Timbob

15 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If you leave from either airport in Bangkok you will not be fined 500 baht and they will do a small stamp that your overstayed less than 24 hours.

Did you mean to say "not be fined" or "you will be fined"? 

Will having a one day overstay cause any problems in future? I'd rather pay 500 baht than extend for 1,900.

I have a METV which has an enter before date of 28th February 2018. Last weekend I left Thailand and got a stamp taking me to the 20th March, but my flight back to the UK is on 26th April, so I intend to leave once more before the end of February. The weekend of 24th/25th February is perfect. If I get stamped back in on the 25th February then this should take me up to the 26th April, at least according to:

https://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadded.html

However, I was just looking at previous stamps. My most recent one was 20th January / 20th March, which is 59 days. Before that, 25th November / 23rd January, and before that, 15th September / 13th November. These are all 59 days.

So, I'm guessing if I get stamped on the 25th February, they will give an  'Admitted Until Date' of 25th April, which is one day short of my flight home. But I count that as 59 days. So am I counting incorrectly or does it mean I am not overstaying by a day if I go on the 26th?

Thanks.

3 hours ago, JackThompson said:

When I was staying in Thailand most of the time using Tourist Visas, I found land-crossings to be a No Stress experience, vs the nervous-uncertainty of air-entries.  I never used airports to enter the country - though did use them for domestic-flights.

I'm on a METV and got a bit of a grilling by the IO at Phuket airport in November, asking if I worked here, etc. I have a lot of stamps in my passport, even though it's a new one I got in the summer of 2016 (I've spent most of the time in Thailand since May 2015). Anyway, because of my experience in November I avoided flying to KL or Singapore and instead went over to Myanmar by boat. I was in Myanmar for about 5 minutes and got stamped on re-entry, no questions asked. I'll be doing it again on my next 'run' as it was super easy and actually quite an enjoyable experience.

So yeah, I echo your thoughts.  

17 minutes ago, paulo59 said:

Maybe look at mattress topper. You can then change a mattress into a softer feeling one and is also easy if you move you can take it with you

^ This.

I picked one up in HomePro because our mattress was rock solid. It has worked a treat. 

No mosquitoes. Or no female mosquitoes.

"Seems to be forgotten in Thailand."

Thailand is a Buddhist country <deleted>. 

I am a staunch atheist, but I love Christmas. Not for god-bothering reasons though.

But Merry Christmas to you too!  

On 12/19/2017 at 5:21 PM, KevinG54 said:

For Single Entry Tourist Visa you only need a completed one sided application form, including 2 passport sized photographs, the visa fee (currently £25, in cash only), and of course your passport. 

Living in London I always go in person to the Embassy in Kensington. There is an efficient queueing system by ticket, although wait time depends on time of year, number of applicants, etc.  In my experience the Embassy always has a window dedicated for submitting visa applications (and sometimes opens a second one in times of high demand). Submission times currently between 9 - 12 on weekdays, with details of days closed for public holidays shown on the website. http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/embassy-holidays

You can collect your passport the next day between 11 and 12 (or any day thereafter , but just between 11 and 12), with minimal queueing.  So all very quick and easy.

I've been to the London embassy half a dozen times and it's not efficient. Once you've waited for your ticket to be called, you then have to wait again just for a damn receipt. A few times I've had to pop out to top up the parking meter. I did the application by post last time - so much easier.

Unless it's urgent, then my advice is to do it by post.   

14 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Lost my English daughter, don't think I lost my grandchildren cos she appears to be a lesbian.

Got 4 sons though, so no biggy.

 

Would I trade my future happiness, for someone in my past?

Not likely.

 

After 10 years of no contact, she turned up in CM earlier this year and emailed me, wondering if I wanted to meet up, I didn't bother to reply, too old to be playing those sorts of games.

You seem almost proud and I'm unsure why.

And how is this helpful to the OP's friend?

26 minutes ago, Gregster said:

She’s not asking or forbidding her dad anything. She’s simply said to him ... “date who you want and be happy. But if you choose an Asian who is more than 5 years younger than you, then I don’t want you in my life.”

Hope this clarifies.

That's emotional blackmail. 

Other than talking her around, maybe his only option is to keep his GF a secret from her. I am assuming he lives here and she is overseas.

23 minutes ago, Khun Robert said:

I agree that their are no reports of Digital Nomads arrested for illegal working.

According to the labor act, which is old it is simply not allowed.

Next to this, most of the Digital Nomads use the Tourist Visa to enter and stay in Thailand,

they sign a small box on the form with the text:

"Attention for Tourist and Transit Visa Applicants : I hereby declare that the purpose of my visit to thailand is for pleasure or transit only and that in no case shall I engage myself in any profession or occupation while in the country."

