ayahuasca

"will his insurance pay." ---hahaha. sorry, ahm, you MUST read the policy wording. That's the full document that goes over all that is, and is not covered. It's a long read. 

btw. regarding licenses, they have started up again the past few weeks. So it's possible to renew the license again. 

G'day. 

Questions regarding an no-b (educational) visa:

A filipino friend has been teaching in Thailand for 6 years. Her Non-b ends on February 20 and her school said she needs to leave the country to get a longer term edu visa. (?)

She is now choosing to do caregiver work instead (and has a solid offer) but needs to some way to extend. 

Agents are offering volunteer visas at 32k. She could also perhaps to do the covid-extension (which presumably results in a "tourist visa"?). 

However, her future employer (caregiver work) wants to bring her on a trip to the U.S. to get one of the better vaccines in a couple months. Thus having a non-b or some more substantial visa is desirable (for the return). 

PM’s or any suggestion are welcome. Thanks. 

for a non-o retirement they also wanted a photo of me in front of my house, which was not listed on any official document. 

thus be prepared to 1. be asked for something that is not required on any form. 2. not be asked for something that is stated on forms to be required. 3. for 90% of staff and visitors to not be wearing masks. 

For example:

France: 67,000,000 people reports: 590,000 cases

Thailand: 70,000,000 people reports: 3,600 cases

See the problem? 

>>>NO TESTING in Thailand<<<

He knows what many people don’t….

And if you test positive for Covid-19 in Thailand, what happens?

(I know, and you should too). 

https://safetywing.com/   safetywing now covers covid-19   and has EU170k / USD200k coverage. it's kinda like a travel insurance. NOTE their latest policy wording, and the USD$250 deductible. it's a monthly thing so you pay $40/month and it renews. It's the best thing I've found to cover my filipina assistants who are already in Thailand for shorter term. 

A couple american friends here have it too. 

in the U.S. those 3 cities, are probably some of the easiest places to get tested. 

google search! but here is a link for locations in san francisco: 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2020/map-coronavirus-testing-near-me/

note: for the map to work on a browsers out of the the U.S. you will probably need to use a VPN to fake being in the US. 

I actually hired someone (an educated Thai) to investigate this, and the answer is that if you test positive you are forcibly brought to the hospital. As for how long, it seems that it is as long as you "test positive," but the answers then became a bit murky (from the hospital staff which were interviewed), and the type of tests they are using, though some people were kept as long as a month and yes, the costs were significant. 

As for "forcibly brought to the hospital," that situation exists now, as many of you know. And many private hospitals do not accept "positive" Covid-19 people....

This is part of the joke of how many cases there are in Thailand -- aside from "no mass testing":  No one is motivated to "Get tested" because if it's positive the police will show up and you will be either escorted to a hospital or brought to the border (usually in the case of Burmese or those who don't have the money or are not Thai). 

I recently was going to hire a Thai person for a job looking after my elderly father, the process along of doing a brief quarantine, then the double testing, was 22k, not including flying her down. Then I discovered, like most of the foreigners and Thais, she was not following proper protocols (per the top medical research schools in the world: Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Oxford, etc). Oh well!  

Today at Samui Immigration I was told that the requirements for the non-o were not 

https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/08-edit_NON-O.pdf

but much more extensive:

This is the sheet she gave to me, which refers to a Non-OA. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0iyq7oo8pd24oyy/Samui_IMMI_NonOA_Sept10.pdf?dl=0

[also linked here Samui Immi Non-OA blather]

And then she said, I “probably have not time, tomorrow is last day to apply [sic].”

I then almost expect her to hand me a card of a local agent (haha), but she did not. 

Any suggestions? 

I can get all the docs in this new listing, including the 

1. proof of insurance

2. medical certificate (probably not obtainable in a day)

But I had submitted in good order all the requirements listed on 

https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/08-edit_NON-O.pdf

yet the agent repeated some of them, as if she had not even checked my folder of documents. 

Well, there was an unusual experience at Samui immigration today (3 Sept). They inspected my documents, and one immi agents said “no cannot”, then I produced the US embassy letter, but then another perhaps more superior immi agent said “wait a 3-4 days, there will be a government announcement.” I mirrored her comment as a question: “a government announcement?" yes, she said, “come back in 4 days” -- with one hand in flat shake signifying “about" or "we will see happens...."

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I suspect they are saying you do not have a legit permit to stay under the amnesty. You can get a 30 day extension or a stamp stating your stay is legit until the 26th with a letter from the embassy.

You can request the letter by completing this form and they will email it to you in a short period of time (print letter in color).

