CMX

In a thread related to expats married to Thai citizens, two contributors claimed that Chiang Mai Immigration officials had refused their $50 sworn declarations from the U.S. embassy regarding income. I do not want to be an alarmist and do not know that this is the case for all U.S. retired expats!  Mine is a search for information only from those retiree expats who have renewed recently, please.

That is, is this also the case with those not married to Thai citizens as well?  If so, how does one satisfy Immigration's proof of income requirements to their satisfaction?  (Note that I do not wish to exercise the option of parking a year's assurance in a Thai bank.)

I am not interested in 'cheating' here as I am truly eligible to retire under current requirements.  Please start another thread (or restore one?) for that.

I'd just like to know what to do.  Failing your advice, I'll try to contact the U.S. Consulate here - or even, during this mess of holidays, trek down to Immigration still again.

Can you save me the hassle?  Thanks in advance.

I'd been touring dealers in search of accessories and report the following just in case it might be of interest (that Thailand Motorsickle list has not been revised in 19 months, I
think, and I've noticed prices skating up somewhat.

I had written earlier that Yamaha's Elegance 135, if I ordered alloy wheels, now came with tubeless tires.  The price here today is 60,700 baht, with spokes 3K less.
(You must really see the colors - four choices in a similar pattern.)

Meanwhile, Honda's PCX is in sufficient supply that they are asking 73,900 now.

My Hayate Fi this year ran 53,500 with spokes but can only be equipped from the factory with tires with tubes.  


Often, one can negotiate 1,000 baht off for cash, and all do include registration (plate), green book, and basic insurance only (PCX only basic as well nowadays).

While I'm aware that Thailand prefers to tax imports to death (protectionism, in order to encourage domestic industrial development), Asean and inter-nation agreements must be in play as well.

As I understand it, Asean nations can now exchange 250 cc bikes without charging each other import taxes.  But Japan, China, India, and Taiwan, for example, are not Asean countries, so their bikes are import-taxed at rates determined by individual treaties.  I wonder what these must be, but note that if the Lifan twin Cruiser sells for 78K, that import tax cannot be great.

Moreover, there appear to be additional tax burdens on bikes over 250 cc, whatever their source?  That is, is it  the case that the domestically produced Kawa's are taxed at a higher rate than their 250 - or not?  And what is it, that tax, on bikes from Asean nations vs. others - or all they all the same regarding bigger bikes?

Then there is the issue, raised recently elsewhere on this forum, of manufacturers' profiteering.  It is irrefutable, I think, to doubt that the vast majority of Thai domestic market of buyers use bikes for transportation, not fun.  Leaders must think in this way as well, not to mention about the disadvantage of imported fuel costs to Thailand's balance of trade.  

That is, those of us wishing bikes of greater power than those provided in the 250 cc category are only a niche market, pretty much filled by Kawa's offerings.  Why would any factory want to enter a tiny market if they must price their vehicles high?

In sum:  I don't know much about these tax issues and wonder if someone has FACTS???? about these tax issues?

I find myself using up bandwith with AIS at their 3G max allowed service.  I'd be glad to know if anyone in the Land and Houses project only is having success with 3G or any other cable or phone line service.  

Thanks in advance!

Although I know nothing plus about fish, the place I lease has a tile pond with fish which the landlord says eat larvae.  This may be true, as I find few of those killer insects around. For a year and a half, I've kept everybody well, pretty much, cleaning, skimming, feeding, and refreshing water.  Suddenly we have a die-off.

Maebaan mentioned she had seen similar in her village lately.

I have researched here, and find a lot about fish and chips and one nice thread about locations for replacements - but, what about the cause itself?  Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.