MrKFC
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Posts posted by MrKFC
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My Thai GF will be returning to Chiang Mai from Surat Thani in a couple weeks and is concerned about quarantine. No restrictions in Surat Thani today but it's not impossible that will change by the time she returns, Apr 22 or 23.
As I understand the procedure, if Thai citizen whose home is in Chiang Mai is returning from a province that is 'RED' they will be required to quarantine at their home not a 14 day ASQ hotel ... do I have that right?Thanks!
DS
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On 1/28/2021 at 12:34 PM, lopburi3 said:
The burden of proof is on them to convince Consulate they will indeed return at the end of outlined visit ...
Curious how this looks regarding proving her 'intention to return':
GF is 50, a tailor, has a well established business in Chiang Mai with bank records to prove it and has no intent or desire to give it up. I agree 100%. She's good at it, enjoys it and has lots of friends in the neighborhood.
She has an excellent location in Chiang Mai, has been there for about 10 years and has a long term lease on the shop space.
Most of her clientele is Thai and 'in the neighborhood' but they're also getting hammered by Covid - lots of hotels, restaurants and bars whose proprietors are dependent on tourism. Her income is about 30 - 40% of what it was January 2020 - and that's why she's willing/able to step away for a while.
She doesn't own a house but does own 6 rai near Fang - her parent's farm and home is there. That property is titled to her mother but she's an only child, has an excellent relationship with them and will inherit the property, which includes a modern house that she had built for them about 5 years ago.Her son is 20, past the age of 'legal dependent' and is in his last year of Engineering at Phitsanulok University - she's paying all expenses - or was till Covid came so I'm filling the gaps and can pick up the whole tab while she's away, no problem.
I also plan to deposit about 200K baht in her bank account early next month so she can show it's her money in the bank.
Can also purchase a round trip ticket for her, but not really 100% about a return date, will depend on how things shape up.
The reason for the trip is to make the property I own ready to rent or sell, not sure which at the moment. Neither of us has any desire to remain in the US, my passport history shows that I've been coming to Thailand to avoid Montana winter since 2014. My non-O is good through Dec 2021 and I'll have a re-entry permit. -
Whoopsie - I just reposted this in the Visa section - don't see a way to delete it here.
My GF will be applying for a B2 for the US before long and we're doing our homework.I have some questions regarding the invitation letter, which I've understood to be a required part of the application.
A guy in a different forum (visa journey) said "An invitation letter from you will not help get her a visa since invitation letters are not considered."
Agree? Disagree?
I'm in Chiang Mai on a non-O that's good through Dec 2021. The plan is to go in late May, return early September.
My plan for the invitation is to specify where we'll be going, my reason for for the trip, show my re-entry permit, show I've been visiting Thailand for 3-6 months every year since 2014, provide proof I have funds to cover all expenses, show proof of 600K baht in Bangkok Bank, show my long term lease agreement here in CM and possibly a return ticket.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
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31 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:
You can explain all the details/financials in an Invitation/support letter.
Good info, thank you Tanoshi!
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4 hours ago, Tanoshi said:
"at the end of the Visa"
Am I understanding correctly that the standard B2 visa is for 10 years?
We're thinking 3-4 months, basically summer in Montana.No property ownership but we both can show 12 month leases here in CM.
Her business is well established, 10 years in the same location.
Her son is at University in Phitsanulok, parents in Fang.
My Non-O is through Dec 2021, requires 400K baht in the bank and I'll have a bit more than that, her account will have in the range of 200K.
DS
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8 hours ago, Elkski said:
Visa journey website is the best place to ask your question.
Thanks, I'll check there.
No problem with the bank statements and some of the other stuff.
And I've heard stories going either way - sometimes they're inexplicably declined and sometimes they slide right through. Not surprising that when Trump's guy left things started to move.And is your GF's app still in the works? Not officially declined, just on hold? And you're back in Utah? Wotta frikkin headache.
Good luck, thanks for the tip.
DS
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On 1/30/2021 at 9:34 PM, Elkski said:
B2 depends on if they think she qualifies as a tourist and if you and her wont just stay in US.
Hey Elkski - sounds like you've been looking into this for quite a while - and the game has changed radically.
Wondering if there are some threads or sites you know of that are current and relevant you could point me at? I found a couple decent articles like this one at SiamLegal: https://www.siam-legal.com/us-visa/us-tourist-visas-for-thai-citizens
I've spent about 5 years in Thailand altogether, first visit 20+ years ago and this time is approaching 15 months - intended to stay my usual 5 to 6 months and then came covid. Now I'm on a non-O retirement visa and at this point not at all sure I want to return to the US for more than a few months - home is Montana and I've had it with winter. I've been coming here for winter for several years already.
This trip would be all about getting my property sorted out and able to rent it and come right back here - I'm not clear on who needs to be sure she'll be returning - any clues what might constitute proof of intent? Pretty easy to prove my minimal Social Security is inadequate for two of us to live there - is that something that would be considered in her application?Thanks for any clues ????
DS
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Right - I can see that.
I'm retired, non-O visa, minimal Social Security income + savings. It's sufficient for here, quite comfortable in fact but not enough for life in the US. Could probably prove that easily enough, I'm basically an 'economic refugee'.
