[Neighbor’s tree branches]

While you may exercise legal rights, it would seem to me that a friendly (or non-hostile) neighbor is somewhat desirable.  So, why not

ask again (If you are willing to pay some or all of it, maybe that makes the neighbor more agreeable).

[Sidewalks on Huay Kaew Road from Ram to Maya]

6 hours ago, BKK24 said:

From the city municipal news - they are in the process of putting all overhead electrical cables underground under both 2 roads Nimman & Huakaew - for cleaner look 

mrs bkk24

Would appreciate if if you could post an url to an article about that topic.  I've been watching them tear up and now installing the new sidewalks for quite a stretch of Huay Kaew (mainly the north side west of Maya Mall) and I haven't noticed any burying of electrical wires under the new sidewalks.  And haven't seen any activity on Nimman regarding sidewalks or anything else of note.

[Should I have hernia done in private or public hospital]

About 7 years ago, had hernia surgery at Chiangmai Ram hospital (private), they used open surgery (doc told me it was just as easy to do it that way in my case), and the total cost was 58,497 baht.   In by about 9AM, home by 5PM.  A mesh was installed and they used glue to close the incision (since after about a year later, I can't visually even see where they did the deal). Simple procedure, painless, and OP's fear of some "big scar" is simply silly (and incorrect) in my opinion.  The quoted price of about 300k baht seems way out of line to me.

[Condo Key Card Copying?]

Do you intend to ask the condo office if it's okay to do this?  Or, if not, do you intend to advise the condo office that you've

had an extra keycard made?  If I owned a unit in that condominium, I certainly would want the office to keep track of all

keycards out there simply for security purposes.

[Discrepancies in iTV shareholder meeting records blow Pita shareholding case wide open]

1 hour ago, cleopatra2 said:

The fact that the company is not currently carrying out any media activities is moot. The only relevant question , is the company still registered as a media company ?

Does the statute prohibit owning shares in a "registered media company" or a "media company?"  Could be a difference.

[I need a Lawyer for a Thai Living Will and a Thai Will. I am located in CM currently, Also - "Jolly" was referred to me. Anyone have experience or.knowledge of this person?]

You can get a living will (called Advanced Directive) via the Chiang Mai Expats Club website (Resources tab, then CEC documents tab).  While technically allowed under Thai law I'm not too sure how effective they are (meaning whether local doctors will or won't follow instructions from your health care representative).  

[Water Pressure , what's it like in your area ?]

2 hours ago, Dante99 said:

Since it makes such good pressure I thought it would be nice to know.  Not a big deal.

Checked it out, attaching photo of part of the water tank and pump (the cover is off the pump when the landlord did a repair a few years back....as the pump was leaking a bit).  The pump is (according to sticker on the cover) Hitachi GX Series, WT-P 250GX (don't know what that means).  

[Water Pressure , what's it like in your area ?]

4 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

what pump are you using?

Actually don't know.  All the townhouses around here have them. If it's important, I'll go look and see if there's a brand and other info on it.

[Water Pressure , what's it like in your area ?]

My townhouse gets PWA water on the west side (off of Sirimangkalajarn).  As for water pressure, I'm a bit puzzled by your complaint as I thought everybody/most had a water tank and the bulk of the pressure is provided by the pump next to the water tank.  If that pump didn't work, I have no idea what the water pressure would be but clearly a lot less than what we get.  Showers and sinks on all three floors have plenty of pressure (in fact, we have to be careful to not fully open the tap at the kitchen sink on the first floor as it would blow water all over the place). 

[Immi wants a paper when i renew my passport]

6 minutes ago, Soondae said:

USA embassy provided a document for me November 2022 when I went through the process didn't have to request it, it was included with return of old and new passport.

The US embassy here stopped providing the standard "transfer letter" only 2-3 months ago.  

[Getting a new US passport before leaving Thailand - Visa transferal.]

Unless you qualify (see US Embassy website for info), you can only obtain a new US passport via the mail.  While in the recent past the process took less than 3 weeks (in December, 2021, I mailed mine from Chiangmai and the new and old passport was in my mailbox 11 days later!), I've heard it's now taking much longer.  

