DFPhuket

I'd take a picture of the test kit showing a negative result and keep it for a while. In the highly unlikely event that you're asked about the day 5 test, say, "Here's a photo of my results. I tried to upload it. I guess it didn't work." It seems impossible that the government has the technological ability to track and follow up on this. Afterall, they can't even figure out how to get the Thai Pass site to accept a pdf instead of a jpeg upload.

While there are going to be very few (if any) direct flights, there are still several carriers that fly to Russia with a stopover via their hubs (e.g., the Middle Eastern carriers). But the bigger issue is obviously getting money, especially if they don't have bank accounts outside of Russia. Hotels typically use a credit card hold to assure they will be paid. Will hotels now say to Russians, "Sorry, but can you stop at the desk today and hand over cash to pay for your full stay?" I can't imagine the difficulties of being on a holiday without a working credit card and being unable to access cash.

I used the same documents, passport, and hotel for 2 COEs, 1 Sandbox and 1 Test & Go. The first COE last July took about 3 days, the second for a COE in October took 1 day, the third was a Test & Go and took under an hour. Fearing I couldn't get the date changed for the Test & Go and I applied for a Sandbox in mid-January and that approval took 3 days (I didn't use it since I did get my Test & Go date changed). Except for the Test & Go, which was for a travel date 6 weeks in advance, I applied for all of the others 7 to 10 days before my travel. One would think if you're submitting the same documents (only the flights and dates were different each time), the process would be automatic. Clearly it's not.

Perhaps you're confusing the time of the swab with the time of the results. Thai Pass requires the RESULTS to be no more than 72 hours before your first flight. I've flown to Thailand three times with COE and Test & Go. On my January trip from Illinois I was swabbed at CVS on Sunday, received the results on Wednesday, took my flight from Chicago on Thursday evening and arrived in Phuket Saturday morning. The PCR result document was checked in Chicago and Phuket - but with thousands of different lab result forms they only looked for "negative" and the date/time. Be aware that not all of the labs used by CVS or Walgreens print both the swab day/time and results day/time so that's worth checking. Of course if you have some tech skills you could add the date/time of the results to the pdf document. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but realistically no one would know if you did.

How are they accounting for the 50 or more planes that have continued to rot at BKK airport? In addition to issues with engines and avionics, I can't imagine what the mildew covered cabin might look like after having no ventilation for two years.

Natthakhet Yaemim, is an M.D., goes by "Dr. Deyn" and is the founder of Pulse Clinics. You can Google his name for verification. If you're still worried, you could visit their clinic in Patong and make a direct payment.

I know that Thais do like to see a doctor for minor illnesses like colds, but why would anyone go to the hospital these days unless they had significant Covid symptoms?

I would imagine that if the label with the batch code is still on a vile it could easily be traced back to the hospital or clinic. But I'm doubtful that will happen.

I've found that as long as the first two digits say 20, they haven't worried about the decimal. Certainly you should be okay at 20.5 since that rounds down. In general, full service carriers don't seem to be so concerned (or maybe they don't want to do the paperwork) when less than 0.9 kg over.

If it's so effective at tracking and tracing, why after 2 successful COE's and 1 Test and Go did it take 3 days to approve my 4th application? I used the exact same passport, vaccination and insurance documents for each one.

In my experience neither Bangkok Air nor Thai Smile check the weight of your carry on - they only weigh your checked bag. I'd keep your checked bag under 20.9 kg and put heavier items in your carry on.

I fly from Phuket to Bangkok and back every couple of weeks. I'm asked for my vaccination certificate at check in. Nothing else is required or requested.

I don't see any time savings by using an agent. You still have to scan all of the documents. Then you can either upload them to the ThaiPass site or send them to an agent. But I wouldn't trust an agent to choose my insurance policy, hotel and the date and time for my second PCR test. I've completed two Sandboxes and one Test & Go. The application process (assuming you have the documents) takes less than 15 minutes.

