madisongy

Concerned citizens complained? It IS Pattaya they're talking about, right?

Melania Trump's little sister.

Great point about testing speeds....we're in a high rise and connection gets a bit wonky. And yeah, I'd do the portable modem since we're going to be back doing short stints like this again. So looked at one of your recommendations...DTAC...., and if this is right, it would cost me about 35 baht per day for 8Mbps unlimited. If the speed test works out, that would be absolutely perfect for us. Really appreciate your response.

Thanks for that Richard. Looked like on the Customs website, I'm good with personal belongings under 20,000 baht. I'd be well under that. Agree with your comments on shipped items. I always use the postal service rather than DHL/FEDEX/UPS...and I have never had a problem. in addition to the normal shipments, I've twice shipped documents using US Postal Service Global Express Guaranteed. About $75 at the time, but they missed the delivery commitment by one day........on two separate occasions...... and they refunded the fee both times.

We are going to be in Bkk from Feb thru April. When my wife lived there in the past, we had AIS for a long time in our condo, and still have the AIS Fibre modem. But looks like I'd have to make a 12 month commitment and the cheapest plan is 600b/month. Does anyone know if that's correct, and if so, would True or DTAC or any other company would provide home internet for only 3 months? Any offerings on unlimited SIM cards fast enough to stream video on the TV at home?

I'm bringing a 3500baht grill through the airport. Last time I flew in, the pay duty lane was closed so I had to go to the nothing to declare line and the guy whisked me right though. I had my usual crates of food, and when I told him that, I got the mai pen rai.

Absolutely my primary plan. But nice to have these other options in the unlikely event that does not fly. (could not resist the pun)

Many thanks to DrJack for alerting me to the issue. The I/O's in Thailand have never asked me for a onward ticket in the past, but I always knew of the requirement. I've also never entered without the return ticket within 30 days. Great pointers on the onwardticket option for $14, and then just booking a real return ticket on Expedia and cancelling within 24 hours. So my two cents......I logged on Expedia to look for a cheapo destination. Phnom Penh seems to be one of those sub $50 destinations. BUT, that's on Airaisa, and Airasia does not refund within 24 hours. Thai is $112....fully refundable within 24 hours. So thanks for the tips, and I feel like I've got two options. It's going to take 30 hours to get to Bkk, so yeah, that ticket will be booked if I have an issue at the departure airport, and then cancelled just before takeoff. I'll rebook if needed when I hit Bkk immigration. Or, just book the onwardticket for $14. In the 200 international flights I've made, I only had one idiot in the US (American Airlines agent) that drilled me on the visa issue. She was completely wrong, and eventually they let me fly. Hoping our upcoming trip follows the usual smooth sailing.

Hey, usual Thanks DrJack. More great info....thanks. Looked at getting the return boarding pass. We're booked on JAL and looks like I can only get that 24 hours before flight. Feel good about onwardflight based on your comment. Seems simple. Keeping my fingers crossed I get a decent IO. You've been an absolute huge help. If you're in BKK, the beers are on me.

Thanks much DrJack. Link answered questions on marriage cert, thanks. For vax, we have 4, last one Oct 2022, so should be good there too. For "onward flight", yeah....good point. Saw your post on stepping away and getting ticket or rent a ticket. Found site....onwardticket.com. Would you happen to know if they're reputable or who would be? What's cheapest legit flight? Any idea if this is generally an issue or generally no problem? really appreciate your clear and concise information.

Hey DrJack, just booked tickets for 88 days in Thailand and just a quick question on the extension documents. I plan to bring the marriage certificate that we got in the US, my passport of course, and the 1900 baht. My wife will be there with me also. anything else I need to bring? Thanks.

Many thanks Dr Jack54 and Ubonjoe for the outstanding information. Obviously taking your advice to enter visa exempt and then do the extension. when I'm there......and will hopefully get approved for the 60 days extension. I did a 30 day extension 3 years ago, and at that time ....besides the crowd... was a pretty simple process. This time, I will plan to bring a marriage certificate that we got in the US for proof of marriage, passport, and 1900 baht. Do I need to show a Thai bank statement or proof of insurance or anything else? Assuming the fact that my wife lives with me in the US is not a factor to "visit Thai wife" as we're actually visiting her family.

