DFPhuket

If this online submission can be done in less than 5 minutes, as is the case for neighboring countries, and then allow you to walk off the plane and go through the e-Gates instead of standing in a queue, I'm all for it. It has worked great for me in Malaysia and Singapore.

In business class, Qatar, Singapore and ANA are three of my favorites. I make the choice based upon cost, departure and arrival time, and total journey length. Those details would also apply to economy class. But since all airlines don't fly to all cities, you'd get better advice if you indicate the city you're flying to or from.

I usually travel with only carry on and it has never been weighed, internationally or domestically on Thai. There is little incentive for them to weigh it since, unlike discount carriers, they include a free checked bag. For low cost carriers, if your carry on is overweight they earn money when they force you to check it. For Thai, if found to be overweight you could just say, "ok, check it", which would cause them extra work, but not generate an extra baggage fee since one checked bag is free.

As others suggested, I'd just check some nearby hospitals for wellness exams rather than just get the labs done. They will usually have a variety of packages to choose from (could include things like PSA or chest X-ray) and you'll get a report and, more importantly, what they mean. Bangkok Hospital Phuket (a more expensive option and you may live in another area) has packages under 3,000 (or higher) baht that includes a consult with a doctor once the labs are back. I get mine there and am in at 8 AM and out by 11 AM. Most other hospitals offer wellness exams.

I'm on a Non-O retirement extension, have a multiple re-entry permit, and fly in and out of Thailand 10 or more times a year. There has never been a requirement to do anything at an immigration office upon return. You just get stamped in and out with immigration at the airport. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, I don't update my TM30 since I'm returning to my condo. Also, note that a 90 day report resets when you enter the country, so a paper in the back of your passport with a 90 day reporting date will be incorrect.

I did not make a small deposit to my Fixed Deposit account on the day of application. My most recent bank book entry was in April, when it matured and interest was deposited. The signed/stamped bank letter and the signed/stamped bank statement, which showed the required funds for 12 months, along with my bank book copies, all showed the exact same 801,000+ baht balance. The officer checked the bank letter carefully, checking that the balances were in synch on all three documents and funds didn't drop below 800,000. My sense was that she was used to seeing a fixed deposit account, which is only updated once a year at maturity. Perhaps a regular savings book would need to be updated with a small transaction that day, but it wasn't required of my fixed deposit account. The Phuket Immigration Volunteers website suggests bank documents could be generated up to 7 days in advance, but I've found some of that information to be outdated or incorrect (e.g., all passport pages need to be copied).

I did not. I own my condo and travel in and out of Thailand often. On my most recent arrival (5 days ago) I completed the online TM30. I have no idea if it's required, but since I have it setup and it only takes a couple of minutes for me to do it online, I submitted a new one (I had a screen shot/hard copy with me but wasn't asked about it).

You can withdraw money from a fixed deposit account at any time, but you will forfeit the accrued interest. Since the funds are immediately accessible, a fixed deposit account is not an issue for the 800,000 baht requirement.

Yesterday I completed my retirement visa extension process in Phuket. Here’s a summary of my experience. The process now takes place in a new air-conditioned room located on the opposite side of the driveway from the previous location. No more sitting outside while your documents are reviewed. Procedure Queue Number Pick up a laminated queue number from the table at the entrance. I visited at 11 AM on a rainy Thursday (rain apparently reduces the crowd) and was immediately served by a helpful young officer who spoke flawless English. Documentation Required TM7 Form: Completed and with a recent photo attached, and the 1,900 fee. Passport Copies: This year, they required copies of the passport data page and ALL used passport pages. In the past, only the current and past extension pages and the most recent entry stamp were needed. Ensure all copies are vertically copied (that was a new requirement) and signed. STM2 Form: Signed Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions for the permit of temporary stay. Note: The form I downloaded from the website was outdated, but they provided an updated one to sign. Overstay Acknowledgement: Signed Acknowledgement of Penalties for a Visa Overstay. Photo: A photo in front of my home with the house number clearly visible. I've used the same one for the past 4 years. Map: A map showing residence location. My Google map was accepted. Last year they gave the map back to me and said it wasn't needed. This year it was. Financial Proof: I used the 800,000 Baht method. Bank Letter: Signed and stamped bank letter. I have an SCB Fixed Deposit account and obtained the documents that morning. Bank Statement: Signed and stamped bank statement showing the required funds for 12 months. Thai Bank Book: Copy of the updated Thai bank book name page and the last 12 months’ transactions. I copied all pages (only 4 pages have data) of the bank book and all of these page copes were taken. I have a Fixed Deposit, so my last transaction was in April when the deposit matured and was rolled over. There were no issues about an update that day since the book amount matched the bank statements. Process The entire process took about 15 minutes. The initial document check was done by a kind and friendly young officer. After the initial check, I was directed inside the room (1 meter away) where the documents were verified again. The room is many times the size of the old location. I was asked if I needed a re-entry permit. For a 400 baht convenience fee (in addition to the re-entry fee), they would process it simultaneously and it would be in my passport when I picked it up the next day. I declined this offer. I was given a slip of paper with a number and asked to hold it up while they took a picture of me with an iPad. I was instructed to return at 2 PM the next day with the slip. Collection The next day (a rainy Friday), I returned at 2:30 PM, handed over the slip, and was given my passport in about 90 seconds. I went to get a copy of the new extension, last entry and data page, went into Room 101 and walked out with a new re-entry permit in about 15 minutes.

