My post-lockdown commute back to work

[Stumpy]

Mendip. Man you seem to like those fruity alcohol beverages. Cherry wine, pear beer. Please don't tell me you drink Bacardi Breezer things. You missing the local Lao Khao or Ya Dong yet?

I know I miss those pictures at your rock table with the dogs all laying around and a mug of Leo and a shot glass of that special Thai concoction next to it.

[Mendip]

^ Not half as much as I miss taking those pictures JP. How I miss having a glass of Leo in one hand while ruffling a dog's ears with the other. I sometimes dream about petting one of the dog's heads... in my memory I can feel the difference between each of our five dogs' heads and fur. Dan has really soft fur, while Coco has short, velvety fur... I do miss them.

You've got me reminiscing now... this'll be a long day...




And as for fruity beverages... I'm really just a Leo and Ya Dong kind of guy but have been trying these Swedish concoctions just for the thread. And at Christmas ya have to try the local seasonal drinks. I've always been lucky in that I can drink just about anything.


But the reason I had a shitty day yesterday wasn't due to reminiscing about my girls... I'm starting to plan my return home early next year and had it all mapped out in my head. My Non O visa expires in Feb, so first up, to renew that incase the procedure to get the CoE etc (which I plan to start from the UK in January) takes a long time.

My first plan was to send off my second passport to the Thai embassy in London, having submitted all the paperwork online, to renew my multiple entry Non O based on marriage. I found out yesterday that they only do a single entry these days, which is useless to me. I've always renewed my Non O multiple entry at the Thai embassy in Singapore each year, no problem, so why on earth the Thai embassy in London doesn't do it I don't know. This mightily pissed me off.

A single entry is useless since I usually return to Thailand on single, company paid flights having come directly from a boat or office. I can't be trying to organise a visa each time. The only multiple entry visa on offer seems to be the OA retirement... that requires a police clearance certificate, medical, etc, all of which can be overcome but not until I get back to the UK, further delaying things.

I've never gone down the route of in country visa extensions since I never stay more than 90 days at a time with work, and in 14 years this has never been an issue. The Non O multiple entry based on marriage has been perfect for me.

I worry about going the retirement visa route, with immigration reporting, keeping seasoned money in a Thai bank account, etc etc mainly since I can never guarantee being in country for the extensions, and the hassle of arranging re-entry permits with such an unpredictable pattern of travel. Sometimes I may get a day's notice before I leave, and I need to be able to re-enter on single flights. Maybe I need to look into this more? Am I being overly negative about a retirement visa with extensions for someone in my position? I don't t think it would be for me.

I'm even considering the Elite visa... but every fibre on my body repels against paying 500,000 Baht to live in a place where I don't particularly want to be. But of course, as anyone who has read my threads will know it's all about my daughter. The day I desert her is the day her future ends, so that will not happen.

In my circumstances is 500,000 Baht such a bad deal for five years of hassle free travel? I don't suppose I get much change out of 1000 quid a time for my visa runs to Singapore, what with flights, hotels, visa and other sundry expenses. Orchard Road seems to empty my wallet pretty quickly these days. Covid of course controls everything... who's to say when it will again be possible to just jump on a flight to SIN to renew a visa without issues on arrival, or on return to Thailand? Next year? 2022?

Any advice would be very gratefully received?

[Saint Willy]

In my circumstances is 500,000 Baht such a bad deal for five years of hassle free travel? I don't suppose I get much change out of 1000 quid a time for my visa runs to Singapore, what with flights, hotels, visa and other sundry expenses. Orchard Road seems to empty my wallet pretty quickly these days. Covid of course controls everything... who's to say when it will again be possible to just jump on a flight to SIN to renew a visa without issues on arrival, or on return to Thailand? Next year? 2022?

that may well be a good solution.

[Saint Willy]

I don't suppose I get much change out of 1000 quid a time for my visa runs to Singapore, what with flights, hotels, visa and other sundry expenses. Orchard Road seems to empty my wallet pretty quickly these days.

But if you get the elite visa does that mean you do not have an excuse to go to Singapore? #notidealeither

[Shutree]

My earlier enquiry on TD about an Elite visa was swiftly poo pooed by everyone, who doesn't have one. It still seems to me that the difference between keeping 800K in the bank permanently and me giving away 1,000K for the mid-sized Elite visa is marginal, cash wise.
Then the Baht 1M Elite visa gives you 5 years, multiole entry, renewable up to a total of 20 years.
Those 20 years will probably be more than sufficient for me and I shan't miss the cash when I am gone.
I am still thinking about it.

