sghanchey

Was it easy to open a new account at Kasikorn Bank? I'm fed up with Bangkok Bank, even though I've been a customer for over ten years. Bangkok Bank no longer provides a letter to use at Immigration detailing 12 months of the 65,000/month deposits required for my Non-OA application for permission to stay. They will provide copies of the monthly bank statements but take 5 working days to do that.

I was there yesterday. I am the same age as the geriatric gentleman who got ripped off. I bought a phone cover and protective screen for 400 bahts. Seems reasonable to me. Mind you, I did not bargain. I could potentially have knocked 50 bahts off the price. Good service for a 5 year-old Huawei P20 Pro.

I have used the agency inside the Chonburi Immigration complex (Visa to England or somesuch name). They are the ones wearing vests and helping people with their paperwork. They have charged me 15,000 to get everything done including a phony insurance policy included in the price. I have to be taken inside by one of the agents and have my photo taken in front of a particular kiosk, and they do the rest. I'm American and probably pay more than some others probably do, but it's quick and convenient. I have recently moved to Sa Kaeo province so I am going to try to do it on my own at the Aranyapratet Immigration office where they have signs posted saying "No Gifts". There are also no agents around. Wish me luck.

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.