ClaySmc

9 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

we saw precision bombs going into Air Vents that's how accurate they are

You throw around these “nuggets” like they were candy; they address little of what is seen in the photos that look more like a blanket bombing strategy, than precision bombing. Also, the casualties, “number of people killed in Gaza since 7 October has risen to 5,087. Women and children have made up more than 62 percent of the fatalities, while more than 15,273 people have been injured”  don't back you up. Maybe if you were standing in the middle of the rubble, you would have a different opinion. I also find it interesting that it is okay for early Zionists to fight and kill for political gain, but other people fighting for the same rights on the other side must be eradicated. Reminds me of another political solution that we all agree is abhorrent, but seems to be playing out in Palestine, where people are herded and controlled, rights taken away, private property and land confiscated; with no future in the box Netanyahu helped build.

How can you check that it accepted your data (I used the upload Excel spreadsheet method)?

When I went to log in again, it asked if I wanted to overwrite the data, so I canceled as I didn't want to start over.

1 hour ago, armin677 said:

to receive SMS,  does it have to be a number from the US or from any of the 25 countries that are supported?

No the number doesn't have to be a US number. But it does have to be one of the 25. Which does not include Thailand. I'm using a US number to get bank or other verification codes from US companies to my Skype here in Thailand. The verification codes go to my US Skype number; as I needed to set up those accounts to be received with a US number. 

I also tested and sent a message from my US Skype number to my Thai AIS number. But it still not quite what you need, if you will be in the UK and want to interact with your Thai bank.

8 hours ago, armin677 said:

Can Skype be used to receive SMS via internet?  Has anyone used it for this?

Skype instituted SMS several years ago, I have a USA number that I receive verification codes for US websites, like banks, etc. I don't know if it's because I pay for a Skype number, as I use that for my Skype account. When getting a Skype number you can select a country the number is associated with; see below.

A Skype Number is a second phone number which is attached to your Skype account, allowing you to answer incoming calls on your Skype app anywhere. People can call you from their mobile or landline and you pick the call up in Skype. A Skype Number is great option if you, or your friends and family live in different countries, or plan to travel abroad and want an affordable way to keep in touch.

Anyone can dial your Skype Number from any mobile or landline and you simply pick up the call on Skype.

On 3/8/2023 at 9:12 PM, Stargeezr said:

all of Asia

Some doctor I went to see in Nakhon Phanom was complaining how Thai companies set up coal-fired electric plants in Laos not thinking that the wind would blow the pollution back into Thailand. You also have the countries that process raw material (like Thailand and China) buying those products from the poorer countries, so they don't have to deal with the pollution. So yes, an Asian problem.

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

they wanted to see my GP records in the UK.

Thanks. That would be hard tracking down, so I guess another reason to not go down that road.

I don't think I've seen this asked:
How do insurance companies find out you had a test or condition that you did not list in an application? Especially now that you are in Thailand, and any of this took place years ago in the West?

By the way, here is a link regarding how one insurance company processes some claims:
How Cigna Saves Millions by Having Its Doctors Reject Claims Without Reading Them (msn.com)

1 hour ago, flexomike said:

come back the same day, get a 45 day visa exempt entry,

Is some short-term insurance required when returning to cover the time until receiving the non-O?

Thanks.

On 12/5/2022 at 2:05 AM, jaizan said:

an app

There was an article that mentioned it would be ready at the end of December:

Laos-China Railway Unveils Ticket Reservation App on First Anniversary - Laotian Times

Laos-China Railway Unveils Ticket Reservation App on First Anniversary - Laotian Times

In early November, I crossed over via friendship bridge in Nakhon Phanom with a hundred. They didn't have change in USD but tried to get it which caused a bit of delay. I said I would take anything and after a phone call to the higher ups they finally gave me change in  Kip.

Eight years ago, I used a Thai company in LA, which has a large Thai population. All I did was hand them a list of items in my boxes. Each box measured .75 meters square, so large, but not huge. There were 7 boxes with books, kitchenware, computer, etc. I am American, not Thai. Just paid the fee, which was reasonable. And they shipped the boxes by boat. It was supposed to take a month, but took longer. Everything arrived in good shape, with no problems with customs.

