moontang

https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/football/fcs/2019

I am a JMU graduate.  Looks like a great tournament.  Anyone else interested?  Any watch parties?

4 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

What about Thai Lion Air?

Only UBP...might take four more hours to get into Laos.

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Nok does the fly ride service via two airports. See: https://content.nokair.com/en/Booking/Where-we-fly/Flight-Service/Fly-n-Ride/Mukdahan

Air Asia does it via Nakhon Phanom

Joe, how close do they get to the bridge?

I just got off the phone with Clarke at PC HQ on Sathorn.  Nice guy, good English..I am waiting on the quotes, but basically, for me in the mid 50s..the OA plan is 28000 THB, and you can get a 50% discount with the 300k deductible, but a 15% discount with only a 20k deductible seems more sensible.  You can pay half up front, but you pay 8% more for the whole policy..so effectively you would be paying 32% APR for the balance.  12k guestimate for O Trip and possibly 1800 for some type of embassy letter...and people leave consulates and embassies all the time empty handed...bad hair, wind, war, whatever...they love to make people stay in Vientiane all damn week..

59 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

What high Visa fee? 2000 baht is same as at every local thai immigration office when converting a tourist Visa to a Non-Immigrant O. Poor accessibility? Do you mean how to get there? You can Fly'n'ride if you want. Fly to Mukdahan and van/bus to the border. 

The visa to enter Laos, compared to Malaysia.  Nok does fly drive, but doesn't fly to Mukdahan....I will check AA.

18 minutes ago, CNXBKKMAN said:

You can collect the full payout with zero deductions by going to the Swiss or United Airlines website and completing the online form. It should only take a few minutes. I am guessing the claims agents just type your name and ticket details in for you and and make 150 euros? No doubt you had to fill out the claims companies online form with the exact same details required by the airline?

If it had been straightforward, I would have done it directly..but 5 airlines were involved (counting skywest), and I had 8 boarding passes.  I was also concerned that since my problems were caused by EVA which isn't required to pay in the EU, that they would deny..and also it was only 90 minutes late..if I hadn't checked my bookbag I probably would have made it.  Also, I was on an award ticket, which I learned is a non item.  But I was able to simply submit a copy of the boarding pass for the flight leaving FRA, and the connection at IAD.  And being an American living in Thailand with no ties to the EU made it more difficult, too.  The airlines are underhanded, for the most part..I would not get my hopes up for quick closure with them.  The claim helper has the ability to drag them to court in the EU....

Just now, flexomike said:

please post the answer if they give you one

Fellow member Generic is working on it..I'll make sure it is posted.  That high Visa fee, and poor accessibility for Savanaket is bad enough..but paying 1800 or whatever for bozo the clown to stamp some idiotic statement is a deal killer...And since I am not even of pension age, it is really pissing in the wind.

5 minutes ago, AAArdvark said:

DMK reenter report 25/11.

O-A 1st year expires 28/03/20 prior to 31/10

I reenterd 25/11 at DMK using AirAsia fly-thru.  There were 2 female IOs.  I got the younger of the two.  She seemed to be a bit perplexed when she saw the O-A and she had to ask the senior IO.  She took multiple pictures of my passport but she did give me a full 1 year permission to stay without saying anything to me.  The only oddity was that she did not staple my departure card to my passport nor did she remove the old one. 

Your old one should have been removed as you left..maybe that is why she was perplexed..especially if the system didn't say you left... we'll never know, but good for you.  I might let the dust settle before leaving again...

20 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

So what is the price\year? 

Yeah, and did you have to pay all at once..and do they take credit cards?

Just thought I would share this...these are the types of policies I have been using for six years..paid for a broken tooth, once..I am tempted to show to the IO, it is a ton more coverage than required, with a very highly rated company, that does direct payment to Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, and 20 others in BKK alone.  Meets all the Schengen requirements and even specifies LOS in the Letter.  I guess it is going to be the Thaiway or the Highway...#$@##@s.

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

They can't quite "charge whatever they want". But they CAN raise premiums on an individual basis (on top of age band increases) if you have a large claim. Not to an unlimited degree,  there is a cap on it but I think up to as much as 25%. There are also provisions to subsequently reduce the rate if no further large claims after X years.

 

All Thai policies have this as it is allowed under Thai regulations. Very bad, I agree, and this is why I have an international policy. But I don't think it varies much if at all between Thai companies. They are all following OIC guidelines.

 

AETNA Thailand is its own company. Experiences in all respects (positive and negative) will not be the same as with AETNA US or elsewhere.

It is still their culture....same as Toyota, Philip Morris, Heineken or any other multinational that has a Thai subsidiary.

