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I used the gym at the Lotus Hotel and so far during the "Grand Reopening" it has looked like a ghost town even though it open(Agoda has specials for this hotel and many others in CNX).

cmmedclinic.com +66 80 536 2362 I have used them twice this year for international travel. Both times swab at 0900 and results emailed by 1530. COVID-19 PCR TESTING COSTING 2800 THAI BAHT WITH SAMEDAY RESULTS AVAILABLE AT OUR CHIANG MAI CLINIC. SINCE MAY 2020 CM MEDICLINIC HAS BEEN PROVIDING CONVENIENT FAST TRACK GOVERNMENT ACCREDITED COVID-19 SCREENING WITH A DRIVE-UP, RIDE-UP OR WALK-UP, SWAB TESTING PROGRAM IN OUR CAR PARKING AREA OUTSIDE THE FRONT OF OUR MEDICAL CLINIC.

Some US States have a version of vaccine passport with a QR Code but they probably would not work outside of the US. I know the State of California's Department of Health has my Covid 19 Vaccination record but I cannot access them from Thailand unless I use a VPN. For Americans with a CDC Vaccination card I doubt an internationally accepted Digital Vaccine Passport is possible at this time.

Went to Airport Plaza today. It was packed. I would estimate 99% locals. Saw a few foreign faces here and there. The big even today looked like teenagers getting vaccinated in the town hall portion of the mall. Otherwise another Monday in Chiang Mai. November 1, 2021 "The Grand Re-Opening"??? Well, maybe it will be better on December 1, 2022?? The local economy will live and die with how much locals spend or not spend.

i got my vaccination at a local CVS Pharmacy. CVS.com has a record of the vaccination(Lot#, expiration date and the name of the pharmacist who inoculated you). This information is accessible on the CVS website and I keep a copy of this and the CDC card with in case I am questioned about the authenticity of the CDC card. So far the CDC Card has been accepted by the Los Angeles Thai Consulate, Immigration at BKK and the Health Ministry Official at CNX airport.

Keep an eye on Richard Barrow’s Social Media because he just left for England is going to return in about a week. His posts will give many of us as to how this new “Swab and Go” actually operates.

“He says air traffic data shows Suvarnabhumi airport will facilitate about 440 commercial flights -- 230 domestic and 110 international -- and 100 cargo flights on Monday.” 230 and 110? The trick about airline flights is this: CodeShare. The same flight could be counted up to 3 times. Let’s say a Japan Airlines Flight arrives at BKK on Monday but they have a codeshare with American Airlines and a European Carrier. Even thought it is one B777 but statistically speaking it could be counted as multiple flights. 30,000 passenger arrival on Monday? Possibly if the majority are domestic passengers. “Lies, Damm Lies and Statistics”.

Don't know about "quickly mend" the Covid situation. In the last month I know of 2 well known restaurants that were closed due to an employee testing positive for Covid 19(one is on HK road and the other one is on Nimman). One of the locations posted Covid test results of some of their employees on it's FB page and said they will reopening in the near future(some personal information of the specific employee was visible). Also, schools are now closed for two more weeks. It does not look like Chiang Mai will be participating in the November 1 opening?

More bad news for those who do not have a smartphone. On my latest trip to the US I discovered my less than one year old Samsung phone was not compatible with two of the major cell phone networks. I wondered why and was told all USA networks are upgrading their networks for 5G. Therefore, I could not connect with a one year old smartphone on some networks and if I could the data service was extremely slow(like less than 1 mbps). The large 5G network upgrade has not come to LOS as yet but slowly it will be coming and many of us will have to upgrade to a 5G network compatible smartphone Upon returning to LOS I went to a local shop and bought the cheapest 5G phone I could find. Hate to say it but a smartphone is a necessity.

