CMBob

The US Consulate here held a zoom-type meeting here about November (?) and they explained that, while issuance of passports within the US has at times taken as long as 3-4 months, it's steadily been 3 weeks or less when doing it here in Thailand. As I noted above, my paperwork went by DHL to the Bangkok embassy on a Monday morning and I received the new passport (and punched old one) back by mail (think it was EMS) 11 days later. Very efficient.

Would presume many people don't use the baht bus to go up there all too often. I personally don't have a problem paying 100 baht to get up there on rare occasion.

Yes, probably wise to let a Thai attorney handle filing of the application for probate and subsequent orders allowing you to distribute the funds per the provisions of the Will. And would recommend you get a quote from the attorney as to the cost. I was told by the CM attorney who drafted my Thai Will that the probate would take 5-6 months to complete and the attorney fee would be around 60,000 baht. If the Will is in Thai, you're all set; if not, a certified translation will be required. As executor, you'll be responsible for paying the last expenses (medical, funeral) costs for the Decedent from the estate funds (or, perhaps, you'll be reimbursed later for paying before the reimbursement is authorized by the local probate court). Upon his death, you'll need to get a release from the hospital (which basically means expenses have been paid) and a release from the Decedent's Embassy/Consulate. Both of those are required before you'll be able to retrieve the body from a morgue. If Decedent is a US citizen, cops and/or hospital will notify the US Consulate of the death and Consulate personnel will start the "looking for kin" process.....which you should promptly head off by visiting the Consulate and showing them the Decedent's Will. I don't know Embassy/Consulate procedures for other nationals.

Years ago, had some shop (sorry, don't remember the name) at Baan Tawai to custom make a large coffee table. Did a nice job (typically little or no teak is available anymore but they will stain it so it looks like teak). So you could just stop at a shop out there (or one of other wood furniture shops in the area - the ones on the road to San Kampaeng seem to me to have some higher quality stuff) and simply inquire about what you want. My guess is they can do it or will tell you where you can get your requirements met.

1. I'm told you can apply for the Thailand Pass up to 60 days before your trip. Given, though, that they claim approval is given almost immediately and/or within 48 hours, no likely need to apply for it before a week or so before your trip. 2. No medical insurance is required for a holder of a Non-O Visa and/or extensions thereof; however, currently for Thailand Pass you must get the $10k covid insurance which you can get for 650 baht. The entry rules (even the possibility of the elimination of the Thailand Pass deal and/or the requirement for covid medical insurance) may very well change as of July 1st and any changes for July will likely be promulgated by about the 25th of this month. Given you aren't leaving until July 17th, wisest course in my opinion is for you to get acquainted with whatever the rules may be during the first few days of July and then apply if needed for Thailand Pass at least 10 days before your trip.

I have no wisom (sic) and simply wanted to state that my Sympathy Meter failed to begin to move at your traumatic experience.

The world must be coming to an end when one doesn't get one's entitled and free toothbrush. Simply heart-breaking........

I was told that you cannot renew a US passport at either the CM Consulate or the Bkk Embassy absent special circumstances (emergency, name change, etc.) It generally all has to be done by mail now and it's real easy in my opinion. Did it in December, passport and required stuff went by DHL on a Monday morning and I had the new passport (and old one punched) in the mail 11 days later. For requirements, simply google the US Thai Embassy and citizen services section will lead you to the appropriate place. As for timing, you can get a new US passport anytime. I renewed mine (which still had 5 years until expiration) because I had the smaller passport book and had only half a page remaining for stamps. If you don't get a new passport before your extension, your next annual extension will only go until the expiration date of your passport.....so I'd recommend going for the new passport at least a couple months before your extension date (and, of course, get your current stamps transferred to the new passport before you grab your next extension).

I did once, a dozen+ years ago. But you first convert to a simple Non-0 and, during the last 45 days of that (last 30 days in some provinces), you can apply for the annual extension based on retirement. I'm not sure what your real question is but you can likely search this site for many threads about converting to a Non-O from both a Tourist Visa and an exempt entry.

Whoops...please ignore my prior post, article in the Post was only about Mor Chana.

On a somewhat related topic, Thai government (Public Health Ministry) shut down the Mor Chana covid-tracking app today, saying it was no longer needed given Thailand is about to enter the "endemic" phase. I'd guess (but don't know) that eventually they'll deep-six the entire Mor Chana app so it might be wise to download copies of whatever information (digital health certificate, international certificate, etc.) you might want to preserve.

I too was expecting an email but never got one. When I signed up for the certificate, I do recall it said something about it being ready after a given date. A few days after that date, I just opened the Mor Prom app, hit the International Certificate button, and it was there. It remains in the never never land of my phone (although I also grabbed a couple of screen shots, printed those out, and now keep those copies with my travel paperwork).

If you scroll down on the Mor Prom app - bottom left - you should see a button to apply for a digital International Certificate. As I understand it, they are free until about (?) the 22nd of this June. Here's a copy of what mine looks like (I've erased name and other personal information) and one can also scroll down and it'll list the exact vaccines (name, lot number, date, etc.) that you received. I'm only attaching the top part.

I'm puzzled too. Friends of mine here in CM who came in originally with a Non-OA (some several years before 2017) have been required to have the insurance to get their annual extensions. So, as been said, somehow it's slipped through the cracks or the OP really came in on a Non-O (or converted to a Non-O in country).

When I returned to the US for a spell a few years back, I jumped into my car and then drove for a short distance on the wrong (left) side of the road (it quickly dawned on me when I was momentarily wondering why another car was heading straight for me).

Your attitude is rather apparent. Presuming you are left handed, does that mean you're an "accident?"

Proud of who they are....as everyone of any stripe should be.....and proud that they are less likely today to be harmed by or discriminated against by ignorant bigots.

Simply a copy of the TM30 Receipt of Notification (the paper stapled in the passport) as I noted above.

I can't really say they require it but we (I and several friends who also obtain annual extensions based on retirement here in CM) have provided it for years and they've never handed it back.

Op says in part: "....The IO used to laugh at all the documents..." My guess is they did that because you were providing them more documents than they needed or wanted. I've applied for about a dozen annual extensions based on retirement here at CM Immigration and I've never, as part of that package, ever provided any of your "stateside documents" or a copy of the TM47 (90-day Receipt of Notification) nor have any of my friends ever presented such documents or copies. We do provide a copy of the TM30 (Receipt of Notification) each year.

I had two Pfizer shots early last year and first booster (Moderna) at RAM Hospital in December. Second booster (also chose Moderna) was April 16th at Airport Centran. They were shown my entire shot history (I didn't want to get the second booster if violated any rules) and they said no problem getting the second booster after slightly less than 4 months.

I arrived at nearly 11AM and got the booster shot within 10-15 minutes of arriving. Didn't seem that busy on the Saturday (April 16th) that I went to Airport Centran.

Yes, got my #4 about a month ago at Airport Centran (third shot or second booster was in December). I'm not certain you can get your second booster (4th shot) if your first booster was less than 3-4 months ago.

Another option is Saturday and Sundays at Airport Centran. Very efficient, fast, free, and you have your choice of Moderna or Pfizer. I'd note that the program there is being run by Nakornping Hospital.