soi3eddie

6 hours ago, Redline said:

Police patrols would be welcome, but we know they don’t do that 

Here in Hua Hin since Saturday haven't seen a single cop anywhere. Mentioned this to the GF tonight when heading to Makro and she said "the cops are all off with their mia nois". Anyone else noticed a lower level of street plod during the shutdowns (and less opportunity for commission money)? 

I paid 4000 Baht deposit in December 2017 for my Bangkok Condo meter (30/100a). When I went to MEA they used my passport as ID. When applying online it would not accept my passport as ID as the number is too short. So, the GF used her Thai ID and it pulled up my contract account name all good. It does say that they will only refund if contract account name and bank name match - they do. I got the confirmation number for refund and printed it out. I'm checking my KBank daily to see if refund arrives. Anyone think there might be problems? Seems a hassle to call MEA by phone and the offices take 45 minutes by Taxi.

Can anyone post here once they actually receive their refund please?

7 hours ago, nsn1 said:

The wife phoned yesterday and was told, we would be responsible for the meter if we took the refund.

I was going to say that how do meters go wrong. Then remembered that my 30/100a meter stopped working last year before being before replaced by MEA. The meter simply stopped counting the usage. I had free electric for over 2 months while they sorted it out. What are the changes of a meter overcharging?

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Some offices are wanting a one year bank statement from the bank.

Unless you updated your bank book every month it would not likely show the entire year.

On my NON-O extension renewal at CW BKK last week, they wanted the full 12 month statement, bank letter and full copy of bankbook. The IO checked the 3/2 months balances very carefully drawing lines with ruler to check the balances withing the date periods.

On 3/29/2020 at 9:41 AM, 147SAG said:

Good time to do some maintance on them all.

Good time to scrap most of their aged planes and consolidate the fleet with modern fuel efficient ones suitable for the routes they serve (B747 BKK to Phuket anyone?). At the same time they should scrap THAI management, rid the airline of all the cronies and freeloaders and streamline processes and booking systems. That said I do love the onboard service compared to other airlines.

3 hours ago, GordyS said:

Maybe they are cutting off a certain individual's finances

That would definitely free up quite a bit of baht to be spent on real people

 

THAI Airways - "From April 1, it will cancel most of its flights to Europe — London, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen, Oslo, Moscow and Stockholm". (BP 25/03/2020) ...but not Zurich or Munich? Why not? Maybe those are Very Important Routes?

THAI schedule checked today. TIP: Search any other flight with THAI to Europe during April and see what's available.

3 hours ago, smedly said:

outdoor skin surface temp reading doesn't work it will show most people outside in direct sunlight as having a high temperature of 40c or more so the screening is flawed 

 

Outdoor in the sun is vastly different from indoor

Coming back from Myanmar to Kanchanaburi at Phuu Nam Ron border last month, we had walked the last 150 metres in the sun after being dropped off by the guide. When we reached Thai Immigration we got zapped with the thermometer and both registered about 38.5c. The answer? Stand under the fan in the shade for 5 minutes to cool down. Zapped again and then allowed to pass.

I was at Chaeng Wattana 05:15am this morning. About 120 people in line at that time. By 06:00am about 200 waiting. Immigration officer anounced that TM30, 90 day reports and Tourist Extensions had moved to Muang Thong Thani and was handing out maps and directing people to get a taxi or motorbike taxi. This thinned out the queue by about 20% immediately. 

How dare these Thais be allowed overseas to seek a better life or improved earning opportunities. They should be punished and not allowed to return to their home nation under any circumstances (including global pandemics)!  Thai Rak Thai?

17 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Instead of taking the unsure road of applying for a refund, would it not be better to ask my credit-card company for a 'charge back', as you suggest.

Emirates send me an e-mail that my flights Dubai - Brussels were CANCELLED (not suspended).

But my flights Bangkok - Dubai are not cancelled yet by them (but obviously they did become worthless for me without onward flights to my final destination).

 

If your flights are on the same booking reference and through journey then it would be wrong of any airline to penalise you for not taking the operating flight when they could not provide the first flight to make the connection. Under these circumstance a full refund would be due. If not forthcoming then credit card company should charge back. For many years I never ever book with an agent anymore. It's almost impossible to make changes, get early seat assignments or mileage qualifying tickets. If anything goes wrong you will be caught in the middle of a game of ping-pong with agent and carrier regarding refund etc. 

I need to do retirement extension in next 45 days at CW Bangkok. I hope to go before Friday. Anyone know how bad the queues a L counters have been recently? I'm worried that immigration will be shut sometime soon. 

17 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

In addition to all this they dont lockdown things but close it; the closure of the non-existing nightlife of Bangkok, Pattaya etc. will result in tens of thousands of "service workers" to travel back home, in crowded buses waiting at crowded stations. This will do wonders in distribution of the virus, if you ask me.

Once home they will realize that due to no irrigation water there is no agricultural work nor revenue. No work, no money, go home = same same but different. 
 

Not just service workers but general workers too. We drove up from Bangkok to Phlapphla Chai, Buri Ram province last Sunday. I was surprised to see quite a few pick-up trucks heading away from the city loaded with possesions, fridges, M/Cs etc. same as the annual exodus for Songkran (although 1 month early). Here in the village it's dry as a chip. No real rain since last October. Ponds empty and ground rock hard. Some of the farmers have readied rice fields and levees ready for the rains - still about 2 months away!

