Eneukman

CM Immigration came to our condo building about six weeks ago, before the Bangkok bombings to talk with the management about them not having submitted appropriate TM 30 forms. Turns out some of the condo owners and even absent tenants are renting out their units via AirB2B to short-term "tenants" and not submitting appropriate documents to Immigration, much less the condo office (or even the owners of their units, in the case of renters who were subletting their untis)

Immigration asked building security staff to get some of the tenants to come to the condo office with their passports. The only people asked to do this were new residents.

Personally, as a long-time tenant, I don't have any problem with this. I'm not at all happy to see two units on my end of the hall with a constant stream of "new tenants" because the owners are subletting them on some internet site. Not good for building security.

I suspect they would have a field day if they came to the condo where I live. I've owned my condo for more than 7 years (lived in the same building for 10) and extended my permission to stay in August without any problems.

Alan

You need to buy a calender,the banks will be giving them away in December,

write the dates of 90 day reporting ,dates for your extension visa,and hang

it somewhere so you see it everyday,it could easily save you a 2000 thb fine,

with just a little input.

regards Worgeordie

Similar idea, I use Google calendar and set it to email me alerts as the date approaches.

I use Google calendar as well. No excuse for being late. Last time, I was in and out of Jomtien Immigration within 2 minutes or so.

Alan

Is the OP suggesting that the person renting has to get a copy of the receipt from the owner to submit to immigration?

To clarify (even though I'm not the OP), yes, I'm the renter and I had to get the form filled out by the owner and then bring the form with me in order to submit the paperwork for my extension of stay. You're also required to bring the owner or someone that can verify where you live with you to the immigration office on the day you submit your paperwork. I brought a friend of mine and she had to answer questions regarding my address, phone number, how long she had known me, where we met, etc.

​For what it's worth, the Jomtien immigration office staff seems to be somewhat notorious for doing things their own way. It doesn't shock me AT ALL that this isn't the normal procedure according to the actual immigration law.

"​For what it's worth, the Jomtien immigration office staff seems to be somewhat notorious for doing things their own way. It doesn't shock me AT ALL that this isn't the normal procedure according to the actual immigration law."

Nonsense.They're probably the most reasonable immigration office around. I've never experience a problem or surprise there in years of dealing with them.

My experience as well over the last 10 years. I suspect that in some (many) cases the property owner has not submitted the appropriate forms to Immigration to report that someone is staying in their property.

Alan

I've been reporting to the Jomtien Immigration Office for the last 10 years and in that time, they have never re-set the 90 day clock (other than my first extension). I did once do the 90 day report on the same date as my extension but that was just co-incidence as they were both due around the same date.

Incidentally, when I reported in May, I was given a date in August to report again. I left the country for about 2 weeks in June which gave me a new report date for this month. I reported 5 days late with no problem though the officer did look at the stamp in my passport to confirm when I had last re-entered the country.

Alan

Also your logic that allowing 'your' company to be 'owned' by 6 or 7 Thai people gives you control may seem like a good idea but is seriously dodgy. Ask yourself would you invest your money in a business at home, in this way? Why don't you choose a safer route? Become a teacher and keep your money in the bank at home for a rainy day????

When I bought my condo (in a company name), there were a number of Thai proxy shareholders. I was having a new Will prepared and my lawyer told me that the Government was cracking down on proxy shareholders. My co-shareholders are now my wife (she was my girlfriend at the time) and her elder son. I am the sole director and the only person allowed to sign any documents.

Alan

Most offices want proof of residence every year.

That was the case when I extended my permission to stay based on retirement at Jomtien last month. I had forgotten to bring that documentation but the officer asked whether I had a Thai driving licence. I did so that was accepted.

Alan

I believe that there is also a further service 100 days after the death.

Alan

Thanks for that information, Faz.

Alan

Thanks for that information, Faz.

Alan

I extended my permission to stay for the 11th time at Jomtien last week. My marital status wasn't questioned so I very much doubt that you would need to take your wife with you (I was married last month) unless perhaps you are applying for an extension based on marriage.

I forgot to take proof of my address but was my Thai driving licence was accepted as proof; As others have said, Jomtien Immigration is pretty efficient and I was in and out in less than 20 minutes though I did have to go back the following afternoon to collect my passport.

Alan

I did my "Affirmation of Freedom to Marry" at the British Embassy myself and then used a nearby translation agency to do the translation and get the affirmation & translation stamped at the MFA and mailed via EMS back to me in Buriram....cheaper than spending another night in a hotel in BKK and the associated food / drink expenditure for me & Mrs M...

