Saltire

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gj5f/our-world-wuhan-life-under-lockdown

Interesting, short BBC documentary showing just what the government and its people had to do to stop the spread. I know of very few countries with the same capabilities, moreso the  people rather than the government.

Was also intresting to me as I lived and worked there for 2 years in the midst of the SARS epidemic. This however feels very different.

I know how you feel.

The local poo yai has closed all the markets here, but a week ago we went to town and did a big shop at Makro and BigC. Now if we need anything we go to one of the 2 shops in the village but we don't need much so are pretty well esconced at home. We should be ok for about a month.

She has also had her brother who lived with us move out as he just scoffed when we asked him to take part in the self isolating. 

All good so far, she is really onboard.

However someone hit it on the head, she misses the gossip and disappears frequently, masked and gelled up, to talk to our one neightbour. She insists they talk from 10 feet apart and both have masks, but it makes me worry if all the other efforts could be in vain for the sake of a chat..

I am working on this ............

57 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

The electric deposit refund surely has something to do with the overload.  After seeing above and living in Bangkok where my home is service by MEA vs PEA, I logged onto the MEA  website at:

https://www.mea.or.th/refund/

 

The Registration Process/Enter Site icon shows a person the various ways to get the deposit refund....a PDF document all in Thai language but with a little help for Google Translate and the Thai wife we figure it out. 

 

After many clicks on the Register for Refud of Collateral/Enter the website we were in.   Used the way were the person just enter their 13 digit Thai ID card (i.e., the Thai wife's since the electric acct was registered in her name).  To our surprise after entering her ID card number the system immediately came back and said a 4,000 baht deposit was available for refund.  You are then offer several options to receive the refund...we selected deposit into her KrungThai Bank acct.  One more click and it said the refund was approved and given a control number. 

 

I guess we now wait and see if the Bt4,000 refund actually shows up.....or maybe only Bt2,000 will only be refunded out of that Bt4,000.  It's been less than an hour since completing the online deposit refund process....still no money showing transferred to the wife's KTB acct, but I expect MEA will first do some more double checking before actually sending the refund which could take X-amount of days.  Time will tell.

 

Helpful post thanks

I assume if your bill is from PEA we will need to wait till its up again?

Did you do this on your phone or the website on a PC?

OP I get your point. Today we tried the usual payment route using one of two local agents both said payments suspended awaiting confirmation that the government is about to authorise 5k Baht to households for bills. I won't hold my breath on that. I will have a go at paying on my phone app from Krung Thai.

Not used the scan method but will give it a go.

Last thing we need is no power for non-payment.

Can't connect to website

49 minutes ago, digbeth said:

อย่าเข้ามา

กักตัวอยู่

ขอบคุณ

be prepared to be misunderstood as you having the virus though

 

adding a (ผมกลัวติดโรค) is lighthearted tone, might put you down as a gemaphobe, but not infected

 

อย่าเข้ามา

กักตัวอยู่

ขอบคุณครับ (ผมกลัวติดโรค)

Thanks, only considering a sign as a last resort. I think the stay home message is finally getting through...

My wife and I are in her village inn Kanchanaburi and are attempting to self isolate at home but getting the message accross diplomatically to our neighbours and locals is proving a little difficult. Government advice has only just reached here this week, broadcast by the poo yai.

I can speak a little Thai but not read or write, and my wife has good English but the subtlties of a 'No Entry' sign on the gate is not easy for her, and besides, she can only read and write very limited Thai herself.

Ideally I am looking for something in Thai such a

DO NOT ENTER

SELF ISOLATING

THANK YOU

Just looking for some polite Thai to cut and paste and print out.

Thanks

Just watching Ch7 with the wife right now.

Every bus station and many border crossings absolutely jammed. Train and boat too where appropriate. Yes there are thousands going home to the provinces, but the process is going to take days if not weeks. Many will be sleeping rough at the bus stations in the hope that tomorrow they can get a seat. Recipe for more disasters.

I my village they have been returning for the last week or so, many new faces.

One of our neighbours is waiting on her 3 offspring returning, all stuck at Mo Chit with no chance of transport today.

Fortunately our neighbour is smarter than the average village wifie and has alredy told them when they get home they will be quarantined for 2 weeks in her propety. Have to say I think she got lambasted enough over the weeks by my wife's advice that she is onboard. We are both in self isolation now. They gosssip from 10 feet accross the fence wearing masks ????

Sometimes you just run out of options, I'd not include a deliberate overstay as one of them. Can come back and bite you big-time.

So, to wrap this up as the Nang Bua ordination was yesterday and today, we didn't go. Just came back from our morning walk around the village and it seems the majority of locals who normally go have decided the same as us.

Many tables, very few attending. I am sure he understands now.

Also it seems 3 different houses are doing the same today.

Madness giving out the 'stay home' advice on the tannoy then allowing 3 to go ahead.

Stay safe everyone.

