captnhoy

He was supposed to go to Cox's and get a seersucker hat. Instead he went to Sears.

Can you use Skype to do this? I use it frequently from my laptop - I'm guessing they have an app for phone now too. Cannot quote prices in baht, but probably 2 or 3 per minute. Maybe someone else could say more about this option.

Ages 19 and 13; probably a good match mentally.

Than you for a very thorough report - I'm going to bookmark it just in case I manage a multi-entry for next year as I'm fed up with the "retirement/permission to stay" routine.

1 hour ago, Suradit69 said:

 

You seem to be assuming that the people ("we") who would tell them the "truth" would be typical of the chronic moaners and whiners on Thai Visa. Many expats, possibly the silent majority, would not pose ridiculous complaints or make disparaging comments in a childish attempt to shock "them." 

 

If you're fond of the truth, many of those who complain endlessly are not representative of expats in general. 

I am glad that they are having this exchange. If something good comes of it, that is great. I do not expect much though. IMO the chronic moaners and whiners are the one's telling the truth and the apologists like you have your own truth. Mine is just as real as yours. What kind of source could you possibly have to know the numbers of this great divide? Let that silent majority speak up, otherwise it is, ummm, your own prejudice.

Thanks everyone. I found a trail in my 4 year old messages that leads to another expat forum. You can find one of them if you open a door.

Unfortunately indeed - they were a real asset to that bank. Thanks very much for your quick reply.

Maybe 3 years or so ago there were two westerners (that I knew of) on the forum who worked for Bangkok Bank and could assist with issues. I received such help once and the local bank manager in the small place where I live decided that I was well connected. He had to return that "mandatory" insurance premium that he nicked me for when I opened my new account with them.

I would like to deal with one of these people again but do not know if they still have a presence here.

Indigenous peoples of the world - you are so <deleted>.

Unfortunately this good experience underscores what is the NORM in this country. A bad experience. Every dog has his day and that was one for the OP.

I paid for my niece's private school with the primary goal of her learning English. She was 7 years old when she started. After 2 years i was unable to see any progress. As in any. I requested a meeting or a chance to sit in on the English class. They did not say "no", but they dodged it persistently. I gave up and transferred her to an "advanced" public school. (my own terminology) She is 12 now and can manage a very little bit of English. As a side note, a school friend of my wife is the head of the English program at a public school. She is unable to converse with me. When she leaves she exuberantly says "Bye bye!" much like a 2 year old. I have been here for 11 years and much prefer my annual 6 month rotation back in the US now. In reading your post I end up wondering if you are putting your own dream in front of your wife's and daughter's well being. Have you explored in depth your wife's lack of enthusiasm? People here on TV who do not give Thailand rave reviews do so for good solid reasons in spite of what the apologists will write. Have you considered that the political strife here is actually class warfare? My advice is to not underestimate it's importance.

OMB - if only those were real.

I agree with Dan5. Experiences with immigration will vary like interactions with people in any public facing job. And with all due respect to those who advise that a visa will make the problem go away, I say maybe not. It could simply be discrimination toward the Filipina and if so, IMO, a visa would not change that. If I were the OP I would shrug this one off.

Damn jamhar! THAT'S what we're talkin' 'bout! I might have to change my obsession from hoy to hooters!

Thanks JLCrab and Elviajero. I'm actually in Ranong so visa runs are small money for the boat taxi and a crisp $10 US I think. I think your input about managing to stretch the time might be very helpful for anyone else following this who wants to do that. In my own particular circumstances I expect to continue my 6 month cycles. Does anyone know if ME could mean numerous entries during that 6 month period? I mean it would not be too challenging to plan regional travel to mesh with the 60 day out requirement but I would not necessarily want to be tied to that. Staying 6 months and doing in and out every 60 days would add up to 2 visa runs and an exit. For example if I did a visa run at 60 days and then wanted to actually go somewhere 30 days later - this year I toured Sri Lanka a little - and then other trips amounting to, say, 4 exit / entries, I assume that would not be a problem. I'm trying to look before I leap and understand any drawbacks that might come with adopting this plan. Thanks again for sharing your understanding of the topic. And last, BK6060 you may well be right about sticking with my current approach. I pretty much know the ropes for extension of stay. It feels a little tedious at times but I do manage.

