Jaxxper

I do transfers through Wise to Kasikorn. Very quick and you see what’s leaving your Wise account , the exchange rate and their fee. No fee at receiving bank.

Our daughter is at Rangsit university. Plenty of small apartments in that area, and I would suspect the same is true at Bangkok Rangsit area too. The apartment she is in runs average about 7,500 a month when utilities are included.

All I can tell you is that I made two separate payments with my Thai credit card (In THB) , one to the HMPO for the visa, and a separate payment to VFS for processing using the same card. The Fees for both are fixed based on what you request on the applications. Both charges have shown on my CC statement in the last week. The Authors question was specifically about the VFS fees though.

Just paid a VFS fee using a Thai Credit Card. Payment accepted , no problems.

They must be. A lot of them are the same girls from 2009. !!

I’ve used both regularly, but for one night stop overs when I’ve been out for a few beers in the area. Find them generally clean and staff helpful. Vogue has got bigger rooms. Haven't run across any tourist groups in either, but that might be because there haven’t been any.

Moderna is soon to release their latest version. When/if it will be available here I don’t know.

I guess they thought it was their turn to get some of the testing revenue !!

Wow, lucky it wasn’t a bad period !!

Just to the untrained eye, it is blatantly obvious that the pressure being applied to the entertainment industry now has absolutely nothing to do with Covid……just my thoughts.

Move in the right direction, albeit after the tourist horse has bolted.

Let me ponder that for a while…….err No.!!

Just an observation. Although the case numbers have been rising over the last week or so, the recovered numbers are increasing also. Statistically doesn’t that tell those managing the pandemic here in Thailand something ? I believe it’s in the nature of the Omicron virus…contagious, generally mild, and short lived. Like I say, just an observation.

I’m not sure that your average Thai neighbours or passers by know what the work permit rules are anyway, and generally I don’t think they give a hoot, or would take the time to report you even if it was an immigration rule issue which I don’t believe it is.

I used to carry Thb 20 k with me as at one point I was making multiple trips in. Never asked to demonstrate I had the funds on me. The rumour is that if you look a bit on the dubious side / shabbily dressed they may ask you to demonstrate the funds but I’ve got no evidence of that.

Come next high season this will be long forgotten by the potential tourists.

About 3 weeks ago I tested +ve via an ATK. Went to a hospital and had a further ATK, and a PCR. Because I had mild symptoms the nurse said they could organise a hospital room or I could go home and isolate until I had -ve ATK test. I took the home isolation option, but did get a call from the local health authority to quiz me on isolation conditions etc. They seemed happy with the answers to the questions they asked and just said stay at home. Anyway 8 days after the PCR I tested -ve on an ATK, so was fit to go back into circulation. No hospitalization was forced. I’m over 60 and am considered in the at risk category for that reason. I thought it was a pretty pragmatic approach to be honest.

Have you tried joining any expat clubs in your area to expand your circle of friends ? Certainly in the Pattaya area there are two expat clubs that I know of. Not sure where you’re located, but could be an option for you.

Just my feeling, but it could be that the initial surge (if you can call it that) was people who live here, run businesses here or have family here wanting to get back in without the quarantine period. I think those numbers are starting to decrease now, thus the reduction in overall numbers.

Very sad that this should happen to anyone anywhere. I hope the student recovers physically and mentally from the ordeal. Must be even scarier when you’re in a foreign land.

Trouble is a lot of people reading that stuff believe it. Scary.

Truly too early to tell, but if recent Covid management history is anything to go by, I could see reinstatement of Covid controls.

I use the Kasikorn bank. They have a branch 500 Metres from the IO I use and they understand what the immigration people want to see each year. Also worthy of note is that they can prepare annual statements within minutes. Some banks have to request from BKK, and it’s a longer wait (couple of days). Useful question to ask when opening the account. Hope this helps.

I admit I’m not a medical doctor, but I find the muscle relaxation theory hard to swallow……excuse the pun 555

I think it’s good until your latest permission to stay / extension expires, or when you use the re entry stamp.