texanaust

17 minutes ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

@texanaust I sent you a message. Check the top right hand side of an open 'topic' page and click on the envelope.  I've recommended a good driver for you. Have a good trip.

 

OOPS, I didn't realize you're in Phuket.

Yep, doubt your driver will want to come down to Phuket, but thanks anyway.  

We need a reliable and safe car and driver to take us from Bang Tao to Hua Hin at the beginning of June.  Are there any drivers or services that someone can recommend?  Thanks! 

I applied on the 4th and received approval yesterday for Feb 21st.  I submitted a second application on the 12th because I forgot to upload the PSAS receipts (used same email address).  My approval was given without the hotel being paid in full surprisingly.  I was about to do a third application after paying the hotel, but was approved before the hotel replied to me.  

1 hour ago, Robin said:

Behind all this is the sad fact that  unless it is easy to come to Thailand, people are not going to come.  Thai government and TAT do not appear to realise this.  They live in  world where rich people are queueing up to visit Thailand.   Not any more, there are many other attractive places to visit.

What I cannot understand is why no hotel or travel agency are not offering packages that take away all the hassle; book a holiday at the hotel and your own flight nd they fix all the Thai nonsense and meet you at the airport and get you through the entry requirements.

Does nobody want the business?

Where is the spirit of free enterprise? 

Same here.  Name one Phuket Hotel website that mentions they will take care of the Thailand Pass, PSAS test payment, etc for you in one package price...I don't think it exists.  There would be many (including myself) who would pay extra for a one-stop service that guarantees receipt of the QR code and takes away the hassle of resubmitting multiple times.  

I applied about 6 days ago and no response.  When I put in my application number it just says 'reviewing,' but I think I'll need to reapply.  Has anyone been successful with a sandbox application where you have been able to pay online (like Agoda) and not to the hotel directly?

8 hours ago, tommygato said:

You have to pay hotel directly in order to get SHABA certificate, but make sure the hotel is SHA+ approved. I used Agoda to book, then I contacted hotel to get certificate and they told me they can't give it to me as they did not receive the money from Agoda yet, they advised to cancel Agoda and book directly. Once I did that I got the certificate.

Thank you for the info.  However, I want to book with a refund option (in case my flight is cancelled or test positive, etc).  I feel like Thailand Pass is pushing everyone into booking direct which equals 'non-refundable.'

On 1/7/2022 at 4:50 AM, richard_smith237 said:

6) Get Hotel SHABA Certificate (and reference) 

What is this?  If I book and pay via an OTA (Agoda), will they give me the SHABA Certificate or do I need to contact the hotel directly?  I booked on Hilton.com and simply uploaded the email confirmation-obviously that was not the correct thing to do...

It would be nice if Thailand Pass would actually write these requirements on their website as I have applied with no response probably because I don't have this SHABA certificate uploaded.  

Do you have to have a fully paid hotel reservation for the Phuket Sandbox?  Can you book with a credit card deposit?  If you do have to fully pay, are there any hotels/resorts that allow refunds or last minute date changes if you are denied boarding due to Covid, Thai pass issues, etc?

31 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Are you sure about that ? I've just had 7 days approved.

I thought it was 7 days for most countries too.  Has it just changed to 10?

18 hours ago, UbonEagle said:

Sorry slightly off topic re the sandbox.

Was due to travel back late Jan but hadn't booked...obviously had planned on 1 night test n go but now iced.

The sandbox idea sounds ok but if going anywhere outside your room i'd be a tad paranoid about getting the virus then testing positive on day 7....stuff of nightmares...particularly if omicrom gets going on the island which it inevitably will.

I think i'll just take a punt and wait until the 4th to see if any change (doubtful) and if not just go the 1wk BKK hotel option in a nice decent sized room.

Got 3mths up my sleeve so time isn't huge factor, and given i did at least 5 by 2wk QTs for work in last 18mths it wont kill me.

Anyone else in the same boat ?

