hapy2rtire
-
Posts
41 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Downloads
Posts posted by hapy2rtire
-
-
4 hours ago, oldcpu said:
I thought this a good place to enter my experience (as a landlord) in obtaining a TM30 for tenants.
My Thai wife and I own a condo that we purchased about 3 years ago, with the intent that we would move in to it later this year as our retirement home. For the past 3 years we have been renting the condo to different tenants, being fortunate to find tenants who would stay from 3 to 4 months in duration. Often their planned stay would go past their initial Visa.
We have been living in Europe during this time frame. What we did was have a relative of my Thai wife go to immigration, and obtain help from the immigration officials to set up an account for us on the Thai immigration site on the internet, such that we can enter the information for the TM30 via the Internet.
When a tenant shows up in our condo in Thailand, they take a picture of the appropriate information in their passport with their smartphone, and email it to us, using the high-speed wifi in our rented condo. My wife then immediately logs on to the Thai web site, enters the information into the TM30 section, and does an appropriate 'screen print' showing the information she entered on the tenant. We then email back to them an electronic copy of that TM30 screen print.
If they go away for a day or more to somewhere else in Thailand, they email us and let us know when they return to our condominium, and we resubmit the TM30 information over the Internet - obtain a new screen print, and sent that to them.
On 3 separate occasions, our tenants have gone to immigration for a visa extension, and they brought with them the TM30 'screen print' and it has been accepted by immigration.
My main point, is just because the landlord is out of the country does not mean the landlord can not submit a TM30. But the landlord needs to organize themselves and think in advance how they plan to do this.
The first time my Thai wife entered the TM30 information on the Internet it was slow and difficult (as there are some peculiarities to the immigration software) but after the 1st time, its been smooth and quick since. On occasion the immigration site has been 'down', but in each case, if we tried again a few hours later, it was back 'up' again. I suspect for someone who does not read/speak Thai, it could be more difficult. Possibly with Google Chrome translations 'on the fly' it may be possible to navigate the immigration web site < unsure > .
Thanks for the wonderful explanation. I think established places like the condo I was looking at are dialed in to the website and can do it easily. And as I understand it, that's the law, that is the responsibility of the landlord to submit the info and they are the ones who are supposed to get the fine if it wasn't done. What other prior were commenting on, on the TM30 website I read, is many not - so - computer - landlords don't know how to use the website and delivering the paperwork personally is a pain, or they just don't know it's a requirement, or the tenant doesn't know and doesn't tell the landlord when they come and go. In all of those scenarios it doesn't get done, and then when the tenant eventually goes to immigration for something else, they are held up with resolving this issue first. At that point the landlord (of the past) is far gone or they profess the tenant did not inform them and it ultimately ends up being the tenant (traveler) who pays the fine in order to move along whatever else it is they were trying to do at immigrations. The website said that even a person married to a Thai, living together... that the Thai spouse has to file a TM30 whenever the immigrant spouse come back to the residence.... even if they have only been gone one night.
it's a hugely cumbersome regulation. I just read last night that tourism is down significantly in Thailand for the first time ever. With tourism being a main commodity, maybe some of these immigration issues will change for the positive in the future.
-
3 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:
I'm not sure what the official rules are, but I have been here 3 yrs and have never filed a TM30 and have never informed my condo leasing company when I travel. The leasing company never told me I needed to inform them either. I only had to file one 90-day report due to timing of my trips, so I travel often. Never was questioned by IM either. Maybe the TM6 form at the airport serves the purpose of notifying IM when someone re-enters.
Yes, there was lots of discussing on this and many people who have been caught up in this... With every different kind of story, and others who have never filed one ever. I have no personal experience as I just arrived 3 days ago. What was mentioned is this law has been on the books for years but never enforced, but now to increase revenue, its being enforced more strictly. Someone asked why the TM6 wasn't enough and someone else said that there was a move to abolish the TM30 and only use the TM6, but apparently the TM6 does not register your arrival and /or lodging destination with a separate branch of the government that wants to keep statistics on foreigners. What was explained as the rationale for all this is every time you leave and reenter, you get a new TM6 that has a different number on it in the upper left corner and that number won't match your records.... or something like that. I think an analogy would be like every time you get a new passport, you get a new passport number, and if you have a visa into a country that lists your passport number, you now need to get a new visa too, so the visa has the correct passport number on it. You have to file a new TM30 so the TM 6 and the last TM30 you had on file match. Idk, maybe I'm not understanding the specifics. But there was LONG discussions about people getting caught up in this mess and others having no idea anything like this existed. But apparently if you go in for your 90 day, and you get an officer who now thinks this is important, and you can't prove (with receipts) TM30 's were filled in your behalf by your property owner /landlord /even your wife if you live in her house.... there is a fine. Google TM30. The site that gave all the great info was one of the first listed.
