Bogbrush

There might well be people who have used a Covid extension, and there might well be people who managed to get back to their original extension afterwards; I am saying that I personally don’t like it as a first option. He could visit his immigration office to discuss his situation but, as so often happens, conflicting advice from that quarter tends to be a national sport. He is in the position to roll over his EoS if he uses an agent to resolve the money aspect. it’s really now down to the OP - all the options are there; the agent route would guarantee success, is all I’m saying.

There are two items in this article that stand out; firstly, a 47 year old (not a retiree) ‘living for years on Samui’ can’t afford 60 000 baht. I need a knife and fork to cut that up, in order to swallow it… Secondly, the ‘fact’ that the T ‘n G arrival insurance of $50 000 must include Covid cover. I’ve paid attention and read all the graphics and charts produced by TAT, Richard Barrow et al and can’t find that requirement specifically mentioned; all I have found is that the insurance must be for ‘general medical expenses.’ Of course the insurance should have Covid cover, and I personally would want Covid cover, but I just can’t find it stated as mandatory; maybe somebody could assist me?

I agree 100%. Far better to keep it clean and continue rolling over the existing visa rather than stepping out into uncharted waters such as Covid extensions and medical exemptions. They might well work - now - But like many other things in this Wonderland, what’s good today is bad tomorrow.

Gold? If you haven’t got the black one, mate, you don’t even exist…????

I wonder how many people are missing the irony concealed in this post; it wasn’t a few years ago when everybody was complaining about the 400,000/40,000 local insurance requirement, calling it “trashy”, “useless”, “waste of money”, and followed by the statement “I have a very good overseas policy, why can’t I use that instead?” Well, to supposed great relief, the Thai government has now condescended for all these overseas policies to be capable of utilisation instead of the local variety. Unfortunately the cheers and jubilations at this announcement seem to be drowned out by more moans that “er, actually I don’t have an overseas policy/it’s too expensive/I’m too old.” Amazing how the posters dynamics change whenever the Thai government rules do… We then drift into uncharted territory regarding the self insurance with either cash or assets of 3 million Baht. Somewhat predictably, there is not too much comment on the cash aspect but many posters have referred to the fact that they have a house or condo and will presumably use that as collateral. Leaving aside the issue that many of these properties will be in the wives names -who might well show a marked reluctance to hand over the necessary permission to dispose of the property in part or in whole to pay for their spouses heart bypass - how will the collateral help? All hospitals invariably want the cash up front, and are hardly likely to wait 3 to 4 years before the patient can dispose of his property. Can he raise a mortgage? Can he pay the mortgage? The opportunities for financial ruin and personal disaster are endless… it will be interesting to see how things pan out, won’t it?

Hands up how many immigration officers have an agent as a brother-in-law?

I don’t think so; lack of insurance shows a lack of moral responsibility and a disregard for yourself, those closest to you and society in general. It’s a selfish, self-centred attitude along the line of ‘I’m Alright Jack’ and everything will be fine – until it isn’t. Then comes the excuses, the hand wringing and the crowdfunding. Sadly, maybe it is indicative of the type of people who come to Thailand that the subject of insurance should be such an emotive one. Anyone else I would like to ban? There is not enough room on this site, mate…????

The beauty of the 3 million Baht coverage is that you can use your home country insurance. I know Insurance is a touchy subject with a lot of people, and personally I would ban anyone - especially tourists- from entering Thailand who did not have such cover. The self-insuring argument doesn’t really hold water either; if you are rich enough to pay for a 3 million Baht operation, you are rich enough to pay for the premiums. As far as ‘insurance denied’ goes, there is I believe a provision for immigration accepting this, but I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to be in that position. Old, no insurance, and sitting in Thailand? No thanks.

When you initiate your EoS on an OA you need to prove 800 000, same as an O. Sure, you don’t need the money for the 2 years (if you leave/re-enter at 12 months) but the OA is designed for retirees - hence police clearance etc - and not as a 2 year tourist visa. It’s been a while, but I think you still attend immigration like everyone else… As far as insurance goes, the ‘rubbish’ local 400 000 requirement falls away and is replaced in Sep (?) by a substantive 3m baht (can be sourced overseas) requirement which seems reasonable, given medical costs.

If you have a non-O, the immigration officer will expect to see $50,000 of insurance for the length of the validity of the visa. If it is OA, then he would expect to see $100,000 for the validity period.

The insurance now required for a tourist is $50,000 general insurance, not Covid specific. It must be valid for your period of stay, and can be bought outside Thailand.