sghanchey

Good idea- to repurpose school buildings. That is already happening in Japan, where abandoned rural schools are being turned into tourist accomodations so foreigners can experience rural life.

The decline in school enrollments means fewer and fewer school leavers to apply for admission to universities, most of which are struggling with lower numbers in all but the most prestigious disciplines like medicine and engineering where there is already a glut in the market. Closure of some regional campuses is inevitable as the Thai population continues to decline. Allowing refugees from neighboring Burma to apply for permanent residence and/or citizenship would help enormously, but Thailand's strict and frankly xenophobic immigration policy is inflexible, and most people like it that way. Don't dilute "Thainess"!

Do non-ASEAN travelers still have to get an e-visa in advance?

The last two times I have gone to Jomtien Immigration to make a 90-day report, they've told me it's not necessary if one is returning to the same address as before. I said that when I renewed last year, they fined me for not having a TM-30 in my passport. The agent looked in my passport and found the one they gave me then, and said it was all I needed. I hope that's correct.

I have done my annual check up at Bangkok Christian for several consecutive years and find them to be thorough, professional and most important at least half the price of BNH or other "5-star" hospitals (no Starbucks in the lobby!). They don't always speak perfect English but they do all the tests you opt for and know how to interpret the results. Walk-in same day service. I recommend it.

What is the new minimum medical insurance coverage for a Non-OA visa extension? They raised it to 3 million THB several years ago but I have heard it was dropped to less last year. Thanks in advance.

I think the poster meant "medical malpractice" not Medicare.

Filing a complaint for malpractice in Thailand could lead to serious legal repercussions (as in slander), and you wouldn't have a prayer of a chance taking on "one of the world's best hospitals" (we are led to guess which one it is, but most will recognize it). They are connnected to powerful people and have a team of legal consultants on call. Forget it and move on. I hope your wife recovers soon.

Thais, being the superstitious souls that they are think that the side units are shaped like coffins and would never buy one.

Thanks for posting. I appreciate any and all updates on expat visa policy changes in the ASEAN region. I had no trouble reading it at all.