pookiki

1 hour ago, 19DL86 said:

I would say much less than half capacity - try 30-40% of the seating. Given the budget carriers like Airasia have a row of 3 seats in 2 meters what is classed as safe social distancing.  To ensure this safe minus distance they shall need to reconfigure the seating layout on all single aisle aircraft.
 

Based on the diagram it would appear that you would have 2 passengers per aisle in alternate window and aisle seats.  So, this would mean that the aircraft would have one-third or less the former capacity with one aisle reserved for those with possible health issues. Will ticket prices triple?  What about families with infants or small children? Impossible to travel now? For me, airports were stressful enough pre-COVID-19. Who would want to travel for leisure under these conditions? I find it very difficult to be that the budget airlines that have sprouted over the years can be profitable under these conditions. Time will tell. What is clear is that the world has changed and will remain changed until there is a vaccine - and maybe even after that!

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

 

This will take some time to see how this all shakes out, but it is my opinion that the economic fallout from the inane economic shutdown, is going to be 200 times worse than Covid itself, and the recovery "ramp up" will be long and excruciating. Far longer than they say. It will not just bounce back. In the history of the world, as far as we know, there has never been a deliberate worldwide economic shutdown. It is light years beyond dumb.

 

The "slowdown" will last well into 2021, for certain. And some industries may never come back, or will be a pale shadow of their former selves. No doubt homelessness will skyrocket in the US. Tourism in Thailand will never recover to even close to it's former levels, and that will leave millions out of work.

 

What about concerts? Will people be willing to hang out with crowds of 20,000, at a cost of hundreds of dollars for a crappy seat? Same with sports. Will people be willing to go into a stadium or an arena with 20,000 to 100,000 people close together, and pay crazy money for a seat?

 

Movie theaters? Cruise ships? Will the hordes just start descending on restaurants again, and pay inane prices for a gourmet meal? The list goes on, and on and on. 

 

And in the end, hundreds of millions worldwide could end up far poorer than they were before. And tens of millions could end up starving to death, compared to perhaps 200,000 or so total deaths worldwide from Covid. OK. The rich stay safe and financially secure. And the rest of us? And those of us who are self employed, without fortunes in the bank? Who pays for our rent, or our mortgages, and why do landlords prosper when the economy is shut down?

 

Does anyone think a 5,000 baht subsidy is a big help for the people when 80% who apply, are getting turned down? Where is the sincerity and concern, on the part of the government, when they are needed?

I am in agreement with your analysis of the recovery - that it will be long and excruciating but I am at loss to understand why you consider the lockdown 'inane'.  Thailand's lockdown has been looser than most but we still don't know to what extent there is community spreading because of so little testing.  I guess the bottom line is what loss of life is acceptable to protect economic activity?  Do you think the rich are at risk in either scenario? Since this disease seems to prey on the old and infirm, is this an acceptable way to rid society of those who do not contribute to the economy but worked hard all their lives in an attempt to enjoy there retirement years? I guess the question I would put to you is "What is the greater good and who decides what it is?"

4 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Yes, when you apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on your original Non Imm O-A Visa for reason of retirement, you need to provide evidence that you meet the thai IO-approved health-insurance requirement.

Normally your thai insurer should provide you with a certificate stating that you have indeed such health-insurance that meets the IO requirements and is valid for 1 year.

They also need to upload this on the IO TGIA Health-Insurance database, so that IO can also check it there.

Note: The start date of your 1-year health-insurance policy needs to be aligned with the end date of your current permission to stay, so that the expiry date of that health-insurance policy will be in sync with the extended 1-year permission to stay (otherwise your permission to stay will be capped till the 1-year health-insurance policy expiry date).

Based on the content of OP, I wasn't sure of the visa for which an extension of stay was processed. That is the reason I noted the medical insurance issue. However, I was more interested in the 'bank letter' requirement.  If I have a letter from my bank that certifies all of my FFT transfers for the previous year, are IOs requiring another document in addition to this?

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Why did you ask about medical insurance.

What visa did you originally have. Non O or Non O-A etc based on what? Retirement, marriage etc.

