KhaoYai

Exactly what I do and top it up from time to time on Kasikorn's online banking.

Thanks for that but I don't think that service is available. I tried one way from Phuket to U-Tapao and U-Tapao doesn't show up in the destination list. Reverse the direction and flights are shown - even with a return flight but when I click on 'Show Flight Price' - the page just refreshes to a new search.

Not sure the airport departures and arrivals can be trusted - flight radar 24 doesn't show them.

My wife will be returning to Thailand from the UK in October and we are considering using the Phuket Sandbox Scheme rather than her being shut in an ASQ hotel in Bangkok - she's had her first jab and will be fully vaccinated well before she travels. Post Sandbox she will need to get back to Korat but she tells me there are no domestic flights running at the moment. The Phuket airport departures list shows flights from both Vietjet and Lion Air leaving and Suvarnabhumi Airport shows them arriving so what's going on? Are they just carrying cargo? Both Vietjet and Lion Air websites show no flights available. I seem to remember reading about the flights ending and that some kind of bus service had been put on for people ending their Sandbox stay to travel to Bangkok - is that correct?

How would the UK authorities know he hadn't extended his visa? If he'd married a much younger girl they might get a little suspicious if he was still claiming his pension when he was 125.

You are correct that the UK's vaccination certificate does not include passport details - the only ID it has is your name and date of birth. I haven't seen this as I haven't made an application yet but are you saying they want your passport details to be on the actual certificate? What are they suggesting could happen - you just happened to find another person with same name and you're using their vaccine certificate? I think you'll have to phone them to sort this out. I'd be grateful if you could post the outcome...............................I'm having visions of a legally notarised document confirming the certificate belongs to the passport holder which then needs translating and the translation verifying by the MFA. ????

I can top up my Dtac account via Kasikorn's online banking (no, I don't mean the App). I can't be sure but I would think Bangkok Bank offer the same facility.

Yes it is activated. As I said, there is no mobile signal at my home. Wifi calling works though but I have to set my mobile data to my Thai SIM - not a problem as I don't do many Kasikorn transactions. I don't know whether its specific to my phone but whereas when I am using the mobile network, calls can be made and received on either SIM, with Wifi calling, I have to choose which

You misunderstand. What I'm saying is............. my UK mobile provider doesn't support SMS messages on their Wifi calling system so I can't receive OTP's from my UK bank. However, I also have a Kasikorn account with online banking and a dual SIM phone - when I want to carry out a transaction on my Kasikorn account, I simply switch to my Thai SIM, activate Wifi calling and I get the OTP via SMS. Which is the third world country?

Its not only banks - this is becoming a real problem in other sectors. When registering for the NHS App for example, they authenticate you by sending a code to your phone by SMS. One solution is to use Wifi calling - providing you can access that. I'm currently in the process of switching providers as I'm tired of waiting for O2 to fulfill their promise to include support for SMS messages on their Wifi calling system at some point this year. I don't know if its a system problem or something providers are resisting but I find it very annoying that if I set 'data' to my Thai SIM (dual SIM phone) and turn on Wifi calling, I can receive OTP's from Kasikorn in Thailand but at the moment I can't get them on my UK SIM.

I have a Co-op current account that also uses two-step authentication for any new transactions and in depth viewing when using online banking. I have no mobile signal in my UK home so I can't receive their one time password by SMS. I'm not sure about credit card accounts but for current accounts, the Co-op is the only UK bank I know of that offers the alternative of sending the passcode by e-mail.

It is. The UK will only give the concession to those travelling from the US and the EU who have been fully vaccinated using approved vaccines administered in those regions. Both AZ and Pfizer are on that list. They don't seem to be making distinctions regarding where the vaccine was produced - just that its approved. As for products being like for like - just produced in a different country, I would tend to agree - you'd hope that the original producer would insist on some sort of quality assurance that guarantees the product is up to standard wherever its made. Then again, there has been variance on batches - during the arguments regarding side effects with the AZ vaccine - I seem to remember some countries stating the problems only applied to certain batch numbers. You'd think a BMW 3 series would be the same whether its produced in Germany or Borwin, Chonburi. I seem to remember BMW having serious build quality issues with Thai built cars a few years back. In fairness though, they've had QC issues in other countries too.

