DFPhuket

I had my retirement extension done last week. There is now a computer outside where the person checks your papers. The first thing he did was confirm on his computer that a TM30 was in the system. The person ahead of me was told they couldn't proceed until a TM30 was completed. The TM30 was checked again when I applied for my multiple re-entry permit. I assume the need for a TM30 would apply to a guardianship extension as well. Otherwise, at least for an extension based on retirement, it was the same as in previous years.

For the e-learning video, I think it is when you register for your account that it determines if you get the video with the English subtitles or not. May sure you click "for foreigner" (bottom of the 3 boxes) on that very first screen. I just logged in with my foreign passport number and the video definitely has English subtitles.

I have a good friend who is a Thai lawyer and just this week I asked him to review the Thai will I had made about 10 years ago by a different lawyer. One of the things he mentioned regarding my old one was: "It should be notarized in the correct way.. It is wrong to only put the notarized stamps without the notarial attorney's signature and notarization statement." I do think it's worth spending the money on lawyer fees now to make 100% sure that the will is proper and legal. Otherwise upon your death there will be larger lawyer fees paid by your estate to straighten it out.

When I was 61, I reviewed several companies and ended up getting insurance through Cigna Global. Similar to you, I had no pre-existing conditions and so the policy has no riders that exclude anything. My policy has worldwide cover excluding the USA (but I have medicare so that’s unnecessary), plus an annual Health and Wellbeing Screening. It covers all inpatient and cancer treatment with a US$750 deductible and has an annual benefit limit of US$1,000,000. I chose a policy that does not cover outpatient. That’s cheap here and would significantly increase the premium. Five years ago, the premium was US$3,900. I had one stage zero melanoma removed (which barely reached the deductible), but no other claims. I’m now 66. Over the years the premium has gone up about $200 per year so it’s now $4,800. For me, knowing I’m covered for a serious heart, brain or other medical issue, where I can’t take a 24 hour flight to the US, is worth it.

Through the end of the month, Bangkok Phuket Hospital has deeply discounted wellness exams. You could add a full abdomen ultrasound scan for 2,300 baht. Perhaps start with these two and based on the results go for further tests as indicated? Here is a place in Bangkok that will do a full body MRI. The minimum cost would be 45,000 baht.

I bought a new Nissan at the dealership in Phuket a few months ago. I needed to hand over a COR, my passport to be copied, and signed some papers. I paid for it on the spot by scanning their QR with my SCB bank app. I had to temporarily change my app settings to allow me to transfer a large sum - the default is something like 50,000 baht and changed it to 1 million. About 30 minutes later I drove away the car with red plates away. A few weeks later the while plates came in and I went back to have the plates changed (and got a plate deposit of 2,000 baht back).

You definitely check in at International, get both boarding passes and bags are checked through. You get a CIQ sticker and when getting off in Bangkok the staff direct you through a transit section The BKK airport website has details.

I usually look at both Bolt and Grab. It only takes an extra couple of minutes and sometimes Bolt can be a lot cheaper. Probably because Grab charges more, they seem to have more taxis. InDrive is another option.

Some people who purchase travel insurance thinks it covers every possibility. Mine does not cover illegal acts (riding a motorbike with no license or helmet) or accidents while under the influence. Here are my policy details. I'd image other policies are similar: The insurance under this insuring agreement does not cover any Injury, loss, or damage arising from or as a result of any of the following causes: (1) While the Insured is under the influence of addictive substance, or narcotics to the extent of being unable to control one's mind. (2) While the Insured is under the influence of alcohol with a tested blood alcohol level of 150 mg/dl or over. (3) While the Insured is under the influence of alcohol to the extent of being unable to control one's mind if no alcohol test is administered or the alcohol level cannot be detected.

I just used Wise to transfer US$2,500 from my US bank account to my SCB account and this time it only took 5 minutes. I usually make the transfer while I'm home in Thailand, and as I posted earlier, it routinely takes a few days. I am currently in the US and I'm wondering if today's speedy transfer is due to Wise tracking IP addresses. Perhaps it slows downs transfers if you're making the transfer while outside the US? I'm just speculating. But on March 31, while in Thailand, I made a US$2,000 transfer using the same banks and it took 5 days (3 business days).

My Wise transfers from the US using ACH (rather than a debit card) are routinely taking about 3-5 days. They used to be much faster. It's not really an issue for me since I'm simply replenishing money in my Thai bank account, but it could be if you need the money immediately. Probably due to the competition from other online transfer companies, I have found that Western Union rates are now competitive. They used to be much more expensive. ACH transfers with Western Union have always been immediate.

