SEAsia Traveler
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Posts posted by SEAsia Traveler
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On the appointment calendar, what is the difference between Short-term Extension and Tourism Purpose?
I want to do a 30-day extension on visa-exempt entry stamp at Blue Tree. Does there need to be a TM30 for me in the system, or do I just need the address of where I'm staying? Is the TM30 something I can self-report online, or does my landlord need to do it for me?
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I'm currently in Thailand on a retirement extension that expires on August 24, which happens to be the last day to apply for the covid extension, as of now.
What would happen if I applied for covid extension on August 23 or 24? Most likely at Chonburi immigration.
I'm in contact with an agent who says they can "convert" my retirement extension to covid extension.
Thank you
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Can someone please recommend a good clinic or doctor to have baseline bloodwork done in Bangkok or Hua Hin?
I'm age 54 and have not taken TRT before.
I have andropause symptoms but my total testosterone has been pretty stable over the years, measuring at 809 in October 2021, up from 766 in May 2016.
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2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:
If you entered the country with a non-o visa you are not eligible for a 60 day covid 19 extension.
I will be entering on the non-o extension with a single re-entry permit.
What if I overstay my non-O extension by three days? In other words, depart the country three after the extension expires. Is there a grace period of any kind? What are the risks?
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Is it possible to get a covid extension instead of extending a non-o retirement extension for a second year? Any reports of that happening successfully or any problems? For do-it-yourself without an agent.
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What about Peru? Lima seems good for food and third-world women with European looks. But it is overcast half the year due to the marine layer. Rainfall is low. There some air pollution. Arequipa is a mid-sized city at higher elevation so the weather and air are better. Peru treat visitors well.
Thoughts on Peru?
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Another negative: the morbid fascination with horror, death, gore and ghosts.
Another reason I'm leaving: increasing closure of establishments, depressed vibe and lack of vibrancy, with no end in sight. When it does open properly, it won't be the same. The restart will proceed at a glacial pace. RIP Sanuk Thailand.
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A while back I was watching a live stream by an expat who listed his positive and negatives about Thailand. I borrowed some of his points, added my own, organized into categories and present them here (in no particular order) for your entertainment. I suspect the grumpy old men on the forum will enjoy the negatives like crocodiles snapping at red meat. ????
I recognize that one person’s positive can be another person’s negative. For example, weather can be both a positive and a negative (too hot for some), and protectionist laws can be both a negative and a positive (keeps housing affordable). I also recognize that Thais will have a different perspective.
Surely, I missed something, so comment on your own positives and negatives. Enjoy!
Positives:
1. People (manners, values, consideration)
2. Traditional society (male-female roles, family orientation)
3. Overall vibe (hospitable, accommodating, non-confrontational, fun-loving, tolerant)
4. Central location (Asia travel hub)
5. Diverse geography (plains, mountains, jungles, rivers, beaches)
6. Weather
7. Convenience (eating, shopping, transport)
8. Social opportunities (clubs, meeting people, forming relationships)
9. Nightlife (bars, nightclubs, night markets)
10. Food quality, price, and selection (street food, markets, restaurants, foreign foods)
11. Thai fine arts (sculpture, architecture, artwork, music, dance, dress, cuisine, massage, kickboxing)
12. Inexpensive, abundant, and flexible accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, furnished condos, serviced apartments)
13. Inexpensive transportation (air, rail, taxi, ride-hailing, van, bus)
14. Inexpensive labor (tradesmen, mechanics, housekeepers, drivers)
15. Delivery services (food, products, packages)
16. Availability of products and services (supermarkets, pharmacies, specialty stores, online)
17. Adoption of western innovations with precision and beauty (air travel, telecom, electric trains, shopping malls, product display, fashion, music, cinemas, interior design)
18. Low incidence of crime
19. Flexibility in compliance with rules
20. Ability to use money to solve problems
21. Infrastructure (airports, ground transport, power, telecom, medical, banking)
