garyk

2 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

It is not a Visa. Nowhere on your stamp does it state the word ''Visa''.

 

You have an extension of your permission to stay based on retirement, obtained from a local IO, which is a permit.

A Visa obtained from a Thai Embassy/Consulate would allow either one, two or multiple entries.

Your permit does not allow any entries, you must purchase them separately (single 1,000 baht, multiple 3,800 baht) if you want to exit/enter Thailand during the validity of your current 'permission to stay' period.

 

In your intention is to stay in CM, then you'll have to complete and submit a TM28 to formally change address in order to file your 90 day reports there. A hotel files the TM30. In private/rented accommodation the 'house master' should file the TM30.

 

 

 

Ok, I thought it was a visa.

5 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

That depends if he's going to stay in a hotel again, or if he has a private residence.

 

He hasn't really told us much about his reason or length of stay in Thailand.

I'm guessing he has a Non Imm O-A Visa which the Thai Embassy in the US often refer to as a 'Retirement Visa'.

My Visa says  retirement visa stamped on it? Every year I get one. A visa based on income. I am on the road now. Heading to Chiang Mai. Last year I was here for a couple of months before I went to get my Visa. They got upset for some reason. 

I will let you know what they say. I keep the receipt for the hotel. So hopefully that will help. 

Thanks

Chiang mai, But i flew into BKK and will stay here for a few days before I head out to Chiang mai.

Thanks appreciated. I am already 24 hours out... ahhhh

Hey glegolo, what is the time frame? How long do I have to report before I get fined?

Thanks

I am a little confused?

I flew into Thailand, I have a retirement visa. 

Tried to get the hotel where I am staying to report my entry to Thai immigration. They said no they could not do it for me.

Last year I had to pay a fine because i did not register when i arrived.

What do I do?

24 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

I agree totally and plan to use the income verification method.  My monies are doing quite fine where they are invested.  However, I would point out that the 800k does not have to be in Thailand for the entire time.  There is nothing wrong with putting the 800k in and then withdrawing from it regularly, then refresh it up to 800k at the proper time before your renewal (90 days prior is it?).  Doing this shows how you are paying for things month to month which some offices seem to be concerned about lately.  I personally don't plan to do that since I plan to stay in country about six months of each year and will just bring cash and use the ATM a few times while there.

I have a really hard time with that thinking.

Pulling money out of the market every year to put 800K in a Thai bank is expensive. It is a loosing situation for me. I might take a hit on the timing of the withdrawal, I would take a hit transferring it into Thailand, I would take a hit re-investing it. Extremely poor and bad business in every since of the word. Although 800K is not a large sum of money. I have 0 interest in financing the Thai banking system with a free 800K every year. I feel like I am already spending my money here and helping the Thai economy with out supporting the rip off banks. 

I like it here, don't get me wrong. But, I have set limits on what is acceptable for me. And the 800K baht rule is one of the rules I will not abide by if it comes to that. And fortunately I don't have to abide by it. 

No hard feeling either way, love Thai people.

I travel allot and allot in southern Thailand. I have been to that office for a 90 day report and tried to get an extension of stay in Su-ngai Kolok. Ran into the same problem. Came back to Chiang Mai and breezed threw.  I avoid the south for my extensions. I can prove the funds with no problem, but If I had to put 800K in a Thai bank I would just relocate to another country. I tie my funds up in money market and equity's. Pulling out 800K for a retirement visa here is ridiculous. You cannot own a small piece of land, cannot work, have 0 rights. Very poor place to have funds IMO.

5 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I am saying that Thailand is a country that needs to overhaul their visa program. Mexico lets 

visitors into Mexico without a visa, for up to 6 months. You need a valid passport, and your money.

Mexico knows how much money the tourists are spending, and appreciates their visitors.

Thailand makes it very frusterating, with all the crappy 60 day visas for this amount, or a 90

day visa that is harder to obtain. If you want a longer visa, you have to show that you are

relatively rich. The new 10 visa rumour was only for the filthy rich who can afford to open

a 3 million baht ban, account that they cannot touch for a year. How nice  to be rich like that.

When most people spend 4 to 6 million baht on a house in their Thai wife's name, they do not have

that extra 3 million baht kicking around.  So yes I would say that Thailand is a back woods country

that has to advance into the 21 century. So in future I will make sure that my visa covers my entire stay

in the country so I do not need to see Bangkok's fancy immigration building and staff again.