O-A Retirement

Last year, when I did my last extension of stay, I went to my bank branch and received a letter that documented all of my FTTs for the previous year.  In reading some of the posts, is there a bank document other than this being required by the IOs?  Also, there is no mention of any document verifying of any documents that verify medical insurance.  Any clarifications would be greatly appreciated.

3 hours ago, Antonymous said:

 

In your post above you mentioned something that appears to be a common phenomenon:

 

"I've been getting a flu shot for years. . . I've had the 'normal' flu many times."

 

I have never had a flu vaccine and haven't had anything like the flu for 20 years and so I'm always interested in this subject. A couple of friends who, like you, get vaccinated every year and get flu in most years always find some excuse as to why.

 

Now there is evidence that influenza vaccines specifically increase the risk of coronavirus infection due to a phenomenon known as virus interference.

 

Furthermore, in September 2019, Italy rolled out an entirely new type of influenza vaccine that is different from others. Most available influenza vaccines are produced in embryonated chicken eggs. VIQCC is produced from cultured animal cells rather than eggs and has more of a “boost” to the immune system as a result. VIQCC also contains four types of viruses – 2 type A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and 2 type B viruses.2 It looks like this “super” vaccine impacted the immune system in such a way to increase coronavirus infection through virus interference that set the stage for what happened in Italy.

 

Source:

https://doctormurray.com/does-the-flu-shot-increase-covid-19-risk/

Sorry, I didn't explain better.  The last time i had the flu was in about 2006 before I started taking the flu shots. After turning 60, I have been vaccinated every year. After starting the vaccinations, there have been times when I had brief periods of slight fevers, body aches, sore throat, and headaches -- but never what I would call a full blown case of the flu. I have also taken the 'pneumonia' vaccination that is good for 7 years and the 'shingles' vaccination, too.  As time goes on, I imagine that epidemiologists will have a better understanding of the issue you are talking about. I have also seen the hypothesis that the mortality rate in Italy is so high because the 'true' number of people infected has not been determined. 

I strongly encourage all people in Thailand over the age of 70 to LOCKDOWN and survive!

11 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

what you believe!
I don't smoke and I don't drink alcohol.
I live in the countryside in the middle of rice fields and heveas plantations.
My lung and heart capacities are in excellent condition, according to the last encephalogram and the radio of my lungs made a fortnight ago at the public hospital in Udon Thani.
I am not diabetic or fat, which my bike appreciates, moreover
When I climb Phupalek, 4.8 km at 10% average, I arrive at the top with pulsations at 115/120, so very below my maximum allowed which is, I remind you: 220 minus my age (71 ) = 149

I'm 72, don't smoke, and don't drink and have a very healthy diet.  I was exercising twice a day - resistance training in the morning and an aerobics class in the afternoon - until I decided that a personal lockdown was my best option. I've been in lockdown since Monday afternoon. I've been getting a flu shot for years. I had all the childhood diseases - measles, mumps, chickenpox (and shingles later in life - terrible!). I've had the 'normal' flu many times.

We all have to make our choices in life.  I am attaching a news article that I think you will find of interest.  I think us older folks have to face the fact that our bodies wear out no matter what we do. I wish you well.

https://www.newsweek.com/olympic-champion-swimmer-diagnosed-coronavirus-calls-it-worse-virus-i-have-ever-endured-1493664

I saw several news accounts that the Korat shooter purchased three weapons through the 'Army welfare program'.  Is there a limit on the number of weapons that can be purchased under the program? What, if anything, prevents these weapons being sold on the 'black' or 'gray' market'?

Based on what I have 'heard' but with no personal experience, I was always under the impression that if you had enough money, getting a gun in Thailand wasn't a problem. 

I would also be curious to know if carrying a weapon in Thailand is legal and whether the Thai government issues permits to gun holders.

On a recent trip back to the USA in November, I was asked to show an ID at a small restaurant when using my credit card.  The waitress politely explained to me that it was the restaurant's policy to prevent fraudulent use of credit or debit cards.  In saying this, I doubt if paying by cash requires an ID anywhere.  In addition, if there is a policy at Big C, it should be equally applied like it is at the Post Office.

