howlee101

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I guess COVID stopped the 1,000bht flights direct to Da Nang ..... that's a great pity.

FYI, my flight for the wife and I, with 15kg of checked luggage both ways, was $473 USD.

23 minutes ago, stoner said:

https://news.yahoo.com/cnn-ratings-plummet-80-percent-175338698.html

 

 

Now, now.  Stop providing facts....it only triggers the sheeple.

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Last time I flew Chiang Mai to Da Nang it was a direct flight.

I didn't see any option for a direct flight (on my dates of travel).  I would have paid extra for the convenience.

Posting to provide information to those who may not know (obviously I didn't).  This post is not a complaint against Air Asia as my trip actually went quiet well.

I have previously booked flights on the same itinerary (multiple carriers) from Chiang Mai to the US and US to Chiang Mai.  I just recently booked a flight from Chiang Mai to Da Nang Vietnam on the Air Asia website on, what I thought, was the same itinerary (CNX to BKK on Air Asia and BKK to DAD on VietJet).  Unfortunately, I was informed at the Air Asia check in counter at Chiang Mai that I would have to get my luggage at BKK, go to the Viet Jet departure counter to recheck my luggage and get my boarding pass, go through immigrations, then board my flight.  Fortunately, my layover allowed me to easily make the transition, and luckily it wasn't busy.

On my return flight, I flew Air Asia from Da Nang to Don Mueang (DMK) then DMK to CNX.  But was told again I would have to process immigration at DMK, get my luggage and check in with Air Asia to get a boarding pass.  Again, I had enough layover time and it wasn't busy.  A few pros/cons:

- My itinerary, nor the booking process, indicated my flight was on separate legs

- The Air Asia lady at Chiang Mai was very understanding and gave my wife and I the "hot seat" (seat in the front) and put an expedite tag on our luggage.

- At BKK, the Viet Jet ticket agent allowed us to check two bags even though I only paid extra for one "checked" bag.

Again, just passing on some information for travelers to be aware of.  Just because you book with Air Asia, doesn't mean the flight segments are on the same itinerary.  All worked out fine and we really enjoyed our short vacation to Da Nang.  OBTW, Sun World at Ba Na Hills is highly recommended as a day tour.

22 hours ago, jdlancaster said:

howlee101, the security clearance is why a Thai can’t do the job

I understand the security clearance requirements and why foreign nationals can't fill a position requiring a clearance.  My reply was in relation to your original post "I was curious if anyone know what types of visas/extensions US military contractors with security clearances".  As for permanent residency, here is the link on this forum regarding what you need to know:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1260822-do-i-qualify-for-thai-permanent-residency-free-guide/

13 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

And Trump/NATO have exactly what to do with the topic-Biden's obvious cognitive  decline? 

The #1 rule in their playbook.  When you can't defend the topic/question at hand, deflect and make it about the other side.  

38 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

From what I see , someone doesn't want to go out in the rain and they expect someone else to go out in the rain for 40 Baht or whatever the delivery fee is .

   Someone's sat at home and hungry and instead of getting themselves an umbrella and going out to get food , they sit at home and complain about it on here .

   In your circumstances , I would be thinking ahead , I would get some food in the house so that you Wife could eat that if Grab wouldn't deliver .

   We are talking about a motorbike rider staying undercover until the rain stops 

Heaven forbid someone would have to result to actually cooking at home for themselves...and their kid. Can't please everyone ????

1 hour ago, TooPoopedToPop said:

Depending on the degree of intimacy this would appear to be a case of hetrosexual transmission.

So much for the "Gay Plague" scenario.

Don't assume gender ????

8 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Not sure what you mean...

 

But I prefer the Women's Beach Volleyball, I find the sand allows for better dives.

 

Sir, your attached picture is highly inappropriate and I adamantly insist on the link to this website....asking for a friend????

20 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

The USD broke through the 38 Baht to $1 early this afternoon before dropping back to 37.96 per $1 which it currently sits at but has bounced up and down down from 37.93.

 

This morning (28 Sep ~1030am), I went to the ATM to withdraw baht from my US account.  I checked my account amount upon returning home and calculated I got 37.80 exchange rate.  

I used onwardflights (dot) com to obtain a ticket but never was asked to provide proof....only asked "do you have a flight" and I gave them my flight number.  Each airline will vary I'm sure.

The first, and only, sensible thing sniffing Joe has said "the pandemic is over". But funny his handlers are quickly saying "what he meant to say....."

20 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Reentry permits also issued at the office at Central Festival.  Took me about 5 minutes total when I got mine ????

 

Where are they located at Central Festival.  I go there a few times per month but never saw it...granted I wasn't looking for it either.