 

I not understand questions like: "Can I work as Digital Nomad". You sign a paper that your purpose is only for pleasure and

that IN NO CASE shall I engage myself in any profession of occupation.

 

With signing the form to get the Tourist Visa, you already made the  decision not to work in Thailand.

 

This is not what it said on my application form. It says:

"I hereby confirm that the purpose of my visit to Thailand is already identified in this application form and the information given is correct and complete." 

But anyway, I think some people are a little bit envious of those who have the freedom to work online. But to those with such freedoms, I would say.... keep it to yourself and be discreet. That's what I do. And I would never refer to myself as a "digital nomad", because I think it is a rather poncy term. Not quite as bad as those who called themselves "entrepreneurs", but not far off. 

6 minutes ago, Mattd said:

Possibly, though there are not many immigration arrival forms, where still used, that do not ask for an address.

I admit to being a little old fashioned and try to find out as much info as I can before travelling to somewhere, especially if never been before.

I don't recall having to enter an address when I entered Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong earlier this year. Maybe for Hong Kong I did, but I can't remember. Again, I could be wrong.

Not everyone is a diligent and well prepared as you. I was in a long queue getting through immigration last week and one reason it took ages was because a number of people had not filled in the form properly. I know for sure that the two people in front of me didn't put an address and suspect quite a few previous to them (I was well out of earshot) didn't either. The IO was a right moody sod though, so it could have been anything.

Just now, JackThompson said:

Yes - good point - I was thinking of land-borders.  No "free wifi" in Thai airports, I assume?  So, yes, they'd need to screenshot their guesthouse-page before leaving.

There's free wifi at Suvarnabhumi, but it's still a bit of hassle.  

Just now, Mattd said:

A bit of pre-planning perhaps!

No doubt. Then again, I always plan to bring a pen on board, but nearly always forget and end up borrowing from someone else :).

I suspect most people don't think they need to fill in an address. 

13 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

But sims are like $3 now? Usually on-sale as soon as you cross a checkpoint.  I'd think the "FB" generation would be ancy for a connection - to see the pic of what so-and-so ate for lunch today, what some cat did, etc. 

 

I'd expect they would have a working-sim from where-ever they were just leaving.

I could be wrong, but all the SIM cards sellers I've seen at Suvarnabhumi are only accessible AFTER immigration. Plus, you won't get much for $3!

47 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

hotels.com, trivago, booking.com, tripadviser, etc etc.

Not much use without an internet connection. The irony being that most backpackers won't get online until they reach a hotel / guesthouse.

I was passing through immigration last week and a young man ahead of me was explaining to the IO that he didn't put an address because he hadn't booked a place yet. This happens a lot. You have to just make something up.

I rent an apartment but I don't know the exact address, so I just make it up too.

Just now, ubonjoe said:

You can extend every 60 day entry from your visa for 30 days one time. You are not restricted to one extension overall for the 60 day entries you can get from your visa. 

You could do an extension of the entry you have now and then get a new 60 day entry and extend it if you wanted to.

Right, understood. Thank you.

I may see about changing my flight back in this case, as I booked it to be around 60 days from when the visa expires, not knowing I could have had another 30 days. 

49 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can extend your current 60 day entry for 30 days then go out and back for another 60 day entry as long as you do it on or before the enter before date on your visa. Then you could extend that entry for 30 days if needed.

Thanks for the info. I'm still a bit confused as you're saying I can extend twice, unless you meant to say "or your could extend" rather than "then you could extend". Someone else said it's only possible to extend once.

Due to the date of my return flight I would have to extend twice and leave once, or leave twice before the 28th February. If I knew I could extend at least one of the 60 days then I'd have changed my return flight by a few days, but oh well. Good to know for next time!

On 10/28/2017 at 9:42 PM, elviajero said:

Yes you can extend any of your 60 day stays by 30 days. You apply at your local immigration office which costs 1,900 baht.

I did not know this.

I got my METV at the very end of August and entered Thailand in September. I just did my first 60 days (went to UK for 10 days). I'm now stamped until 23rd January. My visa expires on the 28th February and I have a flight back to the UK booked for 26th April. I was planning on going somewhere in January before my next 60 days is up, then again before 28th February to take me up until the end of April. So, am I right in thinking I only need to go once? I can either extend before January 23rd, then leave for somewhere or leave in January and then extend in March?

I got a taxi from Phuket airport the other day and the driver was using a dash-cam. I don't think I've been in a taxi here before that used one.

Another first was when the taxi driver said "safety belt" and instructed me to buckle-up as soon as I got in. I always put my seat belt on if they have one, but to be told that was quite refreshing. He didn't drive like a lunatic either... not a first, but quite rare.

