Svante

14 minutes ago, zaphod reborn said:

 

Not necessarily.  Thai labor law allows the employer to require the employee refrain from specific conduct in off-hours or offsite which may shed the company in a bad light and cause damage to its public image.  Here, the employee is using a company-provided benefit (discounted airfare through credit card purchase) and can be required to agree to a dress or conduct code as a condition to availing themselves of the benefit.  Unless you have read the collective bargaining agreement for THAI employees and the terms and conditions of the credit card purchase, you can't know what was prohibited by way of footwear for this particular employee benefit.

Correct, just about all airlines that provide so called ID90 tickets to staff and their immediate dependents have dress code when traveling on said tickets.

ID90 means no confirmed seats until the check-in closes and only then on a first come first served basis, considering you only pay 10% of normal Y-class fare, this is quite acceptable. For Qatar and Gulf Air the dress code means slacks, proper shirt and shoes with socks. Flip flops, T-shirts and shorts are not allowed. This goes for crew as well as dependents. Idea is that you represent the airline, whether on duty or not, as an ID90 ticketed traveler.

26 minutes ago, Gracas said:

Taxis in BKK just on a local trip will stop to fill up, never understood why this could not be done when there is no passenger. But I'm sure there is a reason.

They fill up with the meter ticking, meaning they make money while filling up! Buses and vans are most likely getting paid by the station to bring customers for their shops.

Some cars have an oil cooler integrated with the radiator, a leak between the oil side and water side would show up as oil film in the cooling water. Check the water for oil which normally show up as foam on top.

Under hood heat kills lead acid batteries....The average life is 2 years, sadly.....

Correct! Every 10 degree C over 25 C, half the life span of the battery. You can easily have 50-60 degrees C under the hood here in Thailand. BMW is one brand that have addressed this and placed the battery in the trunk! BMW owners, expect 6-7 years lifespan on your batteries, for the rest with battery upfront, 4 years seems to be the upper limit. Also open the hood when possible to went out the heat and save the battery.

It is worth noting here that it is not required to have a THAI bank account, just a bank IN Thailand, Citibank, UOB, Standard Chartered etc is fine as far as immigration is concered. Those foreign banks operating in Thailand probably have a different approach to this. Give it a try!

((quote of removed post deleted))

Don't take this too seriously, people here, as you know, can be quite abrasive.

As for next year, as already been stated, do NOT try another imm office as that will back-fire the next time you make the extension at NST. Just follow the advice given:

1) 800k in a bank in Thailand, not necessarily a thai bank, in your name only, 3 months prior to extension request.

2) A letter from the bank stating your balance of 800k for minimum of 3 months and the present balance. This must be issued same day as the request for extension. If not possible to have the letter the same day, make a withdrawal of 100 baht or so just to have an entry in the bankbook for that day which also proves that the money is available on demand. The letter from the bank is still required.

3) As your pension is 420k (35k/month) you need to prove that with a letter from the embassy. Then you just need to have 380k in the bank.

4) However as the imm officer seems to be unaware of the combination approach, suggest you go for the 800k in the bank, if you can arrange that.

With a bit of luck, this particular officer may not sit in his present position next year!

I think the only suitable word is guest. Retired and enjoying the hospitality of Thailand as a guest, sure.

I rather be called guest, than alien which is the welcoming phrase in US when you visit. Alien certainly do not have a nice ring to it.

Really, who welcomes visitors with that phrase in the US?

Are you aware that in fact, by definition, you are an alien? And that by law that is what you are classified as here in Thailand?

I I guess as a US citizen you will not be regarded as alien, but US Immigration, TSA and Homeland security do refer us non US citizens as aliens.

I have travelled in and out the US extensively over the years and have never been once referred to as an Alien by US immigration, Grant "alien" is the word used in the written law

but no immigration offiical has ever said to me " Hello Mr Alien, what are doing in the US ?"

Of course not, neither does the Thai immigration or any other for that matter but US officially refers to you as an alien. No other country that I have visited use the term alien, albeit correct by definition.

I have to correct myself here, Latvia does apparently use the word alien for certain passport holders, but not in general for all non Latvians.

I think the only suitable word is guest. Retired and enjoying the hospitality of Thailand as a guest, sure.

I rather be called guest, than alien which is the welcoming phrase in US when you visit. Alien certainly do not have a nice ring to it.

Really, who welcomes visitors with that phrase in the US?

Are you aware that in fact, by definition, you are an alien? And that by law that is what you are classified as here in Thailand?

