PumpkinEater

There are only two airports in Thailand that can accommodate AUTO-Landings. BKK and DMK both have Cat II approaches. Chiang Mai (CNX) has Category 1 approach ILS which is NOT autoland. The minimums are 233ft where you must SEE the runway required criteria, then you disconnect the auto pilot and land manually. In other words, heavy rain or smog can prevent a landing and go around. Cheers!

Answering myself: (NO SHORTCUTS IN SAMUI) The Land Transport Office did NOT recognize my International and USA licenses, even though both had Car and motorcycle endorsements so… I had to do the entire LONG version with videos, written and practical tests. 1 long day 0730-4PM, next day practical. Cheers

I read this “thread” but it is from 2019. As the office just recently underwent a changing of the “boss” I was hoping to hear from someone that tried the process recently. I was told that there were no more “short cuts” and had to endure the entire gauntlet of tests as if a person had no license at all (International and country licenese). The question remains please… Cheers.

Have any folks gone through the process of getting a NEW Thai license at Koh Samui? I have both valid International and a US licenses. I have all the required documents from Immigration and hospital. Is the process at the Samui Land Office the streamlined version with minimal paper/movie requirements…or do they make you complete the entire process which includes the written exams and practical exams? Cheers!

SS transfer to my US bank account and a WISE transfer (>65k) to my K bank is the least expensive and very easy way to go IMHO. Cheers!

My most UNFAVORITE! The ole <deleted> Brit that does vids on the Pattaya girly bars showing the girls and some patrons faces, but NEVER shows his own face online. There should be a requirement by You Tube to show ones face and represent their content to the world, otherwise not be allowed to post. Cheers!

And there you have it, .”Due to losses during the pandemic prices are higher”… The so called “inflation” is nothing more than corporate greed and a recoup plan to make up for the losses during the pandemic, on all sectors. Record profits now being realized by the mass corporate price increases, and these prices will never go down (or only slightly to appease the public).

Thank for the info to all. I tracked down what was happening to my $40-$60 USD every month on the SS to K bank direct deposits… Seems that Fed Reserve sends the money to Citi Bank (USA) where it is converted to Thai Baht at the current days rate, then USA sends to Citi Bank Thailand, and then to my KBank account. The “Lost Monies” I was told that Citi bank in the USA charges a fee (but they don’t indicate it anywhere). Therefore I resumed my SS transfer to my USA bank and then use WISE to get approximately 70k baht to my K bank account. The fee is minimal with WISE and so far works good. The Citi Bank scam is stopped! Heehee Cheers!

All BS! Someone is trying to get rich with this crap. And the lot that think the solution is to squirt molasses in the air, purifiers, make the clouds rain, Or have a plane squirting water are delusional! Get to the source and STOP THE BURNING within Thailand and especially Cambodia and Laos. These home aid remedies are pure BS! We the people… and this includes the greedy leaders and their children will all die from this pollution (long term).

Hey thanks you’all for the replies. As I do not think it is an averaging method of exchange since I receive LESS every month rather than more once in a while. It does add up to around $600 per year loss…with at this time I have no explanation from SS… As I do have a Wise, BKK bank accounts, I think the best thing to do is to change my method of transfer (As I think Citi Bank is skimming). I have a Bangkok Bank account here in TH…how do I set it up in the USA for the transfer? Will Bangkok Bank open the account in the US for me while I am here in TH? WISE BTY will cost $23/ mo vs. the $50-60 I am now being nicked. Cheers!

I had instructed my USA Social Security Admin. to direct deposit my monthly payments into my Thai Bank account for the purpose of Non O (Over 65k) verification, and convenience. I noticed that the funds transfer is shorted about 1500 to 2000 thb monthly. Any one else see this when using the exchange rate calculator? I talked with my Bank here in Thailand and they gave me a transcript of a transfer. It seems that the SSA issues the funds to USA New Jersey Citi Bank that does the exchange to THB and then transfers to my Thai bank. This is where the funds are being skimmed or exchange rate massaged to their benefit. I did email FBU in the PH but they are of little use, as they just say check with your bank… And trying to get through to the US SSA via phone is impossible. Just asking you guys out there if you have the same loss of funds issue? And if you have looked into this matter with Citi bank or SSA in the USA? Cheers.

Hey thanks for all the replies, I think I have a pretty good idea on the process now…especially after watching a YouTube vid. The main concern is that the Vid said that the shop will take your passport for up to two week to take to the licensing dept. and that is why I would rather do it myself. Seems that I need the residence certificate from immigration first which could take a bit of time. Is the motorbike insurance compulsory for the process? And yes I have been renting for twelve years, so better at this point to just buy. Cheers!

