Jaochoo

Many thanks for the replies. 

Looking to purchase a Garmin GPS for my new motorcycle and would really appreciate some advice from anyone using the same.

1.  For the purpose of my question, let’s assume you have ample space and can fit any model on your bike. Would you go for the Zumo 395 (4.3” screen) or Zumo 595 (5” screen)?  
2. There is a significant difference in the price and although the Zumo 595 has some additional features, I am not entirely convinced I would find these that useful. However, if the larger screen and the dual orientation feature is a really big advantage then I would probably go with this regardless. Any thoughts?
3. I am considering buying the GPS outside of Thailand as the price is cheaper and a few accessories are also included. I will therefore require a Thailand map and my initial research suggests that the best map is ‘Thailand City Navigator’. I hope this is correct? This map will obviously need to be updated periodically and ‘Garmin’ Thailand has confirmed a price of 450 Baht per update. Somewhat surprisingly, this same charge applies even if I was to buy the GPS in Thailand, as unlike in the west, free lifetime map updates are not available for motorcycle GPS units.
4. I understand the ‘Thailand City Navigator’ map comes pre-installed on Garmin GPS units purchased in Thailand. This same map can be purchased separately on a SD card and can be installed on a GPS unit purchased outside of Thailand. However, I’m sure I remember reading an old post on this very subject suggesting that the pre-installed map is in fact different and better than the version purchased separately. Garmin Thailand didn’t mention anything about this but......!!!!  Can anyone confirm if this is correct?
5. I have been informed that certain features such as 3D building and junction view are not available on the Thai maps. Are there any other features that are not available on Thai maps as I don’t want to buy a GPS unit with this huge list of features only to find that many of them are not available in Thailand?

Sorry about the long list of questions but I need to make a quick decision so that I can place my order overseas in time for my friends return flight to Thailand.

Incidentally, I am not interested in using any kind of Smartphone or similar device to navigate. Also, I am aware of the new model Zumo 396 and I assume a Zumo 596 will no doubt appear in the near future. However, the Wi-Fi feature is not a deal breaker for me and I also don’t have the luxury of waiting.

Many thanks in anticipation of your replies.

13 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Yes and yes.  Normally application for extension is done during last 30 days of permitted entry but many allow up to 45 days early if you prefer.  Extension will start from end of current permitted stay.

Okay, that's great news. Knowing we will definitely have the ninety days permitted to stay should give us enough time to sort out all the financial stuff in time for the retirement extension application.

Many thanks for your help.

6 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

The visa (to use) is valid for 90 days from issue.  The permitted to stay is 90 days from entry date.  Visa does not have to be valid to stay once you have permitted to stay stamp.

Many thanks for the quick reply.

Just to make 100% certain I am understanding you correctly;

Once the visa is issued I can travel to Thailand at any time within the validity of the visa and even if I arrive in Thailand with say five days left remaining on my visa I will definitely get a permitted to stay stamp for ninety days?

If the answer to the above is yes, can I apply for a retirement extension at some time during the next ninety days even though my visa will have expired?

Something has just come to light that could present a problem.

Is a single entry non-immigrant o visa only valid for ninety days and does the ninety days start from the date the visa is issued?

I was assuming that it would be valid for ninety days on arrival in Thailand but I suspect this is wrong.

11 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Yes it is a one year multi entry visa getting a new one year permitted to stay on any entry (so usable with an exit just before expiration date for almost a two year stay before local extensions of stay required).  During this time only 90 day reports and no need to have any fixed amount in a local account until a few months before doing extension of stay.

Thanks for clarifying. Could be something to consider and I will relay the information.

14 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

She would also appear to have the option to apply for non immigrant O-A visa if she has 800k equivalent in UK banks and this would provide one year stay on arrival.  It does require simple medical statement and police check however.

 

Other thing is medical - insurance may be an issue at her age and medical care here is not free even if using government facilities.

Many thanks for the additional information.

Would this type of visa require her to just report her address every ninety days or would she have to leave the country?

Yes, medical issues are a worry but at her age health insurance is unlikely to be available. Thankfully, the sale of her house in the U.K. will enable her to be self funding. Not an ideal situation I admit, but then leaving her alone in the U.K. is not an option we would consider. Fingers crossed she remains healthy and we are able to give her some fun times for as long as possible.

Many thanks for the prompt reply.

