CMBob

Like you said, check both the transit country and the airline you are using to determine the current rules for each. Last I looked (2 days ago), the PCR test was required within 2 days of transit in Singapore (not 72 hours).

I can understand expats that truly believe they'll never go back to the US opting out of Part B of Medicare but for all others it could be foolish. While I won't return to the US for a long while and never for some quick medical procedure (likely regardless of cost), I've enrolled in Part B for the simple reason that (1) perhaps for a serious long-term medical situation I would return and would want the full Medicare benefits and (2) while I don't expect it, I do have a minor distrust of the Thai authorities that they might make living in Thailand for expats either practically impossible or prohibitively expensive (for one example only., making medical insurance mandatory for all long-term extensions and reaching an age where it's not available at any cost for that age). In Vietnam, expat retirees could live there with a one-year visa provided they did a border run 4 times a year; however, they changed that over a year ago to require them to leave and return every 30 days. That alone (regardless of inability to get back due to covid or other problems) would be a deal killer for me.

Ummmm.....doesn't a power of attorney expire upon death?

When I came back from the US (originating in northern Michigan), there were absolutely no labs, hospitals, or clinics that offered the RT-PCR test other than "within 72 hours"; given I had to fly to Chicago and then to San Francisco to catch the Singapore Air flight, I had no choice but to get the test in either Chicago or San Francisco (I ended up getting it on a Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco with results received the next day mid-morning which was adequate for my flight at 10:05PM that very night). I found the clinic offering results within 24 hours on the net at a rather hefty price ($399.00) (they would also do same day results for more money). Because I was a bit confused as to when the Thai 72-hour time period started/ended, I called the Thai Consulate in Chicago....and they clearly explained to me that the 72-hour time period ends when your first international flight leaves the US departs (and not when I departed on domestic flights). As a final note, I had to go through the Certificate of Entry routine and was rejected the first 3 times because I inserted the flight info from Singapore to Phuket in some part of the form - whereas it turns out they wanted the flight info for my first international flight out of San Francisco. Maybe part of the reason I made that mistake is I've filled in the arrival/departure (TM6) card 30+ times in the last 20+ years and have always inserted the flight info for the last leg into Thailand and not the flight info for my flight out of the US. Hopefully the Thailand Pass online application is clearer so people don't make the mistakes I did.

Make sure you check the transit rules for Singapore. When I came back (early September), an RT-PCR test was required within 72 hours of transit; however, about mid-September, Singapore changed it to 48 hours. I can't say what it is today.....but may be wise for you to check.

If I were you, I'd definitely talk to somebody at AA to make sure what the current rules are.....would ruin your trip if you showed up at the airport for your flight time to find out you have a problem. However....from AA website regarding travel restrictions: "SEPANG, 6 October 2021 - In preparation for the full resumption of its domestic and subsequently international flight services, AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK) has made it mandatory for only completely vaccinated adult guests to be allowed to board its flights, effective immediately. Guests under the age of 18 if unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated must be accompanied by fully-vaccinated parents or guardian." If those are the current rules, you're fine; otherwise, maybe not.

OP, your friend didn't apply for a Tourist E-Visa in the US (via Embassy in DC) as there is no requirement for a medical certificate or criminal background check for a Tourist Visa. She applied for a different visa (perhaps a long-stay visa which does require both?). I do trust that your friend is aware that the ThailandPass approval is also needed and totally separate (and that requires application, proof of vaccination, the $50,000 covid health insurance, etc.). And, yes, as noted by tonray, she can still just come in without any visa and get an exemption for 30 days (which she can extend here for another 30 days).

Just yesterday, read an article about the new Khao San Road rules for entry for both Thais and foreigners. One has to be double vaxxed to get in and there's a requirement for a swab test (with 100 baht fee) for those who's double vaccination occurred more than 6 months ago. Logically, given that all the vaccines lose effectiveness over time, we'll likely see more stringent requirements based on how long ago one was vaxxed. It's the possible travel requirements that concern me (could care about getting onto Khao San Road).

While I have no idea what the ThailandPass certificate looks like, the prior Certificate of Entry which I entered with had this language at the bottom: "Note to airlines: Flight changes (due to flight delay or cancellation ONLY) are permitted within 72 hours from the original flight time without the need to issue a new Certificate of Entry, provided that all other required documents are still valid." Hopefully, whatever approval you get with ThailandPass may have similar language.

