John Kassow

Thanks guys. Issue is settled. Through Doha no papers needed in transit. -John

Hi everyone. I'll be leaving Thailand this Friday. I'm okay with the papers required at the destination. My question is, do I need any sort of paperwork to get a boarding pass at Swampy, for example a fit to fly certificate? Thanks! - John

Hi, I need to leave Thailand soon to attend to same matters overseas. I'll probably need to remain overseas for some time given the travel situation coming back into Thailand, that's ok with me. I think I read sometime ago that non-O visa holders do NOT need 100,000USD medical insurance (covering COVID-19) to re-enter. Does anyone know if this is true, or perhaps there have been changes in the regulations in the meanwhile? Thank you!

Thanks ubonjoe. For clarity the police clearance is NOT needed to set up the business (I have already submitted all required documents by way of a lawyer so this is very clear). The reason why it is related to the business set-up is that our clients will be in the education sector so the clients will require police clearances for all of our employees to work on campus. I will follow up on your information and thanks again. -John

Good morning,

In the coming days I will need to get a police clearance document related to setting up a new business. Can someone advise me regarding the process, requirements and fees? Thank you kindly.

John

Hi TV members. I'm currently on a retirement extension, living in Bangkok. I'm considering transferring about 3 million Baht from the USA to my UOB account, which is in good standing. The purpose is to meet the "new" immigration requirements and to fund my life for a couple of years. My bank says this is fine and that no significant fees will apply. However, I'd like to have some real world input before I go ahead. I have two questions and would appreciate any help offered:

1) What sorts of fees, taxes or other withholding should I expect? 

2) It's a fairly large sum...what sort of scrutiny can I expect from Thai authorities?

Many thanks!

John

I recently replaced the tyres on my Honda Xoomerx at a real Honda shop for about 2,500THB. So, it's not a large expense although I realize that a lot of Thai people would disagree. Tyres, when in proper condition and correctly inflated, are the only parts of the bike (or car/truck) that actually touch the road when in motion. If not in proper condition it might well be your face that hits the road next. No way it should be risked. 

Thank you ubonjoe.

Hi folks. I'm Danish residing for about 5 years in Thailand on a retirement extension to the original visa. I'm about to run out of pages in my current passport so I have ordered a new one which should arrive in about 3 weeks.

Is it necessary to have the various immigration stamps transferred to the new passport or is it acceptable to simply carry the old and the new passports for the time being? If it is necessary to transfer then what is the procedure for doing so? FYI I am in Bangkok but my last extension was processed in the Pattaya immigration office.

Thank you in advance for any advice offered.

John

Thanks halfaboy, I've had some mail confirming your recommendation. I'll get in touch with them. Cheers. -J

Hi, I'm looking for guidance regarding health insurance. I'm on a "retirement visa", 59 years old and in good health. I'd appreciate suggestions on an affordable, good quality provider. -J

It seems that I get charged 25 baht per transaction, and I make a lot of small transactions. The thing is that I am charged for this only once per year as a lump sum, and was surprised to see the money missing from my account. I just paid last year's fees which added up to more than 8,000 over two accounts. Is this reasonable or am I being unrealistic?

I need some advice. I'm here on a properly obtained retirement extension but I have become frustrated with the exorbitant fees charged for everyday banking by Bangkok Bank. If you can help I'd appreciate two bits of advice:

1) A bank that offers either low fees or one annual fee for everyday banking

2) Required documents for opening a new account

Thanks for any help offered. FYI I reside in Bangkok.

Hi, I need to go to Shenzen China on short notice. I've done some research but I cannot get a clear answer to my question: Can I get a visa on arrival (VOA) when I arrive at Shenzen airport or must I go by land or ferry?

On the IQ issue: there is a lot of research linking iodine intake with IQ. Insufficient iodine reduces IQ. I read somewhere (a WHO report as I recall) that there is concern that rural folk in Thailand do not consume enough iodine because they use "home made" salt. Relatively small, and cheap, changes in diet can have dramatic effects over time. Research and good science should obviously be at the forefront of the government's endeavor. If proper research indicates iodine insufficiency as a probable contributor to decreased IQ then this could be solved through thoughtful public policy such as an iodized salt subsidy, for example.

There are probably bona fide reasons why Thai people are not taller and do not score well in IQ tests. I'd like to suggest that the government try to understand the reasons first, rather than making public pronouncements about "we want this and we want that". Government decrees are no match for good science.

In my opinion it also has to do with what people are actually able to do, in the absence of a well structured policy to motivate change. It's rather pointless to order people not to sit in the back of a pickup if you don't offer reasonable transport alternatives at the same time. Same for increasing fines. "Can't pay" on the surface appears to be exactly the same as "won't pay". First public policy must help Thai people to earn more money before it is taken away again, regardless of whether by legitimate laws or simple corruption. The policy makers should be more thoughtful before they try to force change. Not likely to happen, but that's my opinion.

Hi everyone, I need a little help. A friend of mine is coming to visit soon. He's a chef and has asked if I can find a short stay apartment or condo with a proper, western style kitchen. Not just the usual hotplate and a microwave. Does anyone know of such a place in Bangkok, preferably along the BTS line on the East side of the city. Many thanks! -John