Damrongsak

I spent 50 days in Thailand and 10 in Vietnam last fall.  I dragged my passport everywhere I went.  I didn't even leave my passport (or cash) at our house in Loei when we went out to the market. 

Do you know where they live (their business office) ?  Pay them a visit?

In this crazy world, it's possible that their inside guy at immigration is out sick or on leave. Not that you need anything special or underhanded, just that the business channel has been disrupted.

45 years back, we had to somewhat expedite my wife's passport application processing in BKK with a "tip".  When we went back to collect it, the guy who was responsible said that it was his job, so he lost out on the "tip". Nothing underhanded, just speeding up the process.

21 minutes ago, digbeth said:

... It'd be funny if there really is demand from the Chinese to get good vaccine once they arrived, only to turn up at Thai government hospital and be given SinoVac that was graciously donated to Thailand from China 

Ah, but that would be "export quality" stuff, 555.  Just like clothing  made in Vietnam, Thailand or Bangladesh.  She buys on closeout sale in the U.S.A. and takes it back to Thailand.  Of course, buying "day old" medicines is a <deleted> shoot. 

1 hour ago, Thailand J said:

It's worth the money if you need the vaccine. It's 1380B at Banglamung Pattaya for tourists. I don't know about for those with longterm visas.

 

I am healthy 62, do I need 5th dose?

 

 

I'm 69 with 4 Covid shots.  I was talking with my Doc about immunizations here in the USA.  I was thinking flu/pneumonia, a shingles shot #2 and a diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) shot.  She didn't think I needed another Covid booster as it's been 6 months since the last. 

I get these shots at the local drug store here and the guy currently giving them is good. I barely notice the shot.  Not like getting the IV for a colonoscopy that took nurses 3 tries to stick a big needle in a vein. But I guess it's how much they are giving you and the size of the needle.

Brutal.  One would think at her age she would be somewhat experienced, but then there's moments  when one just exceeds the limits.  Very easy to do with alcohol, especially if someone is encouraging it in a short period.  Sad.

11 hours ago, transam said:

I have 45 hand written in the corner of the stamp...

I visited in Sept/Oct on a 60 day visa.  In late October, I bopped over to Vietnam for a week.  Coming back in I got a stamp and a handwritten 45 day thing. 

Funny, but my buddy who went at the same time applied for 90 days, but only got 60, so he had to extend. 

17 hours ago, zoltannyc said:

While it sounds very funny, the real issue is that there is a method called "juice jacking"  a cyberattack in which hackers use  a charging port which doubles as a data connection. Essentially, hackers hijack your power supply (hence “juice” jacking) channel and use it to install malware on a victim’s device and/or steal data. This process can include installing tracking programs and mirroring their screen to see (and record) any passwords and PIN codes they enter while the device is charging. 

 

Just the other day  my son mentioned having a "charging condom" adapter which merely connects the charging power pins and not the data lines.  (His buddy is a network/telecom guru who is one of the internet domain key holders, or at least a crypto officer.)

Personally I won't charge in a public place.  You never know where those electrons have been. 

On 1/9/2023 at 9:59 PM, JoePai said:

Is anyone surprised ????

5 hours ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

If you Son became a Doctor, where would be rather work, in the USA or Thailand ?

Don't know.  He was studying mechanical engineering, but got killed in Iraq.

Midnight inspection?  They were all in bed with someone by then.

On 1/15/2023 at 11:29 PM, Woof999 said:

It was not a rampage! It was a Special Grocery Operation.

Agent 007-Eleven.  Name's Bondarev.  James Bondarev .

7 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Asking foreigners for an international driving permit is a favourite here in Kanchanaburi too during high season. Got asked for mine a while ago, said I didn't have one and was directed to the roadside table to write up a fine. When I was asked for id I handed over my Thai motorcycle license. Fortunately the cop had a sense of humour and waved me on although my wife later suggested I was being a little provocative.

I got an IDP for a recent visit.  My US license is for a car, but I had the guy also stamp the motorcycle endorsement.  I do have a Thai motorbike license I got in 1978.  It's still valid as I  paid for the lifetime license. 

On 1/16/2023 at 9:36 PM, Rimmer said:

Good for them, I hate flashy expensive attention getting cars

Me too.  I drive a 25 year old Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.  I use it to haul money to my bank.  I don't want attention.