-
On 4/26/2019 at 5:57 PM, MikeN said:
#1 Yes, if you are in Thailand for 90 days you do a 90 day report, if not you don't.
#2 that depends ......... If you are staying in a hotel or serviced apartment they should be doing it. If you are renting a condo from a private owner they "should" do it, but don't count on it. It certainly does not cost 1000 baht to submit it, but there is a fine for not doing it. It should be the owner/landlords problem but sometimes people go to Immigration for a visa extension or whatever and find it was never done, and then it becomes your problem.
Thank you. I did find a great empathy that explains it. I'm in a hotel now and they copied my passport so should have been done. I'm looking for a place to live/rent: condo vs house. At one condo I was explaining how I intend to travel and leave at least every 90 days. She did they would submit the TM30's online for me every time I re-enter... to just let them know. If I rent a house or something with a private owner, looks like I'll have to do it myself if the traveler does it, they need to submit a proxy form signed by the owner stating its OK for the traveler to submit the paperwork instead of the owner. In the website there were many people stating the had trouble getting signatures from the owner within the 24 hours, and sometimes even at all.... examples were where the owner lived in another country. So it a suggested, that if you are renting from a, private owner and plan to go in and out of the country, to get a stack of proxy letters pre-signed. What a messed up system.
-
Hello all,
I am back with another question. You ask were so much help beefier, I am hoping for same.
I got my 1 year OA retirement visa and this is my second day in CM. YIPPEE!
#1 In my last thread someone said the Thai consulate where I pick up my visa (Los Angeles) will tell you (me) that you need to check in with immigrations every 90 days while in Thailand. Well, the guy didn't tell me that and I was so excited to get my visa, I forgot to ask. Is this true?
Also in my last thread, someone said that if you leave Thailand within every 90 days (ie, never stay 90 consecutive days) you don't need to do the check in. Since I plan to travel SEA and Europe a lot, plus trips home, I'm planning on going somewhere out of Thailand at least
every 90 days, so figured I won't have to do any 90 day check ins. Great, right? Can someone confirm my understanding of this.
#2, It's my second day in Thailand and I met someone who says I have to do a TM 30? And that every time I leave and re-enter Thailand, I'll get a new TM 6 on arrival, and I will have to go to immigrations within 24 and fill out a new TM30, so the new TM6 matches the TM30, at a cost of 1000 bht per filing. What's this? No one has told me about the TM 30? Does it apply to me with my 1 year non immigrant OA retirement visa? Should I be doing it now? Like I'm already not in compliance because I've been here longer than 24 hours?
-
This is just an idea, something I considered once but then did not need. What if you purchase a ticket from Thailand to some be like siem reap, one way? It should only cost about $25 USD. That way you be an exit ticket and if you don't use it, you're only out $25. Just a thought, don't know if it would work
-
19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:
Are you sure he was referring to the OX long stay visa. If you asked him about 5 year visa he might of thought you were asking about a Thai Elite visa.
Ahhhh, maybe that's it. Maybe he was talking about the Elite visa. Ok, ok, I am really getting confused with the nomenclature. I thought the 5 year retirement visa (10 year because it can be renewed), the non-OX 5 year visa and the Elite Visa were all the same, just different wording. I just looked up Elite Visa... no way! Now I understand why AAArdvark said the money would be gone forever. Whoa, super expensive, and for me not worth the $'s. Nope, not going to do that. But maybe that's what the immigration officer was referring to. Now it makes sense. Thank you both for clarifying.
-
21 minutes ago, AAArdvark said:
Yes it does mean out of Thailand and that is the catch 22. You come to Thailand on whatever visa, get a bank account, leave Thailand and apply for a non-ox.
Whaaaa? How crazy is that? Geez. Well if I decide on the OX, I'll have to come home and visit kids. Not a bad option but not what I thought nor was told. Thank you for the clarification. AAArdvark... I owe you like 3 dinners ????
-
1
-
-
42 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:
You are finding a lot of incorrect information. The non-ox 10 year visa application can only be done at a embassy or one of the official consulates.
