Popular Post RocketDog Posted May 17, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted May 17, 2019 Went to the Thayang (Phetchaburi) IO on May15 for Permit To Stay extension, 3rd year. I like this office a lot and always go in person for 90 day reports, re-entry permits, extensions, etc. because I want them to recognize my face, which they do. The staff is friendly, helpful, and efficient. I am anal about the IO processes here so I had studied and extracted information on TVF about extensions, and created a summary document on my computer of all document requirements, etc. I completed my checklist with all documents and went to the bank morning of May 15 and withdrew some cash, got the bank book updated, and then got a bank letter for my account (100B) since I'm using the bank cash approach. Interestingly, the bank lady mentioned to me about needing to have proof of insurance for the extension. I briefly panicked. So when I got home I made copies of the USA Medicare card, my supplemental insurance card, and my Medicare prescription drug plan card. Mid-morning on May 15 I arrived at the IO and the gatekeeper at the IO checked all the docs and was please. She puzzled over theinsurance cards and asked wha they were. My Thai GF explained and the gatekeeper handed them back to us. So all was well EXCEPT: I didn't have the TM47. So she told me to get the rental contract and landlord's ID card and filled out TM47 and come back the next day. I smiled and thanked her of course.(!) So my landlady came over the next morning and completed i the form and updated my rental contract with copies of her ID card, etc. But I remembered from previous forums that Thai law allows the 'possessor' (renter) of the property, OR the owner to complete and sign the TM47 so I decided to do an experiment. I know, stupid: if it's not broken don't fix it. But as the scorpion told the turtle, "Sorry, it's my nature". Anyhoo, I did the TM47 myself filling out the first page as myself and then filled out the second page as myself again, and added several additional documents: a map to my house and GPS coordinates, with notes in Thai Photos of me standing in front of my mailbox with the address showing and another of me standing in front of the porch post showing the house number copies of my recent internet, water, and electric bills showing my name and address copies of my Thai car and motorcycle drivers licenses I returned to the IO the afternoon of May 16, half expecting to be rejected because the bank letter was a day old, or that I didn't have the proper TM47 from my landlord. I had the landlady's version with me but did not give it the gatekeeper or show it to her. The gatekeeper, same lady as the day before, went through all the documents. She made copies of the previous year's stamp as well as the first page of my passport and the original Thai 1 year VISA picture. I had already provided these same pages but had scanned them and then enlarged the particular stamps for printing. Apparently she wanted them in the original true physical size instead of enlarged, but said nothing to me about it. Then she clipped them all together, and put it on the desk of the next officer. I watched him as he went through my passport backward and forwards, page by page, EIGHT times!!!!! He seemed to be trying to built a chronology of my comings and goings in Thailand. He made short work of the bankbook and I don't think he even looked at the bank letter. I was a bit nervous but was soon rewarded by hearing the happy slap-slap of several rubber stamps on my passport and associated paperwork. He took my picture, and then leafed through my passport AGAIN before asking for the 1900B and telling me to wait. I thanked him and he ignored me. Soon the gatekeeper returned my passport and bankbook, showed me the updated expiration date of the Permit, the date for my next 90 day report, and a friendly reminder to be sure to get a re-entry permit if I left the country, followed by a big smile. Whole process on the second day took about one hour, and the office was moderately busy but not crowded. So, lessons learned: make simple copies of passport pages and don't try to make them more legible. Provide all the documents you should have as well as a barrage of others that they can discard or not Fill out the TM47 yourself and and avoid the hassle with the property owner/landlord. Apparently the ancillary documents and photos made my case. Thankfully the insurance warning from the bank lady was a red herring and the IO didn't get a hoot about the insurance cards or even seem to recognize what they were. Dress nice, take a shower, smile and treat them like human beings regardless of their attitudes to you. Don't get angry, it can never help the situation. Admittedly, smiling while gritting your teeth looks a bit scary, but that can't be helped. Although I live equidistant to the IO in Huahin and Thayang, I prefer the Thayang office. (I actively avoid places that Farang frequent 555555.) This experience at my office may bear absolutely no resemblance to what you experience at your local office. You may be required to quack like a duck and turn water into wine (or 285 whiskey preferably) before getting approval. Good luck 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Theory Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July and I don’t think your US Medicare will be accepted by immigration next time since medicare won’t cover overseas more than a month. If they do accept it, it would be a wonderful news to many O-A holders. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidfan Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 On 5/18/2019 at 12:25 PM, The Theory said: I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July and I don’t think your US Medicare will be accepted by immigration next time since medicare won’t cover overseas more than a month. If they do accept it, it would be a wonderful news to many O-A holders. You mean July 2019 or July 2020? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 On 5/18/2019 at 12:25 PM, The Theory said: I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July and I don’t think your US Medicare will be accepted by immigration next time since medicare won’t cover overseas more than a month. If they do accept it, it would be a wonderful news to many O-A holders. The current proposals are only for OA (and OX) visas which have to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. There is currently no proposal to require insurance for Extensions of Stay, which are dealt with by Immigration offices in Thailand. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Gatekeeper mentioned insurance. Why? You did not need tm30? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 The current proposals are only for OA (and OX) visas which have to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. There is currently no proposal to require insurance for Extensions of Stay, which are dealt with by Immigration offices in Thailand.You don't know that. Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July and I don’t think your US Medicare will be accepted by immigration next time since medicare won’t cover overseas more than a month. If they do accept it, it would be a wonderful news to many O-A holders. Never. Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