22. Liberalizing drug laws
23. Availability of massage parlors and spas
24. Sports and exercise (gyms, cycling, swimming, running, walking)
25. Personal hygiene (cleanliness, showers, bum guns, public health awareness)
Negatives:
1. Governance (corruption, cronyism, nepotism, ineptness, inconsistency)
2. Bureaucracy (paperwork, red tape, needless complexity, roadblocks, subjective application of laws and regulations)
3. Uncertain future (protests, coups)
4. Road danger (disregard for laws, lack of enforcement)
5. Animal control and welfare
6. Puritanical laws (alcohol, sex)
7. Protectionist laws (import taxes, jobs, business, real estate)
8. Immigration and visas
9. Inflation
10. Strong currency
11. Increasing traffic on roads
12. Aging rail system and lack of high-speed rail
13. Low quality of building materials and construction
14. Electrical and fire hazards
15. Dual pricing (rents, real estate, transport, medical care, entrance fees)
16. Lack of pedestrian amenities (footpaths, crosswalks, green spaces, public seating)
17. Environment (industrial and vehicle pollution, fires, flooding, waste disposal, tap water)
18. Feudal practices (groveling, inwardness, xenophobia, heavy-handed treatment of foreigners, patronage system, nationalism, censorship, bloated civil service and military, profligate spending, protection of elite class, disregard for vulnerable populations)
19. Lack of modernity (intellectual curiosity, innovation, product expertise, city planning, skilled workforce, economic opportunity, rising incomes, transparency, free speech, talented and representative leadership)
20. Severe defamation laws, adjudication, and penalties
21. Familial burdens placed on young women
22. Cultural expectations and misunderstandings (saving face, family obligations, raising children, relationship problems, workplace conflicts, collective vs. individual values)
23. Opportunistic treatment of foreigners (rip-offs, scams, shameless use of cunning and guile, aggressive ladyboys)
24. Fear, suspicion, and avoidance of foreigners
25. Apathy of Thai men towards foreigners
26. Low class of foreign visitors (criminals, drug dealers, cheap charlies, scammers, mentally ill)
27. Foreigners preying on other foreigners and Thais (begging, scamming, cons, negative energy, violent crime)
28. Thai vices (gambling, loan sharking, lottery, consumer debt, corrupt monks)
29. Foreign residents and citizens being mistaken as tourists
30. Language barrier and low prevalence of English
31. Public education system
32. Public nuisances (loud music, parties, advertising trucks, public announcements, cooking fires, chemical sprays)
33. Food hygiene (bacteria, sanitation, pesticides, oils, additives, preservatives)
34. Increased prevalence of artificial, processed, and manufactured foods
35. National emergency response (PM 2.5, Covid-19)
BONUS LIST
I’m leaving Thailand after nearly a year in Phuket as a trial retirement. My reasons for leaving, in descending order of significance.
1. The heat
2. Boredom
3. Distance from North America
4. Miss family back home
5. Hassles traveling within Thailand currently
6. Xenophobia in its various forms
7. Prefer Filipina for relationship
8. Second-hand smoke
9. Temptations of alcohol and drug use
10. Outdoor mask mandate
11. Motorbike lifestyle
12. Want to travel to other countries
13. Untreated tap water
14. Food hygiene
15. Thai bureaucracy
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Oh boy…this story is tailor made for spidermike and one of his rants about the decline of tourism. He could copy and paste his entire list of grievances to this one.
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I've decided to return to the US in early October. I don't want to retire in Thailand. I would rather just be a tourist. So I need just enough extension of stay to fly out in October.
@ubonjoe My non-O visa expires on 24 August. I used an agent, and the visa was stamped by Khon Kaen immigration. But I still live in Phuket and still have my certificate of residence (a copy, not the original). Can I get a covid extension in Phuket? If so, when should I apply? Will Phuket immigration question the Khon Kaen visa stamp? I would need about 2 weeks prior to 24 August to send off for the 1-year extension (14,000 baht agent fee) if the covid extension is denied.
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I purchased an AIS SIM on 15 February 2021 under the promotion of 10 Mbps for 300 baht per month. The lady at the kiosk told me it is only good for 6 months.
My profile on the AIS website indicates "Mobile service year 5 months" as of today. What does this mean?
What are my options to keep this AIS number and continue service? Would it help to visit an AIS shop in the mall? Thank you.
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I know it’s not a visa. I’m referring to the 3-month Non-Immigrant type O visa for purpose of retirement and ongoing 1-year extensions. Many refer to this as Thailand’s retirement visa.