I I guess as a US citizen you will not be regarded as alien, but US Immigration, TSA and Homeland security do refer us non US citizens as aliens.

I think the only suitable word is guest. Retired and enjoying the hospitality of Thailand as a guest, sure.

I rather be called guest, than alien which is the welcoming phrase in US when you visit. Alien certainly do not have a nice ring to it.

K B, looks like nobody have posted with their real name.

If all would use their real name and stand for what they post and not hiding, the posts would be a lot more realistic and not just spur of the moment, posted 2am after a night in the pub.

Why would anybody stalk you for using your real name? Or for what you post? Unless it is insulting and damaging to somebody on the forum, but then a post like that should not be posted in the first place.

I am member of another forum with NO moderators and things can get out on a tanget from time to time, BUT the one and only rule is you post with your real name.

Looks like I am the only one using my real name..

While I personally dislike Suvarnabhumi Airport myself, I will admit that I have travelled through much worse airports.

What I don't understand is why so many long time residents here seem to hate everything about this country that they are living in. So what if Swampy is ranked 6th in the world? What does it matter? If you disagree, why must you express such disbelief? Why not just keep quiet and let it slide? Do you really have so much free time on your hand?

Definitely the most sensible post in this tread! Fully agree and I have been here since the Vietnam war, however did not participate in the war.

Bangkok has a very efficient and clean subway system, not to mention CHEAP. Try London and Paris and then tell me that you guys are not purely complaining for the sake of it. I really, really wonder why some of you guys stay here, unless you can't afford to live in your own country?

And not to forget, MRT is offering 50% discount to anybody over 60. Just mention that you are over 60 and the fare is half. NOW we can talk of really cheap transport. On one occation I had to show proof of age, any photo ID with birthdate or age will do.

There is no requirement that you have the funds in a Thai bank, just that it is in a bank IN Thailand, so use whatever trustworthy bank from your home country you can find, surely the protection rules applies here also, or at least they do not want to be exposed with fraud. Thai banking laws are somewhat stricter to foreign banks operating here.

I can add that when I did my annual retirement extension on 25th May at Chaeng Wattana, the requirements were the same as last year. I did not notice if it was a different TM7 as I did not download it, but filled in at the immigration office. 1 TM7 and 1 photo. As I am doing the 800k version, I also needed a statement from the bank, which was dated the 24th. They also wanted to have the bankbook to which the letter pertained and a copy of the relevant pages. One hick-up was that the last entry in the book was a few days ago and they wanted the last entry in the book the SAME day as the application for extension. As I'm using Standard Chartered Bank and they do not have an office in the building, I could not do much about this requirement. After a few moments of flipping the pages, the officer approved "this time, but next time...." That was basically all and then to the re-entry section for the multiple re-entry permit. 2hrs in total.

I don't understand what the commotion is all about. From now on immigration wants, once a year, to have proof that the stated pension of 65.000 baht/month is actually brought in to Thailand. Apparently there are people that show statements from the embassies of the required minimum income, whether pension or other and then do not bring in the money but most likely do work of some sort illegally in Thailand. I think this is not at all a strange request. For those that do not have an income or pension, the requirement to show proof of 800.000 baht in a Thai bank 3 months prior to the request for extension has been in force for many years. They have become more strict regarding the copy of the bank book. You must now have an entry in the book the same day as you ask for extension, meaning a small transaction must be done that same day.

I don't know if it work the same, but for marriage extension them don't care about your bank book, them want a declaration letter from the bank the very same day you go for it (can do in every branch, at kasikorn it costs 100 baht)

:jap:

This is true PROVIDED the bank statement is issued the same day as the application is done, but for logistical reasons this is not always possible, depending on what bank you use and their rules. If your statement is 1 day old, the bankbook is required and MUST be updated the same day.

They have become more strict regarding the copy of the bank book. You must now have an entry in the book the same day as you ask for extension, meaning a small transaction must be done that same day.

Can anyone verify this statement? For logistical reasons I have always got my bank letter the day before visiting Immigration.

As I wrote the above, I can elaborate.

The letter from the bank is normally 1 day old and that is ok.

The bankbook the letter relates to, have to be shown as well and have to be updated the same day as you request for extension. Reason being that the monies the letter states is in the account, refers to the date on the letter and that was normally yesterday. Immigration wants to be sure it is still there. Make a small transaction, take out 500 baht or so the same day as you go to Immigration, that is sufficient for them. Just make sure you still have 800k in the account!

