Jomtien changing the rules again?

Maestro · July 9, 2023

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

@chilly07 you start a thread and not visit Asean Now since then...

From the opening post of this topic I understand that chilly07 is wheelchair-bound, so we should perhaps not be impatient.

The sad fact seems to be that so-called visa agents in Pattaya do not want to assist with uncomplicated applications for a retirement extension with monthly income, and I have been wracking my brain to figure out how we might help him.

It isn't just footwork that he will have to do himself, but wheelchair travel. Perpaps a law firm, using their standard hourly tariff plus travel expenses, would do it. I remember that Sunbelt used to do it in Bangkok and hopefully someone knows of a law firm in Pattaya offering this "hand-holding" service for an application where all requirements including the finances are met.

Does anyone have an idea?

Maestro · July 9, 2023

Isan Lawyers and Siam Legal come to my mind and a web search shows me that both have a branch office in Pattaya. Does anyone know if they offer this service and for what fee?

soisanuk · July 10, 2023

16 hours ago, kinyara said:

I find the Visa Section of the Pattaya City Expats website a useful reference point in keeping up with the actual local office situation. They seem to have enough members that any real changes consistently affecting applicants are highlighted. https://pcec.club/. I always check it in advance of doing anything in Immigration for latest requirements and paperwork.

I know the person that provides the information on Immigration matters for their website. He relies on reports from expats of their first hand experience to keep the site updated. I did my renewal in mid-June at Jomtien Immigration office using the 65k monthly income method (from USA, so no Embassy letter) - I used the checklist from their site for the documents needed (as I have done for the past several years) and encountered no problems at Immigration in doing my renewals.

AAArdvark · July 10, 2023

On 7/9/2023 at 1:31 PM, doctormann said:

Me too. I've used an agent for the last three years with no issues whatsoever. OK, it costs a few Baht but it's worth it to avoid visiting Soi 5!

I extended my permission to stay just three weeks ago, using the 65k per month method. Nice new stamp in the passport and, as you say, the signature is just the same as it always has been.

Can you say which agent?

BritTim · July 10, 2023

35 minutes ago, xeniv23 said:

Last extension in Phuket. Showed up at the miserably small outdoor waiting area with the paperwork in hand. IO checked my paperwork. Told me that my bank statement for income needed to start exactly one year from my new prospective date. I had the statement from the 1st of the month showing that month's income (it's paid on the 1st of every month). Off to the bank for a new statement and letter.

Back the next day. Inside an older IO who appeared to be in charge. He yelled, and I mean yelled, and told me that I was not eligible for an extension because I could not show 12 months of income..... I pulled out the other statement and he would not accept it even though it showed the income had actually arrived in my account per the requirement. He told me to get out. Completely at a loss as to what was going on. Went home and calmed down. Went back the next day and handed in my paperwork. Sat in the heat for a couple of hours and was approved by some other IO. It seems to me as if there is a concerted effort to drive everyone to use an agent. My guess is that it is income related for the immigration folks. Make it as unpleasant as possible for self filers like me. Ok. I can afford an agent so it's possible I will choose that road in the future. I would prefer not to.

Then the question becomes: How do you know the agent is for real? I have read a handful of articles about fake agents and it turns out you don't have an extension at all and are in violation of immigration laws and get rather large fines and other kinds of unpleasantness. I'm stubborn and will keep filing on my own until that no longer works. Without going into detail I spend a couple million baht a year here. Of course I don't believe that gives me a right to be here. It seems to me that I was given a retirement visa by the Thai government because they believed that I would spend money here. That's my purpose, in their eyes, and I do it well. Seems like we are the folks that they would like to hang on to. Maybe I'm wrong about that.

Consider switching to an LTR-WP (Long Term Resident Wealthy Pensioner) visa. It seems likely that you would qualify, and it frees you from the tyranny of rogue immigration offices. You do need to have good medical insurance but, unlike with the Non O-A visas, they really do accept appropriate overseas plans.

doctormann · July 10, 2023

34 minutes ago, AAArdvark said:

Can you say which agent?

Khaotalo Visa Services <http://www.visakhaotalo.com/en/Home/Index>

mikeymike100 · July 10, 2023

On 7/9/2023 at 12:54 PM, garygooner said:

Don't you have to visit soi 5 immigration with the agent to have your photo taken?

Not any more!

chilly07 · July 10, 2023

On 7/9/2023 at 12:31 PM, doctormann said:

Me too. I've used an agent for the last three years with no issues whatsoever. OK, it costs a few Baht but it's worth it to avoid visiting Soi 5!

I extended my permission to stay just three weeks ago, using the 65k per month method. Nice new stamp in the passport and, as you say, the signature is just the same as it always has been.

How did you confirm your 65k pm to your agent?

doctormann · July 10, 2023

8 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

How did you confirm your 65k pm to your agent?

Bank provided a 12-month record of all foreign deposits, also a letter confirming that the account is mine. Passbook was updated - the account balance has to match the amount stated in the confirmation letter.

This obviously requires a visit to the bank but NOT to the Immigration office.

hotandsticky · July 10, 2023

On 7/9/2023 at 10:39 AM, doctormann said:

Khaotalo Visa Services <http://www.visakhaotalo.com/en/Home/Index>

Just down the road from me, which is why I use them.

Khun Thanita is the lady that runs the agency.

Thank you.

kimothai · July 10, 2023

Posted 19 hours ago

I find the Visa Section of the Pattaya City Expats website a useful reference point in keeping up with the actual local office situation. They seem to have enough members that any real changes consistently affecting applicants are highlighted. https://pcec.club/. I always check it in advance of doing anything in Immigration for latest requirements and paperwork.

Exactly. When I traveled to USA in February the Immigration Officer removed my 90 day & tm30 slips (never had that happen before). Upon return I went to Jomtien Immigration to do another tm30. Was told because I had a retirement (OA) visa I didn't need. Hmmm that surprised me but fair enough. Fast forward to June and it's time to renew/extend my retirement visa. So as always I check the Pattaya City Expats website and I read tm30's now required to extend retirement visa. I go to immigration to apply for a tm30. I explained to the Immigration girl (as I showed her the old application from February) and asked if I was previously told wrong or did the rules change? She just handed me my tm30 with a very big courteous smile. Close enough for me and even though I was a few months late - no fine.

Next day to the bank for letter of deposit. Next day after that (Wednesday) go back to Immigration at 8am (30 min before open) and get queue (#3) and finished about 9. The only difference I saw this time is that the Immigration Officer made a copy of the tm30 and added it to the papers (my signature not required). Personally, I can't justify using an agent for what only takes an hour or two of your time but everyone has their own personal reasons. A couple of my friends say they don't want to expose themselves to covid - Fair enough.