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B0nkers

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    Cambodia currency exchange?

    in Pattaya

    Posted · Edited by B0nkers

    On 8/5/2023 at 6:52 AM, visarunner said:

    H

    How much you have? We go frequently to Cambodia. 

    About 450K. I got scammed exchanging Thai baht to USD with a tuk tuk driver when I arrived. Fake USD. Good times.

    Want to buy my $450K? I'm in Pattaya till end of month.

    Cambodia currency exchange?

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Just got back from a few weeks in Cambodia and brought my excess Cambodian money with me to Thailand, thinking I could exchange it. Went to the one of those yellow exchange booths and was told they don't accept it. Anyone know where I can?

    • Haha 2

    Been gone awhile, considering coming back - need a little help

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    On 2/3/2020 at 1:21 AM, EricTh said:

    You can't work online as freelancer while on a long-term tourist visa. It is illegal even if 'many' do it in Thailand as you claim.

     

    If it is a short-term tourist visa on one month, I don't think it's a problem but to work illegally on long-term border-run/visa-run is definitately illegal.

    Chiang Mai is absolutely FULL of people doing just this and they are definitely not hiding it. This is i why I asked. They even hold large conventions for people living their on tourist visa's and working online, Thailand is also full of YouTubers doing the same thing.

    Been gone awhile, considering coming back - need a little help

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    I was thinking the same thing. I want to do this on a small budget this time though. I stayed in Jomtien last time and it's full of large resort style apartment blocks. New, clean. Amazing and SUPER cheap. I used to be in top floor 200sm penthouse with 12 foot ceilings, fully furnished 2 bdr with a pool table, marble floors and gourmet kitchen. The sunset off the full length deck mirrored off the view of the ocean. It was amazing. It was the same cost that you'd pay for a decent 1 bedroom where I live now.

     

    After the emergency, I downgraded to place 1/3 the price with a wave pool and pirate ships. My deck door opened directly over the pool, where you could sit on your deck floor and soak your feet or even jump directly in. You can't find a place that cheap here, even if you split costs with a roommate. Again, brand new building. Small units, but you get what you pay for.

     

    The Philippines does have a few newer buildings, but I've never seen a resort style block and those newer buildings are more expensive because there are fewer of them. You end up paying slightly more than you would in Thailand and receive a less comfortable place to stay.

     

    I also found food to be better quality and variety in Thailand - and cheaper.

     

    I like the locals from both places equally for different reasons.

     

    That said, Thialand, because of the quality of life for your buck and much better healthcare is my ultimate preference. The Philippines offers English as a second language, so it does feel a bit easier to become friends with locals.. which is cool. Nice people.

     

    So, my heart wants to go back to Thailand again but I'm just confused about how to do it and how much it's going to cost.

     

    Please help me understand (Sorry I'm just lost as we all know things change and you get a different answer from every official you ask because it seems the new law messages are slow to spread or maybe not passed along at all)

     

    Visa option #1

     

    I found the metv for about $250CAD on an official Thai embassy website. So that gives me 9 months for $250 + 3800BHT = $411

    - Now. Do I need to also cross a border for each stamp? From what I understand, enjoy 90 days, get you ext stamp, stay another 30 days. Then... do I need to just go back to immigration for a checkup or do I need to cross a border even though  I have 2 more visa stamps in my passport?

     

    - If I go the metv route, what are the odds I could take a run to Laos or Cambodia and come back whatever they normally give? I forget if they give you 2 month visa or 30 days.

     

    Visa option #2

     

    If i remember correctly, you can find small local Thai language schools all over the place. Maybe not find them on the internet, but you may stumble on one while walking around. I remember prices in the $10-14,000THB range. I don't want to spend too much time actually sitting a class chair, but I am definitely interested in actually learning because it may make a huge difference of how life is for a foreigner if they speak the local language. Plus it's just kinda cool.

     

    If I go that route, I will need to do border runs anyways, correct? The only difference would be that my reentry may be more likely to be approved than if I were a tourist doing border runs all the time. Right?

     

    Health insurance?

     

    If I remember there is a company called Bupa or something like that? Does anyone have experience with them and actually needed to use it? Has anyone ever hear of a foreigner being denied treatment because their insurance didn't cover the ailment or perhaps it wasn't enough coverage, or maybe it was only good for certain hospitals?

     

    Has anything else changed that I should know about? (Pattaya and surrounding area)

     

    if you've made it this far, thank for reading it all, haha. Or should I say.. 555

     

    First trip to Thailand was meant to be a month visit, but it turned into 4 years bouncing around the region. This time I want to stay longer and plan it out.

     

    Thanks

    • Like 1

    Been gone awhile, considering coming back - need a little help

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    Things change so often, and have no idea anymore what the requirements would be to do what I'm considering. I previously spent a couple years in Thailand, split into 2 trips, while doing the same in the Philippines. 1yr here one year there.

     

    When I was in Pattaya I had a medical emergency and would like to go back to see the same Dr after 2.5 years. Then follow up with a specialist at Bumrungrad. I'd like to see what the situation is now if I wanted to stay 2 years straight. Rent a condo on a 2 year lease and never worry about getting back into the country after a visa run etc. What are my options?