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=dFDPZv5a0UimkaErISH0S3NVAXsxQaZEpst3lGhanZ5UMTZNNE5TUDM3SEhHOFhHV0MzOEk5UVlaWS4u

This is the list of requirements to apply for the non-o visa your need. https://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/08-edit_NON-O.pdf

Thank you sir. Note: I have not yet requested the non-o. I am planning to visit the immi today/tomorrow, and that US embassy letter was received within an hour, and should be helpful. One last question: on the TM86 as for "reasons" for the non-o, shall I simply write "retirement"? 

Brief: my father, age 96, is retired here on Samui. I had been using a METV’s-- the current one expired in June 2020. I have the seasoned, required funds in a Thai bank, and I am over 50. It has been suggested to me recently, by local farangs, that Samui immigration would give me an Non-O. But if I visit Samui immigration, I want to be completely prepared —and yes I just obtained the bank letter and copies of statements yesterday and have the app form, photos, passport copies & housing registration. 

(We’re Americans on U.S. passports. Father is a retired SES US Navy scientist). Any comments, suggestions, links?  

Incidentally, the two reasons for my staying longer are A. my father needs the guidance/help and B. waiting until they get a decent vaccine (in the U.S.).   Thanks much.

do the obvious: 

1. look at the terms of your airline ticket.

2. look at the terms of your hotel booking.

3. get insurance if you can which will cover either (if the terms of 1 and or 2 are not agreeable)

4. note that LOS regs are, apparently, demanding a test within 72hrs of landing.

On 7/12/2020 at 3:10 AM, kingdong said:

modest prices?you having a giraffe?

I was thinking "globally". In terms of SEA it's generally overpriced. But so many tourist areas of Thailand have become quite expensive, meaning, for what you actually get, you are paying way too much. btw. I am here now in part because it was a safer place to bring my elderly father (than Pattaya)--because the flights are indeed over-priced, and the pricing is higher, it provides a barrier for the massive influx of low-budget tourists which were not being stopped by the powers that be from entering Thailand (in February 2020)--Pattaya was just nuts with busses, mostly of chinese.... So as for Samui it is not a bad place to isolate during Covid-19 but Thailand does not have access to the latest drugs, and a lot of the farangs on the island are in *complete denial* of Covid-19 being anywhere in LOS, or of the still unknown complications of getting the virus. (I could go on about the lack of testing, and extreme costs for individual testing and, what really happens if you test positive for covid-19 in LOS but I won't here -- I hired a researcher to find out, given the lack of real reporting, and it's not pretty). 

ok, question time! ;-). 

what are the main differences between bacteria and viruses?

how do viruses reproduce? 

which are typically larger, viruses or bacteria? 

where can you go to get a test for the Covid-19 virus? 

why type of tests are available? 

what happens if you test positive? 

a bit stumped?

if so, then yes, you really don’t know much about Covid-19 & Thailand. 

and yes of course:

where free speech does not exist, then all is suspect….

including _____blah blah blah. 

I thought folks you may be amused by my latest note to my retired father (a 95-year old SES U.S. navy scientist living in Jomtien). He has a short-term memory problem…so I sometimes need to write notes which repeats what I have told him personally. 

(quote)

dad,

Thailand has a requirement of all those on “retirement visas” to report to immigration every 90 days. It’s a very silly requirement but so it goes. Their online system does not work correctly (FYI: this is in fact both an absent-monarchy, a police-state, and a “developing country” which is, in general, paranoid about asking those who know, to fix it —e.g. most major U.S. tech companies could fix this in a week). Anyways, there is this form, that you need to sign, and then you can go down to the immigration office, and present it to them. they may want some small amount of money…but that’s it. Maysun can help. 

//

(unquote)

(my pops has 24/7 assistants, who are filipina, because 95% of the thai people cannot speak decent english, but now these filipinas have problems with immigration…yet another significant issue…)

Kindly PM me on this maneuver. I meet the requirements, but I recently brought my elderly pops over, who is on a good US federal pension (and global insurance) but has no Thai Bank Account. The local fixers I have been in contact with want THB25k, thus 15k is more palatable. Thanks much ????

Good day,

Can anyone suggest where to find eldercare people? In my case, I want to hire someone to elder-sit my father 5-10hrs a day. He's healthy but just needs some diversion/entertainment, and someone to motivate him to move around a bit. I can pay well, but I am at a loss as to where to search. (Ideally the assistant(s) will have a good command of English, as he's a former scientist, and remains quite interested in art/politics/science/history, etc. but they need not be on that level, just speaking decent English would be adequate.)

Thank you!

Good day.

