CMBob

18 hours ago, digbeth said:

You can give them power of attorney to withdraw/manage your account....

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

30 minutes ago, Fore Man said:

.....Does anybody know where the required PCR test can normally be administered and its results issued in time to comply with Thai Immigration stipulations and/or airline requirements?

 

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). 

19 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

My question is if you had 2x shots this year how long will you be considered vaccinated for when it comes to travel?

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.

58 minutes ago, david_je said:

....Upon arriving Bangkok visa exempt, did Immigration ask to see ticket out of Thailand within 30 days (or whatever period of stay your passport allows) and 10,000 baht in funds?

Would you please confirm this is full list of required documents for Non-O conversion:

--Bank guarantee letter, and it’s the same letter needed for OA extensions

--Copy of bank passbook pages. How far back should that go?

--Rental agreement and hand-drawn location map.

--TM.87

--Photo

--2,000 baht

By the way, did officer ask why you were converting from non-OA to non-O?

Thank you again.

 

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.

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.

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

On 10/12/2021 at 8:38 PM, Jingthing said:

Sounds very concerning. Good luck in sorting it out. I have accounts in three banks here. I would recommend that people sign up for activity notification SMSs from their accounts with larger balances. That costs 200 baht per year at Siam Commercial Bank for example. 

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).

5 minutes ago, rwill said:

But this shot injects antibodies into you bypassing all that.

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.

The time period (45 days) has not been reduced as of yet (wasn't last Saturday nor yesterday when a friend came in visa exempt).  I see the news today that supposedly some relaxed rules about entry will start November 1st for some areas; however, what's required (still a Certificate of Entry, covid insurance, some partial quarantine, or whatever) or whether they'll change the current 45-day exemption back to the usual 30-day exemption hasn't been spelled out. 

Presuming the covid insurance is required for your entry (and that's likely in October), it must cover your entire stay time period.  I recently came in visa exempt and had to buy the insurance for 2 months (offerings are for set time periods....1 month, 2 months, etc., and there is no option to just buy it for 45 days).