kokopelli

A friend, in Pattaya, was recently the victim of skimming at Bangkok Bank ATM. In a period of two days hundreds of 19 Baht withdrawals were made and then 50 + withdrawals of 100 Baht were also made.  He discovered this when making a deposit in his account for 800,000 retirement extension. 

On my last flight in past July the airport was quite empty with a few shops open but that was at 5:00 AM.  No lines anywhere, at check-in or Immigration.

Made a transfer from USA to Bangkok Bank via Wise two days ago and it was done in seconds and did not show up as an International Transfer. Normal time is the next day at 2 pm or, if weekend, on the following Monday.

People can be double vaccinated with Pfizer/Moderna and still die from Covid. That happened to a woman I know of in USA. She was about 65 yo however she did have heart problems and was on life support until the family had no choice but to discontinue further treatment.

9 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

Ideally a safe is ok but that doesn't help one with proof of 800K needed for visa

If you have  a safe, you must trust someone with access to it. Either a key or combo plus a key to your house/condo.

A friend had a safe with money in it and left a note on top of the safe with the combo. But no one had access to his condo . He died suddenly and everything disappeared including the keys to an expensive car, which also disappeared within a week.

As others posted, you only need your passport and negative Covid test to leave Thailand. The Covid test must be certified by the hospital/clinic three days prior to departure and presented at check in counter of airline.

On 8/24/2021 at 7:30 AM, ukrules said:

Me too, my BP always reads about 120/80 so it's never high, in fact this is the optimal range for Blood Pressure but if I stopped taking certain drugs daily I know it would rise far higher than this.

 

So I do have 'high blood pressure' but it's never actually higher than the optimal range.

120/80 is considered as "normal" but not optimal. Optimal blood pressure is in the range of 90/60 to less than 120/80.  Just how much  less than 120/80 is questionable..

Los luver, Don't be foolish! Get fully vaccinated before coming to Thailand.

9 hours ago, giddyup said:

Good friend in Bkk, a Brit died a week ago of Covid. He was living with a Thai family that all got it, but he was the only one to die, probably because of his age, 79.

My condolences, giddyup. Sad to lose a friend especially to Covid.

I departed Thailand about one month ago for USA.  My Covid test results were checked by the ticket agent at check in counter and, as I recall, that is the only person to check them .

I was leaving at 7 AM and the airport was almost empty when I arrived at 5:30 AM. No waiting at check in counter or Immigration. Also both flights, from Bangkok to Japan to USA were essential empty.

Alan Turning 42, British polymath;   James Clerk Maxwell 48, Scottish mathematician.

mrwebb, I recently flew from BKK to Japan on ANA and then on United Air to Newark. Booked on United.

Flights were about round trip, $1000 for Economy and 2800 Biz Class. Planes were basically empty especially in Economy.

 Only drawback was flight departed BKK at 7 AM so had to be at airport by 5:30 AM.  Airport almost empty.  Got my Pfizer vaccine next day in America. Return is scheduled for mid October but will it happen??  I don't want to quarantine on my return.!!

On 7/23/2021 at 9:37 PM, chrisandsu said:

Out of curiosity do you think wherever you are going back to has less covid restrictions ? 

When I returned to USA, one week ago, there were no restrictions in New York area. Most people were maskless although there were signs saying that those not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in shops and stores. Many young people were maskless and not vaccinated since they didn't believe the reality of the situation. Fools! 

4 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

Definitely a renters market.

Why not contact him and if not leave the place nicer than you left it.  Descent thing to do.

 

It's going to be hard to find flights out and the ones you do will be expensive.

Also expect an expensive quarantine wherever you arrive.  

Flights may not be expensive as you think. I booked a flight, round trip, via ANA/United for $2800 Biz Class to USA.  Economy was about $1000. But that was two months ago. Economy was basically empty of passengers from Japan to USA. All depends where you are flying to.

Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok has all the specialized equipment for an eye test. Here is their website:

https://www.rutnin.com/en/home/index.php

6 hours ago, Ventenio said:

Back home, I've NEVER seen a 79-year old person on a motorbike.  I'm not yet 60 and there is NO way I'd risk my life on a motorbike.  It's an unfortunate reality here.  cars are expensive, roads are dangerous.........

 

i've said it a million times.  falangs, get rid of your motorbike NOW!!!  OK, it's the other person's fault!!! you are dead.    

 

ok, saved your life.  send me money.  

I bought my first motorbike, back home when I was about 65 (did ride one when in college). Sold it when I moved to a colder climate but don't drive one here in Thailand.. 

Plenty of restaurants are open in Pattaya.

On 4/27/2021 at 12:54 PM, Excel said:

 I just find it unbelievable based on my experience that  some bodies are taken  hundreds of kilometers to BKK and then have to be returned for the funeral.

I can't speak for the entire country, but if in Pattaya, and one dies outside of a hospital then the body is taken to Bangkok  for autopsy.  Perhaps if someone is under a doctor's care and is expected to die, that may be reason not to be sent to Bangkok.  But for sudden death then it is to Bangkok for autopsy.

On 4/27/2021 at 12:54 PM, Excel said:

Where did he die and where did he live ? Over the years the foreigners I knew of in my area who passed on were issued with ( or rather their wives) with a death certificate by a certified doctor when they had been on medication for a known ailment and then back to the house in the box and then later to be cremated. Only one I knew just suddenly collapsed and died and he was taken to the local main hospital to determine cause of death and then the death cert was issued. I just find it unbelievable based on my experience that  some bodies are taken  hundreds of kilometers to BKK and then have to be returned for the funeral.

In Pattaya, when a foreigner dies in the hospital, the hospital issues the death certificate.

If one dies elsewhere (other than in a hospital) their body is taken to Bangkok for an autopsy.

On The Beach, a 1959 film about the end of world from a nuclear war.

A friend takes his motorbike on long distance busses as cargo/luggage for which there is a fee.

For one, I am stranded here!  I am on a retirement extension and normally return home once a year for one or two months but now cannot.  I am not vaccinated and cannot return since no where to live.  Normally stay with friends but that is  currently not an option with Covid. And when/if I return home it is doubtful I can return to Thailand due to insurance conditions, etc.

So, now just wait it out until such time as things return to normal. Others I know are in the same situation.