[Government and NGO services for the blind in Chiang Mai.]

There's the school for the blind sorta between Wat Phra Sing and Suan Dawk Gate and I'd recommend you inquire there.

 

[Covid Booster Update]

Would note that, according to a Bangkok Post article yesterday, S. Korea just donated 501,120 doses of Phifer's BA.1 bivalent Covid-19 vaccine (which I believe is the latest update vaccine hopefully more effective against some newer variants) to Thailand.  Would be nice to see some of the updated boosters here in CM but I'd guess that's unlikely.

[Extension of non-O in CM]

7 minutes ago, bg53 said:

Pardon me for one more (stupid) question:

If I obtain a new pp early next year, what would I need to do to keep the non-O valid? I hate to restart the whole process if the non-O is nullified.

 

The annual extension is still valid but you'll need to go out to Immigration and get the stamps transferred into your new passport.  There's no charge for this.   

Presuming you've applied for the new passport here in Thailand (can only be done by mail via the Bangkok Embassy.....see the Embassy/Consulate website for how to do that), what you'll need is:

(1) Form titled "Transfer Stamp to New Passport Form" (you can get this at CM Immigration - it's CM specific and they did not accept the "Bangkok" one I obtained online);

(2) The Embassy letter you'll get with your new passport (you won't get this if you obtain the new passport back in the US);

(3)  From the old passport, they required from me a copy of every filled-out page, even those with visas/stamps from other countries;

(4)  From new passport, copy of the entire photo page (and, if applicable, copies of any other page with stamps).

[Overstay and fly out]

OP should be aware that an overstay of 90 days will result in a 1-year blacklisting (i.e., if OP intends to return to Thailand in the next year or wishes to guarantee no hassle in obtaining a future Thai visa/extension, OP needs to exit the country before the 90-day mark).

 

[Chiang Mai Immigration Q & A - Info and reports. (2020)]

2 hours ago, brommers said:

My latest visa extension appointment was switched at 24 hrs notice from Sanambin Rd office to Central Festival, same date different time. 

To assist understanding, you are saying that the Central Festival IO office now does annual extensions (based on retirement/marriage)?

I'm also presuming you had an appointment and that Immigration sent you a new email telling you to go to Central Festival versus the airport office.

[Death with no close living relatives. Nominate partner to be contacted in the event of my death?]

19 minutes ago, Muhendis said:

On the last page of your passport you should have written the name and address of the person to be contacted. That should be enough.

No, it won't as that won't stop any usual embassy process for location/notification of next of kin.  What OP needs is a Thai Will that names his partner as the executor and handler of funeral arrangements (and, presuming that's the OP's wishes, to get his Thai and/or other assets).  I can't speak for the UK embassy but the US embassy/consulate has advised me that presentation of such a Thai Will (which may be required to be translated into English) will stop the next-of-kin process (which essentially is a process to locate any relatives and possible heirs) and will result in the embassy/consulate issuing the letter allowing the release of the body to the person named in the Will.

[Canadian owner escapes injury as fire ravages 20 million baht luxury home in Pattaya]

Given his attire in the photo, he obviously was at home.  Smoke detectors and perhaps a fire extinguisher for a 20-million baht home?  Puzzling.

   

[Chiang Mai ONLY - Agent specialising in financial requirements for retirement extensions?]

Have friends here in CM who head to Pattaya once a year to find and use what you're looking for......an "agent specializing in financial requirements"; however, I'm not aware of any agent here that can help you get around the legal requirements for an annual extension based on retirement.  

I would think at some point it's possible that the agents and immigration officers that play these games might find themselves charged and the expats joining them may be deported and blacklisted.  Everyone makes their only choices but I personally like living here and wouldn't risk my right to do so; besides, I primarily look at the "ransom" you describe as a reasonable level of backup in case of personal emergency or need.  

 

  

 

[How many border crossings and visa stamps if I fly from CNX?]

