Grin Grasser

Wow. Sounds too technical for me. I have never tried a Virtual Machine. Also, no linux. As I ponder how tracfone.com blocks a vpn that is using a vpn server in USA, it occurs to me that tracfone may have identified all ip addresses in USA for all known vpn's. Once tracfone knows those ip addresses of vpn's, it can block all vpn's. So, a vpn has to come up with a way around such ip identification and other vpn detections. That would be the so-called vpn offering obfuscation. But, then tracfone may have learned how to detect obfuscation and again block the vpn. In other words, it would be a constant back-and-forth on gaining access to tracfone. My basic problem is to provide a USA phone number for verification of access to a web site or online account, when the company states: no international phone number, no voip phone number, no landline number (because a text is sent for verification). Tracfone was a low-cost possibility to meet the above limitations, because it has an unpublicized capability. But it is a prepaid service and I cannot get into my tracfone online account to buy more service time.

Did you access www.tracfone.com using Proton VPN?

Interesting suggestion. I will try it when I acquire a new laptop.

Interesting suggestion. I will try it when I acquire a new laptop.

Thanks for your observation. Did you try your vpn service PIA to access www.tracfone.com?

Thanks for your reply. Which WiTopia service do you have? vpn-only, cloakbox, cloakbox pro, or other?

Obfuscation is for web sites that blocks outside-country access and can identify that you are using a vpn to mimic an in-country point. Why? I am in Thailand and cannot access www.tracfone.com. It blocks access from outside USA. I tried my vpn service and it shows a page that said, error. I asked the vpn for help. The vpn made various suggestions and none worked. Finally, it tried to access the same web site and was blocked. A search for vpn and obfuscation resulted in recommendation for six vpn services. One of the six was my vpn service. I emailed or messaged (via the service's web site) and asked each vpn if it could access www.tracfone.com. My reason was to access the web site and my online tracfone account to extend service for my USA telephone service when I visit. Of the supposed vpn services with obfuscated servers in USA, nearly all replied, they tried but could not access www.tracfone.com. Or, said, sign up for our service and if you have a problem we will help you because our vpn service hides outside-country user. I interpreted the second reply to indicate that the vpn's customer service was not helpful and/or did not understand my question. Question: Any vpn service that can accessed www.tracfone.com from outside USA? Thanks in advance.

I can search the internet and get a list of Thailand holidays. But, there are sudden holidays and holidays when bars/clubs can open. Is there any web site that maintains a list of nights when bars/clubs must close? For example, Monday night, October 10, 2022, I went to LK Metro and every place was dark. No lights, no music, no people, no motorcycles, no cars, etc. I like to be forewarned. Thanks in advance. Grin-G

Thanks. Good to know. Did your mate enter Thailand on a re-entry permit? For your info, I too have medical insurance in the USA that will cover me outside USA. But, the company will not answer if it will give me a paper that says I am covered for $100,,000, $50,000, or whatever Thailand is specifying as a minimum. The company's answer was to phone an affiliate company that sells travel insurance; while at the same time the company's web site lists which hospital or doctor in Thailand can bill directly to the company. How to explain this to Thailand Pass? Easier to pay 650 baht.

Thanks for your comment. I did a search on re-entry permit and this thread was the first on the list. I presumed (my error) that this thread would encompass relevant facts from prior threads. Also, I note that many comments here and wherever state information as though they were facts. But, what is the source of the information? How does a reader/viewer know that the information is fact? I cited the source of my information. The youtube video with Darren, Key Visa Co, who stated the need for insurance for the remaining time on the visa and not just 30 days. It is his business. So, is he soliciting more business, or is he giving his experience? I do not know. But I am leaning on what he says may be true -- however, let us double-checked. Hence, my questions on this thread. Knowing the facts will help me to decide on buying a re-entry permit, buying covid insurance (or travel insurance with medical coverage), when to leave and how to return to Thailand, and related.

