dlclark97

Neither are you!

Tourists will forget Thailand and head to Japan, Viet Nam and numerous other places that add excitement and pleasures to their lives. People do not travel to distant places to see/do more than what they can do in their home areas. They are looking for the bright lights, music and other delights not available near their homes. They already have enough shopping malls, movie theaters and other things found in every city so why take an expensive trip and jump through the hoops now needed to come here to see more of the same. Thailand used to provide the break, attractions, night life and more that would make people want to come here. What's left. Temples (after seeing about 50 or more they all look alike), glitzy high priced shopping malls and ............?

Amen!

Drove from Dolphin Circle to Walking Street entrance 2 days ago. Pretty bleak scene. Very few seen that I would consider to have been tourists and many (most) shops usually crowded with tourists are shuttered. Even Central Festival Mall had few customers. Recovery will take years and some current restrictions and newly enacted laws must be drastically modified or dismissed before tourists are back in any quantity. Those who have come may end up being very disappointed unless they fully expected to spend their 3-4 week holiday in a lounge chair on the beaches. The many places that used to attract and cater to tourists are almost non existent at this time. What Floating Market?

Depends on where in Thailand that you want to live and the depth of your pockets. Make sure the 'gated community' still has the guard(s) at the gate(s) most likely advertised when the community was built, many don't And, where would you find one with enough land for your own pool? Maybe try a residence at a local golf course? Not cheap but typically have gate guards and adequate land space for a pool and more. Golf membership and health club may come with the home purchase if so inclined.

I can think of another word starting with 'A'

Hell, I invest over 2.5 mil a year.

Have not read all the threads but if a foreigner has adequate health insurance that applies here in Thailand, that should be all that is required. For example, most military retirees have Tricare coverage. It pays about 75% of costs incurred and the retiree pays the other 25%. Retirees pay every month to their Medicare Part B to maintain their Tricare coverage. They also pay an additional amount to provide coverage for their spouse and any children up to age 23 if enrolled in an institution of higher education. The kicker seems to be that some hospitals do not direct bill Tricare, some do. It is an easy process if they would just do it. Tricare provides coverage in most countries around the world, many of which have differing insurance requirements so they will not specify in their annual coverage letter what specific amounts are covered. Basically, it is unlimited for illness or accident that would far exceed the Thai minimum requirements, it just can not be stated in the letter. In the event the sponsor should become deceased, the remaining spouse or any of the various military organizations such as the VFW, American Legion and others can assist in filing a claim for services provided. A recent proposal seen is for persons to self insure is with a deposit of 3 million baht in a Thai bank to be used for medical purposes only. My question, if the individual passes away, what happens to that deposit? I would assume any medical costs due would be paid and hope that any remaining amount would be given to his/her heirs. Could we trust that to happen here? Seems this 'insurance' requirement came about as a result of hospitals losing money because of thousands not paying or not being able to pay for medical care received. A far more fair way to provide for those incidents would be to add a 500-1000 thb surcharge to any foreigner entering the country for medical coverage during his/her time here and a 5000 bht payment to every extension of stay processed. This could be kept in a fund to pay for accidents/injuries for tourists and others while they are either touring here or for those who are determined are unable to pay for treatment. As it currently is, it is grossly unfair to require the insurance provided by specific Thai companies to only those arriving or having arrived many years ago on an Non O-A visa for retirement. Supposedly this can be converted for reason of marriage to a Thai where there is no insurance requirement but the process not easily completed..

You beat me to it. They are the most dangerous and poorly designed U Turns I have seen in any country I have driven in. The two direction U Turns should be separated by 50-100 meters so each facing driver can see oncoming traffic.

Yes, was thinking the same. Does not say much for the 15,000 expected later. Not much of an alcohol consumer myself but I can easily see why people going anywhere for a holiday might want to relax with a drink or two. I wish the country great success but see remaining COVID issues and restrictions putting a damper on things.

Well, I live in Ban Chang and it's not as bad as some describe. It is quiet and does have a few nice beaches although some are not cleaned as well as the more touristy places. It has many nice restaurants, is more or less central to dozens of golf courses, a 20-30 minute drive to Rayong and Pattaya. There are bars but due to current COVID restrictions they are closed. KC would be Koh Chang, an island accessed by ferry from Trat. Certainly at this time it is quiet, nice beaches and many resorts with pools. I have a booking there for late January when my wife and I will be SCUBA diving there. Yes, Rayong is more of an industrial area but it also has some nice beaches and restaurants. Chantaburi could also be an option. The main attraction for many would be the gem and jewelry businesses. It does have some nice beaches. Pattaya is a shadow of its former self. Yes there are many open air bars along Beach Road and 2nd road (closed now due to COVID restrictions) and the small sois that join them. Pattaya is in the process of being redesigned into a more family orientated destination. It may be your best place for numerous and trendy upscale restaurants as well as the smaller Thai restaurants and street vendors. The beaches are well kept but during the rainy season run off from higher elevations make the water more brownish then blue. The choices for you abound and you have been given some good recommendations on this forum. Remember, right now there are still some COVID restrictions in place although Thailand is in the process of reopening many areas especially those catering to tourists. Good luck on your plans for a nice holiday here.