Further more, the Thai bank does NOT have to be a Thai bank, just a bank IN Thailand. Personally I use Standard Chartered but any foreign bank with a local office is ok.

I am years from getting a pension, so this doesn't personally concern me YET, but I still find the news quite interesting.

Thailand has never before required IMPORTING any qualifying pensions. Only PROVING the pensions for those using pension income to qualify. That seems the potential HUGE issue of this news. If the requirement is only to show IMPORT of pension income for two months merely as evidence of the pension, that is not really the same thing as requiring that the ENTIRE claimed pension amount all be imported annually. Of course Thai immigration can do what they want, but if they DO mean they want to the entire pension IMPORTED annually, some more clarity would be appreciated. If they don't mean that, as I guess they don't, personally I don't see the logic in needing any proof on IMPORT of even two months. There are so many other ways to show evidence of a pension, such as an official letter from the government body issuing the pension, printed out online statements from our non-Thai banks of the pension amounts flowing into those accounts, etc. etc. ad nauseum. While I get that they don't want to make this too complicated for their officers (perhaps that is the logic for them) the requirement of required pension IMPORTATION has now been mixed with the issue of merely PROVING pensions. In that sense, I think this is definitely not good news ...

Seems to me you could get around the "import" bit by first establishing an THB800K bank a/c, drawing down on it as req'd up to 65K/month (this is allowed as I understand it), then topping it up to 800K at the end of the year.

That is exactly what I and many with me are doing. The 800k only needs to be in the account 90 days before you apply for extension. The rest of the year, the money is used to live on and then 3 months before extension, top up so you have the required 800k at the day of the application for extension.

I believe the reason for the proof of importation is to nail those who make false statements and actually do not have an income of 65k but probably work illegally.

Interesting responses to this revelation. Any US citizen (or AU/GB?) considering providing an income affidavit to Immigration without being able to prove it on demand was taking a risk. In my case, the USD has fallen enough in the last two years to put my pension (such as it is) below the 65K limit. I've had 800K in the bank here at one point, but have heard one scare story about money just disappearing from accounts. I got a shoulder-shrug from a Bangkok Bank rep. when I asked about account deposit insurance. I could have easily met the 800K deposit requirement, but what kind of ROI would it have earned? So, because of the retirement visa requirements, I've decided to push double-entry tourist visas to the limit.

Here are a few questions I hope can be answered by someone on the forum:

1) There was mention of a 'hybrid' bank account balance and monthly income arrangement. I had hypothesized that such a compromise provision might exist but had not asked Immigration on my visit researching the retirement visa. Does anyone have the details of this ... or is it back to Immigration with this one?

2) There was mention of a 'qualifying period' for the 800K on deposit. Does anyone know what the period is? I had a German citizen on the 800K deposit plan note that Immigration had somehow detected an emergency withdrawal that put the balance just below the 800K amount and he heard from them.

3) Does anyone believe that if the Thai average income is 8000/month, that has any bearing on what monthly amount they've 'decided' to extract from farangs? I would hypothesize that it's an inverse relationship ... if you know what I mean.

4) Does anyone know what the weather is like in Cebu, Philippines these days?

Thanks In Advance,

Max

1) The sum 65.000 comes from 800.000 divided by 12, but to require 66.666 would be silly, hence the sum of 65.000 If you have proof of 40.000 per month you will need 320.000 in the bank. The trick is to make up a total yearly income of 800.000

2) The 800k must be in a Thai bank 3 months before you ask for extension of your retirement visa. If you apply for a retirement visa, meaning the first time, 2 months is required.

3) The whole idea with the 65k limit is to ensure that you can support yourself and not be a burden to Thailand. I doubt what somebody stated that the 65k does NOT need to be brought into Thailand. This does not make sense

4) Google it!!

Re: Number 3. Doubt all you want, but as more than one poster has stated, it (65k) does NOT have to be brought into Thailand. I have been here more than 8 years on a retirement visa. I do not keep the 800k in the bank but base my income on my pension. I use the affidavit from the U.S. Embassy and I CAN show supporting proof IF this is indeed needed.

In the last two years, I have not even provided, or been asked for, copies of my bank book by Chiang Mai Immigration. They have NEVER questioned how much money I did or did not bring into Thailand. It is not a requirement and never has been.

Also, I would comment that all this debate has been started by one poster stating unsubstantiated or verified information AND, as usual, a misleading topic title.

