TigerandDog

and like most things supposedly illegal in Thailand, it still happens. Where I live dog ( nic named "shadow" ) is regularly on the menu at village BBQs, along with water buffalo.

Never mind restaurants being closed. One of our local police stations has been closed as it is the latest cluster site with several of Thailand's finest catching Covid. Although no mention in the local press as to how or where they caught it.

are you sure about saving the 100m. I'm sure they'll still find a way to justify receiving the money and then line their own pockets with it.

Just shows you didn't understand the point I was trying to make. Generally speaking in most countries once you have resided there long enough to be deemed a resident for tax purposes you ARE also considered a resident ( whether it be temporary or permanent) of that country, hence the reference to Thai logic or more specifically lack thereof. So do you understand the point I was making, now.

you obviously didn't read my last paragraph did you.

Who is considered a resident of Thailand? “Resident” means any person residing in Thailand for a period or periods aggregating more than 180 days in any tax (calendar) year. A resident of Thailand is liable to pay tax on income from sources in Thailand as well as on the portion of income from foreign sources that is brought into Thailand While the topic makes no mention of "resident for tax purposes" it is worth noting that The Thailand Revenue Office applies the aforementioned in determining whether a foreigner is a resident or a non-resident. Therefore one could consider, if Thai logic actually existed as we know logic to exist, that any foreigner residing in Thailand for an aggregate of 180 days or more in any given calendar year to be a resident.

The other concern re refunds for Moderna is that yesterday the price was announced as 550 baht per jab, whereas when we pre-booked/registered we had to pay 1200 baht per jab. I'm betting we won't see a refund of that either.

"You will note that even locals chose not to ride at night. " what an absolute load of rubbish. I'm forever dodging locals on motor bikes at night riding on the wrong side of the road that have NO lights on them that work.

I've played every course in CM except Gymkhana, and I play with a golf society, and every course wants to see proof that I'm a resident and not a tourist. As for the courses that wouldn't accept my Thai driver's license, I named them in an earlier post.

that's all well and good during the day, but out in the sticks most bikes don't have headlights or tail lights, and riding at night, as is their want, you don't see the potholes until you hit them.

the accommodation at RCM is old on the outside, but the rooms are quite spacious and not to bad to stay when it's open, which it isn't at the moment.

they wouldn't accept mine 2 weeks ago, so had to show them my passport with the extension stamp as I didn't have my pink ID card with me. I guess like most things Thai, it depends on the individual you are dealing with at the time.

Royal Chiang Mai actually has a sign up in the pro shop saying driver's license no longer accepted as proof of being a Thai resident, and Summit Green Valley wouldn't accept one either.

what part of "press releases" don't you understand? Even some of the Thai approved health insurance companies ( in particular AETNA ) have already been posting ads on ASEAN NOW with regards to these upcoming changes, and my health insurance company has confirmed that they ARE coming. See 2 links below. 1st by AETNA and the 2nd by the Deputy Health Minister. Just the formalities of publishing in the Govt Gazette to come. How are the Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay Visa) requirements changing? - Insurance in Thailand - ASEAN NOW - News, Travel & Forum Non-immigrant OA visa applicants required to have ฿3m health insurance - Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits - ASEAN NOW - News, Travel & Forum

it needs to be in both languages or in your native language and a certified Thai translation. It does not need to be registered at the Amphur.

Joe is correct. The new requirements ( 3 million baht Inpatient ) and according to the most recent post on ASEAN NOW they are in effect from October 192021 for new O-A applications. No mention of whether it's only visas based on retirement or ALL O-A visa types yet. The new minimum will come into effect on 1 Sept 2022 for extensions of stay. At this point all the press releases I've read, especially those here on ASEAN NOW have clearly stated this, but with no mention of outpatient level of cover, and I have received confirmation from my health insurance company to this effect. The only problem is after contacting EVERY Thai approved health insurance company, NONE of them have come up with premiums yet, and many of them will not take on new clients over the age of 65, so research needs to be done before choosing a Thai insurer. So keep watching the forum, and especially posts/comments from Ubonjoe.

Mae Jo rough is ok, BUT a couple of their greens are in terrible condition. Why not give Royal Chiang Mai a try.

some of courses up here won't accept a Thai drivers license anymore. It has to either be a pink ID card, a yellow book or your passport with an extension of stay stamped in it.

yes there are. Thai Noise Pollution Laws limit noise to an average of 90 decibels over a 24 hour period. Getting them enforced is the only problem.

Will B Good. We've had our differences of opinion in the past, but there is something that can be done about it. Have your wife complain to the District Office, not the village head, and ask them to come and set up Noise Pollution testing equipment for a 24 hour period non-stop. If the average noise level exceeds 90 decibels, then under Thai Noise Pollution laws the District Office can direct him to move the speakers to somewhere else or take them down or turn the volume down so that it doesn't exceed 90 decibels. If he fails to do so within 15 days, then they can come and legally remove the speakers and fine him. If the average is less than 90 decibels, then unfortunately there is nothing that can be done. The reason I know this is my wife's uncle just had to go through this process with his roosters ( avg 130 decibels over 24 hour period ) and was given 15 days to relocate them or get rid of them.

I agree with the first part of your post, viz ALL long stay visa/extension types should have mandatory health insurance. However, I disagree with you thinking that the O-A visa has been propping up retirees, and the majority of those retirees will be insulted by your saying they expect the Thai Govt system to treat them for free. What god damned planet are you living on or are you one of those with expectations of free health care and p'd off that you can't get it.

you can't work with too many insurers then, because I've contacted EVERY Thai authorised health insurance company today and only 2 had any knowledge of these alleged changes ( and AXA was not one of them), and 1 will not take on new clients 70 or older and the other has no premiums posted on their web site even though they have already updated their site to show 3 million as the minimum cover for O-A.

The link below is an ad posted by AETNA Insurance recently, and according to AETNA in this advertisement extensions of stay for O-A visas will require 3 million baht cover from Sept 1 2022. How are the Non-Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay Visa) requirements changing? - Insurance in Thailand - ASEAN NOW - News, Travel & Forum I'm also bewildered by the lack of logic and the discrimination when it comes to money in the bank and health insurance, each for different reasons. #1. I'm at a complete loss why an expat staying by reason of marriage has to only have 400k in the bank, when he has a wife and quite possibly kids to provide for, and why an expat on a retirement visa/extensions has to have 800k in the bank, when he/she is more than likely single with only himself/herself to provide for. I fail to see any logic in this. #2. I'm not against mandatory health insurance for long stay expats, but it should be applicable to ALL long stay expats regardless of visa/extension type, NOT just O-A. Straight out blatant discrimination in my view, and again no logic that makes any sense whatsoever

Out of curiosity I've been browsing the web sites of all the approved health insurance companies that I don't have my policy with, and I could only find 2 that currently advertise policies with 3 million baht inpatient cover for O-A visa holders, AETNA & Falcon Insurance. Now here's the thing that got me, AETNA are advertising on ASEAN NOW already about this new minimum cover BUT their website is already displaying it as the minimum O-A cover, with NO premiums displayed, AND it clearly states it only takes new applicants up to age 70. Whereas Falcon has 4 plans with 3m baht cover and will take on newbies up to age 80. Plan 1 has no deductible, Plans 2 & 4 have 50k deductible and Plan 4 a 100k deductible. The annual premiums for ages 71-80 for plans 2 & 4 are 30k & 40k respectively. My current health insurance company's premium for 750k cover, with a 40k deductible, is 42k baht. So it looks as though I may be changing health insurance companies when my current policy expires.

those rates are for Thais and Thai residents only. They are not for foreigners who are tourists.