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raysunshineray

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Everything posted by raysunshineray

  1. I'm currently on a Non-O One-Year Multi-Entry 'wife/family-visit' visa obtained from Savannakhet. Needless to say, I'll not be getting another one when this one expires, - not now that they've introduced the money in the bank requirement. The actual visa expires on 28th March, and my current 90-day entry conveniently expires on 26th March. My plan is to convert this Non-O family visit visa to a retirement extension. I've already had a chat with Maneerat Travel in Soi 13, and they said yes they could do it, no problem – they gave me all the costing. But there was something I failed to ask about – and now I'm back in Ubon for a few months, so I can't go into their office and ask them. This is my query, and I'm hoping that someone might have direct experience with this, and not offer guesswork – my guess is as good as anybody's! If I do my usual border hop at Chong Mek on 26th March, that would give me around another 90 days beyond the one-year visa expiry date on 28th March. So, if I were to apply for a retirement conversion from this Non-O during the 90 days after the visa itself has expired, would that be an obstacle to getting the retirement extension? Just to be clear – the one-year non-o visa has an expiry date of 28th March. I would leave Thailand and re-enter before that date and get another 90 days. At that point – during the next 90 days after the visa has 'expired', - my visa status remains Non-O, even though the visa itself has an expiry date that's already passed. Is there a possibility that in order to convert from this Non-O to a retirement visa, one has to do it within the limits of the visa duration – in my case 28th March, and not during the 90 days beyond that, or would that not matter? I'm imagining a possible scenario where the agent recognises that I'm in Thailand with Non-O status, but cannot process a conversion to retirement because the actual duration date of the visa has already expired. This confusion only arises because with this multi-entry, one is given 90 days on each and every entry up until the date of expiry of the visa, enabling one to be in the country for another 90 days beyond the duration date of the visa itself. Anyone already been in this situation? It's early days, since it's not been that long since Savannakhet in effect made the Non-O multi-entry route pretty much redundant – and I imagine many more on this non-o visa will decide to convert to retirement when their Non-O expires. Thanks in advance for any relevant information or experience of this situation.
  2. I've just been into Maneerat Travel – the often recommended agency on Soi 13. (I'll only be doing any kind of extension through an agent, as I won't be able to meet the financial requirements if doing it alone.... therefore please keep comments/suggestions relevant to that situation.) I first asked the question of whether this particular type of non-o could be extended (by them obviously) and the answer was an unequivocal yes. Before I could even ask the question regarding whether the extension could be for retirement rather than for marriage, I was told “We can give you retirement extension from this non-o visa”. (No misunderstandings - she had the passport page open with the non-o multi-entry visa stamp in front of her.) I had not even got round to asking that, so I just got her to clarify and confirm what she'd said. I was even told that there was no need to wait, “can do it now” and takes 3 or 4 days. The only unwelcome surprise was regarding the cost. Although the basic service is 12,500 – as I expected – it costs 4,700 to open the bank account, which is listed as follows - on the printed costing slips they hand out: 500 baht “back to your account” (?) 700 baht for ATM card 3,500 baht for accident insurance (?) (Plus 500 baht for residence certificate) There's also a 4,000 baht charge to make it a multi-entry, or 1,000 baht for single entry. I think that means one doesn't need a re-entry permit whenever one leaves Thailand, but 4,000 baht seems pretty steep – how much do they charge at immigration for a re-entry permit? Cancel that, - I've just googled it and found the answer – those are the fees, so it all depends on how often – if at all – you plan or may have to leave Thailand. Having a multi-entry will save trips to immigration, or the hassle at airports – where “fees may be higher”. The final fee is for 90 day reports – 100 baht each – but they said I have to come to the office (I don't live in Pattaya) so they can take my passport to immigration and do it – can't they do it online? Still, I'm not so concerned about 100 baht, but the optional 4,000 baht 'multiple-entry' can only represent value for money if one intends to go out of Thailand a lot. So, in summary, Maneerat says they can convert from this non-o multi-entry based on marriage to an extension based on retirement, - in fact they suggested that before I could even get round to mentioning it. And those are the latest fees – in print!