She is over sixty five (by quite a bit!!!) but thankfully is in good health.

I was curious why the Thai Embassy in London would require a copy of her pension statements and I was going to suggest that she explained that she would not be using her pension to reach the 800,000 Baht requirement. However, after reading your reply I now realize that a state pension is a requirement to receive a non-o visa in the U.K. and all now makes sense.

I will relay a copy of your reply to my mum as I know she is getting a little stressed and confused with the visa situation (join the club!) and this will help put her mind at rest.

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.

I would appreciate some advice regarding visas and retirement extensions for my elderly mother presently based in the U.K. and looking to move to Thailand later this year.

Following the recent death of her partner and the lack of family in the U.K. we would like her to come and live with us in Thailand. She has visited us many times over the years and is delighted at the prospect of joining us in Thailand.

I have been living in Thailand for the past eleven years with my Thai wife on a married to Thai visa extension and I am therefore not totally familiar with the visa and retirement extension process that would apply to my mother.

I am listing below my understanding of the process and would be very grateful if anyone experienced in such matters could confirm if this is correct.

1)     Apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa by post to The Royal Thai Embassy in London.

2)     On arrival in Thailand open a Thai bank account and deposit 800,000 Baht.**

3)     Once the above sum has been on deposit for two months, apply for a retirement extension at Jomtien Immigration.

** I am aware of the pension option but this will not be used on this occasion.

Questions;

A)    Should the Non-Immigrant O Visa be for a single or multi-entry?

     If the application for a retirement extension is made say two and a half months after arrival in Thailand (allowing time for the money seasoning), is the extension usually issued promptly as I am anxious to avoid my mum having to leave the country on some kind of visa run?

C)     I am assuming she can go directly from a Non Immigrant O Visa to a Retirement Extension?  

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

Update on applying for a Senior Fixed Deposit Account with CIMB

I recently went into my local CIMB branch complete with my Passport, Yellow book, Pink ID card and a copy of the relevant page from the CIMB website showing the requirements for eligibility as shown below;

• For individual residents in Thailand with identification number and age at least 55 years as of the account opening date.
• Minimum deposit amount of THB 10,000 and THB 1,500,000 maximum and only one account per customer.
• Interest payable upon maturity or monthly.
• Period 1 – 30 Jun 16.

After lots of checking and talking amongst themselves it was explained to me that the Thai version of the eligibility requirements states that this account is for Thai citizens only. They apologised for the confusion and explained that the conflicting English version of the eligibility requirements must be due to a translation error. I was not entirely convinced and when I returned home I decided to telephone the CIMB call center for confirmation.

The call center were equally unsure about the eligibility requirements and the person dealing with my enquiry had to keep breaking off to obtain answers from (I assume!) more knowledgeable members of staff. They were clearly struggling to explain away the English version of the eligibility requirements and I decided there was little point in pursuing this line of questioning. In short, I asked them to confirm if the Senior Fixed Deposit Account is only available to Thai citizens. After a very long break (I assume to double check!) I was informed in a very unsure manner “Yes, this account is only available to Thai citizens”.

That should have been the end of this sorry saga but a few days later I was looking on the CIMB website for information on additional savings accounts and I came across a page that is specific to the Senior Fixed Deposit Account that I had not seen before. Curiosity got the better of me and I opened the page to find the following information;

Eligibility

• For individual residents in Thailand with identification number.
• Age at least 55 years as of the account opening date.
• For foreigners with identification number shown in house register.

Now I’m sorry but this is very precise and there is no way this can be explained away as a translation error.....or can it!!!!

I decided to complete the “Let us contact you” section at the bottom of the web page in the hope of discussing the above. However, several days later I am still waiting for a call.

I will be submitting my own application next week and I called into Jomtien Immigration last week to double-check the requirements. The officer that processes all the ‘Married to Thai’ visa extensions confirmed that the requirements are exactly the same as my previous application last year. Unfortunately, this includes the Thai witness requirement, copies of their Tabien Bahn, ID card and photos of them inside and outside our home.

Incidentally, I made a point of clarifying the Thai witness requirement as I didn’t want to drag our neighbour to the immigration office if this is no longer necessary.....sadly it is!

