oscarsmum

54 minutes ago, Red Phoenix said:

Were they also required to show proof of onward-travel plans (e.g. an onward flight reservation booking in less than 30 days after their VisaExempt entry)?

They had a 60 day visa. And a ticket back to NZ. The 20,000 baht request was a first for them at that border. 

At Sungai Kolok NZ friends were asked to provide proof of 20,000 baht. They had to travel back to town and locate a ATM. It can happen. 

23 hours ago, bignok said:

Load of nonsense. Hotels all over Isaan. 450 baht gets decent room. Stay in hotel. 

 

Visit family 2 hours. Buy Lao Khao and 200 baht worth of chicken and rice. 

 

Say I've got a headache. Go back to hotel. Next day say you have a bad back and can only visit short time. Bring pork and rice 200 baht.

 

Drive back to hotel.

 

Family visit done.

Exactly!????????

I have that card and a Citibank debit card too. The Citibank card allows osko transfers. HSBC transfers from my main bank take 3-4 days. I prefer Citibank for use in Asia.

Heard from a professional person I visit that Malaysians are opening bank accounts in Thailand. Is this a simple task?

What about contacting a fiduciary? I am not certain of their abilities as I live in Australia however we have the Public Trustee here and a friend is a fiduciary in California and told me her job is similar to our Public Trustee who can administer wills and bequests. Good luck to you.

9 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

Where I am is cold and wet.

A week and a bit ago I was in a top resort with my girlfriend that had been quarter of the cost of a similar Australian hotel on a nice clean beach. 

I think some of the full costs quoted in the article  were never going to be charged in low season but there are definitely good deals to be had.

Good dining options half or less the cost of Australia. 

Keep in mind most people don't have the mindset of the naysayers who have followed the to and fro of the pandemic in Thailand, Thailand Pass, TAT policies etc. They are cold and bored after 2 years without a holiday.  They see a nice hotels and beach at a good price. I think many will be back.

 

 

 

Agree. If passport is current. In Oz renewals are taking many weeks.

I’ve booked Phuket/Krabi for October via BKK and Penang. Cold and bored and off to Bali in 3 weeks.????????

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Still too convoluted. People will go elsewhere, not that the rule makers care. 

Yep! Have decided to do what I did in May. Malaysia got my $2000 for 10 days. Not a huge spend but my money so my way!???????????? Back to Malaysia for a month in July/August.

12 hours ago, garyk said:

It really does not matter what they do at this point. I mean they could open completely and no one would come.

The world is slipping into a recession. They have made every blunder you could possibly imagine for a country reliant on tourism.

Anyone still traveling with any brains will bypass Thailand.  It is a no brainer at this point.

Well said and actually true in my case. I have a fairly good travel stash after 2,3 years of Covid. I am spending up in Bali soon and now in Penang and parts of Malaysia’s East coast where the water is warm and my age and minor infirmity is taken care of. I understand the attraction of young and pretty Thai females. Good on you guys but for us older travellers and foodies, Thai cuisine is just not enough of a pull with the regs and rules still in force now. ????

4 hours ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Khoa San is nothing like it used to be - 90% cleaned up both before and due to covid. The #30 bus route runs along 1 end and is about 10 minutes from Victory Monument so you'd also have VM as an option for hotels.

Phra Arthit by the river is a lovely area to stay. Samsen Road area has great local Thai food. Big city hotels without local feel are not great for me. Hope you find a perfect place for your needs.

Applicable at Land borders too?????‍♀️

According to https://thethaiger.com/news/regional/malaysia-en/satun-border-between-thailand-and-malaysia-to-reopen-in-april

Also I believe Malaysia has not changed its visa requirements post covid. So if you were given 90 days visa free entry pre covid you should get 90 days now. The number of Malaysian entries in your passport might be questioned if you stayed visa free over long periods in the past. Also I would print out your vax info and check if you need a Covid test before entry. Enjoy your time in Malaysia????

18 minutes ago, darrenr said:

I have been going to a well known hotel in Pattaya called Flipper lodge on soi 8 since 2004. When I wanted to book a test and go package about 1 month ago , they wanted me to email them a copy of the data page of my passport and also immunisation certificate , I didn’t book with them as sending and email which is unencrypted end to end you run the risk of cyber criminal intercepting and stealing your personal information 

 

I thought this was very odd , considering the info they requested would have to be uploaded by me to obtain a Thailand Pass ?

 

Anyhow not coming back to Thailand until they do away with the Thailand pass, 1 night quarantine with PCR test and 5 day RAT test ,why not just allow fully vaccinated (3 shots) to only have a PCR test before they depart their country ?

Agree! Me too????

18 hours ago, elena edwards said:

I've lived alone in Chiang Mai's Sansai district since my husband died six years ago from complications of alcoholism. Lived in the same small Sannameng moo baan since arriving in 2006 - but now its general ambience has changed totally as the new arrivals are all relatively wealthy and don't want to know about a resident who's living on far less than are they. Additionally, a former next-door neighbour who I believed was a genuine supportive friend is now mostly unapproachable. I can't remember the last time I had a meaningful conversation or even a brief 'hello, goodbye'.

 

Several years ago I tried to get back to the CM Expat Club - have been a member since I arrived in CM, but found it a depressing experience as I was simply ignored. Don't know what to do next - the only answer seems to be to sell my property and relocate to Chiang Rai or maybe leave Thailand altogether. Sad, so much wasted time at this late period in my life.

Hi elena. I lived in Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui and there were many other single, friendly women there. If I was not happy where I am I’d up and move back home or elsewhere. That’s just me though. Life is too short to not like your homebase.????

18 hours ago, elena edwards said:

 

I wanted to say that perhaps she could visit (if she has travel funds) and see if her family are as welcoming as she hopes. Maybe they think she is wealthy. And leaving UK before she has access to a pension is not very wise. I hope she can see the wisdom in being prudent and unemotional.????

Can you perhaps fly with carry-on only. Avoids any luggage issues.

3 hours ago, 10baht said:

Has anyone here in Thailand actually accessed this web site: http://tp.consular.go.th/ ?

I am in Thailand cannot get on the page.

I’m in Australia. No ptoblem with link or info. 

Can anyone here pls advise where the arrival PCR test is taken? Airport clinic? Planning on arriving in Phuket mid evening. I’ve booked one night at a SHA+ hotel near Phuket Airport. Better plan to book 2 nights? Thank you for input.