WayneJ

Update- just received my renewed US passport.  Thanks to all the good advice received here- 4 weeks including mailing.  And a special thanks to American Citizen Services (ACS) at the U.S. Embassy Bangkok.  Job well done!

On 8/4/2023 at 6:38 PM, fusion58 said:

It used to be that you could take your existing, valid passport to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and have pages added to it.

No longer an option unfortunately.  I wasn’t close to the expiration date but not enough room for scheduled entries and my annual Thailand retirement visa.

Thank you to all who replied, I appreciate it.  Feel a lot better now.  Let’s see what happens ????

I’m out of pages in my U.S. Passport.  The US Embassy in Thailand claims 5-6 week for a new passport.  I verified this with them.  The US Embassy website says 10-13 weeks.  That’s over 2x!  Who’s right?

Anybody recently renewed their U.S. passport via mail in Bangkok?  How long did it take?  TIA!
 

“There is currently no requirement for anyone on a Non Immigrant O extension to have health insurance - apart from if they wish to re-enter Thailand, which is a requirement for all foreigners, regardless of their visa status.”

If you are in Thailand on a Retirement O Visa and want to leave the country you need to get a Re-entry Permit before leaving in order to get back in under your visa rather than as a tourist.  If you are re-enter under this scenario do you still need a Thailand Pass and the associated health insurance?  I’m waiting to book a trip in 2022 and have no idea.  At my age and a diabetic health insurance isn’t available.

Maybe it’s time to make the Panama Retirement Pensionado…

Thanks for all the responses- appreciate it.  Looks like it works for some and not others.  May be dependent on the local immigration office.  I use Chrome and have followed all the online instructions.  It worked last year.  Oh well, time for a trip to see all my friends in immigration.

55 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Which is your local immigration office out of interest?

 

Samut Praken

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Have you applied for a new extension since you last report. The online reporting system thinks you are on a overstay since it was not updated when you applied for your extension.That is a problem reported and it seems it only happens when reporting to certain offices.

If using the online report mobile app it will inform you of that problem instead of the contact your local office message.

I will see if I can find the mobile app.  Thank you!

Is the Notification of Staying in the Kingdom Over 90 Days Online working?  So far this year I’m 0 for 3.  After I input the first page of my information I get a blank screen or error message- “For further information regarding The 90-day Notification Report Service, please contact the Immigration Branch Office in your residence area.”

is this working for anyone else?  TIA!

Discovered this by accident but it's been quite effective.  Put about 1/2" of honey in the bottle.  Probably don't need a cap.  Place bottle in a dish of water to keep the ants away.  The geckos easily jump from the wall to the bottle.  They become mired in the honey and cannot climb back out.  Dump them outside in the morning.

I've heard Thais say it's good luck to have a gecko in the house but when one jumped off the kitchen table into my lap I said enough is enough!

Hello,

I'm new to the group but been a retired expat from NY here in Thailand (Phra Pradaeng) for almost two years.  I'm looking for suggestion on a doctor here.  First year I felt fine then several months ago caught what I think is a nasty head cold.  Coughing, draining and all plugged up.  Been to the hospital as a walkin several times and they unplugged my ears but still not feeling well.  Always had sensitive sinuous but this tropical climate isn't helping- then again maybe its allergies?  

Of course my Medicare doesn't cover me here and being a diabetic and 68 makes medical coverage here either not available or ridiculously expensive.  Thinking about heading back to the US for a thorough exam but I'd rather stay here if possible.

Any suggestions?  TIA!

Does anyone know where I might find Novolog fast acting insulin in the Bangkok area? Found Lantus but Novolog is looking scarce! TIA!