I would appreciate recommendations of the top orthopedic surgeons in Bangkok. I am presuming the best are in Bangkok.

I recently had a clavicle surgery on Koh Samui -- broken collar bone from motorcycle fall (yes I wore my helmet). I question my judgement on having surgery on Samui. The care was so so, the surgeon lied about what kind of plate they were using. They don't seem to know much about rehabilitation, or the side effcts of the drugs given. In the end it cost 225,000 Baht (US$7,000), including a 5 day hospital stay...whatever, not a big deal but enough money for excellent care I think.

Because I am uncertain as to whether they did a good job I am considering:

A. flying to the states (US) and getting reviewed by a top surgical group.

B. flying to bangkok and getting reviewed.

I would prefer to do B. but only if I can get some really excellent recommendations.

I mean "best in asia" or somesuch.

Thank you very much for your responses!

btw.

I recommend if you get broken bones, e.g. clavicle, legs, etc on Samui, just have them shoot you with morphine and get on a plane for bangkok or elsewhere. Don't rush into surgery. If it's not life threatening, better care is available elsewhere!! (tell your friends). Just insist: vitals, morphine, and a taxi! :-).

Tourist Visa Extension at Nathon Immigration Office Samui

I had a smooth visa extension experience today. Thought I'd give the detail.

I went at 3:30pm. Though I had downloaded and filled out the form, they had a slightly different one and asked me to fill that out. Also they did not ask for a copy of my tourist visa or passport. They did charge me 1,920 baht, so maybe the 20 was for copies? (There's a filled out "example form" that one can follow).

So I re-filled out the form, she gave me a glue-stick to attach my photo, gave her 1,920 baht, and my passport, and she said to come back in about an hour. I then headed back to Nathon waterfront and had a great pumpkin tofu stir-fry with brown rice at the art cafe (it's right by the pier, near where there are motorbikes on the waterside for rent). Around 5:15pm, I breezed back to immigration (motorbike -- it's 10 minutes south of Nathon) and an immigration lady had my passport and extension stamp in it.

Thus apparently all you need is a passport photo, your passport, and to fill out the form. For the form remember to have your arrival flight number (you can probably make this up), the location of where you are staying (street, etc -- 123/54 Moo 6, etc) or just get some location nearby (say a resort) and have that handy. The rest of the info comes from your passport. (mine is a U.S. passport).

I got 12 passport photos from the Fuji film place on the circle road earlier in the day. It's in about the center of Nathon on the beach side of the road (circle road, not beach roach). It looks like a photo printing place but they have a studio in back, and for 130 baht, they even photoshopped me a bit to look more "vibrant". That took 20 minutes.

Remember to be very polite at immigration. Some really bossy german lady was told to "stop" (meaning "stop bitching") by the immigration officer. (This was a "good looking" probably high maintenance german lady, Oie!). If you're nice, the immigration folks are totally nice in return. dam_n for US$60 for a stamp I can understand.

Oh yes I requested 30 days and got it. Reason I put: "Changed flight".

-----

Thank you very much for the fast and thorough replies. :-)

Hi Folks,

thanks in advance for your recommendations.

U.S. Citizen, 42.

On Samui but do need to get to Bangkok for some gear in the next month. So I am open to continuing on to Vientiane then returing.

I have a 2 month, 2 entry, Thai Visa I got in the U.S.

I want to extend for 3 more months after the 2 months.

(btw. i arrived Jan 17, 2010 so March 16 or so my 2 months is up).

I am getting 2 different answers from "experts":

1. pay 1900 baht in Thailand for 1 month extension, then leave the country for another 2 months.

2. leave the country and return for another 2 months. Then leave the country again for another 2 months.

What do you think?

here's an actual image of my Thai Visa.

Thank you.

I am in Koh Chang now. Briefly...

Lonely Beach:

Siam Huts - kinda basic. 540 baht for aircon beachfront, but they're not that clean.

Lonely beach bungalows. 500 baht for aircon, no beachfront but they seem kinda quiet.

Paradise Cottages - 700-1200 fan/aircon. on the beach nice and quiet. however the staff are rude, and forgetful.

Lonely beach has a more youthful crowd....

If you're into fat germans/russians (sorry guys) and more commercialization, package tourists then white sands is it, from my brief visit.

a real steal I found is on a bang bao beach (south), walking in beyond ernie barnes bar, round cement, looking new bunaglows, aircon, tv, nice beds, hot shower 700 baht but was told to bargain so you could probably get them for 600.

motorbikes are about 200 baht day but probably can do a deal weekly.

I'd say check into lonely beach bungalows if you can, then rent a scooter and spend a day looking around.

cheerio.