sandyf

That is not true. I renewed 2 years ago at 73 and no medical was required. It is due again next year but this time I will let it expire as very unlikely i will ever drive again in the UK.

I seem to recall it was said to be 5.5 but not sure if that is base rate or with tax. Even on the base rate it would still be well below many other countries.

It depends on who you have to pay. If paid direct to the PEA the current rate is 3.81 baht/unit. I should have said with tax and adjustments my actual rate 4.86 baht/unit, but I don't know if the adjustments are regional.

Thanks for the heads up, plan B may have to be a flight back to BKK.

Sri Ratcha, Non O E-visa visiting Thai family - 12 month extension based on marriage.

But when they go from 165 to 99, no one bats an eyelid.

Yes, that company stopped selling tickets when the tickets became named. I think they may have been legit but there were touts buying up tickets and selling at inflated prices.

In a nutshell, you can't. I am going in January and have been looking at this for a while and as far as I can see all the agents that were selling tickets stopped since they changed the rules. Now to buy a ticket you must show your passport and your name is printed on the ticket You have to buy at the station or official office and the demand is high so a bit risky arriving in Laos and hoping to get a ticket. Personally I think a bus, although a bit longer, would be mor comfortable than a taxi and that is plan B if we do not get a train ticket. I changed my plans and now going to fly direct to LB for a couple of days and then get train to Vientiane, cross the bridge and fly back from Udon Thani. You can get some information on their facebook page. https://web.facebook.com/LaosChinaRailway

Yes it has been on the go for some time. I had my first about 6 years ago when I did a retirement extension. I have had 5 in total with the last just a couple of weeks ago. No two visits have been the same with different requirements ranging from witnesses being present to questioning the neighbours. The most recent visit only one guy came, rather than the normal 2 or 3. He brought a tripod and all he did was take photos that included himself, never asked any questions.

It doesn't really matter what is reported or what people think about is being reported. Reality is in the exchange rate and prices on the street and effect of that will depend on personal circumstances. We are no worse off as the pandemic pushed us into a different way of life. During the pandemic we used the WTT scheme quite a bit and now instead of going out and about so much locally we go away for a few days now and again. Just come back from a couple of days down in Chantaburi, stayed at The Pride in Laem Sing one night for 508 baht, and it was 75 baht for a large Chang at the beach restaurants. Last time I stayed at The Pride it was over 1000 baht, not everything is being subjected to huge price increases as many want to make out.

Don't you think it would be more appropriate to teach the child something about the universe. Haven't you ever talked about the moon?

That depends on the office. The TM30 in my passport is dated 2014 and I have entered and extended on new visas several times since then. Latest new visa was August and picked up 12 month extension yesterday.

"predicting the Thai economy to enter recession in the opening quarter of 2023" How strange is that? The UK economy shrank in the third quarter, signaling the start of a recession that is likely to hit Europe next. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/11/economy/uk-economy-recession-europe/index.html

Quite, with many countries around the world facing recession obviously a lot of incompetant governments about. Thailand is suffering from global events, unlike the UK which is partially self inflicted.

The education of a child is in the hands of the parent, they can leave it entirely up to someone else or they can take some responsibility. Nothing new here, there has been conflicting views on many subjects in schools around the world for decades.

You shouldn't pay too much attention to those who have never been. I went just before the pandemic started and got a multi entry Non O based on marriage and I did not have to provide any financial information whatsoever. I have seen a post recently from someone who has just been and fairly sure they were asked to show the equivalent of 400K baht, again for an ME. If I remember right there was no seasoning and the funds could be anywhere. You ought to try and find that post. The fee for a Multi entry is $200 and you must pay in USD. The consulate at HCMC is quite small and only a few are allowed in at a time. My wife was with me but had to remain outside. Best to have an umbrella as there is no shade or shelter. It would be adviseable to download the application and have everything ready before going in. I was the last in my group to go in and went straight to the window, everyone else was filling in forms. If I had needed a desk I would have had to wait. I haven't been to the others but in HCMC it is conveniently located and I found the service very good. I spent my first 6 years in Thailand on ME visas, not a problem. Only downside is I filled up my passport in under 3 years.

Quite right, I didn't notice and used to dealing with single items. However if it is an issue it doesn't stop the double being replaced by 2 singles, there is always an answer. The other option is to put an adaptor on the other socket so the plugs are not on the same level.

You cannot go to another country and expect things to be the same. Quality and cost are directly related so if you want higher standards it is all about getting your wallet out, you could easily have all sockets replaced. The electrical situation in Thailand leaves a lot to be desired and a lack of switches is hardly at the top of the list when it comes to undesirable practice.

If it is an issue, turn one socket the other way round.

You learn something new every day, I wasn't aware that the Maldives and Somalia were in the same country.

As said previously, all about which office. I have had a home visit for every extension done in the last 6 years, including retirement. I also come under Chonburi.

Exactly. Confusion reigns whe answers are provided for questions that were never asked.

Yes, I used the visa exempt option a couple of years ago and the IO asked for it. I hadn't thought about that and my wife had the flight booking and she had gone through. Bit of a pantomine getting her back to the booth. You will find the list of countries here https://www.vietnam-visa.com/vietnam-visa-exemption/#:~:text=Conditions for Making Vietnam Visa,at least 02 blank pages.

Yes

Partly true, I never need my passport at the hospitals I use, registered with the pink card. I usually have an appointment card so no ID required but to get an appointment then the ID card is required, HN is not enough. The mobile health unit is coming to our area again in Feb and I am booked in for another free health check up, although I accept that would be of litlle interest to the health elitists.