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night_rider
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Posts posted by night_rider
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Thai rice prices are subsidized by the government. Setup a system of provenance for the product and do not subsidize those that burn. If you want the help of the public you must make an effort to benefit the public.
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My experience of the domestic airlines are that moving large luggage bags can be quite expensive. This is the solution I used and wanted to pass on. Not original. I think I read it on a Facebook group. Just hoping it would help someone else.
An example. Thai VietJet wanted 1280 baht for 40 kg. That is the most you can pre-purchase. Excess baggage fees were 350 baht per kilogram. I was heavy at 65 kg between two bags. (Long boring story) That's 10,000 in luggage charges.
The better option was to ship them to a hotel in Bangkok. Flash Express took them for 320 baht each. I sent them three days in advance. They arrived one day before I did with the hotel holding them. I created an account online and scheduled a booking. They came to the condo to pick up the luggage and they delivered it to the hotel for me to pickup on check in. Good price. Very convenient. Less to worry about on travel days.
I spoke to Kerry as well. They were 420 baht per bag but seem to be under pressure from the holidays as they estimated five days for delivery. That is one of the changes from express delivery services in my home country; they really don't have guaranteed delivery times.
J&T Express does not take anything over 100 cm dimensionally per the Sutthep branch. But they did give me a lead on an even cheaper service, Siam First ( siamfirst.co.th ). Siam First is right on the inner ring. They deliver to their central locations and you pickup from them. They had four locations in Bangkok. They were 190 baht per bag with next day delivery. As I understand it they run a regular route daily.
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15 minutes ago, anotherexpat4444 said:
Thank you . my nearest consulate (not very near) is Los Angeles. but I see on the vissa issuance page . it only shows 2 option
1- overseas Thai embassy or consulate
2- Thailand.
I dont see a e-Visa option here. any thoughts
Scroll down to Visa Categories and it's the last one listed.
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Lotus on the super highway had it today.
Lee & Perrins right next to the Thai version. I believe it was 95 baht per bottle and the Thai version was 60 baht for a bit larger bottle.
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1 minute ago, Caldera said:
Your land border visa exempt limit will reset in January and you currently get 45 days, so with one more remaining this year and two next year, plus 30 day extensions for each I needed, you can cover quite some time. ...
This is very interesting. I thought it was a rolling 12 month period not calendar year.
RE: a 'classic' visa sticker... I'm in Chiang Mai so a border bounce is just a bus ride away. Going to an embassy for a visa is not really something I'd want to do. If I have to get on a plane I'd do a week in Bali and return to Thailand exempt and get 45 days. My understanding is border crossings have a 2 exempt limit where international air have no limit. Going to an embassy for 15 days extra just doesn't seem worth it.
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7 hours ago, MajorTom said:
Why not? It certainly worked for me. Do you have other experience?
I appreciate the replies. @MajorTom I also appreciate the confirmation.
I will eventually be moving to an LTR visa but for various reasons don't wish to do this quite yet. I have one more visa exempt border crossing left to use so I think I'll try the TR eVisa and should anything go wrong I can hopefully fall back on exempt status.
The policy of governments does not always follow logic but I could not imagine why it would not work. Many people apply for visa in advance for multi nation trips and cross borders by land, sea and air.
The advantage for me is a bit of additional time, not using an exempt entry and less likely an IO will decline an issued visa. The advantage for the government is I am better vetted for entry into the country. There is a bit of additional cost but that's just peace of mind if it works as hoped.
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I'm a US citizen. eVisa are available to citizens of my country.
Is it possible to obtain a TR eVisa, cross into a neighboring country, cross back into Thailand presenting the TR eVisa for entry? Same for multiple entry TR?
Are there any reports supporting the actual experience on the ground?
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I would like to ask a few questions about the Long Term Visa option. I am a US citizen, 55 years of age and still working.
As long as I show evidence of the 80k in annualized income it need not come from a pension to be considered for the Wealthy Pensioner option?
Can it be based on current employment income such that age is the primary criteria for that category?
If based on current employment will they transition the requirements from the Wealthy Pensioner category to the Work From Thailand Professionals category?
Is a monthly paystub, bi-monthly paystub or employment offer letter sufficient for this purpose?
Is the work permit also issued to Wealthy Pensioners on application for the permit?
I appreciate the contribution of your experience and insights.
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5 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:
Google Zenni Optical. Reliable and cheap.
