General Reports

[QUOTE=LordFarquard;1828374]Visa. 1900 thb.
Multi entry. 3800 thb.[/QUOTE]Good info LF. Much appreciated.

I also did some checking on-line. Once you get the retirement visa, if you do decide to leave for a side trip and return, you will need a re-entry or the multiple entry (as Eih T mentioned). The re-entry costs is 1000 baht. And yes, that would require a trip to immigration ahead of time. At least that is how I would get it if I wanted to go to another country for awhile. I wouldn't want to be messing around at the airport trying to get it before flying out.

The reason I asked to begin with is because one would think that if you had a retirement visa 'good for a year', it should be valid for the whole year, and no problem whether one leaves for a short trip. It's just another way to get more money.
They give you a retirement visa for a year. But if you decide to leave for a week and come back, they want an extra 1000.
They should call it a single-entry retirement visa and a ME ret visa.

[QUOTE=PipeLayer99;1828563]They should call it a single-entry retirement visa and a ME ret visa.[/QUOTE]That would indeed make things more clear, but on the other hand a visum is generally everywhere understood to allow one entry only. In that respect Thailand is actually quite generous to allow you to buy a re-entry as and when needed, without having to apply for a new *real* multiple entry visum in your home country.

Anyone know if the brown bombers are still annoying farangs with drugs tests along Suk? Generally around Soi's 19 - 23.

Thanks.

Styk.

IT's not generally understood like that as you mentioned. That describes one entry. One entry would be a single entry visa (like a regular tourist visa). A Retirement Visa should be just that, an extended visa for long term. When granted, one should have the freedom to come and go during the whole year.

The visa allows one to come to the country, so if you are allowed a full year, it should not hinder you or require extra money if you want to travel to a new place. Thats my point.
It's all about money.

Like before Nov 2015, they would issue a double entry visa for 2800 baht (or $80 USD). That allowed 2 entries, with each entry valid for 60 days (can extend 1 month on each).
You would get a total of 90 days, go somewhere for a side trip, and you can return.
They replaced the double entry with a multi-entry visa for 5000 baht. BUT its basically the same thing because you still only get 60 days per entry.
The difference is the cost. Costs you 2200 baht extra now!

A retirement visa should be a long term visa valid for a a year (regardless of entries). If you already have permission to visit for a WHOLE year, you should be able to take side trips to other places within that year.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1829033]That would indeed make things more clear, but on the other hand a visum is generally everywhere understood to allow one entry only. In that respect Thailand is actually quite generous to allow you to buy a re-entry as and when needed, without having to apply for a new *real* multiple entry visum in your home country.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=PipeLayer99;1829260]IT's not generally understood like that as you mentioned. That describes one entry. One entry would be a single entry visa (like a regular tourist visa). A Retirement Visa should be just that, an extended visa for long term. When granted, one should have the freedom to come and go during the whole year.
[/QUOTE]A visum has two elements: the number of entries and the time allowed "in country".

Unless said otherwise the rule is "one visum = one entry". So the "one year retirement visum" allows you to enter once and stay one year. What's so difficult to understand?

You may complain and whine all you like, it is not changing anything.

And of course, money is an important element. Nothing new there either.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1829278]
You may complain and whine all you like, it is not changing anything.

And of course, money is an important element. Nothing new there either.[/QUOTE]Be sure to read the detail.

I hve never heard of 1-year retirement visas.

For example, the SRRV for Philippines is not a one-year visa, but an extended period that does not require renewal.

The benefits with SSRV are:

Permanent non-immigrant status [B]with multiple-entry privileges[/B] through the Special Resident Retiree's Visa;.

Exemption from customs duties and taxes for the importation of personal effects;.

[B]Exemption from Exit Clearance and Re-entry Permits;[/B]

Exemption from payment of travel tax provided the retiree has not stayed in the Philippines for more than one year from date of his last entry into the country;.

Conversion of the requisite deposit into active investments, including purchase of condominium unit;.

Interest on the foreign currency deposit is tax-free and payable to retiree in Philippine Pesos;.

Foreign currency time deposit can be converted into Philippine Pesos deposit, but interest is subject to withholding tax;.

Pension, annuities remitted to the Philippines are tax-free; and.

Guaranteed repatriation of the requisites deposit including invested profits, capital gains and dividends accrued from investments, upon compliance with Bangko Sentral rules and regulations.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1829289]Be sure to read the detail.

I hve never heard of 1-year retirement visas.[/QUOTE]In Thailand the retirement visa has to be done every year. Likewise, if you are married to a Thai I think that visa has to be done every year as well.

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1829289]
I hve never heard of 1-year retirement visas.
[/QUOTE]Have a look at [URL]http://www.thailand-immigration.org/thailand-retirement-visa[/URL].

You enter on a standard "non immigrant" visum and during the first 30 days of your stay you can apply for an extension for one year if you fulfill the conditions (age and financials).

So in reality it is just an extension of the time allowed to stay in country and once you go outside your visum is cancelled regardless of how long you were still allowed to stay. Same same as with any other standard visum.

You can of course arrrive on one of the multiple entry visa and then you can leave and enter multiple times or you can buy a re-entry permit each time you travel outside.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1829333]You enter on a standard "non immigrant" visum and during the first 30 days of your stay you can apply for an extension for one year if you fulfill the conditions (age and financials).