That is what I did as well. After obtaining the affidavit from the british Embassy I went across the road to Homepro (Homebase?). Go upstairs and you'll find a place that offers a translation service (Ploenchit Translation Center - tel 081-446-2705). They did everything for me at a total cost of 2,100 baht.

Alan

I've found the weather this summer to be hotter than normal. I was in Ban Chang and Rayong yesterday and it rained on and off for much of the day. According to the app on my phone the temperature in the morning was about 32 feeling like 38 with 92% humidity. I've found the app not to be particularly reliable though as the temperature on my balcony can be a few degrees higher than suggested.

Alan

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

My Garmin GPS gives me the speed limit on some roads. Driving along Sukhumwit in Pattaya, it is 80 km / hr whilst once outside Pattaya it becomes 110 km / hr. If I turn off Sukhumwit (either direction) no limit is shown so I assume the limit is therefore 60 km / hr? I've been driving along Route 3 at around 100 km / hr when I notice that my Garmin is showing my speed in red as the speed limit has become 80 km / hr yet no sign to warn me that the limit has become lower.

Thailand really needs to adapt the system in the UK and put up proper speed limit signs on all roads so that everyone knows how fast they can drive legally.

Alan

we went to LOS to bee more free than in EU,

now you want they make also in LOS monkeys of us ??

Considering Thailand has the 2nd highest number of fatalities in road traffic accidents in the world, I think that showing the speed limit everywhere AND enforcing it would be a good idea.

Alan

Done this before.

Better you fly in to Singapore in the morning and fly out on the evening. Forget messing about trying to get a cheap hotel and cheap taxi. There's no such thing in Singapore.

Hotels may be expensive in Singapore but last time I was there, I found taxis to be relatively cheap compared to everything else in the city. The train service is also inexpensive so if you don't want to spend a night in the country, take an early flight and then use the train to see a little of Singapore.

Alan

My Garmin GPS gives me the speed limit on some roads. Driving along Sukhumwit in Pattaya, it is 80 km / hr whilst once outside Pattaya it becomes 110 km / hr. If I turn off Sukhumwit (either direction) no limit is shown so I assume the limit is therefore 60 km / hr? I've been driving along Route 3 at around 100 km / hr when I notice that my Garmin is showing my speed in red as the speed limit has become 80 km / hr yet no sign to warn me that the limit has become lower.

Thailand really needs to adapt the system in the UK and put up proper speed limit signs on all roads so that everyone knows how fast they can drive legally.

Alan

I have to go through the same process soon. The embassy's web site tells you what they will accept as proof of address - https://www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand

What I find annoying about the appointment system is that appointments are only available between 8.00 am and 10.30 pm..

Alan

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Optima one of the best!

Run by an English lad.

Thanks for that suggestion. I'll take a closer look at their web site later,

Hi. Do you really need a condo management company ?

In my condo we stopped a few years back with such companies.
Our manager is now a salaried employee of the condo.
We use a software for accounting and an accountant office for yearly legal appraisal.
The condo has never been managed so well

This is certainly a possibility, but it relies on finding a good person to be that manager. The advantage of a management company is that even if the on-site manager is incompetent (or worse) the management company should provide some sort of buffer against problems, and can parachute replacement personnel in if necessary. That buffer also serves to protect the unpaid and unloved committee; without a management company the committee (and the JPM) becomes directly responsible for everything. As a committee member I would need to consider this.

If there is no management company then the committee needs to be very careful about putting checks and balances in place regarding the accounts and expenditure. And not all committees are competent enough to do this, or even want to spend the time on it.

You also need to take account of the legal advice and general specialised knowledge that a (decent) management company can bring. Legal issues are important and if you get the procedures wrong there can be untold hell to pay.

The size of the building is also an important consideration for such a system. I can see it working in a building with a few 10s of units where everyone knows each other and which is largely owner-occupied, but maybe not so well in one with 1000 units, many rented out by absentee landlords with multiple properties.

I also am extremely tempted to employ such a manager in our building (and I go one step further in that I would like it to be a farang) but the trick is finding one and ensuring that it all wont go completely to pot when the committee membership changes. Our building already puts all its cash-flow through specialised condo accounting software, and an external yearly audit is, of course, already obligatory (and I have grave doubts about the value of a standard Thai audit).