I've been using them many years. Solid frames and lenses. Generic photochromatic lenses as well as Transitions but usually the prior generation. Sunglasses are very solid with choices in polarized lenses. Prices are reasonable enough to replace annually. They did not deliver in Thailand at one point but do now. I ordered two pair four months ago with no issues.
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Sutthep bed was swirling just a moment. Noted the time and went back to sleep. USGS reports that 4.2. Very close and very shallow.
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I opened a Bangkok Bank account about a month ago having entered on a visa exemption and extended several times with Covid extensions. I opened the account at the Pratu Chang Phuak branch.
https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Save-And-Invest/Save/Savings-Account
Check required documents. Note:
- Embassy certification ($50 at the US Embassy in CM. Check your own embassy)
- SWIFT message
- Certificate of Residence and copy of lease
I used the last option. It's not on the web site but was suggested by the bank.
Chiang Mai Immigration does a touch of graft with the Certificate of Residence. 50 baht and you'll get it in the mail in three weeks. 500 baht and you can pick it up next day.
I also researched the SWIFT message. This is a message sent via the SWIFT Interbank system. Per correspondence with Bangkok Bank, they suggest the following text:
QuoteAttn: Payment Investigation Unit
Global Payment Services
Bangkok Bank
SWIFT Address: BKKBTHBK
Mr./Mrs. …………………. ID Card/Passport Number ………………………. Residing at ………………………………………. (permanent resident). Maintains account no. …………………………….. with us and has been conducting their banking business with us since …..dd….mth…….yr (date of account opening). Mr./Ms.………………….wish to open a savings account at ……………… (Specify name of Bangkok Bank branch where you wish to open account.) ……………… Please extend your banking facilities to Mr./Ms.……………………………. (account holder).
This should be transmitted using SWIFT interbank message format MT199 or MT999.
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I did a border run to Chiang Khong yesterday from Chiang Mai. Tips and changes follow.
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Greenbus from Chiang Mai was 622 baht round trip.
- The phone app was the best English buying experience
- They will automatically add insurances for Covid but you can remove them to subtract the premiums
- Outbound 9:30am-4:30pm. Inbound the same
- 30 minute layover in Phayao outbound. There is a 5-Star Chicken place a few blocks if you're hungry. Google it.
- Route terminates at Chiang Khong market but they will let you off right at the intersection of 1020 and 1356. (see map)
- Tuk Tuk from 1020/1356 interchange to Thailand Departure station is 50 baht for 2 or more passengers. Prices clearly posted. Nice guys and no scams.
- Thailand Immigration station is open till 10pm per Google. Laos Immigration open till 12:15am per Google.
- Bridge bus was 25 baht (after 4pm I think). Schedule can be slow but it's probably too far to walk in the heat. Just relax.
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Laos Immigration
- pickup two forms in basket, fill them out and turn in at Window 1
- They will collect 40 baht or USD $1 for an after 4pm surcharge
- pickup passport and visa at window 2
- proceed to pay fee at the back
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The Scam
- Posters are not kidding about having crisp currency. Your $20 bills should be pristine. They rejected one of mine due to a fold in the middle like you get from a wallet.
- I was then quoted 900 baht to cover the USD $20 bill. 45 baht to the dollar. Spot rate was 38.21 at the time.
- I politely dickered and talked her down to 800 baht or 40 baht to the dollar. It helped there was a line of wide eyed farang behind me getting a preview of the scam.
- If her boss was not over her shoulder I could have gotten her to accept the $20.
- This is nothing more than a scam but bear in mind it's not a lot of money in the end.
- Recommendation: bring lots of pristine $20 bills and offer to exchange with the foreigners with 'bad' currency just to frustrate their scam.
- Expansion of Laos eVisa program to this border check will hopefully eliminate this.
- Laos Departure no questions asked. No recommendation to spend the night in country.
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Thailand Arrival Immigration I entered visa exempt.
- NO vaccination information was requested
- Did receive 45 day stamp
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Transport back into Chiang Khong town is 100 baht in a group or 200 baht solo. Prices clearly marked.
- Nice lady. Even gave me a bunch of bananas as she was closing up for the day.
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Overnight at Namkhong Guesthouse for 200 baht. Clean room. Soft bed. Pool. Shared toilet/shower. Fan room (no AC needed this time of year)
- Definitely a recommend for clean, simple accommodation
- Tried to make Bamboo Mexican restaurant but they close at 7pm.