4 hours ago, Purdey said:

My eyes became cloudy

Several months after my cataract surgery, my lens started to become cloudy and the doctor used a laser to “burn off” the particles that had collected on the surface of the lens, so you might not need another new surgery. My vision became as sharp as after the surgery. Now, it's been over ten years and my vision is not as sharp as before, so I was recently wondering if I could do the surgery again; it's good to know that we can have them replaced up to 3 times.

9 hours ago, JimGant said:

new extension also begins the day after your appointment

As I recall, I went in a week before, but my insurance was dated to start two days later closer to my "true renewal date" and they did not accept it, so I had to have a change to my policy so it started one day before the rescheduled appointment, which was a week later. The policy began one day before that new appointment, and the extension ended based on the insurance. So, I guess I lost a day or so of extension, as they both were not aligned.

I checked and this year's dates were a few days before last years, so this process caused me to lose a few days. I could have timed it better and only lost one day, or asked my insurance company to add an extra day, which I would pay for, but I want to change to an O-visa, so it did not matter.

I had to apply for an extension on my O-A in mid-March this year. LMG, my insurance company, gave me the option of the new insurance and renewing my old policy. I opted to go with the old policy as I intend to change to an O visa near when I have to renew again.

I went to CW and had no problem getting my extension with the old policy. When I first used this policy, they wanted it to go into effect a day before my appointment, so I followed that guideline this year as well. As I said, had no issue.

On 2/28/2022 at 9:25 PM, Lacessit said:

hospital system is poor

I had noticed a few hospitals renovated in Vientiane the past few years, and a Thai hospital group opened an international hospital in that city. So, it seems, things are beginning to improve, on that front, at least in Vientiane.

A guy who owns a visa company in Laos was interviewed several times by a popular Australian YouTube vlogger who lives in Vientiane, “Now in Lao”.  The contact info is below, and you can search “Now in Lao” channel to see the video clips:

CONTACT CHRIS BARTH: 
https://www.facebook.com/laosvis
Whatsapp +8562054649654

I haven't used him, but he was informative and seemed honest, but you can watch for yourself. And he is open to inquiries, and should let you know how he can help.

On 6/22/2022 at 7:04 PM, brewsterbudgen said:

UK Embassy in Laos recently announced

The Facebook group should have the latest info, as that document is dated 2014, so if there was a change, it wouldn't be reflected in that list.

The week before the pandemic closed the borders, I had gone to a police station in Thakhek, Lao to show them a stack of paperwork similar to those listed with the end result being to get permission from the government to get married. I was there with the girl's uncle and parents. The police looked at my papers, then showed me examples of what they wanted, and even photocopied some examples to take back.

Of those listed for the foreigner, below are the not-so-obvious ones:

• Personal letter: a bio, and I think an explanation of how we met.
• Working certificate: work history
• Status: confirming that I was single, and if previously married documentation that I was legally divorced.
• Commitment letter: that I was committed to marry her and if we divorced, I would guarantee that I would give her the funds to return to her family in Laos.

For me, the borders closed the following week, so I never had an opportunity to go back with revisions. 

Good luck.

I has requested refunds from Lazada and I have Bangkok Bank. I found out if you order with a credit card card it gets charged back, but if you order with an ATM card they  deposit the money in your Lazada Wallet and from there you can transfer it to your bank account. So I was forced to register for a Lazada Wallet option to either use the funds to pay for a new purchase or transfer to my bank account.

5 hours ago, Harveyg said:

regarding charges of antisemitism

According to Israeli policy, anyone who doesn't agree with Israeli policy is antisemitic; that could even be those of Jewish faith. You got a closed loop there, one that is indefensible. 

40 minutes ago, RobU said:

I didn't bring it up, you did I responded to someone elses comment, read my posts before you comment

I apologize if I misunderstood. Sorry about that.

39 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

criticise

There's criticizing and there's slurring. What would you prefer, Putin's maga-girlfriend in power? If he was still in office, Putin would be marching half way  across Europe by now.

5 minutes ago, JWRC said:

if the rules should change to include "O" visa

Thanks. I'm in the same boat, but the insurance I have is the “throw away” kind, so I wouldn't have much to lose. But if I did have a decent policy, I'd want to keep it, too.