As I noted, I converted from exempt entry (via Phuket Sandbox entry, not Bangkok) to a Non-O (not from an Non-OA to a Non-O....which I doubt is even possible). Besides the TM form, a photo, copies of relevant passport pages, bank letter dated the day before verifying the funds, copies of bank book (in my case, it showed years of maintaining the 800k - but I have no clue how far back that should go), and fee. I was not asked why I was converting to a Non-O*. And I didn't provide or was asked for any copy of my rental agreement or hand-drawn location map (which I believe may be requirements at times relating to visas/extensions based on marriage). *In my case, I've held annual extensions based on retirement for over a decade but, as my annual extension expired while I was back in the US, I came in visa exempt (coming in with a Tourist Visa would also have worked) so I could convert to a Non-O which, ultimately, is for the purpose of getting back on my annual extensions based on retirement. I've never held a Non-OA visa or extension (my original visa back in 2009 was a Tourist Visa which I converted in-country to a Non-O).

Apparently a few US states are doing some kind of digital vaccine certificate/record. Mine (Michigan) didn't and I had no problem getting into Thailand with just the standard CDC card.

Converted last month from exempt entry to a Non-O at CM Immigration....and, although they saw a bankbook (Siam Commercial Bank) that held the 800k for years, they didn't see any evidence that the money originally came from abroad....nor did they ask for any such evidence. So my guess is the OP is okay there. For the OP's benefit, the Non-O is not a "retirement visa", just a 90-day Non-O visa. The annual extensions you can get based on that are extensions based on retirement (although many call that their retirement visa).

When arriving in Phuket (don't know about BKK), they are quite helpful in assisting downloading of the Mor Chana app there. You can do it ahead of time or simply wait until you arrive there. I'm guessing BKK would be equally helpful.

PCR test (the more accurate one, not the quick antigen test.....so they must have had lab personnel right at the airport as I got my negative result 4 hours after they swabbed me....and note one poster above said his was only about 2 hours). And, no, as both I and the other poster mentioned, we were out the door in 25 minutes or less and on our way to our hotels. The hotel desks were notified of the test results and I, like the other poster, got the news via a phone call from the hotel desk. Once I had that, I was off and running.

Have no idea about a "specialist" for an inguinal hernia repair but I had one taken care of at CM Ram Hosp about 3-4 years ago. Mine was done simply with a scalpel as mine didn't merit anything fancier. Was in by 9AM and went home at 4PM. No issues, no pain, and, remarkably, can't even find the 3 to 4 inch incision location after a year had passed. Total cost (which I think included some pills, maybe pain pills) was 58k baht.

When I went through the "sandbox" arrival in Phuket, they ushered all the passengers to an area with chairs roughly situated 6 feet apart and then one of many people came and looked through my paperwork (certificate of entry, Sha+ hotel reservation, vaccination card, health insurance paperwork, and negative PCR test result). Then we were shuffled to a station for a swab test, then through immigration, then to luggage, and then out the door. At least for my flight, it was very efficient and fast.....and I have no doubt it was less than 25 minutes for me to be out the door. Fastest I've ever made it out the door from an international arrival.

Also recommend Dr. Vachiraporn at RAM. You can make an appointment online.

I've gotten annual extensions based on retirement in Chiangmai more than 10 times and my bank letter has always been dated the day before. Has never been a problem or even questioned.

I also have a SCB account and get the SMS notifications of seemingly any activity (withdrawals, login events, etc.) but I'm not being charged for any of that. I do pay annually 200 baht for use of the ATM card. I agree with your notion to somewhat have a Plan B and have money in a couple of banks. Plus, if one happens to have more than 1 million baht in accounts here, wise to have that spread around to supposedly maintain government deposit protection (although the likelihood of any of the major Thai banks failing or being allowed to fail is likely near zero).

Have had three friends back in Michigan who have had breakthrough cases and antibody infusion treatments in the last 6 weeks.......so some company (unknown to me) has had their antibody cocktail approved for at least emergency use for some time now in the US.

Several times from March through at least May, AstraSeneca put out press releases saying they would seek approval for its vaccine in the US in a "week or two"....but they never submitted the application for even emergency approval. If Cansiam's comments above prove to be true, it would seem that AstraSeneca has at least recently asked for the approval (although the article talks about something other than the Astra vaccine itself).

I'm B+ blood type....my age (72) may preclude but I'd still donate if it would be acceptable. Maybe extra benefits too - Pfizer antibodies.

I read that requirement (download the ThailandPlus app) so I did that but everytime I tried to open it it wouldn't load. Nobody asked about it when I arrived in the Phuket sandbox deal. It's not only your phone so don't change phones. Forget about it, you won't need it. What you will need is the MorChana app and they'll help you do that at the airport when you arrive (if you haven't downloaded it before then). Meaning.....forget about that ThaillandPlus app.

Would note that when I transferred stamps [essentially retirement extension and re-entry permit....although they first include a box indicating information regarding your Non-O (or Non-OA) from which extensions were initially granted], CM Immigration wanted a photocopy of every single page of my old passport which had any stamp at all on it (including stamps from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Burma in my case). To be on the safe side, have a complete copy of every page (except blank pages) of your old passport.