said:

I went for a 90 day report today. 

Arrived 3pm, the checkers firstly pulled out the foreign info forms and said we no longer need them.

 

Sat down and was called immediately....there was no one there, infront or behind me!

 

Actually there didnt seem to be that many people there at all today which is a surprise after the weekend.

 

3.10pm  walking back to my bike done and dusted.

 

just saying that you really dont need to bust a gut setting your alarm for 5am!

 

That's how it always was for me at the Airport, just walk in any time at first, but then later you were out if you didn't get a queue ticket, tough luck. Now, some say it's easy to get done at Promenada, too, but maybe not always. I have a 35k drive times two that has to be repeated if it's not a hit, so it's safer for me to get there by 6:30AM and really no trouble, plus I've got all day to have fun in town. 

10 hours ago, true blue said:

Most sensible post so far on this subject.very intelligent assessment of people's gripes.you would think they would get a life.there so boring. And full of themselves

 

Much Ado About Nothing? I went to Promenada last month for my extension after 12 years in Thailand. There are perhaps hundreds more people needing services than in 2005+ so I can no longer waltz in any time of day and be done in less than an hour, sometimes ten minutes. So, I arrived this year like last at 6AM. My passport copies and form were filled out in advance, about five minutes to do that. I enjoy walking around the mall and sometimes have a little coffee. Only dimly aware that these third party visa services exist. I was 3rd in line and finished by 9AM, delightfully pleasant time and little inconvenience. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to spend a day in CM cruising the malls, having a new food adventure, and sometimes making great friends. I've been blissed out and blessed out of my socks since the day I first arrived in Thailand. Immigration has always been informative and helpful if a bit rushed at times. Of course, arriving out of nowhere and not knowing the language may result in some confusion and a few rough spots initially, but I've never lacked for help. It made a big difference when I found the most adorable Thai woman I've ever seen who speaks both fluent English and Thai. Nowhere else in the world can you stumble over so many beautiful women and warm hearts. Thaivisa and other Internet forums/blogs have helped me keep abreast of things and ease me over a few rough spots.  

On 2/12/2017 at 4:35 AM, EricTh said:

 

The officer I asked 2 weeks ago said it doesn't need to be 24 hours. It can be one or a few weeks.

 

If the TM30 needs to be only endorsed on re entry, that's excellent, I don't have to drag my Thai wife along (meaning she may have to work). Normally, 24 hours is no problem for me, one day is the same as any other except for perhaps a bit of jet lag; however, what if I wanted to stay in a different province for a few days before going back to Chiang Mai? Ok, not convenient to go to a different Immigration Office I guess.

6 minutes ago, mcfish said:

Excellent report! I've saved it for the near future and will go the same dentist. Can I ask what pain control method you chose?

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk
 

They didn't offer a choice, but I'm very sensitive, have fought bitterly with dentists over the pain in the past and was scared, but I felt absolutely nothing on the bottom two molars and had the crowns about six weeks later. The top three took quite a while and the gums towards the front were quite sore afterward, but otherwise again not a hint of pain except that afterwards I was still quite sore for a few days, but there was no swelling and not nearly as much trouble as I expected from the surgeon's caution. I'm convinced it doesn't get any better than these guys, very nice, very professional, very honest, I'm very happy and pleased to recommend them.  

I've had five implants this last year at Chiang Mai supporting seven 100% zirconia crowns, not a hint of pain on the bottom two though the three implants on top were a bit rough and had to wait three months for the five crowns. Absolutely TOP quality work, no charges for appointments or x rays, I was treated extremely well. The surgeon was most professional, excellent, while the impressions and crowns were later done by a very efficient, superbly competent and lovely young lady. I discovered that the surgeon performs at at least one other clinic.  These were Osstem implants which I researched as being cheaper but seem to have as good a record for quality and longevity. I expect them to be fine through the rest of my life. The cost was 36,000 per implant plus 15,000 for each of the zirconia crowns. The crowns were a choice with the cheaper option being 10,000 each, but these were ceramic and metal combination, not as strong, also the presence of metals, particularly dissimilar metals, can cause galvanic currents that destroy the implants and spread toxins, so the zirconia is the way to go and mine are just plain gorgeous, better than natural teeth. The upper jaw bone is not as rugged, so I also had a bone graft for 30,000.  The total cost as you can figure yourself was 285,000. Absolutely worth every baht and I can't imagine a better result anywhere. (Hope the math is right) Elite Dental at the Pantip Plaza.  

