Caldera

6 minutes ago, dlclark97 said:

Bangkok Bank New York is no longer allowed to accept ACH transfers.

Strictly speaking, that isn't the case. What has changed is that ACH transfers they receive need to be in IAT format, something which many sending banks unfortunately don't support.

As I've mentioned on other threads regarding this subject, my ACH transfers continue to work to this day without any issues, as they're in IAT format. 

The Thai justice minister might well escape justice which is elusive, but I'd like to think he believes he won't be able to escape karma.

14 hours ago, rcuthbert said:

OP. Do your research - then go to Vietnam.

Considering that the OP wants to enter Thailand on a retirement visa and that no such visa exists in Vietnam, that's a questionable suggestion.

Historically, a retired person could "live" in Vietnam on consecutive 3-month tourist visas, doing visa runs. But just before the pandemic, plans were being made to stamp tourists in for only 1 month a time, with an option to extend. Nobody knows how this will develop after the pandemic, and currently Vietnam doesn't allow any tourists to enter the country, so the OP couldn't go there anyway.

Personally, for a long-term stay in Thailand, I wouldn't mind if I had to quarantine for one week or for two weeks.

It's not possible. You can open an account in Thailand and use the New York branch to receive money (which is what I do), but you cannot open an account directly with the New York branch.

Nowadays, most tourists I know just use their cards. They pay big items (such as hotel bills and flights) directly to collect points or miles and withdraw as little cash as possible, so in the big scheme of things, withdrawal fees don't amount to much. Foreign cash from back home only as a backup. 

Right, cannot have any slum dwellers use up space at a field hospital, how predictable.

Not going to happen. The normal bin it is.

I haven't installed the ThaiChana app on my phone. If and when I'm asked to scan a ThaiChana QR code, which happens occasionally when entering a shopping center, my phone opens the web version of ThaiChana in my browser, which works fine and satisfies the requirement.

So, reopening the country has been postponed from July this year to the beginning of next year?

A police officer on a dumb motorbike would accomplish the same. But hey, these smart cars have to be put to use somehow.

I, for one, applaud her for her efforts to keep in good spirits. That can be key to recovery. All the best!

Their inept "neighborhood lockdown" (taping off streets) is mind-boggling. Delivery drivers aren't allowed to cross district boundaries, no wonder that there are food shortages. These muppets could learn a lesson, or ten, from neighboring Thailand.

I've seen similar reports before, this seems to be handled quite inconsistently. Which immigration office did you attend?

I don't think they'll extend the STV. Too special, too complicated. They'll probably just extend the Covid extensions, time and again.

Does it actually work?

38 minutes ago, GMajor said:

I was offered the first 3 plans only, can not pick none above "Caring".

I guess that turning 70 next week got something to do with the restricted offer... ????

There's a not very visible scrollbar that allows you to scroll to the 4th plan, far right. 

First of all, thanks very much to @Sheryl for this topic. I already had decent health insurance coverage, but the potential field hospital issue sure is something new to think about.

I just signed up with Roojai to plug that gap, and it went through without any issues. Received SMS and email confirmations right away; let's see when the policy documents will arrive by snail mail - so far, so good!

There are plenty of people in Thailand - both Thais and expats- who are willing and able to pay a premium for the Pfizer vaccine. Just order it already.

Despicable waste of time, absolutely indefensible. 

Now we are well and truly...

While I'm a rather generous tipper myself, it's because I want to and can afford it, not because I feel there's an obligation to tip. This isn't the US. Each to their own, I'd say.

So, to come to a forum to complain about other people's tipping habits seems a bit odd to me, I don't think we need a tip police. I realize it's boring out there right now, but still, get a hobby or something.