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Greenbus return bus the next morning at 9:30 am.
- You can walk to the pickup in 10 minutes. Use Google Maps not Apple Maps to find it.
- Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 3 about 4:30pm. Bolt home. I didn't want to leave my motorbike overnight at the station.
Changes
- Next time may rent a car. May try to car pool with others. I did consider taking my bike but was concerned about the timing of this weekends cyclone
- Next time I think I'll try a tourist visa using the new Thai eVisa system instead of visa exempt. Pop over the border and then produce the eVisa coming back. I don't think this counts against your 2 border runs.
Travel in Thailand is BOTH the currency scam and the kindness of strangers giving you bunches of bananas. Deal with the first but focus on the latter.
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19 minutes ago, CMBob said:
...Would recommend going for your 30-day extension 10+ days before your 45-day exempt time expires just in case you run into a paperwork problem (not likely but it could happen).
Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Chiang Mai Immigration issue extensions from the date of application rather than the end of your existing stamp? If you go 10 day early aren't you going to shorten your stay from 45+30 to 35+30?
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Kodi app running The Crew addon.
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41 minutes ago, seedy said:
All over. Chiang Dao just one example. With Chanote
Thanks much. It looks similar to Chiang Mai, about 500 meters but the Doi Chiang Dao rises to 2000+.
Looks like a worthy trip. Of course all the property online is priced like they were still in the opium trade and using their product.
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To the general question of property in Chiang Mai, I've enjoyed the drives up into the mountains. If I had my choice I'd settle around Chiang Mai at a higher elevation. I love the cool and the wooded feel of it. No problem coming down the hill to hit a Makro. However most of this seems to be national park land. I see so many stories of prominent politicians taken down for building on park land. I also think that there are land grants to hill tribes around that I don't quite understand.
Is there land for sale up on the mountains for purchase? Visions of growing my own coffee dance in my head.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
On 9/12/2022 at 4:49 PM, BonMot said:How'd it work out?
I would not recommend this coffee. It is too dark for me. Bitter burnt taste. I'll try a larger grind.
I gravitated toward dark roasts when I was younger but these days I prefer light or medium roasts even for espresso.
One of the reasons I wanted some good coffee is to eliminate milk and sweetener. I prefer a good black coffee. Sometimes a machiatto.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
1 hour ago, BonMot said:How'd it work out?
555 I don't know. I was seduced by the smell of the coffee aisle. I have to order my aeropress or french press tonight. Though I have enjoyed chewing on the beans all day like candy.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
I bought this today as my first foray into local coffees. Of all the coffee lined up on the shelf this is the one you could smell. Like it was calling my name. It had a roast date too which I look for.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
2 hours ago, steven100 said:I recently acquired an expresso machine, and have been trying to find a good ground coffee for hot Latte in the morning.
I noticed that Lotus carries Lavazza.
In the US I have a DeLonghi Magnifica and use Lavazza Super Crema in it with good results.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
4 hours ago, hwas said:Some coffees I have purchased recently from the following: Xanthocapa, Chiang Rai, Phu Sun, Nan; bata-me, Chiang Rai; Akha Ama
Were these from Lazada? Shoppee?
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
For those who might stumble on this thread.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
Thank you. I don't think I can properly grind or extract an espresso roast but I saw they offer other roasts as well.
I appreciate the nudge.
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Coffee
in Chiang Mai
I DID search for this in the forum thinking it would have been a prior topic but did not see my question.
I've been drinking Nescafe instant here and want something better. There was already a coffee grinder with ceramic burr in my rented condo. I'm thinking of purchasing a french press or Aeropress.
I would welcome recommendations for:
a: a good local roaster with reasonable prices (I"m in Nimman and everything tends to be inflated IMHO)
b: the best whole bean widely available in the hyper markets (Lotus, BigC, Makro)
If anyone has a source for green beans I would also be interested.
Thanks.
Phone & Internet in US
in Chiang Mai
Posted
Big 3 US carriers are Verizon, T-Mobile and ATT. Check their coverage maps then go with an MVNO.
recommend:
www.visible.com - MVNO for Verizon (probably best network)
www.mintmobile.com - MVNO for T-Mobile
I can recommend both if you're in their coverage areas. I have Visible at $15/month unlimited everything (special offer).
Mint Mobile available on Amazon with delivery to Thailand.