You may find my previous post (from this time last year) on this subject of help;

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804312-changes-to-married-to-thai-visa-extensions-at-jomtien-immigration/

@jachoo

i did not doubt what happen to but i doubt it is a new general rule.

maybe you obtain the thai form list of requirements "take care of your wife in thailand " under pragraph 12 it states clearly a witness only the

first year. the thai form to be signed by 3 people, applicant, examining officer, guarantor then to be lodged with your documents.

i contacted also 3 legal agencies none new the new rule.

if you wish to have a look at the thai form we can meet, so mote it be.

wbr

roobaa01

It was relayed to me by the top official in Jomtien Immigration as being a “New Rule”. Perhaps this is incorrect, I have no idea, but clearly some kind of directive has been received from Bangkok and the outcome of this is that some applicants have been instructed to return with a witness when submitting their married to Thai visa extensions.

I appreciate what you are saying, but in my experience the rules are what the Immigration official says they are, regardless of what may be written in the “Take care of your wife in Thailand” form.

As mentioned in my opening post, I suspect that there has been an increase in the number of fraudulent applications and this is the outcome.

Hopefully, a definitive answer from someone submitting their application at Jomtien Immigration over the coming weeks will be forthcoming.

Interestingly, there was a post made only yesterday as per the link below which appears to confirm that other areas of the country are experiencing a similar type of clampdown. It is quite a long post and I am therefore pasting a copy of the final paragraph below as this includes the relevant information.

Married-Extension "Nonthaburi Immigration"

Wait to around 10:20 when my wife was ask to come to Immigration Boss desk.

Need 2 copy more of some of the paper work, and was told because we don´t have kids together, The be a home visit again this year, around day 5-15, So we have to be home in that period.

This Nonthaburi Immigration have start doing since they caught a few Fa-Rang not in a "real" Married my wife was told.

as the op jachoo wrote rules had changed for him in respect marriage extension of stay. he was requested to take a thai witness along , confirming his marriage status. Then

he advised this being a new rule since feb. 2015.

well i object this fact for two reasons:

today i went with my pal who obtained his 30 days stamp under consideration based on marriage extension of stay at jomtiem, no witness, no children, 3 rd extension.

the thai list of requirements deviates from the english list of requirements in such way that the thai list states clearly only the 1 rst year requires a witness !!!!

the thai list is also being signed by 3 people.

wbr roobaa01

All I can say is that when I went to Jomtien Immigration in February 2015 my experience was exactly as detailed in my opening post.

Subsequent posts from other members have confirmed that in March 2015 the new rule regarding a witness was being enforced and all information in my opening post was indeed correct.

Moving into May we now find that two posters have recently submitted their applications and, despite having no children, a witness was not required. Furthermore, one of the posters states that when he enquired about the requirement regarding a witness, the officer processing his application said “for what you have been married for 20 years”.

Nothing would make me happier than if the new rule regarding a witness had been relaxed or better still scrapped altogether. However, the fact that the new rule was confirmed to me by the senior official that actually signs and approves the extensions, I find it hard to believe that things would have changed in only a matter of months.

Does anyone have any further information or better still a definite confirmation from an official at Jomtien Immigration that the new rule has been scrapped?

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Shouldn't this be copied, or moved, into the Thai Visas, Residency forum ?

Jaochoo, thanks for the heads up. Does anyone know if this a one off at Jomtien, or has this happened to other people as well?

I think I agree with Tony M, as I just 'wandered' over to the Visa forum and there is nothing about this quite important bureaucratic change in that forum.

To be honest, if I have to do this then it will be the final straw for me - I will do the extension based on retirement instead - much less hassle - but does tie up 800K Baht.

I did consider posting this in the Visa Forum but I wasn't sure if these changes only apply to Jomtien Immigration and I didn't want to cause undue worry or confusion to Thai Visa members that use a different Immigration Office. However, if a mod feels differently, I certainly have no objections to this being moved or copied to a more appropriate location.

After nine years of completing ‘Married to Thai’ visa extensions without any problems I was completely taken aback when I visited Jomtien Immigration earlier this week.

During the initial meeting when my application and accompanying documents would normally be examined and subsequently accepted for further processing, my wife was asked if we had any children and when she replied “no”, our application form and all documents were handed back to us and we were informed that we would have to return with a Thai witness to confirm that we didn’t have any children. This witness would have to supply a copy of their ID card and their Tabien Bahn and we would have to submit photos showing us with the witness both inside and outside our home.

