Bob9
-
Posts
326 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Downloads
Posts posted by Bob9
-
-
Thanks Joe - much appreciated. You are right, I was including re-entry which I dont need now. For 1900 baht I will just extend current permission to stay, especially given all the trouble to go through just to get a few months.
As I am sure many TV posters say this a lot - but I will say again anyway - thank you for being THE definitive source on Thailand Visa information.
-
2
-
-
Hi all,
I was going to extend my Retirement Visa permission to stay from mid-November for 12 months.
The original Retirement Visa expired in Nov 2015 and the (almost) 12 month 'extension' by a border run has been done.
However, things have occurred that mean I will need to be back home in mid February 2017 for 3-4 months.
While there I will get a new Retirement Visa for when I come back again - and that will give me up to another 2 years in Thailand with an extension.
Therefore, rather than extend my current permission to stay (and pay about 5000 baht) I was hoping that there may be an easier and cheaper way to stay here for another 4 months.
Does anyone know if this is possible? Maybe a border run and a cheap extension of permission to stay?
I am from Australia and I think a border run would give me 3 months stay? Is that correct?
If it is correct, can that then be extended by another 1-2 months?
-
28 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:
You might not get a email. Best to go back online to check the status of your application.
Thanks Joe - much appreciated.
Cheers - Bob.
-
Just went online and lodgement worked fine.
Have 'document' which I printed out showing application is 'pending'.
Will report back if/when get email notification.
-
Thailand is trying to get rid of the bad guys, but they are not making it easier for the good guys - that is the problem. They didnt give a rats rear for years and years and now they are trying to get rid of the trash. But what about also making it easier for us 'desirables'?
My Thai wife has got a partner visa for Aust - when we go there next year she will report on arrival, be given documents and ID that is valid for 2 years, and will never have to report where she is unless she changes address. After 2 years she applies and gets an 'extension' for 5 more years, no more reporting at all, and gets all new IDs etc. for the full 5 years.
OK - I am not saying should be the same here. But it should be easier for guys who come here to retire (buy things and spend money) and have lived here for more than 3 years. I have to do the same as someone that is on a 90 day Visa - and am treated the same - there is no incentive to be a good guy. They are making it harder for everyone - that is the complaint from me.
-
1
-
-
Read first and last pages - seems to be most agree with the OP.
Gotta agree overall - but have been here long enough to have lost those rose coloured glasses. Yes - the best thing about Thailand is the people. But I wouldn't agree about some young Thai males. The food and prices of most things is fantastic. But the weather is oppressive and the rain is incessant (this year). The ability to be accountable for myself and my actions, and not to be oppressed by a 'nanny state' telling me what I can and cannot do, and what I must agree with and not agree with, is priceless.
The biggest problem I have here is some Expats. I have found that most Expats with a Thai lady/family are happy and reasonable. But I have no time at all for those who are just exploiting the Thai women. Nor do I have time for those who are bitter and twisted, either because they got 'bitten' by a Thai lady (mostly deserved), or they have just become that way (alcohol, drugs etc etc). Unfortunately there are more of the 'troubled' Expats here, than there are the happy ones - and they make it difficult for the rest of us.
Thailand is not nirvana/utopia - but I am old enough to know that no such place exists. If only I could take the culture of Thailand and its people to a land with a better climate :)
-
1 hour ago, Agent Sumo said:
Hearing a lot more complaints from long-termers in Thailand bitching about how bad/racist/restrictive it's become but, from what I've seen/heard, it really does all come down to the cost.
They just don't feel like the big shots they once did
I think there's a direct correlation between their deteriorating perceptions and the slow, inexorable decline of their home currencies' rate of exchange to the baht.
I guess when the exchange rates were high, their bellies were fuller, their testicles emptier and it was so much easier to elevate oneself above it all.
Not any more
Thailand was never a Utopia - it's edges are as rough as old boots but it seems to me that too many people have failed to move with the times and have held on to their over-inflated expectations while the country has moved on regardless.
If you're gonna go, then go - don't see why everyone has to post a confessional on a bloody internet forum.
The opinions of the old fogeys, sexpats and social misfits that make up a sizable chunk of the TV forum membership really shouldn't figure in one's deliberations.
Their only real use is as something to laugh at when you're bored
I liked and then unliked your post - hope that does not make you bored.
The first part is spot on - too high expectations - too low dollar/pound.
The second part is a grumpy whinging Expat complaining on TV.
-
2 hours ago, Strange said:
Been there multiple times with the wife. Both liked it.
This exactly. Right now I'm just trying to ride out the storm but if by December nothing picks up, then Ill go home and work. I would probably go now, but the income I've made for 2016 will be taxed and I haven't made preparations for it.
Yeah she might hate the states after a while who knows. You are right. But to say that thailand is less racist is crazy to me. They have a damn word for us after all. You can not and will not ever be able to own property here. Xenophobia is on a different level here. Flat out just a tourist for all of eternity.
