sghanchey

Close restaurants for dine-in customers but leave the big shopping malls open. Gee- I wonder why? It couldn't be that the malls are owned by powerful hi-so oligarchs, could it? No? I didn't think so. 

Argentina is a financial basket case. Almost impossible to get funds transferred to or from the country, and ATMs dispense very limited amounts of cash (and that's if you don't get mugged after your transaction). Petty crime in Buenos Aires is rampant, although if a bandit is armed, I don't call it "petty", but bag snatching and phone grabbing are pretty common. Half the population is in  therapy with a psychiatrist, and this was long before the financial crisis. Beef and wine are great. Not so many pretty girls interested in gringos as in Colombia (for ex), and much more expensive. Think again, Wyoming cowboy. 

The insurance requirements that keep changing for Non-OA extension are making me less and less confident that I will be able to meet those as a 76 year old U.S. passport holder. I have the current minimum insurance with $100,000 + 40,000 baht outpatient coverage that also includes Covid, but if they change it to 3m THB, I am screwed. I intend to apply for the annual renewal soon (it expires Sept. 15), but my insurance is valid until March 15, 2022, so that's as long as I will get. Then I will leave for the U.S. as quickly as possible to get vaccinated there, and return only after the quarantine is no longer required. What are the chances of changing from a Non-OA to a Non-O? Single, not married to a Thai. Thanks in advance.

On 6/17/2021 at 4:11 PM, JTXR said:

I registered at the Chulabhorn Academy.  A few days later, their whole program was stopped. 

I registered and got an appointment at the Thailandintervac site.  It was cancelled ("postponed").

 

Enough is enough.  I'm taking my chances with a flight to the U.S.  At least I KNOW I can get a next-day appointment at my local pharmacy and actually get the shot(s).  And top-line vaccines, too.

Me too. Depending on how soon I can get my Non-OA annual extension done, I'm outta here as soon as I can get the PCR test and get on a plane. People are signing up for 4000 baht Moderna jobs in October at Pattaya Memorial Hospital, but I'll get mine the day after arriving in the U.S. 

22 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

It did work for smarty pants. Here is what it showed:

 

For Asian destinations, the airline will operate:

 

–          5 flights a week on the Bangkok-Hong Kong route;

–          3 flights a week on Bangkok-Tokyo (Narita), Bangkok-Osaka, Bangkok-Taipei and Bangkok-Manila routes;

–          2 flights a week on Bangkok-Tokyo (Haneda), Bangkok-Nagoya, Bangkok-Seoul and Bangkok-Lahore routes; and

–          1 flight a week on Bangkok-Dhaka route.

 

For European destinations, it will operate:

–          3 flights a week on Bangkok-Frankfurt route;

–          2 flights a week on Bangkok-London and Bangkok-Copenhagen routes; and

–          1 flight a week on Bangkok-Paris and Bangkok-Zurich routes.

 

For Australia, THAI will operate 2 flights a week on Bangkok-Sydney route.

Many thanks for the details.

3 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

So hard to click on link?

https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-714131 does not work for me. Maybe it did for you, smarty pants. 

5 hours ago, Nojohndoe said:

Has anyone noted that the information provided states that the site is  functional  between the hours of 2 pm (14.00 hrs) and 6 pm (1800 hrs) ?

That might explain why so many have had problems?

I had no problem registering, but the calendar of availability (still only BKK hospitals) shows zero dates available from now through January 2022. Will that change on June 14?

What are the European routes? 

7 minutes ago, andygrr said:

Jomtien is normally max 45 days before.

That would work perfectly for me. I hope they agree. Thanks. 

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I have some chance if I catch them on the right day. My next 90-day report is July 15, so I will look into early extension possibilities then. 

My current O-A extension expires September 15, so normally I would go in 30 days in advance to renew, but I'd really like to leave for the U.S. earlier than that. I have a ticket for August 9 booked with airline points, so it's flexible and can be advanced or delayed. Would they be likely to consider 45 days before the expiration, and how could I ensure this without recourse to an agent- if possible. Thanks in advance if anyone has experience or advice to offer. 

On 5/1/2021 at 7:04 AM, Swiss1960 said:

 

When I said "same as the Thai people" I did mean same as the Thai people who don't have a smart phone and therefore will walk into the next hospital (for Pattay probably Pattaya City on Bhuakow / Sai Saam, Memorial on Pattaya Klang / Sai Song or Bangkok Hospital on Sukhumvit) and start to ask. As you said yourself, if the app currently requires a Thai-ID, then you are out of luck using it. Going into a hospital for registration is the officially proposed second way by the Thai government - except of course, when you are too busy with other things?

 

For your point about specific info for Pattaya: Since the government ist currently tightly controlling the vaccines / vaccine programs and since they clearly announce that registration starts in May and vaccination starting on 7 June for people older than 60 or with medical conditions.  Registration for people 18-59 starts in July with vaccinations starting August. There CAN NOT BE any Pattaya specific information, as all is currently "under construction" by the central government. 

 

With regards to vaccine, the government also clearly outlined, that currently they import vaccines for health workers / tourist area workers and those people mainly will receive CoronaVac (from Sinovac), as the 50'000 imported Astra Zeneca shots would have been used by "other" people. According to government info, June is the availability date for the first shots of Astra Zeneca from Siam Bioscience.

