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Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your plans. I just returned from the US(specifically Southern California) and two things that surprised me are: 1) Just put $20 of gas into my rental and I got 4 gallons(I even rented the smallest car they had-a 3 cylinder Mistsubish Mirage). I can't even imagine how a middle income family is making it? 2) Went out for breakfast and had two pancakes, two eggs, some bacon and a cup of coffee and it came to almost $15. The only real bargain was lunch at my favorite place, In-N-Burger, and mercifully it was only $8. My other favorite place, Chipotle, was $13 for a chicken burrito and a diet coke. I am a middle income level retired police officer and if I had to move back to California or even Florida I would probably need to work at least part-time. Also, I checked health insurance premiums in my age group and the cheapest policy for me would be at $600 per month(in California health insurance is mandatory). Even with the challenges of life in LOS I will stay as long as I can.

I also used the CDC Vax card for the Thailand Pass application in late January. I was surprised to see an email with the approval in 90 minutes. Also, arrived in BKK a couple days ago and was in the hotel van in under an hour. So far so good. The entry process at BKK appears to have gotten more efficient.

Just landed back in BKK yesterday. Already had a Thailand Pass approved with the 7 Day ASQ package and this time I used the KISS(Keep It simple Stupid) principle was best and decided not to switch to Test and Go. Main reason was this: Did not want to be out and about and then go to another hotel for the 2nd PCR test. The arrival process at BKK was extremely fast. Landed at 0830 from Singapore and was in the hotel van by 0930. By 0945 I was driven to a hospital parking lot. I never left the van and the hospital worker swabbed me there. Got the "not detected" test result last night. I think the best course of action to move forward is to have a 1 night ASQ with a PCR test for those who are fully vaccinated. If the PCR test is "not detected" then "free at last, free at last". A positive result on the 2nd PCR test on the Test and Go could really mean one was infected while roaming inside of the country?

The number one language in the Middle East is English and not Arabic. English became the default language because there are so many OFW's(Overseas Foreign Workers) throughout the Middle East. I have lived, worked, and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and just about everyone spoke English. Most Saudi's, Kuwaitis, Omani's speak fluent English. Otherwise how would they communicate with their maids, drivers and foreign girlfriends.

I have asked for years to those who self identify as “Digital Nomads, Online Entrepreneurs” etc what exactly do you do? I have never heard a clear explanation. I went to “Camp” which is located in CNX and is one of the popular places for “Digital Nomads” and saw several of them watching videos on their laptops.

I did mine at CM Ram a couple years ago: 1) Come in at 0700 2) Finished by 1000 3) Came back at 1300 for the report and speak to the Doctor. 4) Of course CM Ram was 10,000 Baht(EKG, Full Blood-CBC, Lipid Panel etc, urinalysis, Chest X-Ray and even an Ultra Sound of the abdomen). Next time I will probably go somewhere else.

Had a similar issue. 1. LA Thai Consulate 2. Non Imm OA 3 E-Visa payment not going through on my US Based Visa Credit Card 4. E-Visa uses Kasikorn Bank as the merchant bank 5. Most US Based Bank issued credit cards require the billing address to match on purchase transactions. On the E-Visa site the payment portal does not have an input block to put in my US Billing Address. Hence, I got the dreaded "transaction not completed 7 times in one day". 6. Spent two days working with my bank in Texas to come up with a solution 7. In the end I used my Debit Card with the Visa logo and the transaction went through. 8. It was much easier when the Thai Consulate accepted a simpler solution: A Money Order(the good old days when they accepted walk-in service for visa applications with One-Day turnaround. 9. On a positive note I got the Thailand Pass approved in 90 minutes

This could be because the UAE might have a PCR test requirement just to transit? Singapore also a PCR test requirement for transit passengers as well.

Kind of Ironic because recently the Philippines announced it’s opening based upon the following conditions: 1. Fully Vaccinated 2. PCR test before departure 3. Arrivals from 157 countries are allowed to enter. No Quarantine. Also, no mention of mandatory insurance(but I suspect it will be?)

“Elderly retirees enacting privilege over local people because of their superior wealth.”" Really? First time I have ever read the words elderly retiree with privilege and superior wealth?

Two paths: 1) Non Imm OA obtained at your Thai Embassy or Consulate 2) Non Imm O Ext of Stay obtained after arrival in Thailand. Obtained at Thai Immigration.

The issue with my US based Credit Card was not 3D secure. The issue was Kaiskorn Bank(the merchant bank that the MFA uses to accept payments for visa applications) does not have an input block for billing address.. Many US Based Credit Card issuing banks requires that the billing address matches in order to complete the purchase transactions. The K Bank input screen for credit card purchases does not have a block for billing addresses. The only solution my bank came up with is to use a Debit Card. This was how I was able to pay for the visa on the E-Visa application site. Overcoming the payment hurdle alone took 2 days. In comparison I got the Thailand Pass approved in 90 minutes.