[/QUOTE]Coincidentally I received this flyer in my mail. Interesting!

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1829278] ... So the "one year retirement visum" allows you to enter once and stay one year. What's so difficult to understand?
You may complain and whine all you like, it is not changing anything.
And of course, money is an important element. Nothing new there either.[/QUOTE]It's not about complaining smart alex. It's gathering facts and sharing current information for Thailand specifically.

For those complaing about taxi drivers refusing to give change, did you know that they can be reported to the central authority by the driver's number displayed and receive a 5000 Baht fine.

I won't post the phone number to ring, but it has only 4 digits.

I usually say keep the change if I liked the way he drove.

So I did a little survey of ATMs on my recent trip and wanted to share the info. I was trying to locate two things. 1. An ATM that would dispense more than 20 k THB so that I could minimize fees, and 2. A lower fee than normal.

So in my November trip I had a Citigold checking account which worked well for the Citibank ATMs in Asok, but it has way too high a minimum balance to avoid a monthly fee so that option only works if you want to keep a lot of money with citibank. From talking with them only Citigold Checking will no incur a foreign exchange fee even so no lower accounts work since anything you gain in ATM fees will wash in exchange fees.

I read that Aeon, ATMS on ground floor of T21 allowed 50 k withdrawls so headed there. Fail on the 50 k, same 20 k as everywhere else. However the fee is 150 THB 50 THB cheaper than most places.

As far as every other bank I tried the 200 THB and 20 k limit were in place. For sure this applied to Siam and Kasikornthai as I kept the withdrawal records for reference.

If anyone gets any other information I would certainly be interested. I like the convenience of the ATMS, but 200 THB and 20 k limit is at the point that even if I didn't get the best exchange rate and brought cash I would still be ahead.

[QUOTE=MichaelSamuel;1830732]So I did a little survey of ATMs on my recent trip and wanted to share the info. I was trying to locate two things. 1. An ATM that would dispense more than 20 k THB so that I could minimize fees, and 2. A lower fee than normal. If anyone gets any other information I would certainly be interested. I like the convenience of the ATMS, but 200 THB and 20 k limit is at the point that even if I didn't get the best exchange rate and brought cash I would still be ahead.[/QUOTE]Michael,

Check out the Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. I set up such an account last year with very little capital - $250. Presently I have $65 in my account. I now fund the checking account a few weeks before every trip with what I think I might need while on the road and more money can be easily transferred into the account at any time if needed.

There are no ATM fees anywhere or rather all ATM charges are refunded at the end of the month. I repeat there are no net ATM or bank charges for withdrawing cash at any ATM in Thailand, Indonesia, the PI, or Macau ect ect. My usual hunting grounds. The maximum per day withdrawal from my account is $900 which is more than adequate for my needs. Also there is no minimum number of withdrawals per day so if necessary I can use different ATM machines to achieve my goal.

The only requirement is that a new customer opens up a Schwab Investment account at the same time the High Yield Checking Account is opened, but there is no minimum amount required for either the Schwab Investment account or the Schwab Checking (ATM card) account. I put an initial $100 into my Investment account just for the hell of it and have left it there. It earns a small amount of interest. Someday I may put more capital into the investment account because I like doing business with this company.

Agree 100%. I have been using the ATM from Schwab for a number of years. All ATM charges are promptly refunded the 1st of the next month.

If you are a USA citizen let me add another. State Farm Insurance has banking. It to refunds all ATM fees the 1st of the next month. You need to keep a $100 balance in same. You can move money into it from an outside source and have it available within 48 hours. Weekends / holidays are an exception.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1830749]Michael,

Check out the Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking Account. I set up such an account last year with very little capital - $250. Presently I have $65 in my account. I now fund the checking account a few weeks before every trip with what I think I might need while on the road and more money can be easily transferred into the account at any time if needed.

There are no ATM fees anywhere or rather all ATM charges are refunded at the end of the month. I repeat there are no net ATM or bank charges for withdrawing cash at any ATM in Thailand, Indonesia, the PI, or Macau ect ect. My usual hunting grounds. The maximum per day withdrawal from my account is $900 which is more than adequate for my needs. Also there is no minimum number of withdrawals per day so if necessary I can use different ATM machines to achieve my goal.

SNIPPED[/QUOTE]

Foreign exchange fees on that statefarm account?

I have the schwab account and used it in November, but only 4. 81 of fees were refunded, now I looked and only used that one in the phillipinnes, macao, and Hong Kong and I don't have the records to figure which one (s) where refunded. I will check next month on this thailand trip as I used the schwab card exclsusively. Total 550 THB in fees so will see what I get back and let everyone know.

My other no card for no foreign fees and easy use is the captialone360 checking account. Small min and no foreign fees, but no fee reimbursement.

[QUOTE=Jgm005;1830853]Agree 100%. I have been using the ATM from Schwab for a number of years. All ATM charges are promptly refunded the 1st of the next month.

If you are a USA citizen let me add another. State Farm Insurance has banking. It to refunds all ATM fees the 1st of the next month. You need to keep a $100 balance in same. You can move money into it from an outside source and have it available within 48 hours. Weekends / holidays are an exception.[/QUOTE]