MixPiano

On 11/29/2021 at 5:48 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

Wherever you go, try to avoid Bangna Trad Road. Bad road, lots of unintended jumps, and lots of big trucks. No fun at all.

OK, noted. Looks like this is only a short section in Chon Buri. Or do you mean the 3022?

Great! Thanks for all your replies. 

Ayutthaya is on my list, will do this soon. North Thailand too, but later. First I want to get some experience around BKK and then later up to the north (but not with a 300cc ????

Ratchaburi is noted. Probably I go via Ratchaburi -> Alpaca Hill -> Kanchanaburi back to BKK. Looks to be a good loop.

Hi,

I'm currently in Bangkok and look for routes around here that can be done in a day or maybe with one overnight stay. Browsing Google maps I've compiled some ideas of potential routes:

Kanchanaburi tour 1: Erawan National Park (3199) - Samphao Thong Chedi (4041) - Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park (3480)

Kanchanaburi tour 2: Sai Yok National Park (323) - Khao Laem National Park - Mon Bridge Sangkhla Buri (3202)

Khao Yai National Park tour:  Khao Yai National Park Sout Entrance (305/33/3288) - Khao Yai National Park (3077) - Thap Lan National Park (3052/304) 

In brackets are the main roads I use for guidance, detours likely possible ???? Bike will be a 300cc class with road tires. I'm interested in your feedback and welcome any other tour ideas. What do you think about these routes?
 

18 hours ago, Tuvoc said:

 Hopefully I blanked out all the personal details.

Dear Mr. R. JB., you clearly did not blank out all your personal details ????

Your name and policy number is easily visible. You should remove the document from your post.

3 hours ago, Andycoops said:

Better off in Saudi Arabia than here in terms of getting a beer in a bar or pub.

 

Can't speak for Saudi Arabia, but just spent a couple of weeks in Dubai and I can confirm, you are NOT better off in terms of getting a beer. And if you manage to get one -> 10 USD for a Heineken. 

I too thought about the STV. But the requirements are ridiculous. Even if you have a global health insurance covering Thailand, with more than 1 mill USD cost coverage (including Covid), you still have to purchase an additional Thai issued insurance. That's about 800 EUR for 9 months.

So I choose the 60 day tourist visa, extend by 30 days, and then see how it goes. The STV requirements are over the top.

Arrived yesterday, here a summary of my experience:

12:30    Arrival at airport (DXB-BKK)
12:45    Passed document check and medical questions (the "blue chair" queue).

12:50    Passed immigration

There was basically no queueing anywhere. Though I should mention I had a seat in the front of the plane.

13:00    Hotel driver picked me up and drove to hotel. We stopped at a hospital for the PCR test. Was a "drive in", they swabbed me while I was sitting in the car. The nurse mentioned results are delivered in 12 hours.

14:30    Hotel check-in, had to stay in the room until test result arrives. Once the result is delivered (and negative), you can move freely. Their instructions where pretty clear, also what happens if the result is positive. Ambulance will pick you up immediately and transport you to the hospital, even middle of the night. 

21:00    Received my result already after 6 hours (via hotel reception, they call you and send you an email) 

08:00    Had a great sleep, enjoyed breakfast, and immediately checked out afterwards.

The whole process was super smooth. Someone here suggested that in such complex situations it's recommended to pay more, and choose a higher class hotel, which I did. I paid 6900 THB for the 1-day test & go package and it was worth it. 

Yeah, finally back in Bangkok after 2 years, party on! I rarely drink but today I kill some Heinekens for sure!

Thanks for the first hand impressions! Very helpful post.

If the SHA+ hotel doesn't provide a PCR test, does anybody know how to pre-book a test on arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport? (Test & Go scheme).

13 hours ago, MixPiano said:

Thanks to the posts here and the provided workarounds, my first submission attempt was successful and I got the confirmation email immediately. 

 

Used Win11/Chrome/CORS plugin/gmail address.

 

Now waiting for the approval. 

Got the approval 12 hours after submission. I should mention that I've uploaded two electronic generated QR codes for first and second vaccination additional to the certificates (EU certs without passport number).