6 minutes ago, CMBob said:

It seems that the TM30 enforcement which was 100% enforced out at the old Immigration office is not being 100% enforced at Promenada Immigration.  For example only, as I noted before, a friend recently extended his Tourist Visa, didn't have any TM30 filed for him, and nobody at Promenada even asked about it.

Also, as I noted before, I specifically asked the Immigration officer why some officers were saying you only have to "update" your TM30 when you re-enter the country whereas at least one or more officers are saying that one must do it if even gone 24 hours from your registered address within country.  The Immigration officer acknowledged that different stories are being given by the officers and, when I asked the officer what the heck I should do, I was exactly told with a smile: "Up to you!"  I'm only updating when I re-enter the country and we'll see if I ever have a problem.  Hopefully not.

I think you're right, that it's only when entering the country (TM30). I may have been told wrongly. Maybe Don's Life can help, if it's okay for me to post the link: http://donslifeinthailand.com/TM28_Imm_Law.html

1 hour ago, Konini said:

I keep dropping in and out of this thread, but I'm here now to ask a question regarding a comment I saw some time ago.

 

We don't do 90 day reports, we always go somewhere before the 90 days are up, the condo management are responsible for reporting us as coming back; I doubt they do but it's never been a problem and it certainly isn't our problem.

 

I read somewhere that when you re-enter the country, you're supposed to fill out some form once you've passed through immigration clearance, I remember 'round a corner' being mentioned.  We're going to Australia in a couple of weeks and would like to know if anyone knows the current system (I know it changes a lot) and if we do have to go to some counter to report that we are back in the country before we leave the immigration area.

 

Will be very grateful if anyone can fill me in on this.

Pretty sure what you're talking about is the TM30. If you don't have a stub already in your passport, you're liable for a 1600 baht fine. I always knew about that, but the first ten years I was here nobody ever bothered with it and it wasn't enforced, but recently some people have been getting called on it and fined. I voluntarily went it and paid the fine. The rule is that anytime you sleep somewhere overnight besides the address on your 90 day report, or re enter Thailand, then you must get a new TM30 within 24 hours.  You can look this up on the Bangkok immigration site where it is clearly written. Much of the confusion and argument in this thread is concerned with that. It appears that in some places it is being enforced but in others not. Also, some people believe that it's the property owner's responsibility. Technically, this is true, but it's also very inconvenient to get shot down when you go in for a visa extension and don't have the stub in your passport.  Now, I'm not sure if this answers your question, and I can't say that you will ever be called on a missing TM30 stub, but that's the law and it's always a possibility. Hope this helps.  

On 2/6/2017 at 6:35 PM, NancyL said:

This is EXACTLY what I was writing about.  Other parts of Thailand aren't enforcing TM30s, or if they are, they aren't fining 1600 baht.  And other parts of Thailand don't make it frustrating for the newly arrived.  See, Casuanus you got "skinned" for $10,000 -- to whom?  A visa agent.  Guess where part of that fee went?  It is in the interests of Imm. to stonewall newcomers, to give them incomplete information, to throw up roadblocks so that they go to see visa agents.

 

As for E/S saying he was well treated by the smiling college interns.  All they had to do was look at his passport or even the general way he conducted himself and know this wasn't his first rodeo in Chiang Mai.  And when he asked the directions to the new G4T office, they knew he was part of the "in crowd".

 

Why does Chiang Mai seems to be different than the rest of Thailand -- that's a good question, and one that we'll continue to ask as we transition on our way to a 10 year retirement visa in Sabah state, Borneo, Malaysia.  There are several reasons we're going, but the unchecked conditions at the CM Imm. office, i.e. the question of "indeed, why is it so much different than the rest of Thailand" is one of the reasons.  

Well, I said immigration wasn't responsible for me getting skinned. It was the shippers who confiscated my stuff because one of them wanted to steal a 750 Kawasaki motorcycle, but I don't want to get into that, not really on topic. I don't mean to be insensitive to those who have trouble with CM Immigration, but I've never had any trouble at all, they've always been most helpful and I look forward to seeing them every time. All of the forms and procedures seem extremely simple and straightforward to me. The TM30 has been a pain in the rear, but not much of a hardship for 12 years of bliss in Thailand. I do suggest Google for checking on procedures, well explained on Thaivisa or DonsLifeinThailand. Of course, I have an advantage with an articulate and lovely Thai wife to help cut through it all. Also, having been here for years, I have all the copies and forms on a folder on my computer and print them out in advance, already partially filled out, and the routine is old hat by now. I'm a bit uncomfortable with the critical attitude towards CM Immigration because I've gotten to know them over the years and they've always been perfectly helpful and polite even the three years before I met my Thai wife. 

