Moving Time

[Casual1]

Hello Thaivisa members.

I've been a follower for the last 7 years, this site and the forum has been helpful in soo many ways. I'm finishing up here in Alaska and headed to Pattaya for retirement starting Feb 14.

some quick stats:

I'm 46, retiring from the military with about $3300 a month pension, maybe a little more with VA disability.

Will have 200K from savings and house sale.

Got about 100K in IRA's.

Only have a house mortgage, no CC balance, no car payments, etc... not gonna keep the house, so no debt when i move over.

Married to a Thai for 6 years. got her a green card, she hated alaska, sent her back to go to school in thailand. she's graduated and working and taking "proper english" classes.

Got 2 kids from pervious marriage, 1 graduating HS this year, 1 a sophmore in HS, 50/50 custody, they'll be living with their mother and wont be making the move. Gave them my GI bill for college. made an agreement with ex-wife and wont be paying child support anymore (shes remarried and doing well, we remained civil throught the years after the divorce...Gents going thru the process, DO THIS...REMAIN CIVIL...IT HELPS IN THE LONG RUN !!!!!).

Bring my 2 cats with me, dont want to pawn them off on someone else.

US Gov is paying for my final move of household goods and harley.

Got a 1 year multi entry visa.

Tilak has a small rental 2 br house on the darkside, nice village though. gonna settle there for a bit until we find something bigger/better.

I'm not really looking for advise with this post (but i welcome it), but decided i would write about my experiences with this whole process.

I'll try to answer any questions to the best of my ability and give advise as "this is how i did it"...and have my hockey pads on for the ones that want to take shots at my advise.

Thanks again for all the advise i've found on this forum and on this site.

See you in paradise !!!

Casual1

[Casual1]

So the first thing i'll post is my experience with getting my Multi Non-Immigrant O visa. I was just in Thailand with tilac for 3 weeks in sept, did some forum reading and web search before i came back to the ice pack. before i left thailand, i got:

• copy of wifes thai passport (non certified)
• copy of our thai marriage certificate (non certified)

once back in Alaska, i took a self photo with my Iphone for the 2x2 inch picture, printed it on my old ass printer on "photo" paper. printed 3 months worth of bank statements (i have an internet bank). got a money order from the USPS for $200.

I went with the multi O as oppsed to the single entry O because i have to come back to Alaska in March for a month, and then back again in May for my daughters HS graduation, not sure if i will apply for my extention of stay based on marriage in Feb, so i wanted my options open...and i didn't know how long it would take to get the O visa (could have went the tourist stamp route, but i want to set somethings up in Feb that i couldn't do with just a tourist stamp. i.e. thai bank account, thai drivers licence, etc...).

Sooo...

I drafted a nice letter :

Royal Thai Embassy,

I am applying for a Non-Immigrant O multi entry visa to visit my wife and establish a residence before I make an “extension of stay” application this summer when I finish my military obligations. Enclosed you will find my application for a multi entry visa, along with the following:

-Copy of my thai marriage certificate.

-Copy of my wife’s Thai passport.

-My US passport.

-My US bank statements.

-2 passport size photo’s

-Money order for $200 USD

The reason for a multi entry visa instead of a single entry visa is that I plan to visit in February for 30 days, return to America, and visit again in April for 30 days, at which time I will apply for my extension of stay.

I have tried in the past to establish a bank account and get a Thai drivers license, only to be denied as I was informed that I could not accomplish this on a 30 day tourist stamp. In February 2014, I plan to establish the requirements for an extension of stay based on family and deposit the required amount in a Thai bank account and obtain a Thai drivers license.

I can be reached by phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX, or

(My Name)

(My Address)

Thank you,

(My Name)

Got the self addressed Express Mail return envelope, postage paid (by stamp, not meter) as directed from the Royal Thai Embassy Washington DC website http://63.76.233.50/consular/VISA/Non-Img.aspx

I sent all the items using USPS Priority Flate Rate envelope (28 Oct 2014). I chose the DC Embassy location as the Thai Consulates said "Certified copies of spose passport and Marriage certificate", which i didnt have, only had non-certified xerox copies and didnt want to wait for the wife to get "certified" copies, when the Embassy website doesnt ask for "certified" copies.

