Polaky

3 minutes ago, aussiexpat said:

Oh, if I still have to post my passport I might as well do everything by post in one go. Thanks

It appears as though the online application is only for pre-approval, you still have to do everything manually, so canberra would be better as no pre approval required, that is if you have the time as post is very slow, I have been waiting for a small parcel for over a month!.

The Royal Thai Consulate-General, Sydney wishes to advise that your visa is pre-approved.

Due to Covid -19 and restrictions as part of the NSW Government Public Health Order;

We will accept mail application only until further notice. Please keep up to date on changes to NSW Government restrictions as they are made, which may affect changes to procedures as outline below. 

Please post the following items to the Royal Thai Consulate-General, Sydney (Level 8, 131 Macquarie Street Sydney 2000)

• Your original passport and copy
• A completed visa application form with photo attached
• A self-addressed return envelope and visa fee $60 (Money Order addressed to Royal Thai Consulate-General, Sydney).

If this is the direction that they want to head then tourist numbers will never get back to pre covid status, for those that came pre covid, those fond memories will be just that, a bustling entertainment industry killed by covid, never to return to what it once was, pompei done and dusted.

1 hour ago, aussiexpat said:

Found a problem with flights on Singapore Airlines. I can't book a return ticket. I was going to book a return at 90 days just to line up with the TV and then change it as it's valid for a year with date changes free.

 

I've traveled to Thailand many times before with just a one way ticket and never had a problem, however these are different times obviously. I'm hoping just a confirmed one way ticket there and a proposed itinerary back will be enough.

 

Edit: haha, just tried Business class and no problem getting a ticket. Only 108,955 baht one way to Brisbane lol

 

You could book Jetstar on the 3rd of may to melbourne, cheap as chips, that would give you proof of a return ticked to forward for exemption. no doubt they will cancel that flight so you will get your dollars back, should also be enough to satisfy thai imm if you state you will be applying for an non o.

Sandbox is a great idea if your a teetotaller, enjoy deserted beaches, go to bed at 6.00pm, avoid all excursions and taxi's, your holiday will be filled with fun queing up at testing stations,  enjoy a holiday where you can meditate to your hearts content, and as a bonus get a suntan on your dial depicting batman, however if your a party animal then pick another country.

Still unclear how the guy from uae tested positive, how is it possible?, unless the test he had before leaving was fake, which would also raise the question is his vaccination legit?, surely if you board a flight and the stewardess has it and passes it onto you, it would be too early to detect as positive, it needs time to ingrest itself into your system, something is not quite right with this case, the boys from tat should investigate more thoroughly.

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Because they prefer to do the extension the correct way instead of having it done under the table.

I got a quote once, fell off my chair and spilled my beer ☺️

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

You have to check with the insurer to find out if they will pay for the hospital when you are asymptomatic. Some will not pay unless you are showing symptoms. 

The insurance offered by the TGIA does pay when asymptomatic (https://covid19.tgia.org/).

I cannot see it in their T&C's, but I will take your word for it Joe ????

1 hour ago, truthfix said:

I don't see any info regarding being covered if tested positive?

I am not sure if any of them do, most don't mention anything about it,

would be interesting to filter the ones that do, even if the premium is a little

higher, for self assurance.

32 minutes ago, mrfill said:

Is that the same Australia that's only managed to fully vaccinate 4.8% of their considerably smaller population?

Yep!, The biggest problem is there are not many that want it, the blood clotting fiasco has frightened many with astra, and pfizer is in short suppy, plus they cannot go anywhere as the borders are locked up tight, with the low case numbers they are content not to be vaccinated, most don't have any desire to go to a country who doesn't have control over their case numbers.

Surely they will cancel their sandbox plans now.

Tourists arriving will already be ripped off with covid testing, 2800 baht x 4 tests, to draw the attention away from themselves  they certainly don't want the taxi mafia to exasperate the situation, the pot calling the kettle black springs to mind.

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Not sure I follow.

The OP is his first year of his non O-A.

IF he can exit and return prior to its expiry then he will be stamped in for another 12 months. No extension required.

If op re enters prior to the 12 month expiry, , when he re enters does he also need a new 12 month extension on health insurance and covid insurance to be stamped in for 12 months?.

A better approach would have been to impose a fine and the threat of jail if anyone tries to leave, wristbands will be easily hacked, manipulated and destroyed when one has an ale or two.

It is a toss up between OA and O based on retirement, Initially in Au you need the visa $300.00, you need the useless health Insurance around $300.00, then you need covid Insurance $650.00, then quarantine or Alcatraz a minimum of $1000.00, before your free to hunt down a cheap condo to stay in.

where with an o.........

Enter on a tourist visa $0.00, covid Insurance $120.00 for a month, quarantine or alcatraz $1000.00, then apply for an O $100.00, shove $30,000 in a Thai Bank acc, extension $100.00,

get a decent health insurance in country $?,

this one does appear to be the most obvious winner, however not everyone has $30,000 to let sit idle, and that is the sticking point.

Gone are the days when you could enter without any type of insurance, and if injured rely on a GoFundMe to get you out of strife, Insurance is the bulk of the cost besides living expenses.

At this particular time in AU you cannot buy any type of covid Insurance due to the borders being shut tight, and you would be struggling to get travel insurance of any description unless it is domestic, that's why us/uk, etc, have the upper hand.

On 6/12/2021 at 6:05 PM, ubonjoe said:

According to a news article today it appears the sandbox is going to delayed until August 1st.

 

This is fake news I believe, It will go ahead on July 1st, The report was translated incorrectly, what the statement actually said was Koh Samui wouldn't open until August 1st, so another misinterpretation of the letter, then again it is not official until the 19th?, so who knows what will happen. 

Well 99.9% of us won't qualify for this deal.

The young fella is now a very rich man, hmm food for thought.

Anyone from Oz wishing to take advantage of the Phuket sandbox has a problem in regards to flights, currently there are no direct flight to Phuket, I believe Thai Airways will be providing direct flights from Europe but nothing has been said about Oz, unless you can transit through Singapore or Bangkok it will be a no go.

Not sure about European countries coming as they have their summer,  but from au especially from Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth , there will be heaps coming over to get away from the bitter cold.

How long do you have to stay in Phuket before being allowed to travel elsewhere? Phuket is not my destination of choice, has this been discussed or are you limited to the island only?.

3 hours ago, Billpro785 said:

Flew back to the states and got mine. an month ago. All I  Needed was a negative Covid test. Now in Bangkok doing the 7 day quarantine . 

That was a hefty price you paid for a shot in the arm.

Lock it up!, lock it up now!, close the airports, curfews!, or face the inevitable.