[Shutree]

Multiole entry?
I must remember that one.

[Joe 90]

But of course, as anyone who has read my threads will know it's all about my daughter. The day I desert her is the day her future ends, so that will not happen.

I agree, it's all about your children.
That's why I chose to settle in the UK instead of Thailand.
Couldn't imagine bringing up kids there, although many on here have done successfully.
Most of the time I've done it as a single parent which is challenging but highly rewarding.
If the relationship with your daughters mother is truly on the ropes then might you consider living back in Perth or England.
Just a thought...

[Headworx]

Pretty sure if you come in on any visa you can have it changed to a multi entry Retirement. PM me if you want the details of someone who would definitely know the score on this and has an agency with local contacts that makes things happen seamlessly, I've used him for the best part of 20 years and aren't paying him for a service but for a result. Could probably do it all by post or heaven forbid Playa, you might need to spend a night in Pattata getting an OGUK The whole 800k seasoning thing is nothing to worry about, I have the money in a local bank but my agent says it doesn't matter either way. The 90 day reporting is a breeze, I believe you need to do the first one in person (but aren't sure) but am sure that doing them online after that is a 5 minute affair.

Just to add, the Elite visa jumps from 500k to 600k a year starting early next year.

[OhOh]

I've never gone down the route of in country visa extensions since I never stay more than 90 days at a time with work, and in 14 years this has never been an issue. The Non O multiple entry based on marriage has been perfect for me.

Obtaining a "Thai wife" annual permission to to stay extension prior to your current non-O visa expiring, appears to be suitable route for you. I believe 90 day reports are required and re-entry permits need to be purchased, Contact your local TIO and ask them for their printed requirements handouts.

The financial requirements are :

1. THB 400,000 in you Thai bank for 2 months, prior to applying and it must remain untouched for the subsequent month, until head office OK's your application. Once you have received your full year stamp i.e after 3 months from applying, you may if you wish, spend it all.

OR

2. An average income of THB 40,000 per month, (THB 480,000 per year), into your Thai bank acount. If from foreign income it must be posted as a foreign deposit, Bangkok Bank identifies such receipts as "FTT".

But check with your local TIO. Or ask your wife to get the requirements.

Prior to the UK Embassy stopped issuing income certificates that was my method. One could also include ones Thai bank current amount, but it's been a few years ago so I'm not sure if the combined method, income plus current balance, is still available.

The retirement route requires more deposited monies, requires a % to be retained in the account for the full year and the monthly income route is a minimum not the annual monthly average as in the "Thai wife" one.

Along with a health insurance policy with a Thai insurer, I believe.

There is also the Thai Child route, one has to be registered as the father though. Having no Thai children it is not available for me.

[ootai]

I worry about going the retirement visa route, with immigration reporting, keeping seasoned money in a Thai bank account, etc etc mainly since I can never guarantee being in country for the extensions, and the hassle of arranging re-entry permits with such an unpredictable pattern of travel. Sometimes I may get a day's notice before I leave, and I need to be able to re-enter on single flights. Maybe I need to look into this more? Am I being overly negative about a retirement visa with extensions for someone in my position? I don't t think it would be for me.

Mendip
As I have never had a retirement Visa I am really not sure what is required but as for re-entry permit/s that is easy. If and when you get your Visa issued or when you get your extension renewed you can just purchase a "multiple re-entry permit" that same day at the Immigration Office. I believe to buy a single re entry permit is B1900 and a multiple re-entry permit B3000. That way you would never need to worry about not having one should you have to leave on short notice. The other alternative is to get one at the Airport before you depart as I believe that that is possible.

If you decided to go the Married Visa route I would make sure your wife is going to be cooperative as she will need to be involved and sign some of the paperwork.

As other have suggested moving your base (and your family) to either the UK or Perth might not be any easy to enter and exit than Thailand is.

Have you continued to investigate if there are any companies that would employ you to work from home? I realise that the work you would do while on a boat is probably not possible to do from home but just about everything else is.

Make sure you continue to work on ways to get back to Korat to see everyone as it will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train.