I got a call about 5 days later from a DC phone number (didnt answer it as i was busy and thought it was work related and it could wait). when i played the message, it was from the Thai Embassy and i was thinking they were calling to inform me i needed "certified" copies of the marriage certificate and wife's passport, but... they were informing me that my application was approved and i should be receiving my passport with multi O visa in a few days. Sure enough, i got it in the mail (had to go to the PO to sign for it) 2 days later.

To note, got a friend here in Alaska, married to a Thai, who sent for a 60 day tourist visa same week as i sent for my O. as of last monday (11 Nov 2014), he still hasnt recieved his visa and passport, he is due to leave 20 something of this month (Nov 2014). he sent his application and info to the consulate in California (not sure where it is, LA or San Fran i think).

Hope this helps for anyone looking to get a Multi Non-Imm O visa.

Ive attached a template embassy letter for those that would like to use it.Royal Thai Embassy Visa letter.docx

Edited November 14, 2013 by Casual1

[dieter1]

what is your shoes size ?

Iphone - which one (1,2,3....)?

social security number ?

eye colour ?

size of underwear ...

so many questions ...

cheers

[Casual1]

what is your shoes size ? Iphone - which one (1,2,3....)? social security number ? eye colour ? size of underwear ... so many questions ... cheers

i have "a friend" in Nigeria who asked the same thing !!!

[OMGImInPattaya]

You must not read the forums very carefully...as no one here would advise using either the thai embassy or the LA consulate for anything visa related. Most would recommend the Portland or Houston consulates.

Good luck on your move in any case and hope your this marriage is more successful than your American one. Nice to read how my taxes are paying for your move too!

[pattaya_girl]

The import tax on your Harley will be astronomical.

[OMGImInPattaya]

The import tax on your Harley will be astronomical.

It's a midlife crisis thing...that and the new wifey 5555

[aveabeeror2]

Almost makes me want to go to the widening of beach rd and jet ski scams posts, almost.

[Spaniel]

The import tax on your Harley will be astronomical.

It's a midlife crisis thing...that and the new wifey 5555

I think you misread the initial post. He has been married to Thai wife for 6 years.

[guzzi850m2]

Welcome Casual1.

Try not spending/invest your $$ over here unless you are willing to part with them for good.

You got a nice pension which you should be able to live very comfortable on, including a nice rental house.

Are you sure you want to live in Pattaya? I am fed up with especially the traffic and the never stopping condo/house building, how many will they screzze in here??

Consider ChangMai up North, it's nice up there.

[gmac]

what is your shoes size ? Iphone - which one (1,2,3....)? social security number ? eye colour ? size of underwear ... so many questions ... cheers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzk0bdlDr3Y

[telldem]

Good luck!

[fakename]

Wow! you did overdue it a bit, but welcome anyway. Im also on the dark side, and have ties to Alaska also, (Seldovia)

[Casual1]

You must not read the forums very carefully...as no one here would advise using either the thai embassy or the LA consulate for anything visa related. Most would recommend the Portland or Houston consulates.

Good luck on your move in any case and hope your this marriage is more successful than your American one. Nice to read how my taxes are paying for your move too!

I did read about those Consulates, but from this website http://www.thaiembassy.org/main/ they didnt show Portland of Huston having a website. of the LA, NY and Chi consulates to chose from, all reaquired "certified Copies", only the DC Embassy list required documents as only copies.

Taxes, funny how those things work. I'll try to keep my moving expenses low so the rest can go to Obamacare..."Obamacare"

Update, my friend did get his Tourist visa after 2 1/2 weeks, said the LA consulate was backlogged and working hard to get the visa's processed... "working hard"

[Casual1]

The import tax on your Harley will be astronomical.

Yep, i'm figuring as much.

So its a 2003 nighttrain, 3600 miles on it (riding season is short in alaska), little bit of custom work done. pretty much flawless except for a little rock chip on rear fender.

According to this website http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+personal+vehicle/importingpersonalvehicle it will cost about $4200-4500 in taxes.someone with a better math grade might come up with a different number. Hope a little tea money will ease the process.