There's a real opportunity here for the Thai government to offer some goodwill to visitors and expats who cannot comply with leaving before permitted stay expires. If border runs, visa runs and return to home countries is not possible then a 30 day grace period on all permitted stays could be offered with no financial or blacklist penalty. I was stuck here for 3 days over permitted stay due to the Iceland volcanic Ash cloud closing European airspace in 2010 and no penalty was applied for overstay. 

A trip to the British embassy will be of no help at all. You won't even get in without an appointment and even then the opening hours are very limited. 

Thanks. That's a comprehensive report on HH. I heard that Market Village is open reduced hours (10:30am to 8pm I think). Not sure about Bluport. 

13 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

Was his police record in the UK checked before he was let into Thailand? 

 

If Thailand really wanted to keep the "bad guys" out, they would do same as USA with info sharing. If you're a western criminal and try go to the USA you're unlikely to even be let on the plane without an ESTA travel pre-clearance. The Yanks even pulled me aside about 12 years ago for what finally turned out to be questions regarding a passport I had lost in the UK and replaced. If Thailand did the same checks to bar entry, they would miss out on money raising revenues and fines for overstayers.  

4 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

it is so pathetic and predictable. 

what is it going to take?

Due to a shortage of N95 or Surgical masks, from his profile picture, it looks like NCC1701A has now taken to wearing ladies knickers on his face... 

13 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I flew to Saigon couple weeks back. We were handed out stupid form on plane.

Lame questions. Upon arrival no one collected it. 

I'm and flying again to Saigon this Fri. I assume it will be same lame form.

It's just yes/no X box form. 

Fever Y N

Cough Y N

etc.

Nonsense

I arrived back from South Korea last night. We were given the T8 quarantine questionnaire form on the plane. On disembarking, Thais were being processed by workers in full hazmat suits. Foreign passport holders were waved on to the health control kiosk to have temperature taken and stamp on TM6 arrival card. Without that stamp no entry to Thailand. Check the list of countries in case Vietnam gets added. It could only be a matter of time before there's a global lockdon and grounding of flights. From 8pm to midnight there were only 9 flights out of Seoul last night! There were more staff than passengers in the terminal. As airlines are losing trade they are grounding flights so your return may get cancelled while overseas. I feel more relaxed now back in Thailand.

On 3/9/2020 at 8:36 AM, Grumpy John said:

For the Thai people this is not a good thing.   Makro and Lotus against Big C and Tops is almost an oligopoly...or maybe it is if you dig into it.  My concern is collusion.  And denial of entry for a new player.  I've said before Thailand needs the ALDI chain to "keep the bust-rds honest...now more than ever! 

Barriers to entry and costs are likely high. Suspect that new (or low cost) competition unlikely.

Does anyone know what profit/loss Tesco made or declared on their SE Asian venture?

I first noticed Tesco/Lotus in 2000 when in southern Thailand. Never knew until then that they had any overseas investments/joint ventures. I don't care for Tesco/Lotus or Big C but do like the offering at Tops. Actually preferred Carrefour back in the day until Big C took over.

9 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

Been backwards and forwards from Swampy and Don Muang with my daughter last 10 days with both international and domestic flights.

Returned from DM to Khon Kaen this morning.  The departures board at DM at 9.30am showing flights until 12.30 (lunch ), out of 60 flights 23 had been cancelled across all airlines, screen changing very often with more departures cancelled.
My flight was 50% empty, only one person in the front rows.

 

Nice positive asessment "50% empty". Most would have said 50% full. Where's my glass?

Good to hear that your daughter was able to travel.

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

 

No way to know, and it would change anyway.

 

I might not choose to board at LHR if OZ cannot guarantee passage through ICN on to BKK. Otherwise you'll get stuck at ICN, with no bags potentially. Delay the return while trying to get an acceptable "certificate".

 

Or maybe opt to join the Thai airlift ex-Korea, and plan a 14-day quarantine in a potentially uncomfortable location (tent under the stands at Chang Stadium in Buriram).

 

 

After much concern it looks like I may just make it back to Bangkok intime (I'm on my scheduled flight below)...  

[Asiana Airlines]
(Correction notice) Regarding the reinforced immigration regulation of Thailand, required documents of health certificate and traveler's insurance document has been exempted only for OZ743/11MAR. Sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you.

3 minutes ago, zydeco said:

"This feller is A-OK Number One health!"

 

Signed,

 

Dr. David Livingstone.

Already done. Printed off form and filled it in by "The London Clinic" from "Dr. J Smith". What are the chances they will try to check?

6 minutes ago, phuketrichard said:

does this include those that transit, ( say flying from the us to Thailand) via Seoul or HK?

20 minutes ago I received an email from Asiana Airlines stating medical cert needed. In just 8 hours time (must check-in within next 6 hours), I'm flying from London to Seoul and then connecting on to Bangkok. How are we supposed to get a medical certificate in such little time? As I'm only transiting the airport do the same restrictions apply. Very unclear. I guess I'll find out once at the airport.