david_je

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?

Thank you. I missed that.

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.

Does anyone know the practical effects of yesterday's announcement that PCR tests will be replaced by antigen starting Dec. 16: Will we still need to do PCR within 72 days of departure to Thailand, or can do antigen? Or does it refer only to the test done after arrival? Would we still need to do Test & Go at hotel? If so, would hotels have to lower the package prices since antigen much cheaper? I'm wondering if worthwhile to wait till Dec. 16. Thanks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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?

I hold a U.S. passport and plan to fly from Hong Kong to Bangkok visa exempt in late November and apply for non-O retirement visa. (I have had a non-OA for years but this time did not get a re-entry so I could switch to non-O. Consulate here does not issue non-O retirement.) I know my questions have been asked before, but has anyone here done this recently? Pls help clarify the Thai Immigration list of requirements: “5.1. letter of guarantee from Thai bank in Thai language” --I can get from Bangkok Bank at CW on day of application? What does letter need to say? 5.3 passbook showing at least 800,000b. --Must this be in the bank for any certain period before the day I apply for the visa? “5.3. Evidence of foreign currency fund transferred to Thailand“ --This is proof the 800,000b came from abroad? What kinds of proof suffice? Would they accept the 800,000 held for several years of non-OA extensions? (Can’t prove anymore they from abroad.) Otherwise I plan to transfer from my Hong Kong account but I am not sure if that would show up as a foreign transfer on my Bangkok Bank book. Would a screenshot/printout of the online transfer be okay? The Immigration instructions say 5.1, 5.2, + 5.3 “must be issued and updated to be the same date of the Application.” How would that be possible for the proof the funds came from abroad? Thank you for your advice.

Sorry, but I could not find official list of these hotels that one must stay one night in for Thailand Pass. Also, is there an online forum with reviews of such hotels in Bangkok? Thank you.

Thank you. And I need the insurance coverage only for the 30-day initial limit of the visa exempt, not for any extensions/new visa I plan to get after that, correct?

Thank you for your reply. Do you mean that the flight-out ticket, financial proof and insurance are requested by the airline when you check in, and will not be requested by immigration upon entry? I could not find info on website of local consulate here but saw this from New Zealand consulate and similar elsewhere. Says must show at "port of entry." Aliens entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption scheme must provide proof of adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand at the port of entry (i.e., traveller’s cheque or cash equivalent to 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).Aliens entering Thailand by any means under the Tourist Visa Exemption scheme are required at the port of entry to have proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days after the date of arrival, otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained beforing entering Thailand.

I plan to enter Bangkok visa exempt in late November and then apply for a long-term visa. I will fly in using the return portion of a HK-Bangkok-HK ticket. I searched but could not find on this forum recent answers to: -- Do I need to show a ticket for flight out of Bangkok within the 30 days visa exempt stay? If so, I buy a ticket and then cancel for refund? If so, pls recommend best/cheapest route option for this. -- Do I need to show 10,000 baht cash? Or I also read it is 20,000? -- The $50,000 insurance needs to cover only the 30 days initially, correct? I plan to later buy insurance for the duration of the long-stay visa that I will apply for. Thank you.