I am the original owner. Hard to sell it here, I've tried. If i dont use it much, I can always sell it over there for a profit. Looking at used harleys there, they're going for double what they cost here.

[Casual1]

The import tax on your Harley will be astronomical.

It's a midlife crisis thing...that and the new wifey 5555

Wife hates it, said its too loud. guess i'll be riding ALONE

[Casual1]

Welcome Casual1.

Try not spending/invest your $$ over here unless you are willing to part with them for good.

You got a nice pension which you should be able to live very comfortable on, including a nice rental house.

Are you sure you want to live in Pattaya? I am fed up with especially the traffic and the never stopping condo/house building, how many will they screzze in here??

Consider ChangMai up North, it's nice up there.

Thanks Guzzi,

I hope its enough. i guess thats the questions many folks retireing are asking themselves. talking with my expat friends who have lived there for years, i should be ok with my monthly income. just have to convince the wife that "i no make big money same before".

after 29 years living in Alaska, i need to thaw out. orginally from south florida and really want to get back to the beach life. I will take the advise of renting for about 6 months to a year to make sure i make the transition from holiday maker to resident. Plan on staying in the darkside. i keep telling the wife to set up a 3-5 day trip to ChaingMai, "no have time, where you want stay?" is all the feedback i get. 1 day i'll make it up there.

[Casual1]

Wow! you did overdue it a bit, but welcome anyway. Im also on the dark side, and have ties to Alaska also, (Seldovia)

yeah, even though i like this forum and its helpful, i see alot of "you never thought this thru" "why do you think you have enough" "blah blah blah"... just thought i'ld lay out all the facts to weed out the bashing.

have a friend who grew up in seldovia, lost his number when i updated my iphone, tried to get him to come with me to thailand for a vacation when his wife fired him.

you ever go back to AK? i only "plan" on coming back for HS/College graduations and weddings, etc... i consider the summers cold and rainy up here. if i take a vacation to the US, it will be to NY, Chi and/or S.FL (relatives) and only during the summer months.

[pitchag]

Welcome Casual1.

Try not spending/invest your $$ over here unless you are willing to part with them for good.

You got a nice pension which you should be able to live very comfortable on, including a nice rental house.

Are you sure you want to live in Pattaya? I am fed up with especially the traffic and the never stopping condo/house building, how many will they screzze in here??

Consider ChangMai up North, it's nice up there.

Or Banchang nice town beach front available at a reasonable price 40 min to Pattaya

[OMGImInPattaya]

You must not read the forums very carefully...as no one here would advise using either the thai embassy or the LA consulate for anything visa related. Most would recommend the Portland or Houston consulates.

Good luck on your move in any case and hope your this marriage is more successful than your American one. Nice to read how my taxes are paying for your move too!

I did read about those Consulates, but from this website http://www.thaiembassy.org/main/ they didnt show Portland of Huston having a website. of the LA, NY and Chi consulates to chose from, all reaquired "certified Copies", only the DC Embassy list required documents as only copies.

Taxes, funny how those things work. I'll try to keep my moving expenses low so the rest can go to Obamacare..."Obamacare"

Update, my friend did get his Tourist visa after 2 1/2 weeks, said the LA consulate was backlogged and working hard to get the visa's processed... "working hard"

Have you ever heard of a little company called Google... It's this little company who shares are now over $1000 that has indexed all the information on the internet and gives you, yes you, access to it for free! A cursory look there would have brought up info on the Portland consulate and a link to their website. You and your friend would have had your visas in a couple days from them.

As for the affordable care act, please don't compare a life saving program for tens of millions of Americans with a subsidy for your move to a foreign country.

[guzzi850m2]

Thanks Guzzi,

I hope its enough. i guess thats the questions many folks retireing are asking themselves. talking with my expat friends who have lived there for years, i should be ok with my monthly income. just have to convince the wife that "i no make big money same before".

after 29 years living in Alaska, i need to thaw out. orginally from south florida and really want to get back to the beach life. I will take the advise of renting for about 6 months to a year to make sure i make the transition from holiday maker to resident. Plan on staying in the darkside. i keep telling the wife to set up a 3-5 day trip to ChaingMai, "no have time, where you want stay?" is all the feedback i get. 1 day i'll make it up there.