     

    Also, what is the deal with heath insurance now (wish I had it when my esophagus ruptured last visit!). Where do I buy it, what does it cover, how much etc?

     

    Do I need an exit ticket upon first arrival or any other time?

     

    The first time around, I came with a 2x entry. I'm confused about the new options and prices etc. I tried searching the forum, but just get confused.

     

    I work as a freelancer from my laptop, like piles of people do in Chiang Mai. That was my first trip actually. 6 months in Chiang Mai

     

    Thanks!

     

    Going home, tips?

    in General Topics

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Eaglekott said:

    What type of VISA did you have for your 2.5 Years? I might be wrong but I believe the only visa that enable you to receive a VAT refund is a Tourist VISA.

    Tourist, yes. Spent 8 months of the 2.5 years in the Philippines, so had various types of tourist visas from several borders

     

    Thanks all for the VAT tips.I was actually 1/2 expect some sort of exit fee as well, I just don't want to withdraw any more Baht than needed as exchange rates are terrible anywhere you go. Stopping in the Philippines first for a month, Baht would be useless. 

    Going home, tips?

    in General Topics

    Posted

    After 2 1/2 years, I'm finally going back to my home country. Couple questions:

     

    Do I need to be aware of any exit fees of any sort at the airport? I'll have 1 day overstay - 500BHT. Anything else?

    I have VAT receipt for a laptop I just bought a couple weeks ago. Where do I go at Bangkok airport to get a refund, anyone know how long it may take?

    I bought a few shirts from the discount mall in Pattaya (Mike mall). I have no idea if any are knock-offs or not.. is this something I should be concerned about when returning to Canada?

     

     

    Thanks in advance!

    Jomtien air quality?

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Thanks for the replies. I moved away from Chiang Mai last March to get away from the poor air quality as it was causing health issues and probably not good long term regardless. Having the same symptoms here now, I think it may just be time to pack up and leave Thailand altogether. I love this place, but the piles of garbage, inch thick dirt of everything, and air quality is making me start to feel as though I'm living on the edge of a garbage dump and receiving all the health disbenefits you'd expect from that

    • Like 2

    Jomtien air quality?

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Today the air seems FULL of smog(?), or do they have a burning season similar to northern Thailand, like Chiang Mai? Have seen it before as well. Had bad allergies today, went outside to find Jomtien was in a thick haze. I left Chiang Mai to get away from the air and ill affects on one's health. Same Same Pattaya?

    2 Border runs per calendar year period or per country?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    OK thanks everyone. My confusion seems warranted as I also did not quite understand the terminology. The immigration lady mentioned to me about the 2 crossings per year rule, so I assumed she was referring to the 60 day tourist visa. As it seems that is not the case, there IS indeed a limitation on that visa that IS dependent on each border and probably at the whim of the office on any given day. It seems there is no written rule known on this.

     

    I wonder now, would this warning be for a calendar year? If not, it would seem one would run out of countries eventually that border Thailand to max out their allotted 60 day tourist visa? Maybe give you a couple years stay a best with extensions

    2 Border runs per calendar year period or per country?

    in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits

    Posted

    2 Border runs per calendar year period or per country?

     

    I think I have done 2 runs into Vientiane this year already and will need to do another run next month. In Pattaya now, so thinking Cambodia is the way to go.

     

    My question is: Am I already maxed out with the 2 runs to Laos, or is it 2 runs per year per country? 

     

    If I am maxed out, is my only option to go to another country until 2018 and come back?

     

     

     

    Thanks in adavnce

    Bangkok pattaya emergency

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    First 2 operations were on the spot flat out emergency. The 3rd perhaps but maybe a good idea for the same dr to do it.

     

    I was hopi g they will offer a payment plan. Jailing me here wont help non existant funds arrive. Digging at family but very limited

    Bangkok pattaya emergency

    in Health and Medicine

    Posted

    Had an emergency yesterday. Posting from my cell in ICU. They required 50k deposit before they would give what wad the first of 2 operations today and one next month.

     

    Bill to date is nore than 300k and im witbout insurance. Please keep the topiv on point and not get into a feeding frenzie about having insurance.

     

    I managed to scrape together 100k and another 14k for their platinum card which gives you discounts.

     

    I do not know however where i can find the remaining 200k or more that adds up over thd next couple days here.. or the required 3rd operation next month.

     

    Dont know what to do.. advise please. If u cant pay immediately what happens?

     

     

    Backdrop,lights, boom min - Pattaya/Bangkok?

    in Photography Equipment and Tools

    Jomtien to Pattaya airport

    in Pattaya

    Posted

    Trying to find the cheapest way to get to Pattaya airport by 6:30am from Jomtien.

     

    Earliest big bus leaves at 7am, arrives 9am. Cost = 120BHT

    Local taxi scammer asked for 1500BHT... considering a taxi to Bangkok cost 1k, I wasn't happy with him, not to mention I use their service locally many times. They just lost a very frequent customer who always tips.

     

    Not sure what other options there may be. I caught a shared mini bus from the airport to Jomtien when i arrived. Not sure if/where that same service is available in reverse

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