[Florida among five states to hit daily highs for COVID-19 cases]

Whether you believe the numbers or not, Thailand has done a great job so far of handling the virus. OBVIOUSLY much better than the US. Just this morning VP Pence has started saying strongly to wear a mask, Too little too late. This has cost lives.

[Trump attacks impeachment witness on Twitter, Democrats see intimidation]

9 hours ago, Tippaporn said:

I prefer not to judge a book by it's cover.

You apparently prefer to judge according to what Faux Noise tells you to think. EVERY one of the people testifying so far are career professionals with impeccable reputations, Vindman was a decorated war hero - you can't say that about the subject of the impeachment. He is a liar, an adulterer, a draft dodger, etc. Try something other than Faux, you may be surprised what's actually happening out there.

[Trump attacks impeachment witness on Twitter, Democrats see intimidation]

1 hour ago, Tippaporn said:

<snip>

Geezus, I ain't an American but I always thought Americans had this thing about "guilty until proven innocent."  I assume you're an American, Skallywag, and correct me if I'm wrong, but what the h_e_l_l has happened over there?  This seems to me to be no different than mob action.

<snip>

And how many wonderful, honorable, decorated career civil servants has trump discredited because they put him in a sour mood by not kissing his a$$?  He is asking for everything he's going to get.

 

[Thailand to host World Ganja Festival 2020]

At least on Soi 6 you can get your pipes cleaned. This is just a huge tease.

[Why Bother With The 800k Baht Method?]

This is merely a muse, I'm not suggesting anything illegal.

I just finished with my 90 day reporting of my 800k baht having been in my bank account after renewing my extension of stay. The girl at the desk took a look at the paperwork, had me sign all of it, then threw it in a pile of others' similar documents. I'd bet my bottom dollar all these documents will land up in a pile, never to be looked at again.

NO receipt stapled in my passport, no stamp, no computer entry. It's as if it had never happened.

The question: If a person can go to an agent for ~12k baht and get the extension of stay done, thereby releasing 800k baht, why continue with the "money in the bank" method?

[Medical for Work Permit Renewal - TM 30 not the only pointless task]

The laws recently changed where, before you could go to a clinic and get a 150 baht "wink wink nudge nudge" medical. They now require you attend a hospital from an approved list, and they're also checking for insanity. That counts me and most of you out.

????????????

[90 Day reporting Jomtien Immigration]

I went there Tuesday morning for both 90 day reporting and show money in the bank for 90 days, NO ONE in any queue for either reporting. In and out in under 10 minutes. The gal at the desk didn't even bother giving me a queue ticket, she said just go on to the desk.

[And now, for something completely different...........]

28 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

My conclusion is something I have often worried over. Once you use an agent you are going to be a repeat customer. The charge you paid was expensive at 28.000 baht, even including a multiple re-entry permit. 

Still, no need to leave 800,000 in a bank account I bet. 

That's what I've always wondered about, having to show the 800k was still in your bank account even when it clearly was not. THAT kind of stuff is obviously very illegal and I'd hate to be the first one when immigration decided to make examples of cheating farangs!

[And now, for something completely different...........]

Immigration will take care of everything INCLUDING a new multiple re-entry for 18 or 19k baht. Speaking from personal experience.

[Koh Samui Immigration - 90-day reporting]

24 minutes ago, KiChakayan said:

Was it your first, second, or third 90 days report, after your latest extension?

Correct - the bank statement requirement can coincide or come close to the same date as the FIRST 90 day report. I have to show my bank statement 10 Sep, my first 90 day 19 Sep. I should be able to do both on the same day. After that, no more bank statement until next year.

[Tourist Visa to Retirement Visa at Jomtien]

A few years back I returned to Thailand after moving to Mexico, vowing never to return (yeah, I didn't get a re-entry permit. I've beat myself up PLENTY over THAT one!). It cost me 18k or 19k baht at Jomtien Immigration to get the "retirement visa" squared away. The alternative was a stack of forms, all in Thai, and a requirement to make several trips to some Bangkok office. Of course all this was before the 800k baht requirement. Regarding a bank account, it's hit and miss, but if you persist you will eventually find a bank that will let you open an account with a tourist visa, particularly if you dress smart, talk politely, and explain what you are trying to do. Let us know how it turns out for you and best of luck.

