Hal65

On 3/17/2022 at 12:19 PM, simon43 said:

I assume that if you are not in an area of 5g coverage, then your connection will automatically drop down to 4G, 4G+? (and down to 3G if no 4G..)

 

I know that AIS offer this unlimited data package.  But do DTAC or Truemove H offer a similar, unlimited usage, highest speed prepay package?  Thanks.

 

 

Yeah those other two have 5g packages.

I took a train recently and my phone fell back to LTE

I'm on a 1st class sleeper right now. Don Muang to Chiang Mai.

1. No one asked me for ID. I showed a printout of my ticket order to receive it

2. The 1st class cabins appear 50% occupied, maybe less. I have my cabin to myself.

Overall although slower I'm loving traveling while chilling on a bed, typing on my computer and watching a moving view. 

They're not answering the call button though. Does anyone know how to get them to bring food (I'm happy to pay). Walking up and down my train car hasn't revealed anything. I'm not sure if I should switch between cars or if that's a bad thing to do.

I use fast.com for speed testing.

I'm a remote web developer. Very low usage for core work, except video calls which are hours on end. That's my biggest concern because it might raise my usage to a level deemed "high". We commonly use MS Teams, Google Meet and Zoom.

I also watch youtube but have made it a habit to watch "audio dominant" videos in 240p.

I know this is not recommended and the 1st/2nd class tickets are often sold out. Unfortunately I am not able to buy in advance due to circumstances.

The route I'm interested in is BKK to Chiang Mai, probably overnight sleeper train. Is it likely that even regular seats will be available at the counter on any given train? Being a train I'm guessing they should have an excess of regular seats.

I pay for the 1,200 thb 5g "unlimited" plan. In combo with a 5g capable phone, and good 5g signal, I'm getting amazing speeds.

Has anyone heard of AIS throttling or outright cancelling users who use too much streaming/bandwidth? This is unfortunately common in other countries that advertise "unlimited" plans.

22 hours ago, treetops said:

The ID is usually required to buy the ticket.

Oh, pretty safe then IMO. I have never had them glance that hard at ID.

Actually I think this is not right, I don't recall being asked for ID at Pattaua Nua. I do remember them asking in Vientiane for an international bus trip.

Talked to my school, they said photocopies would suffice and gave me some. So now I think I'll be okay.

I have never been asked for ID on a bus, short or long routes. Just the bus ticket.

Guess I'll chance it and pray then.

If the train turns me down maybe an emergency bus is the next best option.

I have a Thai DL, expired in 2018.

I have a US DL, expired in 2016.

My passport (current) is at immigration.

I have to take a train up north. Probably a sleeper 1st or 2nd class. They will definitely ask for ID.

Is expired good enough? I have no current IDs available due to all this. Just passbooks and debit cards (thai).

*Note: In other circumstances (bank tellers mostly) I have successfully used an expired ID. But, I have also been turned down once.

Where do you guys order tickets?

I see this site as one option: https://12go.asia/en/travel/bangkok/chiang-mai?date=2022-02-25&z=6795

I assume the best bus option is to head to BKK, then take a bus from Mo Chit or another terminal.

Not sure about trains. I know there are tracks on the East side, I think I might be able to board in Pattaya and go to Chiang mai.

What is the best option in your opinions?

From past experience the bus will be more crowded and less roomy. But perhaps faster. I hear there are overnight options and if a sleeper cabin is available, that would move me towards the train.

PS: Plane options are excluded

Lambo Aventador custom build. There's a cottage industry that does them in Bangkok. I know some people think it's dumb but I don't care. Other than possible unwanted police attention.

I wanted to get a sense of the potential downsides of an expensive car in Pattaya (or elsewhere in Thailand). Do they tend to draw police scrutiny beyond just stopping you for tickets/small bribes? That I can handle. What I'm more curious about is if they're known to start following rich foreigners, tapping their phones, searching their homes etc. I don't have anything to hide but I don't want a bunch of police hassle if a (very) nice car is likely to cause that.

This was a couple years ago but I remember being on ED.

I went to Ban Laem and paid 1,500 thb to "break" the ED visa.

I returned. I think I was on tourist but don't remember.

We waited 30 days. Then I think we applied for the Vol visa. I do remember I didn't have to leave the country specifically for that one.

If this is true, I think I technically entered on a tourist visa.

My situation:

- Nov 7 2021, Vol visa runs out. Applied/received Covid Visa

- Jan 7 2022, New covid visa

- Feb 3, 2022. Final 30 day extension to Mar 8.

Someone here recommended applying right away for another Covid visa. Do you guys think I should? My concern is at Jomtien they often say "come tomorrow" unless it's the last day and then they're forced to take you right then.

What time does it open and close to vehicle traffic? Do cars parked on that liitle L shaped street get towed at the closed hours?

17 hours ago, Greenwich Boy said:

If you are on Covid extensions and entered on a tourist visa or visa exempt just go and apply for another one before expiry of your current extension

For me it went:

Nov 7: Volunteer expired. applied and received Covid Visa

Jan 7: Apply for new covid visa

Now on March 8 this one expires. Are you saying to apply again to secure one more?

I picked up my extension for free today.

Earlier I mentioned that my initial visa went from Jan 7 to Feb 3. I thought I was shorted.

Today the extension ran to March 8. I now believe they were accounting for the weekend or something similar.

Now to see if I have to leave anyways in a month!

Just now, WEBBYB808 said:

Really,  you should have already paid and gotten a receipt to get your passport back next day

No, I was only handed a printed card with number on it.

18 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I assume you have already paid the 1900 baht fee for it.

That is normally how it is done at offices that have come back the next to pickup your passport.

I did for the first 30 days, does that fee apply to this 30 day extension?

Did my first 30 days of the Covid extension and today dropped off my passport for the next 30. Lady told me to come tomorrow at any time.

Anyone know what the cost will be? Do I need to take anything other than the queue number?

I have to pay a US agency by 'check or money order." Must be by postal mail, no online option.

From Thailand what payment option fits? i'm in pattaya. I'm thinking cashier's check made out to "Wyoming Secretary of State"?

https://www.facebook.com/PakinCarCreate/

I reached out to them. They have a replica Lamborghini Gallardo on sale for 1m THB. That's $30,000.

Concern of course is the build quality over time. I'll probably put a max of 200 miles a month on it but even then, who knows how it'll hold up. 

Anyone buy a custom car or motorcycle care to comment?

21 hours ago, zugzug123 said:

Covid Extension is for everybody who can't go back to their homecountry due to the pandemic.

This confused me mightily during my Covid visa application.

I "can" go back to the US even as Covid is ongoing. I am a citizen and have that right. I expect most other nationals can also go back to their own country if/when they choose, during the Pandemic. "Everyone including our citizens may not enter" seems a rare policy.

So how exactly are you guys making a case to stay based on "Covid"?

I wrote a generic answer about the US Covid situation and it was good enough for the visa at least that time. I would like to be better prepared for next time.