It requires 800k THB on deposit or 65k THB per month deposited into a Thai bank. The 800k balance requires a 2-month seasoning prior to, and 3-month seasoning following, each 1-year extension application, not to fall below 400k.
This visa and extension can be obtained through an agent without meeting the financial requirements or having a Thai bank account. No bank papers needed. Agents charge a lot for the visa and extension, but it seems to work well, and not having to deal with immigration is worth it to many people.
But it’s clearly against the immigration rules. I suppose it’s not corruption until translated into English.
I recently used such an agent for the Non-O visa. I have 800k on deposit but was tired of dealing with immigration. I could not find an agent to do it the legitimate way with bank papers.
But what are the risks? It may be a valid visa, but my Non-O was issued by an immigration office in another province. Huh?? That is concerning. But now I’m thick as thieves with my agent so I’m reluctant not to use them for the 1-year extension and 90-day reports.
I’d like to start spending down the 800k (so convenient to pay rent and other stuff with the bank’s app), but how risky is this? Assuming the status quo, I would just continue with the agent. But if someone important wanted to bust up this racket…how likely is that and what are the risks? Immigration Detention? Fine? Blacklisting? Any live examples of someone getting into trouble?
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No one is coming so they postpone again.
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On 6/3/2021 at 8:36 AM, LivingNThailand said:
Hey, did you ever get your Non-O visa? I was doing my 90-day the other day and saw smiley man walk by when I was in the drive-through line. I just wondering if you were successful. I hope so. For what it's worth, it does get easier.
When I returned to the bank (Central Floresta branch of Bangkok Bank) the manager was not there, so I didn’t bother to ask them to call immigration. I deposited 100 baht, updated the bank book and obtained the bank letter.
Next day I returned to bank and got the bank statement, so now the bank book, bank letter and bank statement all have the same date and balance. Then on to immigration where I approached smiley man 103 and he stared at me briefly as he recognizes me. I lift up my papers and he twitches his head from side to side as if to say “no, no” and I sit down. A few seconds later he walks over and without making eye contact, takes my papers. He shuffles the papers for a few minutes. During this time a Russian woman walks up and exchanges documents with him, boom, done, she’s out of there. He comes back to me and says the bank statement is ok but I need to update the bank book and bank letter with today’s date, AND draw a map of my residence. Again, this is for the non-O visa, not the one-year extension. He got up close and stared at me with searing eyes as he quietly but firmly issued his commands like a cruel school teacher. ????
At that moment a feeling of calm washed over me like a wave. It was at that moment I vowed never return to room 103. I would use an agent, get a covid extension or go home.
I utilized one of the reputable visa agents for the non-O. They only asked for my passport and some photos. I didn’t have to go to immigration. I received my passport back yesterday. The 90 days was calculated from the date of the non-O stamp rather than from the end of my covid extension, so I lost some days but don’t really care. The non-O was issued by an immigration office in a province far from Phuket. Again, I don’t really care and didn’t ask why. I’m going to start spending down my 800k. I don’t care anymore. I followed the rules, but this rogue IO has it out for me, so I will play the visa agent game and let the chips fall where they may. It's not corruption until it's translated into English.
I will return to the bank soon to show my visa and request international internet banking and whatever other banking privileges are now available. And endure their insurance products sales pitch most likely. I wonder if the bank will notice – or care – that my visa was not issued by Phuket immigration?
I downloaded the Bangkok Bank Savings Account Product Catalog – available only in Thai language – and while translating it, discovered that non-residents’ Thai baht and foreign currency accounts are not protected by the Thailand Deposit Protection Agency Act of 2008. Another ugly surprise, but at this point I don’t care.
I will use the agent for the one-year extension and get a re-entry permit, then think about how long I want to stay. Here in Phuket it’s like watching a slow train wreck as the province tries to reopen. But as I said before, I feel calm and at peace knowing I will never return to Thai immigration to apply for a visa or retirement extension. The agent is worth it in that regard.
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8 hours ago, BangkokBoyJohnny said:
I'm with Bangkok Bank and stored the 800k there to not touch throughout the year, curious how did you get around the "Everything Today" issue ?
This week I will apply for the non-O visa again with the bank letter, bank statement and passbook all updated as of the previous day. Maybe if everything has the same date and balance it will work.
That's my only choice at this point. The branch at Central Floresta simply cannot (or will not) produce a bank statement for me dated the same day.