We returned the following day with all that was asked of us and our application was duly accepted for processing in the normal way. Our witness (neighbour) was only needed when we had the usual follow-up interview with the senior officer. Our witness was required to answer a few questions and sign a couple of documents just confirming that we were known to her and are living as husband and wife at xyz address and that we have no children. This was all done in a friendly manner and was relatively straightforward.

I enquired what had prompted the request for a witness and was informed that this is a new rule that has only been issued in the last few days. Regrettably, this will now be an annual requirement for all future ‘Married to Thai’ visa extensions.

I can only assume that there has been an increase in the number of fraudulent applications and this is the outcome.

I’m still not sure of the significance with regard to having no children. Perhaps this is being used as some kind of alarm to prompt the officer to double check the application.

I had hoped that the witness requirement would mean that some of the additional documents would no longer be required but unfortunately this is not the case.

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That would tend to push you in the direction of either DTAC or True Move H service.

I don't think, there are any absolute goods or bads in terms of the service provided by the three big carriers. And likewise, a customer's actual service may depend on just where they're staying, in terms of having good signal / nearby towers from a particular carrier.

One way to start in that regard is check with folks living where you're planning to live or living, and see what carrier they're using and how they report their experience. That can begin to give you some ideas.

You can also buy an inexpensive pre-paid SIM for both DTAC and TrueMove and test it in your phone for the things you want to do with your phone where you're planning to use it. If the service is good, you can keep or extend the prepaid plan/SIM, or even switch to postpaid service. If the service/reception/signal is not good, you're not out much and can chuck the SIM and try another carrier.

Right now, between TrueMove H and DTAC, I'd probably lean a bit toward DTAC. Reasons include, they seem to be in better financial shape than TrueMove, they have years left on their legacy 850 Mhz concession whereas True's legacy 850 Mhz concession is due to expire next year, and DTAC has a nice feature that makes it easy to gain extended validity on their prepaid plans without having to do or worry about constant top-ups. DTAC also doesn't make it difficult on new foreign customers who want postpaid plans but don't have work permits.

Maybe an idea. Does your friend has any open Wi - Fi around like Truemove, 3bb, dtac or from ais? Usually they are around Chula and major roads. Their Wi - Fi is about 100 THB per month unlimited. I am using True Wi - Fi and pay 100 THB. The system will automatically recognize my mobile phone and I pad. I have to lock myself in with my computer though. Advantage is, that I am able to use all the Wi - Fi Hotspots throughout Thailand. No restrictions on speed at any time. Maybe worth to check that out.

Sent from my SM-N900 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Many thanks for your replies - the helpful advice has been duly noted and is much appreciated.

Clearly, the world of smartphones and their subsequent technology is going to require further research on my part……..slight understatement to say the least!

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When buying a smartphone for use in Thailand, you certainly want to be mindful of what different 3G bands (and even 4G / LTE for the future) its hardware is compatible with.

Although the three main mobile providers (AIS, DTAC and True Move H) all recently have launched and are building out 3G service on the 2100 Mhz band, they also are continuing to operate their legacy networks -- True Move and DTAC on the 850 Mhz band, and AIS on the 900 Mhz band.

So technically, you probably can get along OK with a 3G 2100 Mhz phone, moreso if you're in an urban area, perhaps less so if you're in a rural/remote area. But ideally, especially right now, it adds redundancy to have a phone that's also compatible with the legacy networks of the provider you're planning to use. TrueMove and DTAC are interchangeable in terms of compatibility with 850 Mhz 3G phones. AIS alone is on the 900 Mhz 3G band.

Of the big 3, the legacy networks of True Move and AIS have the shortest coming lifespan before supposedly those frequency bands will be re-allocated (who knows to where/what firm). But the DTAC 850 Mhz legacy 3G network has quite a few years still remaining and will run alongside its newer 2100 Mhz 3G service/band.

Meanwhile, there are fledgling efforts right now by DTAC and TrueMove H to deploy 4G services. I'm not clear on the frequency band assignments for those, and whether the longer term 4G deployments will be on those same bands or potentially others.

Many thanks for the very detailed and helpful reply, much appreciated.

All of the smartphones that I particularly like are compatible with the 3G 850/2100 MHz service and I will probably let this influence my decision. It would be so much easier if one of the main 3G service providers received rave reviews but, regrettably, they all appear to be as good or as bad as each other!

