CecilM

Maybe it’s different for volunteer visa.

Right. Each renewal of my marriage visa I had to show 400k when picking up the stamp a month later. And one can hear the officers say the same to other applicants: leave the money in the bank until you get your visa approved.

No. AND the money must remain in the bank for one month after the application has been submitted.

There’s more to Thailand than Pattaya. A yellow book will help in many situations (banks, visa, driver’s license, tm30, etc).

Minimalism is not the same as renouncing the comforts of a modern life. I consider myself to be a minimalist (and have read many books on decluttering) but I also enjoy TV and A/C.

OP, don’t believe this advice. Yellow Tabian Baan is one of the most useful and important documents you can have as a foreigner. (I got mine in BKK and didn’t need any witnesses.)

Not a bad idea. ???? And added benefit that, at least for a while, I wouldn’t have to be the usual designated driver.

I deposit 400k at 4 months before my due date. (Never know when I’ll go to renew. A month before. A week before.) And then bi-weekly 100 Baht. Luckily, for now, new bank books are still free. ???? After a few years, one has a system what to prepare and bring. Then, actually, it’s all smooth and easy.

Why do you want to know?

Two choices: pay or stay away. I stay away, as more and more places now refuse driver’s license, work permit, pink ID in order to get Thai price.

That’s what I did (for my first renewal some years ago) but was told “it’s not correct way to do it”. Since then I’ve always deposited 100 Baht bi-weekly. Go with the flow, is what I like to say. If that’s what they want, I’m not going to argue.

The colour print from the bank was a challenge, but a few nicely phrased requests and explanations why and the bank officer gave me a colour print.

Sorry, should have mentioned that it’s Chaengwattana.

Yes, the amounts are different; I am assuming the procedures confirming the amounts are similar though.

That’s how it has been for me for the past couple of years. (Last, Dec’22.) Bank statement AND confirm account balance for each for the 2 required months. So three sets of documents: photocopies, bank statement confirming amount, and bank statements for each month.

Renewal of marriage visa: Photocopy of bank book & bank statement. I can’t imagine it would be different for a retirement visa. Depending on the officer who processes your application, they MIGHT ALSO want to see small INCOMING transfers (100 Baht) during the 2-month period… to show that there are no OUTGOING transfers. ALSO, request the bank to print the statement in colour ink/laser to show it’s original and not stamped & signed photocopy. No arguments, please. I’m just sharing from experience.

The statistics for lasting love/successful marriage are against you.

I had bees in front of my kitchen window (balcony/condo). Unfortunately that was unacceptable. Wife didn’t know of any easily available service to remove them. So DIY with bug spray. So sad.

Except for other travelers, no bank/exchange will buy Cambodian currency. AFAIK.

I’ve never seen/noticed MSG as a condiment (like sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, chili, etc). Will keep an eye out for that now I’m curious.

Education is one thing. Money another. As long as unhealthy food is cheaper than healthy food, nothing will change. Like, for price of three sticks of BBQ chicken butts (which are delicious but pure fat) one can only buy one stick of BBQ meat. And isn’t there also some kind of Asian/Chinese(?) belief that fat=rich?

That’s unfortunately how google maps works. Have to zoom out to see full street names & numbers.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. No I have never asked for extension before. I wanted to change my visa date to January, but was told it’s not possible.

“You can only change the dates of your (marriage) visa by applying for a different visa; and then you’re locked into those dates” … is what I was told at Chaengwattana Immigration. My date is 21-Dec which is quite inconvenient (and expensive, crowded flights) for visiting the family overseas for Christmas.

Pros: hidden in the ceiling. Cons: expensive and more difficult to maintain. Haier, stay away from. Daikin/Mitsubishi, good choices. (Just bought a house and decided against cassette type A/Cs and took the common wall-mounted ones.)