3 hours ago, true blue said:

And why is that.pray tell me.there must be a compelling reason.why they are so indifferent apart from executive reasons.ive always found Thai people to be reasonable accommodating and pleasent.

My apology for my enormous mug getting posted twice. Anyway, I am in Chiang Mai and I guess different people fare differently, because they've ALWAYS been top notch for me in every way here at Immigration. I winced a bit at having to pay the 1600 baht fine for the TM30, but that problem isn't unique to Chiang Mai and a very trivial inconvenience. I went through a lot of confusion when first arriving 11 years ago, but the language barrier was the biggest problem. Yes, I could have really used somebody to steer me through everything, there was a lot of trouble and I ended up getting skinned for about $10,000 with nobody to help, but I can't blame immigration for that.  My wife and I have helped several people get things ironed out when having a serious problem. She's Thai and an English teacher so everybody is lucky to know her. I've seen Immigration go through periods when it was terribly understaffed and watched them suffer a lot, but things are much better now. Perhaps the way to have the best possible experience is to avoid getting a critical attitude and try to be patient. I get a lot of answers here and other links via Google. One of the best is donslifeinthailand.com. 

On 1/30/2017 at 8:58 AM, scottiejohn said:

I do the same but also take a copy of the photo & Visa page(s) of the passport and copy of TM30&Dept card and keep them on the computer and carry a copy (I sheet of paper) in a plastic envelope in my wallet.

Mine is scanned onto a hard drive as well, backed up on a portable, also backed up on Google Drive for remote access in case I'm in transit. Handy to print out and mail in for the 90 day report and other times a copy is needed. I use a Canon 287 printer/scanner/copier, cheap, a bit temperamental with the ink cartridges, but well worth the trouble. 

Hmmm, no discussion for a whole year. I've never had much problem. At Promenada for retirement extension I show up about 6:00AM and am 3rd to 5th in line. Last year 2016 and the year before we had to wait for the passports to go to the airport office, get signed and returned about 2PM, but this year 2017 the officer doing retirement visas is able to sign them right away, for me about ten minutes, possibly 30 in some cases. As for the 90 day reports, I think everyone can do them by mail, but maybe not as I live in Sanpatong. I actually prefer to go in because I enjoy the process and love the people and can bum around the mall for a while, but the new personal information form is kind of unpleasant and it takes me no more than ten minutes to mail it in. I've read the phrase that you have to send it in at least 15 days early, but I think that means between 15 days and 7 days. Since I've never gotten that quite straight, I've always sent it in exactly 15 days ahead. Is your experience any different? 

7 hours ago, Dante99 said:

Why don't you book direct with the rental companies?

Indeed, that's where I ended, but they still have the drop off charge, $250 vs $300-500. Anyway, problem solved, my son volunteered to drive from Montana and pick me up. We have some shared business to take care of near Seattle, anyway. So now all I have to do is pay him for the gas, no big deal. Everything is looking good :)

Oops, cancelled again. Turns out they were hiding the fact that to drop the car off in Billings means a $250-$500 charge. Will have to rethink this now. I can do Greyhound for $175. But no need for the IDP certainly. 

Ok, here's what ended up happening, should be of interest. I was disappointed to learn that Expedia had a car for $10/day instead of $41, but turned me down because I didn't have a USA driver's license. So, I called back and complained and the next one called the car company and confirmed that a Thai driver's license was good enough and no IDP needed, either. So, I called the other agency and was still able to cancel out, then called Expedia back. Oh oh, again I wss told that a USA license was required. This time I was better prepared and said, hey, do what the last lady did and call the auto company to check, I'm sure a Thai driver's license is good. So, he did. Thrifty Auto said no problem. I ended up paying $50 for two days with taxes and other charges, so figure the one lady fibbed a little, but it's still a lot better than $82. And now it seems safe to forego the IDP, saves time, hassle and money. A Thai driver's license ought to be useable in the states, it's in English, no IDP necessary. 

