CanuckThai

4 hours ago, giddyup said:

Funny thing is that the several Chinese items I've ordered from Lazada have arrived promptly, unlike Ebay which can take months, or not at all. I can only imagine that Lazada has some kind of contract with the Chinese sellers that either deliver quickly or get dropped. Some items I've ordered can only be found from the Chinese Sellers, Lazada doesn't stock them. Plus, I always pay COD, unlike Ebay where you have to pay up front and then wait months to get a refund.

I think COD is the answer, with some of these vendors.  No upfront cash, motivates.

Dominican Republic seems to be a good one

10 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Why would immigration have anything to do with this? They are not a tourist company. Think of them as the police instead. But only within Thai borders. 

I'm not an applicant, nor will I be.  There's a lot of quirky news about the newly proposed/offered STV.  One would assume that an application or inquiry could be discussed directly with one's local Thai embassy/consulate.  I'm guessing it would follow suit with a repatriation flight request (until international flights resume).  That's why it's a bit odd, to be paying for the service of the "Thailand Longstay Company".   

It gives the same greasy feeling, I had, when I was directed to book and pay for my repatriation flight, through an "appointed agent" in Bangkok, at 3-4 times the going rate, that the flight booked directly with the same airline would have been.

On 9/23/2020 at 1:45 AM, Dellamorte said:

Yes, normally I always book directly through the airline's website. In this case there some (technical?) issues on Austrian Airlines' website which made the flight unavailable for online booking. On Austrian's website I was prompted to call them to book the tickets, but when calling I could not get through, even after long waiting on the line. So then I decided to do it through the travel agency listed on Google Flights.

 

Gotogate has been around for many years, so I didn't expect any trouble, but I obviously regret it now. I see on different webpages that a lot of people have recently had similar experiences with Gotogate.com. They cancel your ticket short time after they've been booked, blaming it on Covid, and then just hold on to the money, not answering mails, phone, etc.

 

 

There is unfortunately no way to rebook to another flight. They only provided one option: to ask for a refund. Seems very dubious, more like a scam really. But pretty f****d up in this already difficult situation.

Call your credit card company.  Most CC will protect you for this situation.  Product/service not delivered.

6 hours ago, Dan O said:

Application Procedure for Special Tourist Visa (STV)

1.      A foreign applicant must e-mail Thailand Longstay Company ([email protected]) to submit his/her intention to apply for the Special Tourist Visa (STV).

Interesting that this isn't a Thai government immigration address.  Is this becoming the CV sideline for a few officials?

Call your bank, go online and check transaction history....etc etc.  Obviously your PIN has to be used to make most cash withdrawal transactions, or was it a vendor purchase ?

I usually get a multiple transaction "pending" on a vendor purchase, Eg:  Buy a 1000 baht of fuel, shows up twice on transactions as pending, both with different exchange rates, lowest gets posted, but both showed as a "temporary" debenture with regards to account balance, until finalized.   

Good luck

You would assume that local temples would dip into to their baht caves, and nourish a few of the needy.  All the baht donations missing? Spoken for?  What exactly is the mandate of a temple, during a time of need?

Some airlines have a donut promotion to pull themselves out of a rut during the CV19 situation, while some airlines come up with strategic business plans and promotions.  But hey, same-same right?   ????

Hmmm, what exactly are "they" practicing?   Who's practicing ...the bank staff?  What police force would send officers into a bank or location during a robbery these days?  Entertaining for sure.   Maybe they could do mock immigration shakedowns next month....????

One of my CC is TD, no issue as of Sunday night and Monday morning, one transaction in person for fuel, one online for a flight.  Made a withdrawal with TD ATM card about a week ago, worked ok.   Good luck with everything.

I'd say it's a professional hit.  I mean, who else could plug a guy nine times with a 38 revolver to make a point, only wing him and not kill him?  That guy's a serious marksman....   (????) 

I've heard through the grapevine, that Thai old age (senior?) benefits (1-2000 baht?) has been delayed/not issued in some localities, this month.  My wife has been sharing concern/talk from co-workers that Ministry of Health has given warning, that salaries may be delayed this month.  The gossip is running rampant, we'll see if it becomes a reality.

On 9/12/2020 at 2:03 PM, ourmanflint said:

Thankfully there aren’t any bars in Phrae so pesky farangs can’t survive there very long. 
better go to Chiang Mai instead. 

Here, let me help you with your profile pic update.   

Well, apologizing for pointing a loaded gun at someone in a public area, should be accepted as a reasonable penance  (lol).  The public wrist slapping will definitely deter future gun slingers....

Double check if Multiple Entry is available at your local embassy/consulate.  I applied for a new 90 day non-O (in Canada, no problems), but was informed that an ME was not available at this time, due to CV19 travel restrictions.  

Just another Saturday night misunderstanding in the land of smiles

Ooops.  Vehicle pawned, smuggled across a border, insurance claimed, rinse and repeat.

Thailand is well known for over prescribing antibiotics, for any and every ailment.  This could have been an initial positive, but wait for it........... 

19 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

 

For me, transferring money is usally done in seconds but there have been occassions whereby it can take a couple of days.

 

Yeah, transfers within Thailand or within Canada for me, are basically instantaneous.   I'm impressed with Tranferwise'  recent international transfer timing.  It used to be at least a full day ++, from transfer to received.

Not sure the reason of your grief, but my tranferwise transaction times have sped up lately.  If I start a CDN to Thailand transfer before noon, it's in my Thai account at or before 5pm.  Ruthlessly efficient

12 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Hi @ubonjoe

 

 Canada without a return visa, but I think it'll take that much longer to get back unless I already have something in my passport. Further, I know a guy stuck in Canada now, and I am trying not to join that cue (It may be unavoidable).

 

 

 

Cheers

SB

 

I'm another that's now stuck in Canada.  The strategy to get "home" is looking a bit bleak.  Even more bleak, is the outlook of living in Thailand while enjoying the work on various international projects abroad.

Good luck with everything