Due in part to recent monsoon like rains, the water is very dirty. All the run off from the rains and sewage from many areas above sea level discharges into the sea. May be cleared somewhat by the time you arrive but now it is mostly brown for a long distance from shore.

You are always great at providing references. Do you have a reference saying over 800,000 thb in the bank if extending my stay an O-A visa is possible without the insurance? This was definitely not my experience.

Received info from BB Divers Koh Chang yesterday. Yes there is a checkpoint and your vaccine documents will be checked. No vaccines must have a PCR test. Some hotels also checking.

For the above responder, A BIG YES, mail from the USA to Thailand can indeed take 45 or more days to arrive. I occasionally receive mail that states a reply must be made within 10 days of the letters date. These routinely take more than 45 days before I receive them.

Not sure I understand what was meant with the mention of Medicare. Medicare does not provide any medical insurance or coverage of any kind when in Thailand.

If my memory serves, long term is 150baht per day. Frequent shuttle buses to and from. Have left over three weeks some time ago with no parking issues. But, depending on the amount of luggage you will be toting it may be easier to use the short term for as long as you need. We have been hauling our clothes and other necessities plus SCUBA gear for myself, wife and daughter. Far easier in short term.

Having lost his phone with all his personal contacts he should have a new home soon complete with burglar bars.

Having hit a power pole I would have expected to see a very dented front end. Must have been going like a 'bat out of he(double hockey sticks)' to have done as much damage as in the photo. Came upon an accident not too long ago. A young man had been driving a relatively new company pickup and was telling the police he was not going at all fast. His tire skid marks were well over 100 feet long. When will they learn? Too late for many I fear.

If you really needed to ask this question, you need your head examined! I am from the USA and in frequent contact with my ex-wife and she often does tasks for me that are difficult for me to do from here. She is reimbursed for any expenses incurred plus something for her troubles, She would never ask for money. As you know (I hope) things are VERY different here especially when a woman is married to a foreigner. For whatever reason, many Thais think all foreigners are very rich and would be an easy touch for a handout, and often a substantial amount. Even the most distant relatives would believe your wife should help them with any financial needs. Cosigning for a loan of the amount you mentioned would make her (YOU) responsible for the monthly payments not if, but when he defaults on the loan. As her husband, you are legally responsible for any debts she incurs. Yes, he has a job and a business on the side. How many times have I seen a foreigner 'invest' in a business for his wife only to either have it fail in 3-6 months or to have her lose interest in it. You have seen numerous NO's here but the one who said 'RUN FORREST RUN' said it best. Good luck, you're probably going to need it!

It has happened every year at the time there is a price increase coming. Usually lasts 2-4 days and they are back in stock again. When the rumor of a price change starts, beging buying by the carton (10 pack) and you should be OK. Not sure why it is done this way unless the new packs get a new bar code and can not be mixed with older stock.

USA credit cards work very well here as I am sure cards from other countries will as well if you have the ability to get one. My favorite has no foreign transaction fee and gives 2% cash back on every purchase.

A friend of mine over 65 was denied at 3 banks for either Visa or Mastercard credit cards because of his age even though he had a substantial sum in one of the banks. Seems you have had yours for many years and been pretty good with making the payments. I guess they would want the source and amount of your income.

'Up to you' as the saying goes here. I'm American and I like some but not all Thai foods as would be the case in every country. In the USA good money is spent on authentic Thai foods. In the UK I love the fish and chips, and on Friday nights when the chippy truck came around I loved the battered bangers. Kippers and mushy peas waaaay not for me. Nothing like some good Spotted Dick for some dessert. Philippines food even in local shops expensive and far too bland. American style Mexican food, love it but the real thing not so much. We all have individual tastes, likes and dislikes. Enjoy what you can, it's a big world and lots to sample from.

My wife, step daughter and I went through the same process and few years ago and were rejected. We had all the recommended documents including those that showed her owning a very nice house here and having money in the bank. No reason for the denial was given at that time but we were later told the interviewer has 3-5 minutes with each applicant and no time to review several documents. It was all up to the Q&A done at that time. One question asked of our daughter at the time was the woman she was with her mother or sister. Our daughter said 'sister' which is not an unusual response as some females refer to all other females as their sisters. That could have been our downfall. Perhaps with the current 'open border' policy it would be better to fly to Mexico City and walk/swim over the border. I'm 81 now and would love to tour the USA with my wife and step daughter. We have been to Indonesia and Malaysia several times and to the Philippines once with no issues but we can not go to my home country. And as others have said we pay taxes and for what reason? Good luck!