Greenwich Boy

I have been a Singapore Airlines fan for over 20 years. When Emirates started flying out of Stansted I used them. I got stuck in Bali when the Covid poo hit the fan in March 2020. The only flight I could get out was with Qatar. I flew back to Thailand with them in May. They really are very good and will have my business if schedules suit (I am paying myself and sit in the back of the bus)

I fail to see the relevancy here. I have been here on a STV since May and am no digital nomad. Anyone who satisfies the requirements can get one. Do they really think any self respecting nomad is suddenly going to declare income he receives because he has a STV? I may be missing the point but unless it is a new type of visa this is not a story at all.

I am with you on most of that. I will be going on the Friday before. This will be my first Covid extension. Friends of mine who have done this in CM have got 60 days from application date on first extension but 60 days tagged on to subsequent extensions. Time will tell. I agree that until land borders open Covid extensions will continue but I am not prepared to wait until announcement.

Using my situation as an example. I am stamped in till 20/2. I am not running the risk of waiting till 24/1 to see if they extend. Going to immigration on the last day can open up a can of worms if you catch an officer in a bad mood. I will go the week before. If they do extend I have spent 1,900B and only got 30 odd days but can get another. If they dont well I still have 30 extra days. Just wish they would not leave it till the last minute to announce extension or not

One option is to go to immigration now and get your 60 days. As the covid extensions are currently available till 25th Jan go back a couple of days before this and get another 60 days. A bit of a pain and extra trips but it is only another 1,900B and it removes some of the stress element.

That is what I have been told by my agent in Chiang Mai

A 30 day extension will get him to about 6th Feb. Covid extension are currently available till 25th Jan. Worth considering getting the covid ext just before this in case it is not extended again (I hope it is) As the announcement regarding the extension is only made at the last minute it will provide peace of mind. Either that or fingers crossed

Can only report my own experience. Everything was checked at departure airport and again at Bangkok. I strongly recommend at least two hard copies of everything. With regards hotel booking, as long as you have a printed copy of paid for accomodation, I can not see them contacting the hotel to check. See no reason why cancelling before departure will be an issue. I have done both my extensions (I am still here) I used an agent because I am lazy and hate immigration, my paperwork was all in order. First extension I only needed my passport and the usual copies. Second time I was asked for insurance. Pot luck on the day and which office you use. The STV gets a bit of a bad rap, but for a 9 month stay without committing to a long stay visa and with most borders still shut it has worked out a treat for me. Good luck.

Intereting. I got my STV from London earlier in the year and the only thing in Remarks was Employment Prohibited, the same as a SETV. Do you mind saying which Embassy you applied at.

You are fine although I understand that you need to get the remaining. 45 days in CM. Worth checking that point though

Back in May I got a STV with a one way flight. I know things change.

Friends of mine have got the 'under consideration' stamp in C M on UK passports.

I am currently doing touristy things in Bangkok. Just seen my first tour group near Wat Pho. Snake of maybe 30 people. Bloke with a stick and a flag in charge. Eastern European or Russian from listening to them. Back in Chiang Mai there are a few new faces about. Not a lot I agree but some are still keen to travel whatever obstacles are put in front of them.

I used AXA Thailand for my STV. If you want the contact details of the insurance agent I used (He is English but based in Thailand I think) PM me. From memory I paid about £600 for 9 months cover for whatever was needed to get the visa. I am 54. Usual disclaimer, I have nothing to do with AXA, the policy just got me what was needed.

I use a firm called CurrencyFair. Had the account for ages so have not got round to opening a Wise account. To paraphrase a mail I got from them a few weeks ago. 'Our banking partner is no longer able to support THB transfers of more than 50k. If you do transfer above this amount it will be sent via Swift, you may suffer delays and additional costs. Transfers below 50k will be treated locally' I did need money last week so sent a couple of 49k tranfers and they did take 2 or 3 days. Please note, I am not using this money for visa purposes so it does not need to state international transfer

Could you outline the ball ache involved in a VTL, particularly the one to Singapore if you know as once Covid extensions stop I will need to leave. Have survived the Thai evisa system, CofE, PCR tests and 15 nights quarantine. Is it really as bad? Cheers.

I find the service on the plane as good as ever but everything else from even the booking process has been heading downhill for a couple of years. I have a lot of unused miles but after that will switch to Qatar

Heading down from Chiang Mai to Bangkok on the train for a couple of days just for a change. Planning to use public transport when I can but would appreciate some tips. I know you need two pre paid cards, that is fine. Stupid question, I have a Bangkok Bank ATM that says Rabbit on it. Can I use that on the Skytrain? A lot of lines seem to be 'under construction' Which metro lines are actually open? Just the colour is fine, can work the rest out. Are the cross river ferries working, and is that a cash fare? Any of the major tourist places shut? Many thanks

I agree. My second jab outside Thailand was March. Not being resident here I am a bit concerned that some countries will start asking for jabs less than 12 months old before allowing entry. Will bide my time but come February will be looking for a booster even if it is just for travel. No issue with paying, hopefully plenty available by then.

Just love the word 'haze' Would be terrible to describe it as smog, pollution or anything else more accurate.????

Previous poster is correct. Normal 30 day extension has to be done first. There is another Covid specific form that asks you to confirm why you are asking for an extension. There is a link to it somewhere on this forum but I am a dummy and can not find it. Something to consider, when applying for a Covid extension at CM you initially get 15 days then the other 45 when you return. Mate did this yesterday and his extension started then, not added on to his original permission to stay date. A bit second hand info I know but just reporting what he said.

I upgraded to a Q Suite on the Doha to Bangkok leg earlier in the year. A real treat. I can't afford to do this every time but I never want to fly economy again!

In Pai we stayed at Sawasdeepai River Resort. Good location shame the pool was out of action due to Covid. Booze widely available in restaurants and bars. On the way in to Pai we diverted to Kho Kuu So bamboo bridge which goes over paddy fields to a temple. Prettier before the harvest comes in. On the way to MHS we went to Ban Rak Thai for lunch which is an ethnic Chinese village on the Burmese border. If you have little ones with you there is a fish cave just before the turn off to BRK (the food stalls in the car park do excellent roast chicken and pork) MHS stayed at Piya Guesthouse. Next to the lake. Pool open. No bars but got a drink with dinner. Girls went early morning to feed the monks at a temple over another bamboo bridge. Su Tong Pae.. very pretty early morning with mist over the river.. On the way to Mae Sariang we stopped at the sunflower fields off from Khun Yuam but not sure when they stop flowering. Mae Sariang was Riverbank Resort (everything seems to be River something) which as expected had views of the river. Only one restaurant was serving booze, think it was called Riverhouse. From there went to Mae Sam Lap which is a village on the Salawin river on the border. A few boats there working the river, reckon you could hire one for a trip but we did not. The road is a bit rough and you have to turn around and come back the same way. We could not get through the park. Enjoy your trip.

Agreed. We got to Mae Sam Lap, had a coffee, took some photos and headed back the same way. Never did get a straight answer as to why we could not do the loop through the park. State of the road maybe?

I have been in Thailand this time for 7 months. I am on a legitimate STV that allows tourists to stay for up to 9 months. I have paid 1,900B and filled out all the forms to extend this twice. I am eligible to apply for a covid extension in January. Will fill out all the forms and pay again. No drama. I can go back to the UK but I do not want to. Why other posters, who I assume are on long term extensions, are remotely bothered about covid extensions baffles me. It is offered by immigration we apply and pay the money. It is not abuse of the system. Every penny we spend will be welcome in the Thai economy.