I had a 1964 VW bug that got me attention when something blew inside the engine.  I had to add about 3 quarts of oil to limp home.  It was spewing oil all over the engine and out the vents in back, creating a pretty good cloud of smoke.  People were pointing at it as I drove by.

http://bangkok.emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission/ShowInfoNote/122066

In October, I went to Loei hospital ER with gut pain.  They did 3 x-rays and a CT scan. I stayed over one night as a precaution.  16,500.  One line item was 14,000, presumably the CT scan & x-rays.  They told me in advance that the scan would be pricey. 

That picture should be captioned "Show us your watch!" Or perhaps "Watch out, Prayut."

On 1/14/2023 at 9:52 PM, KhunLA said:

Reading these replies ...

... there really is no need to ask why I'm Anti-social toward expats and avoid them regularly.  The level of arrogance, ignorance & prejudice is simply mind boggling.

I read these forums and sometimes the bickering and nastiness seem to come through.  Poster against poster, name calling if you will.  I just don't get it.  One thing I learned in Thailand 45 years ago is to get along with others.  It may not always be pleasant but life goes on. 

On 1/14/2023 at 2:55 AM, Captain Monday said:

 

Health care

• Thailand: I thought I had a piece of glass in my foot so I shuffle  to the most famous intl hospital in Bangkok with no apointment saw an actual Doctor quickly and the total charge was 650 baht. US: Insurance company initial response is to partially deny my claim.  If it happened in the US I would pay minimum $75 or $100  co-poy and insurance would be billed a huge amount. One time I needed three stitches it was over $1000 almost twenty years ago

 

Some 20 years back my son went to the emergency room in the U.S. with a bad gut pain.  We didn't have health insurance at the time.  He was there about 4 hours.  Not sure if they did a CT scan or whatever.  We got a bill for somewhere around $20,000. (USD).  Due to him being under 18 and no income, most was forgiven.  Still, the Doc on duty that night cost us a couple thousand $.  And he probably didn't spend more than 1/2 hour total.

Contrast that with my visit to a Thai emergency room in October last year.  ER, x-rays, CT scan and an overnight in the Loei government hospital - about $425. at the exchange rate then.  It was an interesting experience.

On 1/14/2023 at 1:23 AM, Taboo2 said:

I say I am from California and I am not an <deleted> Blue woke Cali person.  The reason is that whenever I say San Francisco or Silicon Valley, most Thais have no clue, but they all remember California from the song that used to be played 24/7, before the "Zombie" song took over.

You mean the "Hotel California" song?  It was released the month before I went to Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1977.  Oddly, we stayed in San Francisco for a couple days at the California Hotel. 

On 1/13/2023 at 11:11 PM, Fat is a type of crazy said:

... One last comment on the term septic tanks - I have never heard someone use that term in my life and it was probably last used in the 50's or 60's. 

Septic tank?  I use one every day.  Have to have it pumped out every 5 years or so.  Last time it cost around $400. (USD).

On 10/4/2022 at 8:49 AM, qualtrough said:

Update to my earlier post. I flew out and back into Thailand with my Thai passport without any issue, so my worries about having no 'official' visa cancellation were unwarranted, as several of you pointed out.

 

I will tell you something that feels really good. Getting off an 11 hour flight, walking past the foreign immigration line with a 30-40 minute wait, and walking up to the Thai immigration line to find just one person ahead of you. IMHO that's worth all the effort of obtaining citizenship alone, not to mention all the other benefits.

Back in early September a buddy of mine and our Thai wives used the Thai line which was empty.  Perhaps one of the gals asked if it was OK.  We both had eVisas.

When I returned to the U.S. I had to wait in line over 2 hours at Washington Dulles airport.  There were hundreds of people in each of two lines.  The line for citizens/permanent residents had ONE officer.  The line for foreign visitors had about 3 officers. 

16 hours ago, transam said:

I would think that anyone working in a Pattaya 7/11 soon learns a nationality by their speech characteristics, just by the number of farangy's they deal with daily...........

Not just speech, but dress, demeanor and so forth.  Or smell ...? ????

15 hours ago, Don Chance said:

Thailand has a high number of poor and uneducated people. Food preparation or food businesses are a primary source of entrepreneurship and economic development for these people. It is simple and easy to scale. Especially for women.

 

So it reasonable to exclude foreigners from this industry.

I so wanted to retire there and open a roadside stand selling grilled field rats.  SIGH.

70,000 cabs, wow!  New York City has about 20,000.  (Though they may have as many as 40,000 "other" for-hire vehicles.)  I saw mention of Mexico City having 100,00 but I can't substantiate that.