  3. I want to do the same when my non-imm o multi-entry from Savannakhet expires next March. (For obvious reasons, considering the recent changes to financial requirements at Savannakhet.) My question is – would it be possible to do a retirement extension from this non-o (which is based on wife/family visit)? That would appear to be changing the reason for extension – from a non-o imm based on marriage to an extension based on retirement. Would that be allowed? Why would I want to do this? Well, because even though I'd be using an agent to do everything, I don't know whether the agent can bypass all those extra hassles that come with a marriage extension application. I'm referring to the photos, the witness neighbour, the hand-drawn map, the enabling of immigration officers to come to your house and check on you! I don't know whether those things are still necessary when going via an agent? I imagine that those things can't be bypassed by the agent ????? That's why the retirement route seems the better option. But this may not be allowed as one is changing the reasons for holding the non-o to a different reason for applying for an extension. Any ideas... preferably hard facts? Thanks in advance.
  4. I think you're saying that the Lao visa-on-arrival was 2,000 baht. That's what it was when I crossed over in June - $40 or 2,000baht is the visa fee. (It was 1,8000 baht at Savannakhet.) That visa fee would apply whether you stayed a while in Lao - as I did last time - or did a straight turn-around. Visa fees are visa fees - they're not a negotiable item. It's not like when - for instance - you have to pay 300 baht to do a turn-around when crossing into Cambodia.... that's really more like kind of 'tea money' and might, just might mind you, therefore be negotiable (though still doubtful.)
  5. Cheers.... that might have to be at Chong Mek itself - when I say I live in the sticks, I mean really remote... and the route up to Chong Mek, round the back of the vast Sirindhorn reservoir is deep countryside, with little more than hamlets on the way. But you're right - and Chong Mek, being on the border, should have somewhere.
  6. I have no doubt you're right.... I wonder why they were making such a big thing of it on this forum when the supposed rule changes came about? Advising everyone not to try going there independently - perhaps some people have nothing better to do than create dramas on forums!
  7. Yes good advice - it's not easy / not possible? to get hold of dollars from here - this is an absolute backwater.... I'll have another go though. The thing is that the Lao border at Chong Mek are taking 2,000 baht for the visa on arrival, as opposed to 1,800 baht at Savannakhet, which is already pretty steep.
  8. Yes it is... last time re-entering there, not only was the officer not in the usual militaristic uniform, but he was practically in a party mood, laughing and joking with me in a really friendly way - I could hardly believe it... seeing as a kind of grim menacing scowl is what we have all come to expect from border immigration officers.
  9. Brit Tim, - yes I did just that once before, and just ended up having to pay the 300 baht. I just thought that since then there's been new rules introduced preventing turn arounds, except via agents doing minibus runs, where copies of one's passport have to be forwarded in advance to the Cambodian immigration authorities. And it was this situation I was concerned about.
  10. I'm on a One-Year Multiple-Entry Visa based on marriage (from Savannakhet), and need to do a border-hop (out and back in again same day) on or before 3rd October. As I currently live in a village south of Det Udom, which is south of Ubon Ratchathani, I'm going to do what I did last time and go to the nearest border which is at Chong Mek, just over an hour's drive away. Last time I did this, my wife and I actually stayed in Lao for a break – at Si Phan Don ('Four Thousand Islands'.) Not this time, as the season has started, and accommodation rates have rocketed. As I'm about to move semi-permanently to Pattaya straight after the border-run, it's just got to be an out and straight back in affair. (Otherwise nearest place to stay a night would be Pakse, which we found to be something of a a characterless dump frankly.) So... simple question: Has anyone gone out and straight back in again at the Chong Mek border? And by that I mean crossing into Lao and coming back – it can't be done otherwise obviously. Please bear in mind that I have a valid one-year multiple-entry visa so there'll be no issue on that score. Just a question of whether there's any objection to not staying in Lao. OK, so while I'm here... another question. When I need to do my next border-hop it'll be from Pattaya. Last time I did this – when I was doing visa exempt – I drove to Ban Phak Kad / Phsar Prum Pailin, parked up and went out and back in, paying the 300baht (?) for the privilege of doing a turn around and not staying in Cambodia. As the Cambodia border is the nearest to Pattaya, I'd want to do the same route, but I'm not up-to-date on the current situation. Is it still the case that you cannot currently do this border-hop independently, unless you stay a few days (?) in Cambodia while they supposedly do ID checks on you? Is it still the case that you can now only do the 'out-in' via an agency, whereby you book the minibus run in advance whilst the agent forwards your passport details to the Cambodian immigration authorities? And if so, does this apply to all Thai-Cambodia land borders? I suspect that this ridiculous situation is still ongoing, a big hassle for people such as me, who like to do things independently, and not pay agents or sit in cramped minibuses for hours! If I have no other choice than to do it via an agency, - is Maneerat Travel on Soi 13 a reliable option? Or any other you've used and can recommend? Advice based on experience / knowledge rather than fact-free opinion appreciated. Thanks.