It sounds like you haven't seen much of Thailand? Now when you retire is your change to see the whole Kingdom so start renting for sure, it would be a great mistake just come over here and buy and then 6 month down the road regret it because you found a very nice place elsewhere.

Buy a pick-up truck or suv and load it up and tell your wife to pack for 1 month and off you go. Hotels are cheap here especially outside the tourist spots.

Okay we have a nice big house ourselves we bought but since we got a kid together, I think it best that way. If something happens to me, my wife will have this asset and can good care of our boy. I know of more than 4-5 expats that despite being fully legal married lost the house(s) and the car and they were left with nothing expect their pensions. One was married to an alcoholic wife making his life miserable. 2One was married to a gambler and she lost so much they had to sell the house quickly in order not getting murdered. 3One decided that he was fed up with his wife and wanted out. She got so angry that he can hardly see his kids anymore and was afraid of getting murdered and moved 200km away she don't know about. 4One had a wife that absolute had to build this small 8 story condo in Jomtien at about 20mill baht but it quickly ended up costing 30 mill and his was broke and had to go back to his home country as a broke man. I told him not to build this condo project but he wouldn't listen and let the wife do it, crazy.

I am only telling you this as a gentle warning, there are also many having good relationships here.

[OMGImInPattaya]

The import tax on your Harley will be astronomical.

Yep, i'm figuring as much.

So its a 2003 nighttrain, 3600 miles on it (riding season is short in alaska), little bit of custom work done. pretty much flawless except for a little rock chip on rear fender.

According to this website http://www.customs.go.th/wps/wcm/connect/custen/individuals/importing+personal+vehicle/importingpersonalvehicle it will cost about $4200-4500 in taxes.someone with a better math grade might come up with a different number. Hope a little tea money will ease the process.

I am the original owner. Hard to sell it here, I've tried. If i dont use it much, I can always sell it over there for a profit. Looking at used harleys there, they're going for double what they cost here.

That double cost here...that's likely to be the total of your excise and VAT taxes for hauling your white elephant of a motocye to Thailand so unfortunately no profit if you could even sell it over here. There are lots of Harley's and harley dealers in pattaya/Thailand so don't get your hopes up.

[craigt3365]

Welcome Casual1.

Try not spending/invest your $$ over here unless you are willing to part with them for good.

You got a nice pension which you should be able to live very comfortable on, including a nice rental house.

Are you sure you want to live in Pattaya? I am fed up with especially the traffic and the never stopping condo/house building, how many will they screzze in here??

Consider ChangMai up North, it's nice up there.

Good suggestions. We've considered CM. Been there several times on scouting trips. But having to leave 2 or 3 months every year due to the smoke kinda puts us off!

Welcome to Pattaya! It's an "interesting" place, as you well know. Traffic is getting worse and worse, but that's true all over the Kingdom.

I graduated from HS in Anchorage. Great when you are young, but couldn't handle the winters now. It gets hot here, but no biggie. Just hop in the pool or turn on the AC.

I'm sure you know about Tricare coverage here? If not, you might want to research that a bit. Some hospitals will pay the initial bill, but Tricare only covers 75%.

Again, welcome. Sounds like you've got things under control.

[NanLaew]

Nice to see the OP has all the wheels on his wagon so far, take your time and it will all fall into place. Having a rental home base on the dark side is excellent for checking out the other, more permanent options. Why not keep the AK place? Just in case things go pear-shaped in LOS... and I do NOT mean your relationship. The lunatics are in the asylum in Bangkok and the next 5 years are going to be pretty 'interesting' IMHO. If the mortgage isn't too onerous, maybe a fallback for yourself or even for the kids if your ex-wife has any misfortune back home?

Must be the weekend.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Rimmer
Flame

[Casual1]

Nice to see the OP has all the wheels on his wagon so far, take your time and it will all fall into place. Having a rental home base on the dark side is excellent for checking out the other, more permanent options. Why not keep the AK place? Just in case things go pear-shaped in LOS... and I do NOT mean your relationship. The lunatics are in the asylum in Bangkok and the next 5 years are going to be pretty 'interesting' IMHO. If the mortgage isn't too onerous, maybe a fallback for yourself or even for the kids if your ex-wife has any misfortune back home?

