kokopelli

2 hours ago, SmokeandIce said:

Western Union has a 2 to 3 baht lower exchange rate resulting in a 6 to 9 % loss when transferring funds.

That is true but the whole story  is as follows:

An older farang man was in the hospital, after surgery, and was looked after by a Thai man 24 hours/day for over one month, until the farang died.  Out of gratitude, the Executor, in the USA wished to give partial compensation to the Thai man but her USA banks said they could not do SWIFT transfers (long story). The Executor then sent $1000 or $2000 to the Thai man via Western Union. 

The Thai man was grateful for the money and wasn't concerned about the lower exchange rate.

I must be the odd one out! When I go to the bank on business I am asked for my Passport and also at True Mobile Office, not a copy.  Although I do keep a full size laminated copy with me as well as a wallet size laminated copy.  And, if at Immigration, my Passport is required.

Not all banks in the USA do SWIFT transfers from what I know. A friend tried two banks but they claimed they could not do. I forget the details, but the friend used Western Union which had decent rates.

Dr. Tapasit at Adenza Dental in Pattaya is highly regarded and he speaks perfect English, with an American accent.

http://www.adenzadental.com/

Travel to Myanmar is highly discouraged, why even bother?

19 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

How on Earth was he expecting to get on an airplane with those ?

What was he thinking 

It is permissible to carry ammunition in checked luggage. However you must inform the authorities upon check in.  Whether he did this or not, is uncertain.

I don't use 3BB but my international internet connection has gotten very slow in the past 2 days.

5 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

ah right, I'm more round the corner opposite Krungsri\rcon. Hidden away with blue sun shade

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@12.9328848,100.8871747,3a,75y/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sLr4tkywhbVgalUfmRAGO3g!2e0

This is the one I use, popular with farangs.

4 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Let's hope the driver goes to prison for manslaughter and the company are sued into extinction

It was reported in the news article that the driver died in the crash.

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

R-Con Corner, maybe this place 

https://goo.gl/maps/NDWn1bkoBw7Qt6yS7

I had a pair of shoes repaired there and they/she did a good job, but the soles were glued on. I have no idea what a "pair of New Balance sewn on" means.

17 hours ago, Excel said:

And if not, sue them ?.  Absolutely pointless exercise with private hospitals here. They will maximise profits so keep the treatment going come what may. If you want not to be kept alive unnecessarily suggest you use a government hospital.  They will still try to help you wherever possible as all the doctors follow the Hippocratic oath.  The only difference is government hospitals put patients first not profits.

Someone I know of was at a private hospital and was beyond help; he had a "do not resuscitate order" on file. His doctor asked if he wished to die at home or in the hospital; his reply was at home. He was given a morphine shot to calm him and and a secondary medication to use at home. He died at home.  Depends on the doctor.

18 hours ago, NancyL said:

No, the hospital wouldn't have done anything to hasten the patient's death if the funds ran out.  Instead, they would have approached relatives, friends, anyone who had visited him, etc about paying the bill.  Once a life-saving or life-prolonging procedure is started in Thailand it isn't stopped unless the patient is clearly without brain activity, and then only if relatives insist.  It's very difficult to "pull the plug" in this Buddhist country and a hospital won't do it simply for lack of payment.

Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital offers a Living Will which has provisions to withdraw life-sustaining treatment that serves only to prolong the process of dying. I assume other hospitals have the same provisions since it is in accordance with Thai law.

For those going to Royal Garden for a booster shot, there can be long lines and up to an hour wait. Just depends on the day or time of day..

15 hours ago, pomchop said:

so if i stay at jomtien condotel am i right in middle of mostly gay area?

Jomtien Complex is a gay area, otherwise not likely  you would be able to tell the difference.

On 7/13/2022 at 4:04 PM, sead said:

First time I hear that. Never seen a gay beach anywhere in Thailand. Ladyboys you have everywhere. Farang gays you will hardly find in Thailand, at least not the ones that are really feminine 

Check out Jomtien Complex, Boyztown and Sunee Plaza. Few gay farang are feminine.

New Zealanders should be able to get a statement from  their Embassy stating  that their monthly income is equal to 65,000 Baht/month.  Therefore no need to put 800,000 Baht in the bank for retirement extension/visa. Of course you must show the Embassy that you do have that monthly income.  New Zealand is one of the few countries that still are able to use this method.

You can walk into Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and pay about 1100 Baht for a Moderna booster. Easy and simple.  There is a separate desk just as you walk in, slightly to the right.

If no attendant is there, just go to the main check in desk and ask. Bring your Passport and your vaccine record and your cell phone (QR code).  The attendant will know what to do.

I have used AdenZa Dental in Pattaya. Dr. Tapasit  speaks English like an American as he spent many years there. He has another dentist who does the actual root canal. I recall two days with the specialist and another day with Dr. Tapasit for the fillings. No crown was necessary.  Reasonable prices which I forget just how much.  Highly recommended. If you don't have transportation then use Bolt Taxi which you can download the app. Very inexpensive.

http://www.adenzadental.com/

The OP asked about Travel and Health Insurance and what Visa to get.  

No one has answered these particular questions.

I have used both Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and Rutnin. Bangkok Pattaya is much easier and convenient (to me) and, once diagnosed at Rutnin, I go to B-P for monthly treatments.

Rutnin is likely better at diagnosis but it can be quite time consuming to say the least.

There seems to be many misconceptions about gyms and the people who use them in this thread.  Gyms can be used both for cardio (running, biking, jogging) and strength training which build muscle in arms, legs, shoulder, chest etc.

People who use gyms range from teens to octogenarians; from skinny to average to muscular to fat; male, female and anything in between. 

Rather than chance a stroke or heat exhaustion in a hot climate by running/jogging  a gym often offers an air conditioned alternative. Plus allows all types of people to build strength in their muscles using either machines or free weights.

And regrettably, there are the nut cases such as the guy with the dumb bell!

4 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

A crematorium would be the last thing I wanted!

A crematorium is the last thing for all of us. Rereading their website it says they provide cremation services. My friend who lived there told me about the cremation service however he has died and has been cremated so can't call him to confirm the details.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Yeah 1000 baht (single) reentry.

I agree with some of the posters suggesting buy a multiple 3800 baht. .

My guess is the OP is not even aware of option of a multi and clearly not aware of option of obtaining at airport. 

The OP clearly states in his initial post he doesn't wish to buy a multiple entry permit.

Can I pay for 2 re-entry permits at Immigration for 1000 baht each rather than getting a Multiple Re-Entry permit for 3900 baht?

Yes, a Thai friend went to the hospital and was tested positive for Flu.  He though it was Covid but the test confirmed it was influenza.