JTXR

There is no accepted practice. Some restaurants will include a 10% service charge in the bill. If they don't, they don't expect a tip and Thai people do not tip in such places. We regularly eat in three local places (within a couple of blocks of the house). Good but ordinary Thai food. The bill for dinner for two is in the 200 to 300 hundred baht range. I generally leave 20 baht on the table when we leave at they places, because we're regulars. It's not at all expected, and no doubt people shrug it off as something nutty farang do, but I imagine it's appreciated. I tip my barber (again a very local one-chair shop) an outrageous 25%, but hell, he charges 120 baht and I give him 150).

My latest rejection of 90-day online request (a couple of days ago) included the following (in bold print): For first-time requests of a 90-day notification in each country visit, in-person presentation at the immigration office is required. Never before had TI included the reason for rejection. So it seems official: the first time you do the 90-day report after leaving the country and coming back now has to be done in person. Am I right in remembering you have 7 days after the due date and you're ok?

OP here. Thanks for all the replies. I'll check them out.

Can someone recommend a reliable, honest law firm in Bangkok that can produce a will for me (it's a pretty simple one), both in correct English and an accurate Thai translation -- something that will be valid and honored both in the U.S. and in Thailand? Thanks.

It's incredible to me that the Harris campaign wouldn't tell this person the most useful thing she could do for Harris is to lie low and stay completely out of it. Harris does not at all need the sort of voter this person might possibly influence. I mean not. at. all. She needs working-class swing voters in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Wisconsin, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada. Period. Her step-daughter will turn off rather than attract those voters. Did the Democrats learn nothing at all from the 2016 election?

OK, I'll look for that thread.

Bear with me please. My 2024 Yaris Cross is my first hybrid ever. The dealership gave me only a Thai-language manual and Toyota is taking its time sending me an English one. The online manuals I've found appear to be for foreign-built versions of the vehicle which don't seem to 100% match the 2024 vehicle now being built in Chachoengsao. 1. What on earth good is the EV mode? When I actually am able to enter it, it lasts only 1 km or less. Seems best to just not bother with it. 2. Driving the past month mostly only locally around Bangkok, with one trip out past Lat Krabang and one trip to Khao Yai NP, all in normal mode, the mileage has leveled off at around 21.3 km/liter (around 50 mpg). Can I expect to improve this if I drive in "Eco mode"? And is Eco mode for city driving? highway driving? or both, it doesn't matter? Thanks.

I'm looking for a good dentist in Bangkok for what I think will be extraction of a molar followed by an implant. I DO NOT WANT one of these huge, multi-floor factory-like clinics that seem to be recommended to "international patients". I visited one of them recently (on Ratchada Road but best remaining nameless) and I had a very bad experience with the initial consultation, which involved being shunted from one doctor to another, none of whose names I even even have now.

That may have been true in the past. Today, any Thai that wants his/her children to learn English rather than Mandarin is foolish.

Yeah, the ones I find on Lazada and Shopee are not what I have in mind. But thanks.

Yes, climate change is a serious problem (one among many), and yes, human activity is driving most of it, but any article about it with the word "catastrophic" in the headline is simply not worth reading. It's a wonder anyone still gives any credence at all to the apocalypse nonsense.

I've been looking for a decent simple metal toolbox with no luck. (Ideally a hip-roof style with metal removable tray.) Homepro has only cheap flimsy plastic things and other places I've looked have nothing better. Any ideas?

I read in passing a while ago that the required amount is reduced from 3 million baht to 400K baht, but cannot now find the article I think I saw. Is this true?

"Tourists wishing to work and sightsee can now be issued five-year visas for stays that last up to 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days. Previously, they were only permitted to stay twice for 30 days each. "These new rules target digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, as well as those interested in learning Muay Thai and Thai cuisine," Mr. Chai explained." Then why on earth should I continue with OA-based extensions (66K transferred per month, mandatory health insurance), when I can become a "digital nomad" and get what amounts to essentially full-time entry for 5 years?

Thanks for this Sheryl. I was going to post a new question about a bunion I have that is becoming worse (and painful), but I did a search first. I prefer Bangkok Hospital, but finding a good doctor is the most important thing. Any idea what the approximate cost can be in Bangkok (one foot only)?

Can someone link to something more or less official about this announcement?

My permission to stay (based on original Non-Imm OA visa) expires 28 June. How many days in advance can I go in to CW to extend it? Also, the new permission will begin on 29 June, regardless of the date I go in? Thanks.

OP Exactly. You can research, do all your document prep, and then... surprise! One advantage of dealing with TI over many years is that you learn to expect (or at least accept) the unexpected and you learn to keep your cool no matter what.

Thanks for the recommendations. brian2322: No idea, but it's an old crown and these things have a limited lifespan. Maybe cracked. I somehow am unable to completely abide by dentists' recommendations to give up eating nuts. 🙂

OP here. Just finished getting the COR at CW. Took two and a half hours, mostly because they wanted an "updated TM-30", which meant bouncing a bit from counter 4 to a B counter, then back to 4, then back to B. Officers all helpful. A bit time consuming but not bad.

I have a molar crown -- several years old, not sure how many -- that has felt weak and uncomfortable for a few weeks, now with an aching pain. Probably needs to be replaced. Any recommendations for a reliable, honest dental practice that can deal with this at a reasonable price? Thanks.

I'm not interested in characterizing people. The fact remains that at my local 7-11 the queues move consistently and demonstrably faster when people pay with cash. Around 95% of the customers are Thai.

OP here. I've got the info I need on docs required for the CoR. Thanks. The new TI website for online CW appointments doesn't have CoR as one of the service options in the drop-down menu. Does this mean I can't make an appointment for this service? Only walk-in service?

Heaven forbid the person (or people) ahead of you in a queue at 7-11 are paying for their 50-baht purchases with their phone. Dicking around with pin numbers, and clerks and customers scanning QR codes, each transaction will take three or four times as long as the cash transactions taking place to your left and your right. [sigh]