The link you provided is what I thought and what I was told.
Regarding the "non-ox 10 year visa application can only be done at an embassy...", do you mean out of country/out of Thailand? Because that is the exact opposite of what I was told by Thai immigrations. I was told by Thai immigrations that it can only be granted from within Thailand. One reason is because of the Thai bank account requirement. It is difficult to get a Thai bank account unless you live there and either have a work permit or a long term lease agreement. Hence you have to be in-country to satisfy that requirement. I have not heard of nor found a way to obtain a Thai bank account outside of Thailand? And that's why I am going for the 1 year OA rather than coming over with a 90 day, because I figured it would be easier to get a lease with a 1 year visa, then easier to get a bank account with a lease, then wallah, 5 year visa with a bank account.
But now after obtaining some info from this forum and another, and realizing I am planning on traveling a lot while over there, so going in and out over the years anyway, I am questioning whether I need the 5 year visa at all. Basically, I had a plan I thought worked well... still might.... but realizing I don't really need to have it so planned out. There are lots of options ????
-
On 3/12/2019 at 11:17 AM, JohnnyBD said:
Hi hapy2rtire,
Congrats on you upcoming move. I can see by your posts that you are excited. Just have to ask... I read where you have to drive 8 hrs to Thai Consulate in LA, probably stay 1 night minimum in hotel, then drive home and you had to see a doctor for medical, do TB test, fingerprints, FBI report or clearance, plus $200 O-A visa fee, etc. Seems like you are probably spending about $800 or so on gas, hotels, fees, etc. If you did in Thailand you would get 30 days visa exempt, 90-days Non O visa (2,000 THB) and a 1 year extension (1,900 THB) + 3,800 more for multiple re-entry (or 1,000 for a single entry) permit, so you would have to travel more than 4 times per year outside to make the multiple more cost effective. Total cost about $250 for 16 months of stay. Your 2nd 12 mth extension is 1,900 THB + 1,000 single or 3,800 for multiple re-entry. I think it would have been easier and less expensive to do in Thailand. Anyway, have a good move...
Hi JohnnyBD,
I've been away from the forum for a few days. You hit the nail on the head... didn't know. Also a little scared. i did not want to get over there and then have to come back for some "visa-mistake". I had decided on a 5 year retirement visa... sounded good to me. Would have to put some money in a Thai bank for a few months but then could take it out (or so I read - I am finding that websites have all sorts of kooky information), then wouldn't have to worry about visa for 5 years... ahhh relax and do what I want. Then I read I couldn't get 5 year visa here in the US, that the best way to do it (per the couple of sites I found) was to get the 1 year O-A here first, then convert to 5 year over there. So that was my plan. Regarding the $'s in gas to drive to LA, my son lives in LA and I want to see him before I go. So I would be driving down there and spending the night in hotel (he lives in dorm) anyway. Regarding rig-ma-role of Tb tests and FBI checks, I was under the impression those were necessary even if you applied from within Thailand. I heard the medical clearance was easier in Thailand... as I said, I read that one could just about walk into any Thai MD office and if you are breathing they sign, but I assumed the FBI clearance would be more difficult from over there. It was actually quite easy here. Getting TB test was a waste because as I said, for a while the only place I could find that was willing to do the medical clearance wanted it. But I am a nurse and had to get TB tests every year for work for over 20 years, so it didn't seem like too much inconvenience at the time, same-same every year, just this year it wasn't free from my work. Yes I've wasted a couple of hundred dollars doing it this way, but my head is clear and my stress level is calm. Live and learn. Next time will be cheaper.
Thank you all for your help.
-
On 3/7/2019 at 9:05 PM, Thaidream said:
If I might ask- how did you handle the Police clearance- and how long did it take? It appears they will accept in LA only an FBI or State Clearance. Some of us long term in Thailand are now considering the O-A Visa they you are applying for but have not been back to the US for some years so timing would be important so as not to sped weeks waiting in the US.
In addition- regarding the medical - realize the form is used= can any Doctor or clinic do it and could it be done in Thailand.
Thank you or others for any info on this.
Hi Sorry for the late reply. I'm crazy busy trying to get all things worked out to rent my house.