It is a shame they wouldn't just adopt the same requirements as the EU.  About the same money for much higher coverage, and you can print out a letter showing your coverage.

11 minutes ago, Kaoboi Bebobp said:

 

It may come to that. My preference, however, was to go to a fun city (SGN) that I know and that I can get to by flying. Also it appears the Thai embassy in Ottawa lists an O for over-50s. Anyway, I have till next spring to decide. 

 

Though my doubts about my future in Thailand grow by the day as the cluster**** continues (see 30-day stamp above on O-A re-entry).

 

 

I am thinking Penang...cheap flight, no Visa..new facility that they got the links out of..or scared the visa runners and teachers away...trying to get clarification on requirement of statement of retirement in Savanaket.

3 hours ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

Who accussed you of scaremongering? But in general would you agree there is a lot negativity,  rumour mongering, complaints, falsehood, inaccuracy etc sometimes on this forum?

There has always been an unnecessary push towards agents on the forum.  Kind of like people invested with Bernie Madoff, or even runner Alan Hall from CMEC..who was unlicensed,.their favorite thing to discuss, kind of a status symbol...they almost fueled the problems in CM, and possibly Jomtien, but I have no personal experience there.  The TM30 thing has turned into gloom, doom, and negativity...but that is highly curable by moving.  They even told me to register online last time I did it.  

40 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Falcon also does not guarantee coverage, even year by year , and will not cover past age 65 in any case, so not a viable choice for a retiree looking to settle here even just in terms of meeting immigration requirements.

 

In your  mid 50's, you can get a policy with AETNA or Thai Vivat that guarantees lifetime renewal, and people anywhere up to age 75 can get policies or with Pacific Cross or Viriyah that guarantees renewal to ages 99/100. These are the options that would provide some assurance of meeting Immigration requirements as currently written, meeting need to be protected for health costs is a somewhat other matter.

 

Premium affordability is certainly an issue; Thai insurance policies cost more for less compared to international expat policies and matters are much worsened by the requirement to include OPD cover.

 

A high deductible PC policy will indeed likely be the least expensive option but unless you have other (non Immigration approved) insurance cover or ready access to  savings to cover health expenses, need to consider how you will finance hospital care if needed.

 

 

What good is lifetime renewal if they can charge whatever they want to?  Aetna?  Anything to do with Blue Cross is the last people I want to deal with.  But it does vary by State in the US, but they are horrible in Arizona.

1 hour ago, cm17 said:

Hi all, I got a similar story: my Thai wife was due to fly from Chiang Mai to Bordeaux on the 11th of July, via Beijing and Zurich with Swissair; CNX to PEK o.k., but at the same time I got an e.mail that her flight to ZRH was cancelled, then another one saying that she had a seat on an Air France plane and a connection to BOD, landing two hours before than the original one...LOL...Of course, no way to contact her, so she had some hard time in Beijing as it was a big challenge to find some staff awake at night or keen to provide any information...Anyway, she finally arrived to BOD ahead of schedule and we forgot about the ordeal...This is where it gets interesting: on the 17th of October, I recieved a mail from a company called AirHelp informing me that following the delay, I was eligible to a compensation of 600 euro and that they proposed to obtain it on my behalf, for a fee of 35%, of course...Being a pathological sceptic, I immidiately thought of just another scam, but as I had nothing to do nor pay, I sent them a couple of informations they needed and didn't think more about it...October 29th, e.mail from AirHelp: "Swissair agrees on a 600 euro compensation"...November 6th: 390 euro deposit on my bank account: pas belle la vie?...Sorry, it was a bit long, but worth it, I think...Oh, I'd like to know wich company takes only a 25% fee...Thanks

I used www.claimcompass.eu  good for you bro and sis...

10 minutes ago, MeePeeMai said:

Only if you use a Government Hospital IMHO

Folks, at 100% less, you are at zero.  They actually spend quite a bit of time on that in 6th and 7th Grade.  And the argument about bringing more younger people into the system was used extensively by Barry and Creepy Joe..problem was that it was so costly, only people with serious existing conditions took them up on it..so it had the opposite effect.

21 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

You missed the point- medical care in Thailand is 500% cheaper than the USA so comparisons are imposible.  The Thai Social Security system does not have nicesties like shingles shots or any preventative medicine such as the American system.

 

The cost per patient in Thailand is much cheaper  and would go down considerably- if more people were brought into the system.  In the USA  Medicare  starts at Age 65 so obviously more people would use it. In Thailand I am talking about a buy in at Age 50 which means more people paying but actuarily using it less.

 

By the way-Medicare for All is coming to the USA and not all the name calling you do will stop it. The people want it.

 

Since you seem to feel my math is incorrect- what would your plan cost in Thailand based on Thai figures.