11 hours ago, Soulman1980 said:

Maybe stupid question, but i want to book the hotel tomorrow and the TP system wants the booking ID, but is it required to be paid already? Because some hotels charge your credit card only at the check-in, at least the last few i was staying at did that.

I had the same issue. Hardly any SHA+ hotel in Bangkok offered pre-payment - was most of the time like "reserve now - pay later".

So my booking confirmation only showed "Guarantee method: Credit Card Guarantee Visa" and this was accepted for the Thailand Pass approval. 

Thanks to the posts here and the provided workarounds, my first submission attempt was successful and I got the confirmation email immediately. 

Used Win11/Chrome/CORS plugin/gmail address.

Now waiting for the approval. 

Thanks for your replies. I'll definitively to an antigen rapid test before going to the airport. However, in the sandbox model you have to do additional PCR tests after arrival which cannot be avoided. 

I've heard a lot of different versions what can happen if you test positive. But it seems there is hardly any first-hand information available what has actually happened. Beside the "when ASQ goes wrong" story on Stickboy's page I haven't found anything. 

I've my tourist visa stuff done and plan to enter Thailand via one of the Sandbox locations. I also have a global health insurance with Covid coverage.  

Does anyone have first-hand experience what happens if a tourist tests positive (without symptoms) in one of the after arrival tests? 

Are you transferred to an ASQ hotel then or is a hospital stay still mandatory? By all means I want to avoid staying in a field hospital. 

On 5/25/2021 at 6:18 PM, Heng said:

On the maintenance side, I'd cut out condos that have rooftop pools.   Just asking for a harder and harder to maintain task in the long run for all the co-owners.   Even more fun if you have a unit on the few floors right underneath it.  

Interesting point. I was looking for a condo in Bangkok for myself to live in. One of the most important points was no neighbor noise from above my unit. Hence I was looking for units right below the mid-level pool, sky garden, viewing terrace or similar. While viewing some condos I remember reading "pool under renovation due to leaking". So I gave up up the "underneath the pool" idea quickly LOL.   

Soi 11 is not Soi 11 anymore since Climax closed. They killed a Bangkok icon. 

OK, Thanks. I'm currently abroad, I'll check them out when I'm back in Bangkok.

5 hours ago, Just Weird said:

http://www.mbethai.com/mbe_network_bangkok.asp

Thanks for sharing, was also searching for something like this. Though the page doesn't make a professional impression. Does anybody has experience with them?

Peppina pizza is Neapolitan style and pretty good. I can recommend their outlet 27/1 Sukhumvit 33.

Other alternative is Il Bolognese (Silom). 

Siesasi, if you love Thailand and want to live there for at least a couple of years, your path is right. There is never an optimal position in life.  

At your age I would take the Elite Visa route. It doesn't come cheap but gives you peace for 5 years.

Correction: The mall is named Bangsue Junction and is in between DD Mall and the MRT station. But when I was there yesterday I didn't see the machines anymore.

The other shop in the building between Bangsue Junction and the MRT station has a Bally Black Jack (pretty good condition for its age) and a Williams Fun Fest (not so good condition). 

You might want to try the big retro mall (DD Mall) beside Chatuchak. I saw two machines there (1st and 2nd floor). A shop in the block between DD Mall and Kamphaeng Phet MRT station has also a machine. You can try to approach the owner if they are willing to sell. 

Interesting thread.

I'm currently living in a condo which is ultra strict with AirBnB. As soon you walk in with luggage - and you aren't known - you're surrounded by the juristic staff and 2 guards. If you can't prove that you are resident they kick you out. 

In general it's just too attractive for landlords to miss out on this opportunity to make some quick money. The above mentioned condo complex is pretty huge, on each floor are about 20 units. I live there for a month and have yet to meet another tenant on my floor. Besides my unit, at least 15 are unoccupied on that floor. I'm pretty surprised that they execute this "no AirBnB" rule so strict. Good for the tenants.

The building management is a global facility management company.   

Hi

does anybody know a shop in Bangkok which rents out electronic keyboards on a weekly or monthly basis? I’m looking for beginner style keyboards (eg from Yamaha or Casio).

Thanks