Jump to content

Tassie Norm

Member
  • Posts

    147
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Tassie Norm

  1. Thanks Joe. I need to do my annual retirement extension next month so we shall see what happens in my case. Last year the officer said that I must bring my wife "next year" and said "yea". Well I have no intention on taking her this year, so again, we shall see what happens.

    Wife required for a 'retirement' extension!? Some confusion here.about what initial visa you hold Ken.

  2. MY knowledge/experience 30 day visa 'exempt' on arrival by air from o'seas - depart the Kingdom eg Nong Khai - Laos. On return 15 day visa approval. (bear in mind bridge fees etc). Careful, if you decide, for example, to do the above for any number of days prior to the completion of your 30 days then you lose said days. For example 10 days into your Thai visit you decide to go to Laos, you receive 15 days on return. That is you have 'lost' the balance of the initial 30 days and literally have lost, in this example, 5 days. If time is not a concern then leave your exit from Thailand until the near end of your 30 day initial visa as you will receive the extra 15 on your return. Repeat MY experience, not rocket science if you are a cleanskin.

  3. Hi BeefSlapper. Amazing story. I am also in your situation, namely married, retirement visa, and Oz vet affairs. When we first married I was going to change from a retirement visa to that based on marriage. Immigration lady (hard nosed but fair - at least with me) helpfully recommended I continue with a retirement visa. She explained through my wife that it is simply easier to administer. Why? Well on a retirement visa the issue of being married or single is irrelevant. Immigration have no pressure to check the integrity of a relationship eg visit the family home to ensure the integrity of said relationship..

    Very strange that you had to experience such treatment as you describe. Don't know if there is someone higher to complain to, or even it would be worth it.

    Incidentally a few of my mates reverted to visa based on retirement for simplicity.

    Cheers and good luck.

  4. mark5335

    The IO was probably only interested in ensuring that there was , in fact, money being bought into Thailand.

    Stat Decs are easily made but those who make them should always be prepared to provide evidence which will support what is claimed.

    If one has such evidence it pretty well negates the need for a stat dec doesn't it? In turn it saves a trip to the embassy to obtain same.

  5. Fact is there are very few countries in the world that even offer a retirement visa these days and even fewer who would offer PR or citizenship to a retiree as the typical premise of getting PR or citizenship in another country is that the person(s) concerned are making a meaningful contribution to the country

    If your so hell bent on getting PR in Thailand get a job then an do your 3 years, pay your tax and apply

    Spot on mate, try Oz my country of birth (of which I remain a proud Aussie) - but try getting the likes of a 'retirement visa'. Won't happen. Like others, 90 day report, no big deal - as long as one has nothing to hide............?

    • Like 1
  6. Been here in Chiang Mai for 7 years now. About 5-6 month ago my wife asked if I would like to go back and visit. I had to think about it for a minute, then asked her "visit what"? I was always the "black sheep" of the family, so I have no close family ties. Haven't spoken to my parents in over 15 years, and of the 2 brothers I have left, I was only so-so close with one. Same deal, about 15 years now. The friends I had are all now married with families and lives of their own. I'm an American. I'm proud to be an American, but it's not my home any more. The only reason I would go back now is to take my wife and son there to give them a month long tour of the country. That's about the only reason I can think of for returning.

    Mate, you come across as what Aussies call 'a good bloke'. Reading between the words (not lines) you are proud of your Thai family - and so you should be. I suspect you would like to introduce your Thai family to your home-roots family. Perhaps a letter, yeah, old fashioned, to the collective US mob may get them speaking about such a 'return'. You may be pleasantly surprised. Make the effort, your wife and kid, and you, will appreciate it else they live in unrealised curiosity about their husband/father family.........forever.

    PS I took my Thai lady (wife) for a one month visit to Oz, she adored it, but I had previously kept in contact with some folk and my wife had spoken reasonably regularly with them before they physically met. Best thing I could have done. Good luck

  7. I went through the whole procedure, visited the Aussie Embassy and filled out the Stat Dec swearing that I was no longer married and provided divorce papers as proof, had it all translated and sent to the Thai consulate for approval. Was all set to take a visit to the Amphur office for the actual marriage, but only then found out that I would have to notify Centrelink of the marriage and they could in fact reduce my aged pension. I thought the best thing to do was leave sleeping dogs lie, so I spent the best part of 10,000 baht for nought.

    Briefly -don't need/want abuse. Most folk like to be honest however, in your case you have a village wedding to keep you and your bride happy, tell the bastards nothing. You are morally entitled to receive the 'single' rate - the requirement relates to residency period for your wife in Oz and is, in my opinion, outrageous as you are likely maintaining your lady in any case.

    • Like 1
  8. Mason45, Hi. Just what type of multi-entry mate? For example, IF it is a 'retirement' (non Imm OA) then it must be utilised within the twelve month period from issue. Your date of arrival in Thailand initiates your twelve months - that is, 6 Dec 2014 and is thus valid for 12 months from that date. If that is what you have then you would do 90 reporting - if you stay in country long enough. Departure within any 90 day period negates the reporting requirement. This has been my experience - also issued initially in Oz..

    He certainly does not have a OA visa. He stated it was for marriage and Melbourne cannot issue a OA visa since it is a honorary consulate.

    Read again ubonjoe, that was not clear thus I asked a reasonable question. Now, re OA WRONG. My initial OA was issued by the honorary consul in Hobart. Can't copy no scanner. Whether matters have changed since 2011 I do not know but have the multi-entry stamp "No 113/2554 seen at the Royal Thai Consulate, Hobart on 14 Jul 2011 good for multi journey must be utilized before 14 Jul 2012 (sgd) Hon Consul ". Classification "O-A". Okay?

