Stuart Foulkes
Friday 1st June was a fantastic night on the Eastern
Seaboard with our endearing Lighthouse Club Pattaya community get together
at the Hard Rock Pattaya’s newly refurbished “Soul Lounge”.
Garanick Vanichsenee and
Sompop Vanichsenee, managing director of The Urban Property prepare for an
entertaining event.
It was a great night with many new faces and for the
third time this year, a new sponsor - The Urban Property.
As ever, guests from the Eastern Seaboard were present
whilst even including many Bangkokonian residents with some so far away as
Singapore and beyond. Approximately 350 guests were in attendance.
It was said to be “A real treat” and “An opportunity to
enter world class venues with great entertainment and networking for a small
charitable cause entry fee.”
Following a few internal restructures within the
Lighthouse early 2012, there are an increasing number of new sponsors
accepting the responsibility to host the monthly corporate charity network
event with particular interest amongst developers which fits in well with
the aim of the Lighthouse. Since the inception of the Lighthouse Club, the
principal aim has been to promote good fellowship and cooperation amongst
members, most of whom are involved in the construction industry, in one way
or another.
As a sponsor, to receive such promotion and awareness for
such a small price and as a guest to enjoy such great networking for such a
low ticket entry, the Lighthouse Club Pattaya provides a great community
involvement for all at a charitable causes.
Finally, “The Lighthouse Club has its origins in
Newcastle, England, where in 1956 a group of exhibitors got together for a
drink at the Rex Hotel after a construction exhibition.” We shall certainly
look forward to a drink at the next Lighthouse Club Pattaya event. Details
coming soon.
www.Facebook.com/LHCPattaya
Jürgen Schlag, Tony Malhotra,
deputy MD of Pattaya Mail; Ingo Raeuber, Group General Manager of Pinnacle
Hotels, Resorts and Spas; Rungratree Thongsaai; Ingeborg Schlag; along with
Thai-Ger Line Golf’s Bussarakorn Potong, asst. managing director and
Carl-Fabian Arp managing director.
Zimvz Samillano and Amelyn
Desucatan brighten the evening with their lovely smiles.
The lovely Soottinee
Suponpattana, Lalita and Napaporn Sapmi, sales executives from Acqua
Condominium.
Naowarat Warakunboonparat,
sales executive with Partnership Property, Lalita, sales executive with
Acqua Condominium and Jiranan Hansuwan, sales manager of Pattaya Group Co.,
Ltd.
Joe Cox, managing director of
Defence International Security Services; Eva Johnson; Jutharat Cox and
Michael Newbatt, Security and Logistics Manager for the British Embassy
Bangkok line up for a commemorative photo.
International Property Group
Co., Ltd. was well represented by sales consultant Jerry Gasper, Company
Director Gus Zanger and Managing Director Anders Johansson.
Sirintra Phosal, Alan Ewens,
Media Manager for Dubai World Championship Jumeirah Golf Estates, Pepsi, and
Terrence Allen Collins, Project Manager of The Vineyard enjoy the wine.
Lorenzo Joaquin Perez De
Tagle, sales and marketing for City Garden Condo; Feliciano Noli Leyson IV,
sales executive with City Garden Condo, and Sompop Vanichsenee, managing
director of The Urban Property.
Panumas Srisakhot and
Valentina Bargeeva look at home under the bright lights.
Duncan Murray and Tony Ryan,
boxing trainer, personal trainer and fitness advisor sip red wine as it is
better for your health than beer.
Stuart Maxwell Foulkes.
Dries Van Veen, Herman De
Boer, and Tom Dallyn from Huay Yai Villas.
Eva Johnson, Rodney James
Charman and Lee Wrigglesworth laugh the night away.
How do I get a long stay extension from Thai Immigration? The
answer to this and other questions was provided at the Sunday, June 3 meeting of
the Pattaya City Expats Club. Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg introduced
fellow club member Darrel Vaught, noting that he is the club’s resource person
for information about Thai Immigration matters.
Pattaya City Expats were
fortunate to have Board Member, and Newsletter and Website Editor, Darrel Vaught
to detail the vexed area of obtaining visas and other immigration issues that
falangs will have to deal with when seeking to live in the ‘Land of Smiles’.
Darrel began by saying that he did not believe anyone could
be an expert on the subject, but that he did his best to keep informed on the
requirements and procedures at the Chonburi Immigration Office. First, he noted
that English translations of the Immigration Act of 2522 and Thai Immigration
Police Order No. 777-2551 are available on the club’s website along with the
answers to most questions on Thai Immigration matters. Darrel said he would be
discussing the procedures currently followed at the Chonburi Immigration office.
Darrel mentioned that the club’s website has a wealth of
information that should answer most people’s questions, whether they plan to
visit or want to live here. Before covering the frequently asked questions,
Darrel pointed out the different ways to enter Thailand and if and how long the
foreigner can stay depending on which they use. Further, to obtain a long stay
extension, you must enter Thailand with a non-immigrant visa received from a
Thai Embassy or Consulate. However, there are a couple of exceptions. If you
qualify as a retiree, you can obtain a non-immigrant “O” visa in Thailand from
Thai Immigration. If you are a former Thai national or your parents were Thai
nationals, you can extend your stay without having to have a non-immigrant visa.
Not everyone can get a long stay extension. Although you may have a
non-immigrant visa, you cannot get a long stay extension unless you qualify for
one of the categories listed in Police Order No. 777-2551.
Pat Koester announces the sign up
sheet for a trip to some of the older cultural sights of Samut Prakan, while MC
Richard Silverberg looks on.
Darrel then provided answers to some of the more frequently
asked questions about long stay extensions and related areas such as address
reporting and re-entry permits. He first covered the question asked by many that
want to retire and live in Thailand. That is whether it is better to get a
non-immigrant “O-A” visa in your country of residence or applying for a
non-immigrant “O” visa in Thailand. Darrel then pointed out the pros and cons of
the two methods.
He then provided answers to other commonly asked questions.
These related to extension renewal, switching the method used to meet financial
requirements if any, and what happens if your passport will expire before the
next renewal anniversary date. He also commented on re-entry permits such as
when they expire, single vs. multiple entries, getting one at Suvarnabhumi
Airport, and consequences of leaving Thailand without one. Other areas he
covered were the ability of a spouse or relative of the holder of a long stay
extension to also get a long stay extension. He pointed out that for a non-Thai
spouse or qualified relative to “piggy back” on their spouse or relative’s long
stay extension, they must have entered Thailand on a non-immigrant visa and have
documentation showing their relationship.
Darrel concluded his presentation by answering one of the
most often asked questions, which is about what to do if you are going to be out
of Thailand when your next 90 day address report is due. The answer being that
the report is required only if you are in Thailand 90 consecutive days from
entry or from your last address report. Consequently, if you leave Thailand
before it is due, no report is required. Your next report will be due 90 days
from the date you return if you continue to remain in Thailand.
After Darrel answered several questions, Richard updated
everyone on upcoming events and called on Pat Koester to talk about a one day
trip she is organizing to tour the Ancient City and the Erawan Museum. Richard
then updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Roy Albiston to conduct
the always interesting and lively Open Forum where questioned are asked and
answered about expat living in Thailand; Pattaya in particular.
The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday at the Amari
Orchid’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Read more about the club’s activities on
their website at www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