For FBI there is a website that tells how to do it. You fill in the application on line and pay ($12 I think, maybe $18 - I forgot), then go some place and get your fingerprints taken. In the states you can get it done at a UPS/packaging /mailing store. The FBI site stated they do not accept the electronic finger prints, only the real ink fingerprints on an official card. Finger prints cost me $38 USD. Then snail mail the prints to the FBI. They say it takes 5 business days to process from the time they receive prints. I received email when the received prints (took about 5-6 business days), then I received email with results and "Clearance Letter" which I printed. Email with results and letter came about 24 hours after they received my prints. Whole thing was about 7-8 business days. I believe I will receive a copy of the clearance letter via snail mail as well but printed copy from email looks good. Somewhere I read that you can get your finger prints taken at any police station in the US. And it is possible to get a State clearance letter (not FBI) from the local police station. I'm not sure if State clearance works for visa. Actually I'm not 100 % sure my FBI clearance will work. I've decided not to go to LA to get my visa until mid April. Leaving April 23.
Ok, medical clearance. I don't have a primary doctor here in the States. Mine retired. They were so booked where I normally am seen that to get an appointment with a new doctor would take over 2 months. So I tried to get a clinic to fill out the form. Called around... no, no, no. Lots of places say they do medical clearance for immigration but they only do it for those wanting to get INTO the US, not those going out. Some would look at the form and see the Thai wording and freak because they didn't know if the Thai wording said the same as the English wording right below it. Really people? I found an urgent care place that said they'd do appt and sign for $158, but they wanted me to get a quantiferon TB test first... that's another $150 here in the States. I got them to finally agree on a regular TB skin test and I went and got that done at a funky little medical place I found online for $35. Took 2.5 days for TB skin test. Meanwhile, I found out that an old primary doctor I had seen a few years ago at a different facility, who had moved to Michigan but (because of popular demand) was coming back to California to see patients a couple of days a month, had an opening the next week. Since he had seen me once before, he agreed to do an annual physical (made it free thru my insurance because of my insurance - 1 annual preventative appt per year is free, the intent care appt would have been out off pocket) and I emailed him the form ahead of time and he agreed to sign it.... if I was healthy.... which I am. At the appt he said he didn't need the TB test that I had gotten, and he signed it.
so that's my story. Your's will probably be different. I hear the medical clearance is easy in Thailand. Walk into any doctors office and if you are breathing they will sign. Don't know if that is true, just what I read on blogs. It seems like US doctors take it more seriously... are afraid to sign anything. Ragarding the FBI clearance, that was easy. Fill out form on line, pay money, get finger prints and mail in, about 10 days later get email of clearance letter.
I hope this helps :)
-
12 minutes ago, johnwf1963 said:
waste of time trying to ship anything here, unless you can get it in your suitcase.
Last year I posted some components for my kids model railway, I had an injured foot, and was trying to keep the weight of my luggage to a minimum.
Cost me 75% of the value of the package in taxes! Never again.
One feature was that the postage cost was £55, the shipper in Thailand appeared to have stated it was £110 equiv. so was charged about £40 duty on my £55 postage, plus the duty on the actual items.
(The retirement description on some of the Visa options, seems a bit misleading, given their short durations...perhaps it would be better to say, "you can stay for a little while, because you are retired")
Hi Johnwf1963,
I hear ya. I am so sorry that happened, and with a gift to your kids. Yikes. Thank you for the info on shipping hassles. I read Thailand customs uses CIF to figure the duty tax. CIF includes the value of the item PLUS shipping costs PLUS insurance costs. You pay the % tax on all of it, more than just the item. And you were probably a high % because the item was new.
On the shipping websites, and in talking with shipper directly, I have been told the customs officials can value an object at whatever they want. And duty taxes are between 20-80% of the value and set by the customs official and there is not any recourse. The websites say the average tax is 30%. 30% is still high and considering the shipping cost (around $1000 from the US) and insurance are added to the value... whoa. Although when on the phone with shippers, as I listed the items I was thinking about taking, the shippers often said it sounded like I'd pay about $1000-1500 in taxes. That didn't seem too bad, but one also has to consider the shippers might be telling me best case scenario because they want me to ship with them. They're not responsible once the merchandise lands. They are probably underestimating.
