racyrick

8 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Eight years ago the Bangkok Bank in New York was doing the transfers. You had an account with that bank that the SS check went into. They no longer do that. I don't know how SS checks are handled. I had to change to having my check sent to my US bank and transferring two or three times a year through Wise.

Never used Bangkok Bank in New York for direct deposit of my ss.

Has anybody deposited a social security check with Bangkok Bank lately?

If so, how long did it take to receive your money in your account?

The last time I did this was 8 years ago in Phuket and the money was deposited the next day.

They said it was quick because it was a government check and they had a bank located in the United States, so it was quickly processed.

16 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Yes.

From the central intersection Mittraphap and HW 12 it is 22 km northbound on the road.

Google estimates 20 minutes.

From the northern ring exit onto Mittraphap it's a about 14 km, 11 min estimate.

Distances include the detour for the U-turn.

 

Location:

16.5888,102.8185

https://goo.gl/maps/uwYGgrBfTQVM8TFW7

Thank you!!

4 hours ago, MartinL said:

Not many. Or lots, depending on the route you take.

Isn't it straight up Mittraphap Road?

16 hours ago, MartinL said:

Photos taken on Friday.

 

Although it hasn't reproduced well, it definitely says "KK Immigration".

 

Building and roadways look complete. Flag is flying. Couldn't see any cars so maybe no occupants yet. No builders' trucks either and the site seems tidy which suggests work is complete. 

 

EDIT. Nearly forgot. Nearest U-turn from northbound to southbound carriageway is 2.5 km from this office although there's an unofficial, dirt-track-across-the-central-reservation U-turn about 200 metres away.

How many minutes' driving time from the Tesco to the new immigration office? Thank you.

20 hours ago, MartinL said:

Nearly 2 years later .........

 

Drove past the new Immigration Office last weekend. It's on the southbound carriage way of Highway 2, about 9 km north of the junction with KK bypass. I'm guessing about a 105 km one-way trip for me.

 

The big, engraved in stone "Khon Kaen Immigration Office" sign is in place, The building looks complete so we might be getting news of an immigration move soon. Roadways appear to be complete. The u-turn for those coming from the south is a good way beyond the office.

 

What I thought might be a 'suicide tower' appears to be a water tower for the adjacent water company office.

About how many minutes will it take from the Big Tesco to the new immigration office? Thanks

52 minutes ago, stargazer9999 said:

My understanding is that by only living in Thailand my wife and children won't be eligible for my SSA benefits if we have not also lived together in the States for five years:  

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/knowledge-center/us-expat-taxes-social-security/

 

 

We had no intention of leaving Thailand and moving to 'approved' counties where this requirement is not needed:

https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist3.htm

 

Is this indeed true and if so what do most people do about it?   Give up the benefits?  Move back to the States for five years?  Move to an 'approved' country ($$$)??

 

I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

 

Thanks.

 

I am pretty sure that only applies to NON US citizens.

1 hour ago, essex boys said:

@racyrick thé mrs called the number listed, it rang a few times but they answered fairly quickly.

went to Khon Kaen immigration yesterday ( Wednesday) and got my certificate of residency took all of 10 minutes to sort out, got the medical booked in at the local clinic for 4pm Friday, then all set for my test on the 30th

Thanks, went there today and they said there were issues with the phone, so your Mrs. got lucky.

Glad all went well for you.

16 hours ago, essex boys said:

Spoke to immigration in Khon Kaen today, there’s no charge for the proof of residency letter, no doubt I will contribute a few hundred baht to keep everyone happy 

What phone number did you use?

I have tried to call KK Imm all day yesterday and today and the phone will not connect.

Thanks

16 hours ago, Pib said:

Was it the appeal process talked at this SSA webpage?

https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made/request-reconsideration

Yes, that is correct.

I called the 410 number at 9am and they said they were closed and will open at 9am.

I tried again at 9:05, 9:10, 9:15 and the same thing.

Finally, at 9:20 they opened and said all lines were busy to call back later.

I then called the 800 number and had a 45 minute wait to speak to an agent.

At first, agent said they didn't receive any form and nothing showed. After about a 30 second silence and I told her the form was received by Manila and they sent it out to the US office on June 6th, she said she did see the form and it was being processed and would take 30 to 60 days.

