eddyod

If I had to live back in the states again, it would probably be CA. The job market was great and I got a good education. Compared to PA where I was born, CA is far better. Having said that, I am glad not to be around the homeless in San Diego and the violence. The high cost of real estate worked out well as I bought in 2009 and sold in 2021.

I have a Non-O with a multiple entry stamp. Would there be any problem crossing back into Thailand at Wang Kelian? I'm going to Penang and then on to Koh Lipe, so Wang Kelian looks like a good border crossing. Thanks.

Must we print it out, or as someone said, it is already in the system and will pop up upon arrival? We're going overland next week via Padang Besar.

I recently found a real estate agent with FazWaz to find a rental unit in a building. The agent has been very good and I was wondering how he gets paid. Is it a percentage of the rent from the owner? Thanks.

I finally got a legit extension and multi entry from Samut Prakan immigration. In case anyone else has the same problem when ditching the agent route, here are the documents they requested: 1. Copy of TM30 receipt we filled out when I first arrived back from Cambodia. 2. Copy of passport with 1st and current visa and info page. 3. 1900 Baht 4. Copy of wife's ID card 5. Copy of our marriage certificate from the USA (I did the non marriage option, but they still wanted the marriage certificate). 6. Copy of house ownership certificate 7. 4x6 photo 8. Original bank certificate showing bank balance. 9. Copies of all pages from bank book, and this is important, they wanted a transaction on the day of the application. I had one from two days ago, but that was not enough.

Lots of replies to this topic are moot. But thanks to the people that actually gave advice.

After being turned away at Samut Prakan immigration, the officer there told me to go to another country and start the visa process fresh. I am now in Phnom Penh trying to get a new Non-O retirement visa. The officer here (a Khmer lady) said "the higher ups may have problems with my visa". I have well over 800K in Bangkok Bank for over a year and I also showed evidence of my retirement accounts in the USA, and again well over the minimum requirements. I will find out in a few days what happens, but what are my alternatives if I get turned down now? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I was just at the Samut Prakan Immigration office a few days ago and the immigration officer told us we had to do update the TM30 any time we go to a hotel. We travel a lot and stay at hotels often in Bangkok and elsewhere and now to find out that that thing has to be updated all the time is a pain. Someone mentioned that that rule was changed in 2020. I guess Samut Prakan didn't get the message.

My wife mentioned something along those lines.

As an addendum to this topic, I just got back from Samut Prakan Immigration. It was very crowded and we waited 2 hours and that was with an appointment. The officer looked at my documents and noticed there was the agent in Chonburi and the lacking evidence that goes with using an agent. We then got lectured by the officers' boss for 15 minutes, I am not exaggerating, it was 15 minutes. So now I have to leave the country and get a new visa. If anyone tries to switch from using an agent to trying to go legit, you may well have problems, especially in lovely Samut Prakan.

Thanks for the info. That was very helpful.

My wife and I live outside Bangkok and I'm thinking of getting a 2nd place on Koh Samui. I've been to Koh Samui multiple times but that was years ago. I don't drive and I'm wondering how it would be getting around by walking and bicycling? I would try to find a place that is near shops, restaurants, beaches etc. Thanks!

I have a question about notarizing the documents. I am already living in Thailand so that means getting notarizations from the US embassy, which is a bit of a farce. The US embassy doesn't really notarize anything, they just notarize a 'template' they give you where you can write anything as long as it doesn't mention an 'attachment'. I would be applying for the highly skilled govt professional and they mention wanting a notarized university certificate and a notarized letter from the research institution I work for. Has anyone gotten anything notarized from the US embassy for the LTR? Thanks!

Has anyone gone from a Non-O visa to one of these successfully? I'm already in Thailand with a Non-O that will expire in late March and would like to get one of these. Thanks

Yes we did the TM30. Is that sufficient? I also need to change my address with Bangkok bank. Would that TM30 work?

I will need to renew my retirement visa in March at the Samut Prakan immigration and I'm wondering what paperwork I will need. Here is some relevant info: 1. I have had over 800K in Bangkok bank since last Feb. 2. My wife and I were married in the US and she owns a house in Samut Prakan where we both live. 3. My name is not on the Tabien Baan. The house is in my wife's Thai name and our USA marriage is in my last name. 4. I previously used an agent in Pattaya and now need to change the address on my Bangkok bank account. Can and how can I get a mock rental agreement? Thanks in advance.

Thanks everyone for the info. This has been very helpful. Here is some more info: 1. I have a re-entry visa 2. I have had over 800K in the bank since January 2022 3. I have till March 2023 for the current extension. It seems I will just go to immigration in Samut Prakan after arrival and sort it out.

I have an American passport and a retirement visa with a one year extension I obtained from an agent in Pattaya. I have been doing the 90 day reporting with them for almost a year, but now I have a permanent address in Samut Prakan and I want to do it the right way. I am currently in the USA and will be returning to Thailand Dec 11 and I want to do the TM30 and have my Samut Prakan home registered as my permanent address. I am concerned that since I used the agent in Pattaya, I might have trouble with the immigration in Samut Prakan. Does anyone have any insights or advice on this matter? Thanks!