DrPhibes

11 hours ago, RegularGuy77 said:

Regarding filing dates for US taxes, my understanding is that an expat can file their return by June 15th as opposed to April 15th. If so, can I file a extension request on June 15th or do I need to submit the extension form by  April 15th?

I would also assume you would still need to file by October 15th once the extension is sent.

 

 

The deadline for the October 15th extension for expat overseas is June 15th,

Government announced that a chunk of the just arrived vaccines is headed to Samui.  Anyone know much about when and where?

Thanks in advance.

On 2/22/2021 at 10:43 AM, philthebook said:

 

Samui has 'Food Panda' & 'Hangover Samui' for food deliveries, lots of restaurants open in the centre of Lamai, and a few on the beach, Bamboo Restaurant (on the beach) is very popular. Also a bit closer to your hotel is a place called 'New Hut' which is open and serve good food (on the beach). If you like British food then head to 'Tropical Tonys'. 

New Hut has been my lifeline, yes close, food good, great view!  Found out a resort 3 doors down that looked closed when I got here is actually open.  It is the Spa Resorts- Beach.  More healthy tofu/eggs/chicken Vegan-ish and not that cheap but very fresh and healthy (liver could use a few days off).  Tropical Tony's a bit of a walk but will see if deliver (actually working 16hrs a day right now with heaven just outside my windows). 

Thanks for the recommendations.

Thanks, a couple of restaurants in Lamai on Hangoversamui but Foodpanda returns a "not in your area yet" for Lamai.

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

Thank you for the update on Lamai. I have not been there for a few years.

As you say, Maenam is still surviving, as is Bangrak and Choengmon.

There are even a couple of new foodie places opening in Bangrak but not a lot of rental places in the village. Lots just outside though. Plai Laem, Choengmon etc.)

Would not be so bad if I could get Grabfood (which is huge in Chiang Mai) but the app shows none here.  Actually working long hrs so no time to leisurely head north.

So, when I booked a place (for months) at the beach in north Lamai I Googled restaurants and such that were near the place and found a few closed but most showed open.  When I arrived, all of the open ones near me were closed. I'm near Manathai, realize now there is no food Grab (big in Chiang Mai) and the nearest restaurant open is a10 min walk and another 10 min after that to the next one.  Any locals familiar with this area and can recommend where to go?  Did find Benny's Place (20 min walk each way) and was good.  Thanks in advance.

On 2/8/2021 at 12:06 AM, Tropicalevo said:

Pick the area where you live carefully.

eg Chaweng is very very quiet at the moment - no tourists.

I can only talk about the area where I live. (Bangrak/Plai Laem). Also look at Lamai.

Tennis in Bangrak (Koh Samui Tennis Club). Also at Horizon Villas Choengmon if you rent there.

Petanque in ???? Used to be in Bangrak. Lots of French people live in Fisherman's village.

Maybe talk to the French owners of Le Cote de Boeuf or La Virage. Le Sirene  etc

All good French restaurants as well.

As phetphet says - lots of villas available.

I'm right on the beach at northern Lamai beach for a couple of more months at really cheap price and it is a ghost town.  When I booked, google showed many restaurants and such open.  When I got here, all were closed.  The nearest restaurant is a 10 min walk and next one after that is 10 more minutes.  The 7/11 right next to the resort just closed as are the next two going in either direction.  If the family mart across the street closes, it will be a minimum 30min walk to get drinking water.  So, yes, pick carefully.  It seems Mae Nam is still pretty busy due to most residents (as opposed to tourists) living out that way.  The beach here is lovely and uncrowded but if you can't get something to eat...

I'm staying for 3 months right at the beach in Samui in a 2 bdrm 2 aircon bungalow for what works out to be 503 baht per day.  You might want to shop around.

16 hours ago, corkman said:

 

Thank khunPer. I am monitoring the situation closely. I have tentative bookings which don't need to be confirmed until Tuesday next week. All I need is comfy room, fresh air, WiFi, and somewhere to eat ????

Just a heads up that I am on my 4th flight reservation change in 3 days.  I now have to fly in from CNX to BKK today, BKK Air is putting me up in a hotel and feeding me dinner, then on to Samui the next afternoon.  Flights are dwindling daily for any air travel.  Also keeping a sharp eye on the BKK Air website for entry requirements to Samui.

6 hours ago, kevin612 said:

I had a walk this morning with short and t-shirt. It is perfect temperature for me, but not the Thai people.

Yup, we came from Fort Collins CO where you go pick up your newspaper at 0F in a bathrobe (as long as no real wind!).  All of us found the last couple of days refreshing!!  If using the instantaneous water heaters, reducing the water flow ups the temp. 

11 minutes ago, corkman said:

 

Thanks for your reply. Very helpful info.

 

So at the moment the guidance is that for Bangkok (one of the 23 "highly controlled" provinces) we need to register morchana and undergo a health screen when we arrive in Samui. I guess that means take our temperature, and promise to be good, and they'll send us on our way.

 

I'm a bit flexible on flights so if I get stuck for a day or two either way I'm not worried. But good to know and thanks for the heads up!

 

Thanks again.

Don't forget the Samui  Personal Health Declaration done online (see the Bangkok Air link).  Can only do it on the day you fly as it won't let you change the current date (tried).  Good luck, hoping for some peace and quiet and clean air in a few days.  Just sad to Tamarind Springs closed for now as I was looking forward to the steam cave and cold pool.  Jump back and forth 3-4 times and it's like you had 2/3 bottle of wine without the side effects.