When not in Thailand my legal address is in Iowa. In Thailand I'm within minutes of a popular border crossing.

When in Iowa, contact Portland, OR Honorary Thai Consulate.

Thanks for that. I'm actually wrapping up my trip this year in the Portland area for several weeks.

When not in Thailand my legal address is in Iowa. In Thailand I'm within minutes of a popular border crossing.

First I will admit that I am painfully ignorant on this topic and I'm on this thread trying to catch up. My interest in the topic is to determine if I can stop doing the annual extension of stay for my non imm "O" and do this instead. For the past 2 years and departing within the next 2 months, I have only been in Thailand for 6 months at a time anyway as I'm enjoying the other 6 months in my home country. Here are some points that I am considering -

1. The employment requirement may be dual purpose; In my case preventing me a retiree from applying.

2. The tradeoffs that I need to weigh would be the increased costs of the METV including visa runs, compared to the 90 day reporting and meeting all of the requirements of extension of stay.

3. I assume that it is an unknown how many back to back METVs would be issued

With 54 pages and over 1,300 posts here, I am trying to get right to some input from others who may have gone before me on the strategy. Comments please or pointers to post numbers that cover this.

MMMM - now I'm hungry. My new favorite is to mix a small bag of Tong Garden peanuts with a small bag of M&Ms. A great snack!

27000 for what...?

Police tea fund

Contribution to the Generals new Merc

Rubbish.

Are you denying there is corruption at immigration offices? Are you actually claiming that people do not pay extra money to certain IO's to get things done or fast tracked? If you believe this, I would be curious to know what time you landed yesterday........

IMO he covered it all in his post #27. Everyone knows there is corruption at all levels. But that is not what the OP intended. He thought he was buying a service from and agent.

There is a "pinned" thread at the top of the "general forum"

NCPO Thai government. 24 hour Call Center 1111 http://www.1111.go.th/

They deal with any and all complaints related to anything and everything.

Noise, schools, retailers, builders, police or anything else.

Consumer Protection Board. http://www.ocpb.go.t...?filename=index

This agency deals with all retails, real estate and alike problems, including faulty products, incomplete jobs, warranty's etc.

It also deals with unlicensed restaurants of food sellers.

Have you actually used them? My experience regarding a CTH complaint was a total waste of time. Over two months ago they said they'd be back in touch in one month. Nothing happened. I'm sure if I followed up they'd just say that CTH didn't respond. That is what happened with me too, so what is the point of using the NCPO. No different to CTH.

Same here. I contacted CPB through their email system and got no response. I felt that was the best way to start the process as I live 10 hours from Bangkok. I've since filed that experience under what my friends refer to as "cultural differences". I have tried to be a retail customer of 5 places via their websites within the past 2 weeks and also have recieved no reply. My lesson learned - Go in person or learn to read and write in Thai.

I did it for 5 years on the Andaman side. That ended 4 years ago. It was an amazing experience and I saw everything from Ranong to Langkawi and west to the Andaman Islands. In those days I got away with listing one of the marinas as my address even though I was only there occasionally. i expect that you still could succeed with that approach. Like any bureaucratic topic here there's a certain amount of pain to endure regarding registering your boat and entering exiting Thailand. I second the recommendation for noonsite.com

I've had my moments here when I'd gladly pay the 500 or 1000 to punch the Thai person who treated me as less than, in oh so many ways. And yes, I AM happier back in the nanny state now where people for the most part are civil and even friendly. I'll probably end up in court for saying this but if Thailand had an <deleted>, it would be named Phuket, which I believe actually means Phuku.

Oh Dear! I hope Anonymous did not put up a page where the website should be saying - RRRRAAAnnnnnn I don't THINK SO! That would be too cruel.

And better late than never. What about the people who have made the trip in the recent past? Ckok Dee Krahp! And don't get me started on the "annual" cycle.