I would not go to KSA(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). I have lived in and worked in Kuwait for years and it was not that bad. But KSA is whole different animal. If one is of the Muslim faith then it might not be so bad. Otherwise the working conditions and what you can do and most importantly what you cannot do will make it difficult to finish the employment contract. I doubt these jobs will pay very well and if you have to work outside(50 C is common and sometimes it even gets humid) it can be brutal. A better option would be in Baharain, the UAE or even Oman. The worst job for a foreign female is a maid or nanny in a private residence. The Middle East is the only place in the world where they sell refrigerators with locks on them. It is to prevent domestic staff from taking food without the consent of the house Madam or Master.

I would respectfully disagree with you. The E-Visa and the Thailand Pass are two separate systems. I completed both about two weeks ago. The Thailand Pass was a relatively easy system to navigate but the E-Visa system was difficult(my US Credit Card was rejected 7 times when I attempted to pay for the Visa). I finally got the E-Visa system to accept tmy US Bank Debit Card to accept payment for the Visa.

I recently applied for a Non Imm OA with the Los Angeles Thai Consulate and the ASQ Booking Confirmation, a Health Insurance policy that was compliant with both Visa and Covid 19 requirements and flight confirmation were required. I also had to upload a selfie while holding my passport. Good luck the E-Visa application systems has a lot of requirements.

I completed Quarantine twice in 2021 and will do it again in 2022. For ASQ Hotel Packages there have always been two prices: one for Foreigners and of course a lesser amount for Thai Nationals. It's like Death, Taxes and Dual Pricing: Things that are 100% certain in life.

I recently applied for an OA Visa from the LA Consulate on the E-Visa website. I had to upload a PDF document with an actual Flight Reservation to BKK with my name on it.

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy”, Norman Schwarzkopf. I am arriving Feb 18 and I will stay with the 7 day ASQ package. This version of the Test and Go(Day 1 and Day 5) is not something I want to be a part of. I need to go to CNX and at this time I do not see any hotels in CNX for the 5th Day PCR test. Also, the odds of testing positive on the Day 5 test after “roaming” the big city is probably higher than testing positive on Day Zero.

This would include those who use the No Financials Visa Agents as well?

Anyone is capable of not paying hospital bills. Just because one has a wife or kids in LOS does not preclude them from becoming a “runner”. I have been on an OA visa and subsequent extension for 6 years and have always had health insurance. My point in the previous was about “strong ties”. Money or lack of money could render :”strong ties” meaningless. This would include family and/or financial ties. Based upon this principle then all foreigners in LOS would eventually have to buy minimum coverage health insurance?

“Not having strong ties”? Non O Ext of Stay-1 year Non OA 1 year? Both allow 1 year stays. No one is guaranteed to have any visa extended. Many of us who have lived in LOS for years know or knew of people who lived in LOS for years and have invested money in condos and vehicles who are still treated like they just “got off the boat”. The only foreigner who actually has “strong ties” is someone who has Thai Citizenship or Permanent Residency. All others in LOS are here on a year to year basis without guarantees. It does not matter how I feel about the country or the people the government makes it difficult to establish or maintain “strong ties”. This is one of the reasons I have always gone through the OA Visa as apposed to the O Ext of Stay route. Treat me like a long term visitor then I will behave like a long term visitor who obeys the laws, respects the customs and treats the people with kindness.

At least show a clear picture. 500 Baht for a live cam show. How many would she need to sign up to make it worthwhiile?

Transit at NRT was a joy. No one bothered me while I enjoyed an Asahi that I bought at the 7-11 for 150 yen.

I flew with ANA back in August(BKK-NRT-LAX). ANA follows the US CDC Entry Covid 19 Criteria. In short the US Accepts Ant-gen or PCR test administered no more than 1 day before departure. As for home ATK tests: You can use a self-test (sometimes referred to as home test) that meets the following criteria: The test must be a SARS-CoV-2 viral test (nucleic acid amplification test [NAAT] or antigen test) with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) OR the relevant national authority where the test is administered. The testing procedure must include a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer of the test that provides real-time supervision remotely through an audio and video connection. Some FDA-authorized self-tests that include a telehealth service may require a prescription. The telehealth provider must confirm your identity, observe the sample collection and testing procedures, confirm the test result, and issue a report that meets the requirements of CDC’s Order (see “What information must be included in the test result?” below). Airlines and other aircraft operators must be able to review and confirm your identity and the test result details. You must also be able to present the documentation of test results to U.S. officials at the port of entry and local/state health departments, if requested. I would go to a clinic or hospital and get the test done there. Also, I have entered the US three times in the past 14 months and no one has ever asked to see my Covid 19 PCR tests upon landing at LAX. Just to be safe I have always obtained an RT-PCR test.

I got my Thai Pass Jan 19 for a mid Feb entry and it states "Alternative Quarantine" only??