“Fake K-pop stars” who are making millions for their agencies. In the kingdom of K-pop trainees(more like slaves) are signed to a minimum of a 7 year contract where the agency controls everything they do. The training is brutal and in the end even some of the successful acts leave with pennies on the dollar. Lisa is a rarity because she is the first foreign born woman who has achieved this kind of success in the K-Pop universe. This is an incredible accomplishment because she overcame a lot as a “way goo gin” (Korean word for foreigner) woman. Even if she was independent doubt Thailand could afford her at this time.

Based upon my recent experience in the US, I departed at LAX in late September and going to a Walgreens or CVS are not great options for a time sensitive Covid 19 PCR test. I went to a international travel oriented clinic for the PCR test with a 24 hour result guarantee. There are Covid 19 testing centers and clinics all over the USA that are geared up for providing quick PCR Test results. Some can provide results in as short as 3 to 4 hours but they are expensive($400 to $500).

How to book an international star for an event: 1. Discreetly contact her agency and inquire about her availability 2. If she is available then quietly negotiate her fee 3. If she is not available or the price is too high(I tend to believe this is the real reason) then the public never learns and no one in charge “loses face”. I cannot imagine YG Entertainment(Lisa’s agency) would have agreed to her appearing unless the fee was worth their time. Members of her group, BlackPink, have millions of dollars in endorsement deals with many international companies(next time you buy a can of Pepsi just look who might be on it). I would classify this as a failure in Business 101.

"exit stamp". Thanks JerryMahoney. I am going to upload that when it comes time apply for the new Thailand Pass.

Jerrymahoney, thank you for pointing this out but I wonder how the LA Consulate will define "just traveled out"?

I found this important piece of information on the Los Angeles Thai Consulate Website: . Non-Thais who are fully vaccinated (i.e. travel at least 14 days after completing required dose(s)), have a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result (issued no more than 72 hours before travel), BUT have stayed in the US (or in countries listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand) less than 21 days, can enter Thailand through Sandbox Program and MUST stay in SHA+ hotels in Sandbox area for at least 7 nights. I am planning my next trip to Los Angeles early in 2022 and was planning on staying 14 days but based upon this requirement I will have to stay at least 22 days in order to avoid a 7 day quarantine. I really do not understand the reason for this 21 day stay requirement? Anyone have any thoughts for the 21 day stay requirement?

Ok, keep in mind things change almost on a daily basis. I flew from BKK to CNX two weeks after completing my 2nd tour in Quarantine: 1. Fully Vaccinated with Pfizer and 2nd shot was more than 14 days before flight 2. My 2nd PCR Test while in Quarantine was within the 72 hour flight departure window. At the BKK check-in counters there various QR codes one must scan and enter your personal information for tracking purpose. Each domestic destination has it's own specific QR Code The Check-in agent will want to see either proof of full vaccination or the 72 hour Covid 19 PCR Test. I showed her both. Upon arrival at CNX all passengers must do the following: 1. Show the Text message that confirms you have entered in your information for the tracking app 2. Then as you exit baggage claim there was a checkpoint where a member of the Provincial Health Ministry will ask to see your proof of vaccination or the PCR Test result. 3. If a passenger does not have proof of vaccination or the PCR test then he or she is directed to a table and a swab is inserted into your nostril. If you get swabbed you cannot leave your residence until you the get result of of CNX swab test. I presented my vaccine card and was waved through. Keep in mind this was two weeks ago and things could have changed because now Chiang Mai has had a recent surge in cases. Based upon what I saw at CNX airport I will probably just stay in Chiang Mai until my next international trip.

If this is mistake then it is still on the LA Consulate website. I just checked now: 7. Applicant must have a bank deposit of 7.1 no less than 1,200,000 Baht or 7.2 an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income (pension) of not less than 100,000 Baht, or 7.3 a deposit account plus a monthly income (pension) totaling not less than 1,200,000 Baht.