Must be the weekend.

Thanks Nanlaew, soon i'll have plenty of "time"

Gonna sell the house here because whatever happens, i've had enough of: 3 months of fall 8 months winter 1 month of spring, somewhere in there folks call it summer, but i dont see it that way. IF i had to stay in the states, i would be moving back to Florida. i like the idea of having one set of tires, not having to plug the truck in at night, short sleave shirts and shorts, flippie-floppies, hope you get the idea.

Daughter will be off to college thanks to OMG's tax contributions , son's got 2 more years of HS, then off he goes. the kids extended familiy is from AK so "IF" the ex has a "misfortune" then they have many relatives here that would be more than willing to help out. all this was discussed and set up legally back before my last deployment, and hasnt changed, they both want to finish HS in AK. the daughter came with me on one trip, liked thailand as a vacation spot, but dont think she'd want to live here. both will come over for 2-3 weeks in june, plan to take them to the village where mama papa and grandmama live, i think there will be a mutiny, "how do they live without PC, FB, XBOX, highspeed internet??...", " there's bugs all over the place !!!!!", " sleep where !?!?". i give them 2-3 days max.

If they kick the the falang out of thailand, i really think i would seek someother SE asia location, i really enjoyed Cambo. america is too expensive for my taste (and retirement check), but i'm not burning any bridges...yet.

[Casual1]

Thanks Guzzi,

I hope its enough. i guess thats the questions many folks retireing are asking themselves. talking with my expat friends who have lived there for years, i should be ok with my monthly income. just have to convince the wife that "i no make big money same before".

after 29 years living in Alaska, i need to thaw out. orginally from south florida and really want to get back to the beach life. I will take the advise of renting for about 6 months to a year to make sure i make the transition from holiday maker to resident. Plan on staying in the darkside. i keep telling the wife to set up a 3-5 day trip to ChaingMai, "no have time, where you want stay?" is all the feedback i get. 1 day i'll make it up there.

It sounds like you haven't seen much of Thailand? Now when you retire is your change to see the whole Kingdom so start renting for sure, it would be a great mistake just come over here and buy and then 6 month down the road regret it because you found a very nice place elsewhere.

Buy a pick-up truck or suv and load it up and tell your wife to pack for 1 month and off you go. Hotels are cheap here especially outside the tourist spots.

Okay we have a nice big house ourselves we bought but since we got a kid together, I think it best that way. If something happens to me, my wife will have this asset and can good care of our boy. I know of more than 4-5 expats that despite being fully legal married lost the house(s) and the car and they were left with nothing expect their pensions. One was married to an alcoholic wife making his life miserable. 2One was married to a gambler and she lost so much they had to sell the house quickly in order not getting murdered. 3One decided that he was fed up with his wife and wanted out. She got so angry that he can hardly see his kids anymore and was afraid of getting murdered and moved 200km away she don't know about. 4One had a wife that absolute had to build this small 8 story condo in Jomtien at about 20mill baht but it quickly ended up costing 30 mill and his was broke and had to go back to his home country as a broke man. I told him not to build this condo project but he wouldn't listen and let the wife do it, crazy.

I am only telling you this as a gentle warning, there are also many having good relationships here.

sooo...dont turn in my flak vest??

your correct Guzzi, havent seen too much of the kingdom, but haven't only visited patts. i do "plan" to get out and about but . i know i know, gotta "live" in patts and not "holiday" in patts. the thai family wants us to move to Saraburi, or near Nakhonsawan, its ok to visit, but a little too primative for me. i am doing what many have suggested and rent for a bit before i hang my hat.

I hear what your saying about relationships, mine certainly hasnt been a fairytale and anyone who thinks marrying a thai its all rosey and peachy, well...take off the rose colored glass and come back to reality. issues do arise and its just like any marriage.

I do appreciate the info

(My mistake, only been in Alaska 19 years...its still freak'n cold!!!)

