david_je

19 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

Taking the test and reporting the results are mandatory. However, you are supposed to report your results by uploading them to the Mor Channa app, and the app does not have that functionality, so there's no way to report them. Some people have been emailing a photo to the hotel. It's not clear what they expect the hotel to do with that information. In other words, there is no way for them to know whether you took it or not. 

Thanks for reply. Can you point to regulation where they say it is mandatory and supposed to upload to Mor Channa, etc.? My hotel said to email it, but again, in very nonchalant way, suggesting it would not matter much if done or not.

13 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

There are some spiffy chargers/power banks which accept a USB WiFi Aircard. So just leave it plugged in, and with a power outage the power bank should support operation for a while. This assumes the local 4G/LTE tower isn't impacted or has battery backup.

 

https://shopee.co.th/amp/เคส-POWER-BANK-ESOUND-สำหรับต่อ-4G-USB-WiFi-Stick(ไม่แถม-USB-4G-WiFi)-i.22075930.9681308498

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59EtKb5qpbc

 

Or you could just connect the USB WiFi Aircard to a standard power bank with a suitable cable.

 

I reread the OPs post...so two Q's

 

How slow is slow?

 

And what AIS package are you using?

 

Some of those first and second gen Sierra cards have quite low speeds, like ~ 4 Mbps MAX.

 

Almost anything recent would probably provide much better performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure Mbps; 3G indicator lights up on air card but it's slow, and worse, laptop often says air card "not detected," or "initializing," etc., so can't use at all on those days. I have reinstalled driver but no improvement. The Sierra Wireless air card is about 20 years old. You think newer air card would fix the problem, or should I get pocket wifi, or? I'd prefer something mobile and not fixed to year-long internet provider contract as I travel and only spend part of year in Thailand (Bangkok). I am using AIS Net Max Speed 699b/month. Thanks.

Upon leaving my Test & Go hotel, I was given an antigen kit by hotel reception, asked to use it in a week and email result back to hotel. But she said it as if it was not a serious matter whether I did it or not. Are these tests entirely optional? Or do they become part of formal test record that I need? If optional, since I have had two PCR tests in the past 10 days, I'd prefer to save the kit for a time when I might need it.  Thanks.

5 minutes ago, Kan Win said:

I use the TP-Link one. I have been able to link 2 laptops and a mobile. Works great.

 

Win

Oh, and have you also used abroad with local SIM there, or only in Thailand (Bangkok or where)?

3 minutes ago, Kan Win said:

I use the TP-Link one. I have been able to link 2 laptops and a mobile. Works great.

 

Win

May I ask where you purchased and what SIM/data package you use with it? Any tips for this novice welcome. Thank you.

4 hours ago, userabcd said:

Well there are a few options

 

Buy another cheap phone, insert the sim and share the network. That is pretty much the same as a pocket wifi.

 

2nd could buy a 3g/4g device from one of the network carriers true, ais they have their pocket wifi devices.

 

3rd buy a tp link or dlink branded pocket wifi device

 

I assume the op would like to travel and use the device in other places

 

If myself would select option 1. It would be a cheap mobile with good battery. This can be plugged into the wall and wifi/sim shared. Can also be used for calls.

 

2nd option would be to buy a tp link or dlink pocket wifi device. They are a little costly but I think they will be better supported and unlocked for sims around the world.

 

Third option is to buy a device from true or ais, may be locked to their systems and may require unlocking which has  potential security issues.

 

Suggested tp link 4g pocket wifi

https://shopee.co.th/TP-Link-M7000-Pocket-WiFi-พกพาไปได้ทุกที่-(4G-LTE-Mobile-Wi-Fi)-ใส่ซิมแล้วใช้ได้ทันที-ไม่ต้องตั้งค่า-.!-New-Arrival--i.66071289.5269705065?sp_atk=f395fd99-cc1f-4938-b47b-47d91ac7e3fa

 

 

Suggested dlink 4g pocket wifi

https://shopee.co.th/พอกเก็ตไวไฟ-ใส่ซิม-D-LINK-(DWR-932C)-N300-4G-LTE-WiFi-Mobile-Modem-Router-3y.-i.74778579.4500620717?sp_atk=61307029-9211-46cb-9343-d64ef23ba072

Very helpful, thank you. I should have mentioned I actually don't use smartphone as most of the screens give me headaches. if share phone wifi with laptop, what would  be cons as opposed to getting a pocket wifi? Would it be as fast, reliable, wide coverage, etc.? And do you have any experience with the TP-Link or D-Link machines mentioned? I assume those would be more flexible and surer when traveling since not locked to any particular systems like AIS? Thanks.

I have been using an old Sierra Wireless air card with AIS SIM to connect my laptop to internet in Bangkok, but it is slow and sometimes laptop does not detect the air card anymore. I'm thinking of switching to a pocket wi-fi which I can also use abroad with local SIM there. Can someone recommend a model they have used?

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Link here on page one of TP (https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2)

Then you will find this under general info.

 

 

You do need to change your hotel reservation to match you new arrival time.

Thank you. I missed that.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You can use the Thai and Pass for entry if the change is 72 hours or less. More than that you have to get a new one. You would have to change your reservation and etc at the hotel you have reserved.l

Would you pls advise where that is written -- if 72 hours or less, can change? I did not see in TP FAQs, etc., and a friend who called the hotline was told that if you change the date of arrival, flight, hotel booking, you need to apply for new TP as all that info is linked.  Also, the pdf that contains your QR code specifies an "arrival date," though the QR code itself does not when scanned.