userabcd Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Why show the insurance? it is not required yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Mega Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 4 minutes ago, userabcd said: Why show the insurance? it is not required yet. USA medicare card aint exactly insurance though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishtank Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 46 minutes ago, Jingthing said: You don't know that. Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Yes we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosan Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 @RocketDog you got your wires crossed up. A TM 47 is simply a 90 Day report. Seem you went to a whole lot of trouble unless you were really talking about a TM30...but then only you would know that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) Just now, fishtank said: Yes we do. I disagree. Explain -- RENEWALS. Edited May 19, 2019 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 5 minutes ago, Jingthing said: Explain -- RENEWALS. Myself and others have done that several times already. It means apply for a new visa in this case. Applying for a new visa or extension and etc is often incorrectly called a renewal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) 4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: Myself and others have done that several times already. It means apply for a new visa in this case. Applying for a new visa or extension and etc is often incorrectly called a renewal. What is your source for being so definite? Are you definite that the requirement won't be expanded to include extensions? As you well know, people in Thailand (expats, immigration officers, the press, and visa agencies) have been calling extensions renewals for perhaps decades already. Obviously incorrect usage but you keep posting your certainty about this policy only being for O-A applications yet as far as I can tell you have not cited your SOURCE. I understand most people just see your brand and think that must definitely be always unconditionally correct, but sorry, I was educated to think independently and seek VERIFICATION and supporting evidence of claims regardless of who is making them. Edited May 19, 2019 by Jingthing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 On 5/18/2019 at 12:25 PM, The Theory said: I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July and I don’t think your US Medicare will be accepted by immigration next time since medicare won’t cover overseas more than a month. If they do accept it, it would be a wonderful news to many O-A holders. The O-A retirement visa has long since expired and is no longer valid - what the OP was doing was getting a 12 month extension of permission to stay in Thailand, the fact that this was and O-A Visa to begin with is irrelevant - the O-A visa no longer applies in the OP's passport 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 14 minutes ago, Jingthing said: Obviously incorrect usage but you keep posting your certainty about this policy only being for O-A applications yet as far as I can tell you have not cited your SOURCE I have posted my source more than once and it is posted in one of the topics in the news. Try translating this to English using Google translate. http://hss.moph.go.th/show_topic.php?id=2808&fbclid=IwAR3vtyLBXkPV2X23FqxON8ltVlQ2V_XUA7DGkcVNIvclXK-x0yoRapmi3vI 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) 27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: I have posted my source more than once and it is posted in one of the topics in the news. Try translating this to English using Google translate. http://hss.moph.go.th/show_topic.php?id=2808&fbclid=IwAR3vtyLBXkPV2X23FqxON8ltVlQ2V_XUA7DGkcVNIvclXK-x0yoRapmi3vI OK, I read it and I had read it before, and I still fail to understand how you come to the conclusion of total certainty that this requirement will only be for O-A visa applicants based on my reading of an obviously rough online translation. They talk about how the visa can be renewed annually and I think they are referring to in Thailand extensions based on the google translation. Rather than repeated new applications for O-A visas. Or at the very least it's AMBIGUOUS. For example the Integrity Legal lawyer that I've posted videos from has obviously read the same sources as you, perhaps he's more fluent in Thai than you that I don't know, and he seems totally definite that the requirement will be for all retirement extensions in Thailand. Exactly the opposite of your conclusion. You may indeed turn out to be correct, and I hope that you are, but I still don't get your certainty about this. Also the translation clearly says this is a joint action of the MFA and internal Thai immigration. Does that not strike you as a very strong CLUE? If it was indeed only about applications for O-A visas, and repeated ones, immigration in Thailand wouldn't need to be part of this at all. I don't mean any disrespect to you at all. I just want to get to the bottom of this, and sorry, you haven't convinced me as yet that you actually have the evidence to fully back up your assertion of certainty on this. Wouldn't it be more ethical to say at this time my read is that it is for O-A visa applicants only and not extensions, BUT there is some ambiguity about where this is heading and suggest people stay tuned and watch what actually happens (or doesn't happen) starting in July? What's the benefit of making definitive assertions when there is still ambiguity? I am assuming you don't think there is any ambiguity. Well, at this point, I don't agree with that and it's clear others don't either. Edited May 19, 2019 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Theory Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 