  11. By saying that 17 months can be squeezed out of that visa - which I have - you are suggesting that on re-entering Thailand just before the one-year expiry date and getting another 90 days (which is unquestionably possible) one can also apply for and receive another wife-visit 60 days on that final 90-day entry. Could you confirm that that is indeed the case? I've always been a little unsure about whether that final 90-day entry that extends beyond the one-year visa validity can also be followed by yet another 60-day wife-visit extension. Rationally speaking yes it should be possible, but one shouldn't rely on what's logical when it comes to immigration rules.
  12. I'll do that.... I like the idea about them pointing me in the right direction if there's something they can't do. I've been asking people (mechanics/workshops) here to do that and all I get is blank face - very frustrating because one would expect them to know at least where to go!
  13. Yes, you're right... that should be the case, but I'm having trouble communicating what I want out here in the sticks, and there are so many of these private service places that are very very shabby and run down, and look as if they don't even have the tools to do the job, let alone the skill, knowledge and ability to locate and access parts. I'll do some serious looking around whilst in Pattaya - a lot more chance of at least some car-related English spoken/understood there. Thanks for your input.
  14. Yes you're right - I just rechecked where I got that from - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_(international) If you scroll down, it's identical to the silver one where it says Ford Ranger dual cab (facelift)
  15. Very recently bought an old Ford Ranger at a low 'local' price of just 90,000 baht. It's year is shown as 2547 (2004), though it has the 'facelift' styling of 2006. Bodywork and everything is in fantastic condition. New rims, 265/70R16 tires. Four-door Double cab But here's the thing... it now has a Toyota engine.... fitted I think 10 years ago according to the log-book. I'm assuming – though I don't know – that the automatic transmission came with the Toyota engine. And that engine – from internet research – is not the most common of Toyota engines. It's been called “iconic” and “Toyota's masterpiece” amongst other things – whatever that might mean. All that really concerns me is that cars/engines which are shall we say a 'departure from the norm' may come with issues regarding maintenance and parts. This is a 1JZ petrol engine, made from 1990 to 2007, and is a 6 cylinder, 24 valve, twin-cam – not an engine Toyota produced en masse it seems. Anyone familiar with it by any chance? The problem with having a different engine fitted is that one can't know its actual age, - (was it new or reconditioned when fitted?) - or whether the odometer – now showing 204,000km – is showing the mileage from the time the engine was installed, or from the time of manufacture of the Ford. During production of this engine, there was a simple GE model, then a GTE fitted with twin turbos, some were VVT-I type, and lastly an upgraded FSE engine. Not knowing which one this is, makes it difficult to identify parts and even fluids and lubricants, even spark plugs, because these things aren't exactly the same for each model. Any ideas on solving that identity problem perhaps by using the engine number? These engines BTW were apparently almost entirely used in sedan models like the Toyota Crown, and in sports cars like the Supra, and not in pick-up trucks! No idea why someone decided to take out the Ford engine and replace it with a Toyota. The advice I'm looking for is this: Under these circumstances, - an old car, running extremely well, but with an engine not from the car manufacturer (and having picked it up for a lot less than the apparent market value) – I intend to throw some extra money at it, and some TLC, by giving it a full service – all the fluids, lubricants and filters, spark plugs – the lot – plus a thorough inspection of steering, suspension, brake and exhaust systems. Everything on the biggest service and more. So where do I go to get this done? Knowledge, skill, trustworthiness and reliability are essential, and there are too many places I wouldn't want to just blindly trust. I live in Ubon, in a really remote rural area way south of Ubon Ratchathani. No luck in my nearest 'town' of Det Udom, and the big Toyota dealer there didn't want to know, for whatever reason. I thought going to Toyota, though expensive, would be best, as they should have the expertise and parts for this engine. But they'll no doubt be reluctant everywhere about touching this 'mongrel'. Some mechanics said they would do it, but that I should supply all the parts, all the fluids, lubricants and filters, spark plugs etc. That's out of the question because I can't be sure of the exact parts for this engine. Taking parts out and examining them is always best. I spend periods of a month or more in Pattaya quite regularly, and will be there for the whole of August. The chances of finding someone – a person or workshop – that can and will do it, and preferably speak enough car-related English, will be far better there than out here in the wilds... which appears pretty hopeless right now. So... any recommendations or other suggestions? Would be greatly appreciated. As you have already noted, I'm no mechanic, and my knowledge is extremely limited. I do know however, that this car is quite capable of doing a lot more mileage as long as it is carefully and regularly maintained, and the first thing to do is to make sure that it has a very thorough service. Finally, where to get hold of Ford parts accessories, such as wheel arch plastic trim, wing mirror, new seats etc? (the former must be Ford I guess, but the others not necessarily.) Please keep replies relevant, and don't go on about other vehicles, or suggest buying something else – and anyone who might feel the need to sneer or jibe – I won't be taking any notice of such comments. Thanks for reading.
