CMBob

While I agree that some farang are rather a pain (especially on outside of the moat on the east side of CM), for the most part the Thais are having a blast. If you don't want to get wet, just don't venture out for three days after about 11AM. A few photos over the years of the festivities:

No problem. The last Songkran event here in CM will be a procession tomorrow afternoon from Three Kings to the Governor's residence....and there likely will be some water tossing during that event; other than that, water tossing is pretty much finished here in CM after today.

Where are you talking about? This is the Chiangmai forum and what you were told simply isn't going to happen here.

At least here in Chiangmai, any pedestrian that crosses a street at any type of crossing (a marked zebra crossing regardless if stoplights, signs, or whatever are present) without at least watching for cars or motorcycles totally ignoring it and speeding on through is simply taking a gamble. Seems that stoplights, stop signs, and other traffic signals are simply "advisory" for some drivers here.

By "fixed deposit account", do you mean you simply keep the funds in a separate savings account that's simply a one-year term account, an account which you can get access to (withdraw) anytime you want although you would lose accrued interest if you did so? I'm guessing that is what you are calling a "fixed deposit" account.....as any other type of regular savings account that has a fixed term (one year, two year, etc.) that you cannot get access to in the interim would not qualify as a bank account to support an annual extension based on either marriage or retirement. (I'm not asking about a foreign currency account here)

For Chiangmai: 1. Completed TM 7 form (with photo- 4 x 6cm). And neatly write your phone number below your signature on 2nd page. 2. Photocopy of passport pages: entire photo-page including the code numbers and page showing entry stamp. Sign your full name in blue ink on both photocopies. For "reasons for extension", just write "extending vacation" or something like that. 3. 1,900 baht. 4. Typically want a photocopy of TM30 too (has been required last couple of years).

That's the first report I've ever seen or heard of the "same-day-as-application" bank paperwork involving annual extensions here in Chiangmai. I do presume you're talking about an extension based on retirement and keeping 800k baht in the bank. And you only mention the bank letter.....weren't you also required to produce an annual statement showing you've maintained the 800/400k baht figures as required?

I have had zero issue in obtaining interest withholding statements from both Siam Commercial Bank and Bangkok Bank. And they are used to providing these documents (i.e., I've done this a few times before and there's never any confusion or questioning as to what I am requesting). Just tell them what you want and for what years and typically the forms are provided in 5-10 minutes. I've filed returns for both 2566 and 2567 and received back checks refunding the 15% withheld from bank interest. No problem.

All the malls closed right after the earthquake....but would think they are all open now. Rim Ping grocery at Maya sent a message saying they were closed right after the earthquake (I'd imagine they might have had some items fall off their shelves and wanted to clean and examine for any damage) but said their inspections were fine and they would be open this morning.

Unless this is a new requirement, it wasn't the case when I converted from exempt to Non-O three years ago. I obtained the bank letter the day before application. I also had the funds in the bank for a long time (as in years) so there was no need to show the funds came from abroad. Edit: My experience was with Chiangmai Immigration.

I've done extensions and 90-day reports here in CM for almost 15 years and they have always been independent of any annual extension based on retirement (i.e., they've never done anything TM47-wise when I applied and received annual extensions based on retirement). I accept that this has happened to you here in CM as you say it has always happened to you.....but that's the first time I've ever heard of that happening to anybody (again, referring to annual extensions based on retirement).

Thanks for the report. Am curious, though, why you didn't use the drive-up (or walk-up) window for your 90-day report rather than going inside for that as the outside window typically takes only a couple of minutes. There they have only ever required to see a completed TM-47 and one's passport.

Absent you opening windows or doors a lot, there's no doubt your inside air quality is far better than what's outside. We have 3 machines and they all register in the green for the most part (occasionally when it's really bad outside and we haven't turned the monitors on for a few days, they'll start in the range of 75 and get back to around 20-30 within a few hours). Our three monitors are Xiaomi and seem to work quite well.

Have read nothing hinting at any change or slowdown for issuing new US passports so I'm doubtful there's any issue there (or even if there would be a so-called "government shutdown"). A CM Consulate official explained a couple years ago that passport renewals from here (and anywhere else outside the US) go to a separate facility and that's why it's actually quicker to get a US passport renewed from abroad than if applied for within the US. Up to you but I'd get it sooner rather than later (i.e., don't want to get anywhere near to a time within 6 months of expiration given some/many countries require a minimum of 6 month's validity to be useable).

As you say, the procedure is rather straightforward....so just follow the instructions to the letter and you'll be fine. Ought to get your new passport (and old punched one) back in less than 4 weeks. Last time I did the mailing for a new passport (3 years ago), sent it to Bangkok via DHL on a Monday and got the new one back in the mail 11 days later. But I understand it takes a bit longer now. I don't see any point to the passport card and didn't get one. Only time I use my passport is for immigration, bank stuff, or travel....and I don't believe any of them would accept only seeing the passport card. But up to you.