Friday, October 12, 2018

The Great Expat Exodus

Thaiger link


Nothing yet from US embassy, but bets are on that it will happen soon.

Personally I'd always considered the letter a bit of a ripoff, when a bank book with a year's worth of deposits should suffice. 

The certified letter was a good cover for people who did not have the required money and lied under oath. 

Thai immigration will have to come up with alternate procedures to prove income.  Many expats, including myself, have the monthly income above the requirement, but are unable or unwilling to deposit yearly amounts into a Thai bank.

From my own experience of transferring yearly amounts, too many people want to borrow, not always return the loan.


Thursday, October 11, 2018

Sakon Nakhon 2018 Royal Longboat Races and Wax Castle Festival


The Blue line represents the Race trophy delivery route taken on the morning of 21 October.

The orange route is the wax castle parade route with three grandstand locations

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Embassy Income statements under scrutiny due to misuse



It's always been suspected and hushed subject, many retirees who get the yearly certified letter, do not have the required amount available.

Until a few years ago I've always had to have the letter from the bank verifying my accounts, copies of my bankbooks and the embassy letter when applying for the yearly retirement visa.
Only in the recent three years I did not have to show bank statements.

I'd always wondered why the immigration department required the certified letter from the embassy. Why didn't the immigration department provide that service and collect the fees?

Personally I prefer a monthly income verification method and monthly money transfers instead of transferring a yearly amount into a Thai bank. In the US my money is insured.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Thai Jumbo skids off runway / no overnighters at Similan Island



Blooming Hibiscus


Overjoyed to see these blooms popping up.  Each bud produces more than a dozen seeds.  I'm already getting rid of other bushes to make room for more hibiscus.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Carry your passport or a copy of all pertinent pages

Thai Immigration has a new boss.
In the fifteen years I have lived in Sakon City I have never been asked to show a passport, other than at the immigration office yearly visa application and 90 day reporting.  Drivers license seemed to suffice even when boarding a domestic flight. That might all change even here, especially with the high season underway.

In many instances a copy of the passport is sufficient. Keep in mind it has to be legible. Copy the page of the current visa besides the picture page.

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

"Some fruit and vegetables in Thailand contain high levels of pesticide ..."



สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon

Monday, October 8, 2018

Brits to stop issuing Income certification letters at the end of the year

More changes most likely in the pipeline to impress the new immigration boss

สกลนคร Sakon Nakhon