If the hospital can get the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, I'll pay for that even if $300 for the two doses.  At 70% effective for AZ vaccine, why use it (aside from being 1/10th the cost of Moderna).

2 hours ago, corkman said:

Hey Guys (and Gals),

 

I live in Bangkok, lower Sukhumvit. My (thai)GF and I were thinking to escape the madness and "work from home" from the beach in Samui for 10 days. Planning to travel down next week on 21st January, via Bangkok Airways.

 

Does anyone know the latest on whether we need to "Quarantine" and just exactly what "Quarantine" means? My plans will be (a) relaxing at the hotel, (b) having a few beers at any place that is open, and (c) going for some nice dinners at any place that is open (The Cliff, Coco's, Prego, etc.).

 

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

You will need to pay close attention to Bangkok Airways.  I'm leaving in 3 days and have had 3 flight changes in the last 3 days, 1 of them had me arriving in Samui before I even left Chiang Mai.   

You might want to also watch the provincial restrictions: https://www.tatnews.org/2021/01/tat-update-summary-of-provincial-covid-19-control-measures-as-of-6-january-2021/

And the Samui airport requirements via BKK Airways:  https://www.bangkokair.com/eng/health_screening_for_traveling_to_samui

Just took them from CNX a week ago.  Was slightly less than a taxi and parked right up at the exit to the airport.  Did not have any kind of sticker or logo that showed Grab.  You ID the vehicle by license plate and car description.

Just now, Tropicalevo said:

My accountant received the info from a Zoom video conference.

From another post......

 

Yup, had to print the QR code as the flicker in the TV made it unreadable.  Just as well, you have to fill it in on the day you travel as it won't let you change the travel date from current days date.  I just hope that just transiting through BKK will not cause a mandatory 14 day self-imposed quarantine.  Have business supplies and a car to pick up.  Thanks for your help.

4 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

Google is unable to find www.heathpassthailand.com

Misspelled in the post.  Should be www.healthpassthailand.com, found it, and the requirement on Bangkok Airways website.  Not advertised very well!  Registering now.

Thanks.

9 minutes ago, DrPhibes said:

We can not find anything on the DOPA site that says this, where did you see this on the site?

 

Thanks

Google is unable to find www.heathpassthailand.com

On 1/10/2021 at 7:03 AM, Tropicalevo said:

There is a new instruction from Suratthani DOPA concerning all Thai visitors to Koh Samui.

Thai id details of all visitors must be registered with Samui Health Pass at the website www.heathpassthailand.com.

Foreigners should be registered as normal via the TM30 reporting process with immigration.

This edict was given to Hotel and villa owners/managers yesterday. It was given via a Zoom conference and so I have no further details in writing. Hopefully an official document with more information will appear shortly.

We can not find anything on the DOPA site that says this, where did you see this on the site?

Thanks

On 1/10/2021 at 1:09 PM, khunPer said:

If you come to Samui...

This is exactly what I was looking for.  Flying in 4 days from Chiang Mai to Samui with 1.5hrs in Swampy.  Looks like I just have to do my normal C-19 routine.  Thanks!

Flying in 2 days from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui transiting for 1.5hrs through swampy.  Am I going to have to quarantine in Samui?  Getting mixed signals on this. I know I have to register on Mor Chana app.

Thanks in advance!

So, if you come from a non-red district (Chiang Mai) and transit through Swampy for 1.5 hrs on the way to Samui or Phuket, do you have to self-quarantine?

Thanks in advance

OKey Doke,

Thanks Paddyfield7 for the document.  Wife had to read it several times and look up a word.

So it seems to be a local government edict for Chiang Mai where you can eat in a restaurant between 5am and 11pm but can not drink alcohol on the premises.  You can buy alcohol from the restaurant and take it home to consume.  From 11pm to 5am, food must be taken home, can not consume on the restaurant premises.

Of course the selling of alcohol between 11am -2pm and 5pm to midnight is also still in affect and overlaid on top of this edict.

Also says while not a law, penalties can be up to 1 yr in jail and/or 100k baht fine.

Wife says it is written not as clear as it could be and that is what might be causing confusion.

Thanks everyone, moderator can close this.

I'm sorry guys, we still can not find any government source that says Chiang Mai has a ban on alcohol sales by restaurants.  That ban is for red zones and a few others that have declared such.  The article on saying ban since Jan 4th was the red zones announcement.  If someone can please point out where in English or Thai this is legally a statement we would be greatfull. Not that I'm gunna die if I don't get a beer with my meal.  Just looking out for the restaurants.

As always, thanks in advance!

So, we went to Mae Chock Plaza to eat lunch and saw a no alcohol sign on the door and inquired within.  The manager said no Chiang Mai restaurants can have alcohol until January 31st.  We went to another one who said basically the same thing.  I came home and went online to TAT and saw that restaurants in Chiang Mai can not serve alcohol between 11pm and 5am and that was dated 2 days ago.   Had the wife go look up if a local restriction was imposed by the governor or such and she could find nothing.  Where is this restriction coming from?

https://www.tatnews.org/2021/01/tat-update-summary-of-provincial-covid-19-control-measures-as-of-6-january-2021/

Thanks!