2lz2p

Three friends renewed their retirement visas at Pattaya Immigration using copies of letter from US Embassy in December - no proof was required to show that any funds had either been transferred into Thailand or for any documentaiton to back up the monthly income shown in the Embassy letter. Although this still seems to be the policy at Pattaya Immigration, that could change anytime the Immigration Office® so chooses. So, that is always a sword hanging over the neck of anyone who was not truthful in the information they provided to US Embassy for the letter and does not have evidence to back up the amount they have "sworn" is correct.

Documents required depends upon the Immigration Office and, in some cases, the Immigration Officer. Pattaya seems to be the best. I have used a photocopy of the Embassy letter (financial letter) each time -- BUT, take the original with you - they will want to see it (sometimes run their finger over the "raised" seal on the letter to be sure it is genuine). However, if you renew your passport, Immigration requires a new letter since the passport number and expiration date in the original is no longer valid. I have heard of people being asked to show proof that funds have been transferred into Thailand during the year at the time of renewal. HOWEVER, this has not been the case with Pattaya Immigration for me and all my friends that are here on retirement visas. Just remember - dress nicely (shows respect toward the Government office), smile a lot, and be polite.

I visited with Allen for a bit this morning. He was out of bed and sitting up in a chair. He said he felt much better and expects to be released tomorrow.

In addition to removing the Gobbledygook at the top of the page and the spam messeges, I hope the update also allows members to post replies to topics without getting the "messege sent to hell" screen.

Travelerjim, I bought my paper shredder a year or so ago at Office Depot in Si Racha. So, I am guessing that the Office Depot they just put in near Big C on Sukhumvit Road will have what you are looking for. If your bf found HomePro interesting, he might like to take a stroll through the Homeworks store adjacent to Office Depot. The electrical appliance section within Homeworks store is operated by Power Buy (they also have a store in TukCom on Pattaya Thai).

The following article appeared on Bangkok Post: UOB enters condo-loan sector Singapore (dpa) - United Overseas Bank has introduced a property financing scheme offering loans for buying freehold condominiums in Thailand as part of an Asia-Pacific expansion plan, UOB confirmed on Thursday. The Singapore bank said foreign buyers of Thai condominiums will not be affected by the country's announcement of strengthened capital controls two weeks ago. The rules require Thai banks to withhold 30 per cent of foreign currencies exchanged against the baht for at least a year. The latest addition to UOB's range of home loan products is "in line with our regional expansion plan and our vision to be a premier bank in the Asia-Pacific," The Business Times quoted Eddie Khoo, UOB's executive vice-persident of personal financial services, as saying. The bank is currently offering loans to customers buying properties in Malaysia and Shanghai. The loans to buy freehold condominiums in Thailand are available to anyone at least 21 years old with an annual income of at least $65,000 (2.34 million baht).

Comfort on a long flight is important to me. I have used EVA deluxe on my last two round trips from BKK to LAX and return. The food and service are the same as regular economy - BUT, the seats are wider with a better pitch (747 and 777). They also have a foot rest. Considering that the price is less than Thai's economy fare, I don't think you will be disappointed - even with the short stop in Taiwan -- EVA uses the newest terminal - there is a food court of sorts on the upper floor if you want to have a drink and place to sit. Also, if you have a laptop with wireless capability, there is a shop (near gate 5 as I recall, but could be wrong on that) that offers free wireless connection (catch the news, email friends, check this forum, etc.) -- if you don't have a wireless notebook, this same shop has 3 or 4 desktop computers available for free internet connection -- however, often they are being used and there is a line.

GB. Thanks for posting the menu. A friend recently tried the place and recommended it highly -- although he can be a bit finiky, we have similar taste in food. Also, from your recommendations of other restaurants I am familiar with, it seems we also share similar tastes -- so, now I have two reliable (for me) recommendations. I will certainly have to give this place a try sometime soon -- Since I dine out only once or twice a week, it will probably be after Christmas as I have already made plans for later this week (the American Rib place).

I have tried Indian by Nature - although it was some time ago. I do recommend it for good food and ambiance. Like so many Indian restaurants here, ordering ala carte can be a bit expensive, but most have "set" meals that are reasonable. I can't speak from personal experience, but have had a few people recommend Ali Baba (Pattaya Klang - Central) near the intersection with Beach Road.

I'm also giving it some thought on where to go for xmas dinner - last year I was disappointed with one of my favorite eating places -- served the regular cold buffet and dessert with choice of main course at abpit twice the usual price -- the only difference was the addition of turkey and dressing to the choice for main course. For the additional cost, I guess I expected something more -- more decorations, addition of traditional xmas dessert(s), etc. I may go to Cherry as I consider it one of the better restaurants - great food, well presented, and good service -- only drawback is not much ambiance (could be improved with dimming the lights a bit). Also, the cost is very very reasonable. The salad bar is basic, but good. A feature I do like is if you order an appitizer or soup, you are presented with a sorbet between it and the main course - nice touch. However, some expected companions are offering other suggestions.