[Has TransferWise slowed down on xfers?]

It's hit and miss. One transfer may take 24 hours, the next four days.

[Fresh Report Of Extension In Jomtien]

Just now, quandow said:

I believe item 1 is the form they hand you with your passport (one MORE thing to have to remember):

 

[Fresh Report Of Extension In Jomtien]

24 minutes ago, Jack Mountain said:

Picture of the sign? Is there a gray period?

I wasn't comfortable taking pictures inside immigration. Here is a pic of the instructions they were handing out, and the sign was essentially the same:

 

[Fresh Report Of Extension In Jomtien]

And here is the happy finish. They appear to be VERY insistent on you bringing your bank book back 90 days. A big sign with instructions where you retrieve your passport.

 

The adventure continues . . .

[Fresh Report Of Extension In Jomtien]

2 hours ago, Jack Mountain said:

No need for proof of residence? House book, rental contract etc?

As I wrote in my list of documents, a TM30 and copy of the rental agreement.

[Fresh Report Of Extension In Jomtien]

Did these steps today and Jomtien Immigration gave me the magic green ticket to get my passport back tomorrow:
 

1. 7:30 a.m. - Updated Bangkok Bank bank book at Jomtien 2nd Road branch; Withdrew ฿1,000;  Updated bank book again. Went back home to wait for next step.

 

2. 9:30 a.m. - Went to Kodak for passport photos and one each copy of passport, TM30, rental contract, arrival card, bank book (info page and latest balance). Signed my name and wrote my phone number on the bottom of every copy.

 

3. 9:50 a.m. - Went BACK to Bangkok Bank 2nd Road Jomtien for letter of money seasoning. I arrived 10 minutes early, only one Thai woman cut in front of me while waiting outside.

 

4. 10:10 a.m. - Did the cardinal mistake of going to immigration on a Monday thinking "What the hell, I'm here at the bank just around the corner already so let's give it a try." Seventh in queue, out the door by 11:00 a.m.

 

Hope this helps.

 

BTW, money was only seasoned 2 months and 2 weeks. Needless to say, I kept my mouth shut, didn't ask the guy if that was OK!

 

 

[Retirement O Visa: Likelyhood of requirements being raised?]

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Of course it will keep going up, the question is when and how much which no one knows

Ya beat me to it!

[Can you still transfer money from USA to Bangkok Bank]

If you really need this transfer to go through, use TransferWise. I've had excellent results and, after having my master account hacked and mayhem ensuing in ALL my accounts, TransferWise was responsive and dealt with the issue quickly and professionally.

[Late on my 90 day report]

7 minutes ago, Thailand said:

I guess you have a mobile phone, put a reminder on that.

Thanks, but having worked IT for 15 years, electronic devices have earned ZERO trust in my book, especially when you really need them!

????

[Late on my 90 day report]

I've said this before, I am constantly worrying about missing these dates and wind up checking my passport about once a week.

[Security check upon landing at Changi]

I had this happen to me about five years ago at San Francisco International upon arrival. They damn near did a body cavity search, EXTREMELY intrusive, and I'm a white bread citizen.

[Does anyone know a good agent for retirement extension of stay?]

PM sent.

[Single re-entry permit Jomtien.]

3 hours ago, isaantom said:

As I learnt in six years of intimately friendship with Immigration:

Five useless copies are much better than one forgotten.

I ALWAYS make two copies of every damned page that has anything on it. It's an extra 20 baht or so, and worth it when I see the look on some IO's face when they can't block me for not having it.

[Extension of Stay, Jomtien Office, Today 10 May]

THANKS for the report, it's a little soothing as I will be in almost the EXACT same situation next month - Jomtien immigration, multiple extensions previously based on income method, money seasoned over two months but not three months. Instead of a letter from a wife (of which I have none) will a TM30 suffice for proof of address?