link→Holiday in Thailand could end for expats - Al Jazeera English

It's another article regarding the Immigration clampdown in Thailand with some additional facts to consider:

1. tourists numbers previously inflated by visa runs will decrease
2. Thailand's travel industry represents 20 percent of the country's total economic output
3. The crackdown will affect educational, medical and other toursim

Thailand tough new overstay rules←link

Out - In visa run R.i.p.

Immigration boss confirms the Out-In visa run is dead Phuket News  dated May 13, 2014

Phuket Visa Runs to Ranong End- Immigration Crackdown Drops Tourist Renewals to a Trickle - Phuket Wan  dated July 16, 2014

Crack Down, Sadao Checkpoint Turning Away Hundreds of Foreigners with Tourist Visa’s - Chiang Rai Times  July 15, 2014

Related News: The 10,000 baht duty-free limit 

Customs enforcing duty-free limits on personal goods purchased overseas - Bangkok Post

New "One Year Extension" regulation

No one year extension will be granted to persons whose passport expires within that period.  Extensions will only be granted until passport expiry date.

Read more at  Thailand-Tip

Revised Visa Procedures

Udon Map US Income Verification Letter Validity Period 

  revised to six months 

Thursday

Mars

Hot topic for retirees in Thailand

Compulsory insurance for expats and tourists-  Pattaya today
 Proof Of Medical Insurance Proposed For 1 Year Visa - Thai visa

T.i.T. News

Five dead, 53 hurt in Thailand bus cliff plunge - GulfNews.com

A bus traveling from Udon to Chiang Mai crashed a few days ago.

I'm always quite uneasy on Thai buses, especially when mountainous terrain is involved.

What got my interest in reading about the accident is that the driver noted something was wrong.

He stopped and attempted to make repairs.  Right about then I would have gotten off and started walking, especially since the brakes were 'smoking.'

Most of the times you read  of Thai bus accidents there are hills involved.

Immigration Sakon Nakhon - Isaan Forum - THAI VISA Forum

"I was impressed at how well the one guy as able to handle it all,

         but ..."


Relentless baht raises worries - The Nation

'New approach needed' - The Nation

1.4 per cent spike in baht 'just the beginning';
gains 'could last 3 years'

UP- UP and at some point I'm AWAY

The night before... the dragon festival

Many of the festival participants spend the night before the big event at the Chinese temple.
Final practice and rehearsals and getting everyone into costume is an all night job.
Meals are served to participants, and if they tire they can roll up in their bedroll until it's their turn at makeup

There's not just dragons, but also cobra's are part of the celebrations






(Photo's 2004)

 
(Slides 2006) 



A post at Thai Visa regarding Sakon Nakhon Immigration 

The individual renewing his yearly visa was confronted with a new requirement:
He had to sign a document acknowledging  that if at any time he no longer has required the  income, he may be subject to 'be asked to leave Thailand.'
Noteworthy here is the fact that there are some basic guidelines for all immigration offices.
Individual immigration offices have the authority to ask for any additional documentation they deem necessary.

Congratulations to Martin

He is celebrating the one year anniversary of  his establishment.
It's really an accomplishment, considering the number of similar establishments in the area which have failed.  Martin is offering the first drink free to visitors on Saturday.

Weird 

Disasters are occurring more frequently these days
It's not just better media reports, it's actually happening.
Look at the frequency of  Worldwide Earthquakes between Magnitudes 6 and 8 over the last century, at a chart prepared by the Horizon Project

Santa Home at the north pole is a mobile home
The Magnetic pole, which previously moved an average of 10 km per year, has picked up speed in recent years, now moving at 40 km per year.  Airport runways, which previously pointed north have had to be renumbered because of the directional change

The video below does not cover all the natural disasters which happened this year.
When this year is over, the world will probably have experienced the most natural disasters in one year.
At the moment, Los Angeles is experiencing the strongest Santa Ana winds on record.
Heavy 165 mph winds in Scotland
I'm repulsed by religious fanatics who point out to predictions in the bible that the end is near.
There's a scientific explanation.
God is a woman and her name is Mother Nature
 

Immigration Horror Story

Occasionally I hear of horror stories some folks have experienced in dealing with Thai Immigration Services.
I tend to believe that the majority of these horror stories are not caused by immigration officials, rather by the traveler.

Was  at the Sakon Nakhon Immigration office.  The agent assisting me, very politely apologized for keeping me waiting.

He was asked by another agent to assist explaining to a customer why he had to return to the border after having just come from there.

I pretty much got the gist of the conversation.
The gentleman probably too much in a hurry, apparently did not understand border crossing procedure and did not legally enter the country.

He was given a departure card upon reentering Thailand.  He needed to fill out this card and return to the agent to complete the entry process.  Instead he took the blank departure card and left.

The departure card in his possession was both blank and not stamped.
Of course, rather than admitting to his mistake, the gentleman was furious at Thai immigration procedures and declared he had his fill of this country.

Even if he decides to leave the country at his earliest convenience, I'd strongly suggest he first return to the entry point where he came from and correct the entry.  Otherwise he can expect further hassles when attempting to depart with a blank departure card.

Where's my party hat?

Fireworks at recent Loy Krathong festival

video by suntawan

No Turkey dinner at my house today

Guess I have adjusted  to the Thai traditions. 
Instead I attend two birthday dinners this week.