Geezer

I have a retirement visa here. But, travel allot. I drove from my home in Texas threw Mexico into the Yucatan and stayed a month last year. 6 month when entering. A Pleasure after dealing with Thailand.

One of the main reasons I have never, and will never invest one penny here. Retirement laws, land owning laws, it is just a very poor place to invest in IMO. Short term is GREAT here. Just don't get caught up in the con's..

Boy this sounds familiar, I am 8 years with my GF. Same thing. Not a bar girl. Sweet gal really. But, after 9 years in Thailand. I am a little sick of it.  Personally if she was not there I would never go back to Thailand. 

Every time I come home for a few months my GF moves back to her village and after about a month I get bombarded with this same thing. I want a house. I need land so I can grow things. You never give me enough money to put in my checking account. 

I go back to Thailand she picks me up at the airport. In my truck... :) The money starts flowing, and she is away from the relatives.  Everything is roses again.. Next time I go back, rinse and repeat....  

Personally I put in my will to give her a few hundred thousand baht. If she is still around she is set. If not, who cares.... At least I am covered.

1 minute ago, DeaconJohn said:

Went to visit my old neighborhood in Camden, N.J. last summer.

The city has become a menacing disaster. The signs in shop windows cue you into where you are:

"See an overdose? Call 911 immediately."

"REWARD $12,000 For information leading to the arrest and conviction in the shooting of an 8-year-old girl."

"Demeal Rudolph has been missing since Monday 7-1=16. Age 15."

"DO NOT ENTER WITH MASK OR HOOD. IF SO YOU ARE NOW TRESSPASSING."

It really felt good to get back to Thailand.

Wow, that sounds more like a war zone!

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

 

 

Funny post. Yeah, that big butt thing is something I have never gotten either. When i visit LA, it is remarkable how much the homeless population is exploding in the US. Something that is just not talked about by the current administration, who are too busy dispensing false reports about how healthy the economy is, and how well the average American is doing. They are also quite busy talking about how low inflation is. Yet, rents are rising at a rate that most find alarming. In Santa Monica, basic two bedroom apartments are in the $3,000 a month range. Nice 2 bedrooms are between $4,000 and $5,000 a month. I saw a small cottage in N. Hollywood, which is not a particularly nice area, renting for $2,900 a month. Retail space is $3 a foot, and up. For a mom and pop store to pay $6,000 a month in rent, it becomes quite difficult to survive. And yet, there is little to no inflation. Theater tickets in Manhattan are averaging about $200 now. More evidence of low inflation. A bag of groceries at Whole Foods is $100 to $200. More evidence of low inflation. Many who were paying $700 a month rent, who had their rents suddenly jacked to $3,000 find it unsustainable, move out, and cannot find a new place to live. Many end up homeless. Many Americans live hand to mouth, without savings. Once you become homeless there is little hope of recovery. 

 

As far as the food goes, I seldom eat in random restaurants in the states. If I use a guide like trip advisor or yelp, or get recommendations from friends, I am often able to find outstanding food. But, it is very overpriced. That is for sure. Whole Foods is a real delight. But bring a boatload of cash. I am usually astonished at how much I spend on such a small amount of stuff there. It has gotten so expensive to live in the states. And yet, there is little to no inflation. Yeah, just like unemployment is at 4%. Right. There is a very good reason most people do not trust the government. 

Those prices are insane! I believe it. I was in business here in San Antonio Texas for years and the number of people moving here from the L.A. area (California as a whole) was unreal. They could come here and live like kings on what they were paying in California. Many relocated here to find a good job and reasonable and affordable housing. On my trips back home to this area I see unemployment extremly low? Very few homeless that I see. Construction is everywhere, jobs seem plentiful. 

So IMO it is,  are you willing to relocate to an area that is more job and housing friendly. Actually Thailand is the same in many respects.

When I was working in Austin Texas I saw the same thing. Housing prices went threw the roof. I simply relocated to San Antonio when I retired(from the high tech job in Austin). 50% cheaper and very healthy economy. 

I agree that California is extremely expensive in general. Compared to my home state. 