I appreciate your response. But, what is the source of your response. Personal experience?

ubonjoe, Thanks for a clear answer. What is the basis for the 30 days? It seems 30 days would be applicable to tourist. But, people with a Thailand visa may be presumed to stay until the visa ends, which would easily be more than 30 days. Today, I watched a youtube video on the subject of the $20,000 covid insurance required for all entering Thailand. It was on "everything Pattaya" channel. Titled "Visa to Thailand, Retirement Visa ..." and dated March 25, 2022. The visa expert interviewed was Darien, Key Visa Co. He stated that one common misunderstanding by retirement visa holder returning to Thailand on a re-entry permit is insurance for 30 days, instead of insurance for the remainding period of their visa which could be many months. And, he said, such returnees would be denied entrance. Actual experience? Who is right? 30 days or life of your visa? I plan to read the comments to that video to find out if others have experienced this situation. Also, I looked at the web site, www.tgia.org . I ticked non-O visa, but the site did two things. First, it still is selling $50,000 covid insurance. Second, it only listed one option for 30 days and no other time period. Age was not asked. Price was THB 3,700 if flying from the Philippines. Is the covid insurance required from a Thai company? One interesting web site for various travel insurances with medical coverage is www.travelinsurance.com . But, age is asked and accordingly priced high for the older applicant. Will the purchased insurance yield a paper that clearly states the dollar amount of covid coverage? Thailand Pass approval involves the embassy/consulate of your country of departure? I asked because I emailed the embassy in Manila and asked if non-O visa holders was required to have health or medical insurance ($100,000 minimum) -- which was a debated question several months ago. But, the embassy replied about six months later and gave a non-answer. Up to about two months ago, Manila was under a lockdown that closed businesses and other operations. Thanks in advance for informed comments. Kindly refrain from opinions, speculations, hearsay. Please distinguish between the hard "requirements" and "practices" as told by reliable friends.

I followed up on the cited link. Thaiger web site cited many advantages of the Cash Card, but nothing about conditions and fees. I clicked on a link to contact me and had to give name and phone number. Afterwards, its response was that they were short of staff and it would take some time to phone me. I waited for several weeks (now over two months). No calls, except I began to receive some robo-calls (pre-recorded messages spoken in Thai. Related to The Thaiger? I do not speak, understand, or read Thai. I guess their cash card is not functional. Thanks all for your comments. I guess if I really need a credit card, then opening another bank account with limited funds could function as a pre-paid credit card. Thanks again.

Where in Pattaya, can I get a pre-paid credit card (not debit card) or a credit card that allows charges up to the limit that has been placed on the credit card? My guess is that in Thailand, only a bank can issue a credit card. Correct? By comparison, a few stores in USA, like Dollar General or Dollar Tree, sells pre-paid cards, sponsored by different companies. You pay a fee for the card. You pay the amount of credit on the card to the store. You pay a fee for each charge made on the credit card. Advantage is that any non-authorized use of the credit card is limited to the amount of credit on the card. You pay another fee when you refill the credit on the card. In the Philippines, at least one bank in Manila will issue a credit card, but backed by a set limit you select, which is kept in your bank account. Does Pattaya have a similar type of credit card? Thanks in advance.

1. Is the following correct, as of Sep 2014? --------------------------------------------------------------- Source: "Pattaya Property Guide", August 2014, issue 45, page 26. [ www.pattayapropertyguide.com ] Article, "Update on Visa Situation", by www.magnacarta.co.th "Under the new provisions of the VER [Visa Exemption Rule], visitors can now come regularly to Thailand without limiting their stay within a total of 90 days in a six-month period, though you can only stay for a maximum of 30 days each visit under the VER. "The former provision stated that visitors cannot stay for more than 90 days within six months has been dropped. "Tourists will be given a 30 day Visa on Arrival if arriving by air ... (15 day ... via a land border) ... . "Furthermore, extensions ... after the Visa on Arrival has expired remain at 7 days ... ." --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Is there any other limit for visitors with the 30-day VOA? 3. Can I literally stay in Thailand for 30 days on a VOA, exit the country, re-enter the next day by an airline to obtain another 30-day VOA, and then repeat this process every 31 days? Sorry, if my questions seem too simplistic. I tried a little research on the Thai Visa board and 3 things were apparent. 1 - Each Thai visa official has his/her interpretation of the Thai law. 2 - Apparently there is a limit to back-to-back visa depending on the issuing office? 3 - There is a limit to the duration of a single visa, but it may depend on the type of visa and single/multiple entry, etc. Yes, I have a lot to learn.