25 minutes ago, MikaQ5 said:

Ah ok thanks 

(I had seen photos before that looked like a reentry permit was taking up a full passport page ) 

They stamped my single entry  right under my one year visa stamp, so on the same page but it was sideways????

4 minutes ago, ChristianBlessing said:

Yes

Great to know, I'll check it out when I depart next month.  I read somewhere on this forum it was a hit/miss if they are open and didn't want to chance it.

2 minutes ago, Mahseer said:

Likely less painful at Festival and yes you can get a reentry at the airport.

At Chiang Mai International airport?

Alibi up front - this is my first experience (today) for getting a reentry stamp at Chiang Mai immigrations...it may be different at your local immigration office.  My post is a bit long but wanted to possibly help the next person from getting frustrated while trying to navigate the maze which is called Thai Immigrations.

- Upon arrival, I walked through the Covid temperature set up (I honestly don't think it's even on anymore), tell the person at the window "I here to get a reentry stamp".  She points for me to get the little sticker to put on my shirt (guessing it means I successfully cleared the temperature detection) and tells me to proceed to window #3.  BTW, it's window #1 but I'll get to that later.

- The lady at window #3 tells me I have to get a queue number and directs me to get in another line (actually, it's the unnumbered windows as you enter the facility).  So as I was waiting in line, a gentleman wearing an Immigration Police vest is checking everyone and says we need a "pink card" from the volunteer check station outside (my guess is the pink card suggest a immigrations volunteer has looked over your paperwork).  I stated I have all my paperwork but he was adamant I needed the pink card before getting my queue number.

- Outside I went.  The gentleman volunteer asked if I had all the paperwork and pointed to a placard.  I stated I had those documents (I'll list those later), looks at my paperwork and says "you don't have a copy of your visa stamp".  I pointed out the placard doesn't list that document....so he escorts me to the front of the building and points to a bigger sign at the entrance (photo below).  I mention to the volunteer the sign differed from the placard...he mumbled something then suggested I follow the sign at the entrance.  Fortunately I only needed to a copy of my visa.  He rechecked my paperwork and was given the much needed "pink card".

- Back inside I proceeded to the front windows, the person looked over my paperwork and gave me a queue number.  There were 3 people ahead of my number and probably waited 15-20 before I was called up to "window #1", gave all the documents, along with 1000 baht (single reentry), and sat down to wait.  Maybe another 10 minutes and the person called my name, and I took my passport and was on my way.  

Here's what I submitted:

- completed TM-8

- photo

- copy of my passport information page

- copy of my visa stamp, the Non-O, one year stamp (note: I didn't provide a copy of my entry stamp, 90-day visa, and was not asked for it)

- copy of latest 90-day report (I do this online and had to print out the file/receipt)

- copy of the TM-30 (I, actually my wife, did this online but Chiang Mai immigrations requires you to get the hard copy receipt from the TM-30 desk which is currently in the back of the building next to the copier ladies).

- 1000 baht (single reentry)

- NOTE: a copy of the TM-6 arrival card is listed but I did not submit nor did they ask for it.

I understand "This is Thailand" (and this is a rhetorical question) but why make this so painful when a traveler can quickly get this done at the airport for a fee of a few hundred baht.  I would have like to get this done at the airport but I'm leaving from Chiang Mai and not sure if they have this service.  I previously read it was a hit/miss if someone was actually manning the desk at CM airport so I didn't want to take the chance.  

On 7/16/2022 at 11:00 AM, dhupverg said:

Just to confirm, no insurance is needed now?  I checked various websites and I saw one site that says you can just enter as before covid, whereas the rest of the varioues evisa sites still show varying degrees of necessary items.

Check out this website....indicates covid insurance no longer required.

https://www.vietnam-visa.com/entry-quarantine-covid/

There seems to be conflicting information but I did find this link:

https://www.vietnam-visa.com/entry-quarantine-covid/

Just a cut/paste of so info from the link above.

Vietnam Entry Requirements

In order to enter Vietnam now, the foreigners must have the following items:

• A valid entry paper (Vietnam visa / temporary residence card / permanent residence card / 5-year visa exemption certificate / entry permit) unless you are exempted from Vietnam visa.
• Passport valid for at least 06 months from the date of arrival.

Note: The Covid insurance, Covid-19 vaccination certificate, and Covid test certificate are no longer required.

According to the Vietnamese Tourism website, Thai citizens get 30 day without needing a visa.  If staying longer than 30 days, a visa will be required.

4 hours ago, Oink said:

Anyone else experiencing these issues?

Suggest trying another browser (i.e. Chrome or Edge)

3 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Just tested 'SurfShark' and all OK. Never had any problem connecting or unblocking geo-blocked websites in two years with them.

Same....I used SurfShark daily.