Many thanks Ubonjoe, great site. I read you need to apply 15 working days in advance if applying in home country. Read elsewhere, that you need to stay 60 days in Thailand before you can apply in Thailand. Is that correct, and which is the better route? Also shows requirement for travel booking confirmation......would you happen to know if they accept an itinerary, or do I actually have to purchase the tickets?

I know this has been done to death, but since the advice I had from last year is no longer valid, I wanted to get updated info for trip hopefully in January, 2023. I'm American, married to a Thai for 3 years. We intend to make 90 day trips to Thailand annually. In the past, we would stay on the 30 day exemption, and then either head out of the country for a few days, or I got the 30 day extension. I saw the exemption is now 45 days........true? If that's the case, is the extension 45 days as well? Or do I go with the OA? Or do a border run?

32 million dollars or baht? Can you share the premium amount and would you know if you can sign up for a month or two? Also, what's your plan after you hit 75 as I heard a lot of Thai companies drop you at a certain age.

Good info Cwarlock. The only difference I found between plan G and N is that G covered the "excess charges" which apparently some doctors will charge and no $20 copay with G, . International rules are the same for both plans. The G premium is $170/mo and N is $144/mo. With 10 months in, I have never seen any excess charges on a bill. Based on these rates, the $200-$300 travel policy is pretty spendy. Anyone know of a plan, possibly offered within Thailand, that can be used for a month or two after the 60 days coverage of these plans? Below is a simple website for comparing costs/benefits. https://www.aarpmedicareplans.com/health-plans/plan-summary/32164/035/2023?WT.mc_id=4WZ&product=MEDSUPP&intref=AARPMedicareSupplement.com&EBRC=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarpmedicaresupplement.com%2Fmedicare-information-guide.html&WT.srch=1&mrcid=ppc_ms&enginetype=GOOGLE&campaign=MS-GGL-AARP-BP-T1-Medigap-EM-4WZ&keyword=aarp+medigap+plan+g&kwid=p70075392612&gclid=CjwKCAiAp7GcBhA0EiwA9U0mtk9kV2eomQmuq_9B0ibpRrx8oNo7CjkkutZ2uuLbAmLQYkVsS3v--xoCm1MQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have the AARP United Health Care Medicare supplement. This is taken directly from their website. I am glad you asked the question, as I was not aware that it only covered 60 days, or the $50k max. I signed up for this plan because it seemed to cover everything I needed, including some international travel. I do wish it lasted 90 days as that's what i am planning for my routine trips to Thailand. Foreign Travel Emergency Medicare does not cover any health care you receive outside of the United States. Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M and N cover some emergency care outside the United States. After you meet the yearly $250 deductible, this benefit pays 80 percent of the cost of your emergency care during the first 60 days of your trip. There is a $50,000 lifetime maximum.

Ha! I'm not wearing a bunch of expensive jewelry, or carrying around a passport....both can get you robbed. I see some references to testing for weed......I'm guessing with weed legal, they're testing for all the other drugs....no? Can you still get busted for a positive weed test in Thailand?

Absolutely understand that and plan to pay for Medicare since I'll spend a lot of time in US also, but the "no coverage in Thailand" bit is why I'm looking for information on a supplemental plan that will cover me in Thailand.

Hey, this is an excellent point, and I'm sure it's been discussed here but having difficulty to find anything. (sorry for the slight divergence from topic) I'm American, about to go on Medicare, and I don't have Tricare. I'm guessing if I want to stay in my Bkk condo for any length of time, I need to do some sort of Medicare supplement policy. Anyone know what Medicare supplement plans cover Thailand retirement? (I'm going to be selecting a plan through my previous employer's administrator Mercer) And would that supplemental plan meet the Thai requirement for health insurance?

Absolute crime what our government did to our citizens in Thailand. We have PLENTY of vaccine here, with half the morons refusing to take it. Yet, our government won't take care of our taxpaying citizens who helped pay for Warp Speed!! It would take absolutely nothing to get everyone there fully vaccinated within a couple of months. My wife and I were delayed coming back last year due to Covid. We've both been Moderna vaxxed since March. We are in the raging Florida hotspot, so happy to have them. Neighbor got Moderna back in Feb. Got Delta 3 weeks ago. 84 years old.....said he felt like he had a cold. Guy has a heart valve, knee and hip replacements.....probably other things. Saw him down at the pool today, looking chipper. Absolutely slays me that if we had happened to return to Thailand, the US would abandon us. Nuts.