Cheers

[Mendip]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Joe, Australia's not an option. My wife and daughter have Aussie and Thai passports, but I only have a UK one. I really don't fancy jumping through Australian immigration hoops, besides the expense of setting up a home there. My work is established in Europe now, and after a few years spent commuting between Perth and Norway I don't fancy going back to that. Just one point, I have no problem with education my daughter's getting, that's for sure and I think that she'll naturally want to further that in the West. She is much more Western in her outlook than Thai.

My wife may be open to moving to the UK, but it certainly wouldn't be easy. It's not really fair to dump someone in a place where they know no-one and then disappear offshore for a couple of months. I think I could find that more stressful than having the family in Korat. Yeah... lots to think about...

I don't really want this thread to go in the direction of my relationship with my wife, although I appreciate that it's my fault as I've probably made some disparaging remarks. Suffice to say that we're probably through the honeymoon period... most of our problems arise through a completely different view of what parenting's about... some of this is no doubt cultural and from coming from completely different backgrounds. My parents were tireless in encouraging me to try different things and in exposing me to new experiences which is something I try to pass on to my daughter. Enough said.

But certainly ootai my wife will be more than cooperative if (when) I decide to go down the Married Visa route. I'll get her to go down to Korat immigration soon and get their printed instructions.

After my initial despondency I've been doing some thinking... Do I really want to spend 15k Sterling on a visa when I don't have to? No, of course not.

I checked my passport and my Non O is valid to 19th February. I'm booked here in Sweden to 11th January. That five weeks leaves plenty of time (I hope) to get back to the UK and organise travel to Thailand. I can fly out middle of Feb and be in Korat by beginning of March after quarantine.

OhOh, after your experiences with the Thai Embassy in London, does that time frame sound realistic?

Once in country I plan to initiate the extension through marriage and buy a bunch of re-entry permits. OhOh mentions 400,000 Baht in a bank account plus some other stuff but I'm going to start looking into it. I know there's a myriad of information about this on various sites, but if someone knows of a good link to definitive instructions that would be much appreciated (and yeah, I'm just being lazy).

But who knows, maybe by the middle of May things will have opened up and I'd be able to make a trip to Singapore and renew my Non O? You can but hope.

[PAG]

^

The attached is the current requirements of Phuket Immigration Office for an extension based on Marriage. Although, as we all know, differing IO's can have variations of what's required, Phuket has the reputation of being straight up.

Marriage (M) – Phuket Immigration Volunteers

So, applying for a 60 day non O whilst in the UK, on the basis of visiting family. Think you'll need to have copies of your marriage certificate and wife's ID card (your daughter's would also be useful, Thai passport if she doesn't have one yet).

The banked monies need to be in a your name only account (joint AC not accepted). I guess that the quarantine requirement will still be in force when you do eventually travel, plus the Covid specific insurance and less than 72 hour negative Covid test certificate.

[aging one]

Mendip mate,

Just get the 3800 baht reentry permit. Its multiple use with no restrictions on how many. One and done.

The current fees for re-entry permits are as follows:

• 1,000 Baht for single
• 3,800 Baht for multiple

[Mendip]

I think it's fair to say that I've put back all the weight I lost during my 8 weeks offshore back in August and September. There's no scales here, but I can feel it and it's not so easy getting my socks on in the morning (and they may have holes Snubby but they ain't smelly!).

All in all, what with working long hours, lack of exercise, putting on weight and starting to miss home I've been feeling generally shitty, so I decided to try and improve things.

I discovered that there's another of those Concept2 rowing machines in the warehouse under the offices, and what with everyone working at home with Covid it wasn't getting used. I get no access to the warehouse so persuaded the store man to put it in the changing rooms I can access until the New Year, and lately have been doing 20 minutes after work every day. I do about 4.5km at the moment but should bring it up.



I also see no daylight at all... I walk into work in the dark and walk back to my shitty student digs on the dark. So, I've started eating out at lunchtime, thus seeing daylight and also eating at midday rather than in the evening.

I've also started taking Vitamin D which I hope makes up for the lack of sunlight to ward off this SAD thingy... there's a lot of suicides in Scandinavia during the dark winter months and I can see why.



Amazing, just a few days of this new routine has made a huge difference. I think that another five weeks will be no problem!