The fact that her business has been seriously impacted by Covid is the reason it would be easier for her to leave it for a while, she's doing around 30% of what it was a year ago.
I've been paying attention to 'travel restrictions' and the US is blocking lots of Europe and China but Thailand isn't on the list. If vaccinations are available, we'd probably do that too. -
2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:
the burden of proof is on them to convince Consulate they will indeed return at the end of outlined visit
OK - that's definitely the case - any clues what 'proof' might entail?
Her business is here but rents the shop, same location for about 10 years.Her parents own property and she paid to build a new house on it for them a few years ago, but it's not in her name... they're in Fang, her business is in Chiang Mai.
Her son will be finishing University before long and there's business in the US I need to take care of, gonna try to see if the 3 of us can go for a few months.
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I understand it can be difficult for a Thai woman to get a US visa, wondered whether a legal marriage is helpful ... ?
DS
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28 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:
Getting married would not affect that at all.
One more quickie - does a legal marriage help when she applies for a US Visa?
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4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:
Getting married would not affect that at all.
Thank you Joe!
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GF is 50, a tailor who (pre-Covid) made a decent living, now about 30% of what she was making a year ago.
Her government health insurance is 432 baht a month, and we wondered whether my income and assets would affect that if we got legally married.
I have minimal US Social Security, $625 month, plus about $120K in savings.
I'm on the non-O retirement visa.
Thanks,
DS
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2 minutes ago, MrKFC said:24 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:
Just checked here, I see they've suspended most of the train routes too, had no clue, thought they'd still be running.
Damn.O well ...
DS
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17 minutes ago, NanLaew said:3 minutes ago, NanLaew said:
The key words are "right now". It's very dynamic - always best to check DIRECT with the airlines website to confirm what's available.
Better still, stay away from airports and stay home!
I did the train two years ago, and thinking that would probably be the best choice this time - but I bought a pretty good air purifier yesterday in case it turns out that it's obviously a bad idea to go at all - and it's kinda looking like it could go that way. O well.
Thanks!DS
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13 minutes ago, NanLaew said:
TAT website has a daily update with provincial restrictions
Here's the link, good info NanLaew, thanks!
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I'm in Chiang Mai but usually go south to Nakorn Sri Thammarat for a few weeks when the air gets awful, coming soon, but have heard that for now they're requiring a 14 day quarantine when returning from the southern provinces.
Wondering if anyone knows where I can check on current restrictions for travel between provinces? I assume it's changing every day with the new outbreak ...
Thanks,
DS
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On 12/6/2020 at 6:48 PM, MamaSan said:
Yup - it's 089 261 9838 He's open - just saw hi a few days ago.
Hey MamaSan - just tried that number - doesn't connect with Magik the computer guy - whoopsie!
Double checked, we're dialing it right.
DS
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On 12/6/2020 at 6:48 PM, MamaSan said:
Yup - it's 089 261 9838 He's open - just saw hi a few days ago.
Thank you - very much appreciated! ????
DS
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On 7/12/2020 at 7:37 AM, jonwilly said:
Majic on 3rd Floor of Pantip Plaza is the people i have used to sort out/fix my Macs. Fitted SSD to my iMac and Macbook Pro and numerous other small jobs.
Opens at 10.30 and boss man can speak decent English. He is a computer man not just Macs.
john
Hey - happen to have a phone # for Majic?
Thanks
DS
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On 7/14/2020 at 9:51 PM, MamaSan said:
Agree with both Magik at Phantip and Krit near Seven Fountains. Great alternatives to the generally inept service at the "official" stores.
Hey - happen to have a phone # for Magik?
Thanks
DS
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On 7/12/2020 at 5:10 AM, flare said:
'Mr Jack' on the 3rd floor of Pantip repairs Macs- I've only used him for my PC, but he's always done a good job.
Hey - happen to have a phone #?
Thanks
DS
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Hi,
Looking for a pretty nice phin, preferably secondhand, wondering if anyone knows where I might look.
Thanks,
DS
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36 minutes ago, Hi Tea said:
A normal postal package is less likely to be intercepted.
Thanks!
I was thinking I'd use regular mail - guess it takes a couple weeks, but there's no emergency.
DS
Phone & Internet in US
in Chiang Mai
Posted
I recall with some fondness the days when the phone stayed anchored safely to the wall. For 45+ years, never once wondered how to use it or where the damn thing was located ... today I'm pretty ignorant about all the options available today.
Making a run to the US soon, first time in 3 1/2 years, and we're trying to find the least expensive options for making our phones work there, will stay about 5 months.
Very little telephone time required but will be traveling, mainly needing to use it for wifi hotspot.
Phone is a Samsung Galaxy s10, purchased in Chiang Mai, will accept 2 sim's - only one in place now.
Can I buy a 2nd sim card here that will work there?
Has anyone tried DTAC's international service - this page shows a plan for 1 year w 17gb that's cheaper than any of the 180 day plans I've seen.
https://www.dtac.co.th/en/dtac-promotion/packages/gotravel.html
Currently using AIS but they don't show any US service.
Any recent experiences? Suggestions?
Thanks,
DS