The Bank of Thailand site has updated data on Thai banks fixed deposit interest rates for 3, 6, 12 and 24 month terms.

Perhaps one thing each of us could do to honor his legacy is to be more like Ubon Joe. Be respectful, answer when we have the knowledge to do so, and not be condescending when someone asks a question that has been asked countless times before. The world (and this forum) could be better if we all tried to be more like Ubon Joe. He will be missed.

If you have an international flight (you need a boarding pass to enter the immigration area), at the far left you will see a sign for re-entry permits. It's the same area where you pay an overstay fine.

The restaurants in the dining area of Jungceylon are beginning to reopen. Wine Connection is refurbished and reopened three days ago.

The do allow you to go through security and board the plane with the boarding pass on your phone in both Phuket and Bangkok. I've not tried it in Pattaya.

A friend of mine went to get his 5 year renewed on January 25. He walked in with all of the papers (medical certificate, passport/license copies, etc). They checked his papers and gave him an appointment to return on April 18. He had already completed the online video and had hoped he could just do the color blind and reaction tests and get it renewed. Nope.

If you have only a carry on bag and check in/get your boarding pass on the app or the website you will go straight to security and to the gate so an hour is plenty of time. Boarding begins about 30 minutes before departure. If you are checking a bag, the check in counter will close about 40 minutes before departure so if there is a queue, that would be cutting it too close for my confort.

With no checked bags, as long as you've checked in and have a boarding pass on your phone or a hard copy, walk straight to security (skipping the check in desk). From there, go to your gate. Boarding usually starts about 30 minutes before departure, so I aim to walk into the airport 1 hour before departure. The biggest variable is whether there is traffic along the way to the airport.

In 2021 the exact same thing happened to me. I was turning right with my signal on and a 14 year old and his 12 year old passenger tried to pass me on the right. He hit my door, mirror and front panel causing 30,000 baht damage to my Honda. The kids bounced on the road but only got road rash. Their new motorbike had minimal damage. Obviously he had no license. A policeman happened to be going by and a minute later. After looking at the scene, he told me it was 100% the kids fault. My insurance guy came, we went to Patong police station and filled out lots of papers. The parents came. I expected I'd have to pay a bribe or the insurance excess but paid zero. I assume the family paid since I didn't have to pay the insurance excess and my rates didn't increase. It was my first time dealing with the police and was shocked that it all worked out.

As others have properly noted, bank apps (at least my Bangkok Bank and SCB apps) work outside the country with no issues at all. Mine have worked in a dozen countries. You need to keep your Thai phone number active so you can get an SMS with a one time password (OTP). It doesn't require any special steps to receive an SMS. You should NOT turn on data roaming unless you don't mind being shocked with a big bill. Once you download the app, you will need to go to the bank with your passport and bank book so they can set it up for you. While you're at it, make certain you also have access to the website setup.

I always fly into Thailand on a one way ticket or the return half of a round trip and have been asked about my return/onward ticket for 9 out of 10 of my flights in the past 12 months. The flights have been on different full service and discount carriers in different countries. About 1/3 were business class. The one time I wasn't asked was a Scoot flight from Singapore. I have a re-entry permit, show that to the agent, and I'm fine. But as others have suggested, https://onwardticket.com/ solves the issue.

She is fine. As a transit passenger, there are no Covid checks or requirements in Japan. I flew through Japan in both December and January. She just needs to meet US requirements, which for foreigners, currently means proof of a 2-dose vaccination series.

I'd take a look at Google maps once you've landed and decide. It's usually fairly reliable. If it's an international arrival it will probably take about an hour to get out, domestically maybe 30 minutes. Either way, you're going to be in the middle of rush hour if you get in a taxi around 6 to 6:30 PM Pre-Covid I landed in BKK on a domestic flight around 6 PM on a Wednesday and opted for a taxi to the Shangri La. It was a mistake, taking me nearly 2 hours to get there. Typically it's about 1 hour in a taxi at that time of the day. If the traffic looks bad, I would take the airport train to the last stop (Phayathai), then Sukhumvit Skytrain green line toward Kheha (2 stops) to Saim. Switch in the station to the Silom line toward Bang Wa and get off at Saphan Taksin. You'll see the Shangri La at the station. Actual train rides are 28 minutes, 4 minutes and 13 minutes but with transfers it will take about an hour.

Grab, Bolt and InDrive apps all work, so I'd install all of the apps. Sometimes you'll find better availability on one or the other. If you're far from "civilization" they are often uninterested in traveling far to pick you up.