new2here

There can be a *few* situations where excess baggage is limited - I know this can occur with some central/south American destinations during peak holiday periods (which is usually flown with narrow-body fleets, thus making a bulk-out situation or weight restriction possible) but as the OP is assessing Trans-Pacific which is almost always flown by wide body fleet, there’s rarely ever a “weight” restriction nor “embargo” on passenger baggage. That said, it might be wise to proactively reach out to the carrier and double check I also agree with double checking with the carriers *cargo* arm to see if that might be an alternative.. do know the security rules etc for shipping air *cargo* are usually different than that associated with normal “accompanied” passenger baggage situation.

This is my experience too. They have almost consistently taken a copy of my then-valid extension and/or last entry stamp in addition to the photo/data page

Correct.. There is NO way for YOU to remain airside AND also have one or more of your CHECKED baggage exit the airport and be given to a 3rd party while you continue onward as a transit passenger. You would have to formally enter Thailand (that is clear Immigration) and reclaim said baggage and clear it thru thai customs. Only CARGO can be cleared for entry without an associated passenger as cargo moves independently of an actual ticketed/traveling passenger and is processed inbound by customs quite differently than passenger baggage would be.

this is the correct interpretation for STEBS bag usage.. for countries that subscribe to the STEBS bag program (most do, but not all and it’s not mandatory that any one country participate) they carry the “seal” so long as the bag - and the associated passenger - remain AIRside or in “sterile” status… once you exit that status and go “landslide” and thus are no longer “sterile” in terms of airport security, the STEBS bag no longer carriers any validity. Now, can any country waive this provision? sure, but according the STEBS rules - which for the most part are printed on the bag itself - this is what it is supposed to be.

yes. I have bought 12 cards - at once - the be used as xmas party gifts.. at the time of purchase they didn’t ask why, nor did i volunteer the reason. My passport was used for each card as the means to active it. later, after giving, each recipient changed the passport in person with me present.

The problem here is one of transparency .. it’s hard.. impossible.. for the entity that is essentially being implicated, to then turn around and try to self-investigate… that’s where having the ability to send in a truly independent, outside agency with enough implicit and explicit statutory power, to conduct the investigation is essential.. but that too can be problematic… in that one must accept that what this entity may find might be bad…

As i have read the rules, there is nothing that explicitly states who or what type of person/entity can do your medical certificate or who or what kind of entity is authorized by statue to do it. it really only states that it must be done by someone who has a current Thai medical license to do so and will of course, “sign off” on it. Ive always used MedConsult (6 years) - a private clinic which isn’t a formal hospital - and never had an issue but the certificate is hand signed by the Doctor who does have a current valid Thai medical license…. that said, as this is Thailand, what one office says and another says, can be worlds apart.

There IS a process whereby you can be effectively “readmitted” back into the Kingdom IF (as your example is) your flight is delayed and there is no other option to get you of Thailand out the same day or within a reasonable time period while you remain airside. It does require the airlines assistance and coordination with airport immigration (and customs) - but it can be done. It is quite rare, but i know it’s been done. Another example i can recall, is someone who - while at the gate - became too ill/sick to the point that they’re not eligible or safe to board/fly. Like the above, the medical center/doctors will coordinate with airport immigration (and customs BTW) to get your exit stamp cancelled and get you readmitted until you can fly again… again.. very rare, but it happens.

I agree with the others, I’ve done numerous bank-bank transfers (that is directly from my US-bank to my Thai-based bank) and never had issues.. Several transfers were for sums above $100k… and one in excess of $200k Normally, all i get is a call from the bank branch to let me know that it’s arrived and if I want anything special done with it… granted, the bank branch I use does have a copy of my latest extension and work permit on file. I agree that so long as the account names etc all match, there should be no issues. I do agree that the Thai governments look out for money laundering and other currency-based crimes has ramped up in last few years, but for fairly routine transfers there really should be no issues. i suspect that IF you were making repeated transfers of large amounts or the like over a short period of time, THEN i could see questions being asked, but aside from that, no… I highly doubt anyone would bat an eye.

I agree with “… Immigration officers and consistency do not go hand in hand.”. But that is because really each person, each case is is somewhat unique. True, immigration law is rather explicitly defined as to what situations are legal for entry and which ones are not.. and further, under each type/class of entry, what are the specific conditions for said type/class. Where *I* think sometimes things go a bit off track is rooted in the fact that while an individual officer can’t essentially create their own law as to you’re admissible or not, they DO have the right to question and request any documentation they deem reasonable to ascertain that you meet the requirements in full.. Essentially the burden of proof falls to you to prove you’re eligible … Immigration really does not have the burden to DISprove your eligibility. Of course, to be extensively questioned is never a positive nor enjoyable event - but in the end, it’s just a part of the process ... and a part that does allow for officer discretion in terms of scope, depth, breadth and such as far as questioning goes.

These names don’t surprise me…. Google could be seen as a forward/future looking type of employer, and one that will also be seen by others as a respectable name as well. Plus google might also carry some measure of “safety” in terms of hiring onto an established firm and with less risk of job loss due to company insolvency when at the beginning of one’s work career ladder. PTT is in the same vein… Another firm that might be seen as reputable, known and seen as “safe” and reliable. Id be very surprised if there was much demand for truly entrepreneurial positions - as I’d guess many new graduates are also somewhat beholden to the financial liability of their families.. so going for a pure entrepreneurial play as first-job i’d guess is simply too much risk for many at that entry level. I also think that in a country like Thailand, where a “name” carries a lot of weight/value/clout, there’s not a lot of “wow” that will be attached in going the entrepreneurial way over a firm that known kingdom-wide.

i agree.. I also think this line of thinking applies to many other issues/problems… it’s not a “real” problem until it hits at my “home” so to speak…

Hi, Its my own experience that, on the whole, the ideas of refunds/exchanges - here in thailand isn’t as common nor practiced as perhaps in other countries.. that said, most of the larger stores.. as noted Big C among them but also Paragon, Central, Robinsons etc will also do so- but you’ll have to meet their criteria.. ie within X days of purchase, with original receipt and item in new/unused condition l, being the 3 most common requirements.

I think that’s more reflective of the “scale” of the economy than anything else.. Similar to the differences in terms of how the currency is denominated.. Thailand’s maximum bank note for general use being B1000 while the UK is GBP 50… which at current forex rates is a touch more than double that if the B1000 note… and the US’ $100 representing more than 3.5x that of the B1000 so i think when you say no one bars and eye, is quite true, but is rooted in the difference of economy of scale.

The max any one Rabbit card can have stored on it is B4,000 While B4,000 is a small number relatively speaking, since there is no limit to the number of cards any one person can have or acquire, it could be one avenue used for illicit money movement… granted, for the big players - they’d probably not want to go this route, but perhaps for lower values, it could be… To me, a B4,000 cap seems to be appropriate given the most expensive trip is around B60 (adult fare) one-way or B120 on a RT basis, and if traveled daily for 30 days, you’re now at B3,600.. so capping it at B4,000 seems reasonable in that light.