I'm back in the U.S. now. I have a home here and a vehicle! I find it about the same price as Thailand!

Money wise I see absolutely no difference. Playing and having fun? A huge DIFFERENCE. Thailand is a lot of fun for a single guy. One of my favorite places.

14 minutes ago, chiang mai said:

 

Harsh but true!

 

If an expat has a pleasant 600 year old cottage in the Cotswolds there's little reason to be here other than for fun, but if that UK abode is a bedsit in Sunderland chances are that a life in Thailand is hugely attractive - sadly the world revolves around wealth.

I agree and disagree! I am not wealthy, but do enjoy the country side in my country. I love the well laid out parks. I love the museums. I am from Central Texas, San Antonio, Austin. It is quite an amazing place if I do say so myself. I love my visits!

What I am trying to say is you don't have to be rich in America to enjoy yourself.

I also love A.E. Asia, Mexico, and am heading to Columbia in the next month.

8 hours ago, LPCustom69 said:

I go back to the States for about 3 months each year, and enjoy it. It helps keep things in perspective. I have family, and great friends there.

 

Food costs me more, but I eat out a lot. I hit a Thai buffet once a week.

 

And like everyone else, I always bring a suitcase of things I want, and for presents.

Same here!

9 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Any you, are you aging OK? Or is that beside the point...

That is a good question. I am very healthy, eat healthy and exercise daily. At 64 I have no health issues. Do not drink or smoke. Personally I do not like young women. I like older women closer to my own age. And in S.E. Asia i find the quality of women in my age group extremely good.  

Cheers

Interesting view of the UK. Thanks

I find food in the big markets here MUCH better. I try to eat healthy. And I find it much easier here in America "honu"

Love the LOS's and other Asian country's as well, but groceries are first class here in the big markets.

I go back to america each year for a few months. I have a 1 year visa in Thailand and get it extended each year.
Kinda strange, but I would like to know your views on living in Thailand after returning home for several months?

Here are my views.
Food is much better and healthier in America when shopping in the market. Much better for you IMO.
My neighborhood is VERY clean. After living in Thailand for years it is nice to come home and not see so much trash thrown everywhere.
You cannot own property in Thailand and I enjoy coming home and working on my home and knowing it is mine. Peach of mind more than anything else for me.
Women? I personally much prefer Asian women. As I get older I find they age much better, and sexual hang ups are not near what they are here in America. As well as the total nonsense you have to put up with here in America. A much easier, and pleasant experience with Asian women.
Healthcare in America is much better IMO. No comparison.

Anyone else care to weigh in? After living in Thailand for years I find it increasingly difficult to break my ties with my home country. And, even long for my trips home.

3 hours ago, NancyL said:

While I "liked"  a post about how a married guy thinks none of us foreigners are especially viewed as "bad" here vs. the retired guy, I should remind us all that we're here with simply one year "Permissions to Stay" and that permission could change on a dime -- to use American slang.

 

The fact we gave our Thai partners huge sums of money to buy homes or businesses is irrelevant.  We're still here with a one-year permission to stay.  Think about that for a while. 

It is always amazing to me the folks that do not think about this before investing in Thailand. Thailand is a great place to live NOW! But, the future is , well a yearly thing? Many things to love about Thailand. Retirement security is not one of them IMO.

1 hour ago, xvend said:

 

Elite Visa, open a legit business, or marry a thai bird. Your choice.

 

First 2 options preffered

LOL, wise man!

If you want to live here just get a retirement visa, very easy. There are many countries that you can live in if you want to do visa runs. Malaysia is one, Cambodia is easy to get a long term visa. 

Thailand is strictly a party place. The government knows it and sets the rules accordingly. Give me your money sucker... LOL

Did the same thing last year. Kinda funny, I knew the 1 year extension had expired. When I came threw the airport the guy at immigration kept telling me what kind of visa I wanted? He thought I did not know it had expired. Finally he said well, I am just going to give you 30 days???? OK LOL

Went to Penang, very easy for the O visa. Very nice folks there and quick turnaround. Back to Thailand and converted to 1 year extension with no problems.

The O visa is good for 90 day's I think then you can extend if I am not mistaken. More knowledgeable folks here can answer that.

If you enjoy travel like I do then it is great fun. Georgetown is a great place to spend a week or two also.

Good luck.