Tuvoc

Unless it simply isn't possible, for example weekends can sometimes interfere, my opinion is that it is best to be on the safe side and take 72 hrs from time the swab was taken before scheduled flight time. And even allow for a small delay in the flight in that calculation.

Yes I think you email them and you get a personalised insurance certificate.

Yes, I had a defined benefit scheme and they would only have paid something like 33% due to the age difference of 19 years. (Edit: actually it was less than that maybe only 25%, but I don't recall the exact amount) I was both shocked and mortified, so I transferred out of it and the fairly large lump sum went into a managed SIPP where she gets whatever is left when I die.

Yes, and many Thais were wearing them anyway pre-Covid.

I'm not clear exactly what you have, but I have a standard Cigna policy and they provided me a letter to accompany my existing certificate that confirmed that COVID is specifically covered and the amount of cover.

I've found the 4WD useful on several occasions. Roadworks for example which can be very muddy after rain. You can feel the car squirming and moving around little. Engaging 4WD makes a lot of difference. Also one time a small bridge over a river was closed and the bypass was down and then up on an unsealed dirt track. Very difficult even with 4WD. But you are limited ultimately by tyres. Normal road type tyres can only do so much even with 4WD. A 2WD with off-road focused tyres can do better than a 4WD with normal tyres. The Ford Everest with permanent 4WD (I think it does) actually appeals to me for that reason, as do for example the Subaru road cars. It is there all the time, no need to even think about it.

The seats are not 100% leather (or leather imitation) anymore, they use some sort of velour in the middle. That is going to get very dirty and wear very fast and possibly tear. My wife was enquiring about it, but that put her off, and me. A very strange choice imho. Even more so, they were going to take our 2 year old Fortuner 2.8 TRD Sport (which is on 5 year finance and I think we gave 25% deposit plus subsequent 2 yrs of payments) and give us nothing back at all. She told them politely where to go. We will either sell it privately and pay back the finance, or simply just keep it the 5 years. Probably the latter. The later models have much more modern tech, and a slightly improved engine, but still an old (but tough and reliable) design. Better to wait for the next model rather than just this facelift. (Edit: the Fortuner is probably just over 2 yrs old)

Also looks like some Thailand vaccinations will be acceptable: Will be added to this list of countries and territories with approved proof of vaccination 4am Monday 11 October. If you arrive in England before that date you must follow the rules for people who are not fully vaccinated. If you arrive after that, you can use a vaccine certificate to prove your vaccination status.

Thailand is off the UK red list from 11th October.

Per gov.uk Thailand travel advice Change made: From 4am on Monday 11 October, Thailand will no longer be on the red list for entering England. Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. (‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages) Time updated: 6:15pm, 7 October 2021 Will make things much easier for travel backwards and forwards between the two countries.

Not confirmed officially yet, but the news I'm seeing is that Thailand will still be on the red list tomorrow, not removed. I'll await the update of the official gov.uk site.

Even though I can get either a retirement extension or marriage extension, I do find the 20 year Elite an attractive option for ease of dealing with immigration every year and the airport experience. At the moment I can't quite stomach paying the 1 million baht, but I may well do in future.

Speculation is pointless, so let's wait until 7th October (and then 21st October) and see.

I don't recall having any issues when I did the COE last year. After 1 November when the mandatory quarantine is no longer required, I wonder if they will get rid of the COE totally ? They still want proof of $100k Covid insurance, and will want proof of the double-vaccinations, so I guess not. It isn't realistic to put that responsibility solely on the airline check-in staff.

Amazing, I'm planning to re-enter in December which will be the second time. I'm still expecting to have to do a COE, but hopefully for fully vaccinated passengers the Bangkok ASQ quarantine may be 7 days and not 14. I'm not particularly interested in Phuket if that Bangkok ASQ quarantine period is shorter.

I applied for the 90 day non-o based on marriage last year in London, very easy.

It is amazing how different people react. I had two AZ shots, and had no side effects whatsoever from either. Absolutely nothing. Yet, a guy at work with his first AZ shot, he was OK for several hours but was then burning up all through the night, was off work the next day to recover and catch up on lost sleep.

I've had two AZ, the last one 3 weeks ago (UK). So I'm a long way away from a booster, but I am curious if I'm in the UK when they offer one, what it will be - a third AZ or Pfizer or something else. The boosters are going to be 4-6 months after the second shot by the sound of it.

Yes I saw that. What is "essential" is very much down to individual circumstances. Even though all legal restrictions on overseas travel under Covid legislation were removed from 17th May, it is a recommendation that should be taken seriously,

Yes I'd be inclined to use a "40" in Thailand for an older car especially. Outside temps can get to 35C+ and engine bay temps are very high. But always use manufacturer recommendations as a guide and don't deviate too far from them is my advice. Newer cars sometimes are designed for the thinner oils.

Invalidates a normal travel insurance policy usually yes, but if it is an expat who is travelling they probably have an insurance policy in Thailand that covers them. And the Covid19 policies that you buy from Thai insurers for COE may cover you for all medical emergencies, not just Covid. I think that FCDO advice is a bit extreme personally.

Another good point ! I have one currently but that is a definitely another strategy when I want to make this change. So this is in fact pretty easy to achieve.

Ah yes that's right, that is the easy answer if the UK embassy would not do the 90-day Non-O. I'm assuming that I would also have to let the existing 1 year extension lapse as well in terms of timing of doing this.

The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Thailand, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks. Thailand travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The FCDO advise against all but essential travel to the whole country.

This is an interesting question. I'm a dual national, UK and NZ. I've been living in the UK for several years. Last year I applied for a 90-day Non-O based on marriage. I really wanted that to be done in my NZ passport, as longer term I'll have no connections to the UK at all. I did it with the UK passport because time was short and I did not want any complications, but I've always wondered if it could have been done in the NZ passport. Seems silly to have to make a trip to NZ to achieve that. At some point I'll email the London embassy and ask them.