Christmas Star parade

I received my invitation for the Tha Rae Christmas Star parade.  That parade is Dec 24.  The Parade in Muang Sakon is on Dec 25.
One year I was actually in the lead vehicle of the Christmas parade here in town.

Heard it through the grapevine (Rumor)

The school near Macro is having a Christmas party, concert, etc.  Table for eight Bt 1,600.
As of yet I haven't heard of any New Years celebrations at the Welcome, Escape, or Branch bars and restaurants.  But it's still early.

Yearly Income statement for Visa renewal

There's been quite a discussion on the web regarding embassy certified income statements, in lieu of having the cash in the bank, for visa renewal.  Some folks, me included, renewed their visa earlier this year and were told they could use the statement the following year.  The date of the certified statement should be within the year you are renewing your Visa.

If you're one of those people who plans to re-use last years statement, suggest you visit the Immigration office before renewal time.  You might get by this year, but next year get a new statement.

Commerce Ministry Deals with Sugar Shortage

Worst in 17 years

Local weather

"More of the same" Daytime temperature near 30, night-time mid teens Celcius

Phu Phan Cup and more

Ubon FC will face Nakhon Phanom FC  in the first game of the Phu Phan cup on Tuesday, November 9 at Muang Sakon Municipal Stadium.

Sakon FC will play in the second  game of the Phu Phan Cup to be held Wednesday, November 10.  Sakon FC recently changed ownership and had tryouts for new players last week.
A Sakon FC restaurant is planned to open for the 2011 season


Someone recently commented when he renewed his VISA (married),
he encountered a seemingly new Visa requirement.
Pictures of him and his wife inside and outside the house.  That may be a new requirement locally, but this requirement has been in effect for some time at other locations.  One source tells me they had to provide pictures of the couple in every room and outside the house, when they registered in Pattaya.


Escape Bar recently was visited by Monks for a traditional Buddhist blessing ceremony 




Expect cooler nighttime temperatures midweek for a couple days


Hong Kong preflight screening needs improvement.
Man in disguise boards flight for Canada


Chickens have better lives in Thailand ..... than in Britain, says RSPCA Mail Online


Lets have some more parades with those funny balloons.
During my first days in Sakon I watched a parade of school children.
All had rubbers blown up to look like balloons.
In recent years Thailand seems to have reduced their Aids awareness programs.
HIV is on the increase  


Back in the late 70's I spent many a  Saturday at the midnight showing of the original film.
No I did not come in costume


Don't watch the video at this link if you are squeamish

SakonNhakon Immigration: We Treat You Like Family and Friends

Oh Curses

I opened my passport for the first time in months.  

I was two weeks overdue in doing my 90 day address report.

Oh Curses

I needed something to calm my nerves.  Doctor Chang to the rescue. Also known as Beer Chang.

"That will be a 2,000 baht fine."

I remained calm and humbled. 

I somewhat expected the fine talk to be more a bit of a 'scare reminder tactic.'

"Where do you live?"

I presented a laminated card with address, phone, e-mail, both in Thai and English.

"We will fogive the fines this time, BUT don't forget the next due date"

Since my last visit there, the immigration office has installed an exterior sign

There are over 200 westerners with yearly visas in the Sakon Nakhon Province. 
This does not include those foreign residents who renew their visas by crossing borders every thirty days or more.


They are going to have to call the sign maker back on this interior sign.

It should read:


We welcome you like relatives and friends 






In a related story, Pianoman writes writes about the Sakon Nakhon Immigration Office: 
"...it was the easiest Extension I have ever done... very easy and pleasant experience...  
Read his praises at THAIVISA

Cooling Down

Been feeling quite hot lately. Very high humidity. The pool felt more like a hot tub.
The ice shop was kind enough to let us use their delivery motorcycle to take the six blocks of ice home

Ah that did the trick.  Now bring me my coconut rum.

• Those Feels like temperatures should drop a bit over the next few days, and then surge up again like a roller coaster

SakonNakhon Immigration Office: Testimonial by Erich

I also used Immigration in Sakon this week for my non-O marriage and it was flawless.

They were very nice and easy to work with. We had to go back for copies several times (they don't have a copy machine).

Thailand Internet Speed

Internet speed depends on distance to a junction box, no matter which of the two companies you use. T.O.T. or T.T.T. use the same server. 

May 5, Coronation Day

YouTube video by AsianCorrespondent

Thailand's World Cup Fever

Sleepless nights ahead !! 

YouTube video by RSVDO

Funny Bone Tickler

Immigration rules misconception

A list of required documents for visas and extensions can be found at Thailand Immigration Bureau
Download forms here immigration.go.th...download
One must understand that these are the basic requirements.
Each jurisdiction may require additional documentation at their discretion.

There seems to be an omission in the basic requirements where proof of income is done with an embassy or consulate certified letter.

Screen copy from www.immigration.go.th

A bank letter is also required along with your original and a copy of your Thai bank passbook.

Let's say you're in the middle of your monthly spending cycle and you only have a balance of Bt30,000 when your visa renewal is due.  Immigration officials can verify the money flow from your certified bank records and grant you the extension.

100919 Sakon Nakhon Immigration office is open

Sakon Nakhon Immigration

A Muang, Sakon Nakhon 47000

-

Phone 042-715-219 Fax 042-741-318

Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Located adjacent to the Sakon Nakhon Main Police Station. and across the street from the multipurpose field.