Then someone on this thread said something like, 'why would you bring that stuff when you can buy shiny new'. Ping... light bulb... they're right!! I realized... yea... IF, if I buy the things over again it will probably end up costing about the same dollars as I would end up spending in taxes ($1000-1500+) and everything I buy will be new and shiny. Makes it a lot easier to throw things in the garage sale pile when you think like that. I was doing pretty well last night, but then there were some things I wanted to keep. Like I have these cool bedside table lamps that turn on/off by just touching the lamp anywhere. Label says they are 110/220, so will work in Thailand. I haven't seen them in stores around here so I thought they were really special. I was determined to find a way to bring them. Then last night I did a search and found anyone can buy similar just about any online store. I found two lamps for only $25... not as special as I thought. So mine, into the garage sale pile. I'll buy new... maybe even something cooler when I get over there... if I even need lamps at all.
For me, after gathering information over the last couple of days and listening to stories on these threads... I am packing and repacking... taking things out and minimizing each time. I will pick something up and think "I already paid for this item, I don't want to have to buy it again'. Then I remember I am a minimalist at heart and probably won't buy it again anyway and the tax will be such and such $'s. I can do without or buy something even better, so into the garage sale pile.
I am down to 3 pieces of luggage with a forth stored at my daughters for a quick trip home in 3 months. And who knows, if I keep unpacking and packing, I might get down to 3 total. Someone said expats can get a little frustrated and home sick at about the 3 month mark, so a quick trip to the US in 3 months is a nice "transition", and gives me a good excuse to see my daughter... and a way to get luggage #4 over at no cost, except plane ticket, which, if I book round trip from here with that as the second leg will be quite cheap. And timing-wise I will be in advance enough to get a cheap one way ticket back. win:win:win. And I like the idea of having my move over there have a built in "frustration/transition" break.
Anyway, that's my ramble about shipping. Not gonna do it. Thank you for your story Johnwf1963. It has added confidence to my decision.
-
1
-
-
3 hours ago, anywherebuthere said:
Hello all,
I just created an account so I could ask some questions, (hope they are not too redundant).
I wanted to share with hapy2rtire that I am currently working through retirement visa process myself.
I met a nice guy at the Thai Consulate in Los Angeles last week and he shared a good tip.
Right across the street from the Consulate is a business called, "SSR SERVICES" and owner's name is RIN.
My new friend told me the owner, (RIN), is great with customer service and actually put all his paperwork together and walked over to Thai Consulate and helped him get through the process, (RIN is Thai).
She offers notary and copy services.
Anyway, I went and said hello to her and she seemed very helpful, and may be helpful to you.
I intend on leaving here, (Los Angeles), for Pattaya in first month of June if everything comes together.
I THOUGHT I had all my paperwork in order and tried to submit last week but my passport will expire in less than 18 months so that stopped me cold. I'm now awaiting an replacement passport so I can get back in line.
Anyway, to you very helpful veterans of this process, may I ask if I can still use the ongoing services I read about for leaving Thailand to a neighboring country for 24 hours to re-apply for another year on my retirement visa? I ask because my new friend, who has been in Thailand for five years, now believes that one year retirement visa holders must return to US each year and then re-apply?? Just asking you all as I have heard many different opinions and I admit I'm confused.
Also, I am meeting the financial requirement by combining my SS income, (less than $2,000/mo), with my own cash to meet the monthly "income" requirements. The Thai Consulate people say this will work, but my question to you is: Do I need to put this additional cash in a Thai bank, and will the total cash be held for the entire time I reside in Thailand?
Thanks for allowing me to ask such elementary questions.
You are ALL very helpful, and good luck to hapy3retire, (maybe I'll bump into you at the Thai Consulate ???? )
HI, Great to know about RIN. I had heard that one could get the money order at "the place across the street". Sounds like RIN does much more than that. If you haven't ordered your new passport, I would suggest the big book with added pages. That's what I recently did... got a passport... the big one. Back in the 1980's when I was traveling a lot, I would fill passports quickly. Back then you could order extra pages and glue them into an existing US passport. I heard the "extra pages" technique is no longer available. So go for the big one up front.
See ya over there ????
-
36 minutes ago, KCM said:
For your U.S. phone number take a look at using the Google Fi service. In Thailand, you will use a Thai SIM card, but for travel to other countries, the Thai service is very expensive. Google Fi provides service in most countries at reasonable rates, and the charge for data is the same worldwide as it is in the U.S. Also, you are only charged for data used, so you will get a credit back on your next statement if you don't use all. Another advantage of Google Fi is your phone number will work for making and receiving calls anywhere that you have wifi even if there is no cellular signal.
Google Fi only works with certain phones, but there is a good selection of phones to choose from now.
Wow, great info! I did not know about Goggle Fi. I will check it out. Thank you. I owe you a dinner as well ????
