sandyf

As said, single mnded.

Bang Saen is a university teaching hospital. https://buh.buu.ac.th/buh64/

A single minded point of view. There is a lot more to an airport's capacity than tourists. Dubai got it wrong and had to build another airport.

Went along to the hospital at Bang Saen yesterday with appointment for heart ultrasound(echo). Appointment for 8.30 -8.45, got there about 8.20 and following usual blood pressure check sat down. Within 5 minutes got called forward to the treatment room, straight on the bed and connected up. Come 9 am was on the way back to the car park having paid 2100 baht for the experience. Significant improvement on last time, which took all morning and cost nearly 4K.

There was an exception in the text of 0029.173/Wor 4950.

Yes. I think they just the message out to everyone without much of an explanation. Back in 2014 there was no app and they contacted me about changes to the regulations regarding online banking. That was done by email and quite specific about what was happening and who and what would be affected. So much for progress, and thanks for the update you posted.

Thank you for that. Not sure if I saw that one, may have been away at the time but still fairly recent. Also that refers to the RD rather than the Finance Ministry, the higher up the food chain the better.

That is selective memory.

That is not quite the same as finance ministry saying something is going to happen, which you claimed to be "old news".

Something that has yet to happen can hardly be considered as "old news". I am well aware of the speculation from some on this forum, but first time I have seen a pointer directly to the finance ministry. " the Thai finance ministry recently claimed that income transmitted to Thailand would be tax-free if sent in the same, or next, tax year in which it was earned." If you have seen "old" quotes from the finance ministry saying the same thing, please feel free to post the reference. When it comes to fake news, nowhere worse than this forum. Back in January word was that if you hadn't done your tax return by April immigration wouldn't allow an extension. Whether you agree or not is irrelevant, article supports the wait and see brigade rather than doom and gloom merchants.

Duty free is only that if it remains airside. If you go landside to check in for a domestic flight it ceases to be duty free and a local ruling would apply. I had duty free taken off me when I flew from Heathrow to Montreal via Toronto.

There is no need to be creating scenarios. The simple fact is if you want a bank account you need to follow banking requirements.

When I was stationed in the gulf in 1970, a friend of mine started to suffer from the sensation of having insects all over him. He went along to sick quarters and the medic said it was salt deprivation. A couple of salt tablets and he was ok. I know it is not the only cause but worth considering.

Who said it would be simple for those not on a qualifying visa?

I got a message that a 50K limit had been imposed a few weeks back. I would have thought that to use facial recognition it would need to be set up on the phone.

For the last couple of years the noise on Thai tax has been quite deafening, but recently more like the sound of silence. Scrolling google news yesterdy spotted the following statementin an article. "There was concern earlier this year that the DTV may entrap holders into paying personal income tax if they remained here more than 180 days in a calendar year. However, the Thai finance ministry recently claimed that income transmitted to Thailand would be tax-free if sent in the same, or next, tax year in which it was earned. However, such a decision requires ratification from the Cabinet and the Council of State, whilst avoiding the need for routine parliamentary approval. The hope is that any amendment to financial regulations would be back-dated." https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thai-banking-issues-leading-to-dtvs-increasing-popularity-514344

Did you visit and show passport? I have yet to come across mental photocopying.

When I moved to Chonburi I opened second account there with same bank, done there and then. Just kept the original. Use one for immigration and one for general use.

Bottom line is that if you didn't open the account with a qualifying visa then the bank will require you to update your visa details. Did you visit your bank and show passport on receiving the 12 month extension, they would need a copy of your extension? This has been in place since 2014 but been generally ignored by banks but recently stricter houskeeping has been put in place. This statement appeared in the recent Baan Thai newsletter. "To qualify, you’ll need to hold a long-term visa including Non-O, Non-B, LTR or Privilege. The Bank of Thailand does not permit banks to open accounts for DTV visa holders at this time. For Non-O retirement or marriage visas, this will require your e filing for a 90-day visa overseas (best from your home country before arriving) and the using the 90-day visa to open your Thai account into which you can then wire the required funds to obtain a one-year extension. "

You are jumping the gun a bit. When a bank says it is visa related, it cannot be assumed it has to do with funds for an extension. Back in 2014 I got an email saying I had to visit the branch and show passport or i would lose access to online banking. They wanted to check I had a long term visa, I had a Non O ME at the time and that was considered acceptable. In the last day or so a message has appeared on my phone from TTB that I must visit "a branch" with passport by 9th Sept 2025. Only a couple of week notice and I seldom take notice of messages, there was one on there for weeks about FATCA, ignored that one. If I don't go what is likely to happen.

I had mine done in 2019 and it was 40k for both eyes including aftercare. I as offered 3 options on lenses @ 5k,9K and 13K, I took the 13K, think they were Johnson & Johnson. Thais on the social got the 5K lens but could pay the difference for the better lens. I was also offered vario focal at 34K, but that was a non starter, you can take glasses back to the shop. I had mine done here, http://www.banphaeoeyecenter.com/ The 40K included a fee of 5K/eye for the CEO to carry out the operation. To do that you need to try and register for the Sunday clinic. Obviously prices have risen since then but still significantly lower than you mention. Hospital has a very good reputation, I know 6 other people that have been there, all from the Chonburi area. The guy just before me in the queue was from Satahip, and coincidently had been to the same school reunion as we had the night before. Nobody wants "cheap", what is required is a low cost solution.

I hve been through PB quite a few times and these "mentions" you mention seem to be from people that didn't pay attention to what was going on around them. Many came following the termination of the BK to Butterworth train. After that you had to change from the Thai platforms to the Malaysian platforms and not bothering to read the signs tried to claim immigration had closed down. It should also be borne in mind that the platform immigration is only open when a train is due to arrive or depart. There were also claims that the the Thai trains would stop inside the Thai border and you had make your way through the road border, never happened, but something that was supported by a self appointed guru on this forum from the hearsay. If something gets said a few times, it becomes fact, irrespective of the facts. I had thought that this garbage had been put to bed but obviously not.

I have had 5 home visits for marriage and one for retirement, everyone has been different. If they do it, it will depend on the mood at the time. The very first time, which was marriage, they phoned up and said they would be in a couple of days, my wife said we would be in KL so they said let them know when we got back, no problem. A couple of times they have required witnesses to be present, another time guy brought a tripod and just took photos that included himself. Last time when we did the extension they said they would come that afternoon. Think the neighbour nearly had an involuntary bowel movement when the IO shouted at him. Just wanted him to come and take a photo. It's all a bit hit and miss but no big deal.

But you are not in UK or EU. You need to bear in mind the Thai rail system was neglected for many years and it is only in the last decade have they started to make improvements, there is a saying about Rome and days. I found the best approach is to use the Seat61 guy to get a train number. https://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#Bangkok_to_Chiang_Mai Then google the train number and a variety of sites will give you a timetable. eg https://www.thailandbytrain.com/NorthEasternLine.html You also need to remember all trains do not offer the same services or stopping points so the codes need to be checked. I would suggest using first class if you can get it, much easier when it comes to refreshments. Us Brits are not that familiar with the concept of ID cards so a passport requirement is not that out of the norm.

You are wrong to think that in a practical environment that the theory prevails. I am more than happy that I don't need to run to a repair shop when something goes wrong. Small punp switches are marked 140-180, which is what I said, and all the shopkeeper needs to know. Your air of superiority is doing you no favours.