EricTh, I should have elaborated on my comments. It is either 1,2 or3. Flying from BKK to CNX at the time I flew was more restrictive. It might be different now because of the surge in cases in CNX. It appears the entry requirements for interprovincial air travel might be dynamic. Since I had proof of being fully vaccinated(this means your 2nd vaccine shot was more than 14 days ago) then I got the "you go".

I have lived in Chiang Mai for five years. Took a one month trip back to the US for vaccination and noticed that nothing has changed. It does not matter when or if Chiang Mai opens(Nov, Dec or Jan) it will be the same: quiet. More people are out and living their lives but as for foreign tourists? Not so much. Took a domestic flight from BKK to CNX and the aircraft was almost full but over 90% were Thai's. CNX airport has check point to ensure all domestic arrivals are: 1) Fully Vaccinated 2) A negative PCR test within 72 3) Go to the table and get your nostril swabbed then wait at home for thetest result. Foreign Tourists have been mostly absent in Chiang Mai for almost two years and I do not see many coming back anytime soon. Also, many of the local businesses would have a hard time gearing up to deal with an increase of foreign tourists. I went into an Amazon Cafe yesterday and there was one girl working behind the counter. She had to take the orders, take payments, and oh yeah make the drinks. "Ready for Re-opening"???

I guess whatever it takes to win? Some Asian countries will never have a Miss-Insert name of Country, be of mixed descent. I have seen a Miss Korea of mixed descent and a few years ago Miss Japan was half Japanese and half African American and this created some controversy in the "Land of the Rising Sun". This is pretty much is an admission that English Proficiency in Thailand is abysmal.

Best flight on Thai was in 2007. LAX to BKK and back nonstop on the Airbus 340-500 in Premium Economy. This was everyday. It was great and the price was the same as United in Economy(in those days United flew the route LAX-NRT-BKK). Since then I have flown Thai Smile a few times and only complaint with the low cost version of Thai was no cash refunds for cancelled flights. During the pandemic both ANA and JAL have operated consistently to and out of BKK.

The conflict is because the OA Visa on the consulate website is in two different locations. The old Financial Standards(800k and 65K) are listed in the Visa section. The new standards(1.2 Mil and 100K) are listed under the E-Visa application section. I would bet the E-Visa standards will be what an applicant has to prove in order to get an OA Visa from now on. Also, the new insurance limit of 3 million is also under the E-Visa section as well. Doubt very few OA visa’s will be issued from now. I am still able to qualify under the new standards and if I had to I could get another OA. As usual, not consistent because this is what the DC embassy states for the OA: O-A visa: US or Thai bank statement showing a deposit of the amount equal to and not less than 800,000 Baht or an income certificate (an original copy) with a monthly income of not less than 65,000 Baht, or a deposit account plus a monthly income totaling not less than 800,000 Baht. In the case of submitting a bank statement, a letter of guarantee from the bank (an original copy) is required.

One thing to consider is where is your transit location? I got a surprise because I am transiting in Singapore and they have PCR Test requirement just to transit. Singapore’s transit PCR Test requirement is more stringent then the COVID 19 Test entrance requirement for the USA(Anti-gent or PCR test 3 days before departure). Singapore’s transit Covid 19 Test requirement is PCR Test only and within 48 hours before departure.

I have Pacific ‘Cross Visa Friendly Policy(Covers 19 related treatment). The maximum coverage limit is 3.5 Million. But the annual premium is not friendly. Between the ages of 55-60 the annual premium is now 61,000 Baht. Obviously it will be higher for someone who is over 70. This policy already meets the new requirements for 2022.

I recently got a real surprise from Singapore Airlines. I booked a one way to Los Angeles from Bangkok and thought “3 days from departure Anti-gen or PCR test” will meet the US CDC requirements for entry? I was wrong because buried deep in SIA’s website is this: Transit Passengers at Changi Airport must have a negative PCR test within 48 hours before departure. Singapore requires a PCR test just to transit. Double and Triple check the requirements for Entry and now Transit. The two could be different.