[Mendip]

^

The attached is the current requirements of Phuket Immigration Office for an extension based on Marriage. Although, as we all know, differing IO's can have variations of what's required, Phuket has the reputation of being straight up.

Marriage (M) – Phuket Immigration Volunteers

So, applying for a 60 day non O whilst in the UK, on the basis of visiting family. Think you'll need to have copies of your marriage certificate and wife's ID card (your daughter's would also be useful, Thai passport if she doesn't have one yet).

The banked monies need to be in a your name only account (joint AC not accepted). I guess that the quarantine requirement will still be in force when you do eventually travel, plus the Covid specific insurance and less than 72 hour negative Covid test certificate.

That's perfect PAG, thanks very much.

My plan is to return to Thailand on my current Non O which expires 19th February, so I won't need to apply for the Non O in the UK. But all the info in that link for the extension is perfect. I have an email from the Thai embassy in London detailing the requirements for organising travel, but they don't give time frames. I'm hoping to initiate all that from here via emails and tailor it to travel mid February.

Mendip mate,

Just get the 3800 baht reentry permit. Its multiple use with no restrictions on how many. One and done.

The current fees for re-entry permits are as follows:

• 1,000 Baht for single
• 3,800 Baht for multiple

I've always resisted going down the extension based on marriage route because for some reason I thought it was a nightmare if you're travelling back and forth all the time. All this is starting to look very doable!

Many thanks AO!

[PAG]

^

I often read that some think the additional paperwork for Marriage extensions too onorous. I don't find it so, and keep scanned copies of everything on my PC so it's a simple case of printing them off each year. The exception of course is the Kor Ror 2 which has to be dated within 3 months of the application.

[lom]

So, I've started eating out at lunchtime, thus seeing daylight and also eating at midday rather than in the evening.

When reading that I thought I should remind you of restaurant Silverkällan that I mentioned some month ago.
It was a hidden pearl with very good Swedish traditional home cooking dishes when I lived in Gothenburg so I googled for a menu to see what kind of food they serve nowadays.

Time changes and so does restaurant owners, the current one is apparently not living up to the restaurants previous reputation.
There was one customer comment:
"There is no lunch buffet anymore. The whole place smells of cigs and winos.
No hello or anything at all when you wanted to order at the bar. Crap service! Had beef in curry. Tasted old. Ate a few bites, the rest left to go. Will never ever go there again."

Sic transit gloria mundi...
Just wanted to let you know in case you take my recommendations seriously..

[grasshopper]

Going out from Swampy to Oz I found that there was an immigration office upstairs where you could just attend before the flight and get a multiple entry permit converted from a single entry. 3800 baht I think. Done within minutes as they don't have much going on in that section. Not sure if the current situation has changed it around. Loy Toy put me onto so you can thankhim if it's still available.

This was preparatory to going out of LOS but I think it could still work coming in provided it's office hours I suppose.

[Stumpy]

Cheers to you Mendip. I sure hope my comment about the Ya Dong and Leo with the dogs wasn't a negative to you. It was meant to be more of an image that awaits you at the end of the journey home. You know its funny what we as humans will do to ourselves for money. We make it a necessity based on the personal expectations we have established individually. It drives us no doubt but the trade off can be painful.

As for your comment about Scandinavian people offing themselves, Its a huge problem in Washington State ( Seattle ) area in the US primarily due to the constant gloomy weather that locks in and drags on. Good idea to get out during the day time to see different sights and some natural light. Also what helps to break a rut is change your routine. Sometimes people lock themselves to a daily grind and then it eats them up. When I was on long business trips early in my career when my daughters were young I was always spontaneous each day to keep it stress free. I'd go to a movie, go bowling, go people watching, go to a gun range, stay out all night and call in sick to work for fun.

[Joe 90]

^Good ideas.

A power walk at lunchtime, try to discover a new interesting place in the local area and take a pic.
Getting that hours natural vitamin D is a must.
Btw nice work getting the rowing routine going again.

[Mendip]

^ Seems I'm not the only person worried about the lack of Vitamin D!

I stocked up on some more tonight... saves power walking about in the rain.



This morning our lovely Polish receptionist advised me that every year the Swedish Air Force do a fly over of Gothenburg with the planes configured in the shape of a Christmas tree, and it was to be today at 2pm. Then she fukked off to 'work' from home.