3 hours ago, orchidfan said: You mean July 2019 or July 2020? July 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Theory Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said: The current proposals are only for OA (and OX) visas which have to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. There is currently no proposal to require insurance for Extensions of Stay, which are dealt with by Immigration offices in Thailand. I did not mention anything about “Extensions of Stay” It was about US Medicare !!!!!!!! Edited May 19, 2019 by The Theory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Jingthing. I'm hoping as you are it only applies to OA. I find this post of yours well measured. I recall long time ago banging on that the then new METV would be available at all Thai embassies. How wrong I was. I guess I'm agreeing with you in the sense that nobody can state anything with 100% confidence. Even now there are threads about the report back to imm 3 months after extension for money in bank method. Just a crazy joint when it comes to consistent thought process. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Theory Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 47 minutes ago, smedly said: The O-A retirement visa has long since expired and is no longer valid - what the OP was doing was getting a 12 month extension of permission to stay in Thailand, the fact that this was and O-A Visa to begin with is irrelevant - the O-A visa no longer applies in the OP's passport Read before you quote me, or if you have anything to say, just write your opinion without quoting others. I advised one of posters about “US Medicare” do you have anything to say about “US medicare” ?!!!!!! did you read it !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 10 minutes ago, The Theory said: or if you have anything to say, just write your opinion without quoting others. yes sir at ease lol oooops I quoted you again sorry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 7 minutes ago, The Theory said: Read before you quote me, or if you have anything to say, just write your opinion without quoting others. I advised one of posters about “US Medicare” do you have anything to say about “US medicare” ?!!!!!! did you read it !!!!! Don't wish to rock the boat ....just curious about US medicare. I have zero knowledge about that. Australian medicare gives zero cover while overseas. That's why tourists take out "travel insurance" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) On 5/18/2019 at 12:25 PM, The Theory said: I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July This is what you said - I corrected you, the OP no longer has a valid O-A Visa are you getting it Now if I posted some incorrect info like you did please correct me Edited May 19, 2019 by smedly 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 35 minutes ago, The Theory said: I did not mention anything about “Extensions of Stay” It was about US Medicare !!!!!!!! You said "I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July"... That was what I was correcting, as it's not correct. I was not commenting on Medicare as I have no idea what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Theory Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said: You said "I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July"... That was what I was correcting, as it's not correct. I was not commenting on Medicare as I have no idea what it is. This is my post that was quoted by you: On 5/18/2019 at 12:25 PM, The Theory said: I guess you need a proof of insurance from next July and I don’t think your US Medicare will be accepted by immigration next time since medicare won’t cover overseas more than a month. If they do accept it, it would be a wonderful news to many O-A holders. The current proposals are only for OA (and OX) visas which have to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. There is currently no proposal to require insurance for Extensions of Stay, which are dealt with by Immigration offices in Thailand. If you got something to say, just quote the OP, not mine. There is even nothing about the subject of my post by you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 The current proposals are only for OA (and OX) visas which have to be applied for at a Thai Embassy or Consulate overseas. There is currently no proposal to require insurance for Extensions of Stay, which are dealt with by Immigration offices in Thailand. If you got something to say, just quote the OP, not mine. There is even nothing about the subject of my post by you.I commented on your comment about needing fresh insurance next July. Did you write that?Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pib Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 From reading the article Ubonjoe provided I come to the conclusion it "will" apply to extensions of stay as the article talks about the O-A Visa, "how it can be renewed annually" which to me means they are talking about annual extensions of stay also Plus they even talk about update the immigration police orders...and the police orders deal with extensions of stay. Quote ...with a validity period of 1 year and can be renewed annually per year. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 What kind of extension were you applying for? A retirement extension? What does the O-A visa have to do with that? You don't extend visas do you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 1 minute ago, Pib said: From reading the article Ubonjoe provided I come to the conclusion it "will" apply to extensions of stay as the article talks about the O-A Visa, "how it can be renewed annually" which to me means they are talking about annual extensions of stay also Plus they even talk about update the immigration police orders...and the police orders deal with extensions of stay. I agree with you and wonder what Ubonjoe knows that we don't? However there are a number of things that are odd about it. 1. How many extra people are they going to hire to check the insurance policies in 83 different languages? 2. Where are they going to get the translators? 3. Why would they list Thai insurance companies when the requirement is for foreign insurance? 4. Why won't the most insurance guys answer any questions? 5. Why are some insurance guys saying they are dropping the Out patient requirement? 6. Why haven't the largest insurance companies in Thailand heard anything about it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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