-
2 hours ago, AAArdvark said:
Without a car, get the Grab car app. It is easy to use (after the first try) quick and is actually the cheapest means of public transportation in CM. With a car, make sure you check out the drivers license requirements here. Having an International Drivers License from AAA is a good start.
Again, thank you for the tip. Great to know. I have used Grab in Thailand before and have the app. I was there when they had Uber. Back then Uber was better because Uber had better maps. When you'd order a Grab, the guy would often text that he was at the pickup site, but he'd be 2 blocks down the street. Grab maps weren't very good. I have heard Grab bought Uber in many countries and took over their maps, so yes, Grab is a great alternative and a much better option than it used to be. I was a little scared to use them for far out from CM city, afraid I wouldn't be able to get a return ride. But yes, when I get there this time I will use alot. It is so convenient and cheap.... most rides with tip less than a dollar US.
Regarding drivers license, I looked into it last time I was there when I was deciding 'stay in city with no transport' vs 'outside city with car'. It seems you can be grandfathered in if you have an international drivers license without taking the written test, just the pedal test and something else that was easy (I can't remember at the moment). So got my international DL from AAA last week, in my pocket and ready to go. I made the start date of the DL May 1 because I knew I wouldn't get over there until late April.
Thanks again for all the great advice and tidbits. It is all helpful and no way for any of you to know what bits I know about and I have taken care of and which bits are "unknown" to me. Keep them coming... all is very much appreciated. When we meet up, I'll buy you dinner ????
-
2 hours ago, AAArdvark said:
Do you plan to make frequent returns to the US? Consider getting a MagicJack in the US and setting it up there. (~$35 a year) The current version of MJ works with an app. You install it on your Thai phone and as long as you have decent wifi, it will give you free calls to or within the US with a US phone number. As far as a phone goes for use here, definitely get a GSM phone (there are some that do both). Just becasue it is a GSM phone does not mean it work work well here. Best to do research before buying one. High end phones here are similar to non-contract phone prices in the US but there is a much larger availability of nice mid-range phones here at good prices. As mentioned before, dual SIM phones would work well but they can be harder to find in the US.
Hi AAArdvark, Thank you for the great tip on phones. I will look into MJ works. Sounds like a great alternative. Thank you... maybe we wil be calling each other soon, ????
-
16 hours ago, STALINGRAD said:
There is a Ship to Thai store on Hollywood boulevard in Thaitown Los Angeles.They provide the standard box,you fill it and give address in Thailand..Provides a inexpensive way for bulky items if your not in a hurry.
Thank you. I have heard about Thaitown in LA and was going to drop by for a visit while on my "visa run" to LA. With all of the previous advice to minimize belongs taken to Thailand, I am now down to 2 boxes and 1 suitcase. Airline allows 2 luggage (of which both boxes fit size and weight), so I will be paying $137 for 1 extra "luggage". Then I have one box I am leaving with my daughter, and per Overherebc's post... when he (just realized I am assuming... he might be she) because they said they went back to US within the first year... I thought, duh!!! I will probably be homesick or frustrated after about 3 months and a quick trip home to see my daughter will be nice. I will bring the last box to Thailand then. So 4 medium boxes in total and like you all said... probably over half of it I won't use. But oh well, takes time to process, haha.
-
16 hours ago, AAArdvark said:
Try to get your visa as close to your departure as is safe to do. The first year starts on the date that the visa is issued. For example, if you get your visa two months prior to your departure, your first year will actually be only 10 months. You can still get the nearly 1 year extension of stay by leaving Thailand and returning near the end of the 1st year (or in this case 10 months).
Thank you for the advice. I was planning to get my visa next week and depart late April. I was doing that because if I screwed up on the paperwork, I would have time to redo. But as I am more confident with the paperwork that I have, because of all the advice you all have given... yea, I will postpone my trip to LA and get my visa closer to my departure. Thank you for the advice... all of you. I feel much more confident.
-
17 hours ago, KCM said:
I recommend opening a Charles Schwab Bank account in the U.S. before you leave for Thailand. There's no monthly fee and all ATM fees are reimbursed.
Hey KCM,
Great advice!1 I opened CS accounts about 6 months ago. Thank you
-
17 hours ago, longball53098 said:
Sorry to ask this question but how many times have you been to Thailand and for how long of a stay?