38 minutes ago, soisanuk said:

The linked page does not show a Non O available for purpose of retirement - they only show health insurance is required under this caption:

That is for the O-A Visa which all Thai Embassies/Consulates have been requiring since October 31.   As to implementing a health insurance requirement for all retirement extensions, that is always a possibility.  But, the requirement will most likely be put forward by the Ministry of Public Health which is the Ministry that proposed and obtained the requirement for the O-A category Visa.

 

It appears that for expediency, Immigration has chosen not to accept home country insurance as it would be easier to verify.  However, if the requirement for all retiree extensions should come about, perhaps that is the time to get outside New outlets interested in the impact it will have on those that do have home country insurance and/or are too old or have pre-existing conditions to qualify for health insurance in Thailand (with their home country insurance being much better).  Such publicity, IMO will have more impact on the powers that be to change the rules and permit outside insurance or self insurance to be allowed.  Likewise, maybe some public protest by those that will be affected to gain Thai media coverage.

When you think about it, the Thai government's reluctance and or outright refusal to rely on foreign documents/policies is not any different than allowing current retirees to show sufficient monthly income in the form of pension documents, etc., when the US/UK/Australia stopped issuing affidavits/income verification. I'm in no way defending the absurdity of the insurance requirement but the Thai government has been consistent in its practice of not allowing foreign documents for extensions of stay.

14 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

IMO there is no way they will do that.

No need to do it that way. Just put it in force when applying for the first time extension of stay based upon retirement with a non-o visa.

I would agree.  But if having an non-o visa is just trying to postpone the inevitable, will there be any advantage to having a non-o over a non-o-a?

8 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I asked if there were any agents using the KPP office and was told mai mee.

You might want to start a separate thread and ask for referrals from people in other provinces.

6 minutes ago, billd766 said:

The IO in Khampaeng Phet simply ignored that.

 

So, what to do next?

 

Ignore it and dance the dance or complain to the boss and get subtly black marked?

It would seem that many of IOs are trying to do a 'de facto' cancellation of the monthly income method and push everyone over to the lump sum extension.  Or, push everyone to use an agent for obvious reasons.  I would try a 'polite' complaint to the boss or try to find 'someone' who knows 'someone' in your immigration office.  We are really at their mercy unless someone can intervene with some rational thought and understanding of the chain of events that transpired last year for so many of us.  It's all very sad.

1 hour ago, scotsman said:

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-embassy-bangkok-to-stop-certification-of-income-letters    because the letters were stopped in Jan 2019 we had to put 65k or 45 k in every month starting from what date? Jan 2019 or the date of your last visa extension. I have to correct a mistake in my post that may have more bearing in this matter as I am very tired due to lack of sleep.  The date he pointed out in my Bangkok bank first 6 months statement in yellow was not 10.01.2018 it was 1.10.2018 October so I only put 37 k for that month but all the rest were 40k including Sep 2018 and one had 65k but in total I had 11 transfers of 40k not 12. 

Now if you count it from the police order on Jan 2019 I would have had 7 so with the grace period 11 or 7 I still should have got my extension passed over to Bangkok. 

sorry for the wrong date easy to miss when i have not slept in 3 days insomnia. 

Regards 

Scotsman  

The embassies announced the cancellations of the letters in late October, 2018 and Thai authorities didn't address what had to be done in the absence of the letters until late December, 2018. Therefore, if 'leniency' is applied (as it should be) showing your deposits beginning in January, 2019.452721024_ImmigrationMemoForIncomeProof(ENG).pdf

1112337993_Policeorder35-2562changeof327-2557clasue2.22(Eng).pdf

Thank you for your very useful information!  I did not realize that there was a revised TM7 form nor did I know about the exact nature of the form to request from BBL for my international transfers.  I hope you have enough time to get all this sorted out and have your extension approved.

If you start at the beginning of this thread, you will see your answer.

22 minutes ago, Pib said:

When you open an account with TW it basically like opening a bank account with a US bank.  You can then use TW to Pull money from other US banks to fund your transfer.  Then TW does that peer-to-peer transfer thing...they are not using the ACH or SWIFT system to move money from the US to Thailand.