Ok, here's what ended up happening, should be of interest. I was disappointed to learn that Expedia had a car for $10/day instead of $41, but turned me down because I didn't have a USA driver's license. So, I called back and complained and the next one called the car company and confirmed that a Thai driver's license was good enough and no IDP needed, either. So, I called the other agency and was still able to cancel out, then called Expedia back. Oh oh, again I wss told that a USA license was required. This time I was better prepared and said, hey, do what the last lady did and call the auto company to check, I'm sure a Thai driver's license is good. So, he did. Thrifty Auto said no problem. I ended up paying $50 for two days with taxes and other charges, so figure the one lady fibbed a little, but it's still a lot better than $82. And now it seems safe to forego the IDP, saves time, hassle and money. A Thai driver's license ought to be useable in the states, it's in English, no IDP necessary. 

So, I've got a copy of my yellow book (living color), two copies of my passport, a copy of my Thai drivers license (car and motorcyle both, front and back), four photos. That should do it, the extra copy of the passport and photos are for the re entry permit. Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything. If I have to go to Immigration first for a res permit that isn't too tough except I've got to have another set of copies and another photo plus 500 baht more, and really don't want to bother with that. Right, the IDP probably isn't necessary, but they say it's advisable.  

4 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

I have used my Thai DL to rent from Enterprise, Thrifty and some years ago Budget in the US with no problem booking directly online.

 

$60 car, per day? Last time I got Enterprise at about $200 a week but maybe you are after the top of the line.

$30/day for two days. I paid $82 for the two days at Rentalcars dot com because Expedia required a US driver's license. I think that was just the dumb clerk, but I went ahead with rentalcars. Really, there's just my small body and a couple of small bags max. The smallest and doggiest is fine for me. 

19 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

I have had multiple IDPs but not in the last 3 years.. 

 

Yes a residence proof is required but the standard situation is any of 4 things can suffice, the yellow book being one. 

 

You do need a 5 year Thai DL not the 1 year. 

 

As ever with Thailand, I wouldnt bet the farm in it but I would be fairly confident that you will get an 12 months IDP with your current licenses and a yellow book without a immigration cert. 

Not sure I understand you entirely. I need only go to the DMV with a yellow book (and a copy of it, I suppose). There's no need to get the residence cert first from Immigration, what a pain. ?  Is that right? 

Wow! Am visiting the states after residing in Chiang Mai 12 years. Expedia refused to rent me their $60 car because I have no valid USA driver's license, only the Thai five year (of course, my USA license expired long ago). But I told her the Internet (Hertz, etc...) told me the Thai license was good for rentals being it's in both Thai and English. No rent. So, I called rentalcars dot com and was told the Thai license was FINE, but it wouldn't hurt to have the IDP. I see the same thing repeated often, so I looked into getting the IDP. The latest info before this goes back several years and the discussion boils down to getting the residency certificate at Immigration which is THEN required for the IDP at the MVD. Here it looks as if all you need to do is go to the MVD with proof of residence. I'm reluctant to take on two trips with 2 copies of the passport and 3 photos, 500 baht for each place, and am having trouble keeping it all straight. I also need to get a re entry form. I'm just wondering if all I have to do is go to the MVD with the yellow book. That's what it sounds like we're saying here.  That wouldn't be difficult at all. Anybody concur with this? Guess I could give it a try.   

On 10/28/2016 at 9:13 PM, Maestro said:

 

I see a contradiction in the above statement. If I understand you correctly, you were not fined. Your wife, the "house-master" (เจ้าบ้าน), ie the chief possessor of the residence where you are staying, was fined. Presumably, the receipt for the fine was issued in her name, not in your name. Was this the case?

Technically, you're correct, but do you really think I'm going to stare down my wife and have her get the money out of her purse? Ditto for anybody else, there is little likelihood the house owner will suffer any consequences, it is YOU who could lose your visa, so smile and pay the piper.

Afraid I can't help too much. I always just put in the new address on the next 90 day report (TM47) and was never challenged about it for 11 years, so don't even know what a TM28 is, okay change of address, so thanks for the tip and if I move again I'll try to remember to drop into immigration and ask about it, but I think this is generally ignored so don't sweat too much. The hotel is supposed to report your stay with the TM30 but I don't know how the stub gets into your passport which is required. I've never bothered with a TM30 despite many trips in Thailand because it was never enforced until recently, so I guess you just ask each place you stay and try to get it right. If not, you may end up paying a 1600 baht fine, not too serious, but be sure once you settle in that you get the TM30 done and have the stub in your passport. What you really should do is stop in at the nearest immigration office when you get to your permanent location and ask them what you need to do, just be sincere and make a best effort to do what they required. It's easiest to do the 90 day report by postal mail with EMS, see immigration website for directions. .