CMBob

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).

With respect to the Phuket "sandbox", I'm surprised at the posts mentioning various costs for the three PCR tests (first one is at the airport in Phuket upon arrival and the next two are during your 14-day stay).  I obtained the Certificate of Entry in the US and, in the process of doing that, I was required to pay 8,000 baht for the three tests (in fact, you can't get your final COE without uploading proof that you've paid for those tests).  How I paid for them was via an url on the US Thai embassy website (I was unaware of any other choice) and payment was made to an outfit .  Perhaps the costs vary for other countries but, for those coming from the US, it's 8,000 baht and is paid through some outfit named "Phuket City Development Co, Ltd."  

On 9/21/2021 at 9:15 AM, smedly said:

did you read the article - they have already done everything you posted but are now being asked to do it again at their next destination

Yes I read it but am wondering if you read my response.  Either they encountered an unusual situation or somebody is attempting to rip them off....or they misunderstood what they were told).  

Adding...the dates and times for tests #2 and #3 are paid for and scheduled before you get your final COE (as you can't get that without uploading proof you already have taken care of that).

16 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

I thought it is 7 days with a few Covid swabs?...

Given you haven't gone thru the COE process or entered the Phuket program, probably best to let those who have done so provide info.

Yes, 3 PCR tests are required during the 14-day (not 7) time period.  One at the airport on arrival, one on the 5th/6th day, and the third and last on the 11th/12th day.

Rather fruitless for people posting here their "understandings."  Just read the requirements for a Certificate of Entry on your embassy's website and your "understandings" will be clarified.

With respect to the OP's post, he is either being ripped off or he just misunderstood.  To get your final Certificate of Entry, you have to show proof you have already paid for 3 PCR tests here....one upon arrival at the airport (you have to stay in your hotel room until those results are known...mine took 4 hours) and two more within the 14-day time period.  That's it as far as I know.

Would note that the Chicago Thai Consulate told me in no uncertain terms that the 72-hour time period is measured from the departure time of your first international flight (and not from the departure time for any domestic flight(s) to reach another airport where you'll take your first international flight).

14 minutes ago, The Theory said:

Do I need to have a "foreign currency account" to receive fund in US$ from a US bank account ? 

No.  You can transfer into any account; however, if you want to have your Thai bank retain the funds in your home currency, then you'd need to transfer into a foreign currency account you already have set up.

Would note (adding or repeating some):

(1)  Schwab charges $15.00 for a SWIFT wire transfer to a Thai bank.  

(2) Always transfer in your home currency....you'll get the daily bank rate the moment the funds arrive at your Thai bank.  From the US, you can choose to transfer in Thai baht but they do the conversion in the US and it's generally a fair amount lower (that's a lot of money if you're transferring a large sum).

(3)  Thai banks charge 500 baht to receive the transfer.  Some banks (like mine....Siam Commercial Bank) somewhat hide that fee (e.g., it doesn't show up on anything but I know that's the fee).  I presume all Thai banks charge the same 500 baht (at least Bangkok Bank does).

(4)  I remain dumbfounded as to why people use Wise or any other similar service when generally their fees are much larger than what one's home bank will charge for a SWIFT transfer (typically, a US bank fee for a SWIFT international wire is $40 to $80).  And, if the private service sends in Thai baht, you often get a slightly lower rate than what your Thai bank will provide.  But, if you don't have a home country bank account from which to transfer the funds, then I suppose you have no choice but to use a private service.

37 minutes ago, suzannegoh said:

Within 3 days of departing Thailand or of landing in the US?

Within 3 days of the time you take your first international flight back to the US (I'm not sure what happens if there is any undue delay on stopovers).  The checking for this testing will happen by your airline (essentially, for US citizens, nothing is done back at US airports). 

6 hours ago, USNret said:

You do not need PCR test. Rapid Antigen will suffice. Faster (2 hour results) and 50% cheaper than PCR. 

Yes, all the US requires for entry is the rapid antigen test; however, at least some of the airlines are requiring the RT-PCR test......so best to check with the involved airline so there's no refusal to board at the airport.