ChomDo

Thanks Sheryl, So can you tell me how I can be sure then that the first 3 days of Zentel 400mg x2 times a day has been effective? If we can't often see the actual worms in the stool and it says everywhere that the second 3 days set is important to make sure the possible remaining eggs are also killed from your body. Can you clarify this. I don't want to be exceeding any safe dosage but this one that I was recommended seems to be common and now that I've taken one set of 3 days I just want to make sure that doesn't go to waste.

Thanks for clarifying! I'm just wondering why 3-4 pharmacies agreed that the dose recommended to me by the physio clinic was normal. Now I'm wondering if I should skip the second 3 day course. My physician said, you don't usually see any actual parasites in the stool so not taking the second cycle might leave you unsure. Does this make sense then?

Thanks for the advice. Where is all this info coming from if I may ask? I mean it's your own experience or you're a medical professional. Just interested because you seem to have very detailed suggestions about what to do. Every pharmacy I asked said this is the normal dose and nothing to worry about it. I know I should not believe them too much but I'm doing this because my American physiotherapist suggested to do so (just in case). He and his patients do the same several times a year so that's why I'm going with this advice. I was told that you can't often see the parasites in your stool (in the toilet) so it's advised to take the second 3 day set just to be sure the medicine has done it's work. What's the risk in taking another 3 day course of Zentel? I mean it seems to be the recommended way, but you were referring to it being too strong. Bad for the liver or what?

So I'm done with my first 3 day set of Zentel and noticed nothing and didn't see anything suspicious floating in the toilet. Now I'm wondering how important the second 3 days set is? I was recommended to repeat the procedure in 1 weeks time just in case to "kill the possibly remaining eggs of any parasites". Just to be clear again, there was no suspicion that I have any parasites to begin with but this was just a part of a bigger process suggested to me by my physiotherapist. Any experience about this? Should I really take another 3 days of Zentel after a week has passed?

Thanks for the replies. So it seems to be a bit random or like whatever could happen. I wouldn't mind a 5% charge but 40% is a bit different. Like you mentioned, normal posted items hardly get checked but I'm not sure what delivery service these shops use. Just to avoid any risks, maybe I should just order to my home address in Europe and have it sent by normal post from there.

I was wondering if anyone knows about fees on packages ordered from online shops abroad. Now that brands and shops are offering free shipping around the world, is there something about customs and duty fees to be considered when having something delivered to Thailand? Let's say for example that I want to buy a watch that costs USD250. Do I need to worry that my package would be stuck in customs and them asking me for extra fees to get my package delivered? I have no idea about this since I normally order everything locally from Lazada, but any advice is welcome. Thanks.

So I went to get my 60 day covid extension and it was the smoothest process so far. I had a booking so I didn't need to wait at all. The whole thing took me 5-10 min and I was out of there. Nothing was asked – just the basic TR visa extension papers. I highly recommend making an online booking. Last time I was there about 1,5 hrs and this time 5-10 min so you can save a lot of time. Now I just hope they will extend the covid extension option further. Personally I would go back to Europe for the summer, so if possible will keep extending until then. If they stop giving it, I don't see any options if trips to neighbouring countries are still not possible.

Thanks! Hope it will be a smooth process on Wed. This is my first Covid extension but I will definitely keep doing it if they extend further. As for why they are giving covid extensions, well I really don't care why but great that they do. Why kick out the last tourist existing in the country. Hope they keep extending the +60 day extension and maybe also come up with more attractive TR visas (like perhaps a simplified STV).

Sure, I have made an appointment for Wed, Jan 19. Now I just need to know if any extra documents are needed as I asked above. I'm assuming not, but good if someone has the latest?

I was just about to post a question about the covid extension that can be done before Jn 25 but I'll join in on this conversation instead. Fist of all what other documents are needed besides the normal TR visa extension papers? When I did my +30 day extension in Dec they just told me to come back before Jan 25 for a new 60 day covid extension. Didn't mention any extra paperwork being needed for that. I have a return ticket back to Europe for next summer but that won't help much if they really request to see a outbound flight within 60 days. By the way, a booking for Chaeng Wattana is required now right? I made a a booking on the Immigration booking site https://www.immigration.go.th/?page_id=20131

Thanks for the all info. I was given a handout form the clinic I go to and I suppose I should follow the instructions they gave (two 3 days sets of Albendazol within a week). Actually the whole point of doing this was not about possible parasites but I was recommended a liver flush (detox cleansing of the gut) by doing the two day magnesium sulphate cleansing. The anti parasite medication before it was just a vital part to make sure no unwanted parasites remain in the body.

Thanks for all the replies. This idea came up with my physiotherapist who suggested me to do so because it may help reduce muscle pains (if there are parasites present of course). He gave me the instructions to take Zentel 400mg 2x a day for 3 days and then repeat the process after a week as connda mentioned above. I know there are many other options but as he suggested this one and said he does it regularly, I would like to stick to it at least for the first time. Was just curious if anyone else here has done the exact same and if I should expect any side effects from this?