I was in CNX Immigration on Friday to do my 20 day report. They were jammed with people and all the numbers for visa renewal were taken for the day. With this being what seems the usual busy workload, I would think a sudden change in requirements would be creating more of a stir than this one OP, even if it is only BKK.

This what the whole debate is about: "Proof of transfer of pension into Thailand required".

Interesting responses to this revelation. Any US citizen (or AU/GB?) considering providing an income affidavit to Immigration without being able to prove it on demand was taking a risk. In my case, the USD has fallen enough in the last two years to put my pension (such as it is) below the 65K limit. I've had 800K in the bank here at one point, but have heard one scare story about money just disappearing from accounts. I got a shoulder-shrug from a Bangkok Bank rep. when I asked about account deposit insurance. I could have easily met the 800K deposit requirement, but what kind of ROI would it have earned? So, because of the retirement visa requirements, I've decided to push double-entry tourist visas to the limit.

Here are a few questions I hope can be answered by someone on the forum:

1) There was mention of a 'hybrid' bank account balance and monthly income arrangement. I had hypothesized that such a compromise provision might exist but had not asked Immigration on my visit researching the retirement visa. Does anyone have the details of this ... or is it back to Immigration with this one?

2) There was mention of a 'qualifying period' for the 800K on deposit. Does anyone know what the period is? I had a German citizen on the 800K deposit plan note that Immigration had somehow detected an emergency withdrawal that put the balance just below the 800K amount and he heard from them.

3) Does anyone believe that if the Thai average income is 8000/month, that has any bearing on what monthly amount they've 'decided' to extract from farangs? I would hypothesize that it's an inverse relationship ... if you know what I mean.

4) Does anyone know what the weather is like in Cebu, Philippines these days?

Thanks In Advance,

Max

1) The sum 65.000 comes from 800.000 divided by 12, but to require 66.666 would be silly, hence the sum of 65.000 If you have proof of 40.000 per month you will need 320.000 in the bank. The trick is to make up a total yearly income of 800.000

2) The 800k must be in a Thai bank 3 months before you ask for extension of your retirement visa. If you apply for a retirement visa, meaning the first time, 2 months is required.

3) The whole idea with the 65k limit is to ensure that you can support yourself and not be a burden to Thailand. I doubt what somebody stated that the 65k does NOT need to be brought into Thailand. This does not make sense

4) Google it!!

I don't understand what the commotion is all about. From now on immigration wants, once a year, to have proof that the stated pension of 65.000 baht/month is actually brought in to Thailand. Apparently there are people that show statements from the embassies of the required minimum income, whether pension or other and then do not bring in the money but most likely do work of some sort illegally in Thailand. I think this is not at all a strange request. For those that do not have an income or pension, the requirement to show proof of 800.000 baht in a Thai bank 3 months prior to the request for extension has been in force for many years. They have become more strict regarding the copy of the bank book. You must now have an entry in the book the same day as you ask for extension, meaning a small transaction must be done that same day.

the 800.000 baht is as old as i can remember, nothing new, right?

The "new" is that those who do not qualify with the 800.000 baht in the bank, now have to show proof that they actually get a pension of at least 65.000 per month. Understand that a letter from the embassy stating the monthly pension was what was needed previously.

There are simply too many "influential untouchables" involved for this to ever be solved by the normal police force.

If you have lived here long enough, you may recall the drop in price when EGAT started to run their plants on natural gas instead of oil. As long as the opposition is so strong against nuclear power, we have to live with the increase, as oil WILL run out.

Poor wiring is a cause of big power loss for EGAT, so they are aware and watching their distribution network. In Bangkok most of the blank wires on the 24KV lines were replaced with insulated wires some years back in order to cut losses through tree branches touching the lines. They have also started to install capacitor banks to limit the reactive power loss that becomes more and more of a problem.

Also keep in mind that if you are a small consumer, you will not be billed at all, provided the suggested amendment is accepted by the govt. This will benefit the low income earners that use a fan instead of a/c!

Kuffki: you answered your own question. More buildings, housing, offices = more wires of poor quality = more labour to fix it = more costs: simple really.

Firstly i never said more buildlings or more housing. Yes you are right about more labor to fix it, but considering all those employees are on monthly wages it does not make any difference if they work 3 hours per day or 12 hours per day-monthly wages remain the same. you forget in Thailand there is hardly any laws dor overtime.

It is simple-electricity company makes a bundle and now wants to make even more.There is no way to justify it or explain ut but greed.