Yep, I'm in the same boat.  If nothing changes then I think we'll go to Phuket and pick a nice resort to vacation at.  Besides, if you pick up the virus on day 7, the insurance should take care of you (just the inconvenience of further quarantine).  I suspect with omicron there is no guarantees even going AQ in a Bkk hotel for a week, so may as well enjoy the sandbox.  

I am hoping for a change on the 4th, but I suspect T&G is gone for the next few months or until they accept Omicron's spread.  

Sent by the Chinese government?

Metro Jomtien.  Large, spacious, quiet.  No short termers.  

The unlimited AIS packages 4Mbps & 6 Mbps with no data limit appear to have vanished.  They have been replaced with low max speed data limits then throttling plus the prices are higher.  Anyone know if the old monthly 6Mbps 550baht unlimited code *777*7209# still works?

We used about 6 visa exempts with no problems over a three month period just recently.  This was with a passport with lots of tourist visas and O visas from previous years.  No questions asked.  We came in and out via the priority lanes.  Most stays were 2-3 weeks and one was just short of the 30 day mark.  

I tried to contact SiamLegal by email, their online form and telephone-no reply.  I called their number in the USA multiple times and it was always an answering machine.  I left numerous messages and no one ever called back.  Certainly not professional from my standpoint.

Yes, if you received a grilling, it would be important to know more details of your experience.  I have not had any problems (yet) going through with my farang family.  Most of the time we use the priority lanes and perhaps they are less likely to 'harass' people who may (or may not) be perceived as hi-so.  

I have no idea whether or not the priority lane would make a difference, it is just an educated guess given how the Thai system operates.

For those who say the tourist visa is not for those staying in Thailand at their own purchased condo, the following is on the visa application from the Thai Consulate Brisbane:

15 hours ago, Penefattore said:

I am la creme de la creme of farang seethi , the perfect gentleman , and don't you dare to utter further foolishness.

I am actually the type of tourist/resident TAT dreams of , but really does not deserve.

All was going ok , when the counter officer said I had been in Thailand too many times and had to send me to his superior officer , was taken to a place nearby and there started my ordeal.

What is with the 'farang seethi' line?  Are you Indian?  Anyway these sort of comments generally mean there is more to the story.  

Is it not possible to get the money from an ATM and then go through immigration again?  Different officer, different result maybe?  I would offered the immigration officer 1000baht for 'someone' to accompany you to the ATM in arrivals and then back to his desk.  Surely something like this could be arranged.

So is the current consensus NOT to self report on a TM30 when staying in ones own condo in Jomtien?  What about the condo management, do they report an owners arrival?  I always thought the address you put down on the arrival card at the airport was used for the first place of residence-I am now confused.

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

There is no visa that you can get for investment at an embassy or consulate for investment unless it done through the BOI.

You could enter on a tourist visa and do a change of visa status to get a non immigrant visa entry (category B ) at immigration then apply for the extension of stay. Then after you have your extension your family members could get non-o visas and extensions as your dependents.

You will need proof the funds came from abroad that you put in the bank to reach the 10 million number.

 

Thank you for the clarification.  For the last two years we have been getting Non-O multi's based on investment-apparently in error and the Washington DC embassy has now said they were "illegal."  Even though Washington approved the visas at the time...go figure.  We will now try and do a change of status as you suggested at the local immigration office.  Thank you again for your advice.

19 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Buying a condo does not give you a right to stay in the country. You still need a visa or an extension of stay.

If the purchase price is 10 million baht or more or if less you can put money in a Thai bank to reach a total of 10 million baht you could apply for an extension of stay based upon investment. Then if you have a family they can get extension based upon yours.

If you cannot qualify for an extension of some kind you have to leave the country to get a new visa.

There is the option of the Thai Elite program that allows one year entries from a visa valid for 5 years. See: http://www.thailandelite.com/glimpse.php

Ubonjoe,

Do you need a specific visa to apply for an extension of stay based upon investment?  I assume you are talking about an extension of stay applied for in Thailand.  We are currently getting the runaround with Washington DC re. our visas and are looking for a different option.  Our condo was purchased for close to 10 million, so we could add money to our bank account if necessary.  Thank you in advance for any advice.