connda

I plan to quit work and move to another place in Thailand. I want to change my Non-B visa to a Non-O Spouse-- but I want to do this before I quit work. When I quit work, I want to go back to my family in my wife's village. I don't want to have to immediately leave the country because my Non-B is no longer valid and screw around trying to get a visa to get back in the country in order to be with my wife, son, and family.

I will soon have some time to travel to Singapore or Malaysia to get this done. What process do I need to follow?

If I was in American, the Thai Consulate where I lived would simply issue me a 90 day Non-O Spouse by just submitting my marriage certificate (I've already checked this out). Then, of course, I'd have to apply for the extension once I'm back in Thailand with the requisite 400K baht in the bank (for two months), and whatever documents (pictures, maps, etc) the provincial immigration office wants me to have (they all seem to have their own rules). However, it's not cost effective to travel all the way back to the U.S. just to get a visa stamp.

So, can I pretty much go down to the Thai Consulates in either Malaysia or Singapore with my marriage certificate (and wife) and get my Non-B changed to a Non-O Spouse -- just like I can in American. Or is it going to be more complicated than that?

Thanks!

I feel bad for the damage that is being done to the reputation of this country including the adverse economic ramifications (possible loss of foreign investments, damage to the tourist industry, etc). But with that said, it's their country. They're gonna have to figure it out on their own.

Best advice to foreigners: stay neutral and stay out of Thai politics. We may live here, but this ain't our country!

If you have a burning need to share your opinion, limit it to discussions with other farangs. Think about it -- the last thing we need is to have Thais targeting foreigners because some idealist idiots feel they need to become political activists in a country where they're not citizens.

Already things are changing.

Pepsi came out today and said they are going to reduce sugar/fat/salt in their products.

That alone can save the health system a few billion dollars.

Hopefully the other culprits will follow: Coke, McDonalds, Burger King, etc.+.

It's all about choices we make. Nobody is pulling your jaw down and shoving Pepsi down your gullet at gunpoint......get my drift? If only the Founding Fathers could see us now.......government telling us what healthcare to buy, what cars to buy, what we can and cannot ingest for food, we have to pay our foolish neighbors mortgage. Taxed on our income, taxed when we buy a television, taxed on the electricity we use to power the television, and if you live in liberal California you also pay a tax for the pleasure of using more electricty than a "normal" television.......electricity which you have already paid tax on as well. It seems that some of the expats on this forum have been away from the USA for a bit too long because they are totally out of touch with the average American. There is a seething pressure cooker of frustration building up in America right now because the good people that pay extra for the good insurance, keep themselves financially sound, and are self reliant are watching as Obama is taking away their tax money to bail out irresponsible companies and individuals that should be left to reap what they have sown. Watch in November mid-terms to see a confirmation of this. If the election of a Republican in extremely liberal Massachusetts wasn't a sign then I don't know what is.

Right on Stonecutter. We sure don't need the government to tell us how to manage our lifes. The problem is that most politicians want power: Democrats or Republicans. And what fun is having power if you can't wield it over someone's head. If anyone really wants the US to head back in the direction of a limited-government, Constitutional Republic, than the American people are going to have to elect third-party independents into office who will actually try to bring some sanity back into government. But I also think that most Americans are too fat, dumb, and happy. The majority are going to remain in their blissful ignorance as long as they can maintain some semblance of their credit-crazed past lifestyles.

Massachusetts? I don't know. A Republican got elected, but really, what's gonna change? I expect to see a lot of changes in the mid-term elections -- Republicans filling Democratic seats. But when the dust settles ain't nothing gonna really change...do you think. Just more Big Government finding ways to control the average guy on the street.

Ultimately, I just want to be left alone to retire in peace over here in Thailand.

Thai Politics = SOSDS

Same old sh-t, different shirts.

Let's see what happens over the next few weeks to months before we start worrying or not worrying about how it affects expats.

dam_n...I should have started a thread that said, "What the hel_l do you think of Healthcare, Obamba, and US foreign policy?"

But if you took a second and read the original post (which you probably didn't), all it said was that as an expat American, you will not be required to pay into a government mandated health insurance system that you don't need here in Thailand -- and -- you won't be penalized for not having that "mandated" insurance.

Personally, I'm pretty happy about that because I'd rather have 2.5% of my gross income (or a flat rate $625) going to pay for the health insurance that I do purchase here in Thailand. And by the way...I've never had to use the insurance because I can afford to pay for 95% of my medical expenses out-of-pocket here in the LOS. You can't do that in Amereica.