While true about the visa, you still wholly own the property, can sell it for a profit, and are protected by local and federal laws including your property and person regardless of your visa status. And the likelihood of that happening is almost zero.
Geez only here can someone say things like that about another mans wife.
I hear you - we will be doing that next year and seeing how it goes for 6-9 months. The plan long term is to live between both places - 6-9 months back home, and 3-6 months here. I know a few guys that do that and they seem to like that. The Wife is keen as she will be able to work and make some 'real' money compared to the pittance she earns here - work already lined up through family member.
There are many pros and cons between both places - but this is the number one negative issue I have with Thailand. I get 12 months - must report every 90 days - must re-apply every 12 months - not easy re-applying and always getting harder and more complicated - cant work and cant buy property - can never become citizen. Wife gets 5 years (after 2 years probation) - no 3 month reporting - only reports if she changes address - can work - can buy property - after 2+5 years she can apply for dual citizenship.
I know a guy in Malaysia - he has it so good compared to me over here (he has 5 years), and he reckons the services (hospital malls food etc) are as good as Thailand - and that the police/schools are much much better. Malaysia makes it easy for the financially comfortable - you cannot get these deals if you are on a pension - meaning not so much of the 'bitter angry' and deadbeat Expats living like backpackers over there (so he says).
We will try the 50/50 to 70/30 type arrangement for a few years, and maybe one year we will try Malaysia. Maybe the wife will love it back home and maybe not - either way we will always visit Thailand/family at least once a year (thats the deal). Not sure how it will all go, but I do know that if Thailand made it easier for me and offered the same to me as my country offers to her, then this would not be happening.
I wish you and the wife all the best - have a go and see how it goes. Give it 2 years and then re-evaluate. And come back at least once a year - she will get homesick - all Thais that leave Thailand get homesick (some get it bad, and some just feel sad about it). Make sure she is happy about it - take your time planning - and never make her feel 'locked in' - always make it clear that you are willing to come back to Thailand. I know of two blokes who took their Thai wife for granted (they are often reluctant to speak about some things), and next thing they knew she was gone (and they were divorced and she took much of their money). Remember: if you live there, the rules/laws of any divorce become that of the US (in all western countries) and the Thai laws of divorce are gone.
-
14 minutes ago, buckwhelk said:
Online 90 Day Report website now available again. Just printed my next appointment slip out.
Ooops - should have read more. Good to hear.
-
5 hours ago, buckwhelk said:
My immigration office doesn't accept 90 day reports by mail
Bugger - I can see the problem. Hope it works again soon.
-
3 hours ago, buckwhelk said:
I know the online reporting doesn't work for everyone but from my perspective it has saved me (so far) driving 1750Km (7 reports), the cost of the diesel and more importantly my time (roughly 7 x 4.5 hours) . It doesn't get much better than that....Well done Thai Immigration
Have you tried the mail method? I used it a few times before the on-line system started and it was fine. I also used it about 9 months ago when the system would accept my request, and it was good then too.
-
7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:
No need for a translation if it is in English.
Thanks ubonjoe - much appreciated.
Cheers - Bob.
-
On 15/08/2016 at 6:50 PM, NancyL said:
You'll be able to pick up a form during the Consular Outreach session when the Embassy is at Le Merdien Hotel in Chiang Mai this Friday, August 19. You fill out the amount.
On 15/08/2016 at 9:19 PM, wpcoe said:Yes, income is income: Earned income in is income. Pension is income. Dividend income is income. It doesn't matter if you bring it into Thailand or not. If you have the AUD equivalent of THB65k/month, then you can use a statutory declaration from the Australian embassy in Bangkok (or on an outreach visit) to declare that income.
Not sure, but are you thinking of the procedure/rules for obtaining a Non-Immigrant O-A Visa in Australia? Obtaining a retirement extension in Thailand may not be the same.
Hi again - I got the income declaration stamped and witnessed by the Embassy (500baht). But something just came to mind - do I need to get it translated to Thai? Or is it OK to present the income declaration in English?
-
1 hour ago, wpcoe said:
Yes, income is income: Earned income in is income. Pension is income. Dividend income is income. It doesn't matter if you bring it into Thailand or not. If you have the AUD equivalent of THB65k/month, then you can use a statutory declaration from the Australian embassy in Bangkok (or on an outreach visit) to declare that income.
Not sure, but are you thinking of the procedure/rules for obtaining a Non-Immigrant O-A Visa in Australia? Obtaining a retirement extension in Thailand may not be the same.
Yes I was thinking of the rules when in Aust - but in Thailand it is clearly different.
Thanks again,
Cheers - Bob.
-
Thank you everyone.
I will be going to on Friday to Le Merdien Hotel and get an income letter.
During my last 30 days l will then apply for a 12 month extension of permission to stay based on the retirement visa .
Cheers - Bob.