Technically, there is no limit to the times you can fly into Thailand and get exempt entries; however, at some point, you can expect an immigration officer to question whether you are a legitimate tourist.  A few times a year should present no problem but after that then you can expect to be questioned.  It's discretionary at that point whether to allow you entry. Would also note that so far the 45 day period for exempt entries expires as of March 31st (after that, absent a law change, you'll only get 30 days).  

If you're typically on an annual extension, why not convert to a Non-O (keeping in mind that here in Chiangmai you need to do that at least 21 days prior to expiration of your permission to stay to apply for that)?  Then, of course, apply for your regular annual extension within 45 days of the expiration date of the Non-O.

 

[Thailand Permanent Establishment and LTR Visa]

Given your position, you come to this message board to ask for tax advice for you and your company?  DJChris above has the proper answer....get advice from a Thai tax attorney.

[Bill Heinecke: "Crazy to give vaccines to tourists"]

Ol' Bill must have missed the pont that tourists don't go to any country to get any covid vaccine.  Doesn't happen and is basically irrelevant to the revival of any tourist industry here in Thailand; nevertheless, calling the idea of offering vaccines to tourists as "crazy" is, so to speak, crazy in itself.

[Mae Sot Teak Hotel]

You might be better off posting that question in the Central Thailand forum.

[Visa run from Vietnam with an active visa granted]

I believe the OP said he was going to do a border hop from Vietnam to get another time period there and he was coming to Thailand to do that; however, on that "border hop" to Thailand, he is hoping to get a visa exemption rather than use his 60-day evisa which he wants to use on a subsequent entry into Thailand.  Again, I don't know but I'd think that when they swipe his passport at immigration on his first entry (the border hop), I'd think his evisa would show up (presuming the Thai immigration computers issuing evisas is communicating with the Thai immigration entry computers....which I'd guess is a sure thing).  As to whether the OP can then successfully ask the immigration officer to simply give him an exempt stamp (versus using the evisa), heck if I know (but I somewhat doubt it).  Anyway, good luck OP....and report back here once you do your border hop to Thailand.

[Visa run from Vietnam with an active visa granted]

I don't know but won't the evisa show up when Thai immigration swipes the OP's passport upon entry?

 

[Yearly health check-up - where to go in Chiang Mai?]

Just had a complete physical at Chiangmai RAM 8 days ago and have had physicals there in the past.  They offer a couple of physical packages and I selected the more thorough men's version with a cost of 9,500 baht.  There was a more minimal package for 3000 baht but didn't include a few things (e.g., ultrasound, PSA, etc.) I wanted done.  Have always been satisfied with the physicals and other things I've had done over the years at RAM.

I also would guess you can specify your own physical program - what you want done and don't want done.

Edit:  Would note that physicals are done at the Health Check-Up Building in the Health Center (the new set of buildings about 600 yards south of the main hospital).  And you don't need an appointment, just walk in and tell them what you want done (they recommend you come early....I arrived at 8AM and was finished by about 10AM). 

[My son needs to change Tabien Ban registration from Udon to Chonburi.....]

Presuming the mom makes a valid Will and clearly identifies who gets what, how is it that where her/your son is listed

on a tabien ban have anything to do with it?  I simply don't buy that premise.

  

[Single re-entry question regarding 90 day reactivation and recent annual extension with no new slip]

Thanks, Orinoco, for filling in the details.  Neither option #1 or #2 apply at Chiangmai Immigration, the extension dates and 90-day address report dates are totally independent; however, even in Chiangmai, Immigration will provide a new 90-day report date when/if you convert from exempt or tourist visa to a Non-O. 

[Single re-entry question regarding 90 day reactivation and recent annual extension with no new slip]

3 minutes ago, Orinoco said:

No 1,   Yes.  ,  got an education then today.

Yep, I did.  For the record, which Immigration Office?