Remember the proposal to impose a tourism fee that was introduced around 2020 but then delayed multiple times? Thai authorities repeatedly reaffirmed their intention to implement the fee. However, due to opposition from various stakeholders and challenges in figuring out how to effectively collect the fee, the government dropped the plan in mid-2023. If the government couldn’t organize a 300 baht arrival fee, how can they possibly manage this new tax plan?

I'm currently at Phuket airport and just checked the transportation costs to Patong. An airport-fixed fare taxi is 800 baht. Using the Grab app costs 847 baht. If I opt for Bolt, which requires a walk to the street as it can't pick up inside the airport, it’s 514 baht.

I fly business class on different airlines out of BKK often. Rarely does it take more than 30 minutes to get from the front door through the business class check in, fast track security, immigration and to the lounge. Boarding begins about 45 minutes before departure. I aim to be dropped off 2 1/2 hours before departure. That allows some flexibility just in case there is a traffic delay - which is the biggest unknown. I then spend about an hour in the lounge before boarding.

In my experience "traditional" phone companies require you connect to a network located within the US when you get a new eSIM or SIM (that was the case for me with both Mint/T-Mobile and Ting). Unless you're going to be in the US, I think you'll have better luck with something like Skype.

I was in Hamad airport in Doha this week and Singapore Changi airport last month. In every single aspect related to an airport, they are better than BKK.

I think WU is your only easy option if you don't have a Thai bank. While WU used to be expensive, in the past couple of years fees have gone down due to competition by other online options. Sending 100,000 THB from Thai bank to US bank with today's exchange rate would result in $2631.97 being deposited. It could be different if using cash. The other option is if you have a very trusted friend, deposit it into his/her account and use Dee Mondy. Today 100k would get you $2864.40 into your US bank. Maybe it's not worth the effort to save $33.

Assuming they are separate tickets and you have checked bags, I’d do 3+ hours. That allows some wiggle room if your first flight is delayed or immigration or baggage claim has a long queue. Check in for the second flight will close about 45 minutes before departure. the danger is if there is a mechanical or weather delay with the first flight you would lose the value of your second flight and need to buy a new last minute one.

For an iPhone, while you can have multiple eSIMs installed, only 2 can be turned on/active at the same time. I have a US and Thai eSIM but when I travel and install another eSIM for that country, I must go to cellular settings and temporarily turn off one of my other eSIMs.

It would make so much sense to have an announcement on board saying something like, "At immigration, you will be asked to show your boarding pass and passport. Please hand over both."

I expect there will be some fluctuation in prices over the next 4 months or so. I often travel around Christmas and find prices far in advance are often higher than they will be later. I'd suggest waiting a while especially since BA has announced they will restart the route. With more competition, prices may change. You can use Google Flights to set a price alert to get an automatic email sent to you when the price changes.

I've gotten into the habit of submitting an online TM30 when I return from my last trip before going for my annual extension. I have the online TM30 set up so it only take a couple of minutes. I realize that I'm not supposed to have to do that, but I'd much rather spend 5 minutes doing it at home instead of getting to immigration and being told it's missing/required.

I only use eSIMs (that's the correct name, not virtual SIM). You can have a large number of eSIMs in your phone, but at least with an iPhone only two can be turned on at any one time. They can be turned on or off under the systems > cellular settings on your phone. I currently have both a US and Thai eSIM installed, but when I travel I order an eSIM for that country from one of the many eSIM companies, install it (by scanning a QR code) before I go, and then connect to the network when I land and am still on the plane. I've used MobiMatter, Nomad and Airalo. They and similar companies all offer different country, regional and worldwide packages with different amounts of data and different validity periods. eSIMs are much easier to manage than hard SIMs.

I've been asked on American, United, Qatar, AirAsia (sometimes, in some countries but not others), and Vietnam Air (who for my friend entered his onward trip confirmation into their system). There were likely others but I travel a lot and don't really keep track. I wasn't asked on Singapore Air or Scoot.

I have a US passport and I'm on a Non-0 retirement visa. I flew into Thailand 11 times in 2023 on a one way ticket (or the second half of a round trip ticket). In 7 out of those 11 times I was asked about my onward ticket. Of course once I pointed out my re-entry permit I was ok. What's supposed to happen is that the airline's check in screen should tell the check in agent the visa and other requirements they should check, based upon the passenger's citizenship and visa status. Some are more sloppy than others.

Since you're visa exempt, you should only need to show your new passport and the biometrics/name/birthdate should match the two. I would carry your old cancelled passport with you just in case there is a question.

Regarding Vanguard's website, I was having some issues last year trying to login both with VPN and without a VPN. I cleared my cookies and since then it works fine. I'm no longer using a VPN with it and have no issues. The Vanguard app always worked on my phone so you might also try that.