I will soon be buying my first smartphone for use in Thailand and was therefore very interested in this thread. Being new to the world of smartphones I would be obliged if someone could clarify the following;

Does the make of smartphone/specifications govern which 3G service provider can be used?

I note that some smartphones operate 3G on 850/2100 MHz and others operate on 900/2100 MHz.

After reading the previous posts highlighting the somewhat questionable service from some of the 3G providers I thought it prudent to ask this question before proceeding with my purchase.

Apologies for the minor high-jacking but as my question is closely related to the subject matter I trust the OP won’t mind!

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

ahh don't say that ,i use to think the same but they seem to have grown on me over the years,I'm pretty close to buying one now,yes its definitely not my ideal bike,but it is ideal for my current situation..

i have to stop calling it a bike though ,it will be called my scoot.

Bought mine in Nov. Quite happy with it. Just came back from 2500 km service. All OK.

Lane splitter par excellence. Fuel mileage 2.05 L per 100 km on average here in CNX. This with frequent trips to San Kamphaeng via Ring Road so not all stop-and-go city driving.

That's a impressive fuel economy, I get about 36 km/l but 90% city riding in Pattaya and I do use the idle system.

Best scooter I ever owned, smooth and comfortable and I don't care much about how it looks but I think it looks ok what others think I don't care about either, it's about the best run about for Pattaya money can buy and that's what counts.

I refuse to spend any money on "bling" on it, changed rear shock absobers to YSS and added a net for the seat and that it.

I seen some in Pattaya that must have spent 100k baht on bling, he-he.

Hi guzzi850m2.

Didn't want to hijack this thread and have therefore sent you a PM regarding YSS shock absorbers.

Hope you can help?

Regards

Jaochoo

An update for anyone interested and a big thank you to everyone for their input.

Since making my initial enquires with ‘British Airways’ and ‘EVA Air’ they have both increased their prices for direct flights on the dates I require. I can now appreciate some of the earlier advice about booking a good deal as soon as it becomes available!

Thankfully, ‘Thai Airways’ recently introduced some promotional offers on their website and I was able to book two return tickets for a total of 80,710 Baht. This may not be the cheapest direct flight available but, as the specific travel dates are crucial for my visit, it’s quite a relief to have everything booked and confirmed.

Thanks again for all the help and advice.

Many thanks for the replies.

Pleased to have the current flight prices confirmed but still shocked by how much they have increased since I last travelled.

Interesting to note that return flights from Bangkok - London - Bangkok are more expensive than London - Bangkok - London. Something I wasn't aware of until reading this above and may explain why I have previously paid much lower prices.

'British Airways' appear to be quite competitive and I will have to make further enquires. I seem to recall that one of the reasons I have not used them in the past is due to cramped seating/limited legroom - at just over 6' tall this is an important consideration for me on any long flight. Anyway, I will have to check this out as perhaps things have changed and their seating is now on par with EVA and Thai.

Thanks again for all your input.

I haven’t travelled outside of Thailand in over six years and as a result I am a bit out of touch regarding international airfares and the best places to seek discounted rates or special offers.

I need to visit the U.K. in early August and will return to Thailand in early September. Just did a quick online search and return economy flights from Bangkok to London Heathrow are around £1,000.00 – this is for a direct flight which I prefer.

I appreciate that there have probably been numerous price increases since I last travelled from the U.K. to Thailand in 2006 but, having previously paid £420.00 for a return direct flight in low season (June) and £640.00 in high season (Dec), the recent quote of £1,000.00 mentioned above does appear to be expensive.

Perhaps some of the more seasoned travellers on Thai Visa would be kind enough to confirm if the price I have been quoted is the current going rate. Any personal recommendations for websites offering international flights at discounted rates would also be much appreciated.

One final question for the more experienced travellers: is it cheaper to book and pay for this type of flight in Thailand or the U.K.?

Many thanks in anticipation of your help.

If I make out a Will in Thailand to cover all my Thai assets and I make out a separate Will in the U.K. to cover all remaining assets (all my worldly goods excluding Thailand), does anyone know the correct legal wording that needs to be included in each Will to ensure that they both remain valid (they won’t cancel each other out) and will be processed in their respective countries completely independently to each other.

Perhaps someone who has done something similar would be kind enough to clarify and confirm the correct wording.

Many thanks