Does anyone living in Thailand have experiences of anti parasite medication? I have lived in Bangkok for 15 years and have never taken one, but heard that many take it yearly just in case there is something in the body. I was recommended a medicine called Zentel 400mg twice a day for 3 days. Does anyone have any experiences about this and if it might cause any side effects?

Attaching the same here in case you guys didn't see my reply yet: So just to report the conclusion to this TM30 issue: I went to the immigration yesterday to get the TR visa extension and no TM30 was asked. Like I've mentioned before, I have been asked for it once in the past 15 years. Not sure if I'm just getting lucky or is everyone on the forums exaggerating the importance of this paper. I was told on other forums also that this is a must have :))

So just to report the conclusion to this TM30 issue: I went to the immigration yesterday to get the TR visa extension and no TM30 was asked. Like I've mentioned before, I have been asked for it once in the past 15 years. Not sure if I'm just getting lucky or is everyone on the forums exaggerating the importance of this paper. I was told on other forums also that this is a must have :))

Ok thanks for the info. Might also just take missus with me, but of course I'd try first without the TM30 and see if they ask for it. I guess this has changed completely because during the past 10 years I was never asked for a TM30 at the Chaeng Wathana when extending a TR visa. Last time with my STV visa extension they did ask for it and wanted to see the official house books which are in her name so probably better go with her and the full package of paperwork just to be on the sure side.

Sure, so if I go alone they would refuse the extension and ask me to come back with the house owner to do TM30 first or is there away around this? I think last time the fine we had to pay was 1600b (that time we did the TM30 there with house owner). I'm fine with that as long as I don't have to go there twice.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll just reply to this one first. Of course I can fill up the pool. Mine takes only 6 cubic meters of water so no issue, but it won't take long for the water to get all toxic again since the pump would just push out a dark cloud of dirt – so obviously I can't have the pumps running. Just seems like a waste of water and time at this point, but if this floating theory makes sense at my house, then it's worth it yes. And all the normal maintenance stuff you mentioned there I do regularly of course. I'm only talking about the difficulty of getting the sand changed. You need a lot of space to do that work. Believe me it's impossible for a normal sized person to get into the box there the pump is. I can do all the general maintenance myself of course but to change the whole sand filter, someone needs to actually go in there fully and have space to work. Also pool companies are not fond of doing small and "tricky" jobs like this. If someone has a person/company to suggest in BKK that would be great. Might have to take down the structure around the pool system and pipework. I'll just add a few pictures here so you get it what I'm talking about.

I mean I was in Europe for 4 months between my visas and then arrived to Phuket via Sandbox in October. Next week is my +30 day extension for current TR visa. Like I mentioned I have not filed any separate TM30 this time – only the Sandbox in hotel in Phuket must have done so for me.

Yea I emptied it and cleaned it yesterday. Hoping it can be done within a few weeks but I can't use the pump as it is now so feel like I shouldn't fill it up. Changing the filter is impossible for most people under the circumstances. Unfortunately only a very small person can get to this sand filter. It was built in a minimal space so some things had to be compromised making changing parts complicated.

Thanks, this makes sense to me. I hope not to have it empty too long but it has been empty for some weeks before.

Thanks for the info. Last time when I extended my STV I had missus with me to do the TM30 (a few months late) and pay the fine. I was just wondering if I go alone would I not get it done by just paying the fine or would they really tell me to come back with the house owner another day? If that's the case, then I guess I better go with her to get it done on the same day for sure.

Thanks for the replies but I'm really not getting the point. It's a 3x3m jacuzzi type of "pool" built in into the ground (concrete base and tiled) in my tiny back yard in BKK. I understood that the strong sun might crack the grout lines or something but not idea about this "concrete boat theory" you mentioned. I would change the sand filter now if I could but the place where it's located is nearly impossible to access so I'll have to find some pool company to do it. I've noticed they are not easily willing to do small jobs like this. I also could't keep the water in there anymore since it was just getting totally rotten (green bubbly stuff) on the surface even with plenty of chlorine.

So how would I do it now 2 months after my arrival? I had no idea this has to be done again in BKK. I live in my own house as usual (obviously not in my name tho). Would they just give me a fine or what are the options? I'm ok with a fine but not ok with going there twice since it takes half a day per trip. So I just want to make sure I get it done in one time.

So my sand filter is due for a change and I emptied my pool. I remember reading somewhere that it's not a good idea to leave a tiled pool dry for too long. Does this make sense or is it a false claim? I would expect that it has to be dry for some weeks at least or maybe longer. The sand filter is simply not doing it's job anymore so the water is impossible to keep clean – so was a must to empty it.