At 1:50 I duly went outside to be ready to take a pic of the fly over down the river through the city.

After freezing my nuts off for 15 minutes I could hear the drone of the jets... but what our receptionist had neglected to tell me was that they fly over a different part of the city.



I sent a slightly sarcastic message to her... and you have to be careful using sarcasm on these continentals... and by way of apology she sent me the video she had taken.

It's not the most convincing Christmas tree I've ever seen...

[OhOh]

I checked my passport and my Non O is valid to 19th February. I'm booked here in Sweden to 11th January. That five weeks leaves plenty of time (I hope) to get back to the UK and organise travel to Thailand. I can fly out middle of Feb and be in Korat by beginning of March after quarantine.

OhOh, after your experiences with the Thai Embassy in London, does that time frame sound realistic?

You need to personally, plus wife, apply at your local TIO for the One Year Extension prior to the end of the 90 days you will be stamped in for, when you arrive in Bangkok. Before your current Non O visa expires, which you state ends on the 19th February 2021.

You have either 10 or 14 days quarantine in Bangkok, a few of days traveling at least - flights Sweden to London and London to BKK plus getting from BKK to Korat, possibly banks to visit in Korat, week-ends and possible TIO holidays ....

I suggest emailing the UK Embassy for the COE from Sweden and utilise you UK address. Being a UK citizen I believe you must apply at the London Embassy. The embassy delivered all the COE documents back to me via e-mail. I can't remember if a proof of a UK address was required but a UK bank statement or Driving Licence would be fine.

My contact with them was all via email. Their website listed all the requirements for the Certificate of Entry which as I was returning to visit my Thai wife was all I needed from them. I'm not sure if your wife's house book info is listed but I included those, her ID card copies, all signed and dated.

The staff were very helpful and once I had collected all flight, quarantine hotel confirmations and marriage documents together and emailed them to the embassy they returned the certificate within a few days. As I changed date of my flight, they issued the revised COE the next day.

The flights and quarantine hotels are online jobs. Try for a direct flight, any ME stopover countries may have their own travel requirements also flights to BKK may be 100% full of untested Thai citizens. After flights to the UK and to Dubai being 20% full the 100% Dubai to BKK flight was not so good. Ensure your airline offers free re-booking if timescales change.

Ensure all the info on the COE matches the flight, quarantine hotel info as it is all to match otherwise there may be difficulties at check-in. The quarantine hotels are all listed on Thai websites. Select one that matches your pocket, has a large room, a window/balcony, free wifi and tv. The first week you aren't going out of your door. In addition choose a location that makes your travel home easy. The hotel will organise meeting you at the airport and delivering you to the hotel.

Ensure you carry spare copies of all travel documents, The system at BKK is well organised but queues overlap and are still Thai queues and leaving documents at one of the three or four checking stations is a possibility.

an extension based on Marriage.

As PEG states it's a 1 year Extention not a new visa.

Ensure your wife is clear that she will be asking for the requirements to apply for a One Year Extension of your current Non O visa. Presumably based on being married to a Thai.

Remember you need your THB 400,000 lump sum in the bank for two months prior to the date of application and one month after. I would try and put the lump some sooner to allow for any TIO holidays or week end problems.

If you chose the monthly foreign transfers route the average, of last years monthly foreign transfers, must exceed THB 40,000. The year finishes the day you apply. In addition 12 months bank statements and a bank letter confirming the statement amounts are required. Bangkok Bank takes 7 days to deliver the required 12 months printout. Check what your bank can do.

Remember to time your virus test to suit the airlines, transit country and Thai requirements accurately.

Good luck.

[Saint Willy]

After freezing my nuts off for 15 minutes

it’s the middle of winter! And you still have gloves or a hat. Or even a proper jumper or jacket.

[David48atTD]

our lovely Polish receptionist

Make her YOUR Polish receptionist ... Polish (in the main) rock ...

Photo please ... of her, not you

[ootai]

Mendip, as a (cyber) Mate ... permission to be brutally honest?

Mendip replied

^ Go for it David, I'm intrigued...

But just so you know, I'm not buying any more socks!


SO


David48atTD
I don't know about Mendip but I am still waiting to see what it is you had to ask his permission for.
So what the hell do you want to say to him?