Hello all, Retired in Samui and want to purchase either a used or new PCX or similar. Questions: Can I buy in another province such as BKK and register it there… or take it to Samui to Register? Does it have to be done in the Province where my address is? (Possibly will purchase in Surat Thani city which is same province as Samui) What paperwork is needed? Immigration documents? Thanks!

Thanks Dr, But my inquiry is the ACTUAL processing time that it took from submittal of documents to the return of passport… FYI Dr., as I received my initial Non O based on retirement,..the Samui IO told me not to come in more than two weeks before expiration when I asked. Cheers!

Same question but Koh Samui: Anyone done the Non O retirement extension at Koh Samui lately? How long the wait for the processing? (Important since I have a flight to my home country booked two days before my Non O expires) Cheers!

Quick question: My landlord filed the TM 30 for me. I just logged into my own TM 30 (web site) and it is not updated from years ago address. i tried to update the address but it will not allow me to do so. As I have a copy of the Landlords TM 30 am I good to go? Why wont my TM 30 update? BTW I received a new Non O last month with immigration police visit to my villa. Cheers!

Heavy traffic unless your arrival is weekend or on a holiday… If you have a flight ticket flying out of DMK you can board the free shuttle bus direct to DMK. With traffic 2 hours plus. Without traffic :50 minute ride. I would plan conservatively 1.5 hours for immigration and baggage…then downstairs to the airport rail link all the way to Phaya Thai station..:40/ Take BTS from Phaya Thai to Mo Chit/ Take airport bus A1/A2 direct to DMK, thus cutting out most traffic. or: Get to Krung Thep (Bang Sue) and take rail link direct to DMK. Long story short ….be at DMK by 1030 or 1100. Cheers!

I was required to have at least a one year lease contract for the extension Samui. Cheers!

I just did my TR extension in Koh Samui. They allowed me to do it up to one month early but no earlier. I had a previous experience of IO telling me no earlier than two week before expiration UNLESS you can show a ticket out…but this was for a NON O extension. Mayb give the IO that you are dealing with a jingle and ask?… But expect changes at all times, depending on who you talk to and the mood that day. Cheers

Check out Robert Sultan’s You Tube vid called “Your absolute guide to obtaining a tourist visa”. A very good vid that will answer all of your questions. Cheers!

I just flew from YYZ to BKK via NRT with a Tourist Visa. Air Canada check in counter did not see that I had a return ticket and queried me. I showed her my “onward ticket” to Malaysia from my Ipad…only then she was satisfied. Airlines DO ASK with a TR!

Thankyou Brit, So…I will come in on my Tourist Visa, obtain a Non O (90 day), apply for the extension via the 65k monthly method with twelve monthly deposits. Must I show 800k at the extension application date to qualify for monthly method? My understanding was that if you do not have USA consulate statement, you must go a full year…but I hope I am wrong on this…? Cheers

Hello Mr. ubon, Now I am confused…. Previously you mentioned that a person would have to obtain and hold the Non O for a full year with the 800k (3 mo.)/400k remainder of the year BEFORE a person is permitted to convert to the 65k monthly method. But your above answer you say that a person only needs the Non O for 90 days and then can convert (extension) to the monthly method?…. Please clarify as I too would like to obtain the extension via the 65k method ASAP. BTW I can prove that my Social Security is transferring the monies to K Bank with the SS statement, as well as a K Bank statement. Immigration should accept this IMHO (As our consulate does not participate now). Cheers!

Hello Mr. ubon, Now I am confused…. Previously you mentioned that a person would have to obtain and hold the Non O for a full year with the 800k (3 mo.)/400k remainder of the year BEFORE a person is permitted to convert to the 65k monthly method. But your above answer you say that a person only needs the Non O for 90 days and then can convert (extension) to the monthly method?…. Please clarify as I too would like to obtain the extension via the 65k method ASAP. BTW I can prove that my Social Security is transferring the monies to K Bank with the SS statement, as well as a K Bank statement. Immigration should accept this IMHO (As our consulate does not participate now). Cheers!

Transitioning to the income method seems complex. Why in the world does immigration requires 800k in the account after a statement showing at least 12 months of 65k deposits into a Thai bank account in beyond me. Also I can provide my Social Security (USA) statement printout showing my income for the past 2 years… And how does immigration know that you want the income method when 800k is in the account? There is no box to check on any form for this. Please summation…. First 3 months apply NON O need the 800k PLUS 12 months 65k statement Upon extension (after 3rd month) need 800k PLUS 65k After 3 months can reduce to 400k When can the account ONLY show monthly deposits for the monthly income method (No 800 or 400 requirement)? I may try to get a statement from the Social Security office in the Philippines stating that my SS is being deposited into my K bank account monthly….we’ll see. Cheers!