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On 5/7/2021 at 9:59 AM, LivingNThailand said:
do you use your "retirement" bank account as a day-to-day account too? Or do you have a separate account for immigration? Easier if you have two accounts.
It is my only account in Thailand. For day-to-day I am using my Charles Schwab ATM card.
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Anyone dealt with Mr. Noppong at Phuket immigration? I think he is the boss of the guy outside room 103.
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3 minutes ago, Brierley said:
Phuket makes up its own rules. Yes, Phuket wants the statement dated the same day...it's a nonsense.
Yes, I'm stuck on that because Bangkok Bank Floresta branch can only produce a bank statement dated the previous banking day. The bank letter and passbook, no problem, they can do same day, but can't produce a statement dated the same day. I've been rejected twice outside room 103 because of this. "Everything today!" the man says.
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2 hours ago, JetsetBkk said:
My extension is based on >800k baht in a Thai bank.
What was the date on your bank statement relative to the visa application date? Last time I was at Phuket immigration the guy outside room 103 told me that my banking documents must all be dated same day as the visa application (for a new non-O visa, 800k method). Yet the checklist from immigration helpers indicates up to 7 days.
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Next week I will try again for the non-O visa for retirement, using the 800k in bank method, at Phuket immigration, with a covid extension of stay ending 13 June. First, I will ask the Bangkok Bank manager to call the phone number given to me by smiley guy room 103 of his boss, a fellow by the name of Mr. Noppong. Anyone know of Mr. Noppong?
If that goes nowhere, I will deposit 100 baht, update the passbook and obtain the bank letter. I will return the next day and obtain the bank statement, which will be dated the previous day. That way all three documents will have the same date and balance. Then I will go to immigration to apply for the visa.
Does that sound like the best way forward? What if immigration wants to see banking activity on the same day as the visa application? Or worse, what if they want all the bank documents dated the same day as the visa application? (as smiley 103 demanded?)
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55 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:
So you are saying the guy outside room 103 said you had to have docs dated same day you apply?
Yes. On the first day I encountered him, he said "everything same day", and when I returned changed his rule to "everything today". I think he wants to create obstacles to flex his power.
QuoteSigned and stamped bank letter AND Signed and stamped bank statement showing the required money and duration before application date. (Max 7 days old)
Yes thank you, I got that in writing from the IO helpers on my last visit. I will use it to make my case next time if necessary.
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35 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:
As I recall you are trying to get your Non-O visa. It looks like you haven't solved your problem. Have you talked to the bank manager again?
Yes, still trying to get the Non-O. Haven't returned to the bank yet. On covid extension until June 13.
40 minutes ago, LivingNThailand said:My original suggestion is to go to the bank and get the letter and bank book update and then go back the next day to get the statement. Might work. Ask the bank manager. Phuket gives you seven days to use the letter. But I always go within 2 days.
Yes, the bank manager said this is possible, but the IO outside room 103 said "everything TOO-DAY!" (i.e., with today's date). The IO gave me a phone number to call, so I will ask the bank manager to call and perhaps they can sort it out.
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38 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:
Bank letter, statement of account and updated book.
Phuket immigration will only accept a statement (from me) dated the same day.
My Bangkok Bank branch can only produce a statement one day in arrears...in other words, dated the previous day. Even if I deposit 100 baht, it won't show up on the statement until the next banking day, so says the branch.
Anyone had success with Bangkok Bank producing a statement dated the same day?
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1 minute ago, Tanoshi said:
If I understood @SEAsia Traveler post correctly, he was merely 'asking the question' in relation to a Non O application and his bank documents, providing his earlier financial proof for clarification of the IO's issue.
Indeed after just being issued a 60 day Covid extension, I very much doubt they would then be willing to also accept an application for a Non O on the same day, 75 days in advance of his now granted permission of stay.
That is correct, I was just asking about the bank documents. I didn't discuss when to apply with IO.
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Bangkok Bank app PITA setup when using a new phone
in Jobs, Economy, Banking, Business, Investments
Posted
I have a new phone AND I need to get a new Thai phone number when I arrive later this year.
So how to get the 2-factor authentication code on the new Thai phone number? after entering the User ID/PW to activate mBanking app
Will I have to visit the **original bank branch** where the account was open to get that sorted? (oh God no, please...)