Like most over-opinionated Americans, everyone seems to have unshakable core beliefs about everything under the sun without ever researching facts. I took the time to read the bill and cross-reference the IRS code. What did you all do??? -- Listen to some talking head on Fox News that looked more like a cheap Las Vegas hooker than a news anchor??? Give me a break...

Now, go back to talking about whatever B***S*** you want to...I'm outta here!

What a box of rocks.

I'm sure if you are an American expat you're probably wondering what the effect of the new Health Care bill (HR 3200) will have on you. Many of us already have health insurance that covers us in Thailand. The new bill mandates that individuals obtain "acceptable health insurance coverage" or else pay a tax. Starting in 2014, the tax is 1% of your gross income or $95. In 2016 it increases to 2.5% of your gross income or a flat rate of $625. Of course, "acceptable health insurance coverage" will only be insurance that is offered by the insurance cartels who lobbied congress in the first place. Which means that your Thai issued health insurance is a worthless piece of paper as far as the US federal government is concerned.

But – good news! Obviously enough pissed off American expats wrote to their congressmen and senators. The bill actually contains a provision that exempts expat Americans from the tax. Here's the quote from the bill:

HR 3200, Title IV, Subtitle A, Part VIII, Subpart A, Sec 59B ( c )(3) states:

INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OUTSIDE UNITED STATES.— Any qualified individual (as defined in section 911(d)) (and any qualifying child residing with such individual) shall be treated for purposes of this section as covered by acceptable coverage during the period described in subparagraph (A) or ( B ) of section 911(d)(1), whichever is applicable.

Ok, so what is a "qualified individual". You need to go to the Internal Revenue Code, Sec. 911: Citizens or Residents of the United States Living Abroad for that information. Basically if you're an expat American who has lived outside of the US for a full year then you are "qualified". See that specific reference below:

Internal Revenue Code, Sec. 911: Citizens or Residents of the United States Living Abroad

TITLE 26, Subtitle A, CHAPTER 1, Subchapter N, PART III, Subpart B, (d) Definitions and special rules:

For purposes of this section - (1) Qualified individual -- The term ''qualified individual'' means an individual whose tax home is in a foreign country and who is -

(A) a citizen of the United States and establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that he has been a bona fide resident of a foreign country or countries for an uninterrupted period which includes an entire taxable year, or

( B ) a citizen or resident of the United States and who, during any period of 12 consecutive months, is present in a foreign country or countries during at least 330 full days in such period.

So if you're an American Expat and your home is here in the LOS, it looks like you will not be forced to buy overpriced insurance that will probably not cover you here in Thailand anyway -- and -- you won't be forced to pay the penalty tax if you chose not to purchase mandated US health insurance.

And you posted this in the Pattaya Forum because?

Moved to Internet computers

I totally lost my mind for a second. "SLAP, SLAP!" Ahhhh, I feel much better.

Your right...it should have been in the Internet forum. Didn't notice what forum I was in when I posted.

My humble apologies...

I'm having problems all the time. Service is up 5 to 10 minutes then down for 2 to 5 minutes, then back up...back down...back up...back down -- day and night. But what can you expect in the LOS.

I've got Maxnet in Nakhon Ratchasima. Over the last couple of weeks, service has been abysmal. Day or night the service is available for about 5 minutes and then down for 2 or 3 minute -- then back up -- then back down. Totally f***ed up.

I really hate the unreliability of the Internet in Thailand. Oh well, the country still has one foot in the rice paddy so what should I expect.

I have a Non Imm B visa and I work in Thailand. I've been marriage for over two years and I want to change my visa to a Non Imm O Marriage visa. I have 400K in the bank for the requisite 2 month period. My Non Imm B (second extension) is valid until September 2010.

What is the simplest way to accomplish this transition from B to O Marriage?

I want the Non Imm O Marriage in case I decide to just quit my job for a few months without the hassle of getting kicked out of the Kingdom, and in the future I'd like to eventually apply for permanent residence.

Windows 7 hits the market

NEW YORK: -- Although the official U.S. launch event is still some hours away, Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system has hit the market, going on sale in a number of countries across the globe.