  9. Mason45, Hi. Just what type of multi-entry mate? For example, IF it is a 'retirement' (non Imm OA) then it must be utilised within the twelve month period from issue. Your date of arrival in Thailand initiates your twelve months - that is, 6 Dec 2014 and is thus valid for 12 months from that date. If that is what you have then you would do 90 reporting - if you stay in country long enough. Departure within any 90 day period negates the reporting requirement. This has been my experience - also issued initially in Oz..

    • Like 1
  10. G'day jeffreysearch (post 121) Absolutely incorrect was your supposed advisor. Simple research on the 'net' will reveal the 2-year rule currently applies. Not to mention recent experiences by close friends. Return to Oz (say 65) with the intent to stay in Oz, (accommodation for example, not the Hyatt, may be more credible) and you are eligible for the Aged pension - subject to assets. Do your 2 years and - up to you then.........

  11. Norbra in his post #42 asked what currency Centrelink will use to send money O/S.

    My pension is thru Dept of Veterans Affairs however it is my understanding the same principles and procedure applies to Centrelink.

    My pensions is paid 4 weekly. It is paid into my SCB bank account in Baht. I was NOT given a choice of currencies when I elected to have my pension paid O/S 18 months ago. Of interest is that it is not necessarily sent by the Reserve Bank - it can be their agent. True, they claim no charge sending overseas but........

    I had reason at one time to query an amount deposited in my SCB account. In summary, at my local branch a helpful employee telephoned SCB Bangkok. I spoke with an employee who spoke fluent English. I asked him about local charges/fees. On arrival home I found I had been emailed three statements - past 3 months - relating to my account. The following fees, incidentally, do NOT show up on my on-line SCB account statement.

    The docs revealed that the Reserve banks agent - Citibank - had charged me a "senders fee" of 150 Baht. Sly bastards could not legally charge the fee in Oz as it is supposed to be sent free. So Citibank charges at this end. Also SCB charged a flat 125B plus 0.001% of the received funds. Of course every month is different due to fluctuating exchange rates. For info folks.

    Oh, another poster mentioned risk of Thai tax - to date, although my pension is not inconsiderable, nothing about tax on said pension has been raised.

  12. I will remain with the question you ask. You did not nominate what visa you are on. And let's not get pedantic ladies and gentlemen, namely OA (retirement) or (O) (marriage). I have been a Nong Khai resident for a few years and entitled to both - as I qualify for both. I, personally, find it diplomatic to take my wife whether required (by law/policy etc) or not. The difference between the two is simple - 'marriage' (O) the integrity of the relationship is in Immigration sights - refer to alleged marriage scams - thus in recent times they ask for a 'mud map' as to where you reside. Then they may take a visit to see you you both at said residence (they telephone beforehand according to my mates). Retirement (AO) (whether married or not) does not necessitate a 'home visit' as your visa qualification does not involve a partner. I do hope this helps, there has been a touch of confusion within their department in recent times however, keep your cool, be legit,and no problems my friend......

  13. Bulldozer Dawn - I live in Nong Khai and have visited Laos with my Thai wife a couple of times. I just asked her - ID for one day only. When we have visited for longer she used her passport. As for a motor bike, the following 'phone number is that of a mate of mine who rents bikes from his restaurant - Jing Jao. Give him a ring if you wish, I have just spoken with him - Name is John - good luck

  14. sh

    The country needs more than .25% interest rate to fix the economy. It needs to devalue to encourage exports and ramp up tax reforms.

    Mostimportantly, it needs to enter the 21st century and encourage more foreign investment. Allow foreign ownership of property, even if

    they restrict to one property with a reasonable value - this would encourage foreigners to come here, purhase prooperties and boost the

    building sector.

    Adopting a more welcome and honest approach to trade agreements, would also be a good idea. But maybe Iam dreaming1

    What you are proposing is common sense, unfortunately you are dreaming as you pointed out. I've always said that Thailand's income could be significantly increased if they allowed ownership of property even if they capped it at 2 rai. Trouble is those pesky foreigners will be digging it up and taking it with them ... that's their perception at least. Yes can't have foreigners stealing the land as their won't be any left for the Thai. It's a train of thinking that beggars belief in modern times and one of the reasons economic growth is restricted.

    "perception at least' is correct. One can invest - with the funds - in my place of birth ridiculously easy. At the end of the day you cannot remove that modest 'rai' of land elsewhere and in the meantime you have contributed significantly to the economy. But, we adapt if we love this weird world as I do......

  15. For me was just passport and copies plus wife's ID and book. Had to be a non visa/extension. 20 baht and 40 minutes. However others have said its been almost impossible and cost a lot more so depends where you are.

    No problems here in Nong Khai and no charge - that said my wife, of her own volition, donated 200B. She told me that she was impressed with the courtesy and simplicity so I have no problem with this. I must add that the (compulsory) immigration aspect (letter saying I was in Thailand legitimately) was also painless

  16. How do people get in these situations?, if your wife is that well educated why did she not suggest not to go on Friday afternoons. Give yourself plenty of time in case of any "what if" factors

    I was talking to a new arrival in our town recently and he told me he just paid 15K Baht for his first retirement extension, when I informed him most folk pay 1900THB he seemed genuinely shocked.

    What a coincidence - 15,000 baht being the ballpark amount for an 'under-the-counter' visa i.e. no money in bank

×
×
  • Create New...