-
1 hour ago, NancyL said:
You can apply for an extension in Chiang Mai up to 45 days in advance, so you can do it now! And you won't "lose time" because they grant it from the date of expiration of the previous extension.
They there are reports that they have been enforcing the rule about having a TM30 on file for you selectively, in addition to requiring the the Foreign National Info Form. It's just a good idea to have a receipt for the TM30 that the owner of your residence/condo filed in your passport, just like you keep the receipt for your 90 day report in your passport.
Also, last I heard, they're only distributing 20 queue tickets a day for retirement extensions, so plan to arrive by 6 am to snare a ticket. If you don't want to get up early, you can try going later and seeing if the queue is short that day. That's what I did when I got my extension back in January. I came about 43 days before expiration at 8:30, just as they were starting to distribute the queue tickets and I was No. 17 in the queue! If figured that by coming far in advance of expiration, I'd have ample opportunity to return another day.
Ooops - forgot to quote your post - please see my questions above .... newbie
-
Hi Nancy - could you please provide a list of the documents needed for an extension of the retirement visa permission to stay. I am also in Chiang Mai.
Thanks for the tips on getting in early etc. especially now only 20 tickets a day. Like you, I have found in my previous visits to the Immi office in Promenada that on some days it is full and other days there are not many there - but it can be any day of the week. I also leave and try again another day if it is too busy - lunch at Dukes is always worth the trip
-
16 hours ago, wpcoe said:
If you are receiving over AUD50k/year (AUD4,166/month) that's more than THB65k/month, so why not declare that as your income to qualify for the retirement extension? Your income need not be pension, it can be any source, and IIRC, the Australian Embassy in Bangkok just certifies your income declaration, they don't verify the income any way.
Thanks wpcoe - when I previously checked that out, it was only for regular 'normal' income. I only draw money out of Super in Aust to a bank in Aust and then transfer to Thai bank when I need it to top up savings - not on a regular basis. Last financial year I drew out of Super about $30K AUD - about 750K Baht. But I certainly have the ability to draw out more - are you saying I can just declare how much i will draw out and that is OK? Do you happen to know where I can get the Dec form? The one in Aust (Centrelink) only allows for declaration of actual (taxable) income.
-
Thanks for the replies everyone - I am wading through the options and issues.
I have 3 months before ny current permission to stay expires and I was going to be back in Aust later this year and get a new Retirement Visa there - but that didn't work out.
Retirement extension seems easier but it requires 800K in Thai bank. I cant get income statement as I only draw down when needed.
Reluctant to put 800K in a Thai bank for so long and maybe get 1% interest, when back in Aust my Super gives me 6-7% (that's 50+K over a year).
Marriage Visa only requires 400K, but is more complicated to get. Decisions decisions.
-
Hi Nancy - Aussie and we are living in Chiang Mai.
-
19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:
You can apply for a one year extension of your current permit to stay during the last 30 days of it.
You will need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days or proof of 65k baht income by way of a income letter from your embassy or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.
An extension of stay based upon on retirement is probably easier to get than any other.
Thanks ubonjoe - much appreciated. Could you clarify the amount. I read somewhere that you needed 400K baht in a bank account. I was thinking of either getting an extension to stay, or getting a Marriage Visa - perhaps the 400K is for the marriage Visa? I am retired but do not get an income (no pension/payments etc) and I am reluctant to place 800K in a Thai bank account at one time - I draw down from my overseas investment accounts as and when needed (earn good interest back home). If the 400K is for the Marriage Visa could you please advise process to get that rather than an extension of permission to stay.
Thanks - Bob.
-
Hi - could someone please confirm that it is possible to get a 12 month's extension of my permission to stay, and what requirements and forms I must meet. I remember reading about it on this forum some time ago, but I cannot find the topic again since to site upgrade. My situation is that I have a 12 month OA Visa (retirement), and just before the 12 months was expired last year, I left and re-entered Thailand and was granted another 12 months permission to stay. That 12 month period expires in a few months, so I am now looking at extending my permission to stay in Thailand - for another 12 months. When I read the topic/posts before, it seemed to be a fairly straight forward process and several posters stated that they had been doing that for many years.
Thanks - Bob.
Australian Aged Pension
in Australia & Oceania Topics and Events
Posted
Good point - but it is not breaking the law. The Aust Govt (inc Centrelink/ATO) does not legally recognise a Thai marriage. To be 'legally' married in Australian Law you have to have gone through all the paperwork and lodged it all officially. If you merely do the local Thai wedding and not the Aust Embassy stuff, then you are married in Thailand but you are not technically married in Australia. But your point about taking your wife back to Australia is right - to do that you will need to officiallly lodge the paperwork and then you are officially married in Australia and the Thai wife can apply to come to Australian as your Partner. So unless you are going to take the Thai wife to Australia as more than a Visitor, then you do not need to advise the Aust Govt - because if you do, even if you are not officially married, the feminazis at CLink will reduce your pension/payments.