Someone I know when to Pattaya City Hospital today to "manually" register but was turned away with "not know" when or if expats can register there. 

3 hours ago, kokesaat said:

It's a shame so many discussions get so derailed:

The op asked about living here in old age.  My wife and I have lived in Udon for 24 years.  We've known lots of 80's and young 90's (if there is such a thing) guys who have served out their final days here.  Many needed a nursing assistant at the home to help out.  If you have the money, you can do it.....and it's not that expensive.  I've known a few who were legitimately bedbound for a few years and didn't renew their extension/90 day report and no one bothered them.  

I've looked into the Chiangmai retired home.....just for info.  For around $2000 a month, you get what appears to be excellent facilities/care.  Maybe more if you're truly bedbound.  A vet friend of mine recently was admitted to a small nursing home in Udon.....not the best care/facility in the world, but 24 hour care for around 15,000 baht per month.  

Given the sad state of affairs with nursing homes in the US, I'd gladly pay $2000+ for the care in a Thai facility, if'n'when the day comes.  

As for hospitals, we've been marooned in the US for one year, due to go back in 2 days.  We've talked with several people who have had the same problems with misdiagnosis.....including our son-in-law (then) who had leukemia and was diagnosed with bronchitis.....for 2 months.....before the right hospital determined his problem.  Thanks to the efforts of people like Sheryl on this forum, you can find many first class doctors/hospitals in Thailand.   

 

 

Excellent point. I wish someone would publish a list of the assisted living facilities or nursing homes available to elderly expats here in Thailand. It's a great business opportunity for those Thais whose hotels are shuttered but could be converted. 

On 2/15/2021 at 5:31 PM, Andy from Kent said:

Pretty much the main issue of remaining in Thailand is not being able to maintain the 28,000 Thai Baht in a bank account for the required amount of time.    Other  than that  issue, there really are few obstacles to remaining in  Thailand.

 

I think you mean $28,000, not bahts.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-55900680

For months Tanzania's government has insisted the country was free from Covid-19 - so there are no plans for vaccination. The BBC's Dickens Olewe has spoken to one family mourning the death of a husband and father suspected of having had the disease. The fear is that amid the denial, there are many more unacknowledged victims of this highly contagious virus.

25 minutes ago, peteralex said:

 

Hi, check out this one, the health insurance premium seems to be VERY reasonable especially for your age, plus a low premium for covid coverage in TH . I found this one advertised at TVF. It appears to be too competitive to be true. Let us know about your inquiries.

https://en.samui.consulting/insurance?utm_source=Santa&fbclid=IwAR0JWpK7YdSLL8Snf1aFSMJPlVLhjyqH9v8i6Ve4GYvRWQ4G4oZ9lPlcxi8 

Thanks very much for this referrral. It does appear to be too good to be true, but one never knows. 

Are there currently any surface travel restrictions for highway travel between Pattaya and Bangkok in either direction? I'm planning a trip tomorrow (Feb. 10) and am not aware of any official approvals needed, such as were the case a week or two ago. 

8 hours ago, DerbyDan said:

you have to id at some stores now? that's pretty crazy. what's that checking for?

It's the contact tracing scheme. Either scan a QR code or write name and phone number in a notebook so they can contact you if someone tests positive who visited or works at the store/shop/venue. 

6 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That form is from the immigration website. It is accepted at the majority of immigration offices.

Not sure Chonburi has their own form.

Thanks. I'll send any update on this after visiting Immigration next week. 

Life is fairly normal for older residents who do not "party". More and more bars and small restaurants are closing and have "For Rent" or "For Sale" signs on the shuttered premises. Food vendors along Jomtien Beach Road seem to be operating normally, and branded coffee shops (Amazon ex.) are open. It's not the bustling bar and party scene that it used to be, but those of us here for the long-term like the lack of Chinese tour buses or Russian tour groups. The air quality of late is bad due to prevailing winds from the N. that bring Bangkok pollution and smoke from burning fields, so there's that. My condo pool is open, and walks along Jomtien Dongtan Beach keep me happy. But If I were not already here, I wouldn't bother. There are better places than here. 

On 2/3/2021 at 7:29 PM, ubonjoe said:

1. There is no fixed time you can do it. My suggestion is do it a soon as possible so you don't need to have both passport do something. You could wait until your return for your extension.

2. Wrong advice. You have to do it where you applied for your extension.

3. The  letter from the embassy that they should've given to you.

This form Transfer Stamps To A New Passport

Copies of both passport photo pages. Copies of every page in your old passport that has a visa or stamp for Thailand on it.

 

Is there a "Transfer Stamps to a New Passport" form for Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration? 

On 2/2/2021 at 10:54 PM, songmaew said:

I, too, must renew soon.  Upon reading the embassy page I was left with the clear understanding renewals are by mail only( unless an emergency need for sooner than 2-3 week processing time).

My hope is that thry return your old passport with the new one.  I seem to recall not always done.

You are right. I was reminded of that in the message I received from AmCit Services telling me they are EMS-ing me my replacement passport tomorrow. They specifically said they are taking no in-person appointments for passport renewals or first-time applicants unless they are special circumstances (i.e. requirement to submit a letter or an affidavit in person, which was my case). They will also not give in-person appointments to pick up a passport unless it's an emergency.