When you get your new passport, take new and old along with info mentioned above to Immigration and they'll transfer what's necessary.  I'm doubtful anyone but you can do it but don't know about your B visa.  Here in Chiangmai (obviously different elsewhere), they wanted the Transfer form, photocopies of every stamped page in the old passport (including non-Thai stamps), and a copy of the photo page in your new passport. There was no fee for this in Chiangmai.

[Strange passport situation and the transfer of visa into a new Passport]

Mea culpa, missed that part.  Nevertheless, nice to see the embassy be so accommodating.

 

[Strange passport situation and the transfer of visa into a new Passport]

Puzzled how you still have your old passport.  When I got a new US passport a year+ ago (mail deal to Bangkok), I had to send my old/current passport in with the application papers.

Edit:  Just checked the forms I used and see that they require you to send in either your "current passport and/or card."  So presume OP sent in the card.

 

[Retirement visa renewal at immigration without using an agent]

32 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Sorry but I think you have that wrong!

Those with a full brain use an agent....

You're free (well, not really "free") to use an agent but it's rather perplexing to me why you suggest people who do it themselves are somehow not as smart as you???

 

To the contrary.  When you use your agent, you first go see your agent to pass over the documents you have obtained.  Then at another time/date, you either go to your agent's office where they haul you out to Immigration or you meet them there.  What's all that take, a couple of hours in total?  And what's it cost?

 

Handling an annual extension based on retirement is easy.  Schedule an appointment, gather the required documents, and you'll not on average spend an hour for that at Immigration once a year.  For my last annual extension 6 months ago, I had an appointment at 10AM and was out the door with the new extension at 10:25AM.  Many can easily handle that and don't need somebody to hold their hand to get it done; but, as they say, it's up to you (whatever floats your boat).

[has anyone done a visa exempt/tourist visa combo recently?]

 

On 5/27/2023 at 9:31 PM, kwilco said:

If you use your tourist visa on the first entry, you lose it after 3 days and either have to get another or limit your stay to 30 days visa exempt.

If your theoretical person got a re-entry permit, wouldn't that preserve the Tourist Visa (or what's left at time of re-entry of the 60 days)?

Other than that, have to agree that the OP's theoretical plans seem silly.

[applied for a TR visa extension today]

The online 30-day extension deal (which I think started earlier this year as a test program) was originally only available for those visiting Bangkok Immigration.  Whether it's been extended so as to be available elsewhere, I don't know (if somebody does know, time to post your info).

[Executor of expat will duties]

23 minutes ago, HarrySeaman said:

.......If a US citizen dies outside a hospital the body must be transported to the Police Hospital in Bangkok for an autopsy then the body is stored until the US Embassy releases it, etc.  Naturally all these things must be paid for by the executor or the family.  Don't even ask what happens if the executor or family can't/won't cover the expenses.....

A few comments/corrections regarding death of a US citizen here in Thailand:

(1) Have had a few expat friends die here in Chiangmai and in each case the body remained in the hospital morgue until released (by approval of the applicable embassy/consulate and payment of the hospital charges);

(2) Whether a not an autopsy is required depends on the circumstances (it's not automatic) and, even if the death occurs outside a hospital, that doesn't mean an autopsy is done (again, circumstances).

(3)  If you have a Will in English (or Will in Thai translated into English) and (1) the Will names "X" as the executor, (2) contains language that "X" has full power to handle funeral arrangements, and (3) "X" presents the English version of the Will to the US Consulate (or Embassy as the case may be), they will promptly cease their "next of kin" search and issue their letter okaying the release of the body to "X."

Having a proper Will (in both Thai and English) facilitates both release of the body and handling of the probate procedure. 

 

 

[Moderna Bivalent Vaccine Available?]

The new bivalent Moderna booster is available for free for everyone (including expats) at the CM Neurological Hospital (open M-F, 8AM to noon, walk-in basis).  They (and other places) also offer a Pfizer booster but I don't believe it's the newer version.  