No problems asking questions. I was there a couple of times in the 80's. I traveled SEA alone a lot in the 80's and early 90's. Been to headhunter villages in Borneo and villages that had not seen white people in 10 years (PNG) when missionaries had come through. Was in Cambodia in 84 when lots of unrest and in Malaysia when the US invaded Kwait... lots of "Kill American" signs in the streets. I wore a Canadian flag ???? until I could get to someplace else. Always carry my Canadian flag to quickly sew onto my backpack if need be. I have some stories. Longest trip back then was 4 months. I have always wanted to live in SEA but got caught up in the American Dream for the last 20+ years. I have had a great life... been able to experience alot. I hatched the idea of actually moving to SEA while on a trip to Thailand about a year ago where I traveled around the country fast and furious for a month... BKK, Koh Sami (boy has it changed from the 80's) and Phangan, Railay/Krabi, KhaoSok lake, CM, back in Doi Saket area for a few days. Had a motor bike accident with resulting scar... yes I already have my Thai tattoo, haha. But was able to experience the medical system and that was the final decision huddle. I went back in Aug 2018 to scope out more (only had 2 weeks, so 1 week in Hua Hin and 1 in CM). I was trying to decide if I wanted to buy a condo in CM, and trying to figure out if I wanted to stay close to town without transport (not buy a car) or farther out with transport (a car). I still haven't decided but leaning towards further out with a car. Will figure that out when I get there. I did not have a car or motor bike at that time, so I walked alot... over 10 miles a day checking out neighborhoods. It was difficult to get farther out and see what's 5 - 10 km outside the city.
Anyone with any advice on that... where to live in CM for the first 6 months. I have a guest house I like that I will book for the first 2 weeks. I figure I'll find something more permanent within those two weeks.
-
1
-
-
22 hours ago, Bernie622 said:
With all the great advice please take moment catching your breath after your settled with a brief update and any learnings you can impart to others here.
Safe travel and enjoy Thailand.
Thank you Bernie622, I have a lot to do here. I am keeping my house in the US so arranging property management, switch insurance to landlord, doing some repairs to ensure fewer problems while I am away. I am packing now, to figure out what to take and what to put in garage sale this weekend. Packing is down to 2 boxes + 1 luggage (will be $137 extra luggage fee on plane) and garage sale pile is huge!! I get my visa next week and hope to be on a plane to Chiang Mai by late April. I have to run up to Oregon to see my daughter and brother before I leave. Whew, I have been dreaming of this all my life and working towards it for the last year (divorce, quit job, spent time "dropping bomb" on kids, managed finances, etc). It's so cool that it is finally coming to fruition.
Only thing I can share as far as "learning" anything... and I can't remember if it was on this thread or another, but an American gentleman mentioned he was having difficulty figuring cell phone service and he had the cheapest plan at ATT but that was still expensive. I did discover TING. I haven't signed up yet but they bill by usage. Base rate is $6 a line and then nominal fee for phone mins, text and data. They use both the Sprint system CDMA (I hear it is NOT good in Thailand) and the T-Mobile GSM system which I hear is pretty good in Thailand... you get to choose which system you want (at least that what their add says). When I checked how much my bill would be right now with my current usage in the US, it seemed to be just a bit cheaper than what I am paying with Verizon. So I plan to switch to TING for my American phone and not use much in Thailand and hopefully the bill will be $6-$20), and this will keep my US number and have US phone available for visits back. And then I plan to get a Thai SIM with second phone for Asia travel. Anyway, when I have some time later I will find that post and answer with this info.
Many thanks Bernie622 and maybe we will connect once I get over there. ????
-
11 hours ago, Martyp said:
I got my O-A visa at the LA Consulate in February 2017. I stayed in a hotel walking distance from the Consulate and dropped off the application 1 day and picked it up the next
The visa you get will allow you to enter anytime for one year. Each time you enter you will get 1 year of stay from that date of entry. If you leave and enter just before the end of the first year you will get 1 year of stay on re-entry which means you will have gotten about 2 years of stay on the first visa.
That initial visa allows you to leave and enter the country multiple times during that first year. The multiple entry permit does end after the first year. I never gets extended an additional year when you re-enter. That means if you plan to travel in and out of the country during the second year you have to purchase a new multiple entry permit. Others have said do this at the airport. You can also do it at any immigration office.
The LA Consulate will tell you to report to immigration after 90 days. What they mean is that you must report to immigration if you stay in the country continuously for 90 days. However, if you leave the country and re-enter before you have been here 90 days then the 90 day clock resets. In my first 90 days I returned to the US twice. On my 2nd return the 90 day clock started again.
