BaanOz

...we normally walk together, 5mins to a nearby 5 star resort toilet that's air-conditioned while the family attend to the restaurant. (I just relieve myself in nearby bushes) There is competition with neighbouring restaurants and why "assisting" may be a bad idea.

This subject interests me as I've been guilty of "volunteering" to bring items in my car and unloading them for the family restaurant. Will get the kitchen-hands to unload in future. Also, with outside tables I've run to pick up table clothes etc as it starts to rain. Otherwise I've tried to avoid doing anything at the restaurant besides chatting with customers. Although, I have taken customers that I've become friendly with to some tourist spots and guess that's a no-no too but never for or received any money. The family restaurant does have surrounding similar restaurants that could get upset as the family restaurant does do well. Generally about volunteering, I mentioned in another post about the Soi Dog Foundation and I just found this on their website under their volunteering FAQ: I guess it's a grey area and the Soi Dog don't have a similar business nearby that could get upset but they do cover themselves by saying "check with your local Thai Embassy".

Surely it would be rare (if ever) for a foreigner to be trouble for joining a team to pick up rubbish off a beach, walk dogs at the Soi Dog Foundation or volunteer to paint the in-laws house?

If/when that happens you could just pay and get the METV. I guess there would be zero applications now for that METV for countries who can get the 60 day visa exempt.

Thanks, that basic one above would do me and is cheap! Reviews look good on it too.

Great thanks, cheap and perfect to sit for 6 months between visits!

Ahh yes typical reply here.

Just spent 6 months on a METV and extending the visa at immigration twice. Plan to do this yearly. Went to the local family shop to do some printing and the second time I went they inadvertently printed the first set I have them do 2 months earlier. They had stored scans of personal stuff but I made sure they deleted it but probably wasn't fully deleted on their laptop. Don't think anything criminal would be intended but don't want this happening again. Yes I might be able to find a less dodgy place to do printing but rather do it myself. Looking up printers found a good option may be a cheap portable thermal printer as I hate troubles with ink while leaving them sitting for a long time. Would bt least 6 months between printer use. Question, would the crappy thermal paper be accepted by immigration please?

Thank you Sheryl, great it covers all but know why now he has to pay. Not sure if the motorbike he was riding was registered but doesn't have a drivers licence so that would void any insurance.

A Thai relative here has recently had a motorbike accident. A pedestrian ran across a road and the relative hit them and they crashed the motorbike, breaking bones in their shoulder. I'm getting this 2nd or 3rd hand but he needs to pay for the surgery 30,000 baht. Questioning this, it seems the universal 30 baht system only covers the hospital bed and not the operation. This is the government hospital in Phuket Town. (no haven't been asked to pay or help haha!) Is this correct? Could this surgery be subsidised and the 30,000 baht is a minimum fee?

Don't think anyone has mentioned Georgetown Penang. Did it a couple of months ago, about 5000baht return on Firefly. Quick flight. Nice spot for a couple of days but don't think you could do it with Firefly timing on the same day.

Just a follow up, I asked our Australian travel insurance company while being a dual citizen, if she enters Thailand on her Thai passport (with different details), will she be covered? Reply: Kindly be advised that you are eligible for our international travel insurance plan under the condition that your departure and return are to the same residence within Australia. That seems strange why the residence matters but definitely back to the same address. I've followed up with another question: If the worst happened and needed to visit a hospital in Thailand, which passport would she need as ID? Australian or the Thai passport that she entered with.

It took a different direction as I had no idea what would be appropriate, not knowing anything about the Thai hospital situation but I found it very useful! OK so maybe the title should be Thai Health Insurance vs Falang Travel Insurance vs 30 Baht.

Thanks Sheryl, will do. From what you have said, it probably would be Thalang. Yes both Thai passport and ID are different to Aussie. Have just sent a message to see what the Australian travel insurance company say about this. We want to travel to surrounding countries so I guess exit with Thai passport and enter them on Australian passport so we can use our credit card travel insurance in those countries. Just to save on Thai visa fees for her!

Yes she Medicare and and has health insurance in Australia with HCF. Actually, used to have AHM too We have been using credit card insurance that uses "Cover More" and is. free for 12 months except if we pay extra for her pre-existing condition which we have done. I think I'll have to contact them to see if she would be covered if entering on her new Thai passport (which has different details to her Australian). Otherwise we might use the Thai universal.