We moved into a place that had TOT. They were terrible so we quickly replaced them with 3BB. Decent service.

We're now somewhere new and have got True fibre optic. I'm not very happy with the performance so can't recommend them. 

I'd go with AIS as I've heard good things about them.

4 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

Any recommendations? The ones on Lazada cost about 7000 baht - might as well buy a new mattress.

I bought a mattress topper a few weeks ago from Home Pro. It was between 1,500 and 2,000. It's not a fancy memory foam one (because they are super expensive!), but it has taken the edge off and was worth every penny. 

14 hours ago, superal said:

Many thanks , helpful to me and other readers , no doubt. BTW since vaping have you noticed an improvement in your health ? other readers experiences welcomed 

 

Absolutely. No more wheezing, no more coughing, no more shortness of breath. I was a 20-a-day smoker and within a week of buying my first vaping kit I stopped completely. In the past I used gum and patches to try and stop, but they never worked for me. Obviously it would be better to neither smoke or vape, but since switching I have definitely noticed health improvements. I know many other people who have become ex-smokers thanks to vaping.

46 minutes ago, superal said:

Good info , can you tell me where you buy your liquid in the UK and what flavour , also what set up you use IE tank etc ?

Sure. I get my juice from pure-perfection.co.uk. I used to get 100ml bottles, but the new EU legislation (since May this year) only allows nicotine juice in 10ml bottles. They got around this with their new 'Shake & Vape' range. They send a 120ml bottle, with 80ml of juice. They then send 4 x 10ml nicotine shots, which you empty into the bottle and shake. This is for a 6mg mix, but they do different mixes if you want more/less nicotine. I started on 12mg but am down to 6mg. My 'go to vape' is menthol, even though I hated menthol cigarettes. The good thing with menthol is you can easily add a few drops of other flavours if you get bored with it. 

I've ordered from these guys many times over the past 3 years or more. I usually order online but have also gone to their shop in Reading once or twice. On average it costs about £20 for a 120ml bottle (when taking advantage of their special discounts), which is very competitive. The local vape shop charges £4 for a 10ml bottle.

I've had a Kanger Subox Mini Mod for the past 18 months or so, which I use with  an Aspire Nautilus X tank (as the Kanger tank was super leaky). I also have a Nautilus Aspire v2 tank, plus another tank (the name escapes me). I also bought a £50 mod from the local shop, but that just a backup and is still in its box. I think I also have a pen style mod in a drawer here somewhere as a last resort.

I'm a heavy vaper and have spent much of the past two and a bit years in Thailand. I have never had a problem, but over the past year or so (since I became aware of the laws) I refrain somewhat from vaping in public. I vape if I'm in a bar, but I would not walk down the street openly vaping... especially if there are police around. I vape a lot in the car, but it has tinted windows. I am not worried about getting caught because I am discreet. The only time I have concerns is when going through airport security - even though I've never had an issue.

I do not know where to purchase juice in Thailand, but I wouldn't anyway. It's probably made in China and god knows what's in it. I only buy top quality juice when I'm in the UK. The issue is getting it here and making it last. I usually go back to the UK every 4 months, so I stock up and bring enough to last. The time before last I brought 500ml of juice to last me 4 months, with 350ml of it in a shampoo bottle. I nearly ran out.

I arrived in Thailand last month and will be here until April. I'm only going back to the UK once between then and now, so last month I came with over 900ml of juice and I'll bring a similar amount back next time. I did not have time to conceal it in shampoo bottles, so I had a number of 120ml vape juice bottles. These all went in my checked in baggage, but no more than two or three in the same part of my bag. I put them in with different toiletries, etc. I also had a spare vape kit in my checked in baggage, plus spare coils, etc. My regular vape kit goes in the carry-on, along with the batteries (never put these in the checked in bag!), plus a collection of 10ml vape juice bottles.

I am not massively worried about getting caught, but my heart did skip a beat coming through customs last month as my bag was nearly scanned. I would plead ignorance if caught, which is what I did when entering Singapore last year. They noticed my vape gear in my carry-on bag and I was told "This is illegal in Singapore. The fine for vaping anywhere in Singapore is xxx" and I said "Really? (I knew it was illegal) I didn't know that. Okay in that case I will not vape while I'm here" and he let me keep it and of course I did vape, but never in public.  I was only there for a couple of days so didn't need much juice. FWIW, I've never had a problem at any airport in Thailand and they have clearly see my vape gear in my carry-on baggage many, many times.   

I do not like to be made to feel like a smuggler, even though I suppose I am. I consider it a ridiculous law and I don't feel guilty in the slightest. I enjoy vaping and will not go back to smoking cigarettes, even if they are cheap as chips over here.