Once you get here you want to open a Thai bank account. This may not be easy. You may have to go to several branches before a manager allows you to open an account. I got lucky the first time because I had my Thai girlfriend with me and she convinced them to let me open an account. Don't panic. Just keep trying.
Make sure your bank in America is capable of supporting international wire transfers. I had problems with Wells Fargo Bank. I changed to Bank of America and have been happy with them. You want to make sure they don't have a limit on the amount you can transfer. The other annoying thing is that they want you to have a US address and telephone number. I have the cheapest ATT plan I could buy but I'm looking for something better.
I looked into shipping a small amount of things to Thailand. Either it was too expensive or too slow. I ended up coming with just two suitcases. You should know that, in Bangkok at least, most condos are already furnished. Mine came with all the furniture, TV, pots/pans, and dishes. At first you think that you need a lot of things from the US but after about 6 months you realize you don't need most of it and the rest you can obtain here. My advise - resist the urge to reproduce your US life in Thailand.
BTW - You will hear about some expats using agents to help them through the visa process while in Thailand. I've never used an agent. It isn't that hard and it is good for you to personally experience and know the process. The speculation about the recent changes to the financial requirements is that it was done to eliminate some of the practices of agents. I have a good friend who came to Thailand on a tourist visa and then used an agent to help get is 1 year extension base on being over 50 years old. His agent helped him a lot and he is happy. Agent or no agent. Up to You.
Thank you MartyP. You and Overherebc gave great explanations of the visa process. I am much relieved.
And yes, I am heeding all the advice to cut back on belongings. I am spending the next two days paring down even more. I started 2 months ago with enough stuff to fill a 4500 sq ft house and everything that goes along with job, house, raising 2 kids and a dog, etc... the whole American dream nonsense. I have sold almost everything and I thought I was doing good to get down to 5 large boxes plus luggage. But I have worked through the night and am now down to 3 1/2 boxes total... with no plans for storage here in the states. If I can ditch 1/2 box more, I will be down to only paying 1 extra luggage fee (~$140) on the plane. Yippie!! New tools, new climbing gear and new lamps will be my reward to myself for making the move ???? Thank you all for your advice. You all are making the conversion a lot easier. I hope I am able to do the same for someone some day. Smiles
-
2
-
-
5 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:
You withdraw the money and put into your pocket and get on a plane and leave. What's not straightforward?
I see both of your points. With a couple of coups and who knows what changes... always good to not throw money around willy nilly. If the same objective could be accomplished with less invested... why not. Thank you both. Words of wisdom
-
41 minutes ago, overherebc said:
Eg
Apply for O-A visa.
( April 2018 )
Visa issued
April 15 2018 valid till/use by
April 14 2019. ☆☆☆ important date.
Enter Thailand
May 1st 2018.
Stamped in until
April 30 2019.
First year. Travel to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam USA? etc and everytime you come back to Thailand get 1 more year.
Re' ☆☆☆important date.
On 10 to 13 April 2019 leave and return to Thailand.
Get stamped in to 12 April 2020.
This second year is the time that people screw up.
Technically the status has changed and you must get a re-entry permit before you travel again ( the visa has expired and you are on permission to stay for 1 year )
Re-entry permit you can 'buy' at the airport, single 1000 baht multi 3800 baht.
If during the two years you don't want to travel then you must do what are called 90 day reports to your local Imm' office. Depending on your location usually a quicky easy visit.
I will let someone else explain about TM 30's and TM 28's.
Don't worry it's not that scary ????.
Edit.
Add 1 to all the years. ????????
You are very kind. How did you know I was a bit frightened? Your post has allayed my fears. I had made plans for the next 11 years but realize now its better to take things a year at a time. Thank you for your insight. ????
-
9 minutes ago, overherebc said:
Many websites and agencies are usually pretty useless and mostly out of date and tend to be confusing, I reckon deliberately confusing so they can charge a fee to 'help you understand.' Usually based on 'lawyer speak.' Lots of 'speak' means lots of cash.
So True!! Thank you all for your help in clarifying. This is a fantastic forum and you all are too kind to offer your assistance. Many many thank you's
.jpeg.84ab2ec4ca472e6c161973e423e69ed8.jpeg)
China, South Korea to be removed from Thai list of Covid hotspots
in Thailand News
Posted
Does anyone know which counyries are on the list and which are not? I'm just curious.