They can actually sieze any amount over £900 if you can't show how you came about having that cash. I believe a withdrawal slip from your Thai bank would be sufficient - I can't think of any jurisduction the UK authorities would have that would allow them to demand to know how you got that money in Thailand. However, be prepared, there are various agreements targeting money laundering between countries.

You can do most of the form which should help but you can't complete it without a valid test booking reference.

Its not 5 mins but treetops is correct, there were language difficulties - my wife speaks reasonable English and I speak a little Thai. However the PLF contains words that we rarely use so a little explanation was necessary. You're English so you won't have that problem. In any case, 30 mins is nowhere near the 36 hours you were talking about. Don't take this personally but throughout this Pandemic I've heard people complaining about how confusing regulations are for this and that - mainly over lockdown in the UK. When you examine the details they are usually not that confusing at all. Yes, normally you'd just go and buy a ticket, now you have to do a bit more but I wouldn't let a couple of hours spent form filling, booking tests and having a PCR test stop me from travelling. Its much the same as the guy on TV last week complaining that Day 2 and Day 8 testing cost £800 for him, his wife and their 2 kids. I paid £85 for my wife's tests - you just have to look around and put a little leg work in. People are so used to being 'spoon fed' that when it comes to having to actually do something they get upset. My Mrs has now visited twice, the next trip will be mine. Think about what I'll have to do - as well as the UK stuff that that we've been discussing, I'll have to book and pay for whatever is in place in Thailand at the time. Will I let that stop me from travelling? Not a hope! If you read one of my other posts on a similar subject you will find that planning my wife's trip was a nightmare - mainly due to the problems with the original testing company and also KLM's so called 'Flexible Booking' policy - which turned out to only be flexible when they decided to respond to my request to change my wife's flight dates (3.5 days). I find a lot of information out on this forum, just as I hope my posts have helped you avoid some of the pitfalls. You just have to do a little research at the moment.

Not at all. It took me less than an hour on the phone to help my wife complete her PLF - once we got the correct one. The thing that took up my time more than anything was problems with a company that I first chose to provide Day 2 and Day 8 testing. That is why I recommended using Nationwide Pathology - failing that, before you book any testing, check out your chosen provider's reviews on sites such as Trustpilot. Flight cancellations are a possibility but that situation seems to have stabilised somewhat since last year - I suggest you do what I did and check out which flights leave Bangkok regularly on sites such as the airport's own website and flightradar. The latter has a facility to check 5 days history without subscription. That's what I did before choosing KLM for my wife's flights - however, since then the UAE has been moved to the UK's Amber List so it is now possible to use Etihad and Emirates. As regards those without a smartphone, I totally agree but that's how it is right now - the UK government are the ones to complain to regarding that. If you've been out of the UK for some time you will be quite shocked when you return to find out just how many goods and services can only be accessed online - its wrong and in my opinion, needs sorting.

Don't rely on the airline to tell you what you need to do. If you don't fit the requirements they'll just bump you off the flight and tell you its your responsibility to find out what the requirements are. Its quite straightforward really - not sure what you mean about the truth. Book your flight, arrange for a PCR test in Thailand (3 to 4000 baht) within 72 hours of departure and book your Day 2 and Day 8 home test kits from one of the providers on the UK's list. I had problems with scammers on that but eventually booked with a company called Nationwide Pathology and all went well - £85. You must book these tests as once completed you are given a booking reference number which needs to be entered on the PLF to be able to complete that process - as mentioned above, you can't complete the PLF until there are less than 48 hours to your departure time. Once the PLF is completed you will be given a confirmation with a QR code that can be scanned at the airport. I also got my wife to download a paper copy just in case. (Note, although you can produce a paper version of the completed PLF and QR code, don't think you can obtain and complete a paper PLF - you can't, it must be done online) The crazy thing is you can't complete your PLF unless you've booked your tests and got a booking reference but the check in staff don't seem to know that and ask for everything. My mrs was asked to show her QR code on her phone and her test booking confirmation. I've also heard of people being asked to show the payment receipt for their tests. It sounds complicated but its not really - its just time consuming. To summarise: Book your flight. Book a PCR test in Thailand (within 72 hours of your flight. Book your Day 2 and Day 8 tests in the UK (The day you arrive is Day 0) Complete your PLF (not more than 48 hours to your departure time). Things required at the airport (including possibilities) Negative PCR test result (Thai) Day 2 & Day 8 test booking confirmation + receipt PLF on phone and/or paper version. There are a couple of badly worded questions regarding where you've been on the PLF process which can lead to an error message or being unable to complete the form - can't remember exactly what but you'll figure it out. I seem to remember that the form makes it appear as if you've stated that you've only been visiting Thailand.