I agree with the poster that noted using the term "scam" when the site clearly notes the fee will be charged is inappropriate. As mentioned by others on this thread, it is very common in Thailand for businesses to add the percentage charged to them by their bank for using a credit card, e.g., several years ago before retiring in LOS, I stayed at the Lek Hotel in Pattaya -- they had a clearly posted sign that an additional percentage (4% as I recall) would be added for credit card payment. Some places that do not add the charge are major department stores (Carrefour, Lotuc, Big C, etc.) and some other establishments. BUT, the purpose of this post relates to ANOTHER RECENT PRACTICE by some larger businesses that one needs to be aware of -- depending on the amount of "international" conversion charge made by your credit card company - the exchange rate they use, and the amount exchange rate used by the business doing the transaction, the practice could be either beneficial or detrimental. I have encountered it so far at: Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, HomePro, and IT City (top floor at Tukcom). If you use a credit card (at least from USA, don't know about UK, Australia, etc.) at the mentioned establishments, they will print out a credit card slip in "dollars" instead of baht. The slip usually shows the conversion rate, which is 1 to 1.5 baht less than the going bank rates. Since I have one credit card that does not charge an international conversion fee and the exchange rate is close to the published bank rate, I use that one here in Thailand -- not often, but do so when it is a large purchase or my quarterly visit to BPH (with 90 day supply of medicine, it runs around 18,000 -20,000 baht). What I don't like is they don't ask you in advance which you prefer - US dollars or baht - at IT City, they didn't know how to cancel it and redo it in baht -- at homepro, the cashier had to ask for help, but they were able to cancel the "dollar" transaction and then use "baht.". Now, if using the card, I try to remember to ask for charge to be in baht when using those establishments or other places that might have switched to this system -- needless to say, using dollars is advantageos to the business as they "collect" a fee of 1 to 1.5 baht per dollar (not sure if this extra income is shared with the credit card processing bank/company) -- so, it will not surprise me if more and more busineses don't switch to this method.

Wowpow, I'm assuming your coment above is confirming the information I had in my post as follows: If you leave Thailand with a reentry permit, you do not have to report your address again until 90 days after you reenter Thailand - not 90 days from your last report. I returned from the USA on 12 September and just reported my address on 4 December, whereas 90 days from my last address reporting was iin mid-October. Since I was within 90 days of latest arrival in Thailand, there was no problem.

It used to be that you had to obtain a non-immigrant "O" visa outside Thailand, then apply for a 12 month extension based on retirement showing evidence of adequate money in bank, monthly income, or a combination of both. It appears that you can now convert a tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa "O" visa based on evidence that you qualify for the retirement "extension" of the "O" visa at Thai Immigration. Once it is converted, you must then apply for the 12 month extensiion of the visa. So, it is a two step process. A member of the Pattaya City Expats club has posted information on the process on their web site - www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com. A friend just renewed his retirement visa (extension for another year) at Pattaya Immigration. He uses the 800,000 baht in bank rather than income to qualify. He confiremed with Pattaya Immigration that the 3 month on deposit reequirement is for the initial extension, but is not a requirement for renewal. Once you get the 12 month extension, you can apply for a reentry permit (one time or multiple) - both expire on the ending date of the retirement visa - of course, once you use the one-time reentry permit (1,000 baht), it is necessary to get another one if you plan to leave Thailand. Leaving Thailand without a reentry permit results in cancellation of your existing visa (unless, you are using a multiple entry non-immigrant visa and return within its valid dates). On 90 day reporting, it is a simple process - at Pattaya Immigration it takes about 5 minutes unless there are several people ahead of you (took me 20 minutes last time as I was no. 13 in line). It is a form that shows passport information and your current address. As mentioned, the bottom portion is signed and dated by Immigration and stapled into your passport -- it also shows your next reporitng date (90 days later). A WORD OF CAUTION ON 90 DAY REPORTING -- the first repor tis required 90 days from entering Thailand (not 90 days from getting your initial retirement visa extension). It is then due every 90 days thereafter -- I had to pay a 2,000 baht fine because I wasn't aware of that fact. Address reporting is a separate process from getting visa extensions or reentry permits. If you leave Thailand with a reentry permit, you do not have to report your address again until 90 days after your reenter Thailand - not 90 days from your last report. Although I don't know of anyone that has had a problem, techinically, you must also report your address within 24 hours if it changes.