[Retirement visa renewal and passport expiry date]

I am presuming you are on some type of annual extension which expires in July and you will be applying for a new annual extension.  To my knowledge, there is no rule requiring you to have 1 year left on your passport to obtain an extension; HOWEVER, your extension will only be granted to the expiration date of your passport (thus effectively changing your annual renewal date).

Presuming you want a full one-year extension, time to obtain a new passport ASAP.  

[Denied LEAVING Thailand at land-border crossing]

A CM friend, who's been here for 10 years on O-A annual extensions, just did a border run in February for the very purpose of killing off his O-A (returning visa exempt, converting to a Non-O, and getting his annual extension just this week).  No nonsense about being denied leaving.

Think the guy was confused (and KhunBenq has likely guessed the reason).

[Chiang Mai Immigration crowded or not?]

Presuming you mean you have an annual extension based on retirement that expires June 13th, you can renew up to 45 days prior to June 13th here in CM.  Why you waited for an annual extension until the day before expiration somewhat boggles the mind.

But, yes, you can go without an appointment whenever you want but "late afternoon" seems a bit risky/foolish.  Go at 1PM Tues-Thurs and not the day before or after any holiday and you'll hopefully be okay.  And, if you do, follow worgeordie's advice so somebody else might be able to use the appointment time.

[Travel in another city]

17 hours ago, Gee Bangkok said:

I've stopped taking my passport to hotels in Thailand. I use my Thai driving licence only. Never had any problems with that. Maybe easier in the long run. 

Presuming the hotel you stay at does file a TM30, there's really no reason to think using your driver's license helps.....given your passport number is on your driver's license.

Dr. Jack is right that some offices (such as Chiangmai) on a hit or miss basis require one to update one's TM30 if you stay anywhere in Thailand that files a TM30 for you; however, the update process is easy and doesn't require one to present a new TM30 form with the usual attachments (I just showed up, said I needed to update so I could use the online TM47 reporting again, and they quickly entered some info on their computer and gave me a new TM30 Receipt of Notification).

[90 day report by post delay]

They recommend that, as long as you have your EMS receipt, to wait at least a couple of weeks after your due date before you go see them in person.  Hopefully you'll get your Receipt of Notification in the next few days but, if not received, you'll need to go visit them them about the last week of May.

[Questions about renewing US passport in Bangkok]

The info in the US embassy website about obtaining a new passport is rather clear (simply read it and you'll easily know if you have a special situation that allows an Embassy/Consulate appointment to apply for a new passport or if you are required to do it by mail).

Last time I got a new US passport was in December of 2021 and mailed (DHL) the stuff to Bangkok on a Monday morning and had the new passport (and old one) back in the mail 11 days later; however, recently they've been warning that it is now taking a few weeks.  The CM Consul General has said that new US passports applied for here in Thailand are done at a separate office than where it's done for applications made within the US and that's why it's actually quicker to apply for one here in Thailand.

 

In olden days, US passports were made here and you typically got the new one the same day or next day.  No more........they're all made in the US and delivered by diplomatic pouch back to the US Bangkok embassy.

[US passport renewal and transfer of stamps]

What is transferred to your new passport is:

(1) A stamp which basically details your old passport number, issue date of that old passport, etc.;

(2) A stamp which shows when, how, and where you last entered Thailand; 

(3) A stamp showing your visa class (in my case simply says Non-O, date it originated, and permission-to-stay date);

(4) And they'll put (transfer) a new stamp for your permission to stay (in my case, Non-); and

(5) If you have a still-operative Re-Entry Permit, they'll typically transfer that.

 

In Chiangmai, besides the Form to transfer stamps, they wanted:

(1) A copy of the photo page and every filled-out page of the old passport;

(2) A copy of the photo page of the new passport and any other stamps that might be in the new passport.  Don't remember if they wanted a copy of my TM30 Receipt of Notification or the TM47 Receipt of Notification (which I or they simply stapled into the rear part of the new passport).