I'd contact an insurance broker in Thailand. They deal with these kinds of questions frequently and will have some suggestions. There is no cost to use a broker since any commission is paid by the insurance company. I used AA Insurance Brokers when I retired from my job in Thailand 4 years ago (at 61) and they were helpful. I went with Cigna Global. My Cigna policy covers all inpatient and cancer treatment up to US$1 million per year with a US$750 deductible (no co-pay) for treatment worldwide except the US (I have Medicare there). They fully covered a recent melanoma treatment. Four years ago the premium was $3,100 and now it's $4,100. I have no pre-existing conditions. When I was shopping for policies some wouldn't cover things related to the heart because I take medication for hypertension. There are cheaper policies if you go with higher deductibles or co-pays. I am in a financial position where paying the annual premium isn't an issue and I like the peace of mind of being covered should I have a major health issue.

I had a similar issue. My QR was accepted in December for Test and Go and I was approved in 3 hours. I used the same code in January for a new application and got a "QR code not valid" message. I uploaded my certificates and approval took 3 days. One would think that if you have been approved before (I've now come in 3 times), that the system would recognize your passport and other documents and you would be auto approved.

In August 2019, the authorities started work to bury cables along the 2.5 km of beach road in Patong, Phuket. After 2 1/2 years, this month they finally finished by painting crosswalks and other lines on the road. I'm thinking that burying 1,400 km in 3 years will only happen in someone's dreams.

I'm always amused when someone suggests retiring in Japan or Singapore. Having worked in both countries for several years, I can assure you that neither offer a retirement visa or anything similar.

My situation isn't exactly the same since I"m single, but I have a secured document of several pages that I always keep updated with financial account details, logins, passwords and information about all of my assets in Thailand. Once a year I print a hard copy and give it to my sister in the US. If I was in a relationship in which I didn't have 100% trust, I would provide my sister's contact information to my partner.

I've already purchased a ticket on Qatar leaving Thailand in June and returning in July. It will be interesting to see if they try to make this retroactive for tickets already purchased and the mess that would occur if they try to collect 300 baht. Logically, the tax should be effective for tickets purchased on and after a particular future date. But logic is irrelevant in this case.

The US also accepts an antigen test, but like I suspect with The Netherlands, it has to be from a lab or clinic. In other works you can't just pick a test up at 7-11 and take it yourself. I got my antigen test at The Tourist Clinic in Patong for 590 baht. It took about an hour and included both the lab report and a medical certificate. Qatar only cared about the lab report when I checked in for a flight to the US.

I have flown from Phuket to Bangkok many times (including last week) and have not been asked for any Covid documentation going that direction. I am, however, always asked to show proof of vaccination when flying from Bangkok to Phuket.

I recently turned 65 and while I live in Thailand, I have no idea what the next decades will bring and if or when I might move to the US. I have kept a US address. I signed up for Part A, Part B, Part D (drugs - less than $10/month) and Plan G Medigap. Right now I spend a couple of months in the US each year and will be covered while I'm there. The peace of mind of knowing I have coverage while I'm there and in the future, should I return or have a major medical condition, is worth it to me. Thankfully I'm in a position where the cost isn't an issue. I also have a health policy in Thailand, but like many policies, it doesn't cover me in the US.

Since you're not returning until May, I would wait and see what the rules are 3 or 4 weeks before your return. I've completed two sandboxes and one test and go. In each case the rules that were in effect before I departed had been changed by the time I returned.

Somewhat seriously - As QR codes have become the method of payment choice for many people and people begin to move away from carrying cash, the police might have a serious problem collecting their cash "tips." Perhaps this will be a topic for a future seminar?

I also recommend Skype. I use it to call my elderly mother's landline and as others have mentioned, US$10 goes far with it. Being able to call US or Canadian 1-800 toll free numbers at no cost is an added bonus. I've done that many times when calling an airline, hotel or other organization.