Boy -- here we go again. There is no direct upgrade path for users of Windows XP, which is the Microsoft operating system of choice of most corporations and computer-savvy home users. That means that most end-users will need to understand how to completely rebuild their own computer from scratch -- and for the average user -- that's gonna be a major challenge. Then you have to relearn the new Windows 7 user interfaces. I'm sure that, as usual, Microsoft will either move, hide, or obfuscate the legacy interfaces that can be used to control, monitor, and tweak the new operating system. So now you again have weeks of relearning as you attempt to figure out how to control the new OS. Well, I sure that Microsoft's "Authorized" Training Partners will be more that happy to teach you the new Window 7 operating system at $2500 a pop for a 5 day course. Microsoft has always been totally out of touch with their existing user base. Nobody I know likes relearning the new user interfaces that MS rolls out with each new version of their OS. But here we go again. Well -- not me!

My suggestion for the average user – buy an Apple. As for me, once Microsoft discontinues support for XP I'm switching to Linux and open source programs. I just don't see any value in the "new and improved" Windows 7.

Hi Catman...

AEON ATMs remain fee-free.

UOB went over to the dark side a couple months ago.

Vagabond and another TV member have reported in the last couple days that GSB has begun charging the fee. I haven't been able to confirm that in BKK myself. As reported above, for the last three days, my usual GSB ATMs have been kicking back my U.S. debit card, the same one I've always used with GSB in the past with no problem.

Re HSBC's branch near Saladaeng, I don't have any definitive info on that. There haven't been many posts on their status, as best as I can recall. I have an HSBC card from the U.S., but I long ago ceased using it in the HSBC ATMs here, because they always seemed to give a lousy exchange rate, even before the 150 baht ATM fee arrived.

There also have been some reports by some TV members that they've been able to use Bank of Ayudhya ATMs without incurring the 150 baht fee, mostly seemingly Brits. But other members do get charged the fee at Ayudhya ATMs. I don't think we've ever been able to account for the conflicting reports.

HSBC is not a listed member of the Thai Bankers Assn. that hatched the 150 baht ATM fee scheme, but neither is GSB....

AEON ATMS...no 150 baht withdrawal fee...

Hey jfc, I've been away from this site and away from Thailand for the last 4 months (but return on Wednesday) so I'm a little behind on the goings on on this thread. From what I've just briefly read I understand that GSB are now charging the 150bt fee. When I left in June the other charge free bank was UOB....by the sounds of things they must be charging now too, which just leaves Aeon right??

I was wondering about those 3 HSBC ATMs down at their one and only Thai branch down in the Silom/Lumpini Park area. Do you know if those machines operate fee free??

Thanks.

I just came back from Government Saving Bank and they have started charging a 150 Baht fee.

Darn...Government Bank just joined the "Dark Side". The last time I took money out they were free. Today -- 150 Baht. I'll have to try Aeon next. Looks like they are about the only ones left.

If on 90 day visa entry leave the country just before your visa expires and on re-entering Thailand you will get another 90 day permission to stay.

I'm on a one year extension of my Non-Imm B visa.

I want to change my Business visa to a Marriage visa. I approached Thai immigration in Nakhon Ratchasima and was told by the immigration officer that the only acceptable proof of financial support was 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account for 2 months. He will not accept 40,000 baht a month income. Regardless of how the law actually reads, with this immigration officer, I only have one option.

So here's my problem. I transferred the required funds into a Thai bank account that is in my name. But my current Business visa will expire before the money is in the account for the "required" two month period. So, what do I do?

How interesting. It seems like the "friendly" regional immigration offices have the autonomy to interpret national immigration laws however they wish. I guess that way they can enhance the customer service experience that they provided to those of us trying to live here and support a family.

I was planning on changing my Non-Imm "B" to a Non-Imm "O" Marriage visa next month (current "B" visa expires in early September). I'm working and I'm able to meet the financial criteria of 40,000 Baht per month.

However, when I went to my "friendly" local immigration office today (July 22, 2009), I was given a document (written in Thai) outlining the requirements to obtain a Non-Imm "O" Marriage visa. The immigration officer took a pen and crossed out the 40,000 Baht financial requirement and said that it was no longer acceptable. He said that I had to meet the requirement of 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank.

A few years ago, you could have either 40k Baht income or 400,000k Baht in the bank. Then, immigration changed that to only accepting 40k Baht income. Then within the last year I thought they changed it back 40k income or 400,000k in the bank. Now I'm officially confused, but not at all surprised.

When did the regulations change again?