If it cost five times more in the US, Thai care would be 80% less.  Take a fifth of what Medicare costs pp, and you would get about 7500 THB per month, pp.  But that would be for the 65 and ups.  

47 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

US, Belgium, Malaysia and possibly other countries (don't remember).

Thanks for the heads up..that kills my plan B.2, which was to go to Malaysia.  Waiting to hear about the the letter of retirement for those with 800k in the bank..at that point, I will probably try the high deductible with Pacific Cross and make it my last year, here.  I thought Falcon would be ok, but on my second review of it I see it is 800k coverage, but only 80k per incident..you can get 200k coverage from BBL for a song..I am mid 50s..so I will care better than most..but this is about the worst pile of <deleted> since moving here full time 6 years ago.

5 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

I'm on an original O Visa based on retirement. Jomtien Immigration likes stamps, so I have "Retirement"

stamped next to every extension. 

But I have a hard time believing that an expat wouldn't remember what visa he/she started with,even if it was years ago.

I have submitted a copy of my now expired OA with all extension apps, TM30, and even a few 90s.  

32 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

I might sound a little vaig, but I gather you didn't take out travel insurance ?

I carry travel medical with Tokio Marine.  It would have been tough to insure a ticket that was purchased for the cost of taxes..about 75 USD.  And even then, I may have only been covered for extra expenses incurred, which were zero, since they gave me a hotel room at Dulles, and three meal vouchers.

On 11/19/2019 at 7:08 PM, Genericnic said:

@JaiLai 

 

Were you doing a non-O based on retirement by chance? If so, what did you use for item 5 in the list of required docs? Even with UbonJoe's translation of what the Thai says ("5. Certificate of retirement from the embassy of that person with that nationality"), I am still not sure what they mean/want. Is it just a form you fill out swearing that you are retired and that the US consulate then stamps? All the other requirements are clear but that one stumps me.

 

Thanks

Exactly my question, too.  Perhaps, it refers to the old letter attesting to your income, that are no longer available to many.  I would appreciate clarification.  Are my current fixed deposit books good enough with 850k in them?  Could I even show my US brokerage account?  Otherwise, doesn't sound too bad.  Isn't there an appointment system?  Their site isn't fully working on my Android.  Oh, and should I get a letter from my bank to support my Thai passbooks?

2 minutes ago, Onrai said:

If the number of you tube videos and posts on thaivisa  about how little you can live on in Thailand is any indication-scraping together the minimum bank account balance I think is going to be more challenging for most people. I saw a YOu tube video yesterday about a couple documenting living on a $600/mo budget in Chiang mai for a months. Lots of comments that people were living on way less than that. Even with the caveat that this was a one month experiment and the couple normally live on US$1000/month puts them at half the required monthly income they need to show. 

I think the new insurance requirement works out to be 2,500-3,000 a month to meet the minimum. So, if we take this couple as an example, is it easier to come up with US$100 or US$1000/mo?

That guy is simply another <deleted> making money off selling the dream.  I think he has a video interview of every known conman in CM..Nimman is worse than a Chinese strip mall.

50 minutes ago, treetops said:

Was this compensation under EU261 (the value seems about right)?

 

Can you tell us airline(s) involved, original and final routing and timings, cause of delay, ticketing arrangements (one or multiple) so we can understand and perhaps use your experience?

Yes, eu261.  The key is that my reassigned flight from FRA was 90 minutes late, causing me to miss my connection..600 euro, less 25% and a few bucks for transfer.  EVA was 3 hours late leaving BKK, but didn't get squat for that, even though it was equipment change. I used www.claimcompass.eu. Ticketing was done through United and I paid with miles..40k and about 75 us in taxes, but originally, UAL was only going to take me from IAD to CHO.  Was scheduled to fly from VIE to IAD on Austrian.  Oh, and the group of Chinese that wanted to connect to Poland at VIE, had separate tickets, and got nothing, except possibly stranded.  A warning about that..very risky.  UAL was late because of a door problem, but without the missed connection..I would have got zilch on that, too.  

1 minute ago, DUNROAMIN said:

I believe this is just the tip of the ice berg, by the end of 2020, ALL expats here will be made to get Thai health insurance regardless of visa type. This decision for Thai health insurance just didn't happen overnight, or was introduced to bail out hospitals with outstanding debt by Expats. Did anybody see written proof the all expats living here racked up all these bills. Who do you think owns all the nominated Thai health insurance companies? This was well planned by the government and all the Thai elite families who really run this country. Think about it, what would you do to raise profits to keep your company afloat. Thailand has always run on corruption and will never change its their way of life here.

That's my spin on it. 

The crackdown on the liar letters was several years in the making, and this may just be a continuation of that.