 

For Bangkok Bank to pull funds from another US bank you would need to open an account with the Bangkok Bank New York branch..repeat, the "New York" branch.  However, the NY branch is a wholesale/cooperate type bank...they do not offer retail accounts for the common man.  You can still use them for remittance services but you can't get a retail bank account.   But even if they did provide you a bank account at the NY branch and you then wanted to do an "ACH" transfer they would still have to comply with the ACH IAT rules.  

 

Their Thai Baht Remittance Service is basically a pseudo-SWIFT transfer based on the form/info you must complete each time.

 

    

I certainly don't have a problem with a 'pseudo-SWIFT' transfer if it is reliable and gets me the proper code for doing my extension of stay.  The BBL transfer system was/is a bit clunky because you never knew what exchange rate you would get until the money arrived and it was/is definitely slow. What do you expect from the 'new' system?

27 minutes ago, Pib said:

I think you are confusing the current ACH transfer method which was originally suppose to stop in Apr (then extended to Sep) with the Thai Baht Remittance System described in the post.  A Thai Baht Remittance System that would allow people to continue to use Bangkok Bank for transfers.  Heck, the form you need to complete for each transfer is very similar to a SWIFT transfer form.

 

Bangkok Bank came out with the Thai Baht Remittance System in response to their planned stopping of non-IAT transfers on 1 Apr (extended to 1 Sep)....their Thai Baht Remittance System was going to be their replacement if you still wanted to route funds thru their NY branch to your in-Thailand account.   It's similar to the system that came out of UK folks if they still wanted to route funds thru the London branch after the UK tightened-up some money transfer rules.

 

Now Bangkok Bank never widely advertised their Thai Baht Remittance System....never put it on their website....they would only tell you about if you asked how to continue to use them to transfer funds.    And maybe one reason they never widely advertised it is because they got an extension from the US Treasury to continue current non-IAT transfer until 1 Sep for personal transfer and 1 Jan 2020 for govt/private pension transfers.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bangkok Bank widely advertise/post on their Bangkok Bank website their Thai Baht Remittance System around 1 Sep when they are suppose to start rejecting non-IAT transfers.

 

Pib, you're absolutely right about my confusion.  This is the first I've heard of the Thai Baht Remittance System.  I don't know why they just don't roll it out now.  I've asked how to continue my transfers on multiple occasions but was never told about this. You are very well informed. I will go back to my contact at BBL and ask about this.  Thanks for the heads up!

As an aside, it was Sheryl who set me straight on how to set up my account with TransferWise.  I was trying to 'push' my transfer to TW instead of allowing them to 'pull' my money.  I never quite understood the distinction but the 'pull system worked when the push system didn't.  If TW can pull funds, why can't BBL?  If the new Thai Baht Remittance System solves this issue, there's no need to explain.  Thanks, again!!

2 hours ago, Pib said:

 

Why Bangkok Bank New York branch has already developed a way for a person to continue to route transfers them.  Been available since April 2019.  See post below for details....and I expect you can still be the first one to use the alternate transfer method to get the cherished FTT coding.

 

The BBL Customer Service Representative that I spoke to yesterday told me that this service would stop in September.  To clarify -- this is the service that was to stop in April.

1 minute ago, Tanoshi said:

And if you were with KK or TMB, they will never be coded as FTT at your local branch.

 

Immigration want the proof of transaction from a Thai bank, not a foreign source.

When I said 'home' bank, I was referring to our 'home' bank in Thailand.

4 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

Your recent TW transaction went through KK to your Bangkok bank account.

The fact your BKK account is at the HQ office is immaterial.

KK made a local transfer to your BKK account without notification of the source of transfer.

 

KK have the details of the International wire transfer, because they can provide that evidence if so requested, but they don't pass this information on, even to their own branches.

 

TW cannot guarantee every transfer can be made through your preferred banking partner.

They will make every attempt to do so, but will not hold a transaction up because of technical glitch with one of the systems.

 

 

It's very strange that you say this when it was BBL that had to inform Kasikorn how to track my transfer so I could get my letter of advice.  May I ask if you have ever done what I had to do yesterday?  That is to involve two different banks to get a letter of advice?