  16. I was there at the end of March, exactly a month ago. Although I was there to get a one-year multi-entry visa, and not a tourist visa, I did pick up some information regarding the SETV application whilst there. A Russian national who was staying at the same hotel told me that they - the Thai consulate - were making things difficult for those applying for tourist visas. In particular he mentioned that they were not only demanding proof of funds via bank statements, but even proof of money in a Thai bank account in some cases. Money in a Thai bank account is a crazy notion for someone visiting as a tourist, but that is the feedback that I got. The general feeling was that they were being over-strict with SETV applications, whereas the process for the very popular one-year multi-entry (only available at Savannakhet and HCM City without any proof of funds) was easy... (provided you have all the required documentation of course.) It would be advisable to look into the requirements for the SETV regarding proof of funds, and be prepared to show that. Just to clarify: This was not the Russian national's experience - he was there for the Multi-entry, - but is based on what he witnessed and the people he had conversations with, so I'm not talking about one person's case, an isolated case in other words. This was the experience of a number of people applying for the SETV at the time.
  17. Regarding the following part of your detailed post: "Since 30 June 2020 that notification needs to be done only ONCE for the main place where you as foreigner are staying, as the filed TM30 will stay valid as long as the foreigner's permission to stay is kept alive (including its extension or when returning from a trip abroad using a Re-Entry Permit)." I had already realised this - and the re-entry permit applies in the main to those on retirement or marriage annual extensions I believe. My question is this: Do you know whether this also applies to people leaving and re-entering whilst on a One-Year Multiple-Entry (based on marriage from Savannakhet) - where there is no requirement for a Re-Entry permit, or is this exemption from redoing a TM30 each time one leaves and re-enters confined only to those on the long-term extensions mentioned? I haven't seen this clarified anywhere.
  18. I thought it wasn't worth all the paperwork and hassle just for a day or two. For a longer visit maybe.
  19. No, because when I went, there weren't any applicants for tourist visa. However, a Russian who was staying at the same hotel - and had done the Multiple Entry visa, - said that they were giving tourist visa applicants a hard time. Especially as regards showing bank statements, and even money in a Thai bank (yes, money in a Thai bank for tourist visa entry.. it doesn't get more crazy.) His theory was that they just didn't want to issue tourist visas - whatever the situation, it doesn't sound good for tourist visa applicants at Savannakhet. But all's good for the Multi-Entry non-O based on marriage.. provided you have all the required documents, you should sail through.
  20. I think what you are talking about refers to a tourist visa entry (or even a visa exempt) rather than the MEV mentioned. If you enter on either a visa exempt or a tourist visa, you are allowed a 30 day extension, followed by a 60 day 'wife visit' extension. And you are right in saying that immigration may insist that you do the extensions in that order. If you are on a One-Year Multiple-Entry on the other hand, - as the previous post mentioned - that doesn't apply. You enter on 90 days, then can extend for another 60 days 'wife visit' - and that's it... there's no 30 day extension on top of that.
  21. I'm not the expert here, but I've never heard of that, and as far as I'm aware no, - no further extensions on this ME visa, just the 60 days 'wife visit' extension per entry.
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