I already received the QR code. I see it does not contain any hotel info on it. I am considering changing the hotel from the one that I uploaded on TP application. Has anyone done this and had no problem with entry to Bangkok? Or would I need to register with TP once again? Thanks.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Apply anytime.

 

BTW don't think online bookings are currently working.

Certainly not a couple of weeks ago when I obtained annual extension.

Keep in mind that the non O retirement gives you a 90 day stamp.

I assume you also need/want to obtain 12 month extension 

You're right, online booking says closed for maintenance since June. I wonder if one can telephone to make a booking? 

Yes, I will want to obtain 12-month ext.

thanks.

I will soon enter Thailand visa exempt and will apply for Non-O retirement at CW. I already have the 800,000 in bank for several years of Non-OA extensions. My visa exempt allows 30-day stay. I know I have to apply more than 15 days before visa expires. But I wonder, how early can I apply? Can I apply a day or two after arriving in Bangkok? Would like to do early and am about to make online appointment booking. Thank you for your help.

2 hours ago, donx said:

No. You are correct about the issuance date, but the expire date is the last day you can use the Thailand Pass to enter Thailand. You can enter any day between the issuance date and the expire date. Think of it like the issue date and expiration date of other types of documents such as a passport or a drivers license.

Are you sure pls that you can enter anytime between the issue and expire dates? Because the Thailand Pass pdf itself specifies an "arrival date" and the documents to be uploaded include a hotel booking for specific date. In your case, is the "expire date" the same date as your flight and hotel booking? Thanks.

10 hours ago, donx said:

That refers to the Thailand Pass itself I think. The issuance date and the expire date are definitely referencing the Thailand Pass so I assume the certificate status is as well. I’ve received multiple QR codes for my wife and daughter and the issuance date always matches with the day we received it.

 

With such limited information associated with the QR code, I wonder how useful it is.

So the "certificate" issuance date is the date you received the QR code and the expire date is the date of entry, correct? That means it is only good for entry on that one date (2022-12-13)? I ask because I recall someone else saying you are able to enter a day or so before or after the date that you apply for. Thanks again.

1 hour ago, donx said:

Note that the QR code PDF file itself has the traveler’s name, the Thailand Pass ID, and the arrival date.

Thank you for that. I was worried it would have passport or hotel info, and if they had it wrong I would then have a problem. What is the "certificate" referred to at the top? Is that the insurance? 

I'm wondering what info the approved QR code shows when you scan it. Would someone be willing to post an example?

15 hours ago, donx said:

I suggest to start looking soon and book a place that allows you free cancelation in case you find that the Test & Go package fee to too much. I found a 4-star hotel in Silom for under $90/per night per room. The Test & Go fee was BHT 2,000 per person and airport transit of 1,200 for up to 2 people.

What was total cost of that Silom hotel Test & Go for one person? You mean $90 plus 2,000b? Free cancellation? Which hotel pls?

I read a Thai news article a couple days ago quoting government official saying they would improve the TP registration system in response to complaints. Anyone seen any improvement yet? After reading about all the problems on this forum, I am thinking of waiting for that before trying.

Before I register, can I ask:

1. the system will only permit entry only for a specific flight on a specific day, is that correct?

2. Is it easy enough to re-register if the airline changes the flight, etc.? Do you simply register again as if your first registration did not exist? Wondering if I should wait until I am absolutely sure of travel date before registering, even if that may make things tight.

On 11/1/2021 at 4:55 PM, CMBob said:

Converted last month from exempt entry to a Non-O at CM Immigration....and, although they saw a bankbook (Siam Commercial Bank) that held the 800k for years, they didn't see any evidence that the money originally came from abroad....nor did they ask for any such evidence.  So my guess is the OP is okay there.

 

For the OP's benefit, the Non-O is not a "retirement visa", just a 90-day Non-O visa.  The annual extensions you can get based on that are extensions based on retirement (although many call that their retirement visa).   

Thank you for sharing that.

Upon arriving Bangkok visa exempt, did Immigration ask to see ticket out of Thailand within 30 days (or whatever period of stay your passport allows) and 10,000 baht in funds?

Would you please confirm this is full list of required documents for Non-O conversion:

--Bank guarantee letter, and it’s the same letter needed for OA extensions

--Copy of bank passbook pages. How far back should that go?

--Rental agreement and hand-drawn location map.

--TM.87

--Photo

--2,000 baht

By the way, did officer ask why you were converting from non-OA to non-O?

Thank you again.

2 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

It depends on whether you need a visa to enter Thailand.

 

the answer to the second question is: yes, and the window is your flight schedule.

I would enter visa exempt, so no need see consulate, correct? I ask because for old COE, had to go to consulate.

if the Thailand Pass only allows entry on a specific date, what happens if you must change the date, or airline changes flight schedule, etc.? Can you change the date on the TP site easily, or need to apply again, or? Thanks.

Can I just ask:

-- Thailand Pass approval gives you everything you need for entry, no need to do anything at the local consulate, correct?

-- Is Thailand Pass approval only good for a specific date, like the old COE? What is the window for entry?

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

No

I suppose if I became the first case of them not accepting, I still have time to make a new transfer and go back to CW to re-apply, correct?

Thank you to all for very helpful replies.

I'm wondering, just in case I get an IO who follows 5.3 to the letter and does not accept the 800,000b I have had for years of OA extensions without proof it came from abroad (which I can't provide), should I make a new transfer from abroad just in case? Have you heard of any cases in which the OA funds were not accepted for O conversion?