edwardflory

What I would like to know is the estimated no frills cost to my wife to cremate me at a local temple - if possible. Someone mentioned 30,000 bt, is this no frills?

If you stayed at a hotel and presented your passport, chances are they did a TM-30 at that address. In THEORY, you are still at that address. Some offices require a NEW TM-30 IF: you stay at a hotel OR leave the country and return to the same address.

4 out of 4 bookings with a LA Travel Agency with NO problems. 3 were LEX to BKK round trip, last one was BKK to CVG ( $1230 ) round trip tourist. 6 hours average layover time, 1 checked bag, 1 carry on all meals included in cost. I have a FREE USA VOIP phone number so LA, USA and Canada calls are "local" call for me.

Go to your LOCAL IMMIGRATION OFFICE to see what THEIR POLICIES are. In the past 11 years, my office has ADDED requirements 3 different times. Usually a LOCAL IO will have a printed list of THEIR requiremens.( POLICY ) As a example, TM-30 policies vary office to office.

I have deposited money in a ATM using the ATM's bank card without problems. Make sure you are using the CORRECT bank ATM device. There are basically 3 types of ATM's - Update bank book, deposit / withdraw monies, and one used to withdraw monies ( although the ATM's are usually multi function - the ATM to deposit has a sliding door to deposit / receive monies )

Korat requires a new TM-30 if you leave the country even returning to same address. 1st hand knowledge.

Depending on your LOCAL IO policy wants is your answer. My actual stamps transfer from a EMERGENCY US PP to a new 10 year US PP took about 7 minutes. TM-30, you left the country, SOME IO's require a new TM-30 even if returning to same address. Just a suggestion, have your wife sponsor a YELLOW House Book & PINK ID Card, for you - House Book does NOT replace a TM-30, but I have found it useful to prove address. TM-47, DAY 1 is the date you enter Thsiland no matter the time - if stamp says 23:59, this is day 1

In Korat, a NEW TM-30 is REQUIRED if you LEAVE the country - even with all visa / extension paperwork up to date and returning to same address, before you can do a 90 day report. 1st hand knowledge, happened to me.

See if your landlord will help you with a YELLOW HOUSE BOOK

I tucked my house book inside my passport

My last entry n Nov of last year was in about 15 minutes, 3 people ahead of me in "express line". At the IO, greet him in Thai, then fingerprints of right hand, PP check - Extension of Stay, re-entry permit up to date and Yellow House Book in PP, done in about 1 1/2 minutes.

I use KRUNGSRI ( Yellow Bank ) Opened a savings account in BKK 5 years ago. Have used my Krungsri bank card in 3 different providences ( I live in Korat - 3 years ) used 3 different bank ATM's in Korat, have made KRUNGSRI deposits and withdraws in 2 different providences, and have paid NO service fees EXCEPT ATM card replacement, 100bt. I also have Bangkok Bank, and use it for saving ( banking ) money only.

There are a "boat load" of free apk's available for TV / movie viewing if you use a Android based TV device. Also some paid apk's by choice. I do not use IPTV or a smart TV. With a Android device every 2 -3 years you can update the operating system for 1200bt+ buying a new Android device instead of a new "smart TV". I am not a sports fan ( free apk's available). I have the same apk's on mobile as I have on TV device. Tap on photo to see content use SORRY, PHOTO UPLOAD DID NOT GO PROPERLY

CPU can't search for anything, it is your units speed processing power. OPINION: I PREFER a Android based external device ( I use a Android TV Box ) not a Smart TV ( unless you can upgrade the operating system ). My reason, 1200bt for a NEW UPDATED OS every 2 or 3 years instead of a new smart TV costing ???? As to TV service via a router, ( hardwire or WiFi ) you can get a IPTV service with over 8000 "channels" ( TV channels / Movies / Series / Sports / multiple country TV channels / etc ) for somewhere around 2000bt a year.

TM-30 is required when you move from A to B within 24 hours. MANY offices require if you reenter the country, SOME do not. SOME offices will let YOU do a TM-30 with proper paperwork as possessor. I have done with a: rental agreement / lease, utility deposit receipts and my passport stamps up to date. It all depends on LOCAL OFFICE policy what they require.

I live 20 minutes outside Korat and use AIS FIBER ( connect via WiFi - 1st connection in my community area ) and Android TV Box for MY TV needs, wife uses AIS PLAY Box. Slightly faster speed if you connect to router supplied by provider

IF you have WiFi, buy a Android TV Box - 1200bt 1 time, Download many free apks from Play store. I have US, Canadian, UK, and many other country channels ( about 200 channels total ) as well as around 5000 movies at NO cost. If you go IPTV, you can get 8000+ channels ( many English speaking countries )- TV, movies, series etc for around 2000bt a year with a Android TV Box

It all DEPENDS on LOCAL IO policy what hoops you go thru. With my NEW passport I was required to do a new TM-30 ( about 8 minutes ) before the 90 day (3 minutes ) Was just asked by BOTH OFFICES if address was the same - answer was YES , both forms processed with info on computer, I filled out no paperwork. I am known at TM-30 office because I have filed TM-30's for people visiting and staying with me as the possessor of the property.

The usual time is 30 days and you loose no stay time, anniversary to anniversary Some offices will allow 45 days. It all depends on LOCAL policy. Google the local office phone number and ask them. At one (1) office - UNCONFIRMED, someone claimed they did 90 days early several years ago

It depends on the LOCAL IO policy. Some require, some don't. On retirement O extension. Be safe always, do a TM-30. I ran into a problem in Korat, went to do my 90 day ( on day 89 was closed ) on day 90 while attempting to do report ( I left the country for 10 days ) was told to do new TM-30 BEFORE I could do 90 day. 20 minutes later, all done. 10 years here with NO dings on my file, thought I would be facing my first ding - NO ding, I was lucky.

Day of entry Day of entry is also day 1 of 90 day requirement

If passport expires, Visa / Extension of Stay expires the same date. I ended up with a US Emergency 1 year Passport and lost 5 days as to the new Extension expire date.

Once you reenter the country , that is day 1 of the 90 days

So about half the government school lunch program allowance per meal? Rice is nice I guess. I bake bread ( wheat and white ) cookies, cake and other baked goodies. We eat mostly Thai foods, but I also make meat loaf, broiled fish, Mac&Cheese, spaghetti, stuffing, home made sausage and etc, we hit the high end when ""RICE"" gets boring. EDIT: Grandmother ( Italian ) started teaching me home made cooking at age 5 - 72 years ago.

"""Am I crazy to assume there's no possible way a family in a village in isaan spends +50k baht a month??""" Married with no children BUT 1 minor niece (16) lives with us in Korat Renting a 2BR house, indoor kitchen, 2 toilets / showers, LR, DR, yard and garden, carport, yard fenced, in a semi-gated community, can walk to 3 major stores and 7-11, just outside city. RENT: 4,500bt a month ( Was in a 3BR @5,500bt ) FOOD 3 people: 3,000 to 5,000 a month - average of 9 meals daily. UTILITIES including Electric, water, AC & WiFi 1,800 to 2,500bt a month depending on weather. Take it from there!