The Fugitive

Fair price for the quality. I paid about the same for Linea Roma with single vision distance lenses in Paraguay about 15 years ago. I also purchased a pair of Wrangler reading glasses from the same shop but can't remember the cost of those.

Thanks for this. It's all interesting! I can only state my own experience with a Vyke UK mobile number over the last three years. Calls and SMS including one time passcodes (OTP's) seem to have been received without any problem. I generally don't use a VPN on my two mobile phones. When I do it's either free Browsec or SmartDNSProxy (includes VPN). Prior to SmartDNSProxy I used SurfShark. Sometimes I look and notice that I've left a VPN unintentionally running. I know that USA financial institutions are very wary of sending OTP's via VOIP services so wouldn't recommend Vyke for US use. UK doesn't seem to be worried (as yet). What Australia does I'll admit I don't know.

Some Australian members have previously been searching for cheap mobile phone numbers. Pleased to report that Vyke now offer Australian mobile numbers for $97 AUS Dollars per annum. In addition, Canadian, United Kingdom, Mexican, Polish and USA. Free to receive calls and SMS. Outgoing mobile, landline calls and SMS of course depend upon where you're calling/sending to. Australian rates are (in USD); Mobile; 6.0c/minute, Landline; 3.0c/minute, SMS; 7.0c/each.

Good news! We received the final pathology report from Bangkok Hospital on Friday; ‘Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, low to intermediate nuclear grade’. Although I suggested Srinagarind, yesterday we ended up at the tumour clinic in Khon Kaen Regional Hospital. The lady cancer doctor said the prognosis was excellent. ‘It’s a stage one cancer and 100% curable’. Mrs goes in on Monday 4th November for 4 or 5 days. She was concerned about having a mastectomy as her friend had. The doctor said ‘don’t worry, no surgery involved. Mrs asked if she’d be able to go on an already booked and paid for holiday flying out on 16th November? ‘Absolutely, there’s no postoperative risk’. Thanks Sheryl, you were absolutely correct about consulting a different doctor. It turned out to be less serious than we were originally told at Bangkok Hospital.

Correct. US financial institutions are wary of sending OTP's via VOIP services. Also, Skype itself does not (or doesn't any longer) support 2FA; 'You can receive SMS messages on your US Skype Number from US and Canadian mobile numbers. However, SMS messages sent from services such as identity verification are not supported on US Skype Numbers'.

You need to tell the Thai immigration office that they have things wrong. There has been a relatively recent report by an Asean Now member being told this.

As I understand if your Thai wife has her own shop (for example) you are permitted to 'assist'. That is what couples do. Otherwise, how could your wife attend to her bodily functions or attend a hospital appointment etc?

Excellent point Hamus! I have read previously something to do with proving that you have income/expenditure to negate suspicion that you might be working illegally.

Thanks for this! Missed it previously. Appears that with or without other transactions in my bank passbook an extra trip (to Bangkok Bank) 5 days prior to immigration day plus 200 baht is required from now onwards.

I purposely didn't say which one but as you've asked DrJack54 I can say it was Khon Kaen.

Previously an updated (on the day) passbook only has been accepted at my office. The other day I made a transaction as usual before going to my bank to obtain the letter for immigration and updating my passbook. I’d brought copies of my Yellow Book, wife’s Blue Book and her ID card. Only needed my passport and bank passbook copies. At immigration the lady on the photocopy machine went into overdrive, copying 12 sheets including ‘Receipt of Notification’ TM30’s. She asked me where my bank statement was as ‘‘we need them now’. As it was 60km back to my bank I asked her if there was a way around this? She smiled and nodded. Once inside a very enthusiastic officer offered to ‘check everything for me’. I told him I hadn’t yet completed my TM7 and TM8 but he said ‘I’ll do that for you, come over to my desk’. Then the fun began! He said I needed a bank statement. Also, he was concerned that there was only one transaction in 12 months in my bank passbook. Mrs asked him how much and settled on 500 baht. We then sat there amazed at the amount of scanning and printing he then did. I can’t see a way around this as although my Bangkok Bank app will send 12 months statement history to my email the information will be as of 2 days prior. Plus, if we get the same officer next time he won’t like my lack of transactions! I wouldn’t object if they returned to the full VIP service when we used to telephone to make an appointment, all forms were completed for us with no questions asked. I only needed to supply photographs, photocopies and sit for desk cam photo.

Appears your hospital took the iniative upon your behalf which obviously worked to your benefit. It would seem you were wrongly (or rightly) treated as a Thai. At my local community hospital registering didn't come into it. They would ring us and Thai Mrs and myself could both go as soon as they received stocks of vaccine. I didn't have my Yellow Book/Pink Card then but it made no difference in my case.

Wow! Shocking customer service. He could have been on the receiving end of something (or someone) very nasty earlier on?

I always carry my passport anyway. However, I'll try it next time. Agree that there's no profit in giving out more information than you need.

Agree on Yellow Tabien Baan as proof of address. Things certainly do vary though. I've never stayed in a hotel in Phuket or Krabi (irrespective of who does the checking in or the name on the booking) where the desk staff haven't demanded my passport then leafed through the pages to find my latest extension stamp and taken a photocopy.

That's what I'm intetested in too. A report from someone who couldn't get a mobile signal without but the aerial has now made that possible.

Thanks for the idea. Will need to renew my unlimited data packs on my main and backup mobile soon. Have True and AIS. Year before last had NT Thunder for only 999 baht. It worked in around 50% of places when out and about. Good enough for me as a backup. However, it didn't work at home. SIM router plus aerial might make all the difference?

Ban Phai.

Very sorry about your wife. Thanks for your information and best wishes!

Thanks for this most valuable information Sheryl. Schwannoma surgery history was not discussed yesterday. Mrs has a friend with breast cancer who is under Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen.

Incredible! Thanks so much. My wife is 56. She has already said that she wants to be treated under her 30 baht scheme in Khon Kaen Regional Hospital. Three years ago she had Schwannoma tumours cut out of her leg by the same young doctor she saw at the tumour clinic. We booked a private room. Her daughter stayed with her to provide personal care and fetch the noodles! Surgery was performed under local anaesthetic as this was a relatively minor matter.

We attended Bangkok Hospital in Khon Kaen on Saturday for the imaging. Returned next day for consultation. Same doctor took the five biopsies.

Most definitely agree! Thanks for your recommendation.

Great to hear this. Many thanks!

Very helpful and uplifting information. Thank you.