The ONLY way I will be notified of the decision will be the mail. Tried for email or phone, but no way, only mail from the US even though I told her how long it takes and how many times mail goes as lost. Deaf ears of course.

46 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

I believe US citizens in Thailand need to contact the Social Security office out of Manila Philippines. 

Not necessarily, I sent a form to Manila and they in turn sent it the US and told me I have to contact the office in the US for further enquires. Basically, Manila is just an intermediary and they handle very few things themselves alone. 

I see there are 2 numbers you can call to SSA.

1-800-772-1213 which seems to be the all-in-one number to call for everything open 8am-7pm

1-410-965-0160 that is listed for people living overseas and directly to International Operations open 9am-4pm

Can anyone tell me which one is better or which one you had good experiences with? Thank you

22 hours ago, Pib said:

At the top, right hand side of the form what date did it show as being generated/printed?   By chance was it 2 June 2023 like the one I got and like others have reported?   

 

If a different date that could indicate the 1st mailing for 7162s is occurring on different dates vs all on one day (like 2 June).    Pending your reply I'm going to guess yours is dated 2 June and it just took an additional week to get to you in Khon Kaen vs us folks here in Bangkok who starting getting them around one week ago.

Yes, it was 2 June. Always slow here in Khon Kaen and I have always had problems with a mail person keeping this route.

I am glad to report that I finally got my form yesterday in Khon Kaen.

Still have not received mine here in Khon Kaen. Not happy.

Strange there is still nothing.

@Pib have you heard any news from SSA?

Took 5 weeks and just got passport in the mail yesterday. No problems, but always worry.

27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It's not clear as immigration offices vary.

Here is a thread from Webfact and includes in the OP a link to a detailed explanation of the rules. 

 

Hopefully someone that deals with KK using income method will be along.

 

Here is link to order.

 

https://aseannow.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=561475 301.69 kB · 989 downloads

 

But again you will need specific info from KK.

Some offices most likely accept the 12 month bank statement showing monthly transfers. 

 

 

Thanks again for replying and I understand all this, that is why I specifically said Khon Kaen Immigration.

I also have made 5 extensions here and just wanted to know if this is still required or not.

14 hours ago, Tariya said:

It's Wise. Bank has no record of of declines or requests for payment

What bank in the USA are you using?

21 hours ago, Delight said:

 You will need  a letter from the bank confirming that you  indeed  do have a bank account.

This is a requirement for retirement visa-I am assuming that this  is a requirement for spouse visa.

You will also need several other things .photos of yourself and spouse etc.

I believe plenty of etc.

Thaks for your reply, but I am still looking for an answer to my question.

Has anybody done a marriage extension lately in Khon Kaen using the monthly income method?

I know you need to provide a copy of your bank book and a 12 month statement from the bank showing your foreign monthly transfers, but did they also require anything else from the bank to prove or guarantee your monthly foreign deposits like they did in the past?

Thanks

Has anybody done a marriage extension lately in Khon Kaen using the monthly income method?

I know you need to provide a copy of your bank book and a 12 month statement from the bank showing your foreign monthly transfers, but did they also require anything else from the bank to prove or guarantee your monthly foreign deposits like they did in the past?

Thanks

16 hours ago, creative1000 said:

Sometimes the business can be spotted in a Thai Business Reseller Facebook group typically with the comment "Must sell fast, already moved to another province to take care of family member" or "I'm too busy with my other business to manage the shop now."

 

I've visited some of the locations out of curiosity and can speculate why the business had to be closed/sold:

1. PARKING: Extremely busy road but no parking anywhere within 500m.

2. COMPETITION: Good location but 10 other similar shops opened within 2 km stretch of road. Maybe even 20 or more within 5km radius.

3. OVERHEAD COSTS: Great location but monthly rent is far too high.

4. LOCATION: Great product, but located too far away from target buyers.

5. PRODUCT COMPARISON: Attempting to sell an inferior product at a similar price to a premium product nearby.

.... just to name a few ideas...
 

Despite this, I still see someone buy it, re-open the same business, and go through the same struggle as the first owners.... 

To be fair, I've also witnessed some shops have amazing success, seen the owners become millionaires after lots of hard work, organic expansion, unique product, maintaining high quality standards, buying old houses and tearing it down to become a parking lot for their shops, etc... It wasn't a case of mafia, corruption, or rich parents, just good business practice.

What unique product/s have you seen that maybe I can sell in Khon Kaen?