It certainly is international and due to some misinformation on Thai social media sites, some people are trying to complete the wrong form. When my wife had to do hers, I planned to help her as far as possible by completing a duplicate form at the same time on the phone (you can't do it all because you have to fill in your testing booking reference which must be correct). It soon became clear that we were reading from different PLF's - she'd been given a link by someone on Facebook. God knows what country it was for - it certainly wasn't for the UK. ????

I don't find it that difficult. The situation is changing all the time - most countries adapt their rules according to the situation. Not that I think their reading of the 'situation' in each country has much to do with Covid - for example, the UK failed to act qucikly enough to move India to the Red List, then in a week when cases were still rising there, moved them back to the Amber List........I suspect that's more political than medical but that's a whole other subject. As I say, I don't find it that difficult, I know that Amber List = 'Home Quarantine' (self isolation) or in some cases testing for the fully vaccinated and Red List = Hotel Qurantine but given that the situation is fluid with all countries, I'd always check the actual rules (including transit) that applied to my planned trip before booking and only book a flexible ticket (which many airlines are now offering). In much the same way as I know that Thailand = ASQ or Sandbox..........not so difficult really.

You may well be able to find you way around the law but the journey you describe would require 2, possibly 3 Passenger locator forms - you would be breaking the law on the UK form if you didn't disclose that you'd been in Thailand in the previous 10 days. That is of course up to you, as long as you know the risks. I don't know how they police it but when I enquired about this route earlier in the year I was told I would not be allowed to used public transport to travel from the South to Northern Ireland. Neither would I be able to get someone to pick me up.

Are you suggesting breaking the law? You have to state where you've been or transited through during the last 10 days on the Passenger Locator Form.

That is factually wrong. Firstly let's distinguish between 'Quarantine' and 'Home Quarantine' as many TV readers will associate any form of quarantine with being locked in an approved hotel room as per 'Quarantine' in Thailand. Those traveling to the UK from an Amber list country can spend their quarantine at their home, a relative or friend's home, a hotel etc. etc. Most travellers from an Amber list country will be required to pass a PCR test before travelling and 2 further tests on Day 2 and Day 8 following arrival (the actual date of arrival is Day 0) - mostly through a home testing kit from an approved supplier. This can be reduced to 5 days through the 'Test to Release' scheme. If you said the only way to avoid UK quarantine when travelling from Thailand, I'd agree but you don't. Those travelling from some Amber locations that have been fully vaccinated can do so without quarantine providing the vaccine they have had is approved by the UK. I believe they still have to provide a PCR test 72 hours before departure and one on Day 2 - if its negative they're good to go. At the moment only those travelling from (and vaccinated in) the US and EU Amber list countries can benefit from this reduced quarantine but more countries are likely to be added to the list. Content of a notification e-mail I received. Update from GOV.UK for: Entering England during coronavirus Red, amber and green list rules for entering England Page summary: Countries rated as red, amber or green for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow to enter England. Change made: From 2 August, people who have been fully vaccinated in many European countries or the USA will not need to quarantine on arrival in England or take a day 8 test. Time updated: 2:44pm, 28 July 2021

You would struggle with that reason - I think you'd need something stronger. My wife is here now and we chose contact by phone only to my landline number as there's no mobile signal here. Unlike last year, Test & Trace do call - at least for the first week in our case. Say you'd been staying in Amsterdam? That would mean lying on your passenger locator form - you have to state which countries you've been in or through for the 10 days before you travel. Do you know what information comes up on the screen when you present your passport at the UK border? I don't but as far as I know, the fine for lying on a PLF is quite large.

Very odd. There are a number of reasons why someone might want to vote no but for this survey you can only choose 'No. In the long term breaking contractual agreements with neighbors is potentially dangerous'. It would be a no vote from me but not for that reason.

I'd be concerned about methane as well as settlement/subsidence. Why buy a potential load of hassle? Surely there's plenty of other places on the market and if the economy keeps heading downhil, prices could drop.