I think the instant SMS is a great feature. If you are suspicious of 1 transaction you dont need to wait for 4 more to do something about it.

You can also deactivate and reactivate your account online which presumably would reject further transactions.

Been with KTB 3 years - no issues.

I also keep a journal - not every day but when I feel like it or something funny/memorable happens.

I use it when the internet goes as its an app on my Macbook (Journey - one time purchase - there are better but I hate subscriptions).

I find it is absorbing when you get a good topic, keeps yur brain working and will be really useful when dementia sets in for good. I may forget all about this <deleted> virus but I will always be reminded of some good times in Bangkok when I read them in 10 years time.

Useful and timely post thanks

I will be applying for the voucher as it seems a fair deal and suits me.

Can use up to a year from original departure, can go anywhere.

Suppose it will depend if BA is still in operation.

There is no refund option now it seems.

No different now than the last 3 years.

Dawn: Pot of Early Grey on the porch, walk with the wife 3 Km around village, check emails etc till about 10 AM, Cook breakfast, more computer time TV etc, Stop around 2 PM cook dinner, go local market etc, stop eating after 4, walk again around the village before dark, shower, Netflix or read. I enjoy cooking, always have, it takes up at least aa couple of hours a day.

Wife is busy all day looking after parents next door, cooking for them/herself, cleaning everything every day (again nothing to do with the virus), watch Thai movie on her tablet, laughs too much and too loudly watching talkshow Udom (he is actually hilarious some youtube have English subtitles) 

If I ever feel bored I drink a few beers on the porch and play loud 70's rock music. Ensures the neighbours also practice social distancing.

1 hour ago, Saltire said:

Am hearing now that the impending arrival of the virus has many people rightly worried, I have a feeling we will not be the only ones attending now.

 

No need for excuses I reckon.

 

Thanks

Typo - only ones NOT attending now.

Am hearing now that the impending arrival of the virus has many people rightly worried, I have a feeling we will not be the only ones attending now.

No need for excuses I reckon.

Thanks

5 minutes ago, Elkski said:

You didn't  say your ages or it other health  issues or smoking  history.   I would say if under 55 go cautiously but they ate finding permanent lung scarring in some % of recovered  people.  Plus some dont get sick much others says its bloody hell.  

 Send a gift  and money .  

This virus is real,  its everywhere,  it spreads easily, you know the 10-20 times worse than no rd mal flu bit.  Believe the facts published in the Lancet or not.  

I am with you on taking this very seriously so I will err on the cautous side.

We have decided not to attend just to give the gift in the envelope now. And as you ask, I am in the 'vlunerable' category, otherwise known as cannon fodder if I were back in the UK. 65, diabetic, heart condition, blood pressure, other than that I am perfectly fine ????

It's just not worth the risk.

Only yesterday for the first time did the local poo yai use the tannoy to ask people to be aware of the virus, wash hands, no big gatherings etc. He has repeated it a few times since, better late than never.

However just 2 days before, he invited half the village and many outsiders to his home next weekend to celebrate his son becoming a monk. 2 days of eating drinking and sharing space.

I fear the villages will not escape any of this even though remote, the returning diaspora now and at the 'cancelled' songkran will see to that.

There is no point in worrying that the government hospitals will be 'swamped', as they alraedy are and have been for ages.

Visiting my father in law a few months ago (pre virus) there was not a spare inch or an empty bed. Beds lined up along each corridor.

I posted about this and it is apparently the norm.

This could be another tsunami.

Some good advice here, but some not so good as everyones needs are different.

I am non UK resident with HMRC for 8 years, but still pay UK tax on pensions and property income (but its minimal). You can not self certify online so have to pay a UK accountant (£200 per annum) I have pretty well survived on what you will earn, also on long term savings and tax free pension cash. It can be done on 1000/1500 per month if you are not planning on funding a bar girl lifestyle.

I specifically bought a one bed flat to rent out as a potential bolt hole for an emergency return. It is my emergency fund in case I ever need to pay serious medical bills. I'd never buy a condo in Thailand though.

As for the NHS I hear a few alternative scenarios. As said by another poster, don't tell anyone and you may be ok, but unlikely. You have to requalify for free NHS by stating you are home to stay and then wait 6 months for eligibility. If you want to pay, they will add 50% to the regular cost for people going private.

I had to see a GP one trip home and made an appointmenet at my brothers surgery, but the doctor when he heard my situation was very unhelpful, bordering on hostile. Won't do that again. Went for a free eye test at Boots the Chemist and felt guilty when I lied to being asked if I was permanent in the UK. I would have felt happier paying the $38 ????

Finally I use my brothers address for everything in those 8 years. It's proven invaluable for admin such as pension letters, bank statements, sending out renewed credit cards, drivers licence etc.

You are asking the right questions, many don't then have future problems. Good luck.

Edit. A new one I found out this year is that no Independant Financial Advisor in the UK is allowed to give you advice if you are non resident. I had a recent issue when starting a new pension, and the provider was insisting on a written statement.