 

[Single re-entry question regarding 90 day reactivation and recent annual extension with no new slip]

13 minutes ago, Orinoco said:

Nah, not 100% correct.

As always one size does not fit all.

My last 90 day report, was rounded down to my extension date, about 60 days. then started new 90 day counting from day of extension renewal. 

Are you saying (1) that when you did your last 90-day report prior to your extension they gave you a shortened date to your extension date? (if so, first I've ever heard of that) or (2) that at your extension time your immigration office gave you a new 90-day report date? (if so, think I covered that).

[Single re-entry question regarding 90 day reactivation and recent annual extension with no new slip]

16 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

.......the 90 day reporting and the extension, but they go hand in hand....

 

 

You still are not getting it entirely.  90-day address reporting and extensions have nothing to do with each other.  The only time they may have some relationship is if your particular Immigration Office happens to provide a new 90-day report date at the time you get an extension.  Other than that possible connection, there's zero relationship between the two.

[Getting withholding tax back from interest payment]

I have accounts in both Siam Commercial Bank and Bangkok Bank and each bank is withholding the 15% on interest sums far below the figures noted above (i.e., I've read several times that the banks don't do the withholding if the total interest paid is less than 20k or 25k baht....but that's not my experience with either bank mentioned).

I also have read several times that a bank will stop withholding the 15% tax if you show them your tax ID card/number; again, that's not my experience (I provided it to Siam Commercial Bank, explained that I understood that no withholding should then occur, and the bank branch manager told me that I was wrong and they would withhold the 15% as they've always done).  I haven't attempted as yet to get Bangkok Bank to stop the withholding by providing my tax ID number.

[Getting withholding tax back from interest payment]

I've done it a few times, twice online and the last time (about 3 years ago) in person at the proper revenue office here in CM.  What they want to see is your Tax ID card, likely your passport (don't remember), and a statement from the bank showing the interest withheld.  I could no longer do it online last time so went to the proper revenue office and the lady there did the filings for me (I think I claimed 2 years that time) so I think two returns were filed.  There was no charge for this.

You're allowed to claim back 3 years so this January I likely will do that.  Not all that much given the lousy interest rates for that time period but, what the heck, worth the effort to get 15k+ baht back.  The bank (in my case, SCB) knew what I was looking for when I asked for the statements showing interest withheld. 

 

How you get the money back has changed over time.  The first couple of times, the revenue department just deposited the money directly into my SCB bank account.  The last time I went I ended up with some Kasikorn bank voucher sent to me in the mail so I had to go find a Kasikorn bank to get those funds.  Recently I've read it's changed again....but don't remember what the new deal is (it won't matter, it'll work somehow).

 

When I say the "proper" revenue office, I first went to the revenue office up on Chotana Road here in CM where I got the tax id number.  They told me to go to the revenue office on Charoen Phratet (near Chang Klan road).  When I got there, there were two big buildings labelled #1 on the left and #2 on the right.  I took a guess and went into #2 and the lady there filed the returns for me (but, when finished, told me next time to go to the proper office which for me was the #1 building). 

[Post (sort of) Covid entry requirements]

With a screen name such as prophet, should have seen that answer coming.....

[Immigration officer stamped wrong date into the visa]

10 hours ago, problemfarang said:

you have 2 options:

1) this is the best option and really waht you need to do: go to the immigration in your area and tell them you just noticed this. and ask them to fix it. they will.

2) stay for 7 months and exit from the same place you entered. 

Seems to me that your option #2 isn't wise at all given the chance the OP is held responsible for the IO's mistake.  But also am wondering if a third option (as mentioned by another poster) wouldn't be fairly safe:  Just treat it as if 90 days was given and simply do the regular border bounce within that time limit (trusting that the next immigration officer upon re-entry will not make the same mistake). 

[Bank Move]

Yep, notice from BK Bank said they moved the KSK accounts to the Chang Phuak branch.