I doubt not having a management company would work where I live as we have close to 900 units, many of which are currently rented out illegally on a short term basis. For some unknown reason at the last AGM, co-owners voted to limit the size of the committee to 3, which for a building this size is too small. Fortunately, we do seem to have a committee that is trying to run the building properly.

I too have grave doubts about the standard of a Thai audit especially as some figures presented at one AGM simply didn't add up to the total,shown in the accounts. As our financial and fee years are different, the accrual basis of accounting (a system designed by accountants to ensure that only other accountants can understand it) has to be used. The first year this had to be used some of the figures in the accounts were total garbage. I'm not an accountant but have a financial background with a working knowledge of how accruals should be worked out.

Alan

I live in a condo in Jomtien.. I'm not impressed with our current management company (Real Management Company) and whilst I want to suggest to the committee that the company should be replaced, I would like to be able to suggest alternative companies. Can I ask those of you who live in a condo in the Pattaya area (hence the reason for posting this here) which management company runs your building?

We did employ QPM before but they were removed by the previous committee so I think there would be some opposition to bringing them back.

Thanks,

Alan

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The main problem isn't security, it's short-term tenants //
These days many residents are just there for a couple of weeks //

Is that authorised ?
I mean, some condominium have clear rules like 2 months or 3 months as minimal rent duration.

I think that the Condominium Act also has a rule on this point,
to forbid any owner to use his condominium units as an hotel,
but I can't find reference to this "rule" ? Anyone who knows about it ?

I had a new Will prepared by a lawyer a while ago and I asked her a few questions about condo law. She confirmed that, as already said above, short term rentals are only permitted on floors designated as being for commercial purposes and then only if the owner has a hotel licence. On all other floors, the minimum rental period is 1 month - something that has never been enforced where I live. I suspect it will be extremely difficult to enforce this now though it could perhaps be introduced over a period of time.

Alan

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Make it one day only ... alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

And restrict it to designated areas only with fixed start and finish times (say 10.00 am to 7.00 pm).

Alan

This doesn't happen in the 7 - Eleven stores near me. I tend to leave any satang coins lying around the condo though they do eventually disappear. Over the almost 10 years that I've lived here, the total "lost" in satang coins is almost certainly less than 100 baht - not worth caring about.

Alan

I had a similar experience to "quandow: when I did my annual extension in August of last year though I use the money in the bank to support my application. If anything, the total time I required was even quicker. I live in Jomtien so going back the next day to collect my passport isn't a big issue. I usually then go back the following day to get a multiple-entry re-entry permit though I seldom make maximum advantage of it; it just saves me having to go back at some time when it's not convenient to get a single-entry permit.

Alan

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

IMO . . .. 99% of the time a farang should not wai. They don't know how, they don't know when, they don't know whom should wai whom. End result is that they come off looking like clowns. Farang waiing a farang? A child? Service people? You got to be kidding.

You should be the one to wai the FIL if you are not going to offer a handshake. Of course you can do both but the handshake is what foreigners do, the wai is what Thai people do.

That's my view as well; I do, however wai anyone my girlfriend tells me to wai - namely her mother, her father, her aunts and her uncles. Her brother, (he's 17 or 18 years younger than I am always shakes my hand when we meet. If we go to a temple, I follow what she does as best I can.

Alan

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Did you check if there were youtube demonstration video's. I would be lost without sat nav.. but it has big drawbacks here in Thailand.

One of the biggest is that because there is no rule how thai is written with English characters you often cant find streets and such.

In general I just pick a location in google maps and use those coordinates on my gps.

I don't know how good you are at remembering the way (im bad) so after I have been somewhere i just save it in the GPS and then next time you can use it.

Can't really help the OP much as I have a Garmin GPS. As already noted, a major problem is the many different ways of transcribing Thai into the Roman alphabet. For example, Garmin transcribes Jomtien as Chom Tian. Now, if you didn't know that how would you work that out?

Using co-ordinates from Google maps sounds like a good idea but I also now save a location to my GPS once I've reached my destination so I can find it again without any problems.

Alan

It's possible that the electric company made a mistake with the meter reading. That happened to me when I got a bill that was very low one month. The next month it was quite a bit higher though about normal when the 2 months were averaged out.

My electric bill this month will be higher as we have just bought a washing machine though its usage has so far been minimal. Also, the aircon units in the living room and bedroom have been switched on for a short time on a few occasions.

Alan