[Casual1]

Welcome Casual1.

Try not spending/invest your $$ over here unless you are willing to part with them for good.

You got a nice pension which you should be able to live very comfortable on, including a nice rental house.

Are you sure you want to live in Pattaya? I am fed up with especially the traffic and the never stopping condo/house building, how many will they screzze in here??

Consider ChangMai up North, it's nice up there.

Or Banchang nice town beach front available at a reasonable price 40 min to Pattaya

[thaicbr]

Op. Sell the Harley in the States. Getting the bike into the country is just the first of your difficulties and expenses. Then you have to register the bike add another 140k baht (if it's even possible)

So my advice. Sell the bike in the States.

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

[Casual1]

Op. Sell the Harley in the States. Getting the bike into the country is just the first of your difficulties and expenses. Then you have to register the bike add another 140k baht (if it's even possible)

So my advice. Sell the bike in the States.

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

Thanks Thaicbr,

I have it (and have had it) listed forsale, but no go for a couple years, and with it now being winter they're even harder to sell up here in the great white north. If it sells before they come pick up my house furniture, then great !!! but if not, then OMG's generous tax dollars will pay to have it shipped to thailand and then given to the thai government as a "white elephant gift". I'll smile everytime i see a BIB riding stylishly on such a bike! I've been reading reading reading...and more reading thanks to google and i think i can make it work. i know its not gonna be cheap and have a good chance of losing it, but if i lose it here or lose it there, then whats wrong with trying. I'm in contact with a guy that has made it happen, hopefully it'll work. knowing myself, "IF" it works out, I'll strut about on it for about a month or 2 in LOS, but then most likely leave it covered, sell it for a lose, or have it stolen.

Unleeeesssss...your in AK and looking for harley...cheap cheap, no copy !!

[craigt3365]

Welcome Casual1.

Try not spending/invest your $$ over here unless you are willing to part with them for good.

You got a nice pension which you should be able to live very comfortable on, including a nice rental house.

Are you sure you want to live in Pattaya? I am fed up with especially the traffic and the never stopping condo/house building, how many will they screzze in here??

Consider ChangMai up North, it's nice up there.

Good suggestions. We've considered CM. Been there several times on scouting trips. But having to leave 2 or 3 months every year due to the smoke kinda puts us off!

Welcome to Pattaya! It's an "interesting" place, as you well know. Traffic is getting worse and worse, but that's true all over the Kingdom.

I graduated from HS in Anchorage. Great when you are young, but couldn't handle the winters now. It gets hot here, but no biggie. Just hop in the pool or turn on the AC.

I'm sure you know about Tricare coverage here? If not, you might want to research that a bit. Some hospitals will pay the initial bill, but Tricare only covers 75%.

Again, welcome. Sounds like you've got things under control.

Thanks for the info and visiting CM is on the list craig, is the smoke from buring the fields i hear about? you know about our "summer" fires in AK. which HS did you graduate? kids go to Palmer, Bartlett has a bunch of thugs.

Tri-care, good topic .I've done a little research about it, I'm going with standard after retirement. kids step-dad has a good business and pretty decent insurance that they will convert to. i plan on looking for "emergency" health insurance for me and the wife once i get there, she's on some thai government plan now, but i hear i cant get that same coverage. I have no problem paying out of pocket, filling out the forms, and waiting for tri-care to reimburse (i got a bunch of creditcards that need air miles ), but would like something local that will pay for emergencies/accidents. But yes, more research and info from retired military folks in LOS is always helpful . Been hanging at the VFW Soi batman last trip, picking those guys ear, the owner is really helpful and decent guy.

Showing my age, but I was the 2nd graduating class at Bartlett. Before that went to West HS. As a kid, AK is great. But like you, I'd prefer Florida to AK now!

Yes, CM has issues during the height of the burning season. For a few months, it's unbearable for many. But smoke is a problem all over SE Asia. Unfortunately, smoke doesn't respect borders.

You should spend some time perusing the health sub forum. Or the insurance forum. Many good threads on health insurance. It's a touch subject here.

Sounds like you've got a good source of info for Tricare. Great stuff!